TTM Success - Jim "Mudcat" Grant

I added some really cool signed cards to my album with this TTM success from Mudcat Grant.  I have a ball signed by Grant already, but I also wanted some cards of his in the album.

I got cards from 1964 Topps and 1971 Topps signed and they all look cool.  Grant signed for a fee, but these cards were well worth it.

I mailed to Grant on March 2 and got the cards back on March 9, for a 7-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $5/card.

I wrote a bio on Grant back in 2013 when I picked up his signed baseball.  You can read it here.

TTM Success - Russ Morman

I had a small batch of 1987 Topps cards that I mailed out last year to try to cross some names off of my 1987 checklist, and one of them was Russ Morman.  The card turned out really well and he is now crossed off of the list.

Morman (b. 1962) played in the majors in 1986, from 1988 to 1991 and from 1994 to 1997 for the White Sox, Royals and Marlins.  He had 117 hits, 10 home runs and a .249 batting average. 

I mailed to Morman on September 17, 2019, and got the card back on March 7, 2020, for a 172-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jonathan Hernandez

I was able to add a former Wood Duck to my autograph album with this TTM success from Jonathan Hernandez.  I sent the cards to Rangers Spring Training, and he sent them back signed in black Sharpie.

I was really excited to get these cards back, as I have enjoyed seeing the former Wood Ducks move along and up the Rangers depth chart.

Hernandez (b. 1996) made his MLB debut last season for the Rangers.  He went 2-1 with 19 strike outs and a 4.32 ERA in 9 games.

I mailed to Hernandez on February 11 and got the cards back on March 4, for a 22-day TAT.

TTM Success - Reid Nichols

Another private signing helped me land a card for my 1987 set.  This time, I was able to cross Reid Nichols off of my list.  The card turned out well, and I can add it to my album.  I am now at almost 72% complete, which is far better than I thought I would ever be when I started.

Nichols (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1980 to 1987 for the Red Sox, White Sox and Expos.  He had 308 hits, 22 home runs and a .266 batting average.

I mailed to the private signing on February 5 and got the card back on March 2, for a 26-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $12.00.

TTM Success - Pedro Guerrero

I had heard sometime last year, that Pedro Guerrero has a health scare.  So, I was surprised to see that his name popped up as part of a private signing a couple months ago.  I was also surprised to see that I had no Pedro Guerrero cards in my 5,000-count box of 1987 Topps.  So, I had to find one online and send the card that I had in my 87 set, so I could get it to the signing in time.  Also, I didn't see the signing until something like 10 days out, so I was really worried that the card wouldn't get there in time.  Luckily, it did, and I was able to replace the Guerrero for my set.  This auto looks really awesome, and I am glad I can add this to the 87 album.

Guerrero (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1978 to 1992 for the Dodgers and Cardinals.  He had 1,618 hits, 215 home runs and a .300 career batting average.  He won the 1981 World Series, in which he was also crowned the World Series MVP.  He was a 5-time All Star (1981, 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1989).  His best MVP finish was 3rd (1982 and 1985).  He appeared on the 1998 Hall of Fame ballot, but received only 1.3% of the vote.

I mailed to the private signing on February 18 and got the card back on March 2, for a 13-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $10.00.

TTM Success - Chance Adams

I was able to get a few cards out of my minors box and have them signed when I got this TTM success from Chance Adams.  He has a lot of nice cards, and I am glad I got the ones signed that I did.

My stack of 2017 Topps Heritage minors has gotten smaller and smaller, which is nice.  It allows me some room to add more cards to the box.  I'm surprised that I have been able to get as many cards signed as I have from that set.

Adams (b. 1994) has played in the majors since 2018 and has a record of 1-2 with 27 strike outs and a 8.18 ERA.  He was a 5th round pick in the 2015 June Amateur Draft by the Yankees.

