TTM Success - Kevin Koslofski

The name stood out, and when I saw that he signed TTM, it was easy to remember to pull Kevin Koslofski cards when I went through my boxes.  I really liked this 1993 Upper Deck, which turned out really well.

I was also able to use a 1993 Fleer from one of the boxes at the bottom of my pile in my closet.  I also got a 1993 Topps signed, which is always nice.

Koslofski (b. 1966) played in the majors from 1993 to 1994 and 1996 for the Royals and Brewers.  He had 50 hits, 4 home runs and a .244 batting average.

I mailed to him on January 2 and got the cards back on January 17, for a 15-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jimy Williams

Another 1987 Topps for my set is off of the list because of this TTM success from Jimy Williams.  His signature is really nice, and the card turned out really well.

I also had his 2001 Topps, which also looked really nice, except for where you can tell that the card was stuck to other cards.  Such is the problem with the late 90s to early 00s cards.  I'm glad Topps got away from the super gloss.

Williams (b. 1943) played in the majors in 1966 and 1967 for the Cardinals.  He had 3 hits, no home runs and a .231 batting average.

He managed the Blue Jays from 1986 to 1989; the Red Sox from 1997 to 2001 and the Astros from 2002 to 2004.  His career managerial record was 910-790 (.535%).  He was the Manager of the Year in 1999.

I mailed to Williams on January 9 and got the cards back on January 17, for an 8-day TAT.

Facebook Pickup - Al Pulido Signed 1987 Topps

My friend, Jackson (the one in Arizona) tagged me in a post on a Facebook autograph group and I saw that there was this 1987 Topps signed by Al Pulido available.  He is very tough to get for the set, so I went ahead and contacted the seller and picked it up for $20 shipped.

Pulido (b. 1957) played in the majors in 1983, 1984 and 1986 for the Pirates and Yankees.  He had a career record of 1-1 with 16 strike outs and a 5.19 ERA.

TTM Success - Dana Kiecker

This was a pretty cool TTM success in that it finally got me a 1990 Donruss Rookies card in my album.  I always liked the different versions of this design, and had a base (red) and All Star (blue) in my album already.  When I saw Dana Kiecker in the set I had picked up from Goodwill, I thought it would be time to send to him and get one back.

I also had this 1992 Topps, so I sent it along as well.

Kiecker (b. 1961) was born in Sleepy Eye, MN (thanks baseball-reference) and played in the majors from 1990 to 1991 for the Red Sox.  He had a career record of 10-12 with 114 strike outs and a 4.68 ERA.

I mailed to Kiecker on January 7 and got the cards back on January 17, for a 10-day TAT.  I paid $1.00/card.

2019 Orioles Fan Fest Recap

Another Orioles Fan Fest is in the books, and as far as sheer number of autographs go, I did better than any other Fan Fest.

I had paid for 6 autograph sessions, and was able to get items done in each that I was really happy about.  Chris hit up the kids line several times, and this year was the first year where he had some cards that he strictly wanted to get done for himself.  He and I were accompanied by my good friend, Ryan, and the three of us had a really good time.  The above dual 2018 Topps Update Hess/Araujo was one of the many cards I was able to get signed that I was really excited about.

Dylan Bundy was really cool this year, and he pretty much asked me why I wasn't planning on going down to Sarasota for Spring Training.  Man, I wish I could, but that is something I really need to plan, and push for sometime in the future.

I got a ton of cards signed that I have had for a while.  I picked up the Diamond Kings Anthony Santander (above left) from the card shop last year, thinking that I would be able to get him.  Chris took care of that during the final kids session.

Luis Ortiz was really nice; probably the nicest of all of the players I met.  I was talking to Jimmy Yacabonis about my Wood Ducks hat, and Ortiz remarked that he was almost a Wood Duck.  I told him that I actually knew that, and that was why I ended up with so many of his cards.  We had him at that session, and saw him later on as we were walking around.  He signed everything Ryan and I handed him.

It was nice meeting former Orioles #1 pick, DL Hall.  I think he will be with Frederick this season, so I may be able to get him on some more cards later on.  He did strictly 2-per for Chris and I during our session.

