TTM Success - Ryan Goins

A more-recent card was added to the autograph album when this 2016 Topps came back signed TTM by Ryan Goins.  I had gotten Goins in person a few years back when he came to Durham with Gwinnett, but didn't get his 2016 Topps done.

Goins (b. 1988) played in the majors from 2013 to 2020 for the Blue Jays, Royals and White Sox.  He had 353 hits, 22 home runs and a .228 batting average. 

I mailed to Goins on March 24 and got the card back on November 1, for a 222-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Dave Hostetler

Here is another 1983 Topps that came back signed recently.  Dave Hostetler signed his card in black Sharpie after I sent it out TTM.

Hostetler (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1981 to 1984 and 1988 for the Expos, Rangers and Pirates.  He had 187 hits, 37 home runs and a .229 batting average. 

I mailed to Hostetler on October 18 and got the card back on October 30, for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Cody Strait

Of all of the older Bowman cards that I have, I think I have more 2007 Bowman than any other set prior to 2017.  I busted a box back then, and also got a bunch from the former LCS when it closed.  I like getting these signed, with the latest being this 2007 Bowman Chrome of Cody Strait.

He also included his own card with a Christian testimonial on the back.  I assume testimonial is the correct word.  The card is really cool, and it is nice that he included his kid on the card.

Strait (b. 1983) was a 12th round pick by the Reds in the 2004 June Amateur Draft out of the Uniersity of Evansville.  He played in the minors from 2004 to 2010 in the Reds, Royals and Rays systems.  He got as far as AAA.  He had 670 hits, 70 home runs and a .253 batting average. 

I mailed to Strait on October 16 and got the cards back on October 28, for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jim Wright

Another 1980 Topps was added to the autograph album when this one came back signed TTM by Jim Wright.  He signed the card close to the facsimile autograph and added a uniform number inscription. 

Wright (b. 1950) played in the majors in 1978 and 1979 for the Red Sox.  He had a record of 9-4 with 71 strike outs and a 3.82 ERA.

I mailed to Wright on October 15 and got the card back on October 28, for a 13-day TAT.

Some 2025 50-50 Returns From Andrew L

A guy named Andrew reached out to me this past season, asking if I could provide some cards to facilitate some 50/50s.  He took my cards and got a bunch of them done.  I didn't have very many 2016 Topps Pro Debut, so it was nice to add the above Dakota Chalmers to the album. 

I had gotten Aaron Altherr TTM a couple times.  It was nice to add a few more to the album. The Dustin Peterson 2013 Bowman (bottom right) was a card that I missed on one of my road trips, so it was nice that Andrew could help me with it.  He also got me a couple Kade Morris and a Colby Halter signed, as well.

Finally, this 2021 Topps Pro Debut of Jagger Haynes also turned out great.

I really appreciated Andrew getting these done for me.  I didn't have as many opportunities for 50/50s this past season.  Mostly, because I didn't have the time to search.  I also lost contact with quite a few guys who had helped me out in the past. That was likely because I don't see the same guys I used to see when I had season tickets to an affiliated club.

TTM Success - Jason Pfaff

Another 1993 Bowman was cleared out of my box when I sent this Jason Pfaff out TTM.  It came back signed in black Sharpie. 

Pfaff (b. 1969) was a 6th round pick by the Tigers in the 1991 June Amateur Draft out of the University of Michigan.  He played in the minors in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995 in the Tigers and Pirates systems. 

He had a record of 21-28 with 279 strike outs and a 3.83 ERA.

I mailed to Pfaff on October 15 and got the card back on October 27 for a 12-day TAT. 

December 6, 2025, Markakis-Johnson Signing

On Saturday, Jesse, Ryan and I made the trip to Prince Frederick, Maryland to attend a toy drive and signing with former Orioles Jim Johnson and Nick Markakis.  Markakis hasn't done any private signings and from what I can remember, hasn't done an in person signing in probably over 10 years or so.  I jumped at the chance to make the trip when I found out about the signing.  I dug through my Markakis PC box and pulled some good stuff.  This 2007 Topps Turkey Red Chrome refractor is numbered 29/99.  It wasn't on my radar, but when I found it, it jumped to the top of the list.

The above 2008 Topps Chrome Target T205 (above left) was the original card that I wanted to get done.  It turned out great.  I was also able to get a 2009 Topps done, as well.  I appreciate Jesse for getting the T205 chrome done.  He got a Topps Propaganda Markakis done for himself.

I had gotten Johnson on a card recently through a private signing, so I had to really dig to find more of his cards.  I went through my Orioles boxes and found some Johnsons.  The above (left) 2006 Ropps Rookie 52 was a cool card to dig out of the box. The card on the right is a 2012 Topps Heritage. 

The guys were really friendly.  They look super serious in the photo above, but they really were cool.

The toy drive looks like it brought in a bunch of stuff for the kids.  I had a great time with my friends, and hope we can get to some more signings soon.