TTM Success - Ryan Goins

A more-recent card was added to the autograph album when this 2016 Topps came back signed TTM by Ryan Goins.  I had gotten Goins in person a few years back when he came to Durham with Gwinnett, but didn't get his 2016 Topps done.

Goins (b. 1988) played in the majors from 2013 to 2020 for the Blue Jays, Royals and White Sox.  He had 353 hits, 22 home runs and a .228 batting average. 

I mailed to Goins on March 24 and got the card back on November 1, for a 222-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Dave Hostetler

Here is another 1983 Topps that came back signed recently.  Dave Hostetler signed his card in black Sharpie after I sent it out TTM.

Hostetler (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1981 to 1984 and 1988 for the Expos, Rangers and Pirates.  He had 187 hits, 37 home runs and a .229 batting average. 

I mailed to Hostetler on October 18 and got the card back on October 30, for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Cody Strait

Of all of the older Bowman cards that I have, I think I have more 2007 Bowman than any other set prior to 2017.  I busted a box back then, and also got a bunch from the former LCS when it closed.  I like getting these signed, with the latest being this 2007 Bowman Chrome of Cody Strait.

He also included his own card with a Christian testimonial on the back.  I assume testimonial is the correct word.  The card is really cool, and it is nice that he included his kid on the card.

Strait (b. 1983) was a 12th round pick by the Reds in the 2004 June Amateur Draft out of the Uniersity of Evansville.  He played in the minors from 2004 to 2010 in the Reds, Royals and Rays systems.  He got as far as AAA.  He had 670 hits, 70 home runs and a .253 batting average. 

I mailed to Strait on October 16 and got the cards back on October 28, for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jim Wright

Another 1980 Topps was added to the autograph album when this one came back signed TTM by Jim Wright.  He signed the card close to the facsimile autograph and added a uniform number inscription. 

Wright (b. 1950) played in the majors in 1978 and 1979 for the Red Sox.  He had a record of 9-4 with 71 strike outs and a 3.82 ERA.

I mailed to Wright on October 15 and got the card back on October 28, for a 13-day TAT.

Some 2025 50-50 Returns From Andrew L

A guy named Andrew reached out to me this past season, asking if I could provide some cards to facilitate some 50/50s.  He took my cards and got a bunch of them done.  I didn't have very many 2016 Topps Pro Debut, so it was nice to add the above Dakota Chalmers to the album. 

I had gotten Aaron Altherr TTM a couple times.  It was nice to add a few more to the album. The Dustin Peterson 2013 Bowman (bottom right) was a card that I missed on one of my road trips, so it was nice that Andrew could help me with it.  He also got me a couple Kade Morris and a Colby Halter signed, as well.

Finally, this 2021 Topps Pro Debut of Jagger Haynes also turned out great.

I really appreciated Andrew getting these done for me.  I didn't have as many opportunities for 50/50s this past season.  Mostly, because I didn't have the time to search.  I also lost contact with quite a few guys who had helped me out in the past. That was likely because I don't see the same guys I used to see when I had season tickets to an affiliated club.

TTM Success - Jason Pfaff

Another 1993 Bowman was cleared out of my box when I sent this Jason Pfaff out TTM.  It came back signed in black Sharpie. 

Pfaff (b. 1969) was a 6th round pick by the Tigers in the 1991 June Amateur Draft out of the University of Michigan.  He played in the minors in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995 in the Tigers and Pirates systems. 

He had a record of 21-28 with 279 strike outs and a 3.83 ERA.

I mailed to Pfaff on October 15 and got the card back on October 27 for a 12-day TAT. 

December 6, 2025, Markakis-Johnson Signing

On Saturday, Jesse, Ryan and I made the trip to Prince Frederick, Maryland to attend a toy drive and signing with former Orioles Jim Johnson and Nick Markakis.  Markakis hasn't done any private signings and from what I can remember, hasn't done an in person signing in probably over 10 years or so.  I jumped at the chance to make the trip when I found out about the signing.  I dug through my Markakis PC box and pulled some good stuff.  This 2007 Topps Turkey Red Chrome refractor is numbered 29/99.  It wasn't on my radar, but when I found it, it jumped to the top of the list.

