TTM Success - Joe Hesketh

I took part in another private signing on SCN to add another 1987 Topps to my set.  This time, it was for former Expo, Joe Hesketh.

Hesketh (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1984 to 1994 for the Expos, Braves and Red Sox.  He had a career record of 60-47 with 726 strike outs and a 3.78 ERA.

I mailed to the signing on March 14 and got the card back on April 4, for a 21-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $8.00.

TTM Success - Kent Hrbek

I paid his fee and added autographs of Kent Hrbek to my collection by TTM.  I needed him on an 87 for my set, and also threw in this 1983 Topps RC.

Hrbek (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1981 to 1994 for the Twins.  He had 1,749 hits, 293 home runs and a .282 batting average.  He finished second in the 1982 AL Rookie of the Year voting (to Cal Ripken) and finished second in the 1984 AL MVP voting.  He was an All Star in 1982 and won the World Series with the Twins in 1987 and 1991.

Hrbek appeared on the 2000 Hall of Fame ballot and received 1.0% of the vote.

I mailed to Hrbek on February 26 and got the cards back on April 4, for a 37-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $5.00/card.

TTM Success - Jason Frasor

I added some more recent cards to my autograph album when I was able to get a TTM success from Jason Frasor.

I was especially excited to get the above 2013 Topps Update Emerald Parallel back signed.  I have been working on the Topps Flagship (series 1 and 2) set of emerald parallels, and it is a lot harder to complete the set than it looks.

I also added these to the album, a 2006 Topps, 2007 Topps Update and a 2010 Topps.  I have a ton of 2010 Topps, so it was nice to be able to get one out of my box.

Frasor (b. 1977) played in the majors from 2004 to 2015 for the Bue Jays, White Sox, Rangers, Royals and Braves.  He had a career record of 35-35 with 615 strike outs and a 3.49 ERA.

I mailed to Frasor on March 26 and got the cards back on April 4, for a 9-day TAT.

May 24, 2019, Graphing of Wood Ducks at Mudcats

Chris and I hit the road this past Friday to go to my parents' to celebrate my sister's baby shower.  On the way out of town, we stopped by Five County Stadium in Zebulon and saw the Wood Ducks take on the Mudcats in a battle of the first and second place teams in the Carolina League Southern Division.  The Wood Ducks held a 3.5 game lead coming into the 4-game series.  The Woodies lost this game, but won the other three, so they now hold a 5.5 game lead in the division and are holding on until the end of the first half.  They hope to clinch a playoff spot, which is very possible.

I didn't have many cards, but the Tristen Lutz cards that I ordered from COMC had come in, and I got those done.  The above Bowman Hi Tek is a blue parallel numbered 68/75.  It turned out really awesome, and I love how it looks.

I also got the Hi Tek base, and a couple Elite Extra Editions.  All of them turned out really well.  Lutz is really nice, and signed everything we had.

I also met up with my good friend, Jackson, who graphs with  us here and there.  He also works for the Wood Ducks, so we see him at a ton of games.  I loved this photo that he posted last year, so without telling him, I made him some Topps custom cards with it.  He really liked them, and finally got around to signing two of them for Chris and I.  I think they turned out really well.  I hope he can put them to use.

TTM Success - Bobby Wine

 I added some nice vintage cards to my autograph album, and also tossed in a 1986 Topps with this TTM success frmo Bobby Wine.  The above 1970 Topps turned out really well.

It is also kind of cool to see the 20-year difference when you put the 1986 next to the 1966.  I think all of the cards turned out well.

Wine (b. 1938) played in the majors in 1960 and 1962 to 1972 for the Phillies and Expos.  He had 682 hits, 30 home runs and a .215 batting average.  He won a Gold Glove Award in 1963.

He managed the Braves in 1985 to a 16-25 record (.390 %).

I mailed to Wine on March 18 and got the cards back on April 4, for a 17-day TAT.

May 2019 Graphing of Potomac Nationals at Down East Wood Ducks

Last week, the Potomac Nationals came to Kinston for the first and only time this season.  Luckily, I finished off most everything that I had for them.  KJ Harrison limited to 2 per, so I had a fvew of his cards leftover, but they were all the same kind of card, so it was ok to miss him there.

