Facebook Pickup - Signed 1965 Topps Luis Aparicio

Recently, I saw a post on one of the Facebook autograph groups I'm a part of that someone was selling extra Luis Aparicio autos from a past signing.  I had only gotten him on something more recent, so i decided to buy the 1965 Topps he had available. 

Since the card shows Aparicio as an Oriole, I was glad to pick this one up and add it to the album. The guy has some more cards available, so I may pick another up soon.

Aparico, at the age of 90, is now the oldest living Hall of Famer.

TTM Success - Jackson Coutts

This 2020 Prizm card of Jackson Coutts had been in my box for graphing for some time, since I thought I'd see him with a Nationals affiliate.  He never passed through as I was graphing, so I finally got tired of seeing the card and sent it out TTM.  The card came back signed and now I won't have to worry about continuing to pass by the card during trips through the box. 

Coutts (b. 1998) went undrafted following his career at the University of Rhode Island.  He was picked up by the Nationals and played in their system in 2021 and 2022, reaching Low A Fredericksburg.  He had 59 hits, 3 home runs and a .271 batting average.  He spent the last two seasons in independent ball.

I mailed to Coutts on September 17 and got the card back on October 1, for a 14-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Rich McKinney

Another vintage card was added to the autograph album when I got this 1971 Topps signed TTM by Rich McKinney.

McKinney (b. 1946) played in the majors from 1970 to 1975 and 1977 for the White Sox, Yankees and A's.  He had 199 hits, 20 home runs and a .225 batting average. 

I mailed to McKinney on September 16 and got the card back on September 28, for a 12-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Danny Tartabull

A year ago, this 1993 Pinnacle came back signed by Jose Tartabull.  I finally got around to send to Danny Tartabull a year later to complete the card. 

I had gotten Danny Tartabull in 2017 and 2020, so this was the third time I got him TTM.  The card is so dark, it is hard to distinguish the autos, but it is complete. 

I mailed to Tartabull on August 10 and got the card back on September 28 for a 49-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $10/card.

TTM Success - Chad Sobotka

Here are a couple cards from 2014 Bowman Draft that I was able to get signed TTM from Chad Sobotka.  I found an address and it worked.

Both cards turned out nicely.  I was glad to get them out of the Bowman box and into the autograph album. 

Sobotka (b. 1993) played in the majors from 2018 to 2020 for the Braves.  He had a record of 1-0 with 61 strike outs and a 5.36 ERA.

I mailed to Sobotka on September 18 and got the cards back on September 27, for a 9-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Fred Stanley

Back in 2016 and in 2021, I got TTM successes from Fred Stanley.  When I got the 2021 success back, I had forgotten that I had sent to Stanley before, so the post was pretty much a duplicate of the first one.  This time around, I remembered that I had sent to him before.  This request was to get some more older cards out of my boxes. 

I got a 1974 Topps (top), 1975 Topps (above left) and a 1980 Topps (above right) signed by Stanley.

The cards turned out great.  I'm pretty sure the 74 and 75 came from the massive amount of cards I got from Conrad.  The 1980 came from a broken set that I've used to populate TTMs for some time now.

I mailed to Stanley on September 6 and got the cards back on September 24, for an 18-day TAT. 

Completing a Quick IP Auto Trade

The TTMs have been trickling in since the minor league season ended, and that has pushed some 50/50s and trades back for me to post.  I figured now would be a good time to get at least one of the smaller ones out of the way, so here are three 2021 Topps Heritage Minors that I took in a trade for a few 2024 Topps Pro Debut cards that I got signed at the end of the season.

I was given a list of guys and card sets to choose from, so i figured I'd add a few 2021 Topps Heritage Minors guys that I may have missed while graphing.  I'm not building the set, but I have gotten a bunch of these signed, and I enjoy the design.  I never got to see Victor Mesa, Jr., so that was a good choice to pick from.

The Kala'i Rosario is nice.  I could have gotten Matthew Thompson, but I didn't have this card when I saw him.  He was a nice guy, so I was happy to choose his card and add it to the autograph album. 

The trade was completed on Instagram with a guy named Logan. He's not the same Logan that sees Wichita.  He messaged me looking for a Samuel Basallo 2024 Pro Debut, and the trade led to a few more cards being exchanged in the end.

Another TTM Success From Ted Kubiak

Some more cards from Conrad were cleaned out of the boxes when i sent out another TTM request to Ted Kubiak.  I got his 1975 Topps Mini (above) taken care of.  I like this set, and have added a bunch to the autograph album. 

I had this old Fleer A's sticker floating around, so I tossed it in the envelope.  It looks really cool, as well.

