Wednesday, September 30, 2020

TTM Success - Jesse Barfield

Another private signing came among for my set, this one being former Blue Jay Jesse Barfield.  His autograph looks great on this card.

Barfield (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1981 to 1992 for the Blue Jays and Yankees.  He had 1,219 hits, 242 home runs and a .256 batting average.

He was an All Star in 1986, the season where he led the AL with 40 home runs.  He finished 5th in the AL MVP voting that season, while claiming Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards.  He won another Gold Glove in 1987.

I mailed to the signing on June 4 and got the card back on July 13, for a 39-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $12.00.


TTM Success - Jeff Stone

I had missed a Jeff Stone private signing a while back and waited with hope that another one would come along.  Thankfully, one did, and I was able to get my 1987 Topps signed for my set.  I'm also glad, because I was able to send my 1991 Crown Orioles card along, as well.

Stone (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1983 to 1990 for the Phillies, Orioles, Rangers and Red Sox.  He had 261 hits, 11 home runs and a .277 batting average.  He finished 7th in the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year voting.

I mailed to the private signing on June 4 and got the cards back on July 13, for a 39-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $5/card.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

TTM Success - Archie Bradley

This was a surprise return.  No way around that.  I had seen a couple folks get returns from Archie Bradley, and took a shot, and I am happy with the cards that came back signed.  The above 2014 Bowman Sterling turned out really well, and it is a card that I had in my boxes that I really wanted to get signed and into my albums.
Bradley (b. 1992) has played in the majors since 2015 for the Diamondbacks and Reds.  He has a career record of 23-25 with 425 strike outs and a 3.91 ERA.  He finished 20th in the NL MVP voting in 2017.

I mailed to Bradley on May 30 and got the cards back on July 13, for a 44-day TAT.

TTM Success - Xavier Edwards

I added some nice 2020 cards to my album with this TTM success from Xavier Edwards.  Adding any 2020 cards is tough with the ongoing pandemic and not being able to graph IP.  I was able to get these to Edwards and get them signed fairly quickly.

Edwards signed a 2020 Pro Debut (top), 2020 Bowman base and 2020 Bowman Chrome (above, left and right).  His Sharpie needs some help, but overall, I'm happy I got the cards back signed.

Edwards (b. 1999) was a first round pick (38th overall) by the Padres in the 2018 June Amateur Draft out of a Florida high school.

So far, he has reached High A ball in the Padres system.  He has 217 hits, 1 home run and a .328 batting average.

I mailed to Edwards on June 29 and got the cards back signed on July 10, for an 11-day TAT.

Monday, September 28, 2020

TTM Success - Nick Torres

I was able to get a 2014 Bowman out of my box when I got this card signed by Nick Torres.  I took on a bunch of the cards when my card supplier had some extra boxes way back when.  I'm glad to still be able to get some of them signed.

Torres (b. 1993) was a 4th round pick by the Padres in the 2014 June Amateur Draft.  He has reaches as high as AAA in the minors (AAA Round Rock in the Rangers system in 2018) and played in the Mexican league last year.

In the minors, he has 484 hits, 31 home runs and a .280 batting average.

I mailed to Torres on June 29 and got the card back on July 10, for an 11-day TAT.

TTM Success - Pork Chop Pough

I got this 1995 Best card of Pork Chop Pough out of a repack box of cards a long time ago and held onto it because I liked his nickname "Pork Chop".  I had hoped I could get his card signed, and I had to wait until someone finally posted his address on SCN.  Once one popped up, I sent to him, and was able to get the card signed.

Pough (real name, Clyde) was born in 1969 and was a third round draft pick by the Indians in the 1988 June Amateur Draft.  He played in the Indians, Red Sox, Tigers and Royals systems, as well as the Independent, Chinese and Mexican leagues.  Through his professional career, Pough amassed 1,289 hits, 192 home runs and a .263 batting average.

Pough is even a former Kinston Indian.

I mailed to Pough on June 16 and got the card back on July 10, for a 24-day TAT.

