First IP Graphing Of 2023 - Wayne County Hot Stove Event

The first IP (in person) graphing event of 2023 is in the books, and I was able to add a few cards to the autograph album.  I was told about the event by a fellow Wood Duck fan, and made my way to Goldsboro last night.  Entry for Chris and I was $15 each, and we were able to meet Marlins player, Brian Miller, as well as Goldsboro native, Jerry Narron.  I knew about Miller ahead of time, so I picked up the above 2022 Topps green foil card.

I also used my 2022 Topps base cards of Miller for a couple more autos.  I brought a clean OMLB and two filler cards just in case I ran into someone else at the event.  I was glad I did, because I was able to get Jerry Narron on a 1987 Topps checklist and a game insert/ad card.  I get asked all of the time about why I use the checklists.  I had, at one point, about 200 checklists, so they are easy to grab and put just about anyone on.  Same with the ad inserts.  A lot of people like to use blank dummy cards, but I've also seen where players won't sign blanks, so I figure these will pass as decent enough items to put some ink scribbles on.

I got a couple cases of ROMLBs from my old friend, Sam, and he would be happy to know that I have put two worthy subjects on two of the balls, so far.

I sat at a table with fellow Wood Duck fan, Jessie, and had a good time.  The food was good, along with the stories.  It was a nice start to graphing in 2023, with a couple more events coming up for me in the next couple of weeks.

In all, I got Brian Miller x 3 and Jerry Narron x 3 (6 total autographs).

Another TTM Success From Skip Lockwood

Back in 2017, I had originally sent TTM to Skip Lockwood.  I got a few cards signed, and figured that would probably be it.  I ended up with these two cards at some point, so I decided that after 5+ years, I should go ahead and send to him again.  I got a 1973 Topps and a 1974 Topps signed by Lockwood this time around, and they both came out looking pretty sharp.

I mailed to Lockwood on November 29 and got the cards back on December 10, for an 11-day TAT.

Additionally, that big wave of vintage TTMs has started to come in.  Today was a mass of 8 successes (two of which weren't vintage, but still) and I have a ton more pending.  Also, some signings have popped up, so I will be on the road a bit over the next couple of weeks.  I am getting ramped up for graphing season, which is right around the corner.

TTM Success - Steve Ellsworth

This 1989 Topps came back signed TTM from Steve Ellsworth.  His signature is pretty messy, much like mine, but the card is still signed, and will have a home in my album.

Ellsworth (b. 1960) played in the majors in 1988 for the Red Sox.  He had a record of 1-6 with 16 strikeouts and a 6.75 ERA.

I mailed to Ellsworth on November 29 and got the card back on December 10, for an 11-day TAT.

TTM Success - Bruce Miller

This 1976 Topps card that I got back signed from Bruce Miller turned out nicely.  1976 Topps is an underrated set, and I have quite a few that I can sent out to get signed.  I think the set gets forgotten since it followed the weirdly cool 1975 set (which had some big rookie cards) and also that it doesn't have as many big name rookies (only Eckersley comes to mind).  Still, the hairstyles and loud uniforms make this a fun set to add to the album. 

Miller (b. 1947) played in the majors from 1973 to 1976 for the Giants.  He had 136 hits, 1 home run and a .246 batting average. 

I mailed to Miller on December 1 and got the card back on December 9, for an 8-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Jim Lonborg

These three Jim Lonborg cards were in one of my boxes for quote a while, so I figured I would take the opportunity to send to him again for some autographs.  The above 1968 Topps was the card that I really wanted to add to the autograph album, and it turned out very well.

I also sent another 1973 Topps that I had, even though I had gotten one signed before.  I'll probably send it out to a friend as a gift or surprise auto or something.  I also added a nice 1974 to the album.  I have a mass of 74s pending, so the representation of that set will increase in the coming months.

I mailed to Lonborg on December 1 and got the cards back on December 8, for a 7-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Luis Matos

When I saw that there was going to be a private signing with former Oriole, Luis Matos, I was excited.  I was never able to get him when he was an Oriole, and he hadn't been to an past Fan Fests that I had been so, so I would finally be able to get a few of his cards signed.  I couldn't settle on just a couple; I ended up sending out 6 cards.  The above 2005 Donruss Diamond Kings was the first card I thought of when I saw the news of the signing.  This card turned out nicely, even though the scan doesn't show Matos's signature as well as it looks in person.