I ran out of Keegan Akin cards, which was fine.  He was pretty nice, even though I overheard him telling one of the handlers that he wasn't having the best time.  I talked to him anyway about the weather, and he seemed to open up some.  He turned out to be a pretty nice guy.

Jonathan Villar signed everyting I handed him, which was nice.  All of these cards are either card show or card shop pickups.

I was surprised that I still had Ryan McKenna cards left, but I purchased the Carolina League Top Prospects set at the end of last season, and needed him on that.  I found the black shimmer 2015 Bowman Chrome at the National last year, and was glad to get it signed.  It sucks that he had a dead Sharpie, though.

We had Renato Nunez in a signing session, and Chris also got him as he was out on the floor, so I got most of what I wanted done of his completed.  I missed the 87 Topps insert from a couple years ago, though.  Maybe next time on that one.

Chris got Chance Sisco during his first trip through the kids line, which helped me go ahead and get the high priority cards signed (see below).  He also was able to get him as he passed by us on the floor, which even further helped our cause.  Finally, in the paid session we had with him, Chris got two of Ryan's cards done, and I finished up a couple of the Bowman parallels shown above.

This Bowman Chrome Talent Pipeline was the highest priority card that I wanted Sisco to sign.  I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to finish it, but it turned out really well.

The Rule V picks were at the event, and I actually had a few cards of each.  Chris wasn't paying attention when he got these signed in the kids line, and smeared the Bowman Chromes that I had.  Oh well, they have a good story, now, as I got one of the smeared ones, and Chris took the other.

Richie Martin was pretty cool, and I got all of the cards I had of him signed.

I an mow out of Joey Rickard cards, as I had two paid session with him in them.  I had to take some cards from Ryan so I would have enough for each session.

I was able to get Tanner Scott on this Aberdeen set card, which has been hanging out in my box for a while.

Normally, I would have fixed this scan where the Scott McGregor slid under my Richard Bleier, but I was over scanning by the time I saw it.  It'll just have to stay this way.  I was really happy about getting the 2013 Pro Debut Rio Ruiz signed, because of the small handful of cards from that set, I did, indeed, have the Ruiz in my box.  It would have languished there forever, so I'm glad I got it done.

I had a multitude of horizontal cards that I got signed.  Another Talent Pipeline card that I can work on completing at some point.  I had a couple generic Orioles cards that helped with some guys I didn't have in my box, Donnie Hart on my 1994 Score, and Jimmy Yacabonis on my 2017 Topps.

I liked what I had for Rick Dempsey.  The 2004 Topps World Series Programs card of the 1983 World Series was a nice touch.

I got to talk to Boog Powell about horseradish again, which is always fun.  He's probably tired of my story by now, but he is a super nice guy, and the cards that I had turned out well.

The 1970 and 1971 Topps cards that I had of Boog were beat all to hell, but they were the last of what I had that I wanted to get signed.  They turned out nicely, and will have a home in my album.

I laid a page of 4 cards down for Jim Palmer, and he signed this Upper Deck Masterpieces.  I'm glad he chose this card, because they really are nice, and the autographs show up well.

Fan Fest was plagued by an overselling of sessions for Eddie Murray and Brooks Robinson.  My Brooks session was refunded, and so was one session with Eddie Murray.  I had my friend, Rae, also picking up an Eddie session, which went through.  I used my opportunity to meet Eddie again by helping out a friend with his set that he is working on, since he helped me with my 87 set (by getting Tim Raines).  My good friend, Jacob, was surprised to find out that I was able to get his 1991 Studio Murray signed, and it will be sent to him shortly.  I also let Chris pick out a Murray that he liked, and that was what he got signed.

We all had a really good time at Fan Fest, but it did feel like it was missing something, which Ryan and I discussed on the way home.  This was the first Fan Fest that I didn't spend a dime.  I didn't get a chance to look through any game-used items, but I didn't have a whole lot of time.  Ryan said that he looked, and there really wasn't anything that really jumped out.  The normal pile of used jerseys wasn't there, which was a bummer.

Oh well.  I came away with 115 autographs one all was said and done, so that was pretty nice.  Ryan and I made a couple of trades, and I have some stuff that I can send to Max and Gerard for all of their help with their Fan Fests.  I also am really happy that I was able to help Jacob with a major piece for his Studio set.

