TTM Success - Joey Jay

More vantage cards were added to my autograph album with this TTM success from Joey Jay.  The above 1955 Topps turned out really nicely.  I didn't have to raid my completed set to get the card, either.  I bought it knowing I was sending to Jay, and sent it along when the purchase came in. 

I also got this 1964 Topps signed.  The card came from the box of 64s that I got from Conrad.  I sent off a bunch of them, so there will be a wave of 64s coming back TTM for a while. 

Jay (b. 1935) played in the majors from 1953 (at the age of 17) to 1955 and 1957 to 1966 for the Braves and Reds.  He had a record of 99-91 with 999 strike outs and a 3.77 ERA.  He won 21 games twice in his career (1961 and 1962).  He finished 5th in the NL MVP race in 1961 and was an All Star twice that season.

I mailed to Jay on January 17 and got the cards back on January 26, for a 9-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5/card.

Another TTM Success From Bobby Shantz

Bobby Shantz is 97 years old and still signs TTM on a regular basis.  I met him at the National several years ago, and he is a super nice guy.  When I found a couple of Shantz's cards in some boxes I picked up in Columbia from my friend, Conrad, I had to send them out TTM and add them to my album.

The above 1975 Topps Mini is the first such card in the autograph album (that I can recall).  This was a pretty cool card to pick up, so I am glad I can store it away in the album, now.

I also got a 1964 Topps signed.  I picked up an assortment of 1964s from Conrad, and probably will be starting that set (along with 1962, I believe).  Shantz also included his own 1954-design custom card since I included a donation with my request.

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

TTM Success - Dave Moates

Another 1977 Topps was added to the autograph album when I got this card back signed TTM from Dave Moates.  The faux signature is toward the bottom of the card, and Moates signed the card to the right.  In case there was any question about which was which.

Moates (b. 1948) played in the majors from 1974 to 1976 for the Rangers.  He had 81 hits, 3 home runs and a .260 batting average.

I mailed to Moates on January 17 and got the card back signed on January 24, for a 7-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jakob Marsee

The 2022 Bowman Draft cards that I got signed TTM are starting to slow down.  I sent out a bunch, but ran out of time once Spring Training was getting set to ramp up.  That was also when I was getting ready to get all of my Spring Training stuff ready to mail out, so I stopped focusing on Bowman Draft.  This signed card came back from Padres prospect, Jakob Marsee, and looks pretty great.

Marsee (b. 2001) was a 6th round pick by the Padres in the 2022 July Amateur Draft out of Central Michigan University.  He played at Rooke Level and Low A last season.  He had 24 hits, 2 home runs and a .240 batting average.

I mailed to Marsee on January 6 and got the card back on January 23, for a 17-day TAT.

March 25, 2023, Graphing of Miami at Wake Forest

College baseball isn't usually my first choice to graph, but when my older brother, Philip, messaged me and asked if I wanted to go see the Miami Hurricanes take on Wake Forest, I was interested.  He let me know enough in advance that I was able to order some Perfect Game cards of some of the players, so it turned into a pretty decent rack.

I also had some Stars and Stripes cards of a couple of the players, so I was able to get a few out of my boxes, as well.  The above Yohandy Morales is one of the Stars and Stripes cards that I was able to get signed.

I missed picking up a couple guys Perfect Game cards due to an error on my part on Ebay, but that ended up saving me some money.  I wish I had gotten everyone, as it was really easy to graph at the game.  Another disappointment was that former big leaguer, Will Craig was coaching for Wake, but I couldn't find the bulk of his cards that I had somewhere, and the ones I did have didn't get signed, since I missed him post game.

Still, we had a really good time.  It was me, my brother, Philip; his wife, Karie; his friend, Dave; my oldest brother, Kenny; his wife, Gina; and their son, Ian.  I had never graphed with Ian before, but he is at a great age for it, at 12.  He seemed to have fun, and filled up an extra ball that I had brought for him.  He is a big Wake Forest fan, so it was nice helping him fill that ball up with signatures.

Wake ended up winning the game.  It was really cool to be at the stadium formerly known as Ernie Shore field.  It was the site of my first ever baseball game, back in the early 90s.  They have since remodeled the field, and renamed it David Couch field.  It will always be Ernie Shore to me.

I really appreciate Philip inviting me to go along.  In the end, I got the following autographs: Matt Wessinger x 2, Lucas Costello x 5, Carlos Lequerica x 1, Carlos Perez x 5, Alejandro Torres x 5, Yohandy Morales x 3, Alejandro Rosario x 2, Dominic Pitelli x 5, Karson Ligon x 5, CJ Kayfus x 5, Dorian Gonzalez x 6 and Gage Ziehl x 2 (46 total autographs).

