Another TTM Success From Bartolo Colon

I was really excited to see a private signing pop up for Bartolo Colon.  I wanted to get him on his Topps Now card where he hit his first home run, but that card is at some ridiculous prices right now.  I had forgotten that the moment had been captured on this card, as well, from 2016 Topps Update.

So, I sent it off to the signing and also requested the "Big Sexy" inscription.  It cost me a bit, but the card turned out great and looks amazing in my album.

I mailed to the signing on December 18 and got the card back on January 23, for a 36-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $50.00, which included the inscription.  I believe the auto itself was $35 and the inscription was an additional $15.

TTM Success - Ron Tingley

It has been some time since I have gotten a 1992 Donruss into my autograph album, but I did, with this TTM success from Ron Tingley.  I had so many 1992 Donruss, because I was busting packs trying to get the Cal Ripken Elite Autograph.  I finally found one of those at the National a few years ago.  Left behind was a ton of 1992 Donruss base that I had no idea what to do with.  Many of those have gone, but a few remain in my boxes.  It is a nice, simple design, and looks nice when signed.

I also got a 1989 Topps signed.  These, too, are prevalent in my boxes, since 1989 Topps is one of the most over-produced sets out there.  Still, that is a nice design, and still one of my favorites.

Tingley (b. 1959) played in the majors in 1982 and from 1988 to 1995 for the Padres, Indians, Angels, Marlins, White Sox and Tigers.  He had 110 hits, 10 home runs and a .195 batting average.

I mailed to Tingley on December 2 and got the cards back on January 23, for a 52-day TAT.

TTM Success - Robert Dugger

Here are a couple nice cards from 2020 Topps that I was able to get signed TTM from Robert Dugger.  He used the biggest point marker imaginable, but the cards came out looking pretty cool.

Dugger (b. 1995) has played in the majors since 2019 for the Marlins and Mariners.  He has a career record of 0-4 with 29 strike outs and a 7.09 ERA.

I mailed to Dugger on October 29 and got the cards back on January 23, for an 86-day TAT.

TTM Success - Bryce Jarvis

Here are a couple nice cards that came out of 2020 Bowman Draft that I got signed by Bryce Jarvis TTM.  The above chrome 20 in 20 turned out really well.  I was glad to be able to add one of these to my album.

This 2020 Bowman Draft base also turned out well.  The base cards need to be prepped, but they look really nice.

Jarvis (b. 1997) was a first round (18th overall) pick by the Diamondbacks out of Duke University in the 2020 June Amateur Draft.  He begins his pro career this season; in a few days, actually.

I mailed to Jarvis on January 2 and got the cards back on January 23, for a 21-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tyler Norrick

I got a 2006 Bowman out of my box when I sent this one off to Tyler Norrick TTM.  It came back signed in black Sharpie and looks pretty nice.

Norrick (b. 1983) was a 6th round pick by the Cardinals out of Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the 2006 June Amateur Draft.  He played in the Cardinals system from 2006 to 2010, reaching AAA.  He had a record of 23-18 with 368 strike outs and a 4.10 ERA.

I mailed to Norrick on January 11 and got the card back signed on January 23, for a 12-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mike Papi

I was happy to get a couple Bowman cards out of my box and into my album with this TTM success from Mike Papi.  I have a ton of 2014 Bowman, and I really enjoy the design.  These were some of the first cards that I got signed IP, and they have a special place for me.

This 2015 Bowman Draft Dividends turned out nicely, also.  These kinds of cards just kind of stick in my card box, and I am glad that I can move a few, now that most of the guys in the set have either moved to the majors, or ae no longer playing.

Papi (b. 1992) was a first round (38th overall) draft pick by the Indians out of the University of Virginia.  He played in the Indians system from 2014 to 2019 and reached AAA.  He had 401 hits, 41 home runs and a .235 batting average.

I mailed to Papi on November 18 and got the cards back on January 22, for a 34-day TAT.

TTM Success - Samuel Dutton

I was able to get a 2019 Panini Stars & Stripes out of my prospects box and into my album with this TTM success from Samuel Dutton.  The card turned out well.

Dutton (b. 2003) will be 18 in May and played on the Team USA 15U team in 2018.  He pitched 8.1 innings and had 9 strike outs, a 0.00 ERA and had a won/loss record of 2-0.

I mailed to Dutton on November 18 and got the card back on January 22, for a 34-day TAT.