I mailed to Adams on July 23, 2019, via the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Railriders and got the cards back on March 2, 2020, for a 223-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Carney Lansford Completes a Card

I had gotten Carney Lansford via a private signing a bit ago, and completely forgot he was on the 1987 Topps A's Leaders card.  I was really upset that I missed out, but I was fortunate enough to see that he was signing again.  This time around, though, the card was out for signature, and almost didn't get back in time.  I had sent it to someone who was getting me Dave Von Ohlen, but the card did get back in time, and I was able to finish off the card with Lansford's signature.

I mailed to the private signing on February 5 and got the card back on March 2, for a 26-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $10.00.

TTM Success - Grant Lavigne

 Here are some cards that I got signed TTM by Rangers prospect, Grant Lavigne.  I had seen Lavigne when he played for Asheville, but these cards came out, and I saw that he was signing TTM.

These are all 2019 versions of Topps products (Heritage Minors - Top, Pro Debut - above left, and Bowman - above right).

Lavigne (b. 1999) was a first round draft pick (42nd overall) by the Rockies in the 2018 June Amateur Draft out of Bedford High School in New Hampshire.  He has reached A ball in the Rockies system (Asheville),  Over his two seasons in the minors, he has 176 hits, 13 home runs and a .272 batting average.

I mailed to Lavigne on January 6 and got the cards back on February 28, for a 53-day TAT.

TTM Success - Taylor Clarke

I added some more cards recently by sending TTM to Taylor Clarke at Spring Training.  I got the above 2017 Topps Heritage Minors and the below 2018 Bowman signed by Clarke very nicely with a blue Sharpie.

Clarke (b. 1993) made his major league debut with the Diamondbacks last year.  He went 5-5 with a 5.31 ERA and 68 strike outs.

I mailed to Clarke on February 10 and got the cards back on February 28, for an 18-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jon Pettibone

I found this really nice 2011 Bowman Chrome green x-fractor of Jon Pettibone at last year's National.  I pickd it up because he had been with the Red Sox organization, and my buddy Gerard had been able to get his auto for me.  It turned out, he wasn't with them anymore, but I held onto the card.  I saw that Pettibone was signing TTM, so I took the time to mail the card out to him.  It turned out great, and I'm happy I had gotten it when I did.

Pettibone (b. 1990) played in the majors from 2013 to 2014 for the Phillies.  He had a career record of 5-5 with 72 strike outs and a 4.45 ERA.

I mailed to Pettibone on February 20 and got the card back on February 28, for an 8-day TAT.

TTM Success - Kevin Mench

Here are some really cool cards that I was able to get signed for my album recently.  I had a whole bunch of Kevin Mench cards to choose from, but I didn't want to send too many.  So, I narrowed it down to the above 2008 Topps Heritage and the cards below.

I love the 1959 Topps design, and the card really turned out well, even with the near-dead Sharpie that Mench used.

He also signed a 2003 Topps, 2004 Topps and a 2002 Bowman.

Mench (b. 1978) played in the majors from 2002 to 2008 and 2010 for the Rangers, Brewers, Blue Jays and Nationals.  He had 632 hits, 89 home runs and a .268 batting average.

I mailed to Mench on February 19 and got the cards back on February 28, for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Donnie Hill

Every time I searched my 1987 box for cards that I needed for private signings and graphing, I would come across this 1987 Topps Traded Donnie Hill.  It was the only Traded card in the whole box, but I kept on seeing it.  When I saw that Hill was doing a private signing, I made sure to go ahead and buy two spots so I could go ahead and get the Traded signed as well.  I am not working on that set at all, but I definitely wanted to get this card done and into my autograph album.

I also got Hill's 87 base done, and was able to cross it off of my list.

Hill (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1983 to 1988 and 1990 to 1992 for the A's, White Sox, Angels and Twins.  He had 594 hits, 26 home runs and a .257 batting average.

I mailed to the private signing on January 29 and got the cards back on February 28, for a 30-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $12/card.