Sunday, September 27, 2020

TTM Success - Mike Dunne

I was able to get 2 of the 4 cards I sent to Mike Dunne signed via TTM when these two came back.  He also sent back the other two, so I added them to my pile to send out to people who need TTM ideas.  I've been doing that for a while now; sending "TTM Starter Packs" in hopes of getting others interested in trying to get their cards signed.  It seems to be a popular thing that I do.

The cards that I got signed were a 1989 Score (what an underrated set) and a 1987 Topps Glossy Rookies.  Both cards look good, and I'm glad they came back.

Dunne (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1987 to 1990 and 1992 for the Pirates, Mariners, Padres and White Sox.  He had a career record of 25-30 with 205 strike outs and a 4.08 ERA.  He finished second in the 1987 NL Rookie of the Year voting (to Benito Santiago).

I mailed to Dunne on June 8 and got the cards back on July 10, for a 32-day TAT.

TTM Success - Joe Inglett

I have been able to find less and less older Topps Heritage cards, for some reason.  So, when I do have one I can get signed, it usually turns out pretty well.  When the player I mail to sends me the card on his own, well, I'll take that ads a win, as well.  The above card I was able to get signed by Joe Inglett via TTM really looks sharp.  He had swapped out the three cards I sent for the above 2008 Topps Heritage, which showcases the 1959 design.

Inglett also signed a 2007 Topps for me, and it turned out nicely, as well.  I don't remember which cards I sent, but I'm happy to have gotten these in return.  I'm sure someone else got mine, and I hope they like them.

Inglett (b. 1978) played in the majors from 2006 to 2011 for the Indians, Blue Jays, Brewers and Astros.  He had 229 hits, 6 home runs and a .283 batting average.

I mailed to Inglett on May 9 and got the cards back on July 10, for a 62-day TAT.

Saturday, September 26, 2020

TTM Success - Davie Stieb

Another private signing came along that helped me get a good name off of my checklist when I got this Dave Stieb.  The card turned out well.

Stieb (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1979 to 1993 and 1998 for the Blue Jays ad White Sox.  He had a career record of 176-137 with 1,669 strike outs and a 3.44 ERA.  He was a 7-time All Star (1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988 and 1990).  His best Cy Young finish was 4th (1982) and his best MVP finish was 22nd (1984).

He appeared on the 2004 Hall of Fame ballot and received 1.4% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on January 29 and got the card back on July 9, for a 162-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $20.00.


TTM Success - Isiah Kiner-Falefa

I was able to get another current MLB player via TTM when I got these cards back from Isiah Kiner-Falefa.  I had held some of his cards when I thought I could get a couple folks to get him at Rangers AAA (either Round Rock a couple years ago, or Nashville), but he has been sticking around the majors now.

I love those silver pack chromes from Topps; the above right one being a 1983 design.  I have been getting them lately with my Topps boxes, and they are some really cool cards to get signed.

Kiner-Falefa (b. 1995) has played in the majors since 2018 for the Rangers.  He has 200 hits, 8 home runs and a .262 batting average.

I mailed to him on February 29 at Rangers Spring Training and got the cards back on July 7, for a 129-day TAT.

Friday, September 25, 2020

TTM Success - Mike Davis

I had mailed to Mike Davis back in 2016 or so, but those cards never came back.  I saw a private signing come up, and decided to quit waiting and send to him so I could cross him off of my 1987 set list.

David (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1980 to 1989 for the A's and Dodgers.  He had 778 hits, 91 home runs and a .259 batting average.  He won the World Series in 1988 with the Dodgers.

I mailed to the private signing on April 28 and got the card back signed on July 6, for a 69-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $10.00.


TTM Success - PJ Walters

These are some cards that I held in my "to be TTMed box" that I really wanted to get signed.  They were held because PJ Walters had signed TTM with a club, but there wasn't yet a good address I could use from my Harvey book, and finally sent the cards on their way.

Of course, the reason I really wanted to send to him TTM was the above 2009 Topps Update black parallel.  I really wanted it signed, and just bided my time.  Now, the card is signed, and all is well.

Of course, I wasn't satisfied with just one card, so I sent the 2009 Topps Update base and a 2007 Bowman Chrome.  Both of these cards look nice, too.

Walters (b. 1985) played in the majors from 2009 to 2013 for the Cardinals and Twins.  He had a career record of 6-10 with 104 strike outs and a 6.28 ERA.

