TTM Success - Jason Grilli

Here are several.cards that I got back signed TTM from former pitcher, Jason Grilli.  He signs through the same group as Sean Casey.  He also included an extra card, much like Casey did.

Grilli (b. 1976) played in the majors in 2000, 2001, from 2004 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2017 for the Marlins, White Sox, Tigers, Rockies, Rangers, Pirates, Angels, Braves and Blue Jays.  He had a record of 34-47 with 694 strike outs and a 4.22 ERA.  He was an All.Star in 2013.

I mailed to Grilli on November 4 and got the cards back on November 12 for an 8-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5/card.  He even sent a note back saying it sent him some good ones.

TTM Success - Fernando Gonzalez

Here are some older cards that i got back signed TTM from Fernando Gonzalez.  His mustache game is pretty high on all of his cards.  The above 1979 Topps features a great 'stache and also a classic ugly Padres jersey.

I also got a 1974 Topps (left) and a 1980 Topps (right) signed.

Gonzalez (b. 1950) played in the majors from 1972 to 1975 and 1977 to 1979 for the Pirates, Royals, Yankees and Padres.  He had 244 hits, 17 home runs and a .235 batting average.

I mailed to.Gonzalez via PastPros on October 24 and got the cards back on November 12 for a 19-day TAT.  I paid a total fee of $35.50.

TTM Success - Graham Rahal

This is a 2018 Upper Deck Goodwin  champions card of Graham Rahal that I got back signed TTM. Goodwin is Upper Deck's answer to Allen & Ginter.  I do like the design, but Upper Deck has been on their last legs for years.  I got a huge box of these cards from the old LCS and got this one back signed.

Rahal (b. 1989) has been racing Indy cars since 2008 and has 6 wins.  He is the son of 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner, Bobby Rahal.  He's also the son-in-law of NHRA legend, John Force.

I mailed to Rahal on October 12 and got the card back on November 12, for a 31-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Mike Verstegen

This 1995 Bowmans Best card of former New Orleans Saint Mike Verstegen was a random card I found in one of my boxes from the old card shop.  I got it back signed TTM after two attempts; I just wish he had used a Sharpie.  That signature is barely visible.

Verstegen (b. 1971) played professionally in 1996 and 1997 for the Saints.  He got into 22 games in his career as a Tackle and Guard.

I mailed to Verstegen on October 12 and got the card back on November 12 for a 31-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Eli Morgan

A Spring Training TTM success came in recently from Eli Morgan on this nice 2022 Topps Stadium Club Chrome.  This set looks nice and I was glad to add one of them to the autograph album. 

Morgan (b. 1996) made his debut in 2021 for the Guardians.  He was traded to the Cubs in November of this year.  He has a record of 18-12 with 262 strike outs and a 3.97 ERA.

I mailed to Morgan on February 21 and got the card back on November 12 for a 265-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jerry McNertney

Here is another vintage Topps card that was added to the autograph album.  This is a 1971 Topps that I got back signed by Jerry McMertney.  He has a nice signature, and it looks great on there.

McNertney (b. 1936) played in the majors in 1964 and from 1966 to 1973 for the White Sox, Pilots, Brewers, Cardinals and Pirates.  He had 337 hits, 27 home runs and a .237 batting average.

I mailed to McNertney on October 28 and got the card back on November 8, for an 11-day TAT. 

November 30, 2024 - Wrestlecade

Before all of the events that happened at Thanksgiving, I had bought tickets and an autograph vouchers for Wrestlecade 2024.  We were scheduled to go the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  I wasn't really feeling up to it after losing Grandma, but I thought it would be best that Chris and I get out and get our minds off of things.  I'm glad we went.

I had seen that Ron Si.mons would be at the show, and he was a last-minute decision to meet.  Im so glad I paid to meet him because he was awesome.  I told him that I remembered watching him win the WCW Championship way back in the day.  He told.me he goes back and watches t constantly.  It was impactful to me because at the time, he looked like a 'regular guy' as opposed to the flashy cartoon characters I was used to when watching WWF (WWE). I didn't know own at that time what a bad ass Simmons was as a college football player.  He is a legend at Florida State.  One of only 12 players to have their number retired at Florida State (at the time of his number retirement, he was only one of seven).

