TTM Success - Josh Trentadue

Jesse and I got close to Josh Trentadue when he was a Wood Duck during the 2024 season. It hurt having to pay for a Hub City Spartanburgers team set in 2025, as I really didn't want to give them any of my money. However, I really wanted Josh's card, so I did buy a team set. I still haven't lifted my boycott of Spartanburg, since they took my team from me, but I'll go eventually. Maybe.

Tremtadue (b. 2002) was a 14th round pick by the Rangers in the 2023 July Amateur Draft out of the College of Southern Idaho. He has played in the Rangers system since 2023. He has reached AA Frisco so far. In his minor league career, he has a record of 8-10 with 283 strike outs and a 4.07 ERA.

I mailed to Trentadue on February 7 via Rangers Spring Training and got the card back on April 14, for a 66-day TAT.

TTM Success - Marty Castillo

A huge addition to the 1987 Topps set happened for me a few months ago. I saw a private signing with Marty Castillo pop up, much to my disbelief. Castillo has been a rare signature up to this point, but recently, he has done a few private signings. He was the last guy I needed on this Togers Leaders card. I wasn't about to chance it with a TTM, so I had to wait for a private signing. 

Castillo (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1981 to 1985 for the Tigers. He had 67 hits, 8 home runs and a .190 batting average. He won the World Series in 1984 with the Tigers. It shows that Topps used an old photo, since Castillo didn't play for the Tigers in 1986.

I mailed to the signing on February 28 and got the card back on April 14, for a 45-day TAT. I paid a fee of $15.00.

TTM Success - Corey Madden

Here are a couple 2026 Bowman cards that came back signed TTM from Corey Madden. I believe these came from my Christmas gift from Ryan. Madden signed a 2006 Bowman Chrome and a gold parallel.

Madden (b. 1984) was a 21st round pick by the Marlins in the 2006 June Amateur Draft out of St. Mary's College of California. He played in the minors from 2006 to 2012 in the Marlins system. He reached AAA. He had a record of 19-13 with 355 strike outs and a 3.05 ERA.

I mailed to Madden on November 13 and got the cards back on April 13, for a 151-day TAT.

August 29, 2026, Graphing of the Tides at Bulls

The Norfolk Tides were back in Durham two weeks ago. Jesse and I went that Saturday to try and see a couple Orioles who were on rehab. Felix Bautista was the big (pun intended) target for us. Bautista is coming back from his second major surgery (shoulder). He was actually the first player we got when we got inside the ballpark. I was glad to get a 2026 Topps done.

He also signed a 2024 Topps. We almost finished all of the Enrique Bradfield cards that I had. I finally got Juaron Watts-Brown and Payton Eeles. I jad cards put aside for them for a little while now. I also got Yaramil Hiraldo on a 2025 Topps Update.

We finally got Heston Ljerstad at a game. He's usually pretty tough, but came right over for us. I finally got my 2024 Norfolk team set cards done of Kjerstad and Albert Suarez.

It was a nice surprise to get Joe Boyle. He was in a good mood for once, so my team set card from last year got done. I had picked up several Oliver Dunn cards at the National, and they all got signed, so I'm out of him again. Jake Fraley was down in Durham on rehab, so Jesse and I got him, as well. Mason Englert was in a hurry, but stopped for me and signed my negative parallel. He's such a great guy, and I'm always glad to get him.

Finally, I got two more cards from the National done (the 2023 Topps Chrome refractor of Michael Grove, and the 2023 Topps Chrome negative parallel of Blake Sabol). I also had no shame in asking the handler of Champ the Bat Dog to sign his team set card. 

In all, we got the following autographs: Silas Ardoin x 4, Felix Bautista x 2, Enrique Bradfield x 5, Juaron Watts-Brown x 7, Payton Eeles x 1, Jud Fabian x 2, Yaramil Hiraldo x 1, Heston Kjerstad x 2, Albert Suarez x 2, Jeff Ware x 1 and Yosver Zulueta x 2, Joe Boyle x 2, Keoni Derenne x 2, Oliver Dunn x 11, Mason Englert x 1, Jake Fraley x 2, Michael Grove x 2, Blake Sabol x 3 and Champ the Bat Dog('s handler) x 2 (54 total autographs). 

