Mom's HOF Ball Part 2 - Earle Combs

The next Hall of Famer on the baseball Mom gave me is Earle Combs.

Combs (b. 1899 - d. 1976) played in the majors from 1924 to 1935 for the Yankees.  He had 1,866 hits, 58 home runs and a .325 batting average.  He led the league in triples in 1927, 1928 and 1930.  He batted .300 or better in 8 seasons, 4 of which he batted .340 or better.  He won the World Series with the Yankees in 1927, 1928 and 1932.  In his World Series appearances, he batted .350 (4 series, includes a 1926 loss to the Cardinals) with 1 home run.  His best MVP finish was 6th, in 1928.

Combs was elected to the Hall  of Fame in 1970 via the Veterans Committee.  He had appeared on 15 Hall of Fame ballots between 1937 and 1962, but didn't received more than 16% of the vote.  His career WAR, if anyone cares, 43.9; he had 7 seasons of 4.0 WAR or better, which is pretty good, even though I still don't understand the stat.  Regardless, for a veteran of 9 full and 3 partial seasons, Combs has some really good stats.

Earle Combs is my 149th Hall of Famer on a baseball.

Fun fact, of all of my baseball player autographs in my collection, Combs is my first to have played on the legendary 1927 Yankees.

TTM Success - Jack Swagger

Chris had a hand in sending this TTM off, but he and I benefited from a return from former WWE superstar, Jack Swagger.  Chris had 4 cards of Swagger, and we split them when they came back signed.  These were the two he gave me from the return.

Swagger (real name, Jake Hager; b. 1982) has wrestled professionally since 2006.  He is a former WWE World Champion and ECW Champion.  He left WWE in 2017 to pursue a career in mixed martial arts, where he is now 2-0.  He signed with AEW in 2019.

We mailed to Swagger on April 22 and got the cards back on May 8, for a 16-day TAT.

Gerard With Some More 87s For The Set

My good friend, Gerard, traded for some more 1987 Topps autographs to continue to help me along with my set.  He knocked off 4 names from my checklist.  He also included a fifth card, but I had just gotten a TTM return (Jeff Calhoun) of the same card.  So, he has given me permission to use that as trade bait for other 87s.

The Glenn Wilson card is kind of odd.  He had signed it in ink pen, then went back over that signature with a blue Sharpie.  I had just missed a private signing with Wilson, so I may have to wait  a bit if I want to replace that one at some point.

Thanks so much for the autos, Gerard!  These put me at 587 of 792 (74% of the set).  I've come a long way and still have a ways to go!

TTM Success - Tully Blanchard

I added another signed wrestling card to my collection with this TTM success from Tully Blanchard.  I remember watching Blanchard on Friday nights at my cousin Lynn's house when I was little.  She would come and pick me up and have me stay the weekend with her.  I always enjoyed watching Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling at her house.  That was where I learned about wrestling legends Magnum TA, Blanchard, and the great Ric Flair.

Blanchard (b. 1954) began wrestling professionally 1975.  He wrestled for his father's Southwest Championship Wrestling before joining Jim Crockett Promotions' Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in 1984.  He is most widely known as a member of the Four Horsemen stable of wrestlers alongside Ric Flair, Arn Anderson and Ole Anderson (and other iterations of the Horsemen after Ole Anderson was forced out of the group).  Blanchard held titles such as NWA National Heavyweight Champion, NWA US Heavyweight Champion, NWA World Tag Team Champion and WWF World Tag Team Champion.  He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of the Four Horsemen in 2012.

I mailed to Blanchard on April 18 and got the card back on May 8, for a 20-day TAT.

Facebook Pickup - George Hendrick Signed Cards

Not too long ago, I joined a Facebook group for private signings, and I have knocked off quite a few cards for my 1987 Topps set.  There was a signing offered for George Hendrick, but initially I passed on it because the price was too high.

It turned out that the promoter ended up with some extra signed 1987s anyway and posted as such.  I inquired about them, and he made me a great offer, so I went ahead and picked the card up.  He added the above 1982 Donruss Diamond King for just a little more, and I went ahead and picked that up, too.

Hendrick (b. 1949) played in the majors from 1971 to 1988 for the A's, Indians, Padres, Cardinals, Pirates and Angels.  He had 1,980 hits, 267 home runs and a .278 batting average.  He was an All Star four times (1974, 1975, 1980 and 1983) and a silver slugger twice (1980 and 1983).  His best MVP finish was 8th (1980, NL).  He won the World Series with the A's in 1972 and the Cardinals in 1982.