TTM Success - Shawn Boskie

This TTM success from Shawn Boskie added some 90s cards to the autograph album, including a run of his Topps cards from 1991 to 1994.  The above 1991 Donruss also turned out nicely. 

Here are the Topps cards that came back signed from the TTM request.  I got a Bible inscription on the 1992 Topps.

Boskie (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1990 to 1998 for the Cubs, Phillies, Mariners, Angels, Orioles and Expos.  He had a record of 49-63 with 494 strike outs and a 5.14 ERA.

I mailed to Boskie on October 18, 2021, and got the cards back on January 23, 2023, for a 462-day TAT.

TTM Success - Nick Frasso

A 2021 Pro Debut came back signed TTM with this success from Nick Frasso.  I had forgotten I sent this out (I'm glad I log everything), so I was surprised when it came in.

Frasso (b. 1998) was a 4th round pick by the Blue Jays in the 2020 June Amateur Draft out of Loyola Marymount University.  He has played in the Blue Jays and Dodgers systems since 2021.  He has reached AA.

Frasso has a record of  0-0, with 84 strike outs and a 1.68 ERA.  I mailed to Frasso on January 13, 2022, and got the card back signed on January 23, 2023, for a 375-day TAT.

TTM Success - Danny Heep

This 1987 Topps card signed by Danny Heep was a long time in the making.  I had sent to him TTM directly and never got a return.  Then a private signing came along last year that got canceled.  Finally, another signing came along and I was able to get the card crossed off of my checklist.

Heep (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1979 to 1991 for the Astros, Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox and Braves.  He had 503 hits, 30 home runs and a .257 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Mets in 1986 and with the Dodgers in 1988.

I mailed to the signing on December 19 and got the card back on January 23, for a 35-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Bill Mazeroski

While going through a box of cards that I picked up from a show in Virginia last year, I found an assortment of Upper Deck cards from a set for the Ken Burns Baseball documentary.  The cards are all like the one above, printed in a blue tint, and have some nice photography.  I saw this Bill Mazeroski and wanted to get it signed and into my autograph album.  I had a couple other cards of his put aside for my next TTM attempt with him, and picked one from the bunch to include with the Burns card.

I liked this 2017 Panini Diamond Kings card, and wanted to get one of these into my autograph album.  I included the card, along with Mazeroski's fee for both cards and sent them along.

Both cards turned out great.  I really love the Ken Burns set, and have a couple other cards from there that I want to get signed and into the album.

I mailed to Mazeroski on January 6 and got the cards back on January 23, for a 17-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $10.00/card.

TTM Success - Trystan Vrieling

Here is another 2022 Bowman Draft that came back signed TTM during that wave of requests I sent out in early January.  This signed 2022 Bowman Draft Trystan Vrieling turned out nicely, and it also came back with a nice signed note.

Vrieling (b. 2000) was a 3rd round pick in the July 2022 July Amateur Draft out of Gonzaga.  He has not yet made is professional debut.

I mailed to Vrieling on January 9 and got the card back on January 21, for a 12-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jimmy Crooks III

A couple more 2022 Bowman Draft cards came back signed with this TTM success from Cardinals prospect, Jimmy Crooks, III.  The cards are pretty nice, and a couple more taken off of the Bowman Draft list.  I'm not pursuing the set, by any means, but it is still nice to add a couple more to the album.

Crooks (b. 2001) was a 4th round pick by the Cardinals in the July 2022 Amateur Draft out of University of Oklahoma.  He played at low A last season, collecting 21 hits, 3 home runs and a .266 batting average.

I mailed to Crooks on January 9 and got the cards back on January 21, for a 12-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jakson Reetz

Jakson Reetz is a player who I graphed originally at Wood Ducks games and has graduated to the majors.  I got him to sign two cards TTM, the above 2022 Topps and the below 2022 Topps Chrome.

The cards turned out nicely, even though the marker started to die on the bottom card.

Reetz (b. 1996) played in the majors in 2021 for the Nationals.  He had one hit, no home runs and a .500 batting average over the two games in which he played.  He became a free agent after the 2021 season and signed with the Brewers for 2022.  He didn't make it back to the majors in 22 after being released by the Brewers and picked up by the Royals.  He was resigned by the Royals at the end of 2022, and has a shot to be called up again for the 2023 season.

I mailed to Reetz on January 6 and got the cards back signed on January 21, for a 15-day TAT.