I liked these two (a 2001 Fleer Futures and a 2005 Donruss Champions), and they turned out great.

Finally, I wanted a Topps card in the album, and settled on the 2006 (middle), but I really liked the 2004 Topps Chrome (left), so I added it to the pile.  When I went to scan the cards, I forgot why I had included the 2003 Upper Deck (other than the fact that I have very few 2003 Upper Deck anywhere) and I realized I had sent it because the card features Matos in a St. Louis Browns jersey.

Matos (b. 1978) played in the majors from 2000 to 2006 for the Orioles and Nationals.  He had 410 hits, 30 home runs and a .255 batting average.

I mailed to the signing on October 14 and got the cards back on December 8, for a 55-day TAT.

TTM Success - Rick Trlicek

These are two cards from the 1990s that I was able to get signed TTM from Rick Trlicek.  An interesting last name made it easy to spot him in my boxes.  I was glad to move these two into the album.  I have a ton of 1994 Score, and I rarely am able to get into that box, since it is at the bottom of a large stack of 5,000-count boxes in my closet.

When I went to a show in Virginia last year, I picked up a box that had a bunch of 1993 Pinnacle.  I didn't have many of these at the time, so it was nice to add something different to the boxes, even though they came out of the Junk Wax Era.  Both cards turned out nicely from the TTM success.

Trlicek (b. 1969) played in the majors from 1992 to 1994 and 1996 to 1997 for the Blue Jays, Dodgers, Red Sox and Mets.  He had a record of 5-8 with 66 strike outs and a 5.23 ERA.

I mailed to Trlicek on November 10 and got the cards back on December 6, for a 26-day TAT.

TTM Success - Gary Mielke

Here are a few early 90s cards that came back signed TTM from Gary Mielke.  The above 1991 Fleer turned out nicely.  I know there are a ton of people who abhor this design, but I don't mind it.  It is easy to read, easy to spot in a box or on a card show table, and the cards come out looking great when signed.

I also got a 1990 Topps and a 1991 Topps signed in the same TTM request from Mielke.  Both of these turned out nicely, as well.

Mielke (b. 1963) played in the majors in 1987, 1989 and 1990 for the Rangers.  He had a record of 1-3 with 42 strike outs and a 3.56 ERA.

I mailed to Mielke on November 7 and got the cards back on December 6, for a 29-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jose Santiago

There should be a nice wave of vintage cards coming soon via TTM that should keep me busy for a long time.  A previous wave that I sent out included this 1968 Topps that I mailed to Jose Santiago.  The card is a little rough, but still looks nice.

Santiago (b. 1940) played in the majors from 1963 to 1970 for the A's (KC) and Red Sox.  He had a career record of 34-29 with 404 strike outs and a 3.74 ERA.  He was an All Star in 1968.

I mailed to Santiago on October 17 and got the card back on December 6, for a 50-day TAT.

TTM Success - Brad Arnsberg

Some more Junk Wax Era cards were added to my autograph album with this TTM success from Brad Arnsberg.  I liked the above 1991 Donruss Series 2 card that I got back signed.  I don't have nearly as many of these, as I do of Series 1, but I do have a few packs I got from my grandma a while back.  I sent a couple of the cards off, and this one was one of those.

I also got back a 1988 Topps, 1990 Topps Traded and a 1992 Stadium Club.

Arnsberg (b. 1963) played in the majors from 1986 to 1987 and 1989 to 1992 for the Yankees, Rangers and Indians.  He had a record of 9-6 with 100 strike outs and a 4.26 ERA.

I mailed to Arnsberg on November 23 and got the cards back on December 6, for a 13-day TAT.