TTM Success - Brett Baty

Here is another TTM success that I got by paying attention to who was signing from 2019 Bowman Draft.  I only had this Brett Baty card, so it was the only thing I sent.  It turned out great, so I was happy about that.

Baty (b. 1999) was a First Round draft pick (12th overall) by the Mets in the 2019 June Amateur Draft.

He reached Low A Brooklyn last season while also playing in the Gulf Coast and Appalachian Leagues.  He had 44 hits, 7 home runs and a .234 batting average.

I mailed to Baty on January 6 and got the card back on February 28, for a 53-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jordan Yamamoto

Before the Corona Virus threw a wrench into everything, I had started my Spring Training TTM successes off with a bang.  I sent these cards to Jordan Yamamoto as a long shot, and they all came back signed.  I was very excited, and the above 2020 Topps 85 Chrome silver pack card is the reason why.  I buy a bunch of boxes of Topps base, so I get the silver packs every year.  I like getting the cards signed, but it is tough, since a lot of them are usually big stars who don't sign.

I sent to Yamamoto with the hopes that the cards would come back, but I definitely wasn't expecting it.  Unfortunately, my good fortune with this success and a couple others was stifled when Spring Training was shut down, and also now that players are signing less and less mail.

Yamamoto (b. 1996) is a former Carolina Mudcat who made his MLB debut last season with the Marlins.  He went 4-5 with 82 strike outs and a 4.42 ERA.

I mailed to Yamamoto via Marlins Spring Training on February 10 and got the cards back on February 28, for an 18-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Chase Anderson

I went ahead and sent off another 2020 Topps to Spring Training, this time to Chase Anderson.  I got Anderson before, last Spring Training, but I really wanted to add another 2020 to the album.

I also had no problem sending this 2014 Bowman along that I happened to find in one of my boxes.  I really enjoyed this set when it came out, as it was the first Bowman set that I really got into over the last several years.  I have gotten a ton of them signed, but I still have a ton unsigned in my box.  I need to thin them out at some point, though.

I mailed to Anderson on February 10 and got the cards back on February 22, for a 12-day TAT.

TTM Success - Omar Quintanilla

I added some cards from the 2000s to my autograph album with this TTM success from former shortstop, Omar Quintanilla.

I had gotten the 2004 Topps out of a partial set from my LCS that the guy was just going to toss in recycling.  I gave him 5 bucks for the box, and I have pulled a bunch of cards out already that I have sent or will send TTM.

I was also glad to get this 2010 Upper Deck out of my card box and into my album.  The marker he used is on its last legs, but I'm still glad I have his autograph, nonetheless.

Quintanilla (b. 1981) played in the majors from 2005 to 2009 and 2011 to 2014 for the Rockies, Rangers, Mets and Orioles.  He had 228 hits, 8 home runs and a .220 batting average.

I mailed to Quintanilla on January 31 and got the cards back on February 22, for a 22-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jacob Waguespack

I got my first signed 2020 Topps cards in and second Spring Training success of the year when these two signed cards came back from Blue Jays pitcher, Jacob Waguespack.

I liked the 2020 Topps design when it came out, and they lend very well to being signed.  The only issue with the cards is that they, unlike other Topps base set cards, have to be prepped with baby power prior to having them signed.

Waguespack (b. 1993) made his debut in the majors last season with the Blue Jays.  He had a record of 5-5 with 63 strike outs and a 4.38 ERA.  He was a 37th round pick in the 2012 June Amateur Draft by the Pirates. 

I mailed to Waguespack on February 10 and got the cards back on February 21, for an 11-day TAT.

TTM Success - Casey Golden

I got him in a 50/50 last year on a 2019 Pro Debut, but I wanted to add a couple more Casey Golden autos to my collection, so I sent these two cards TTM to him.  The above 2019 Topps Heritage Minors turned out really well.  Those cards (and their 1970 counterparts) really look great when signed.

The above 2019 Bowman Draft also looks really nice.