The above 2008 Topps Chrome Target T205 (above left) was the original card that I wanted to get done.  It turned out great.  I was also able to get a 2009 Topps done, as well.  I appreciate Jesse for getting the T205 chrome done.  He got a Topps Propaganda Markakis done for himself.

I had gotten Johnson on a card recently through a private signing, so I had to really dig to find more of his cards.  I went through my Orioles boxes and found some Johnsons.  The above (left) 2006 Ropps Rookie 52 was a cool card to dig out of the box. The card on the right is a 2012 Topps Heritage. 

The guys were really friendly.  They look super serious in the photo above, but they really were cool.

The toy drive looks like it brought in a bunch of stuff for the kids.  I had a great time with my friends, and hope we can get to some more signings soon.

Another TTM Success From Bert Blyleven

This 1980 Topps of Bert Blyleven was found in my partial set that I use for TTMs.  I thought the card was pretty sharp, and put it aside for a potential submission to the Hall of Famer. I finally pulled the money for his fee and sent the card off.  It looks pretty nice.  It kind of looks like Blyleven's signature is getting a little shaky.

I mailed to Blyleven on October 13 and got the card back on October 27 for a 14-day TAT. I paid his fee of $20.00.

TTM Success - Leo Daigle

This 2007 Bowman gold of Leo Daigle was sent out twice for me to be able to add his autograph to the collection.  The first try was obviously a failure, so I did some digging, found a different address and sent the card out again.  It came back signed not too long after, and is now in the album.

Daigle (b. 1979) was an 11th round pick by the Tigers in the 1997 June Amateur Draft out of Monte Vista High School in California. He played in the minors from 1998 to 2006 in the Tigers, White Sox and Orioles systems, reaching AAA.  He had 932 hits, 124 home runs and a .267 batting average. 

I mailed to Daigle on October 13 and got the card back on October 27 for a 14-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Brian Henderson

Here is a 2007 Bowman Chrome that I got signed TTM by Brian Henderson.  He signed the card in purple Sharpie, which was cool.  It'll probably fade over time, but looks cool today 

Henderson (b. 1982) was a 7th round pick by the Rays in the 2003 June Amateur Draft out of the University of Houston. He played in the minors from 2003 to 2008 in the Rays system.  He reached AAA.

He had a record of 18-14 with 237 strike outs and a 3.21 ERA.  I mailed to Henderson on October 11 and got the card back on October 27 for a 16-day TAT. 

Wrestlecade 2025 Graphing Recap

Last weekend, Wrestlecade was back in Winston-Salem; an annual wrestling convention that Chris and I had attended once before (last year).  We looked forward to it all year, and this iteration didn't disappoint.   I went to the convention with a plan to get Ron Simmons to sign an 8 x 10 photo from last year.  I also bought some cards of a few other wrestlers to get signed at the show.

I got Simmons quickly after we arrived (after getting Tito Santana and Big Show on a couple cards below).  I was only going to get Simmons and move along, but he kept calling me by my name and talked me into paying for another photo op (this time with Bradshaw) and getting a dual auto on another 8 x 10.  Let's face it, he could have talked me into buying a car while I was there. 

The photo op turned out great, and both guys were awesome.  Ron Simmins is such a cool guy.

Backing up a bit, my big planned meeting and greet was with Big Show.  I always enjoyed watching Show wrestle, so when I saw he was going to be there, I sprung for a card that I thought looked cool for him to sign.  The card turned out great (below).

He was really nice, as well.

Here are the cards I got signed.  I didn't get a photo of Santana, but he was very friendly.  He was the first person we met, and his line had only one person ahead of us.

Matt Cardona was really cool.  He greeted us as we walked by his table.  I went back a few minutes later and paid the money for him to sign his card he had on display.  