Cubs Convention and Christmas From Max

Finding folks who "get me" as far as collecting goes can be tough at times.  One person who really does, is my good friend, Max.  Like me, he enjoys getting stuff signed, and our continued partnership has resulted in me passing off a ton of cards to him; with him returning several back to me signed, so I can add them to the autograph albums.  Max has been a tremendous help in getting my boxes condensed down every season.  I always enjoy his messages asking me for cards of lists of current and former players.  It keeps stuff cycling out of the boxes, and keeps me from being crushed under an avalanche of junk wax era stuff.  Recently, Max sent me the attendance list for this year's Cubs Convention.  I searched my boxes and came up with two large packages (and almost had a third, before we ran out of time) of cards for the event.  Additionally, Max took one of my ROMLBs that I have and got newly minted Hall of Famer, Pat Hughes, on a ball for my Hall of Fame collection.

Max took a lot of cards that I had tried to get signed via 50/50s this summer.  So, it was easy to go through the Box of Shame and try one more time to get a few of the guys that my 50/50 partners may have missed.  Owen Caissie was one of them.  I had held onto the above Panini Prizm for a while, hoping that I would see Caissie via Myrtle Beach.  I think I got this at a card show during COVID.

I pulled several Ray Burris cards (and found even more this week while going through my boxes I just got in from Conrad in Columbia).  I was glad to get some of these random Topps cards signed.

Max has gotten me Bob Dernier a few times before, so I wasn't sure which of these that I already had.  They'll all go into the album together, with the rest of this 2023 Cubs Convention stack.

I thought I would have had a lot more Carlos Marmol cards, but I didn't find nearly as many of them as I would have thought.  I did find a lot of Ryan Sweeney, so it was nice to move those out of the boxes.

Max hit some of the random Cubs team cards I sent; these two were signed by Jon Lieber.  Even though I will put these in the album with each other, they are labeled on the back with sticky notes, so I don't forget who signed them.

I had gotten Lieber TTM in the past, so I need to check and see what cards I already have.  I was glad to see the two older Bowmans in the stack; they are 2006 and 2007 Bowman.

I had tried Reed Johnson TTM, but never got my cards back.  It was nice to be able to pull these out of the TTM leftovers pile and get them out.  I wish the ones I had sent him would have come back, as well.  Still, these are nice.

I was really happy to get the 2005 Donruss Champions card back signed.  This product was one of the first I purchased when I got back into collecting back in 2005.  I don't have many of them left, and even fewer in my autograph album.

Mike Fontenot was another guy who I had gotten TTM in the past, but I had gotten a 2002 Topps Traded Chrome; so these should be new to the albums.  I believe Max had gotten me a Geovany Soto or two in years past, but I think these three are ones I don't already have.

Max sent me a Christmas gift back in December, as well.  Unfortunately, I had no way to coordinate my needs list with my friends who were helping me build the set, so I got doubles of Tim Flannery and Jeff Hamilton.  The Flannery is in blue, so I will upgrade the set with this one, and the other will go in the regular autograph album with the Hamilton that Max sent.

Thank you doesn't say enough for how much Max helps me with the collection.  We are pushing 10 years of knowing each other (next year, I think), and I am very happy that we have been able to keep this thing going.  He is an awesome guy, and it has been really cool watching him grow up.  He has always been one of the best friends that I made during collecting and graphing.  I can't wait til the National this summer in Chicago, when I can see him in person, again.  As always, thank you so much for the cards and the Christmas gift, Max.  Also, thanks for making it so easy to cut these deals, I know there is a mutual give and take with me providing cards and you providing signatures, and it is really appreciated on my end.  Thank you, buddy!

By the way, Hughes is Hall of Famer #168 in my collection.  I haven't added a broadcaster in a while (and I have one that I still haven't posted, or counted.  I need to get on that...).

TTM Success - Fred Breining

This mugshot of Fred Breining aside, I was happy to add a few 80s cards of the former pitcher to my autograph album recently.  I got these three cards back signed TTM.  The above 1985 Topps is a bit curious to me; the card looks airbrushed, and could have been taken the same time as Breining's portrait shot on the inset of the below 1983 Topps.  It looks like the same stadium in the background.  I believe they took an alternate shot from that photo session and airbrushed it in order to make the 1985 Topps card.  I could be wrong, but that's my theory.