He was so awesome to meet.  I told him that I had been wanting to meet him for years. He responded with "I love being met."  He gave me a sweet deal on the photo op, and after the hug he gave us, I asked him if I could trouble him for one more thing; would he say it? He did, "Damn!"

Another cool.meeting was when we met Zilla Fatu.  He is a future member of The Bloodline.  Son of the late Umaga, Zilla is working his way up through the ranks in the independent scene.  A very friendly guy, Zilla hugged Chris and I after the photo op.

We got to see him in action later that evening in a nice independent show that came with our day passes.

The one autograph voucher that I paid for in advance was that of Jim Ross.  He was also super nice and signed the above photo I printed out of Mankind falling off the Hell in a Cell at King of the Ring 1998.  He inscribed the photo "My God, he's broken in half!"

We, then, met Mick Foley, who signed the photo and inscribed it "I was broken in half."

I did a decent job on the photo having recently learned how to use the snippet tool on my computer. I paused the match on YouTube and snipped the scene, printing it out on an 8 x 10.  Not bad.

I also paid to get former NWA wrestler Magnum T. A. on this little card.  I watched him on Friday nights at my cousin Lynn's house when I was little. 

I also got Jake the Snake Roberts on the above Topps Gypsy Queen card.  Of all the guys we met, he was the quietest.  He wasn't rude, he just didn't say much.  All of that being said, we were super happy with everyone we met. I'd definitely go back to Wrestlecade if I got the chance. 

In all, I got the following autographs: Zilla Fatu x 1, Mick Foley x 1, Jim Ross x 1, Ron Simmons x 2, Magnum TA x 1 and Jake the Snake x 1 (7 total autographs).

Another TTM Success From Sean Casey

Here are a few nice Sean Casey cards that I had put aside to send TTM.  I finally did it; I had to wait until I had the money allocated for his fee.  It wasn't much, but several other players who charge, and other private signings took precedent.  The above 1999 21st Century Topps turned out nicely.  This is a really sharp card, and the main reason I wanted to send to Casey again.

The 2000 Fleer Mystique (left) was also a really nice card.  Fleer had some good sets in the early 2000s, but spread themselves way too thin.  Finally, the card on the right is a 1998 Fleer Tradition thar Casey included.  It was really nice of him to add an extra card.

I mailed to Casey on October 29 and got the cards back on November 8 for a 10-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $15/card.

Another TTM Success From Joe Cowley

Here are two cards from 1986 that I got back signed TTM; one is a 1986 Topps, the other is a 1986 Topps Traded.  Both are.signed by Joe Cowley, who I had gotten a while back on his 1987 Topps.

I had a partial Traded set in with my 1986 base cards, and I found both Cowleys.  I figured it was a good time to send to him again. 

I mailed to Cowley on October 26 and got the cards back on November 7 for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Nick Bierbrodt

These two cards that I got back signed TTM from Nick Bierbrodt turned out pretty well.  I liked the above 2001 Upper Deck; it came from a box I got from a card show with Ryan.

This 2002 Topps was also decent.  The corners got a little beat up, but I'm still happy it came back signed. 

Bierbrodt (b. 1978) played in the majors in 2001, 2003 and 2004 for the Diamondbacks, Devil Rays, Indians and Rangers. He had a record of 6-9 with 112 strike outs and a 6.66 ERA.  In 2002, Bierbrodt was shot three times in the chest and arm in Charleston, SC.  He missed the entire 2002 season while recovering from his injuries.

I mailed to Bierbrodt on March 13 and got the cards back on November 7 for a 239-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Tom Griffin

A other vintage card was added to the autograph album when I got this 1971 Topps back signed from Tom Griffin.  I had gotten Griffin before, back in 2020.  This time, I sent off one of the cards I got either from Conrads boxes or the stack of vintage from my buddy Ryan.

I mailed to Griffin on October 25 and got the card back on November 5 for an 11-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jim Abbott

A private signing came along recently that I had been waiting a long time for.  I was able to finally add Jim Abbott to the autograph album.  I got this 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen No Hitters insert card signed. 

Abbott (b. 1967) is the famed pitcher who only had one hand.  He would throw a pitch and quickly move his glove to that hand to field the ball.  He played in the majors from 1989 to 1996, 1998 and 1999 for the Angels, Yankees, White Sox and Brewers.  He had a record of 87-108 with 888 strike outs and a 4.25 ERA.  He finished 3rd in the 1991 AL Cy Young Race.  He appeared on the 2005 Hall of Fame ballot and received only 2.5% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on October 10 and got the card back on November 5 for a 26-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $45.00.