TTM Success - Zach Neto

A few more 2022 Bowman Draft signed cards remain after my initial wave came though in mid-January.  This next one that came in TTM was signed by Zach Neto.  The card turned out nicely as Neto has a decent autograph.  There are a couple other players' cards that came in that don't look all that great, but this one is fine.

Neto (b. 2001) was a first round pick (13th over all) in the July 2022 Amateur Draft by the Angels out of Campbell University.  He played in two levels of the Angels system last season (high A and AA) and had 44 hits, 5 home runs and a .299 batting average.

I mailed to Neto on January 10 and got the card back on January 20, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Andy Fox

This TTM success that came back from Andy Fox had a nice variety of cards from several different card sets.  The above 1996 Score Select has a nice wood grain border, and looks pretty nice now that it is signed.

I got a 1991 Carolina League all star card signed, which was a really nice find.  Fox's 1993 ProCards minors card also was a good find in my boxes.  I rounded the submission out with a 1996 Fleer and a 2003 Topps.

Fox (b. 1971) played in the majors from 1996 to 2004 for the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Marlins, Expos and Rangers.  He had 461 hits, 30 home runs and a .239 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Yankees in 1996.

I mailed to Fox on March 21, 2022, and got the cards back on January 20, 2023, for a 305-day TAT.

TTM Success - Henry Bolte

This 2022 Bowman Draft Chrome that came back signed TTM from A's prospect Henry Bolte turned out nicely.  I always enjoy the A's uniforms, and the one Bolte is wearing looks nice on the Chrome card.  His signature is super thin, but still looks nice on my card.

Bolte (b. 2003) was a second round pick by the A's in the 2022 July Amateur Draft out of Palo Alto High School in California.  He played in the Arizona Complex League (rookie level) last season and had 7 hits, no home runs and a .212 batting average.

I mailed to Bolte on January 6 and got the card back on January 19, for a 13-day TAT.  He kept my 2022 Bowman Draft base card.

Another TTM Success From Michael Cuddyer

This 2003 Topps Twins Rookies card is now complete, after I finally got the card back signed from Michael Cuddyer.  I had gotten Michael Restovich on the card in October 2020, then waited to blog it (on January 1, 2021).  The card then was put in the mail and I waited for quite a while to finally get it back.  I'm glad I got it back, though.  This was a really cool card to complete.

I mailed to Cuddyer on March 2, 2021, and got the card back on January 19, 2023, for a 665-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jett Williams

This TTM success that was borne out of my 2022 Bowman Draft pickups brought in a sweet insert card.  Jett Williams signed two cards for me TTM, and the above insert might be one of m favorites that I have gotten back so far this year.  The card looks better in person, but the scan isn't too bad.

He also signed a 2022 Bowman Draft paper, which turned out nicely.

Williams (b. 2003) was a first round (14th over all) pick by the Mets in the July 2022 Amateur Draft out of Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas.  He played in 10 games for the FCL Mets last season, collecting 8 hits, 1 home run and a .250 batting average.

I mailed to Williams on January 6 and got the cards back on January 18, for a 12-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Anthony Volpe

Taking a look at past blog posts, I had gotten Anthony Volpe TTM twice before this signed card came back in January.  His signature has been shortened, he has added personalization and now only sends back signed 2022 Leaf Draft cards.  Still, a new signed card has been added to the autograph album, and it is of a top prospect.

Volpe (b. 2001) was the Yankees first round draft pick in the 2019 June Amateur Draft out of Delbarton School in New Jersey.  He has played in the Yankees system since 2019, missing 2020 due to the COVID shutdown.  He has reached AAA.  His overall minor league numbers are: 274 hits, 50 home runs and a .263 batting average.  It is looking like he may make his MLB debut this season.

I mailed to Volpe on January 4 and got the card back on January 18, for a 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - Maddux Bruns

A couple recent prospect cards came back signed TTM with this success from Dodgers minor league pitcher, Maddux Bruns.  I was able to add a 2022 Topps Pro Debut to the autograph album, and the card turned out nicely.

I was also able to get a 2021 Bowman Draft signed.  It is nice when a prospect continues to sign TTM at home long after his Bowman Draft cards have been out.

Bruns (b. 2002) was a first round (29th overall) pick by the Dodgers in the 2021 July Amateur Draft out of UMS Prep in Mobile, Alabama.  He has pitched at the Rookie and Low A levels of the Dodgers system.  He has a record of 0-5 with 72 strike outs and a 6.75 ERA.

I mailed to Bruns on January 4 and got the cards back on January 18, for a 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - JR Ritchie

This 2022 Bowman Draft came back TTM signed by Braves prospect, JR Ritchie.  He doesn't have much of a signature, but the card is signed and has a home in my autograph album.