Golden (b. 1994) was a 20th round pick in the 2017 June Amateur Draft by the Rockies out of UNC-Wilmington.  He has reached High A so far in the Rockies system and has 285 hits, 77 home runs and a .271 batting average.  He seems to have a great deal of power, and if he can break into the majors and hit in Coors field, who knows what he can do!  I like that Golden is actually from NC, as well.

I mailed to Golden on January 14 and got the cards back on February 21, for a 38-day TAT.

TTM Success - Corey Ragsdale

I got my first Spring Training TTM success back this year in February, and it was from former Wood Ducks manager, Corey Ragsdale.  I had bought these cards for the Wood Ducks hot stove event in January, but they didn't get here in time.

I asked Rags at the event, and he said that if I sent them to Spring Training, he would sign them.  He did!  I'm surprised they got to him, because I learned later that I was sending to the wrong address for the Rangers and Royals (they train at the same complex).  I got a few RTSs later on in Spring Training, so I called the complex and found out the proper addresses for both teams to get mail.

Ragsdale (b. 1982) was a 2nd round pick by the Mets in the 2001 June Amateur Draft out of an Arkansas high school.  He played in the Mets and Rangers minor league systems from 2001 to 2009, reaching AAA Norfolk (back when they were with the Mets) for 6 games in 2004.

Rags had 506 hits, 49 home runs and a .207 batting average across those 9 seasons.  Beginning in 2007, Ragsdale also tried his hand at pitching.  He appeared in 30 games between 2007 and 2009 and had a record of 4-2 with a 2.83 ERA and 41 strike outs.

Ragsdale is now a coach with the Rangers MLB team, his first stint in the big leagues (if the season can ever get started).  I see him as a future manager; it really is only a matter of time.

I mailed to Rags on February 6 via Rangers Spring Training and got the cards back on February 15, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jeremy Eierman

I was able to take a couple cards that I had sent out for 50/50s that didn't get signed out of my box of shame and into my album by sending them TTM to Jeremy Eierman.  I can't remember who I sent them to for 50/50, but the person didn't see Eierman and the cards came back to me unsigned.  I saw that he was signing TTM, so I took a couple of the missed cards and sent them on their way.

Eierman (b. 1996) was a second round pick by the A's in the 2018 June Amateur Draft out of Missouri State University.  He has played two seasons in the A's system, reaching High A Stockton last year.  So far, he has 162 hits, 21 home runs and a .217 batting average.

I mailed to Eierman on September 26 and got the cards back on February 14, for a 141-day TAT.

TTM Success - Corbin Carroll

Here's another player that I was able to send to TTM that was in the 2019 Bowman Draft checklist.  I also had Corbin Carroll's 2019 Stars and Stripes Longevity foil card.  It didn't scan all that great, but the card turned out really well when signed.

Carroll also signed a 2019 Bowman Draft chrome refractor and a base card.

Carroll (b. 2000) was a First Round pick (16th overall) in the 2019 June Amateur Draft by the Diamondbacks out of a Seattle area high school.  He reached Low-A Hillsboro last season.  He had 46 hits, 2 home runs and a .298 batting average over his two levels played in the 2019 minor league season.

I mailed to Carroll on January 4 and got the cards back on February 14, for a 41-day TAT.

TTM Success - Matt Wallner

I added some more autos from 2019 Bowman Draft with this TTM success from Twins prospect, Matt Wallner.  He has a really nice signature, and it showed up really well on both of the cards I sent.

Wallner (b. 1997) was a first round draft pick (39th overall) by the Twins in the 2019 June Amateur Draft out of the University of Southern Mississippi.

He had 65 hits, 8 home runs and a .258 batting average while reaching Single A Cedar Rapids last season.

I mailed to Wallner on January 6 and got the cards back on February 14, for a 39-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jerry Ujdur

Here are a few early 80s cards that I was able to get signed by Jerry Ujdur via TTM.  He signed all three cards with a black pen.

Ujdur (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1980 to 1984 for the Tigers and Indians.  He had a career record of 12-16 with 118 strike outs and a 4.78 ERA.