TTM Success - Bryan Lippincott

Here is a random Bowman card that I found in my boxes which ended up getting mailed out TTM.  Bryan Lippincott signed the card in silver Sharpie.  It turned out ok, I suppose.

Lippincott (b. 1989) was a 19th round pick in the 2012 June Amateur Draft by the Nationals out of Concordia University. 

He played in the minors in 2012 and 2013, in the Nationals system.  He reached A ball before hanging up his spikes.  He had 93 hits, 7 home runs and a .276 batting average. 

I mailed to Lippincott on August 12 and got the card back on November 5 for an 85-day TAT.

TTM Success - Steve Sparks

My Steve Sparks cards that I had held with the intention to send them TTM sat for quite some time.   I'm not sure why I waited for what appears to have been years to send these off.  The above 1996 Topps is a great shot.  I wanted to add this card to the album for a while.  Im.glad I got off my butt and sent it out.

I also sent a 2002 Topps Finest, 2001 Fleer Platinum RC, 2002 Topps and 2003 Topps.  Sparks has a great signature and it shows on each card. 

Sparks (b. 1965) played in the majors in 1995, 1996 and from 1998 to 2004 for the Brewers, Angels, Tigers, A's and Diamondbacks.  He had a record of 59-76 with 658 strike outs and a 4.88 ERA.

I mailed to Sparks on September 11 and got the cards back on November 2, for a 52-day TAT.

TTM Success - Drew Rasmussen

The card probably got put back in the return envelope while the ink was still wet, but this is a TTM success from Drew Rasmussen.

I had gotten Rasmussen at a Durham Bulls game a while back, and asked him if he had seen my mailer.  I guess he finally found it and returned the card. 

Rasmussen (b. 1995) has played in the majors since 2020 for the Brewers and Rays.  He has a record of 20-12 with 301 strike outs and a 2.95 ERA.

I mailed to Rasmussen on February 9, 2021, and got the card back on November 1, 2024, for a 1,361-day TAT.  He kept the 4 cards I sent and sent me this one.

TTM Success - Bobby Chouinard

A random 1997 Fleer Ultra that had been hanging around my boxes for a while was finally added to the autograph album. I got this card back signed TTM from Bobby Chouinard.

Chouinard (b. 1972) played in the majors in 1996 and from 1998 to 2001 for the A's, Brewers, Diamondbacks and Rockies.  He had a record of 11-8 with 110 strike outs and a 4.57 ERA.

I mailed to Chouinard on October 15 and got the card back on October 30 for a 15-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Larry Harlow

Another 1991 Crown Orioles card was signed TTM recently when I got this one back from Larry Harlow.  I've tried to get a few of these in the mail lately, and have seen a few come back. 

I had a few other Harlow cards put aside to send, so I got a good many out.  Above are: 1979 Topps, 1980 Topps and 1982 Topps.

I mailed to Harlow on October 15 and got the cards back on October 29 for a 14-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Derek Parks

A random 1995 Topps was added to the autograph album when I got this one back signed TTM from Derek Parks.  I had the card put aside and finally sent it out recently.

Parks (b. 1968) played in the majors from 1992 to 1994 for the Twins.  He had 23 hits, 1 home run and a .200.batting average. 

I mailed to Parks on September 24 and got the card back on October 28, for a 34-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Austin Troesser

Last year, I sent off a bunch of 2023 Bowman Draft TTM for signatures.  There are still a few out there, but this one from Austin Troesser came back signed in October.

Troesser (b. 2002) was a 4th round pick by the Mets in the 2023 July Amateur Draft out of the University of Missouri. He has played in the Mets system between 2023 and 2024, reaching High A.  He has a record of 1-6 with 64 strike outs and a 4.22 ERA.

I mailed to Troesser on December 18, 2023 and got the cards back on October 26 for a 313-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jay Baller

Ah man. I've wanted to get this 1988 Topps Jay Baller card signed for so long.  The chest hair and chains card that my former friend Max and I used to laugh about is now locked into my autograph album. California Max, not Chicago Max, as I usually explain to Chris.  Chicago Max actually sent to this signing too, I believe. 