Ritchie (b. 2003) was a first round (35th overall) pick by the Braves in the 2022 July Amateur Draft out of Bainbridge High School in Bainbridge, Washington.  He played at Rookie Level and Low A last season, and will probably start this season in Low A.  I doubt he will still be with Augusta when they come to the Wood Ducks at the end of the season.  He has a record of 0-0 with 14 strike outs and a 1.88 ERA.

I mailed to Ritchie on January 3 and got the card back on January 17, for a 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - Brycen Mautz

There was a nice wave of 2022 Bowman Draft cards that came in signed TTM in Mid-January; here is the one that came back from Cardinals prospect, Brycen Mautz.

Mautz (b. 2001) was a 2nd round pick by the Cardinals in the 2022 July Amateur Draft out of The University of San Diego.  He hasn't pitched professionally, yet.

I mailed to Mautz on January 3 and got the card back on January 17, for a 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jackson Cox

A couple more 2022 Bowman Draft cards came back signed with this success from Jackson Cox.  He has a simple, but nice signature; much better than some that I've seen from recent draft picks.

I got a 2022 Bowman Draft Chrome and a Bowman Draft paper signed by Cox, and both turned our great.

Cox (b. 2003) was a 2nd round pick by the Rockies in the July 2022 Amateur Draft out of Toutle Lake High School in Toutle Lake, Washington.  He has yet to make his professional debut.

I mailed to Cox on January 3 and got te cards back on January 17, for a 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - Terry Jorgensen

Some mid-90s Junk Wax cards came back signed TTM from Terry Jorgensen.  The above 1994 Fleer turned out nicely, and was a welcome addition to the autograph album.  I didn't open much 1994 fleer for whatever reason, so I don't have many cards from that set in any of my boxes.  When I can add one, I like to see it get added to the album.

I also got a 1993 Fleer and a 1993 Pinnacle signed by Jorgensen.  All of the cards that I had him sign turned out nicely.

Jorgensen (b. 1966) played in the majors in 1989, 1992 and 1993 for the Twins.  He had 56 hits, 1 home run and a .240 batting average.

I mailed to Jorgensen on October 31 and got the cards back on January 17, for a 78-day TAT.

Mourning a Loss

While talking to a new friend on Instagram today (about how there isn't a card shop here in town anymore), I googled the name of the former shop owner and got some news that I was dreading.  I was expecting it, since Wendell closed the shop abruptly and moved to Rhode Island to be tended to by his family.  I learned today that Wendell passed away on February 27 at the age of 82 while in Hospice care.

I came out here to the Greenville area in December 2008 to check the area out. The company I work for wanted me to see if I even liked the area prior to my accepting a transfer to this office. One of the main selling points (in my mind) was when I discovered that there was a card shop near where I would be working.

I visited said shop in December 2008, (yoy can read about it here) and met Wendell. We moved out here in February 2009 and saw him pretty much weekly until he closed up shop in 2019.  During that time, we because friends, and he treated Mal, Chris and I like family.  The photo above is from February 2015 where Wendell was teaching Chris how to run the register at the shop.  Wendell was supposedly hard to work with, but I never saw that in him.  He was definitely no-nonsense, and the couple of people who told me he was hard to work for probably could have maybe worked a bit harder.  I did, however, resist the temptation to work at the shop because I didn't want to compromise out friendship. 

Wendell was tough, but fair. He called me up one day upset because Chris had thrown darts at the dart board in back, missing the dart board completely and heavily damaging the drywall. Chris and I jumped up, went to Lowes for some spackling, and fixed the wall.  Wendell pulled me aside later and told me how impressed he was with the lesson that I had taught Chris; you fix your mistakes and don't hide from them. He said we could have easily dodged the issue and tossed a little money at it, but we fixed it. I knew he respected me before then, but after that, I sealed the deal.  I think it also showed him how much I respected him when I immediately apologized and rectified the situation.

Chris and I went on a road trip in 2019.  We stopped at the shop before we left to get some supplies.  Wendell chatted with us for a bit like any other visit, and we left.  We got home two weeks later to a note on the door of the shop saying that Wendell had sold the shop and it was now closed.  I learned months later that he had been diagnosed with dementia and his family had facilitated the sale and moved him back to Rhode Island.  Had I known that this was going to happen, I would have hugged Wendell that last time I saw him.  I genuinely loved that man and I never got to tell him goodbye. 

Still, I take a small bit of solace in the fact that when the new owners of the shop closed their location down the street, the bulk boxes of cards I got from them were Wendell's.  So, his legacy will continue to live on in a good many of the TTMs that I'll be getting back for the foreseeable future.