Here are a 1971, 1974 and 1975 Topps that got signed.  I should be pretty much cleaned out of Kubiak by now.  That just means he will be at a show nearby soon and I won't have anything to take with me.  Not that I need anything else.

I mailed to Kubiak on September 6 and got the cards back on September 24 for an 18-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Tim Nordbrook

This TTM success from Tim Nordbrook was nice and all, until I realized after a pass through the to-be-TTMed box that I missed his 1991 Crown Orioles card. I'll have to send to him again at some point.  Still, the above 1976 Topps looks nice.

I also got Nordbrook on this 1978 Topps.  This is also a nice card, and his uniform appears to be airbrushed.  I could be wrong, though.

Nordbrook (b. 1949) played in the majors from 1974 to 1979 for the Orioles, Angels, White Sox, Blue Jays and Brewers.  He had 30 hits, no home runs and a .178 batting average.

I mailed to Nordbrook on August 7 and got the cards back on September 24, for a 48-day TAT.

TTM Success - Karen Allen

Here are some cool cards that I got back signed TTM from actress Karen Allen.  The cards turned out nicely. I can't remember when or where I picked up the cards, but they're from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Allen (b. 1951) is known for movies such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Starman, Scrooged, Animal House and The Sandlot.  

I mailed to Allen on February 12 and got the cards back on September 19, for a 220-day TAT.

TTM Success - Rickey Keeton

Here's a 1982 Topps that I got back signed TTM from Rickey Keeton.  It's not my favorite set, but the card looks good.  The fake signature onnthe card kind of clashes with the real auto, but it is a pretty accurate signature. 

Keeton (b. 1957) played in the majors in 1980 and 1981 for the Brewers.  He had a record of 3-2 with 17 strike outs and a 4.95 ERA.

I mailed to Keeton on August 26 and got the card back on September 19, for a 24-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Bill Greason

Bill Greason is now 100 years old and I have added a couple more of his autographs to the collection with this TTM success.  I had him sign a 1994 Score showing Busch Stadium, since he was a Cardinal.

My friend Jesse gave me this 5 x 7 photo, and it looks pretty nice. He signed it in copper Sharpie.  

I mailed to Greason on August 30 and got the card and photo back on September 17, for an 18-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Ken Berry

Here is another couple of signed cards that came back TTM from Ken Berry.  The above 1975 Topps Mini turned out nicely.  He's got a really nice signature. 

I liked this 1974 Topps as well.  The colors on the card look really good.  These were both cards that I got out of Conrad's boxes and while back and finally made myself send them out.

I mailed to Berry on September 6 and got the cards back on September 16, for a 10-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Daniel Winkler

A pass through my boxes at the end of the season led me to these two cards of Daniel Winkler.  I was able to move this 2013 Donruss Elite Extra Edition out of my rookies box and into the autograph album. 

This 2018 Topps Update also turned out nicely. 

Winkler (b. 1990) played in the majors from 2015 to 2021 for the Braves and Cubs.  He had a record of 9-5 with 173 strike outs and a 3.98 ERA.

I mailed to Winkler on September 3 and got the cards back on September 14, for an 11-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Alan Gratzer

This TTM success from REO Speedwagon founding drummer Alan Gratzer was decades in the making.  I used to be very close friends with his nephew, Max, and also knew his brother Gary very well.  Gary passed away in 2018; he was such a great guy.  I'm glad I went and visited with him months before he passed.  It was also nice that he remembered me.  While Max and I were probably best friends at one point years ago, we've lost touch and have gone our separate ways.  Max had told me a while back that I probably wouldn't get a TTM success back from his uncle, but I finally got around d to sending the above card out.  I was happily surprised when it came back signed, albeit on the back.

He also included a signed index card, which was nice.  He didn't respond to my letter explaining my connection, but that's ok with me.

Gratzer was a founding member of the rock band, REO Speedwagon, and played with the band from 1967 to 1988, then occasionally accompanied the band as a touring guest from 2005 to 2017.  They are known for songs such as Keep on Loving You, Take it on The Run, Roll With The Changes and Time For me to Fly.

One of these days, Max and I will reconnect. I really do miss his dad, though.  He was a great guy. While his brother was a famous musician, Gary was an accomplished record company rep and got me into a Starsailor concert for my birthday.  He was a regular customer back when I worked at the grocery store who would hang out at the customer service desk and hassle me. I later learned that this was his way of getting a rise out of people and I fell for it.  We ended up hitting it off and I hired his kid (Max) when he was looking for a job.  Max and I hit it off over our mutual love for baseball, and became good friends.  Man, that was a long time ago.

Anyway, I mailed to Gratzer on August 24 and got the cards back on September 11, for an 18-day TAT. 