Baller (b. 1960) played in the majors in 1982, 1985 to 1987, 1990 and 1992 for the Phillies, Cubs and Royals.  He had a record of 4-9 with 117 strike outs and a 5.24.ERA.

I got this card signed through a private signing, since Baller doesn't sign TTM often.  I sent to the signing on August 10 and got the card back on October 25 for a 76-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $10.00.

TTM Success - Ryan Hancock

Here is a different type of prospect card that came back signed recently. I just showed a 1992 Stadium Club; this is a 1994 Upper Deck Top Prospects card signed by Ryan Hancock.  These cards are foil and also don't scan too well.  The auto is hard to see on the scan, but looks good in person. 

Hancock (b. 1971) was a 2nd round pick by the Angels in the 1993 June Amateur Draft out of BYU.

He played in the majors in 1996 for the Angels.  He went 4-1 with 19 strike outs and a 7.48 ERA.

I mailed to Hancock on October 9 and got the card back on October 25 for a 16-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Paxton Briley

These 1992 Stadium Club draft pick cards still crack me up.  The "Glamour Shots" pics take me back to the early 90s, which wasn't a bad place to be.  I sent off another 9ne of these TTM to Paxton Briley, and it came back signed nicely.

Bailey (b. 1970) was a 5th round pick by the Angels in the 1992 June Amateur Draft out of Clemson.  He played in the minors in 1992, reaching only low A.  He had a record of 0-1 with 2 strike outs and an 8.22 ERA.  This was only across 2 games, so I wonder if he got hurt and gave it up, was homesick, or what.  Kind of sad to see his baseball career end after that small a sample size. 

I mailed to Briley on October 16 and got the card back on October 25, for a 9-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Aaron King

This card is signed. You just have to look really closely, due to this being a chrome card.and my scanner not liking them very much.  If you look at the top right, you.may be able to see where Aaron King signed my 2009 Bowman Chrome.  This card actually was mailed twice; the first time resulted in a RTS.

King (b. 1989) was a 7th round pick by the Giants in the 2008 June Amateur Draft out of Surry Community College in Dobson, NC.  My aunt lives in Dobson, or at least she used to.  He played in the minors from 2008 to 2011 in the Gia as system, reaching AAA.  He had a record of 12-12 with 230 strike outs and a 4.47 ERA.

I mailed to King on October 12 and got the card back on October 24, for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Bobby Scales

This 2009 Topps Heritage was added to the autograph album when I got it back signed from Bobby Scales. 

Scales (b. 1977) played in the majors from 2009 to 2010 for the Cubs.  He had 34 hits, 3 home runs and a .248 batting average.  

I mailed to him on October 8 and got the card back on October 24 for a 16-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Ryan Feltner

A TTM success from Spring Training came back when I got these two cards in from Ryan Feltner.  I really liked the above 2022 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary that u got.  These are just cool cards, and I've had fun busting those boxes.

I also got this 2023 Topps Update, which turned out well.

I mailed to Feltner via Rockies camp on February 12 and got the cards back on October 23, for a 254-day TAT.

TTM Success - Grayson Greiner

Recently, I got a TTM success back from Grayson Greiner.  I jad sworn I had gotten him before, but I guess I hadn't.  I sent off this 2020 Topps Update, and the below 2014 Panini Prozm.

The Prizm turned out great.  I prepped it before sending, and the auto just looks clean on this card. Not bad for a random card I found at the bottom of one of my boxes.

Greiner (b. 1992) played in the majors from 2018 to 2022 for the Tigers and  Diamondbacks.   He had 87 hits, 9 home runs and a .201 batting average.

I mailed to Greiner on October 14 and got the cards back on October 23, for a 9-day TAT. 

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Earlier this year, my friend Jesse made a comment about wanting to get more autographs of World War II veterans.  That conversation led to him remarking that he had a deck of Rosie the Riveter playing cards and wanted to get a few of them signed.  I commented that my grandmother was part of that Rosie the Riveter program during the War.  I liked the idea of getting one of the cards signed.  I took the idea a step further and found two cards showing Ebbetts Field.  I wanted them signed by Grandma since she attended Game 3 of the 1949 World Series. 

Grandma understood the request and signed cards.for Jesse and I, and included an inscription on the Ebbets ones "1949 World Series".  She signed them nicely.  I kept the cards to myself, not posting them on my Instagram, not counting them among my TTMs.  I filed them away with the thought that I'd find a good time to post them and talk some more about Grandma, who appeared on this blog a few times.  She did read it from time to time, but had over 3,000 books on her Kindle to keep her busy.  She also had her puzzles.

