TTM Success - Charlie Puleo

1989 Bowman is a very underrated set.  I imagine it doesn't get as much love because of the odd sizing of the cards.  Still, when signed, the cards look great.  I got this one back signed TTM from Charlie Puleo.  The card looks really nice and helps take up a spot in an 8-card page in my binder.

I also got this 1989 Topps signed, which looks great.

Puleo (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1981 to 1984 and 1986 to 1989 for the Mets, Reds and Braves.  He had a record of 29-39 with 387 strike outs and a 4.25 ERA.

I mailed to Puleo on March 6 and got the cards back on March 17, for an 11-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Tyler Wilson

Here is a nice 2015 Topps Update that I got signed TTM by former Oriole, Tyler Wilson.  The Virginia native wasn't an Oriole for long, but I met him a couple of times.  He was a really nice guy.

Wilson (b. 1989) played in the majors from 2015 to 2017 for the Orioles.  He had a record of 8-10 with 77 strike outs and a 5.02 ERA.  I mailed to Wilson on March 7 and got the card back on March 15, for an 8-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Chuck LeBlanc

This 2016 Bowman blue parallel of former Wood Duck, Chuck LeBlanc showed up in my boxes somehow.  I don't remember where I got it, but once I realized I had it, I wanted to get it signed.  I finally got it signed this season via Spring Training. 

LeBlanc (b. 1996) played in the majors last season for the Marlins.  He had 41 hits, 4 home runs and a .263 batting average. He was a Wood Duck back in 2018.

I mailed to LeBlanc via Marlins camp on February 27 and got the card back on March 14, for a 15-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Curt Casali

This TTM success from Curt Casali was another return from Spring Training this season.  I was able to get signed cards back from a few Topps Update series (2021, above; and 2020 and 2022, below).

Casali (b. 1988) has played in the majors since 2014 for the Rays, Reds, Giants and Mariners.  He has 277 hits, 47 home runs and a .220 batting average.

I mailed to Casali on February 13 via Reds camp and got the cards back on March 14, for a 29-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Bruce Ellingsen

This 1975 Topps Mini that I got signed TTM from Bruce Ellingsen turned out nicely.  These cards are pretty cool, and I am glad I got a few from Conrad.

Ellingsen (b. 1949) played in the majors in 1974 for the Indians.  He had a record of 1-1 with 16 strike outs and a 3.21 ERA.

I mailed to Ellingsen on January 26 and got the card back on March 14, for a 47-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Cla Meredith

These are some late 2000s cards that I was able to get signed TTM from former pitcher, Cla Meredith.  The above 2009 Upper Deck turned out nicely.  I don't have very many cards from that set, so getting this one signed added a nice card to the album. I'm sure I opened plenty of 09 Upper Deck, I must have dumped the cards at a show years ago.

I also got a 2007 Upper Deck First Edition, 2007 Topps and a 2008 O Pee Chee signed.

I had gotten Meredith several years back, so it was nice to add him to the album again. I mailed to him on March 23, 2022, and got the cards back on March 13, 2023, for a 355-day TAT.

TTM Success - Evan Lee

Here is another 2023 Topps that came in signed TTM from Spring Training.  This Evan Lee card turned out nicely.  I've quickly gotten several cards from the 2023 Topps set signed, so that has been really nice.

Lee (b. 1997) got into 4 games for the Nationals last season.  He has a record of 0-1 with 7 strike outs and a 4.15 ERA.

I mailed to Lee on February 22 via Nationals camp and got the card back on March 13, for a 19-day TAT. 

July 18-23, 2023, Graphing of Red Sox at Wood Ducks

The Salem Red Sox came to Kinston this past week to take on the Down East Wood Ducks in a 6-game series.  I caught 5 of the games, missing Wednesday since it was a camp day with a noon start.

I was looking forward to this series so I could try to get some Mikey Romero cards signed (and some of the other Salem guys).

It was a really weird week.  There was a single car accident across the street from the stadium; the driver was speeding in the center lane, flipped his SUV and was killed.  He wasnt wearing a seat belt.  Then, on Friday night, Danyer Cueva took a knee to the head while going after a misplayed ball, resulting in having to be taken off of the field in an ambulance.  Danyer is better now; he was back on Saturday and thanked me for my concern.