I got a bunch of his stuff done, regardless of him putting up a limit.  I helped my friend, Gerard out with a few for 50/50s as well.

I finihed off Nick Banks and Nick Raquet, and I feel like those two will have moved up be the time I see Potomac next season.  Maybe the Nationals will get some good prospects in to take their place.

My COMC order came in before this series started, so I was able to get Kenny Holmberg on his bat boy card from 1993 Classic, and also a 2011 Bowman orange parallel.

I also got a couple 2019 Bowman JP Martinez inserts done, and they turned out really well.  I had to run him down, since he went under the bleachers, but the cards got done.

TTM Success - Roberto Hernandez

I got a bunch of 90s and 2000s cards signed when I received this TTM success from former pitcher, Roberto Hernandez.

Flair always looks good when signed, so I was glad this one got done.

I always enjoy seeing 2003 Topps get signed. I wish I had more of them.

Hernandez (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1991 to 2007 for the White Sox, Giants, Devil Rays, Royals, Braves, Phillies, Mets, Pirates, Indians and Dodgers.  He had a career record of 67-71 with 945 strike outs and an ERA of 3.45.

He was an All Star in 1996 and 1999.

I mailed to Hernandez on March 23 and got the cards back on April 2, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tito Landrum

I took part in another private signing on SCN in order to get this card signed TTM by Tito Landrum.  He has a really nice signature, and the card turned out well.

Landrum (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1980 to 1988 for the Cardinals, Orioles and Dodgers.  He had 248 hits, 13 home runs and a .249 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Orioles in 1983.

I mailed to the private signing on March 4 and got the card back on April 1, for a 28-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $8.00.

TTM Success - Wallace Johnson

Another 1987 Topps was removed from my checklist when I received this card back TTM from Wallace Johnson.

Johnson (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1981 to 1984 and 1986 to 1990 for the Expos and Giants.  He had 145 hits, 5 home runs and a .255 batting average.

I mailed to Johnson on February 27 and got the card back signed on April 1, for a 33-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From AJ Hinch

I found some really nice cards of Astros manager, AJ Hinch, so I figured I would send to him again.  The above 1998 Upper Deck SP Future Watch is a really nice card that looks even better in person.

Hinch signed the back of the 2004 Topps Tek, but the card still looks nice.  I prepped the front, but the signature still came out nicely.  Also, the 1998 Donruss Signature Series card turned out really well.  I didn't have any of those in my album, so this is a nice one to be adding.

I mailed to Hinch via Astros Spring Training on February 5 and got the cards back on April 1, for a 55-day TAT.

May 2019 Graphing of Dash at Wood Ducks

The Winston-Salem Dash came to Grainger Stadium in Kinston for the first time this season this past weekend.  Last year, they were stacked with players who had cards.  This season, Nick Madrigal remains on the roster, with a couple other players who have something they can sign.  Madrigal limits to 2 per, but he stopped for us before and after each game, with the exception of the first game of the series (he was late coming onto the field due to giving an interview).

I had a bunch of Madrigal cards that I had hoarded over the winter, and got each one signed.  The Bowmans Best at the bottom right was given to me by my friend, Ben.

I really like Panini Contenders, and they turn out really well when signed.  I prepped both of the cards, just to be safe, and they turned out nice.

John Ely is one of the Dash coaches.  I used to have a ton of his cards, but I gave most of them away years ago to a friend who was a Dodger fan.  I ended up ordering some more Ely cards off of COMC, but their shipping is so slow, I missed getting them signed this series.

I got a few random cards signed that I had found.  The George Timke is a leftover from last season, after having been given to me by my friend, Kolby.

With all of the 2017 Bowman that I opened, I'm surprised that the chrome refractor on the top right is the only Jameson Fisher that I had.

I got more of my Spokane Indians set cards signed with some new players on the Wood Ducks roster.  I also saw that I had missed a Kenny Holmberg card from that set, so I got it taken care of.

Joe Kuzia is really nice.  He stopped and talked to Chris a few times during the series, but we got our Hickory cards signed.