I mailed to Ujdur on January 27 and got the cards back on February 11, for a 15-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tommy Medica

Here's a TTM success that took a couple fairly recent cards out of my box and put them into my album.  I haven't gotten too many 2014 Topps signed, so I was glad to get this 2014 Topps Target Red parallel of Tommy Medica signed.

He also signed his base Topps; both cards look good.

Medica (b. 1988) played in the majors in 2013 and 2014 for the Padres.  He had 76 hits, 12 home runs and a .246 batting average.

I mailed to Medica on January 2 and got the cards back on February 11, for a 40-day TAT.

TTM Success - Shea Langeliers

When 2019 Bowman Draft came out, I saw a whole bunch of people sending and receiving TTMs from guys in that set.  I wanted to send off some of my own, so I looked up a few addresses and sent off some cards.  I was especially happy to get this return back from Braves prospect, Shea Langeliers.

Langeliers (b. 1997) was a first round (9th overall) pick by the Braves in the 2019 June Amateur Draft out of Baylor University.  He formerly attended Keller High School, in Keller, TX.  I actually have a few friends from Instagram who went to the same school, which is pretty interesting.

Langeliers played in 54 games for the Rome Braves this past season and had 55 hits, 2 home runs and a .255 batting average.

I mailed to Langeliers on January 3 and got the cards back on February 11, for a 39-day TAT.

I got a comment on last night's post asking about advice on TTMs.  Since I'm not sure if you see my responses to comments, shoot me an email, please, and I will be happy to help with TTM questions.

Another TTM Success From Mike Mussina

While I was going through boxes at my LCS a few months ago, I found some late 90s cards that I thought would look really cool when signed.  The above 1997 Pinnacle Zenith is such a sharp card.  I was so glad to get it signed, and I was even happier with how it turned out.  There were a few cards from the set in the box, but only a couple of guys that signed TTM were in there.  I'm glad Mike Mussina was one of them.

I also really liked this 1999 UD Ovation that Moose signed for me.  I always liked Ovation, but hadn't been able to get any signed.

I mailed to Mussina on January 6 and got the cards back on February 11, for a 36-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $10/card.

TTM Success - Nick Leyva

I had these Nick Leyva cards in my box for a long time, and finally got around to mailing to him.  I feel like this is a pretty common theme among my TTM requests.  I let cards sit in the boxes, with the hope that I find a few more along the way, and finally get around to dropping them in the mail.  If they're just plain old Topps base cards, they'll probably sit and wait a while.  If they're stars or really cool parallels, maybe I'll drop them in the mail sooner.

Nothing against Leyva, but his cards did sit there for a long time.  Years, probably.  I finally added them to a pile that I was sending out, and the cards came back looking great.

Leyva (b. 1953) managed the Phillies from 1989 into the 1991 season.  His overall record was 148-189 (.439 win %).

I mailed to Leyva on January 30 and got the cards back on February 8, for a 9-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Alejandro Pena

I had sent to him a while back, then got tired of waiting, so I did a private signing for my 1987 Topps.  Finally, a card came back signed from Alejandro Pena; this 1990 Topps Traded.  He sent the other cards back unsigned, and included a typed note saying that he is now signing for a fee.  I may try to send to him later on, but at this point, I am happy with what I have gotten.  At his rate of $3.00/card, I may send some more.  We'll see.

I sent this card on February 5, 2018 and got the card back signed on February 8, 2020, for a 733-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tom Walker

Here are a couple 70s cards that I was able to get signed by Tom Walker via TTM.  The above 1976 Topps turned out really well, and is a sharp looking card.

The above 1973 Topps also looks really nice.

Walker (b. 1948) played in the majors from 1972 to 1977 for the Expos, Tigers, Cardinals and the Angels.  He had a career record of 18-23 with 262 strike outs and a 3.87 ERA.

I mailed to Walker on January 27 and got the cards back on February 7, for an 11-day TAT.