By the way, this is not the same Max that I talk about on here all the time. He's an amazing friend who I'm glad I'm still connected with.

Another TTM Success From Travis Buck

My friend Ryan gave me some cool Travis Buck cards to send to him TTM.  These aren't those cards.  Buck kept the two 2007 Topps Chrome refractor (a black and a white) cards that I sent, and sent me back this 2005 Bowman Chrome and the below 2008 Topps.

I'm still glad it got something back; it just would have been nice to add those two refractors to the album. 

I mailed to Buck previously in 2021.  This TTM request was sent on August 24 and got the cards back on September 9, for a 16-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Brian Omogrosso

This 2013 Topps was signed TTM recently by Brian Omogrosso.  His signature was pretty decent with the card signed in thin black Sharpie.   It actually blends well with his uniform. 

Omogrosso (b. 1984) played in the majors from 2012 to 2013 for the White Sox.  He had a record of 0-2 with a 5.54 ERA.

I mailed to Omogrosso on August 26 and got the card back on September 7 for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Mark Hendrickson

These three cards of Mark Hensrickson have been in my boxes for a while.  I finally sent them out, including the above Aberdeen Ironbirds team set card.  I was glad to get this one out of the old team set and into the autograph album. 

I also got these two Upper Deck cards, a 2007 and 2008.  Both of these sets are really good ones to get signed.  I especially like getting them out of the boxes, since I have so many.

Hendrickson (b. 1974) played in the majors from 2002 to 2011 for the Blue Jays, Devil Rays, Dodgers, Marlins and Orioles.  He had a record of 58-74 with 666 strike outs and a 5.03 ERA.

Hendrickson also played in the NBA from 1996 to 2000 for the 76ers, Kings, Nets and Cavaliers.

I mailed to Hendrickson on August 14 and got the cards back on August 31, for a 17-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Casey Meisner

This TTM success from Casey Meisner happened because I found this 2013 Bowman Chrome refractor in a box from the old card shop and looked to see if he signed.  I found an address for Meisner and sent the card out.  It came back signed in black Sharpie, along with one of Meisner's own cards, and 2015 Svannah Sand Gnats team set card.

This was a nice addition to the autograph album.  It is cool to see the old Sand Gnats logo.

Meisner (b. 1995) was a 3rd round pick by the Mets in the 2013 June Amateur Draft out of Cypress Woods High School in Texas.

He played in the minors from 2013 to 2019 in the Mets, A's, Cardinals and Giants systems.  He wound up reaching AAA.  He had a record of 43-45 with 601 strike outs and a 3.89 ERA.

I mailed to Meisner on August 5 and got the cards back on August 31, for a 26-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Mike Bruhert

Here is a nice 1979 Topps that I got signed TTM recently by Mike Bruhert.  It was a random card from my boxes that I saw could get signed, so it sat in the to-be-TTMed box for probably a couple of years.  I finally sent it out and it turned out great.

Bruhert (b. 1951) played in the majors in 1978 for the Mets.  He went 4-11 with 56 strike outs and a 4.78 ERA.

I mailed to Bruhert on August 13 and got the card back on August 30, for a 17-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Bill Butler

Here is a nice 1970 Topps that I got back signed TTM from Bill Butler.  I believe my friend Ryan gave me the card.  It turned out nicely. 

Butler (b. 1947) played in the majors from 1969 to 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1977 for the Royals, Indians and Twins.  He had a record of 23-35 with 408 strike outs and a 4.21 ERA.

I mailed to Butler on August 1 and got the card back on August 29, for a 28-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5/card.

TTM Success - Roy Thomas

A couple 1980s Topps cards came back signed TTM recently from Roy Thomas.  His signature was kind of faint, but the cards are still signed.  I like 1986 Topps; I doubt I go for that set next, but it is a cool set and would be interesting to try.

Here is a 1980 Topps that I got back.  The signature showed up a little better on this one.

Thomas (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1977 to 1980, 1983 to 1985 and 1987 for the Astros, Cardinals and Mariners.  He had a record of 20-11 with 289 strike outs and a 3.82 ERA.

I mailed to Thomas on October 27, 2022, and got the cards back on August 28, 2024, for a 671-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dan Warthen

This 1977 Topps was signed TTM by Dan Warthen recently.  He signed it in black Sharpie, and it turned out nicely.  I have to say, though, I thought I had sent to Warthen already.  I'm glad I got this one added to the album.  I think it was a card that my friend, Ryan, sent to me.

Warthen (b. 1952) played in the majors from 1975 to 1978 for the Expos, Phillies and Astros.  He had a record of 12-21 with 224 strike outs and a 4.31 ERA.  

I mailed to Warthen on August 13 and got the card back on August 27, for a 14-day TAT. 