Another TTM Success From Jason Johnson

Back in 2018, I sent to Jason Johnson TTM and got three signed cards back. I had been told later on that those cards probably weren't signed by him. Compared to these two cards that I got back in April, yeah, I'm pretty sure someone else signed those. Maybe it was his wife, or someone else. Who knows. Oh well. 

I had seen that folks were getting Johnson back recently, so I found a couple cards and tried him again. At some point, I may get duplicates of the others and replace those signatures. 

I mailed to Johnson on March 23 and got the cards back on April 11, for a 19-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Evan Gattis

Here is another fairly recent player who I discovered (via Gerard, I think) was signing TTM. Evan Gattis signed this 2018 Topps for me and it turned out nicely. There are a few more guys he told me about that I need to search cards for.

Gattis (b. 1986) played in the majors from 2013 to 2018 for the Braves and Astros. He had 605 hits, 139 home runs and a .248 batting average. He finished 7th in the 2013 NL Rookie of the Year voting. He won the World Series in 2017 with the Astros.

I mailed to Gattis on March 16 and got the card back on April 11, for a 26-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Joel Brewer

A couple years ago, I hastily bought Perfect Game cards of several Wood Ducks players. One of whom didn't actually have cards. I had searched Michael Brewer and bought a lot of 10 Joel Brewer cards because Ebay suggests stuff even when a search should reveal nothing. So, in my haste, I accidentally bought the lot of 10 Joel Brewer cards and was stuck with them for quite a while. 

I finally found an address for Joel Brewer and sent three of the cards out TTM to give it a shot. I got the correct address, as the cards came back signed. 

Brewer (b. 1999) played one season in college at the University of South Carolina. He had 4 hits, no home runs and a .235 batting average.

I mailed to Brewer on March 14 and got the cards back on April 11 for a 28-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Corey Knebel

A more-recent card came back signed TTM when this 2023 Topps came back from Corey Knebel. The card turned out great. 

Knebel (b. 1991) played in the majors from 2014 to 2018 and 2020 to 2022 for the Tigers, Brewers, Dodgers and Phillies. He had a record of 13-16 with 407 strike outs and a 3.26 ERA.

I mailed to Knebel on March 11 and got the card back on April 11, for a 31-day TAT. 

August 18-23, 2026, Graphing of the Aigles at Bird Dawgs

The Bird Dawgs season is quickly coming to a close. I missed a month of baseball at Grainger Stadium due to two big trips overlapping the Bird Dawgs home schedule, so when I got back from the National, there were only two home series left. Trois-Rivieres came to town on August 18, and Ibwas excited to get former Yankee, Greg Bird on a ton of cards. Except, he didn't travel with the team. I did get Evan Rutckyj to sign his 2013 Bowman. I was glad I had one of them in the box.

I also got Lizandro Rodriguez to sign some cards of his that I had left over from when I saw him with Columbia a couple years ago. Then, I had new Bird Dawg, Wes Albert on a Tri City team set card. I have accepted the sad fact that the Bird Dawgs won't have a team set again this year. Boo.

In all, I got the following autographs: Wes Albert x 2, Evan Rutckyj x 1, Lizandro Rodriguez x 7. (10 total autographs).

TTM Success - Justin Hagenman

Finally, I can chip away at posting some TTMs since I have gotten through most of what I plan to post from this year's National. There are a bunch to show off, beginning with this return from Justin Hagenman on a couple 2025 Topps Update. I had pulled the above green foil parallel when I broke my box right when it came out. I was glad to see it come back signed. 

He also signed my base card, which turned out great.

Hagenman (b. 1996) played 9 games last season and 1 game this season for the Mets. He has a record of 0-1 with 25 strike outs and a 4.39 ERA.

I mailed to him on January 14 and got the cards back on April 11 for an 87-day TAT.

2026 National Free Signer - Steve Lyons

The last free signer that I was getting at this year's National was Steve Lyons. His line took the longest, but it was because he made a point to talk to everyone. I appreciated that, even though I really wanted to get back to the bargain boxes that Nate and I were looking through.

I did make it back to the bargain boxes with about 30 minutes to spare.