I jad no problems finishing off all of the cards u had prepped this week for Salem.  By Saturday, I was down to bare bones, but still managed to have enough stuff to get signed so I wouldn't get shut out.  My friend, Josh, even hooked me up with some customs and also got a ball signed for me by former Purates GM and now Tigers scout, Dave Littlefield.

Mt friend, Ben hooked me up with these Boston signature cards so I could add autos of Yorberto Mejicano, Enderso Lira and Brooks Brannon.  Brook was such a great guy.  Once we talked to him on Tuesday, he came by and chatted with us every day afterward.

Here are the custom cards Josh made.  They're from he and his cousin Matt's MLB The Show game.  They got a bunch of comments from the players, which was cool.  I also added another team set card to the album when Miguel Villaroel came off of the DL.

In all, I got the following autographs: Tonight's graphing recap of Salem Red Sox at Wood Ducks: Andres Mesa x 11, Brooks Brannon x 1, Cutter Coffey x 21, Lyonell James x 8, Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz x 6, Mikey Romero x 37, Danyer Cueva x 1, Gleider Figuereo x 3, Anthony Gutierrez x 1, Enderso Lira x 1, Miguel Villaroel x 6, Brock Porter x 2, Tommy Specht x 2, Anthony Hoopi-Tuionetoa x 1, Luis Ramirez x 1, Ozzie Chavez x 2, Yorberto Mejicano x 1 and Dave Littlefield x 1 (104 total autographs).

TTM Success - Stephen Ridings

Another Spring Training TTM success came in recently when I got this one back from Stephen Ridings. The 2022 Topps that I sent came out nicely.

Ridings (b. 1995) played in the majors in 2021 for the Yankees.  I saw him earlier this season when he was playing for AAA Syracuse in the Mets system.  He has a record of 0-0 with 7 strike outs and a 1.80 ERA.

I mailed to Ridings on February 13 and got the card back on March 10, for a 25-day TAT.  I asked him when I saw him in Durham; he is not related to the Ridings family that populated the neighboring street I grew up on.

TTM Success - Alex Winkelman

Here is another former Buies Creek Astro who I sent cards off to TTM in Alex Winkelman.  I had the above 2015 NY-Penn League All Star card and sent it off along with my 2017 Buies Creek team set card.

Winkelman hit me with a dead Sharpie, but the cards are still signed.  I still have several of the NY-Penn League and Buies Creek team set cards left, so I may send some more off soon.

Winkelman (b. 1994) was a 21st round pick by the Astros in the 2015 June Amateur Draft out of Southeast Missouri State University.  He played in the minors from 2015 to 2019, all in the Astros system.  He reached AA.  He had a record of 22-19 with 327 strike outs and a 3.86 ERA.

I mailed to Winkelman on February 25 and got the cards back on March 10, for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Ryan Pepiot

There are quite a few people who don't like Panini products because they don't have team logos.  Me, I don't mind as much, as long as the card is a nice product.  2022 Panini Capstone was a nice-looking product, and I was glad to add a second card from that set to my autograph album.  The card in question is the above card I got back TTM from Ryan Pepiot.  I got the card, and three others, back from Spring Training.

I got Pepiot's 2022 Topps Update, 2022 Topps Update Chrome and 2022 Topps Update Chrome purple parallel signed.  All of the cards turned out nicely.

Pepiot (b. 1997) played for the Dodgers last season.  He had a record of 3-0 with 42 strike outs and a 3.47 ERA.  Pepiot has been on the DL since April with an oblique strain.

I mailed to Pepiot on February 11 and got the cards back on March 10, for a 27-day TAT.

TTM Success - Eric Wedge

Oops. I meant to post this yesterday, but got busy searching boxes of cards and forgot. Anyway, I got some nice cards back signed TTM from Eric Wedge.  The above 1993 Score turned out nicely and comes from a very underrepresented set in my albums.

I also got a couple Topps (2004 and 2005) cards signed. These also turned out nicely.

Wedge (b. 1968) played in the majors from1991 to 1994 for the Red Sox and Rockies.  He had  20 hits, 5 home runs and a .233 batting average.

He managed the Indians from 2003 to 2009 and the Mariners from 2008 to 2010.  His managerial record was 774-846 (.478 win %).

I mailed to Wedge on May 6, 2021, and got the cards back on March 10, 2023, for a 673-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Al Wortington

Al Worthington seems like a great guy.  I mailed to him back in 2018, and he sent me some extras.  I decided to send to him again, and got this 1964 Topps back signed.  He also sent a signed post card and a signed religious tract.