TTM Success - Frank Schwindel

There aren't too many 2020 Topps Update in my autograph album yet, so when I can add one, it is a nice day.  This return from Frank Schwindel turned out pretty nicely.

I also got a 2015 Bowman signed, and it looks nice, also.  This wasn't my favorite design, and the foil lettering really makes it tough to read the names as you sort through the cards.

Schwindel (b. 1992) played in the majors in 2019 for the Royals.  He appeared in 6 games that season and had 1 hit, no home runs and a .067 batting average.

I mailed to Schwindel on January 4 and got the cards back on January 22, for an 18-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dash Winningham

I was really happy to find an address for Dash Winningham because it helped me get this 2017 SAL All Star card from 2017signed, along with my 2013 Perfect Game.

Winningham (b. 1995) was an 9th round pick by the Mets in the 2014 June Amateur Draft out of Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Florida.  He played in the Mets system from 2014 to 2018, reaching High A and Independent ball in 2019.  He has 372 hits, 45 home runs and a .240 batting average across his 5 minor league seasons/

I mailed to Winningham on January 11 and got the cards back on January 22, for an 11-day TAT.

TTM Success - Adam Carr

These Adam Carr cards had been pulled because one of my friends told me to pull cards and I had thought Carr's was among the list he sent me.  I was wrong, and the cards got shoved back in my box.  I hate pulling cards out, just to have to put them back, so I was glad when I was able to find an address to send TTM to for him.  I was even happier when the cards came back signed.

The cards are a 2007 Bowman and 2007 Bowman Chrome.  Both came out well, and now have been put into my album.

Carr (b. 1984) was an 18th round pick by the Nationals in the 2006 June Amateur Draft out of Oklahoma State University.  He pitched in the Nationals system from 2006 to 2013, reaching AAA.  He had a record of 22-21 with 297 strike outs and a 4.36 ERA.

I mailed to Carr on January 11 and got the cards back on January 22, for an 11-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jim Todd

Here are some nice older cards that I was able to get signed TTM by Jim Tod's. The above 1980 Topps turned out nicely.

I also sent Todd these two cards, a 1977 and 1979 Topps.

Todd (b. 1947) played in the majors from 1974 to 1979 for the Cubs, A's and Mariners. He had a record of 25-23 with 194 strike outs and a 4.23 ERA.

I mailed to Todd on October 5 and got the cards back on January 19, for a 106-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jericho Jones

He has one of the best names that I've seen recently and I was able to get Jericho Jones to sign my 2009 Bowman TTM.  Not only does he have a cool name, he also has a great signature, even though it is a little tough to see on this scan.

Jones (b. 1987) was a 20th round pick by the Cubs in the 2008 June Amateur Draft out of Louisiana Tech University.  He played 2 seasons in the Cubs system, reaching High A.  He had 75 hits, 5 home runs and a .273 batting average.  After his two seasons in the minors, Jones answered the call to the ministry where he now serves as a youth pastor.

I mailed to Jones on January 11 and got the card back on January 19, for an 8-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Ed Montague

When I saw that it had been decided that the umpire on this 1987 Topps Expos leaders card was Ed Montague, I raced to get mine in the mail to him.  It came back and I can now say that this card is complete.

There are a bunch of leaders cards in the set that I have been able to complete lately, so I am happy to be able to do so.  There are 4 or 5 of them, however, that I will not be able to finish, like the Red Sox Leaders card (now that Tom Seaver and John McNamara are gone), for example.

I mailed to Montague on January 11 and got the card back on January 19, for an 8-day TAT.

TTM Success - Carson Ragsdale

I added a 2020 Bowman Draft to my autograph album with this TTM success from Phillies prospect, Carson Ragsdale.

Ragsdale (b. 1998) was a 4th round pick by the Phillies in the 2020 June Amateur Draft out of the University of South Florida.  He has yet to play in pro ball.

I mailed to Ragsdale on January 7 and got the card back signed on January 19, for a 12-day TAT.

TTM Success - Terry Crowley

This 1973 Topps of Terry Crowley turned out really well, and it was one of the reasons I went ahead and paid the fee to get his autograph TTM.  The card looks awesome.  That is a cameo of Thurman Munson guarding the plate, if you didn't already know that.

I got Crowley to sign his 1970 Topps rookie card and also this 1983 Topps.

Finally, he signed my 1991 Crown Orioles card, which looks really nice.

Crowley (b. 1947) played in the majors from 1969 to 1983 for the Orioles, Reds, Braves and Expos.  He had 379 hits, 42 home runs and a .250 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Orioles in 1970 and with the Reds in 1975.