I mailed to Walters on April 22 and got the cards back on July 6, for a 75-day TAT.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

TTM Success - Fred Howard

I added another 1980 Topps to my autograph album with this signed card I got back from Fred Howard.  The autograph doesn't stand out a whole lot, but the card is signed, and is in the album.  On another note, how about those collars on those old White Sox jerseys?

Howard (b. 1956) pitched one season in the majors (1979) for the White Sox.  He had a 1-5 record with 36 strike outs and a 3.57 ERA.

I mailed to Howard on May 4 and got the card back on July 6, for a 63-day TAT.


Another TTM Success - Chuck Estrada

I had sent to Chuck Estrada a while back, but he was on a card that I wanted to get done (which will be posted at a later date) and this 1991 Crown Orioles.  Again, I am not pursuing the set, but they are nice to have when I need to send a card off and would like to dip in a little more for another card.

The other card was a 1973 Rangers coaching staff card that I had gotten signed by Jackie Moore, then Estrada and finally Herzog.  I'll show it soon.

I mailed to Estrada on June 15 and got the cards back on July 6, for a 21-day TAT.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

TTM Success - Joey Cantillo

I added another 2020 Bowman to my autograph album when I got this TTM success back from former Padres, now Indians, prospect, Joey Cantillo.  He has a really nice signature, and it shows up well on the card.

Cantillo (b. 1999) was a 16th round pick by the Padres in the 2017 June Amateur Draft out of Kailua High School in Hawaii.  In 3 seasons in Minor League ball, he has a record of 13-7 with 221 strike outs and a 2.51 ERA.  He has reached as high as High A ball.

Cantillo was involved in the huge trade earlier this summer which sent Mike Clevenger and Greg Allen to the Padres in exchange for Cantillo, Cal Quantrill, Austin Hedges, Josh Naylor, Gabriel Arias and Owen Miller.

I mailed to Cantillo on June 15 and got the card back on July 6, for a 21-day TAT.

TTM Success - Kolten Wong

I've really enjoyed getting current players via TTM lately.  A lot of them were signing during the baseball shutdown, and I was able to capitalize somewhat.  Kolten Wong is one of the players that I was able to get.  He signed some nice cards, like the above 2014 mini Future is Now card.
Wong also signed a 2014 Topps Chrome and a 2020 Topps Heritage.

Wong (b. 1990) has played in the majors since 2013 for the Cardinals.  He has 696 hits, 53 home runs and a .260 batting average.  He finished third in the 2014 NL Rookie of the Year voting, and 20th in the 2019 NL MVP voting.  He was also a Gold Glove Award winner last season.

I mailed to Wong on April 29 and got the cards back on July 3, for a 65-day TAT.


Tuesday, September 22, 2020

TTM Success - Spencer Steer

These two cards I got signed by Twins prospect, Spencer Steer turned out really well.  He used a good Sharpie, and the cards look really cool.  I've gotten several prospects from 2019 Bowman Draft, and I'm glad I have been able to move the cards, especially since I can't do any graphing this year.
Steer (b. 1997) was a 3rd round pick by the Twins in the 2019 June Amateur Draft out of the University of Oregon.  He played in Rookie League and Low A for the Twins last season.  He had 70 hits, 4 home runs and a .280 batting average.

I mailed to Steer on June 15 and got the cards back on July 2, for a 17-day TAT. 

TTM SUccess - Nick Anderson

I really enjoyed 2019 Topps Holiday.  I bought a couple blaster boxes and have gotten a few of the cards signed.  They look cool in my album, and I hope to get a few more signed soon.  This TTM success from Nick Anderson is the latest card from this set that I was able to get done.

I have been more conscious of getting Marlins signed, since my buddy Dugan is a huge fan of theirs.  For some reason their cards already stand out to me, and now that he is working on Marlins autos, I've kept my eye out for some, as well.

Anderson (b. 1990) has played in the majors since 2019 for the Marlins and Rays.  He has a career record of 6-5 with 135 strike outs and a 2.81 ERA.

I mailed to Anderson on June 10 and got the cards back on July 2, for a 22-day TAT.