Sam Huff was also called up to the Wood Ducks, after mashing 15 home runs for Hickory in the first month of the season.

Leody stopped for us during this series, so I whittled down my total of his cards to, I think, 8 cards remaining.  I would like to finish them all off, but in the end, it doesn't really matter.  I have what I want done, and if the rest don't get signed, that's ok, too.

Finally, our friend, Scott, will be leaving the Wood Ducks soon.  Chris and I met him as we walked in the stadium for the first ever Wood Ducks practice, back in 2017.  He has stopped and talked to us every time we have seen him at the games.  He is about to leave to go into the Army, so when he told me, and gave me this signed photo, he and I got a bit emotional.  I wish him the best, and I know we will keep in touch!

TTM Success - Gary Gaetti

Another private signing came along for someone I needed for my 1987 set, so I sent off this Gary Gaetti and got it back signed.

Gaetti (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1981 to 2000 for the Twins, Angels, Royals, Cardinals, Cubs and Red Sox.  He had 2,280 hits, 360 home runs and a .255 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Twins in 1987.  He was a two-time All Star (1988 and 1989) and a four-time Gold Glove Award winner.  His best MVP finish was 10th, which he accomplished twice (1987 and 1995).

I mailed to the signing on February 21 and got the card back on April 1, for a 39-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $12.00.

TTM Success - Dick Hughes

I got a couple vintage cards into my autograph album when this TTM success came back from Dick Hughes.  I won't be able to complete this 1967 Topps Rookie Stars card, since Jim Cosman has passed away, but it is still a cool card.

I also got this 1968 Topps signed, and it turned out ok.  Hughes used a ballpoint pen to sign, and it showed up well on the scan.

Hughes (b. 1938) played in the majors from 1966 to 1968 for the Cardinals.  He had a career record of 20-9 with 230 strike outs and a 2.79 ERA.  He was second in the 1967 NL Rookie of the Year Award voting (to Tom Seaver) and finished 17th in the NL MVP voting that season.  He won the World Series with the Cardinals in 1967.

I mailed to Hughes on March 23 and got the cards back on April 1, for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jose DeLeon

I crossed another card off of my 1987 set checklist when I went through PastPros to get this card signed by former pitcher, Jose DeLeon.  He signed the card vertically, but that's ok.

DeLeon (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1983 to 1995 for the Pirates, White Sox, Cardinals, Phillies, and Expos.  He had a career record of 86-119 with 1,594 strike outs and a 3.76 ERA.

I mailed to DeLeon on February 27 via PastPros and got the card back signed on March 29, for a 30-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $12.00.

TTM Success - Larry Lintz

These cards from the mid-70s have been signed TTM by Larry Lintz.  I liked how the above 1975 Topps turned out since the faux auto matches the one he laid on the card.  Sometimes they don't quite match, but in this case, they did.

This 1976 Topps also looks really cool.  Lintz doesn't look too happy to be having his picture taken, but it is a nice card.

Lintz (b. 1949) played in the majors from 1973 to 1978 for the Expos, Cardinals, A's and Indians.  He had 140 hits, no home runs and a .227 batting average.

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

TTM Success - JC Martin

I added some more vintage cards to the album with this TTM success from JC Martin.  This 1962 Topps turned out ok, considering that there are a lot of dark spots on the card, and they kind of obscure the autograph.

These two, a 1966 and a 1973 Topps, both turned out really well.

Martin (b. 1936) played in the majors from 1959 to 1972 for the White Sox, Mets and Cubs.  He had 487 hits, 32 home runs and a .222 batting average.  He won the World Series with the 1969 Mets.

I mailed to Martin on March 18 and got the cards back on March 28, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ted Kazanski

When I looked for older players who signed TTM, I saw that Ted Kazanski signed, and that he had some nice cards in 1954 and 1955 Topps.  I went ahead and bought the 54 and 55 to add to my album (and also a 1957 Topps).  I didn't pay a whole lot, which was great.  I feel like the 1954 Topps (above) came out the best of the three cards.