We were really glad to see Diego Hill again.  He's a local wrestler, who seems to have a very bright future.  He is always cool to us, so I gave him some money for another autograph, to throw him some support.  Once he masters cutting a promo, he likely will make it to the higher level wrestling companies. 

Nikita Koloff is a guy I watched as a kid.  I saw he was going to be at the show, so I bought an old wrestling card of him and got it signed.  He was awesome.  I told him he scared the hell out of me when I was little.  He told me he considered that the best honor he could receive from a fan.

Teddy Long was super cool.  Chris wanted to meet him, so I made the payment for the auto/photo op combo.  He got an 8.5 x 11 photo signed, and Long threw in a card for free.  I got to keep the card.  He asked Chris about his grades and said he needs to keep them up or he "...will go one on one with the Undertaker".  Chris was excited that Long dropped one of his catch phrases on him. 

Finally, we got a photo with Nic Nemeth, otherwise known as Dolph Ziggler.  We told Ziggler the story of three-year old Chris singing along with Ziggler's theme song, except he got the lyrics wrong, singing "I'm here to smell the world, I'm here to smell the world" (instead of "I'm here to show the world...).  Oh, little Chris.  He had a couple of those that he botched as a kid.  Ziggler thought it was hilarious. We had just mentioned it right before the photo.

Chris and I had a blast at the show.  In all, I got the following autographs: Big Show x 1, Matt Cardona x 1, Diego Hill x 1, Nikita Koloff x 1, Teddy Long x 1, Tito Santana x 1, Ron Simmons x 2, JBL x 1 and Butterbean x 1 (10 total autographs).

TTM Success - Mark Farris

A random 1995 Topps was added to the autograph album when this card came back signed TTM by Mark Farris.  His marker looks to be fading a bit, but the card is out of my box and in the album now.

Farris (b. 1975) was a first round (11th overall) pick by the Pirates in the 1994 June Amateur Draft out of Angleton High School in Texas.  He played in the Pirates system in 1994 and from 1996 to 1998, reaching AA Carolina (back when the Mudcats were a Pirates affiliate).  

He had 305 hits, 14 home runs and a .244 batting average. 

I mailed to Farris on October 10 and got the card back on October 27 for a 17-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Larry Christenson

Six years ago (in 2019) I got a TTM success from Larry Christenson on three cards.  I felt that enough tome had passed, so I sent two more cards that hadn't yet been signed, a 1984 Topps (above) and the 1983 Topps below.

Both cards turned out nicely. I now have five different Christenson cards in the autograph album. 

I mailed to Christenson on October 14 and got the cards back on October 25 for an 11-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Larry Wolfe

1980 Topps is a sharp-looking set.  It is also my birth year set, which one would think would be a main focus for me to get signed.  I haven't really focused on the set, but I do have a ton signed.  There's probably zero chance for me to ever complete the set, but you never know.  I added one more 1980 Topps to the autograph album when I got this one back signed from Larry Wolfe.

Wolfe (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1977 to 1980 for the Twins and Red Sox.  He had 83 hits, 7 home runs and a .230 batting average. 

I mailed to Wolfe on October 17 and got the card back on October 25 for an 8-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Justin Towle

Here is another older Bowman card (1997 Bowman) that came back signed TTM.  This is from Justin Towle.  

Towle (b. 1974) was a 12th round pick by the Reds in the 1992 June Amateur Draft out of Inglemoor High School in Washington. He played in the minors from 1992 to 1998, all in the Reds system.  He reached AA.  He had 446 hits, 49 home runs and a .266 batting average. 

I mailed to Towle on October 11 and got the card back on October 24 for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Andy Brown

A couple more older Bowman cards got signed TTM recently when these two came back from Andy Brown.  The above 1999 Bowmans Best turned out great.  I have a handful of these cards in the box, and am happy to get any of them signed. 

I also got his 1999 Bowman Chrome taken care of.  Neither card scanned all that great, but they look fine in person. 

Brown (b. 1980) was a first round pick by the Yankees in the 1998 June Amateur Draft out of Richmond High School in Indiana.  He played in the Yankees and Cardinals systems from 1998 to 2005, reaching AA.  He had 459 hits, 70 home runs and a .219 batting average. 