I mailed to Worthington on February 28 and got the cards back on March 9, for a 9-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Ben McDonald

The above 1995 Upper Deck Collectors Choice SEgold signature parallel has been in my collection since I pulled it from a pack back in 1995. I found it recently in my Orioles box and put it aside for a potential private signing.  One came up not too long after that, and now the card can be placed in the autograph album. 

The signing fee was cheap enough that I went ahead and sent off the above 1991 Crown Orioles card to be signed, as well.  It also turned out nicely. 

McDonald (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1989 to 1997 for the Orioles and Brewers.  He had a record of 78-70 with 894 strike outs and a 3.91 ERA.  He finished 8th in the 1990 AL Rookie of the Year voting. 

I mailed to the signing on February 6 and got the cards back on March 9, for a 31-day TAT. 

July 14-16, 2023, Graphing of Riverdogs at Wood Ducks

The Wood Ducks were back in town this weekend taking on the Charleston Riverdogs following the All Star break.  I had a ton of cards to get signed from Charleston, so I was a bit worried with the short series that I wouldn't be able to get everything done. 

There were a few Charleston guys who werent here. I was able to get everything done of the guys who were, though.  I had thought that Xavier Isaac would be hard to get; he did limit us, but I had help from Chris plus my friends, Jesse, Josh and Matt.

I took on a bunch of 50/50s, including a ton of Jhon Diaz. but they all got done. I didn't have much left of my own after I saw Charleston in Columbia earlier this year, so the 50/50s were welcome.

I picked up the above Walters State JuCo card of Kohl Drake, and it got here in time for this series.  My friend, Gerard sent me a couple Dylan MacLean cards, and I was able to keep this black parallel.

Finally, I got a ball signed by Marcus Johnson prior to Saturday's game.  I got a message Saturday morning from Cody Freeman telling me to get Johnson's autograph.  Cody and Marcus are best friends, and it was really cool to talk to each of them about each other.  You can tell how much folks like Cody when they meet him. I appreciated Cody reaching out to me.

In all, we got the following autographs: Danyer Cueva x 5, Aidan Curry x 2, Kohl Drake x 1, Gleider Figuereo x 12, Anthony Gutierrez x 4, Dylan MacLean x 2, Carlos Maldonaldo x 2, Andres Mesa x 19, Julio Valdez x 2, Jhon Diaz x 28, Xavier Isaac x 12, Cooper Kinney x 22, Trevor Martin x 14, Chandler Simpson x 12, Ryan Spikes x 23, Adrian Rodriguez x 3, Marcus Johnson x 1 and Luis Ramirez x 2 (164 total autographs). 

TTM Success - JJ Hardy

Game 2 of the 2014 ALDS still is the greatest baseball game that I have attended.  The Delmon Young 3-run double in the bottom of the 8th inning resulted in the loudest moment I've heard at a ballpark.  I had hoped for a private signing with Young for some time now, since his 2015 Topps shows him at bat for that hit.  That hasn't happened, but JJ Hardy's 2015 Topps also captures part of that moment.  As a result of a signing with Hardy, I was able to get a few of his cards signed and added to my album.

I couldn't settle just for the base card being signed.  I had this blue refractor from 2015 Topps Chrome, and sent it along, as well.

Hardy's 2015 Bowman also shows him rounding the bases as part of the Young double, so I included it in the package, as well.  I topped the request off with the above 2012 Bowman red ice parallel because it looks so cool.

Hardy (b. 1982) played in the majors from 2005 to 2017 for the Brewers and Orioles.  He had 1,488 hits, 188 home runs and a .256 batting average.  He was a three-time Gold Glove Award winner (2012, 2013 and 2014) and an All Star twice (2007 and 2013).  He also won the Silver Slugger award in 2013.  He appeared on the 2023 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to the signing on February 14 and got the cards back on March 9, for a 23-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Floyd Wicker

The 1971 Topps set doesn't age too well when the cards are handled.  The above card that I got back signed TTM from Floyd Wicker is a nice card, but definitely shows signed of wear.  The black border takes a hit, but in the end, it is still a nice set.

Wicker (b. 1943) was born in Burlington, NC.  He played in the majors from 1968 to 1971 for the Cardinals, Expos, Brewers and Giants.  He had 18 hits, 1 home run and a .159 batting average.

