I challenge you to a dual

I'm typically not a fan of dual autograph cards. You usually have one guy you like and then some chump you're stuck with. Even when you get a couple guys you like on one card, chances are you'd rather have the autos on separate cards. It's why I went with a 2003 Retired Willie Mays auto even though I'm generally partial to 2004 Retired (all of Mays' autos in 2004 Retired are dual autos.) Plus it seems 99% of dual autos are stickers, not on-card.

But every so often, it's pretty neat to get two autos on one card. If it were up to me, these are the only types of dual autos there'd be:

• Long-time teammates (like Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker; Paul Molitor and Robin Yount)
• "Notable opponents" would be great, but I can't recall card companies having the balls to put many together (I'm thinking like Clemens and Piazza, Kirk Gibson and Dennis Eckersley)
• Other guys who get lumped together a lot. All-Star shortstops Ozzie Smith and Cal Ripken, juiced-up sluggers Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Stuff like that.
• Bloodlines. Father and son combos like the Griffeys. Maybe cousins, like Mo Vaughn and Greg Vaughn. And of course brothers.

Keeping the Giles Mania that started with yesterday's post going, he's a Christmas Card for this month.

It's a pretty cool card with bits of patches and an autos from both Marcus and Brian Giles. The autos are stickers, but it's still pretty cool, especially with the 12/25 numbering. This card is like a collection trifecta for me, with 2 hometown guys I collect plus being a Christmas Card.

Apparently there's an on-card dual auto from them in 2004 Bowman Heritage. I'd love to track down one of those sometime.

Happy Holidays!