Hendrick appeared on the 1994 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

TTM Success - Matt Luke

I was able to pull some obscure cards out of my boxes and get them signed with this TTM success from Matt Luke.

I think the above 1995 Upper Deck Minors came out of a box that my wife got me years ago.  The card turned out really well.

The above 1996 Bowman came out of a box that I got while visiting my friend, Andrew a few years ago.  This one also turned out really well.

Luke (b. 1971) played in the majors in 1996, 1998 and 1999 for the Yankees, Dodgers, Indians and Angels.  He had 65 hits, 15 home runs and a .242 batting average.

I mailed to Luke on April 11 and got the cards back on May 8, for a 27-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jerry The King Lawler

Chris and I went through his box of wrestling cards so he could send a few things out.  He had several duplicates, so we sent them out to see what we could get back and split the autos.  One of those subjects was Jerry "The King" Lawler.

The King is a WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling legend.  For the last 20+ years, he has done commentary on WWE programming, but before that, he was a Memphis wrestling legend.  Lawler wrestled in numerous promotions (usually local wrestling groups) and has held more recognized titles than any wrestler in history, even though he has never held a title while with WWE.

Lawler (b. 1949) has wrestled professionally since 1970.  He suffered a heart attack on air during WWE programming in 2012 and later had a stroke (in 2018).  He has continued to wrestle and provide commentary periodically since then.

I mailed to Lawler on April 18 and got the card back on May 7, for a 19-day TAT.

Mom Knocks A Bunch of Hall of Famers off of the List Part 1 - Frank Home Run Baker

My mom has been working hard on crossing some tough names off of my Hall of Famer list.  She found this Yankees legends signed baseball and handed it to me this past week while I was vacationing back home.  I had taken the vacation as a mental health break, and ended up riding around with my mom while she ran errands, like old times.

She had told me that my Christmas gift for 2020, 2021 ans 2022 had come in, and she couldn't wait until December to give it to me, so she went ahead and hooked me up while I was in town.  I was surprised that she found a baseball with at least 4 Hall of Famers that I needed (and another Hall of Famer that I already had, but was happy to add again).

One of the Hall of Famers on the baseball is Frank "Home Run" Baker.  His signature is at the top of one of the side panels on the baseball.  From what I was able to gather, this baseball was signed at a Yankees legends or old timers day.  The ball is a very old baseball; it looks like it is a Spalding official baseball.

There are also a bunch of other former Yankees on the ball, and as time allows, I will tackle each one in a separate post.  I can't thank Mom enough for the ball, and the ability to cross off some of these tough players from my list.  So, thank you, Mom!  Here we go with the first player profile:

Frank "Home Run" Baker (b. 1886 - d. 1963) played in the majors from 1908 to 1914, 1916 to 1919 and 1921 to 1922 for the Philadelphia A's and New York Yankees.  He had 1,838 hits, 96 home runs and a .307 batting average.  His best MVP finish was 3rd, in 1914.  He led the league in home runs, hence the nickname, from 1911 to 1914.  This was during the deadball era, so his home run totals were 11, 10, 12 and 9 in those years, respectively.  He also led the league in RBIs 1912 and 1913;and in triples in 1909.

Baker won the World Series with the A's in 1910, 1911 and 1913.  He appeared on 15 Hall of Fame ballots, before being elected in 1955 via the Veterans Committee.

Baker managed the Easton Farmers of the Eastern Shore League and is credited with discovering Jimmie Foxx.  He was fired as manager upon selling Foxx to the A's because the Farmers believed that Baker didn't get enough money for Foxx.

Baker is my 148th Hall of Famer on a baseball.

TTM Success - Karim Garcia

I had seen Karim Garcia's name pop up in a list of recent successes on SCN, but I couldn't remember the significance of why I had been keeping an eye out for his name.  Then, on a pass through my boxes, I saw this card and remembered that was why I wanted to try to get Garcia TTM.

This 996 Pinnacle Aficionado Global Reach insert is a really cool card, and I wanted to try to get one in my autograph album.  Garcia signs through PastPros, so once I figured that all out, it was pretty easy to get this card signed.

