Thursday, November 30, 2023

TTM Success - Jose Cardenal

Jose Cardenal is another guy who's cards I had sitting in my to-be-TTMed box for a long time.  I finally sent off to him and got these cards signed.  The above 1973 Topps is a clean card that turned out great.
I sent off the above 1967 Topps (left) and 1972 Topps (center).  The above (right) reprint is of the 1972 design was sent by Cardenal, himself.  It is a nice reprint.  I'm not sure what set it came out of; maybe Topps Archives or something. 

Cardenal (b. 1943) played in the majors from 1963 to 1980 for the Giants, Angels, Indians, Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs, Phillies, Mets and Royals.  He had 1,913 hits, 138 home runs and a .275 batting average.  He finished 23rd in the 1973 NL MVP voting.  He appeared on the 1986 Hall of.Fame ballot but received only 0.2% of the vote.

I mailed to Cardenal on November 15 and got the cards back on November 25, for a 10-day TAT. I paid his fee of $10/card.

TTM Success - Bill Dillman

Here's another former Oriole that i sent to recently after finding this 1969 Topps at a show.  I sent to Bill Dillman TTM when I paired this card with his 1991 Crown Orioles card.
Both of the cards turned out great.

Dillman (b. 1945) played in the majors in 1967 and 1970 for the Orioles and Expos.  He had a   record of 7-12 with 86 strike outs and a 4.54 ERA.

I mailed to Dillman on November 13 and got the cards back on November 25, for a 12-day TAT. 

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Another TTM Success From Chuck Essegian

Here is another pairing of a nice vintage card I found at the Chantilly show and a 1991 Crown Orioles card.  This TTM success from Chuck Essegian helped me add these two cards to my autograph album. The above 1963 Topps was signed in ballpoint pen, but is still a nice addition to the album. 
The pen showed up better on the 1991 Crown, though.  I've added a bunch of these to the album lately, with several more on the way.

Essegian's Oriole career consisted of one at bat in one game in 1961.  He didn't get a hit in that at bat.

I mailed to Essegian on November 13 and got the cards back on November 25, for a 12-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Al Downing

These two Al Downing cards had been held for a while until i pulled the cash to send out to him for a second time.  He wants $7.50/card, so I had to get $15 together in cash to send to him.  I finally sent, and am happy that I could add this 1972 Topps and the below 1973 Topps.
Both cards look great.  I had gotten Downing a couple years ago, on a 75 Topps, I think.

I mailed to Downing on November 9 and got the cards back on November 25, for a 16-day TAT. 

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Another TTM Success From Jason Jacome

Going through my boxes recently during the baseball playoffs yielded me a bunch of cards to try to send out TTM and add to the autograph album. 

I found some nice cards to send out to Jason Jacome.  I had a fondness for 1995 Collectors Choice SE, and was able to get one of them signed.  I love the blue  order on the card, and it reminds me of the time when my mom would take me to the LCS and get packs with me.
I also got a 1995 Donruss and a 1995 Pinnacle signed by Jacome.  The signatures on these were a little more visible on the cards than the Collectors Choice.  Must have been the blue on blue on blue.

I mailed to Jacome on October 9 and got the cards back on November 22, for a 44-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Darold Knowles

Another TTM success came in from a former Oriole that I had gotten before. This one was from Darold Knowles.  I had found the above 1966 Topps to send out with my 1991 Crown Orioles card. 
Both cards turned out great. I had also sent off a 1970 Topps, but realized that I already had one signed.  I sent a 1973 Topps, too, but Knowles didn't sign that one. 

I mailed to Knowles on November 13 and got the cards back on November 21, for an 8-day TAT. 

Monday, November 27, 2023

Another TTM Success From Juan Gonzalez

When I pulled the above 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Edition parallel of Juan Gonzalez, I knew I had to get it signed and into my album.  I had it put aside on my desk and waited to send.  I forgot I had it, found it and got it in the mail.  It looks awesome.
I sent this 1990 Upper Deck along with the Platinum Chrome and it looks really awesome.  I haven't sent a lot of early Upper Decks off because they're a bit plain for me, but to be fair, this one looks amazingly clean.  I'm glad I sent it out.

