Tony Batista Autographed 2005 Topps Heritage #435 SP Washington Nationals Card

A particularly interesting short-print issue from the inaugural Washington Nationals season, this Tony Batista autographed 2005 Topps Heritage #435 SP Washington Nationals card combines a franchise-transition subject with one of Topps most popular retro-themed products. The 2005 Topps Heritage set pays tribute to the classic 1956 Topps design, including its distinctive horizontal format and combination of portrait and action imagery. Card #435 is part of the sets short-print portion of the checklist.

Batista spent the 2004 season with the Montreal Expos, appearing in 157 games while hitting 32 home runs and establishing a career high with 110 RBI. It was the third 30-home-run season of his career and made him one of the primary power hitters on the final Expos team to play in Montreal.

Following the season, the Expos relocated to Washington and became the Washington Nationals. Batista did not play for the Nationals, instead continuing his career in Japan with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2005. His appearance with the Washington designation on this Heritage card therefore creates an unusual collectible connecting a member of the final Montreal club with the new identity of the relocated franchise.

Batista had previously earned American League All-Star selections in 2000 with Toronto and 2002 with Baltimore. His finest power season came with the Blue Jays in 2000, when he hit a career-high 41 home runs and drove in 114 runs. His extraordinarily wide-open batting stance also made him one of the most visually recognizable hitters of his era.

Batista completed his 11-year Major League career with 1,146 hits, 221 home runs and 718 RBI. With its 1956 Topps-inspired design, short-print status and unusual Washington Nationals designation for a player who never appeared in a game for the club, the 2005 Topps Heritage #435 SP is a distinctive addition for Nationals and Expos franchise collectors, Tony Batista fans, Heritage set builders or collectors assembling comprehensive autographed player runs.

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