They all turned out really well, though.  Adding more 1955 Topps to my album was my ultimate goal, and I was really glad to add this one.

This 1957 Topps also looks really nice.

Kazanski (b. 1934) played in the majors from 1953 to 1958 for the Phillies.  He had 288 hits, 14 home runs and a .217 batting average.

I mailed to Kazanski on March 5 and got the cards back on March 28, for a 23-day TAT.

TTM Success - Nathan Eovaldi

I got a few nice recent cards back signed from Red Sox pitcher, Nathan Eovaldi recently.  The above 2011 Topps Heritage Minors turned out really nice, I think.  Eovaldi has a nice signature, and he personalized both cards.

Eovaldi (b. 1990) has played in the majors from 2011 to 2016 and 2018 to 2019 for the Dodgers, Marlins, Yankees, Rays and Red Sox.  He has a career record of 44-53 with 656 strike outs and a 4.21 ERA.  He won the World Series with the Red Sox in 2018.

I mailed to Eovaldi on February 7 via Red Sox Spring Training and got the cards back on March 28, for a 49-day TAT.  He kept my 2017 Topps.

TTM Success - Paul Molitor

I tried to get him when he was the manager of the Twins, but that TTM request came back unsigned.  I tried again recently, this time sending $20 with the card, and I am happy to say that I was able to cross Paul Molitor off of my 1987 Topps checklist.

I mailed to Molitor on February 23 and got the card back signed on March 28, for a 33-day TAT.  This card was well worth the $20 fee.

TTM Success - Dick Such

I added this 1971 Topps card to my autograph album when it came back signed from Dick Such.  I'm going to take the high road here and move straight to his stats.

Such (b. 1944) is from Sanford, NC and played in the majors in 1970 for the Senators.  He had a record of 1-5 with 41 strike outs and a 7.56 ERA.

I mailed to Such on March 23 and got the card back signed on March 27, for a 4-day TAT.

TTM Success - Gordie Richardson

I added this nice 1966 Topps to my autograph album when I got it back signed by Gordie Richardson.  He signed it in ballpoint pen, and it seems like the pen is about to give out.

Richardson (b. 1938) played in the majors from 1964 to 1966 for the Cardinals and Mets.  He had a career record of 6-6 with an ERA of 4.04 and 86 strike outs.  He won the World Series with the Cardinals in 1964.

I mailed to Richardson on March 5 and got the card back on March 25, for a 20-day TAT.

May 2019 Graphing of the Pelicans at Wood Ducks

The Wood Ducks returned from a long road trip for a brief three-game series at home this past week against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.  This was the last time that the Pelicans would come to Kinston this season, so I was eager to finish off what I had of them.  I had recently gotten my boxes of Bowman in, and pulled the above atomic refractor of Miguel Amaya.  The card is numbered 65/150, and looks really great signed.

I got all of the Aramis Ademan and Miguel Amaya that I had signed.  Ademan has such a nice signature, and it looks great on some 2019 Bowman.

I was glad to finally find some Steve Lerud cards.  I found them the day after the Pelicans left the last time, and got them into my book.  I also saw that Jake Stinnett was on the Pelicans roster for a rehab assignment, but realized that I had sent all of my Stinnett cards on to Max in Chicago.  Luckily, I had missed one, so I was able to get this 2014 Prizm signed.

There was a huge Rangers contingent on-hand during this series, so I was able to get a few rover cards signed.  I missed Dwayne Murphy last season because I had forgotten to put him in my book.  This year, I had him in there from Day One, and was able to get this 1979 Topps done, and also the A's Leaders card form 1986 Topps, below.

In addition to Murphy, Kenny Holmberg and Rick Strickland were on hand.  They had been here late last month, so I was able to Fins Holmberg's 2008 Bowman in my box, and I had found the above 1988 Cape Cod League card of Strickland on Ebay.  He was impressed that I had found the card and remarked that the card was "several pounds ago".  He also joked about how tight his pants were in the photo on the card.

I got a chrome 2019 Bowman done of JP Martinez, and this custom card of Bubba Thompson that my friend, John, sent me.

The Wood Ducks are on the road again, and will return home next weekend.