I mailed to Brown on October 11 and got the cards back on October 23, for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jeff Stevens

Here's a nice 2011 Bowman of Jeff Stevens that I got signed TTM recently. The card turned out nicely, even though I had no idea who Stevens was.  I like getting random Cubs guys, since my buddy, Max, is a huge Cubs fan.

Stevens (b. 1983) played in the majors 2009 to 2011 for the Cubs.  He had a record of 1-0 with 28 strike outs and a 6.27 ERA.

I mailed to Stevens on October 8 and got the card back on October 21 for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Chris Fallon

This 2003 Bowman came back signed TTM by Chris Fallon recently. It was a card that came in from a stack of early 2000s Bowmans that my friend Ryan sent me.  I don't have many Bowman from 2003 or 2004, so it was nice of Ryan to help me out.

Fallon (b. 1979) was a 22nd round pick by the Royals in the 2001 June Amateur Draft out of St. Johns.  He played in the minors from 2001 to 2004 in the Royals and Rockies systems, reaching High A. He had 416 hits, 35 home runs and a .272 batting average. 

I mailed to Fallon on September 22 and got the card back on October 20 for a 28-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jason Fitzgerald

Here is a 1998 Bowman Chrome that I got signed TTM by Jason Fitzgerald.  I'm glad I could get a few of these cards out of my box.  One of these days, I'll be able to condense some of these older Bowman cards down and come up with an empty 5,000-count box.

Fitzgerald (b. 1975) was a first round (41st overall) pick by the Indians in the 1997 June Amateur Draft out of Tulane.  He played in the minors from 1997 to 2003 in the Indians and Braves systems. He played in Kinston in 1999.  In his minors career, he had 647 hits, 50 home runs and a .258 batting average. 

I mailed to Fitzgerald on October 10 and got the card back on October 18 for an 8-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Gary Rajsich

A 1983 Topps was added to the autograph album when this one came back TTM signed by Gary Rajsich.  The card turned out fine.

Rajsich (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1982 to 1985 for the Mets, Cardinals and Giants.  He had 70 hits, 3 home runs and a .236 batting average. 

I mailed to Rajsich on October 10 and got the card back signed on October 18 for an 8-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Paul Winterling

Another former Oriole was added to the autograph album when this 2008 Bowman Chrome came back signed TTM by Paul Winterling.  I vaguely remember Winterling from back in the day.  I probably saw him with Frederick at a Winston-Salem Warthogs game.  That would likely be the only tome I would have seen him.

Winterling (b. 1983) was an undrafted free agent signed by the Orioles out of Johns Hopkins University. 

He played in the minors from 2005 to 2008, all in the Orioles system.  He would reach high-A Frederick. I probably saw him in 2008 at the same game that I saw Brandon Snyder and Matt Wieters.

Winterling had 153 hits, 21 home runs and a .231 batting average across his 4 mi or league seasons.

I mailed to Winterling on November 20, 2024, and got the card back on October 17 for a 331-day TAT.  The coolest part was the letter that Winterling sent along with the card.  Take some time to check out the letter; you'll have to zoom in, but it's a great read:

Another TTM Success From Felix Millan

Back in 2020, I got a TTM success from Felix Millan on 4 cards.  Four years later, I felt it was time to send out a few more. Starting with this 1975 Topps Mini.  It looks like Millan needs a new pen, but the card is still signed and in the album. 

I also sent these, a 1971 Topps and a 1974 Topps.  The signature is faint on both, but again, they're signed.  I don't think I have any Millans left, but I've got a bunch of good ones in the album. 

I mailed to Millan on March 12, 2024, and got the cards back on October 14, 2025, for a 581-day TAT.

TTM Success - Brian Snyder

Here is a nice 1986 Topps that came back signed TTM by Brian Snyder.  1986 Topps is a cool set, and I haven't added many new ones to the album lately.  I need to go back through that box and pull some more guys to send to.