2024 National Paid Signer - Omar Vizquel

Back to the National for a moment, I paid to meet Omar Vizquel and finally get this photo signed of he and Chris at the last game of the Wood Ducks 2018 season.

I could have sent the photo to a private signing, but I wanted to see him sign it in person and hope for any kind of reaction.

I did get a reaction, which was cool.  He saw it and said "this looks familiar..." and laughed.  He then showed the picture to his handler, which was cool.  The signature looks cool in gold Sharpie.

I appreciated Vizquel coming to the National and signing.  His price wasn't too bad, which helped. I've now framed the picture and put it on my wall in my home office room.

2024 GalaxyCon Autograph From Chris - William Zabka

This summer, while I was at the National, my son, Chris, went to GalaxyCon in Raleigh with his mom.  They go every year, and it always coincides with the National, so I don't get to go.  Chris let me know that William Zabka was going to be there, so I gave him some money to get an 8 x 10 signed for me.

Chris came through and got this awesome photo signed.  He even got an inscription for me: "Don't be a pussy".  Nice.

I love Cobra Kai.  Chris and I got into it when they added it to Netflix, and have followed the show ever since.  Once this last half of Season 5 comes out, the show will be done.

Zabka (b. 1965) starred in The Karate Kid as Johnny Lawrence, nemesis to Daniel LaRusso.  He was also in Karate Kid 2, Hot Tub Time Machine and Back to School.

TTM Success - Tyler Walker

Here is a random 2007 Upper Deck card that I found in my box and sent off TTM to Tyler Walker.  The card turned out nicely.  I, back on 2007, had intentions on completing that set, but gave it up after a while.  Upper Deck did have some nice sets back in the 2000s; they just crapped the bed with fake game used pieces and bad QA/QC.

Walker (b. 1976) played in the majors in 2002 and from 2004 to 2010 for the Mets, Giants, Devil Rays, Phillies and Nationals.  He had a record of 23-18 with 243 strike outs and a 4.23 ERA.

I mailed to Walker on August 12 and got the card back on August 26, for a 14-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Nolan Watson

Earlier this season, I saw that Nolan Watson was on High Point's roster.  I went on Ebay and picked up a couple of his cards, and also dug through my stacks at the house for one of Gerard's team set cards that never got signed when Watson was with Wilmington.  All of this was nice and all, until I asked Watson with High Point for his autograph.  He said "Dude, I'm a catcher."  Yeah, wasn't the same guy.  Oops.

I found an address for this Nolan Watson and mailed to him.  The cards I sent all came back signed and looked great.  I noticed when they came back that I had gotten Watson before, back in April of 2021.

Since then, Watson (b. 1997) has moved.on from the Royals organization to the Padres system.  He was in AAA this year, but was on the 60-day IL when I mailed to him. 

Currently, Watson has a career record in the minors of 32-53 with 488 strike outs and a 6.14 ERA.

I mailed to Watson on August 14 and got the cards back on August 26, for a 12-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Mac Scarce

Back in 2019, I sent to Mac Scarce and got a couple cards back signed TTM.  I got a few more cards when I got boxes from Conrad a while back, so I figured it was time to send to him again.

I got this 1975 Topps Mini, which was pretty cool.  Conrad had a broken set of 75 Mini; I probably should have bought all of the cards, but I knew I'd break it up further by sensing out TTMs.  There was no chance I was going to try to build that set.

I also sent out this 1974 Topps, which turned out well.

I mailed to Scarce on August 10 and got the cards back on August 23, for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Brian Roberts

A private signing with Brian Roberts popped up recently which allowed me to dip into the PC of him for some cool cards to add to the autograph album.  The above 2005 Bowman Heritage mahogany parallel turned out nicely.  I've been wanting to add one of these to the album, so this was a great opportubity.

I also got a 2009 UD SP Legendary Cuts (left) and a 2005 UD Ultimate Collection signed.  Both of these are really great, and we're good choices to add to the album. 

Roberts (b. 1977) was my PC player after Cal Ripken retired.  I had taken a buddy to an Orioles game in 2005, and Roberts hit a walkoff homer in the 11th inning off of the Yankees.  I had called it, also.  So, it was o ly natural to build a PC of him after that moment.

Roberts played in the majors from 2001 to 2014 for the Orioles and Yankees.  He had 1,527 hits, 97 home runs and a .276 batting average.  He led the league in doubles twice (2004 and 2009) and led the league in stolen bases in 2007.  He was an All Star in 2005 and 2007.  He finished 18th in the AL MVP race in 2005.  He appeared on the 2020 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to the signing on May 25 and got the cards back on August 23, for a 90-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $30/card.