TTM Success - David Doster

This TTM success got a couple cards out of my box that will look pretty nice in my autograph album.  The above 1996 Upper Deck Diamond Debuts turned out really well, in spite of how the scan looks.

This 1996 Bowman came out of a box that I got while I was at Andrew's house a couple years ago.

Doster (b. 1970) played in the majors in 1996 and 1999 for the Phillies.  He had 47 hits, 4 home runs and a .233 batting average.

I mailed to Doster on January 4 and got the cards back on January 15, for an 11-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tom Satriano

I added some vintage cards to my autograph album with this success from Tom Satriano.  He signed the cards in ballpoint pen, and they turned out really well.

I got this 1967 Topps out of a stack of vintage that my friend, Gerard sent me for Christmas.  I'm pretty sure the 1966 Topps at the top of my page came out of my own vintage box, but I don't remember now.

Satriano (b. 1940) played in the majors from 1961 to 1970 for the Angels and Red Sox.  He had 365 hits, 21 home runs and a .225 batting average.

I mailed to Satriano on January 2 and got the cards back on January 14, for a 12-day TAT.

Christmas Gift From Dugan

My good friend, Dugan, hooked me up with this nice 2017 Pro Debut auto of Cody Sedlock.  The card is numbered 15/25, and is an orange parallel.

We met Sedlock during the 2017 season.  He was really nice, and signed everything we had.  He also posed for photos (and signed them later) for Chris and also my nephew, Jacob.

Thanks so much for the card, Dugan!

Some Signed Cards From Rich

I was emailed recently by a reader of this blog by the name of Rich.  He was also working on the 1987 Topps set, but needed a base card of someone I had gotten recently.  I sent the card to him, no big deal, and in return, he hooked me up with this awesome BJ Surhoff.  I have been holding off on Surhoff, since he charges.  I had two other cards of his that I wanted done, so getting this one helps me out.  Also, this is my 400th 1987 Topps.  I'm well over halfway now, and my brand new album came in yesterday, so all of the cards are in pages and ready to roll.

Rich also sent some extra autos that he had, which was really nice.  I really appreciated Rich adding extras, and in return I am going to help him with a few other 1987s for his set.

I really appreciated the deal, and all of the help from Rich.  Thanks so much!

Another TTM Success From Jack McKeon

We frequent the same restaurant, so it seems, so it was natural that I should try to get a few more cards signed by Jack McKeon.  I haven't run into him while I eat at the O'Charley's in Burlington, NC, but I have seen his signed photo on the wall.  I wonder if he enjoys the Louisiana Sirloin as much as I do.

I mailed to McKeon on January 7 and got the cards back on January 14, for a 7-day TAT.

TTM Success - Eddie Leon

These cards got wet (for some reason), but I quickly got them in a couple Card Saver thin top loaders, and they turned out just fine.  I used to hate Card Savers, but they really have proven beneficial lately.  They are the top loaders of choice when I am mailing cards to private signings, and they came in clutch with these cards, since they got wet.  They kept them from curving too badly.

I was happy to get the 1975 Topps (top of page), even though it has that hideous color combination, and also he 1973 Topps (above).

Leon (b. 1946) played in the majors from 1968 to 1975 for the Indians, White Sox and Yankees.  He had 440 hits, 24 home runs and a 236 batting average.

I mailed to Leon on January 2 and got the cards back signed on January 14, for a 12-day TAT.

Hall of Fame Signed Baseball - Mike Mussina

It took long enough, but I am happy to say that Mike Mussina is now a Hall of Famer.  He was one of my favorite players when I was growing up, and he is now going to the Hall.  I'm so happy.  It took 6 ballots, but Mussina squeaked in with 76.7% of the vote.

Mussina (b. 1968) played in the majors from 1991 to 2008 for the Orioles and Yankees.  He has a career record of 270-153 with 2,813 strike outs and an ERA of 3.68.  He never won a Cy Young award, but finished in the top 5 of the voting 6 times.  He won 20 games only once, in his final season.  He also never won a World Series.  That doesn't matter, he was an Ace and one of the best pitchers of his generation.  I believe he will go in as an Oriole; the Yankees have enough Hall of Famers.