Garcia (b. 1975) played in the majors from 1995 to 2004 for the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Tigers, Orioles, Indians, Yankees and Mets.  He had 352 hits, 66 home runs and a .241 batting average.

I mailed to Garcia via PastPros on April 8 and got the card back signed on May 7, for a 29-day TAT.

TTM Success - Andrew Brackman

I got a few more cards out of my old rookies box when I got these three cards signed by Andrew Brackman.

I had busted quite a few packs of Tristar Prospects Plus and Donruss Elite Extra Edition back when I was helping at the local card shop. I'm glad I was able to put some of those cards to use.

Brackman (b. 1985) was a former first round pick by the Yankees in the 2007 June Amateor Draft. The former NC State University star played in the majors in 2011 for the Yankees. His MLB career consisted of 3 games with no earned runs, no strike outs and no wins or losses to speak of.

I mailed to Brackman on April 25 and got the cards back on May 7, for a 12-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tom Bradley

I added more cool 70s cards to my album with this TTM success from Tom Bradley. The above 1976 Topps turned out really well.

He also signed a 1972 and 1973 Topps for me.

Bradley (b. 1947) played in the majors from 1969 to 1975 for the Angels, White Sox and Giants. He had a career record of 55-61 with 691 strike outs and a 3.72 ERA.

I mailed to Bradley on April 27 and got the cards back on May 7, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Richie Lewis

I had Richie Lewis's cards in my box for a long time. So long that, I had waited too long to send and saw that he hadn't been signing, so I took the cards out and gave up on sending them. I saw recently that he had been signing again, so I pulled the cards and sent them out. I'm glad I did, because they are finally signed and in my album.

Lewis (b. 1966) played in the majors from 1992 to 1998 for the Orioles, Marlins, Tigers, A's and aReds. He had a career record of 14-15 with 244 strike outs and a 4.88 ERA.

I mailed to Lewis on April 27 and got the cards back on May 7, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - David Freese

Sometimes, the reason I send out a TTM request, it is because I really want a certain card in my autograph album. When I saw that David Freese was signing, one particular card came to mind that I wanted to send. The above 2015 Topps is part of the dumbest short print idea I've ever seen, the "sparkle" short prints. If you look closely at the ball, it has a sparkle on it. Yeah, those parallels were hard as crap to identify, and I imagine a bunch of them are sitting in bulk boxes at shows, never to see the light of day again. Did I say that I hated that idea?

I had that card in my card show box for a long time, but no one ever was interested in it. Who knew? So, I pulled it from the box and got it signed instead.

I also added Freese's 2009 Bowman and 2009 Ginter to the request and both of those came out nicely, as well.

Freese (b. 1983) has played in the majors since 2009 for the Cardinals, Angels, Pirates and Dodgers. He has 1,041 hits, 113 home runs and a .277 batting average. He was an All Star in 2012 and won the World Series with the Cardinals in 2011.  He was the 2011 NLCS and World Series MVP.

I mailed to Freese on April 28 and got the cards back on May 7, for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dennis Rasmussen

I had gotten his card for my set at a past National, but I finally got a return from Dennis Rasmussen on my 1987 Topps.

I bought an auto of his because I figured getting my ttm back was a long shot, but it finally came in.

Rasmussen (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1983 to 1993 for the Padres, Yankees, Reds, Cubs and Royals.  He had a record of 91-77 with 835 strike outs and a 4.15 ERA.

I mailed to Rasmussen on March 21, 2018, and got the card back on May 7, 2020, for a 778-day TAT.

TTM Success - David Holmberg

I have been working diligently on trying to keep myself busy while there has been no (good) baseball news to speak of.  I have gone through all of my card boxes three or four times, and have a ton of TTM requests out, and even more to write and send.

I came across David Holmberg in my box, and found out that he was signing.  I sent him two cards, and I was surprised to see that he included the above 2012 Topps Heritage Minors with my cards.  That was really awesome of him.

He signed my 2013 Bowman Chrome that I sent, along with a 2014 Topps.

Holmberg (b. 1991) played in the majors from 2013 to 2015 and 2017 for the Diamondbacks, Reds and White Sox.  He had a career record of 5-10 with 66 strike outs and a 5.49 ERA.

I mailed to Holmberg on April 27 and got the cards back on May 7, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Brian Dozier

I sent out a ton of TTM requests this winter while I was bored and waiting for Spring Training to start.  Several of them came in, but a bunch are still hanging out there in Limbo.  One of the autographs that surprised me when it came in was this signed 2016 Topps from Brian Dozier.  The card turned out really well.