Monday, September 21, 2020

TTM Success - Wayne Edwards

I got a lot of junk wax era cards out of my box with this TTM success from Wayne Edwards.  I was surprised at all of the cards I found, and added some nice ones to my album.
I'm usually a Topps guy (and there is a Topps in the bunch, a 1991), but some of these other brands look really nice when signed.  Most aren't my first choice, but I was glad with how all of these turned out.
I've grown to like some of the older Bowman cards when they get signed.  These two are from 1991 (L) and 1990 (R).  These turned out really well with Edwards's signature.

Edwards (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1989 to 1991 for the White Sox.  He had a record of 5-5 with 84 strike outs and a 3.37 ERA.

I mailed to Edwards on May 21 and got the cards back on June 29, for a 39-day TAT.


TTM Success - Dave Berg

I had Dave Berg's cards in my TTM box for a long time.  I had seen that he signed, then I found out later that I needed the Harvey book if I wanted to send to his home address, so I just sat them aside and waited.  I finally got the book and sent my cards out, making room for others in the box.

I got 2001, 2003 and 2004 Topps cards signed by Berg, and they look really nice.

Berg (b. 1970) played in the majors from 1998 to 2004 for the Marlins and Blue Jays.  He had 430 hits, 21 home runs and a .269 batting average.

I mailed to Berg on June 8 and got the cards back on June 29, for a 21-day TAT.

Sunday, September 20, 2020

TTM Success - Carlos Gonzalez

I took a chance on Carlos Gonzalez during the COVID lockdowns when I saw that he had signed for a few folks.  I had gotten this 2017 Topps Inception as a throw in from my friend, Anthony, at a National a couple years ago.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the card come back.

Gonzalez (b. 1985) played in the majors from 2008 to 2019 for the A's, Rockies, Indians and Cubs.  He was signed by the Mariners in February, but was released in June.  He has 1,432 hits, 234 home runs and a .285 batting average.

He was the 2010 NL Batting Champ (.336), and finished 3rd in the MVP voting that season.  He was a 3-time All Star (2012, 2013 and 2016, and a 3-time Gold Glove Award winner (2010, 2012, 2013).  He also won the Silver Slugger award twice (2010, 2015).

I mailed to Gonzalez on April 21 and got the card back on June 29, for a 69-day TAT.


Another TTM Success From Nolan Ryan

A lot of times, what drives me to send TTM is how I think a card would look in my album once it is signed.  That is also the driving force behind when I may send to a signing subject a second or even third time.  That, or if I had forgotten to send a 1987 Topps to get signed for my set.

I have no idea where I got the above "Nolan Ryan Texas Ranger" card.  I feel like it has been in my box forever (and it probably has).  I may have picked it up somewhere because I thought it looked cool.  It sure does look cool, and I decided a while back that I really wanted to get it out of my box, get it signed, and into my album.  The card looks awesome now that it is signed, and may be one of my favorites that I have gotten back, so far.

This 1991 Topps Stadium Club is also an awesome card.  I remember this photo appeared on an issue of Beckett a while back (and I probably still have that Beckett somewhere).  I found this in a Goodwill box that Mom had found for me.  It HAD to get signed, as well.

I had some money saved up for the National back in May, and when I found out at the time that the National was being pushed back, I took the savings and paid off my car.  I still had some money left over, so I took that and spent some money on some signings.  This was one of them.

I mailed to Ryan's foundation on May 11 and paid his fee of $60/card.  I got the cards back signed on June 29, for a 49-day TAT.

Saturday, September 19, 2020

TTM Success - Jimmy Lewis

I got a couple cards from 2019 Bowman Draft signed with this TTM success from Jimmy Lewis.  He has a really cool signature, and it pops really well with the design of 2019 Bowman.

Lewis (b. 2000) was a second round pick by the Dodgers in the 2019 June Amateur Draft out of Lake Travis High School in Texas.  He has yet to make his professional debut.

I mailed to Lewis on June 10 and got the cards back on June 29, for a 19-day TAT.

TTM Success - Roger Erickson

I added some more early 80s cards to my autograph album when I got this return from Roger Erickson.  The above 1981 Topps looks really sharp, I think.  I love the design, and the colors on the card really pop.

