Alfredo Griffin Autographed 1982 Donruss #101 Toronto Blue Jays Card

This Alfredo Griffin autographed 1982 Donruss #101 Toronto Blue Jays baseball card features the talented Dominican shortstop during his early years as one of the most recognizable players in Toronto Blue Jays history. Known for his exceptional defensive ability, strong throwing arm, speed, and energetic style of play, Griffin became a fixture in Major League infields throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. His authentic autograph adds collectible appeal to this classic early Donruss release, combining a vintage Toronto Blue Jays baseball card with the signature of the 1979 American League Co-Rookie of the Year, 1984 American League All-Star, Gold Glove Award winner, and three-time World Series champion.

Alfredo Griffin was born on October 6, 1957, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and began his professional baseball career in the Cleveland Indians organization.

He made his Major League debut with Cleveland on September 4, 1976, beginning a career that would eventually span 18 Major League seasons.

Following his early appearances with the Indians, Griffin joined the Toronto Blue Jays, a young expansion franchise working to establish itself in the American League.

His arrival in Toronto provided the organization with an athletic shortstop who could contribute defensively while developing as a Major League hitter.

The 1979 season became Griffin's breakthrough year, as he established himself as Toronto's regular shortstop.

Griffin appeared in 153 games, batting .287 with 21 stolen bases, demonstrating his combination of offensive ability, speed, and defensive versatility.

His impressive performance earned him the 1979 American League Rookie of the Year Award, which he shared with Minnesota Twins third baseman John Castino.

The recognition made Griffin one of the first major individual award winners in Toronto Blue Jays history.

Griffin quickly became a recognizable member of the Blue Jays' developing roster.

His defensive ability was particularly important to the young franchise, as his quick reactions, range, and strong throwing arm helped provide stability in the middle of the infield.

Throughout the early 1980s, Griffin established himself as one of the American League's most dependable defensive shortstops.

His energetic style of play and ability to make difficult defensive plays helped make him a favorite among Toronto fans.

The 1982 season represented another important year in Griffin's career, as he continued serving as the Blue Jays' regular shortstop.

Toronto was gradually assembling the foundation of a competitive organization, developing players who would eventually help the franchise emerge as an American League contender.

Griffin played alongside recognizable Blue Jays players such as Lloyd Moseby, Damaso Garcia, Willie Upshaw, and Jesse Barfield, who helped establish the team's identity during its formative years.

His presence at shortstop provided defensive consistency while the organization continued building toward future success.

In 1984, Griffin earned his first and only American League All-Star selection, recognizing his reputation as one of the league's accomplished defensive shortstops.

That same season, he received the American League Gold Glove Award at shortstop, honoring his outstanding defensive performance.

His combination of range, athleticism, and throwing ability helped establish him among the premier defensive players at his position.

Following the 1984 season, Griffin joined the Oakland Athletics, beginning another significant chapter of his Major League career.

He spent three seasons with Oakland before joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988.

The move placed Griffin with a talented Dodgers organization that would soon enjoy one of the most memorable championship seasons in franchise history.

The 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers captured the National League West Division championship, advancing through the postseason to face the heavily favored Oakland Athletics in the World Series.

Los Angeles defeated Oakland in five games, capturing the franchise's sixth World Series championship.

Although Griffin's playing time was limited by injury during the season, he was a member of the 1988 World Series championship Dodgers.

His time in Los Angeles connected him to a memorable team that featured Orel Hershiser, Kirk Gibson, Steve Sax, Mike Scioscia, and Fernando Valenzuela.

Griffin later returned to the Toronto Blue Jays, rejoining the franchise where he had first established himself as a Major League regular.

His return coincided with the most successful period in Toronto Blue Jays history.

The 1992 Blue Jays captured the American League East Division championship and advanced through the postseason to face the Atlanta Braves in the World Series.

Toronto defeated Atlanta in six games, becoming the first Canadian-based franchise to win a Major League Baseball World Series championship.

Griffin was part of that historic championship team, adding another World Series title to his professional rsum.

The Blue Jays repeated their success in 1993, capturing another American League East Division championship and returning to the World Series.

Toronto defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games, highlighted by Joe Carter's unforgettable championship-winning home run.

Griffin was again a member of the Blue Jays, earning his third World Series championship.

His participation in Toronto's back-to-back championship seasons provided a fitting conclusion to his lengthy association with the franchise.

Griffin finished his Major League career following the 1993 season with 1,688 hits, 192 stolen bases, and a .249 career batting average.

His career reflected the importance of outstanding defensive players who could provide stability, experience, and leadership to successful Major League teams.

The 1982 Donruss #101 Alfredo Griffin card belongs to an important period in the history of modern baseball card collecting.

Donruss entered the modern baseball card market in 1981, joining Fleer in challenging Topps' longtime dominance of nationally distributed baseball cards.

The company's early releases became recognizable among collectors for their distinctive designs and expanding representation of Major League players.

The 1982 Donruss baseball set featured a clean design with prominent player photography, colorful borders, and the familiar Donruss presentation that helped establish the company as a major competitor in the hobby.

The release included numerous established Major League stars, future Hall of Famers, and notable young players.

Among the most recognizable cards in the set is the Cal Ripken Jr. rookie card #405, one of the important rookie cards of the early 1980s.

Griffin's #101 Toronto Blue Jays card captures the talented shortstop during his early years with the franchise, following his 1979 Rookie of the Year Award and before his 1984 All-Star and Gold Glove recognition.

The card provides a connection to Toronto's formative seasons, when the organization was developing the foundation for its eventual championship success.

For Toronto Blue Jays collectors, Griffin remains an important figure in franchise history, having contributed during the team's early years and later returned for its consecutive World Series championships in 1992 and 1993.

For Los Angeles Dodgers collectors, Griffin's autograph also carries significance because of his association with the memorable 1988 World Series championship team.

For collectors assembling comprehensive Alfredo Griffin player collections, the 1982 Donruss #101 provides a classic early-career issue alongside his Topps, Fleer, Donruss, Score, Upper Deck, and other Major League baseball cards.

The addition of Griffin's autograph enhances the collectible appeal of this Donruss release, combining an early-1980s baseball card with the signature of an accomplished defensive shortstop and three-time World Series champion.

Signature obtained through a private signing conducted by Under the Radar Sports Promotions and guaranteed to pass any third-party authentication service.

This autographed Alfredo Griffin card is an excellent addition to collections featuring Toronto Blue Jays memorabilia, 1982 Donruss baseball cards, Alfredo Griffin player collections, 1979 American League Rookie of the Year winners, Gold Glove Award winners, 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champions, 1992 and 1993 Toronto Blue Jays championship teams, and signed 1980s baseball collectibles.