Monday, March 18, 2024

Another TTM Success From Tom Kelly

Another batch of signed cards came in signed from former Twins manager, Tom Kelly.  I had seen these cards in a couple passes through my boxes and wanted to add them to the autograph album. 
The cards I sent were a 2002 and 1989 Topps.  They both turned out great, and I'm glad I got them out of the boxes.

I mailed to Kelly on March 6 and got the cards back today (March 18), for a 12-day TAT. 

Sunday, March 17, 2024

TTM Success - Jim Boudreau

While going through boxes the other day, I found this 2006 Upper Deck Legendary Cuts card of Lou Boudreau.  I love the design, but Boudreau has been gone for some time now, so there no way I'd be able to get him to sign it.  I figured I'd try to get one of his kids to sign it; his daughter is married to Denny McLain.  I did some digging and found an address for his son, Jim.  I initially thought it was Boudreau's grandson, but Jim Boudreau corrected me.
Something really cool happened, though; Jim added his dad's auto to the TTM request.  He must have had a stash of his dad's signed cards somewhere.  That was really cool of him.
I also got a note back, explaining that my guess was wrong.  Still, I'm glad I gave it a shot and sent the card out.

I mailed to Boudreau on March 2 and got the card back on March 16, for a 14-day TAT. 

GalaxyCon Richmond 2024

Yesterday, Chris, Jesse and I went to GalaxyCon in Richmond.  I was originally going there to meet Carl Weathers, but after his passing, I settled for Dolph Lundgren and a couple wrestlers.  I was very disappointed in the setup of the Con.  The line to get in the door took us 3 hours, after we circled the venue for almost an hour trying to find parking.
We finally got in and got the autographs we were looking for.  Dolph was really nice.  I didn't get a chance to say a whole lot because it was so crowded, but it was a positive experience meeting him. I wanted my card signed in blue but was in such a hurry getting through the line, I wasn't able to ask him to switch pens.  That was no one's fault.  I was still irritated abd flustered about a guy cutting in front of me in line.
The next booth we stopped at was Barry Windham to finish this 1985 WWF card of the US Express.  They have just been announced as members of WWE's Hall of Fame class of 2024.  Windham was nice enough to add the HOF 24 inscription without us even asking.  I had gotten. Mike Rotunda on the card TTM a couple weeks ago.  I was going to send a picture of this card to my cousin Lynn this morning since I knew she liked Windham and she was the one who got me into wrestling so many years ago.  She passed away this morning, sadly.  It was kind of strange because she was legitimately in my thoughts just yesterday. How short life is astounds me sometimes.
Onto more positive things, I got this card signed by Rikishi yesterday in yellow paint pen.  The card really pops, as Rikishi even said himself.
Rikishi wad really cool, as well.  We talked about who he had in the Wrestlemania match between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes.  We also talked about how I'd like yo sew him come out and get involved in the Bloodline storyline since he is a senior member of the Anoa'i family.

The poor planning and logistics aside, we did have a good time.  I'm glad Jesse was able to come on the trip with Chris and I.  It took an 11th hour miracle in finding a ticket, but it worked out.

Now that the ComiCon is out of the way, it's time for me to focus on getting prepped for the season. 

Saturday, March 16, 2024

TTM Success - Ryan Jaroncyk

This card that I got back signed TTM from Ryan Jaroncyk turned out nicely. It also gave me yet another dual card to try to complete, since Shawn Green is also on it  I haven't seen a Green signing in a bit, but I'll now have to keep my eye out for one.

Jaroncyk (b. 1977) was a first round pick by the Mets in the 1995 June Amateur Draft out of Orange Glen High School in California. He played in the Mets system from 1995 to 1997 and the Dodgers system from 1999 to 2000. He reached high A.  He had 134 hits, 1 home run and a .237 batting average. 

I mailed to Jaroncyk on March 6 and got the card back on March 14, for an 8-day TAT. 

Friday, March 15, 2024

TTM Success - Kevin Bacon

Sending an egg card to Kevin Bacon shouldn't take a whole lot of explanation, I hope.  If you're wondering, sit here for a second and think about it. Anyway, I saw that Kevin Bacon was (maybe) signing, so I picked up this egg card from 2019 Allen amd Ginter and sent it out with a 1987 Topps checklist. Why the checklist? Come on, keep up. Because I have a ton of them still and no clue what to do with them, so I'm adding odd signatures to my album because it's my album and I can.
So, I sent the cards off AND BACON SIGNED THE BACK OF THE EGG CARD!!!! Cue the sad trombone. Oh well, they're signed.  I said maybe earlier because I saw that there may be some question about whether or not these signatures are secretarial. Well, I'm taking them as signed.

Bacon (b. 1958) is known for such movies as Friday the 13th, Animal House, She's Having a Baby, Footloose, Tremors and A Few Good Men.  Obviously, he's been in a ton more. So much so, there's a fun game to play, Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.  I used to love playing that.

I mailed to Bacon on March 6 and got the cards back on March 14, for an 8-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Austin Rei

This TTM success from Austin Rei was exciting because I was able to complete this card already signed by Braden Bishop that my friend Sam sent to me for Christmas. I had intended to send to Rei for some time now, and this card pushed him to the front of the line.  The card looks great now that it is complete.
I also sent off a 2015 Bowman and a 2016 Bowman Chrome.  Both of them look really nice.

Rei (b. 1993) was a 3rd round pick by the Red Sox in the 2015 June Amateur Draft out of the University of Washington. He played in the minors from 2015 to 2019 and 2021.  He reached AA in the Red Sox system, then went to the Diamondbacks AA for a season.  He finished his career in independent ball in 2022.  In affiliated ball, he had a total of 242 hits, 19 home runs and a .216 batting average.  I'm sure I got Rei on a 2015 Bowman when he played at Salem, but I went ahead and sent this one to get it out of the box.

I mailed to Rei on February 10 and got the cards back on March 14 for a 33-day TAT. 

Thursday, March 14, 2024

TTM Success - Bret Barberie

Finally, my signed cards from a SCN private signing with Bret Barberie came in today.  He had apparently used black Sharpie when he was supposed to use blue, so the return of the cards got delayed.  The promoter replaced my cards that had gotten signed in black, which he didn't have to do.  The above 1995 Topps was one of the replacement cards, and I am happy to get it.  One of the reasons why I wanted to do the signing was because Barberie was in some great early Marlins uniforms. I also like the background of this card; the storm clouds brewing really create a great look on the card.
I had sent 4 cards; a 1993 Topps Team Stadium Club, 1995 Collectors Choice SE, 1993 Upper Deck Marlins checklist and a 1995 Topps Traded (which showed Barberie in an Orioles uniform).

I fully intend to fill out the 93 Upper Deck.  The delay in the cards caused me to miss a signing with Orestes Destrade.  Hopefully another with him pops up soon.  The promoter sent me back an extra 1995 Collectors Choice SE signed in blue since mine was in black.
Here's the 1995 Topps Traded, which I was lucky to have in the first place.  I got a card of Barberie in an Orioles uniform signed, and that's fine with me.

Barberie (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1991 to 1996 for the Expos, Marlins, Orioles and Cubs.  He had 388 hits, 16 home runs and a .271 batting average.  He finished 5th in the 1991 NL Rookie of the Year voting. 

I mailed to the signing on November 16 and got the cards back today (March 14), for a 119-day TAT.  I got a special on the signing; 4 cards for $50.