Dozier (b. 1987) has played in the majors since 2012 for the Twins, Dodgers and Nationals.  He has 1,053 hits, 192 home runs and a .245 batting average.  He was an All Star in 2015, and his best finish in the MVP voting was 11th in 2017 (AL), the same season he won his only Gold Glove Award.  He won the World Series with the Nationals in 2019.

I mailed to Dozier on January 2 and got the card back on May 6, for a 125-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Ike Delock

I went through my 1991 Crown Orioles set recently and picked out a bunch of cards of guys who are on the list of 100 oldest former MLB players.  I wanted to try to send some out of those guys who signed TTM, so I could add some of the cards to my album.

I had gotten Ike Delock TTM before, on some old Topps and Bowmans.  I mailed to Delock on April 27 and got the card back on May 5, for an 8-day TAT.

TTM Success - Nick Esasky

Another private signing came up for my 1987 Topps set; this time for Nick Esasky.  The card came out well and it has been crossed off of the list.

Esasky (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1983 to 1990 for the Reds, Red Sox and Braves.  He had 677 hits, 122 home runs and a .250 batting average.  He finished 18th in the 1989 AL MVP voting.

I mailed to the signing on March 25 and got the card back on May 4, for a 40-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $25.00.

TTM Success - Bubba Starling

 I bought the 2020 Harvey address book a month or so ago, and it really has paid some dividends.  I have sent off a bunch of TTM requests based on addresses that I found in the book, and have started to see some returns.  One such return was from Bubba Starling.  Once a top prospect in the Royals system, Starling finally broke into the majors, and has been signing TTM.  The above 2011 Bowman Chrome came from a friend of mine, Matt, who sent it to me a long time ago.  He and I recently reconnected, got to talking about the card, and I saw that I could get it signed.  So, with Matt's blessing, I sent it on.

I also sent a 2020 Topps and a 2014 Topps Heritage Minors.  Starling's Sharpie started to fail when he signed these cards, but I'm still happy that I was able to get him.

Starling (b. 1992) was a first round (5th overall) pick by the Royals in the 2011 June Amateur Draft.  He made his Major League debut last season.  He had 40 hits, 4 home runs and a .215 batting average.

I mailed to Starling on April 27 and got the cards back on May 4, for a 7-day TAT.  He was my first success from the Harvey book.

TTM Success - Lonnie Chisenhall

I had sent to him once before, but I guess those cards are long gone.  I finally was successful in getting a TTM return from Lonnie Chisenhall.

I had watched Chisenhall while he was with the Kinston Indians years ago, but never did get his autograph.  I finally was able to do it when he started signing from his home.  I had him sign a 2010 Pro Debut Tools of the Trade (bottom left), 2014 Topps Gold (bottom middle), 2015 Bowman (bottom right) and a 2016 Topps (top).

Chisenhall (b. 1988) was a first round pick by the Indians out of Pitt Community College here in Winterville (applause!!) in the 2008 June Amateur Draft.  He was the 29th overall pick that year.  He played in the majors from 2011 to 2018 for the Indians.  He played last season for the Pirates AAA team, the Indianapolis Indians.  His Major League totals include 578 hits, 64 home runs and a .268 batting average.

I mailed to Chisenhall on April 10 and got the cards back on May 4, for a 24-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Bobby Shantz

I had found this Topps Archives card of Bobby Shantz and figured it would be a good idea to go ahead and get it signed TTM.  You know, since I don't have much else going on.  He signed the card in blue and included his 1952 AL MVP inscription. 

He's almost 95 years old, but still signing strong.  I paid his fee of $5, which goes to help charity.

I met Shantz a few years ago at the National, and he was nice as can be.

I mailed to Shantz on April 25 and got the card back on May 4, for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dane Phillips

I was able to move some cards out of my stash of older Bowman, Heritage Minors and Pro Debut cards with this TTM success from Dane Phillips.

I really like the 2015 Pro Debut (above) look, but didn't open many of those boxes.  Getting on of the few cards I have signed is an added bonus.

The above 2013 Bowman Chrome (left) came out of my boxes, and the 2014 Heritage Minors came out of a huge box of stuff that my friend, Trevor, gave me.  Now, they will all be in my album!