I mailed to Gonzalez on August 14 and got the cards back on November 20, for a 98-day TAT.

TTM Success - David Corrente

A couple 2003 Bowmans of David Corrente got signed TTM the other day after being returned to sender a while back. I finally found a working address and had a success.
Corrente signed both cards and included a letter, which was awesome. He's a pastor in Canada now.  The address I sent to was in the states, so he must be traveling back and forth. 

Corrente (b. 1983) was a 14th round pick by the Blue Jays in the 2001 June Amateur Draft out of a Canadian high school.  He played in the minors from 2001 to 2008, all in the Blue Jays system, reaching AAA.  He had 252 hits, 31 home runs and a .234 batting average. 

I mailed to Corrente on October 11 and got the cards back on November 20, for a 40-day TAT. 

Sunday, November 26, 2023

TTM Success - Casey Candaele

A bunch of late 80s to early 90s stuff came in signed TTM from Casey Candaele.  The above 1988 Toys R Us is the card that drove the whole thing.  It is the first one of these to make it into the album. I have no idea where I got it, but it is pretty cool. 
I also got a 1988 Topps, 1991 Topps, 1992 Topps and a 1991 Donruss signed.  They all turned out great.

Candaele (b. 1961) played in the majors from 1986 to 1988, 1990 to 1993 and 1996 to 1997 for the Expos, Astros and Indians.  He had 43 hits, 11 home runs and a .250 batting average. 

I mailed to Candaele on October 17 and got the cards back on November 20, for a 34-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jeff Winchester

These 1999 Bowmans that I got back signed TTM from Jeff Winchester turned out pretty well even though it is hard to tell from the scans.  The above 1999 Bowmans Best is a nice card and will look great in my album. 
I also got a 1999 Bowman Chrome, 1999 Bowman, and a 1999 Bowman Hometown foil parallel signed.

Winchester (b. 1980) was a first round pick (40th overall) in the 1998 June Amateur Draft out of a Louisiana high school by the Rockies.  He played in the minors from 1998 to 2006 in the Rockies, Brewers and Phillies systems, reaching AA.  He had 564 hits, 64 home runs and a .227 batting average.

I mailed to Winchester on October 31 and got the cards back on November 20, for a 20-day TAT. 

Saturday, November 25, 2023

TTM Success - Tom Timmermann

Tom Timmermann's cards sat in my to-be-TTMed box for a long time. Why? I don't even know.  I think I had seen he wasn't signing or something. After a pass through the box, I checked again and saw that he was signing so I finally got the cards in the mail.   They came back signed and look great. 
I got a 1971, 1972 and 1973 Topps signed by Timmermann.  He has a really nice signature. 

Timmermann (b. 1940) played in the majors from 1969 to 1974 for the Tigers and Indians.  He had a record of 35-35 with 315 strike outs and a 3.78 ERA.

I mailed to Timmermann on November 1 and got the cards back on November 20, for a 19-day TAT. 

TTM Success - John Wehner

Some nice early 90s cards were added to the autograph album when I got this TTM success back from John Wehner.  I had a bunch of his cards, so there were several that I could choose from to send out.  This 1993 Fleer Ultra turned out great.  I like this design, and it looks great in the album .
I also got a 1992 Topps, 1993 Topps, 1993 Fleer and a 1996 Fleer signed.

Wehner (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1991 to 2001 for the  Pirates and Marlins.  He had 200 hits, 4 home runs and a .249 batting average.  He was part of the 1997 World Series Champion Marlins, but did not play in the series.

I mailed to Wehner on November 3 and got the cards back on November 20, for a 17-day TAT. 

Friday, November 24, 2023

Another TTM Success From John Donaldson

Last week, I had hoped to meet John Donaldson at the Wilson Hot Stove event, but he was unable to attend. I had picked up some of his cards for the event, but they went unsigned.  No matter, I sent to him TTM, and got my two cards back signed fairly quickly.  The above card is a 1969 Milton Bradley, and looks really cool.
I also got a 1969 Topps signed, which turned out great.  I was glad that I was able to get these to Donaldson and have them signed.  I hope he's able to get to the event next year. 

I mailed to Donaldson on November 15 and got the cards back on November 20, for a 5-day TAT.