I mailed to Crowley on December 22 and got the cards back on January 19, for a 28-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5/card.

TTM Success - Randy Johnson

I wasn't going to buy in on the Randy Johnson signing that my friend, Jackson, was hosting.  It was too rich for my blood, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to send off a card.  I wanted to support my friend, but I also had a card in mind that I wanted to send to the signing.  It wasn't the above 1997 Pinnacle Zenith.  It was the green chrome parallel below.  It wasn't until I found the Zenith in a box from my former LCS that I really wanted to send in.  Pair that with the National finally being canceled for 2020, I took some of the money I had saved for the National and put it toward the signing.  Since I couldn't decide on one card, I sent both.  The Zenith turned out amazing and may be one of my favorite signed cards in my collection now.

The 2020 Topps Silver Pack 85 Chrome green parallel also looks awesome.  It is numbered 18/99 and was a really nice pull from a pack back when I busted my 2020 Topps boxes.

Jackson has been doing a ton of signings lately, and I hope to join in on some more.  I mailed to the signing on November 14 and got the cards back on January 19, for a 66-day TAT.

TTM Success - Danny Bastianelli

It took a brave 8-year old to walk up to a race car driver and ask him for his autograph.  I was nervous, but I recognized the car and had to ask the driver for his autograph.  I walked up to his trailer and told him "You beat my dad, so you must be good.  Can I have your autograph?"  That piece of paper that I got signed back then is still around here, in a frame among a bunch of my other signed photos and memorabilia.  The best part of it, though, is that my walking up to him and asking him for his autograph former a friendship that has lasted 30+ years.  Supposedly, he walked up to my mom later on and told her how much I impressed him with what I said.  After that, I became his honorary crew chief.

Danny Bastianelli beat my dad in the finals of the 1989 IHRA Winternationals in the Top Sportsman class at Darlington Dragway.  I had spent the weekend, pretty much in one spot, along the fence near our race trailer picking up bottle caps, spark plugs and other stuff I found on the ground.  I also befriended one of the race officials who was stationed on the other side of the wall and probably drove him nuts with all of my questions.  My brothers would come by and play a bit, then they would go off and do whatever.  Mom would come and check on me, or tell me it was time to eat; otherwise, I hung out that entire race by the wall.  I couldn't actually see what was going on; the race official would tell me "Your dad just won again."  Until the race was over, Dad had finished the best he ever finished at a National event.  That was big time for us.  We weren't even supposed to be there that weekend.

At the last minute, Dad decided we would go to Darlington.  I remember we left super early in the morning.  He didn't even qualify for the race; he was an "alternate", allowed in when one of the many top qualifiers ditched Sunday eliminations because the Quick Eight Shootout the night before was a bigger draw for some.

Dad ended up on ESPN after that race.  The car he drove was wildly popular.  It would pop wheelies and had injector pipes sticking out of the hood.  Danny beat him in the finals when Dad's rear end on the car broke and deposited the wheel tubs onto the track.  The little Corvette was falling apart, but man it was wild.

After meeting Danny in person at a race in Mooresville, we would see each other along the trail that season, and at tracks as the years went by.  He became one of the most colorful bracket racers that the sport of drag racing has ever seen.  He would keep in touch with me and my family with mewspaper clippings, photos and the like.  Finally, Facebook has helped us continue to keep in touch.

I got to looking on COMC recently for Dad's 1989 Checkered Flag card (same set as Danny's above) because it had the Vette on there with the injectors (my favorite of all of Dad's rides), and the version I had was beat up and tattered from 30+ years of love.  I bought the card of Dad listed on COMC, then I thought it might be cool to grab a couple others of some guys from back then.  I bought both cards listed of Danny, of course, and I also bought two of another driver who will be shown on here soon.  I thought it would be cool to add a couple of them to my TTM album, so I sent off a Facebook message to Danny and asked him if it would be ok if I sent a couple cards his way for TTM.  He agreed... and sent me 5 of his own cards, signed.

I've always had a short list of favorite drivers.  Dad, of course.  The legendary Shirley Muldowney, obviously.  Danny Bastianelli is and will always be another who I rank as one of my top all-time favorites.  I'm glad we kept in touch all of these years and I am super happy to add him to my autograph album.  Thanks for the signatures, Danny!