Phillips (b. 1990) was a 2nd round pick by the Padres in the 2012 June Amateur Draft (he had previously been selected by the Mariners in the 49th round of the 2009 June Amateur Draft, but didn't sign).

He played 6 seasons of pro ball between 2012 and 2017; 3 seasons in the minors (Eugene, Lake Elsinore and Fort Wayne) and 3 seasons in independent ball (Evansville).

At the conclusion of his career, he had 442 hits, 46 home runs and a .284 batting average.

I mailed to Phillips on April 10 and got the cards back on May 1, for a 21-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jerry Browne

It is obvious that there really is no rhyme or reason to who I mail to and what cards I send.  The exceptions, however, are 1987 Topps cards and Orioles.  Still, one could say that my lack of a pattern is a pattern.  Really, what I look for, in the simplest of terms, is for cards that I think will look cool when signed.

That being said, I really enjoyed the 1995 Score set, and wanted to get a few of those cards in my autograph album.  When I saw that Jerry Brown signed TTM, I pulled the above 1995 Score, and went through my boxes for other cards to send along with it.  I had a bunch of Browne's stuff, so I sent 5 cards out to be signed.

Of his Topps issues, I sent out the above 1992 and 1993 Topps.  Both turned out really well.

I also sent out the above 1992 Upper Deck and 1993 Stadium Club.  These also look great.

Browne (b. 1966) played in the majors from 1986 to 1995 for the Rangers, Indians, A's and Marlins.  He had 866 hits, 23 home runs and a .271 batting average.

I mailed to Browne on April 21 and got the cards back on May 1, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jeff Abbott

I added some cool, older Bowman cards to my album with this TTM success from Jeff Abbott.  He signed a 1998 Bowman Chrome, a 1996 Bowman and a 1996 Bowman Foil.

Abbott (b. 1972) played in the majors from 1997 to 2001 for the White Sox and Marlins.  He had 157 hits, 18 home runs and a .263 batting average.

I mailed to Abbott on April 11 and got the cards back on May 1, for a 20-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dustin Hermanson

I got some nice cards signed TTM from former pitcher, Dustin Hermanson.  The aboce 1995 Score looked really cool, and will look even better in my album.

I also got a 1995 Collectors Choice SE, 1995 Fleer and 2001 Topps signed by Hermanson.

Hermanson (b. 1972) played in the majors from 1995 to 2006 for the Padres, Expos, Cardinals, Red Sox, Giants and White Sox.  He had a career record of 73-78 with 874 strike outs and a 4.21 ERA.  He won the World Series in 2005 with the White Sox.

I mailed to Hermanson on April 21 and got the cards back on April 30, for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Alan Closter

I added another 1973 Topps to my autograph album when this card signed by Alan Closter came back TTM.  He signed it nicely in black pen.

Closter (b. 1943) played in the majors in 1966 and 1971 to 1973 for the Seators, Yankees and Braves.  He had a career record of 2-2 with 26 strike outs and a 6.62 ERA.

I mailed to Closter on April 16 and got the card back on April 30, for a 14-day TAT.

Gerard Helps With The 87 Set - Terry Kennedy

My buddy, Gerard, sent off a TTM recently to former catcher, Terry Kennedy and helped cross off another card that I needed for my 1987 set.

I had sent to Kennedy several years ago, but wasn't focusing on this set.  I sent him some Orioles cards, instead, and missed the opportunity to get this one done.  He has been hit or miss signing TTM, or I would have sent this (and the 1987 Topps Padres leaders card) a while ago.

Thanks so much for getting this to me, Gerard!

Another TTM Success From The Original Frank Thomas

I sent off this 1992 Action Packed card, along with the $5.00 fee to get another Frank Thomas autograph for my collection.  I had mailed to him a few years ago, and in addition to the cards I got signed, I paid for a couple signed photos, as well.  He was surprised at the time that I didn't request the signed photo from when he was part of a 4-home run succession feat accomplished by the Milwaukee Braves in 1961.  I kept meaning to pick it up and kept putting it off.

I finally got around to sending to him again, and made sure to let him know that I was including $20.00 for the signed photo.  He included the signed custom card above, and sent the signed photo (below) separately.

Thomas signed and inscribed the photo as follows:

On June 8, 1961, I made baseball history when I hit the 4th home run in succession in one inning by these 4 Milwaukee Braves players.  First time this feat has ever been done in Major League Baseball.  Frank Thomas The Original One.