TTM Success - Allen Watson

Here are some more 90s cards I was able to get signed TTM, these being from Allen Watson.  The above 1995 Topps Finest is a highlight.  
I also got a 1995 Donruss and 1998 Topps signed.  Both of these turned out nicely as well.

Watson (b. 1970) played in the majors from 1993 to 2000 for the  Cardinals, Giants, Angels, Mets, Mariners and Yankees.  He had a record of 51-55 with 589 strike outs and a 5.03 ERA.  He won the World Series with the 1999 Yankees, but did not pitch in the series.

I mailed to Watson on October 10 and got the cards back on November 16, for a 37-day TAT. 

Thursday, November 23, 2023

Another TTM Success From Jay Bell

There have been quite a few TTM success recently where I went back and got guys I had gotten before.  This was a result of going through a bunch of boxes during the playoffs and amassing a huge stack of guys to send to.  One of them was Jay Bell.  Bell signs a bunch, and has a ton of cool cards.  The above 1992 Donruss Diamond King was a definite highlight.
The above 2000 Bowman and 2001 Upper Deck were some pretty cool cards.  I like how Bowman updated the classic 1955 Bowman TV Set design.  That's one of my all-time favorite sets and adding this with the updated (now, not so updated) design to the autograph album. 
I also got a 1993 Triple Play, 1995 Finest, 1998 Topps and 1999 Topps signed during this TTM request to Bell.

I mailed to Bell on October 11 and got the cards back on November 15, for a 35-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Clint Zavaras

The 1990 Donruss set remains one that collectors either love or hate.  I love it.  It was one of the first sets I completed, yet it remains underrepresented in my autograph album.  I found this one of Clint Zavaras and sent it out TTM, along with his 1990 Topps.  Both of the cards came back looking nice, even though Zavaras's marker appears to be drying up.
Zavaras (b. 1967) played in the majors in 1989 for the Mariners.  He went 1-6 with 31 strike outs and a 5.19 ERA.

I mailed to Zavaras on October 31 and got the cards back on November 14, for a 13-day TAT. 

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

TTM Success - Casey Myers

A 2004 Topps was signed recently for me by Casey Myers.  He kept the 2004 Bowman Chrome that I sent.  Still, this one was a nice card to add to the autograph album.

Myers (b. 1978) was a 9th round pick by the A's in the 2001 June Amateur Draft out of Arizona State.  He played in the minors from 2001 to 2008, all in the A's system.  He reached AA.  He had 387 hits, 28 home runs and a .291 batting average. 

I mailed to Myers on October 18 and got the card back on November 13, for a 26-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Rich Folkers

These two cards of Rich Folkers were found in my box recently, which drove me to mail to him again.  Specifically, this cool 1976 Topps.  I just like how the card looks, so it will be a nice addition to the autograph album. 
This 1973 Topps is also a sharp card.  It turned out great. 

I mailed to Folkers on November 2 and got the cards back on November 13, for an 11-day TAT. 

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Another TTM Success From Jim Lyttle

A couple more cards came out of the boxes that I borrowed from Conrad and got signed TTM.  I forgot to check before I sent them, but I had already gotten Jim Lyttle last year.  Oops.  Oh well, the cards still look nice and I was glad to add them to the album. 
I hadn't gotten a 1971 Topps from Lyttle during my past TTM request.  I did, however, already have a signed 1974 Topps.  This one looks a little better, so it'll take a spot in the album. 

I mailed to Lyttle on October 31 and got the cards back on November 13, for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Pedro Garcia

This nice 1974 Topps Pedro Garcia was signed TTM a couple weeks ago.  It is hard to see the auto, but it is signed. 

Garcia (b. 1950) played in the majors from 1973 to 1977 for the Brewers, Tigers and Blue Jays.  He had 395 hits, 37 home runs and a .220 batting average. He finished second in the 1973 AL Rookie of the Year voting to Al Bumbry.

I mailed to Garcia on November 4 and got the card back on November 13, for a 9-day TAT. I paid his fee of $5/card.

Monday, November 20, 2023

TTM Success - Jay Canizaro

Here is a nice 2001 Upper Deck that I found in my box that got sent off to be signed TTM.  This card has a great shot of Jay Canizaro, and looks really great signed.