Lyons (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1985 to 1993 for the Red Sox, White Sox, Braves and Expos. He had 545 hits, 19 home runs and a .252 batting average. 

2026 National Paid Signer - Eddie Murray

This card that I found in my collection of Eddie Murray was somewhat of a mystery to me. I had no idea where I had gotten the card from, and I had no idea what it even was. I'm glad you can lens search on Ebay, because I was able to figure out that this is a 1983 KG Glossy blank back card. It's thinner than most baseball cards, so I had to handle it carefully. I liked the clean design and thought it would be a good addition to the autograph album. It definitely stands out.

I had met Murray a couple times before, and he was just as nice this time. He even shook my hand as I was leaving. Very classy guy. I still need to get him on the 1991 Crown Orioles card, but I keep putting it off.

He was the last paid signer I got on a card. There were two others I got on baseballs that I'll show later on. Also, there's one more free signer to go, then I need to catch back up on graphing and TTM posts.

2026 National Free Signer - Chris Sabo

The one free signed at this year's National that I looked forward to the most was former Oriole, Chris Sabo. I was glad to finally get him to sign some Orioles cards. The above 1994 Score Rookies and Traded card is pretty cool. I like that design, and don't have many of them in the autograph album. 

He signed a 1992 Topps and a 1994 Upper Deck. I tend to forget how good the 1994 Upper Deck set looks. They look great signed.

I also got a 1994 Fleer Ultra signed. They also look sharp. This is such an underrated set.

Sabo (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1988 to 1996 for the Reds, Orioles, White Sox and Cardinals. He had 898 hits, 116 home runs and a .268 batting average. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1988. He was a three-time All Star (1988, 1990 and 1991). He won the World Series with the Reds in 1990.

2026 National Free Signer - Reid Simpson

The free signers from the 2026 National are drawing to a close soon, with just a few to go. Tonight, I share another hockey player, Reid Simpson. I didn't have anything for Simpson, but the same vendor who had the other signers hooked me up with a few Simpsons. I also took some of his to get signed, which helped me get a few cards for free of Simpson and Geovany Soto.

Simpson (b. 1969) played from 1991 to 1993 and 1994 to 2004, missing the 1993-1994 season. He played for the Flyers, North Stars, Devils, Blackhawks, Lightning, Blues, Canadiens, Predators and Penguins. He had 18 goals and 18 assists, for 36 points.

Simpson was pretty cool. I didn't know much about him, but he jad some nice cards, and it was nice to add them to the autograph album.

2026 National Free Signer - Geovany Soto

Geovany Soto was the next free signer at this year's National. I had sent most of his cards to Max over the years, but was still able to find a couple to take with me to the show. The above 2010 Topps Heritage was one of them. This is such a good looking card and I'm glad I got it signed. 

I worked out a deal with the vendor I had been talking to all show; I took a bunch of his Soto cards and some wild card vouchers and went through the line for him so he wouldn't have to leave his booth. We split the cards, so I ended up with several extras.

I also got the other card I brought from home (this 2017 Topps) signed. Since I already had one in the album, I got this one done in red paint pen.

Soto (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2005 to 2017 for the Cubs, Rangers, A's, White Sox and Angels. He had 619 hits, 108 home runs and a .245 batting average. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2008. He was also an All Star that season and finished 13th in the NL MVP race.

2026 National Free Signer - Ron Kittle

At this year's National, I got to see Ron Kittle as a free signer for the third time. He had been a signer at the 2021 and 2023 Nationals as well. I was surprised that I even had any cards of him left, but I did. The above 1988 Fleer turned out great. I have a partial set of 88 Fleer somewhere, but I haven't located it in all of my mess.

I did raid a partial set of 1989 Upper Deck. I didn't realize that Kittle had two cards in that set. I also had him sign a 1989 Score and a 1989 Donruss.

I had several vouchers for Kittle (obviously), so I got several cards out of my slider box. I think I have a couple left, in case he shows up at next year's National. 