Breining (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1980 to 1984 for the Giants and Expos.  He had a record of 27-20 with 260 strike outs and a 3.34 ERA.  Breining was traded to the Expos on February 27, 1984, along with Max Venable, for Al Oliver and a player to be named later.  That player is my current insurance rep, Andy McGaffigan.

I mailed to Breining on October 27 and got the cards back on December 5, for a 39-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mel Roach

Another 1955 Topps came back signed recently; this one is from Mel Roach.  I had seen that he was signing, so I used a 1955 that I had, and it turned out ok.  Roach's pen seems to be drying up, but the card is still signed.

Roach (b. 1933) is days away from turning 90 years old.  He played in the majors from 1953 to 1954 and 1957 to 1962 for the Braves (Milwaukee), Cubs and Phillies.  He had 119 hits, 7 home runs and a .238 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Braves in 1957, although he didn't play in the series.

I mailed to Roach on November 2 and got the card back on December 5, for a 33-day TAT.

TTM Success - Joe Pettini

Pretty rockin' stache that Joe Pettini has on this 1982 Topps that I got back signed TTM.  I enjoy the 70s and 80s cards that show some of the hairstyles, facial hair and throwback uniforms.  This 1982 Topps is a pretty nice card.

I also got this 1983 Topps signed.  It turned out nicely as well.

Pettini (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1980 to 1983 for the Giants.  He had 70 hits, 1 home run and a .203 batting average.

I mailed to Pettini on September 19 and got the cards back on December 3, for a 75-day TAT.

Set Pickup - Signed 1987 Topps John Butcher

There was a post a few days ago on Facebook in a group about the signed 1987 Topps set where a dealer that I've used for signings in the past was offering up some signed John Butcher 1987 Topps cards.  Butcher hasn't signed in a long time, so I took advantage of the deal.  I was able to cross his card off of my list, and am down to 48 cards to finish the set.  I am hopeful that I can locate some of the tougher cards, but may have to call it done when I get down to Ricky Wright, Roy Lee Jackson and Dick Howser.

Butcher (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1980 to 1986 for the Rangers, Twins and Indians.  He had a record of 36-49 with 363 strike outs and a 4.42 ERA.

TTM Success - Royce Clayton

There is a drawer in my card room that has a stack of cards that I just want to get signed.  It's more than just getting someone's autograph, it is that the card is either a cool parallel, or has nice photography on it, that I think would look cool in my album.  This 1995 Topps of Royce Clayton is one of those cards.  I like this action shot of former Padre, Tim Hyers sliding into Clayton.  It doesn't look like Hyers signs regularly, because if he did, I'd get him to sign this card, as well.  I saw that Clayon signed TTM through PastPros now, so I sent the card on its way, and got it back fairly quickly.

Clayton (b. 1970) played in the majors from 1991 to 2007 for the Giants, Cardinals, Rangers, White Sox, Brewers, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Nationals, Reds, Blue Jays and Red Sox.  He had 1,904 hits, 110 home runs and a .258 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1997.  He appeared on the 2013 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to Clayton via PastPros on November 14 and got the card back on December 3, for a 19-day TAT.

TTM Success - Brian Duensing

Here are a couple cards that came back signed TTM from former pitcher, Brian Duensing.  The above 2015 Topps turned out nicely.  This set is a really nice one to get signed, and I have gotten quite a few into my album.

I was also able to get a 2007 Bowman signed, which turned out well.  I have a ton of 2007 Bowman, so it is always nice to get at least one of them out of my box.

Duensing (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2009 to 2018 for the Twins, Orioles and Cubs.  He had a record of 46-38 with 523 strike outs and a 4.19 ERA.

I mailed to Duensing on May 11, 2020, and got the cards back on December 2, 2022, for a 935-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jeromy Burnitz

This is a card that I had sitting around for a long time that I really wanted to get signed.  Jeromy Burnitz is finally signing through PastPros, so I made sure to get this 2022 Fleer EX out to him.  The card looks awesome, and I am glad I finally got it signed.

Burnitz (b. 1969) played in the majors from 1993 to 2006 for the Mets, Indians, Brewers, Dodgers, Rockies, Cubs and Pirates.  He had 1,447 hits, 315 home runs and a .253 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1999, and his best MVP finish was 19th in 1998 (NL).  He appeared on the 2012 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to Burnitz on November 14 and got the card back on December 1, for a 17-day TAT.