Erickson also signed a 1980, 1982 and 1983 Topps.  He has a nice signature, and the blue really works with these cards.

Erickson (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1978 to 1983 for the Twins and Yankees.  He had a career record of 35-53 with 365 strike outs and a 4.13 ERA.

I mailed to Erickson on June 15 and got the cards back on June 29, for a 14-day TAT.

Friday, September 18, 2020

TTM Success - Jim Breazeale

I have been adding signed 1973 Topps cards to my album at a pretty impressive clip.  Way back when, I only had a handful, and 73 was my most under-represented set.  That was until I got a box of bulk cards from Conrad in SC.  After that, I've sent a ton off, and had some good returns.  This signed card of Jim Breazeale is one of the latest ones that I have gotten.

Breazeale (b. 1949) played in the majors in 1969, 1971, 1972 and 1978 for the Braves and White Sox.  He had 40 hits, 9 home runs and a .223 batting average.

I mailed to Breazeale on June 15 and got the card back on June 27, for a 12-day TAT.


TTM Success - Ryan Shealy

I got some really cool cards back signed when I got this success in from Ryan Shealy.  I knew I had several of his cards, they were just scattered among all of my card boxes.  I finally rounded up the ones shown and sent them off.

I enjoyed the 2006 Flair Showcase set, and now have a couple of them signed.  This one probably looks better in person, as the scan picked up some of the flaws in the marker used by Shealy.  Still, I like having the card, and am glad it got signed.

Shealy also signed a 2003 Topps Traded, 2007 Allen and Ginter and a 2007 Topps Chrome refractor.

Shealy (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2005 to 2008 and 2010 for the Rockies, Royals and Red Sox.  He had 146 hits, 19 home runs and a .268 batting average.

I mailed to Shealy on June 15 and got the cards back on June 26, for an 11-day TAT.

TTM Success - Chris Taylor

I sent Chris Taylor a 2013 Donruss Elite Extra Edition and a 2020 Topps Heritage, and he swapped those out with this 2018 Topps Fire.  Normally, I would be a little annoyed when my cards are swapped out, but this Topps Fire is a cool card, and I am glad to have it.

Taylor (b. 1990) has played in the majors since 2014 for the Dodgers and Mariners.  He has 491 hits, 57 home runs and a .263 batting average.  He was the NLCS MVP in 2017.

June 1 and got the card back signed on June 26, for a 25-day TAT.


TTM Success - Keith Hughes

I had intended to get this posted earlier in the day, but I spent the entire evening helping Chris with his homework.  Yay.  Anyway, Here are some cards I got signed by former Oriole, Keith Hughes.
Hughes signed 5 cards for me, and getting the Rochester Red Wings card signed was nice.  I can't remember who, but someone sent me that 1988 team set, and I was glad to get another of those signed.  He also signed a 1990 CMC AAA card (above left), 1988 Topps (above middle) and a 1988 Donruss (above right).

I also got this 1991 Crown Orioles card signed.

Hughes (b. 1963) played in the majors in 1987, 1988, 1990 and 1993 for the Yankees, Phillies, Orioles, Mets and Reds.  He had 41 hits, 2 home runs and a .204 batting average.

I mailed to Hughes on June 1 and got the cards back on June 25, for a 24-day TAT.

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

TTM Success - Jackson Rutledge

I was able to get a 2020 Bowman signed when I mailed one off to Nationals prospect, Jackson Rutledge.  The card looks nice signed, even though the signature got smudged a bit.

Rutledge (b. 1999) was a first round pick (17h overall) in the 2019 June Amatuer Draft out of San Jacinto College.  He went 2-0 last season with 39 strike outs and a 3.13 ERA.

I mailed to Rutledge on June 15 and got the card back on June 25, for a 10-day TAT.


TTM Success - Drew Romo

I added a 2020 draft pick's auto to my collection with this TTM success from Drew Romo.  He signed two 2020 Panini Stars and Stripes cards.

Romo (b. 2001) was a first round pick (#35 overall) by the Rockies in the 2020 June Amateur Draft out of The Woodlands High School in Texas.  He may go through Asheville next season, depending on how MiLB is restructured.

I mailed to Romo on June 8 and got the cards back on June 25, for a 17-day TAT.