2026 National Paid Signer - Barry Sanders

At every National, I try to pick up paid vouchers for at least one marquee signer. This year, it was one of the greatest football players of all time, Barry Sanders. I had thought about getting him a couple years ago, but decided against it. He, then, had a health scare, and I felt like this was going to be a repeat of when I passed on meeting Jim Brown several years ago. I could have paid for Brown, decided against it with the thought "He will be there next year..." and he never showed back up to a National. So, this year, when I saw Sanders on the list again, I paid the fee and brought this awesome 1994 Classic Pro Line Live card along. The card turned out great. Sanders was awesome to me, he asked my name, where I was from and shook my hand. He was such a great guy. 

Sanders (b. 1968) played professionally from 1989 to 1998 for the Lions. His career 15,269 rushing yards are 4th all-time and his 99 rushing touchdowns are 11th. He was a Pro Bowler in each season he played. He was the 1989 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and the UPI, PFWA and Sporting News Rookie of the Year. He was the 1997 AP and PFWA NFL MVP. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. His number 20 is retired by the Lions and his number 21 is retired by Oklahoma State. He also won the Heisman Trophy in 1988.

2026 National Free Signer - Otis Wilson

Otis Wilson was the next free signer at this year's National. I found this card at the same vendor who had cards of the signers. It is a 1983 Topps football card, and it turned out pretty well. 

Wilson (b. 1957) played professionally from 1980 to 1987 and 1989 for the Bears and Raiders. He won Super Bowl XX with the Bears.

2026 National Free Signer - Mike Hartenstine

Former Bear, Mike Hartenstine was the next free signer at this year's National. 

I didn't have anything of him before I left for the show, so I was glad there was a vendor there with cards of the free signers.

Hartenstine (b. 1953) played professionally from 1975 to 1987 for the Bears and Vikings. He won Super Bowl XX with the Bears.

2026 National Free SIgner - Sheryl Swoopes

The next free signer at this year's National was a different one. Former WNBA star and Hall of Famer, Sheryl Swoopes was at the show signing for VIPs. She was very friendly, even when she paused the line right when she got to us to order her Door Dash. She was really funny, and genuinely seemed happy to be at the show signing. 

I had found the above card at the card shop a few days before I left for the show. I pulled it from a dollar box and had it signed in gold paint pen. The signature didn't show up as well as I thought it would, but it's ok.

Swoopes (b. 1971) played professionally from 1997 to 2000, 2002 to 2008 and 2011 for the Houston Comets, Seattle Storm and Tulsa Shock. She had 4,875 total points across 12 seasons. She was a three-time MVP (2000, 2002, 2005) abd a four-time champion (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) with the Comets. She was elected to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. She was the first player to be signed in the WNBA. She won three Olympic gold medals and an NCAA championship (1993, with Texas Tech).

2026 National Free Signer - Jerry Korab

The next free signer at the National was Jerry Korab. I had never heard of him, but that's normal since he was a hockey player back in the 70s and early 80s. He was cool when I met him. I got him on the above card that I found at the show.

Korab (b. 1948) played from 1971 to 1985 for the Black Hawks, Canucks, Sabres and Kings. He had 114 goals, 341 assists, for 455 points.

2026 National Free Signer - Mike Squires

Another guy that I had gotten in the past via TTM was a free signer this year at the National. I had gotten Mike Squires on a few cards back in 2024, but luckily didn't get him on a 1982 Topps. I forgot to check if I had gotten him before, but it worked out anyway.

I only had one voucher for Squires, so I got only one card signed. It was fine, though, as I got through the line really quickly and went back to looking through bargain boxes.

2026 National Free Signer - Randy Martz

Randy Martz was the next free signer at this year's National. I had him sign the above 1982 Topps and the 1983 Donruss and 1983 Topps shown below. 

Martz (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1980 to 1983 for the Cubs and White Sox. He had a record of 17-19 with 78 strike outs and a 3 78 ERA.

Martz was pretty friendly, and his line moved quickly. Something I noticed this year was how much better the VIP lines moved. I went through **most** of the lines very fast.

2026 National Free Signer - Steve Trout

Steve Trout made his return to the National this year as a last-minute replacement signer. I can't remember who he replaced, but it was one of the football guys. Jim Osborne maybe. Well, I scoured my boxes for Trout cards, and came up with a few that I didn't yet have in the autograph album. 

He was cool, as always. I've gotten him 3 or 4 times now.