TTM Success - Joe Amalfitano

These two vintage cards that I sent Joe Amalfitano TTM really turned out nicely.  I always enjoy adding 1955 Bowman and 1955 Topps to the autograph album. 

Amalfitano (b. 1934) played in the majors from 1954 to 1955 and 1960 to 1967 for the New York and San Francisco Giants, as well as the Colt .45s and Cubs.  He had 418 hits, 9 home runs and a .244 batting average.  He won the World Series in 1954 with the Giants.

I mailed to Amalfitano on November 1 and got the cards back on December 1, for a 30-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Randy Elliott

Here is a 1978 Topps card that I sent out TTM to Randy Elliott.  The card came back signed nicely in black marker.

Elliott (b. 1951) played in the majors in 1972, 1974, 1977 and 1980 for the Padres, Giants and A's.  He had 62 hits, 8 home runs and a .215 batting average.

I mailed to Elliott on November 17 and got the card back on November 28, for an 11-day TAT.

TTM Success - Paul Boris

This 1983 Topps card of Paul Boris hung out in my "to-be-TTMed" box for several years before I finally dropped it in the mail.  There isn't a whole lot to the signature on the card.  He signed it in ballpoint pen.  Still, the 1983 set is a nice, clean set, and cards look nice when added to my album.

Boris (b. 1955) played in the majors in 1982 for the Twins.  He had a record of 1-2 with 30 strike outs and a 3.99 ERA.

I mailed to Boris on October 26 and got the card back on November 26, for a 31-day TAT.

TTM Success - Pete Daley

A couple more vintage cards came in signed TTM recently with this success from Pete Daley.  I was glad to add another 1955 Topps to the autograph album.  This may be a sentimental favorite set of mine, since it was the first true vintage set that I put together.  I've got a lot of fond memories of building it, and adding a couple signed versions to the autograph collection helps.

I also sent off this 1958 Topps for Daley to sign, and it also turned out nicely.  I enjoy the 58 set, as well, since it has the bold colors.  I plan to build the 1958 set sometime in the future, but it probably will be a few years down the road.

Daley (b. 1930) played in the majors from 1955 to 1961 for the Red Sox, A's (Kansas City) and Senators.  He had 259 hits, 18 home runs and a .239 batting average.

I mailed to Daley on November 2 and got the cards back on November 26, for a 24-da TAT.

TTM Success - Dale Berra

A really cool TTM success that I got back recently was from Dale Berra.  He is the son of Hall of Famer, Yogi Berra.  The cards I sent off turned out great.  I wish I had gotten this 1985 Topps father/son card signed by Yogi, but I was late on that.

I was really happy to get my 1988 Rochester Red Wings card signed.  This was sent to me as a team set in a care package, and I have gotten a couple of the cards from the set signed already.  I also got a 1984 and 1983 Topps signed.

Berra (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1977 to 1987 for the Pirates, Yankees and Astros.  He had 603 hits, 49 home runs and a .236 batting average.

I mailed to Berra on November 7 and got the cards back on November 26, for a 19-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5.00/card.

TTM Success - Sonny Siebert

From what I can remember, I haven't gotten a signed 1975 Topps in my album for a little while.  The reason is because I sent off a lot of my 1975 Topps bulk to someone who was building the set (and never got a thank you).  So, I am really low on 75s at the moment.  When I saw that I could get this one signed by Sonny Siebert TTM, I went for it.  The card turned out nicely, and looks cool in my album.

I also sent him a 1971 and 1973 to sign, and they both came out nicely, as well.

Siebert (b. 1937) played in the majors from 1964 to 1975 for the Indians, Red Sox, Rangers, Cardinals, Padres and A's.  He had a record of 140-114 with 1,512 strike outs and a 3.21 ERA.  He was a two-time All Star (1966 and 1971) and finished 28th in the AL MVP race in 1966.  He appeared on two Hall of Fame ballots (1981 and 1982), but received only at most 0.2% of the vote (in 1981 and none in 1982).

I mailed to Siebert on November 14 and got the cards back on November 26, for a 12-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $7.00/card.