Rest in peace, Wendell. You were a good man and made am impact on my life, as well as Mal's and Chris's. You were like an extra grandpa for us and we will always remember you fondly.  

RIP Wendell Branch 1941-2013. Here is a link to his obituary.

TTM Success - Shane Robinson

This TTM success looks like one of those "spot the difference" photo things you'll see in a magazine in a dentist's office or online.  Still, there are subtle differences between these two cards.  The above 2009 Topps Update Shane Robinson that I got back signed is the "vintage stock" parallel, and below is the normal base card.  You can tell the difference in the Topps logo on the card.  In hand, the above card is brown card stock, while below is white.

Both cards turned out nicely, and I was glad to be able to get the parallel included in the TTM request.  It was just a random parallel card I had in one of my boxes.

Robinson (b. 1984) played in the majors in 2009 and from 2011 to 2018 for the Cardinals, Twins, Angels and Yankees.  He had 168 hits, 7 home runs and a .221 batting average.

I mailed to Robinson on April 4, 2022, and got the cards back on January 17, 2023, for a 288-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mike Barlow

Some early 80s (and a late 70s) cards came back signed TTM recently from Mike Barlow.  The cards turned out great, and I was glad to get this 1981 Topps taken care of.  I enjoy this set, and am always happy to add a new one to the autograph album.

The 1978 and 1980 Topps cards that I sent also look nice.  My 1980 signed cards are catching up with the 1981s; I believe those two sets are second and third behind 1987 for the most signed cards I have from one set.

Barlow (b. 1948) played in the majors from 1975 to 1981 for the Cardinals, Astros, Angels and Blue Jays.  He had a record of 10-6 with 96 strike outs and a 4.63 ERA.

I mailed to Barlow on October 17 and got the cards back on January 14, for an 89-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tim Collins

With all of the 2022 Bowmans coming in TTM recently, it was cool to see a much older Bowman come in with this TTM success from Tim Collins.  The above 2009 Bowman Chrome turned out nicely.  I had found the card in my older Bowman boxes and thought it would be nice to send out for an autograph.

I had this 2013 Topps Update to send along with the Bowman card, so it went, too.  Both of the cards turned out nicely; Collins has a nice signature.

Collins (b. 1989) played in the majors from 2011 to 2014 and 2018 to 2019 for the Royals, Nationals and Cubs.  He had a record of 12-17 with 245 strike outs and a 3.60 ERA.

I mailed to Collins on October 11 and got the cards back on January 14, for a 95-day TAT.

TTM Success - Adam Mazur

More 2022 Bowman Draft cards came back signed; this time a success from Padres prospect, Adam Mazur added a chrome refractor to the autograph album.  It is hard to tell from the scan, but this is a refractor.  It turned out nicely.

I also got a Bowman paper signed.  Mazur has a pretty nice signature.

Mazur (b. 2001) was a 2nd round pick by the Padres in the 2022 July Amateur Draft out of the University of Iowa.  He has not yet made his professional debut.

I mailed to Mazur on January 3 and got the cards back on January 13, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Sonny DiChiara

Another 2022 Bowman Draft is in, with this TTM success from Angels prospect, Sonny DiChiara.  The card turned out nicely, signed in black Sharpie.

DiChiara (b. 1999) was a 5th round pick by the Angels in the 2022 July Amateur Draft out of Auburn.  He played at AA Rocket City last season.  He had 23 hits, 1 home run and a .195 batting average.

I mailed to DiChiara on January 3 and got the card back on January 13, for a 10-day TAT.

Some 50-50s From Bryan

Some more 50/50s are out of the way now, with one more team bag to go after this one.  This was a return that came in at the end of last season from Bryan in Texas.  He has become my default guy in Texas after the guys I used to 50/50 with have grown up and moved on.  I appreciate having someone who can get AAA Round Rock, especially.

Bryan helped me knock out some team set guys who I missed in the past.  I had been waiting a long time to get AJ Alexy on the 2019 Wood Ducks set.

I didn't send a whole lot to Bryan, but what he got was definitely quality.  I was glad to get a Davis Wendzel back from him.  I had sent one to someone else the season before, and the guy held that card hostage for what seemed to be a five for one trade.  I told him that he could just keep the card and send me the rest of m stuff back.  I hate it when people do stuff like that.

Finally, I got some much older stuff out of my boxes when Bryan got my 2003 Bowman Chrome Matt Hagen, my 2010 Bowman Josh Sale and 2011 Heritage Minors Josh Sale signed.

Thanks for taking these, Bryan.  I hope to send some more this season.