I didn't mind that several of the signers were guys that I had gotten before, since it still helped me get cards out of the boxes. It would be nice, though, if there was a little more variety of the signers. Oh well.

2026 National Paid Signers - Jim Thome and Mike Schmidt

There were two paid signers I wanted to get on one card this year. I had never met Mike Schmidt before, and when I saw that he was added to the National lineup, I penciled him in as a guy I wanted to get this year. I had a couple newer cards that I had my eye on, but then I went through my 2004 Topps box looking for something else, when I found this card of Schmidt and Jim Thome. I had met Thome before, but had no problem meeting him again, so the goal of completing this card was set.

I got Schmidt first. His table was beside Thome's, and when he saw the card, he held it up and said "Hey Thome, take a look!" When I got over to Thome next, he held it up and said "Hey, Schmiddy". It was really cool meeting both. I chatted with Schmidt a bit but talked longer with Thome. I mentioned again about Kinston, and he talked about how much he loved playing there. He shook my hand, patted me on the shoulder and thanked me for coming. Jim Thome is such an awesome guy.

I love that I got this card signed by both guys. Dual Hall of Famer autos are tough, but some can still be done. I may have to try some more later down the line.

2026 National Paid Signer - Brian Bosworth

The first paid signer that I got at this year's National was former football player, Brian Bosworth. I was going to get him on an older Topps card that I would have picked up online. I went through some cards Gerard had given me prior to leaving for my trip out west and went through a set of Oklahoma cards. There was a Bosworth in there, so I used it at the show. The card turned out great.

Bosworth (b. 1965) played professionally from 1987 to 1989 for the Seahawks. He has 3 forced fumbles for 38 yards. He starred in the movie Stone Cold about a cop who goes undercover in a biker gang. I remember watching it with my Uncle Joe when I was a kid and remembered that he loved the movie. I talked briefly to Bosworth about the movie and had a nice interaction with him.

Uncle Joe also has some deer meat in the fridge....

2026 National Free Signer - Gene Hiser

Gene Hiser was the next free signer at this year's National. I had sent to him TTM a while back and never got my card back. So, at the show, I found a vendor who had an album of 1974 Topps. I picked up a replacement for the card I had sent and got it signed. 

Hiser (b. 1948) played in the majors from 1971 to 1975 for the Cubs. He had 53 hits, 1 home run and a .202 batting average. 

2026 National Free Signer - Grant Mulvey

A former hockey player was next on the lost of free signers at the National, Grant Mulvey. I don't follow hockey much, but i reappy enjoy old hockey cards. I found enough of his cards at the show to cover the vouchers I accumulated, starting off with the above 1979-1980 Topps. I liked the blue border, and I was right that it would look great signed in blue.

I also found the above left 1976-1975 Topps and above right 1977-1978 Topps. All of the cards turned out great, and Mulvey was pretty cool. 

Mulvey (b. 1956) played from 1975 to 1984 for the Black Hawks and Devils. He had 149 goals with 135 assists, for 284 points.

2026 National Free Signer - Chuck Knoblauch

Chuck Knoblauch was the next free signer at this year's National. I was excited to get him because I had found so many of his cards in the lead up to the show. I had gotten him once before; by way of TTM back in 2021. I also had met him at a past National when I had a free photo voucher with him. I couldn't find my photo before I left for the show, however.

I had gotten a couple Knoblauch vouchers and then was able to get a bunch more cards signed when they called wild cards on him. That was great, because it helped me not to have to put a bunch of stuff back in my boxes. 

Knoblauch was nice enough. He didn't really say a whole lot, but wasn't rude or anything like that.

2026 National Free Signer - Wendell Davis

The next free signer at this year's National was former Bear, Wendell Davis. I ended up with a few vouchers for him and picked up some cards from a vendor that I have seen at several past Nationals who always has cards of the signers. It made life so much easier when I could just go by his tables and pick up the guys I needed. We ended up making a coupke trades later in the show, and then I also got him some of his own cards signed.

Davis (b. 1966) played professionally from 1988 to 1993 for the Bears. He had 207 receptions for 3,000 yards and 14 touchdowns receiving.

Davis was pretty cool and talked to everyone. He seemed really happy to be there.