Canizaro (b. 1973) played in the majors in 1996, 1999, 2000 and  2002 for the Giants and Twins.  He had 149 hits, 10 home runs and a .250 batting average. 

I mailed to Canizaro on September 7 and got the card back on November 13, for a 67-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Ken Henderson

Even more vintage cards were added to my autograph album when I got these four cards back from Ken Henderson.  He has a great signature and I got some nice cards signed.  The above 1966 Topps turned out nicely. 
I also had him sign a 1971 Topps, 1979 Topps and 1980 Topps.  Each looks great.

I mailed to Henderson on November 1 and got the cards back on November 10, for a 9-day TAT. I paid his fee of $5/card.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Another TTM Success From Bobby Valentine

A huge card has been crossed off of the 1987 Topps checklist.  I had picked up this Ricky Wright signed 1987 Topps from someone who was dismantling their almost completed set a couple years ago.  It sat on my desk in a stack of cards waiting for a private signing with Bobby Valentine.  I waited and waited then after Brooks Robinson passed, I panicked and dropped the card in the mail. I was sweating for a while, especially since about 2 weeks after I sent it out, a private signing with Valentine was announced.  The card finally came back signed and now is locked into the album.  I just need someone to get Wright to agree to get his base card signed.  I doubt it'll happen, but I can hope.

I mailed to Valentine on October 7 and got the card back on November 10, for a 34-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Roy Face

Here is another TTM success from Roy Face.  I figured I was done bothering him, but I found a stack of 1990 Swell baseball cards in a box, so I sent his out to him.  
I also got this cool Fleer Pirates sticker signed.  

Face is 95 years old and still signs regularly.  I have gotten him on some good stuff several times, and I have some friends who have also sent in some nice cards.  I'm glad he is still able to interact with fans at that age.

I mailed to Face on October 28 and got the cards back on November 11, for a 13-day TAT. 

Saturday, November 18, 2023

TTM Success - Tommie Sisk

Here is another 1964 Topps that I added to my autograph album when it came back signed TTM by Tommie Sisk.  The card is a bit rough, but still looks nice. 

Sisk (b. 1942) played in the majors from 1962 to 1970 for the Pirates, Padres and White Sox.  He had a record of 40-49 with 441 strike outs and a 3.92 ERA. 

I mailed to Sisk on October 17 and got the card back on November 9, for a 23-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Eric Gagne

He could have gone down in history as one of the greatest closers ever, but a link to HGH did that in.  Still, Eric Gagne had a run as the dominant reliever in the game.  I saw that he was signing TTM, so I sent off some early-2000s Topps cards and got them back signed.  The above 2004 Topps turned out well.
I also got this 2001 Topps and this 2002 Topps signed.  It is hard to see the signatures on them, but they are definitely signed.

Gagne (b. 1976) played in the majors from 1999 to 2008 for the Dodgers, Rangers, Red Sox and Brewers.  He had a record of 33-26 with 718 strike outs and a 3.47 ERA.  He tied the then NL record for saves with 55 in 2003.  Between August 6, 2002, and July 5, 2004, he set a major league record for converting 84 saves in a row. He was an All Star in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He won the World Series with the Red Sox in 2007.  He was the 2003 NL Cy Young Award winner.  His best MVP finish was 6th (also 2003).

I mailed to Gagne on October 3 and got the cards back on November 9, for a 37-day TAT. 

Friday, November 17, 2023

TTM Success - Terry Fox

This nice 1965 Topps Terry Fox was picked up at the Chantilly show a couple weeks ago. I sent it off to be signed TTM and got it back. It turned out great. 

Fox (b. 1935) played in the majors from 1960 to 1966 for the Braves (Milwaukee), Tigers and Phillies. He had a record of 29-19 with 185 strike outs and a 2.99 ERA. I mailed to Fox on October 26 and got the card back on November 8, for a 13-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Wayne Causey

This 1965 Topps card of Wayne Causey is another pickup from the Chantilly show.  I got it because I knew I had Causey's 1991 Crown Orioles card to send in and this one was a good one to send with it.  It turned out great.
The Crown Orioles card also turned out nicely. Causey has a great signature.

I mailed to Causey on October 30 and got the cards back on November 7, for an 8-day TAT.