This picture was taken at St. Louis in 1989.  Darryl Pepper is on the left, I'm in the middle, of course, and Danny Bastianelli is on the right

TTM Success - Huck Flener

This 1991 ProCards of Huck Flener hung around in my boxes for a long time.  I finally got around to sending the card TTM, only to have it RTS.  I tried again, and got a success.

Flener (b. 1969) played in the majors in 1993, 1996 and 1997 for the Blue Jays.  He had a record of 3-3 with 55 strike outs and a 5.51 ERA.

I mailed to Flener on January 7 and got the card back on January 16, for a 9-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Merv Rettenmund

The Merv Rettenmund 1991 Crown Orioles card popped up when I was looking through that box, si I decided to send it along with the two other Topps cards that I had seen.  I was glad to get another one of them completed and into my autograph album.

All three cards look great, and Rettenmund has a nice signature.  I mailed to him on January 7 and got the cards back on January 16 for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Daniel Cabrera

He's not the former Orioles pitcher that baffled hitters (sometimes) and pitching coaches (most times).  This Daniel Cabrera is the Tigers prospect that signs TTM.  I got three cards back signed and personalized.  I was happy to add a 2020 Bowman Chrome to my album, as there aren't many in my album due to not being able to graph last year.

I also got these two 2019 Stars & Stripes signed.  Cabrera's signature needs some work, but most kids these days have no idea what cursive is anyway, so I guess we will take what we can get.

Cabrera (b. 1998) was a 2nd round pick by the Tigers in the 2020 June Amateur Draft out of Louisiana State University.  He has yet to play pro ball, but that is probably coming within the month.

I mailed to Cabrera on January 4 and got the cards back on January 16, for a 12-day TAT.

TTM Success - Choo Freeman

Here are a couple cards that I got out of my boxes with this TTM success from Choo Freeman.  The above card is a 2000 Bowman.  This is a nice-looking set, and I have a bunch of the cards.  I've gotten a few of them signed, and probably will go through that box soon and get more out to send off.

I also got a 2007 Upper Deck signed.  I liked this set when it came out and busted a couple boxes of it.  So, I have a ton of these, still, and have sent a couple of them off, as well.

Freeman (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2004 to 2006 for the Rockies.  He had 64 hits, 3 home runs and a .225 batting average.

I mailed to Freeman on December 15 and got the cards back on January 16, for a 32-day TAT.

TTM Success - John Ellis

Action shots on cards usually tend to be the best looking ones when they get signed.  At least in my opinion.  The above 1973 Topps that I got back TTM from John Ellis really is a cool card, not only because of the argument with the umpire, but also because of the airbrushing.  The prior season (1972), Ellis was with the Yankees, not the Indians.  So, that would explain why there is no logo on his uniform.  Also, those stirrups are juuust a little too bright compared with the rest of the photo.  Still, it is a really good airbrushing job, especially on an action shot.

I also got a 1972 Topps, 1974 Topps and a 1980 Topps signed by Ellis.

Ellis (b. 1948) played in the majors from 1969 to 1981 for the Yankees, Indians and Rangers.  He had 259 hits, 69 home runs and a .262 batting average.

I mailed to Ellis on December 2 and got the cards back on January 16, for a 45-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5/card.

TTM Success - Tony Armas

That, my friends, is a nice signature.  I sent to Tony Armas via a private signing, and the card turned out amazing.  I was so happy with how the signature and card look; it was well worth the TTM fee.

Armas (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1976 to 1989 for the Pirates, A's, Red Sox and Angels.  He had 1,302 hits, 251 home runs and a .252 batting average.  He led the league in home runs in 1981 (22) and 1984 (43).  His best MVP finish was 4th, 1981 (AL).  He was an All Star in 1981 and 1984 and Silver Slugger Award winner (1984).

I mailed to the signing on October 5 and got the card back on January 16, for a 103-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ron Hansen

My good friend, Drew, sent me Ron Hansen's autograph on a baseball a while back, but I have never gotten him TTM.  So, I figured I would go ahead and get my 1991 Crown Orioles card signed, along with a couple other Topps cards that I had in my boxes.

All of the cards turned out great; he signed the 1991 Crown and also a 1968 Topps and a 1970 Topps.

Hansen (b. 1938) played in the majors from 1958 to 1972 for the Orioles, White Sox, Senators, Yankees and Royals.  He had 1,007 hits, 106 home runs and a .234 batting average.  He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1960.  That same year, he finished 5th in the AL MVP race and was an All Star twice.

I mailed to Hansen on April 27 and got the cards back on January 16, for a 264-day TAT.