Moose becomes my 143rd Hall of Famer on a baseball.

TTM Success - Daniel Schlereth

While checking out recent TTM successes on SCN, I saw that Daniel Schlereth was signing TTM.  I was about to go through some boxes from the late 2000s, and ended up finding a few of his cards.  It was nice to get a few of them out of those boxes, as cards from the late 00s to early 10s are tough to get signed for me, for some reason.

The cards turned out well, and I was really happy to put them to some use.

Schlereth (b. 1986) played in the majors from 2009 to 2012 for the Diamondbacks and Tigers.  He had a career record of 5-6 with 91 strike outs and a 4.35 ERA.

I mailed to Schlereth on January 2 and got the cards back on January 12, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Lenny Moore

I've been through my boxes a bunch of times over the last month or so.  During one of those times through them, I found this 2008 Donruss Legends Lenny Moore and checked to see if he signed TTM.  He does, so I sent it off and here it is.

Moore (b. 1933) played pro football from 1956 to 1967 for the Baltimore Colts.  He rushed for a career 5,174 yards with 63 touchdowns and had 6,039 receiving yards with 48 touchdowns.  He won the NFL championship in 1958 and 1959 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975.

Before the NFL, Moore played for three seasons at Penn State.

I mailed to Moore on January 3 and got the card back signed on January 12, for a 9-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $5.00.

Part Two Of My Recent Trade With Rocco

I say trade, but it was really a deal with Rocco from Instagram.  I bought two cards from him, then I trade for three others.  I bought the previously posted Eric Show, and also the above Gene Michael, since both of those guys are now deceased, and will be tough to acquire.  The cards below, I traded for some IP autos I got last season from a few Winston-Salem Dash players.

I intend to upgrade, then trade the above John Cangelosi; I had sent a few of my own cards to Max for some IP graphing he is doing, and had completely forgotten that I had made the trade for this one.  That's ok, because Max will get his signed in blue, which I prefer.

I also took a lot of time this weekend and removed all of my signed 1987 Topps cards from my autograph albums, and moved them into their own dedicated album.  I realized that the album is too small, so I need to get a proper baseball card album (cheap me using a regular 2" 3-ring binder).  I'm glad to finally have that task wrapped up, because it sure was cumbersome.

Thanks for the deal, Rocco!

Another Trade WIth Rocco For The 87 Set

I made another deal with a guy named Rocco on Instagram; his dad is breaking up his signed 1987 Topps set, and I have been taking pieces of it via sale and trade lately.  The autos appear to be 100% legit, as I have compared the ones I've picked up with certified autos online.  This has really helped me get some of the tougher autos already.  The above Eric Show was one that I knew would be tough, as he had been dead since 1994.

Show (b. 1956 - d. 1994) played in the majors from 1981 to 1991 for the Padres and A's.  He had a career record of 101-89 with 971 strike outs and a 3.66 ERA.  Show was found dead in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center at the age of 37.

I bought this card off of Rocco, and included it in a trade for some IP autos that I had gotten.  I'll show the other cards in my next post; I wanted to do a singular post for Show.

TTM Success - Bruce Benedict

It took two attempts, but I finally got a TTM success from Bruce Benedict.  I needed him on my 1987 Topps, and I had a ton of his other cards, so after waiting two years (and seeing recent successes), I sent again.  This time around, I got my cards back, and they turned out well.

I'm not the biggest fan of Topps Big, but I needed to fill some spots in an 8-card page, so sending this one was ok for me.  It has taken some damage, due to how it was stored in my TTM box, but it is signed, looks good, and will take it's place in my album.

I also got an 89, 86 and also an 87 Topps done.  I am about to break down the albums I have for signed cards and make one dedicated to my 1987 set.  It should make it so it is easier for me to verify which cards I have, and ensure that I have the correct ones crossed off of my list.

Benedict (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1978 to 1989 for the Braves.  He had 696 hits, 18 home runs and a .242 batting average.  He was a two-time All Star (1981 and 1983).

I mailed to Benedict on January 2 and got the cards back on January 11, for a 9-day TAT.