Snyder (b. 1958) played in the majors in 1985 and 1989 for the  Mariners and A's. He had a record of 1-2 with 24 strike outs and a 6.75 ERA.

I mailed to Snyder on October 3 and got the card back on October 14 for an 11-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Jim Rice

This 1982 Fleer of Jim Rice was in one of my boxes when I found it.  I thought it was in great shape, so I sent it to him TTM to sign. 

The card turned out great and is now in the autograph album. 

I mailed to Rice on October 2 and got the card back on October 14 for a 12-day TAT. I paid a fee of $20.00.

TTM Success - Geoff Goetz

Geoff Goetz signed several cards for me, which helped create some room in my old Bowman box.

He signed a 1997 Bowman (top of post), 2000 Bowman (top left), 2000 Bowman Chrome (top right) 1998 Bowman Chrome (bottom left) and 1999 Just Minors (bottom right).

Goetz (b. 1979) was a first round (6th overall) pick by the Mets in the 1997 June Amateur Draft out of Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida.

He played in the minors from 1997 to 2002 and 2004 in the Mets, Marlins and Yankees systems.  He would reach AA.  He had a record of 21-20 with 302 strike outs and a 3.37 ERA.

I mailed to Goetz on October 2 and got the cards back on October 11 for a 9-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Tyler Soderstrom

This 2021 Bowman Chrome of Tyler Soderstrom went all the way to Chicago last season to my buddy, Max.  He was going to try to get Sodsrstrom to sign it, but that didn't happen.  I kept seeing the card this year in the Box-of-Shame while looking for players to sign.  I noticed a private signing on SCN for Soderstrom, so i decided to go ahead and free it from the box and get it signed. 

Soderstrom (b. 2001) has played in the majors since 2023 for the A's.  He has 219 hits, 37 home runs and a .250 batting average. 

I mailed to the signing on August 20 and got the card back signed on October 9 for a 50-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $35.00.

TTM Success - George Theodore

Another 1974 Topps was added to the autograph album when this card came back signed from George Theodore. 

The Stork inscribed the card to me with best wishes and a "The Stork" inscription. The top two lines got fouled up a bit.  I think it was because some residual wax was on the surface of the card.

Theodore (b. 1946) played in the majors in 1973 and 1974 for the Mets.  He had 42 hits, 2 home runs and a .219 batting average. 

I mailed to Theodore on September 30 and got the card back on October 9, for a 9-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Glen Condren

Here is another football card that I picked up at the National this year, then sent out for TTM.  This Glen Condren card turned out nicely. 

Condren (b. 1942) played professionally from 1965 to 1967 and 1969 to 1972 for the Giants and Falcons.  He was an 11th round pick in the 1964 draft by the Giants out of the University of Oklahoma.

I mailed to Condren on August 7 and got the card back on October 6 for a 60-day TAT.

TTM Success - Rich Aude

Look! It's a 1995 Fleer.  The crazy set that looks like the designers were on acid makes another appearance.  I got this card back signed TTM by Rich Aude.  I do enjoy this set in all its weirdness, and was happy to add another one to the autograph album. 

I also added a 1995 Pinnacle and 1990 ProCards.  

Aude (b. 1971) played in the majors in 1993, 1995 and 1996 for the Pirates.  He had 34 hits, 2 home runs and a .225 batting average. 

I mailed to Aude on April 16 and got the cards back on October 4 for a 171-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jon Coutlangus

A couple 2007 cards that I had been holding into for a while finally got sent out, then came back signed.  For whatever reason, I held these two Jon Coutlangus cards.  I don't remember if there was a lull in his signing habits or if I mistakenly thought he charged.  I finally got the cards out and they came back signed in blue.

I had sent off his 2007 Topps Rookie 52 and his 2007 Topps Chrome.

Coutlangus (b. 1980) played for the Reds in 2007.  He went 4-2 with 38 strike outs and a 4.39 ERA.

I mailed to him on September 5 and got the cards back on September 26 for a 21-day TAT.