TTM Success - Lance Johnson

I waited a long time for these to come in, but the long wait paid off when I got these nice cards in TTM from Lance Johnson.  I had gotten most of these cards from the former Greenville card shop a while back, and they all turned out really well.  I like the above 1997 Upper Deck SP.  I remember when I mailed these off, I was hoping this one would get signed, especially.  He signed everything I sent, which was nice.

I had also included a 1997 Topps Stars, 1997 Topps, 2997 Donruss Preferred, 1993 Flair and a 1996 Topps Finest.

Johnson (b. 1963) played in the majors from 1987 to 2000 for the Cardinals, White Sox, Mets, Cubs and Yankees.  He had 1,565 hits, 34 home runs and a .291 batting average.  He led the league in hits twice (1995 and 1996) and in triples 5 times (1991 to 1994 and 1996).  He was an All Star in 1996 and his best (and only) finish in the MVP voting was also that season, 18th (NL).

I mailed to Johnson on November 9, 2016, and got the cards back on January 16, 2021, for a 1,529-day TAT.  He also included someone named Ethan's letter and answered his questions.  Maybe one of these days, I'll find out who this Ethan guy is, and can get him his letter back.

TTM Success - Nolan Watson

This 2016 Topps Heritage Minors card of Nolan Watson turned out really well when I got it back signed TTM.  I like this design, the cards look really nice when signed.

Watson (b. 1997) was a 1st round (33rd overall) pick by the Royals in the 2015 June Amateur Draft out of an Indianapolis High School.  He pitched in the Royals system from 2015 to 2019, reaching High A.  He had a career record of 14-36 with 225 strike outs and a 6.46 ERA.

I mailed to Watson on January 7 and got the card back on January 15, for an 8-day TAT.

TTM Success - Seth Martinez

I got this really cool COPA insert from 2020 Pro Debut signed TTM by Seth Martinez.  The card turned out great.

Martinez (b. 1994) was a 17th round pick by the A's in the 2016 June Amateur Draft out of Arizona State University.  He played in the A's system from 2016 to 2019, missing 2020 due to COVID.  He has a record of 15-20 with 210 strike outs and a 3.11 ERA.

I mailed to Martinez on January 6 and got the card back on January 15, for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Skylar Szynski

I added this nice 2015 Bowman Draft of Skylar Szynski to my autograph album when I got it back TTM from him.  I had to search his address and take a shot, but it worked, and the card turned out pretty well.

Szynski (b. 1997) was a 4th round pick by the A's in the 2016 June Amateur Draft out of high school.  He played in Rookie ball in 2016 where he went 0-3 with 8 strike outs and an 8.10 ERA.  Szynski remains in the A's system after missing the last several seasons due to injury.  According to MILB.com, he is on the Midland Rockhounds roster.

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

TTM Success - Fred Stanley

Here is another 1972 Topps that I was able to get signed; this one by Fred Stanley.  The card turned out great and is now in my album.

Stanley (b. 1947) played in the majors from 1969 to 1982 for the Pilots, Brewers, Indians, Padres, Yankees and A's.  He had 356 hits, 10 home runs and a .216 batting average.  He won the World Series i 1977 and 1978 with the Yankees.

I mailed to Stanley on December 21 and got the card back on January 15, for a 25-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dan Fife

Here is a 1974 Topps that I was able to get signed TTM by Dan Fife.

Fife (b. 1949) played in the majors from 1973 to 1974 for the Twins.  He had a record of 3-2 with 21 strike outs and a 5.43 ERA.

I mailed to Fife on December 17 and got the card back on January 15, for a 29-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jeff Johnson

Here are a couple early 90s cards that I got signed TTM from Jeff Johnson.  The above 1992 Triple Play turned out really well.  This set was the bottom of the barrel, as far as quality and price point went back then, but it was a decent-enough set.  The cards stand out, and you could get your hands on boxes of these really cheaply; especially at Sam's Club (thanks Mom!).

I also got Johnson to sign a 1992 Topps, which turned out nice, also.

Johnson (b. 1966) played in the majors from 1991 to 1993 for the Yankees.  He had a record of 8-16 with 76 strike outs and a 6.52 ERA.  I didn't realize it until I started writing this post, but Johnson is a fellow graduate of UNC-Charlotte.  He was a 6th round pick by the Yankees out of UNCC in the 1988 June Amateur Draft.

I mailed to Johnson on December 4 and got the cards back on January 15, for a 42-day TAT.