Grandma fell in May, not too long before the cards were signed.  She tore a muscle in her leg, and at her age (97), that was as bad as breaking a hip.  Fiercely independent up until that fall, Grandma was moved into a full-time assisted living facility.  Things went downhill from there. A bout with COVID only slowed her down, but she then contracted pneumonia.  That really beat her down ti the post where she knew the end was near.

In October, we knew time was getting short, so the family descended upon the Clemmons, NC assisted living facility, and almost all of my huge family was able to keet with Grandma and achieve some semblance of closure before the inevitable occurred.

The fear that we would lose her quickly had me drop what I was doing on a Wednesday evening in October.  I left work and headed across the state, leaving Mal and Chris at home.  Mal was able to meet me in Clemmons that Friday, but Chris was unable to come since he had school and work.  I sat with Grandma for a few hours each day from that Wednesday night, to that Sunday.  When Sunday came, I knew I had to go home, and i was afraid that would be the last time I'd see Grandma.  I had her one on one that day, so we sat and had a deep discussion about living and dying, what she felt, what she saw; things like that.  I told her that I believed that I'd still see her in my dreams long after she had gone, and she said "Well, that's possible.  I'll let you know."

One of the things I had to do before I left was move her from her wheelchair to her recliner so she could take a nap.  As I assisted her from chair to chair, she grabbed hold of me as she settled into her recliner.  She said, "Since I have you here, parting is such sweet sorrow. You've been a great grandson. I've lived a long life and did some good things and some things I regret." So, I asked her "Grandma, what do you regret?"  She mentioned how she regretted not pursuing her education further beyond some post graduate study, since back then, ordinary women didn't really go that far in education.  I told her "Grandma, you want to know something? You were far from ordinary." We hugged and cried together, and she gave me a kiss.  I had to leave, then, and turned to look at her one last time, as she wiped her eyes.

THANKFULLY, that wasn't the last time I saw Grandma.  That next weekend, Chris was off from work, so I made a point to get him up to see Grandma.  She was being served dinner, but wasn't interested in eating it.  She had her lunch that she hadn't finished, and would rather have had that.  She offered her dinner to Chris, so the two of them had an impromptu dinner date.  I tucked behind them and gave them some time together.  She and Chris had their own conversation of closure, which I was so glad Chris was able ti have.

I was asleep at my parents farm, with plans to have Thanksgiving dinner at my brother Andy's house.  My cell phone rang at 8:15 AM, which woke me up.  I looked and saw Andy was calling; I figured he needed me to pick up something for the dinner.  Instead, he told me "Grandma passed away this morning".  She had been in a lot of pain, but her paid had now been relieved. It didn't hit me for a few minutes, but when it did, I howled. She had been the matriarch of our family.  A pillar of fierce independence. A super classy woman wish a wicked sense of humor.  She did so many things in her 97 years.  She was far from ordinary.

I learned one final thing when I slept and dreamt Thursday night.  Grandma kept her promise.

Rest in peace, Grandma.  You are already missed by so many, but you will live forever in our stories, in our memories and in our dreams.

Eleanore Christine Herchet Regenthal 1/8/1927 - 11/28/2024.

TTM Success - Gary Knotts

A couple older Bowman cards were added to the autograph album when I got these back signed from Gary Knotts. 

These are a 2000 Bowman and a 2000 Bowman Chrome.  Hard to believe these are almost 25 years old.

Knotts (b. 1977) played in the majors from 2001 to 2004 for the Marlins and Tigers.  He had a record of 13-16 with 162 strike outs and a 5.45 ERA.

i mailed to Knotts on October 12 and got the cards back on October 23 for an 11-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Jose Cruz

With a $20 in my wallet for some reason, I decided to pull four more cards out of my boxes and send to Jose Cruz again.  He signs for $5.00/card.

I added the 1986 Topps Astros Leaders at the top, and the above 1972, 1978 and 1980 Topps.  All of the cards look nice. 

I met some of the Cruz family this past summer when I saw Jose, Jr. and Trei Cruz in Erie.  I'd liked to have met Jose, Sr., as well, but he didn't make the trip.

I mailed to Cruz on October 10 and got the cards back on October 22, for a 12-day TAT.