I mailed to Wicker on March 1 and got the card back signed on March 8, for a 7-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Brandon Kintzler

Here are a couple cards that I got into KY album when I sent a second TTM request to Brandon Kintzler.  The above 2011 Bowman complements the 2011 Bowman Chrome that I sent to him with the first request.

I also liked this 2021 Topps.  Im still lagging behind on getting many 2021s signed, as opposed to other Topps series from surrounding years.

I mailed to Kintzler on January 18, 2022, and got the cards back on March 7, 2023, for a 413-day TAT.

More 50-50s From Logan

My friend, Logan in Wichita, sent back some more 50/50s from this season. The return included some signed cards from former Orioles prospect, Yusniel Diaz.  I was glad to get some of Diaz's cards out of my Orioles box.

Logan also got some nice cards signed for me from Nick Frasso and Isiah Gilliam.  I had Gilliam's cards pulled last season for a potential 50/50 that fell through, so it was good to finally get some of the cards signed.

Logan helped me get some Josh Stowers cards signed.  They turned out nicely.  I had gotten him in the past when I saw the West Virginia Power.

I was glad to get some more Logan Warmoth, as well.  He signs TTM, but I only sent one card at that time.

Finally, here are another Warmoth, along with a nice Emerson Hancock 2022 Topps Heritage Minors.  I was glad to add another Hancock, as he was one per when I saw the Arkansas Travelers last year.

Thanks for getting these done for me, Logan!  I look forward to the next package from you!

Another TTM Success From Wayne Garrett

More 1970s cards were added to the autograph album with this second TTMsucces I had gotten from Wayne Garrett.  I had sent to him in 2019, and sent to him again after taking those 70s cards from Conrad.  The above 1975 Topps Mini turned out nicely.

I also got a 1971, 1974 and 1976 Topps back signed from Garrett.

I mailed to Garrett on February 2 and got the cards back on March 6, for a 32-day TAT. 

June 2023 Graphing of Mudcats at Wood Ducks

Before we left for vacation, Chris and I got to three games between the Mudcats and Wood Ducks. Anthony Gutierrez was finally back off of the DL.  I had a bunch of his cards to get signed, and got them done.  The above lunar crater parallel turned out great.  This is by far my favorite parallel this year.

I got the aqua lunar crater parallel (above, right) of Gutierrez signed, as well.  My friend, Gerard, ordered a bunch of parallels of Andres Mesa.  They all turned out great.  Mesa is super nice and always signs well.

The parallels turned out awesome.  I hope Gerard gets me some more for me to keep.  I got an orange refractor signed for him.  I'm ready for one of those for my album. 

I got a bunch of Wood Ducks team set cards signed during this series.  I'm not done with the set, just yet.  Still, I've made a huge dent in the set, and am looking forward to finishing it.

The team set cards look great, and look even better when signed. 

I had an assortment of Kenny Holmberg cards in the autograph books all season, and he finally came in during this series.  Holmberg is such a nice guy, I was glad to get him to sign the cards I had.

I had extra Holmberg cards that I gave out to Jessie and Billy.  I'm not sure if they saw Holmberg when he was here, but here's to hoping he comes back. 

Finally, some new Mudcats with cards were here.  I got some Jace Avina and Luis Lara 2023 Bowmans signed, along with a Will Rudy 2022 Panini Prizm Draft.

I was able to rack the three games I saw; in all, we got the following autographs: Jojo Blackmon x 1, Cam Cauley x 7, Danyer Cueva x 8, Aidan Curry x 2, Anthony Gutierrez x 40, Kenny Holmberg x 9, Jackson Leath x 4, Leandro Lopez x 4, Dylan MacLean x 2, DJ McCarty x 4, Damian Mendoza x 1, Andres Mesa x 14, Jesus Moreno x 1, Alberto Mota x 5, Konner Piotto x 4, Luis Ramirez x 1, Adrian Rodriguez x 1, Tommy Specht x 2, Jace Avina x 11, Jeferson Figueroa x 1, Luis Lara x 9, Hedbert Perez x 20, Will Rudy x 2, Jheremy Vargas x 6, Gleider Figuereo x 13, Nick Janssen x 4, Ian Moller x 5, Neal Ori x 4, Ryan Straney x 4, Matt Brosky x 4, Carlos Maldonaldo x 5, Joseph Montalvo x 5, Brock Porter x 2, Julio Valdez x 2 and Kai Wynyard x 1 (208 total autographs).