I just realized that today is the anniversary of the feat, which occurred 59-years ago today.  Funny how that worked out.  The four players are:  Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, Joe Adcock and Frank Thomas.

Finally, Thomas included a hand written note, as always, which reads:

Dear William,
Enclosed is the collectable picture that you ordered.  The kids where the money goes, I thank you for them.  I've enclosed my card with my address and phone number so when you get the picture, call me and let me know you received it.  If I don't answer, just leave your name and phone number and I will call you back, ok?

Sincerely,

Frank Thomas
The Original One
1951-1966

I did call Thomas, and he picked up.  It was just a brief conversation letting him know the photo came, and that I liked it.  It was very quick and to the point.  Still, he is a really nice guy.

I wrote to Thomas on April 20 and got the cards back on April 30, for a 10-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5/card and also $20 for the photo.

TTM Success - Terry Funk

I've gotten thousands of signed cards back from folks over the years, but this might have been one of the coolest returns that I have ever gotten, and it was all because I didn't have any cards of my own for former wrestler, Terry Funk.

Chris had gone through his box of wrestling cards and found a Terry Funk card.  He asked me to check and see if Funk signed TTM.  He did, and I decided that I wanted to send something for myself.  I knew I was going to include a 1987 Topps checklist, since I wanted to get one of those signed by him and into my 87 album.  I also had seen the above "steel chair" card in Chris's box, which he told me that I could have.  So, I included it in the TTM request to Funk (I also put in Chris's original card, which Funk signed and went in Chris's album).

I got the steel chair card back that Funk drew a self portrait on.  It looks really awesome, and I was really amazed that he took the time to draw on my card.  It will look awesome in my album.

He signed the back of the 87 Topps checklist, which works out, since I can show both the fronts and backs of the checklists in my album.  I've had a couple folks sign some on the front, and a couple sign the backs, so if someone it flipping through my album, they can see what both sides look like inked up.

Funk (b. 1944) began wrestling in 1965 and has wrestled all over the globe in many national wrestling promotions, most notably, WWE, WCW and ECW.  In the latter part of his career, Funk became known for more of a hardcore style of wrestling (the use of weapons, etc, which makes the steel chair card really cool).

Funk won the NWA Heavyweight Championship in 1975 by defeating Jack Brisco and later lost the title to Harley Race.  He wrestled in WWF in the mid-80s, appearing with his brother Dory Funk, Jr. as a tag team at Wrestlemaina 2.

Funk fought in a "King of the Death Match" tournament in Japan in 1995, losing in the finals to an "up and coming" hardcore wrestler named Cactus Jack (more people know him as Mick Foley, or Mankind).

Funk has held numerous wrestling titles and has been inducted into many wrestling halls of fame, including the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 along with his brother, Dory, Jr.

In 1989, Funk appeared as a bouncer in the movie, Roadhouse, alongside Patrick Swayze.  He also choreographed the street fight scene between Rocky and Tommy Gunn in Rocky V.

I mailed to Funk on April 18 and got the cards back on April 29, for an 11-day TAT.

Instagram Trade With Brandon - Several Autos

My friend Brandon messaged me recently to let me know that he was getting out of the hobby and that he had several signed Braves cards from the 1987 Topps set.  He sent me over  alist of who he had, and the only one I needed was Braves legend, Dale Murphy.  I actually had a conversation with Murphy at the National a couple years ago. but of course I don't just walk around with a stash of 87s in my pocket, so I wasn't able to get one signed.  I'm sure Brandon had met him a few times.  Murph was really nice, and I'm glad Brandon was willing to part with it for the stack of Christian Pache cards that I sent him.

I wasn't expecting Brandon to send anything extre in the trade, but he included a bunch of other autos for my album.  I needed all of them, and a couple were pretty unique cards.

I had gotten Barbaro Garbey at a Danville Braves game a while back, and was happy to see this one was a Topps Buyback 86 Topps.  So, it is pretty cool, and was something I definitely didn't have.  The John Mosts is a Topps Tiffany (super glossy version of the original set).

I also liked the 1988 Donruss The Rookies card of Damon Berryhill.  I didn't have any Pedro Florimon cards, either, and these two look great.

Thanks for the deal, Brandon.  I know you'll be back in the hobby sometime in the future.