TTM Success - Dick Lines

Dick Lines may have an unfortunate name, but I was still glad to add his autograph to my album with this TTM success.  I sent off this 1968 Topps and got it back signed recently.

Lines (b. 1938) played in the majors from 1966 to 1967 for the Senators.  He had a record of 7-7 with 103 strike outs and a 2.83 ERA.

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

Another TTM Success From Davey Johnson

Another TTM success from former Oriole, Davey Johnson came in recently when I looked to get his 1991 Crown Orioles card into the autograph album. The card turned out nicely.  I wish there was a little more to the set, but I can't complain since I got the entire thing for $5 and there are guys in there who have no other cards.

I also sent a rough 1968 Topps that has some marks on the back, a 1985 Topps and a 1990 Topps buyback.  Johnson inscribed the 85 Topps with 1986 WS Champs.

I mailed to Johnson on September 29 and got the cards back on October 10, for an 11-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5/card.

TTM Success - Bob Humphreys

A couple more vintage cards made their way into my autograph album when I received a TTM success from Bob Humphreys.

The above 1968 Topps turned out nicely.  I still enjoy this set, and am glad I was able to get this one signed. 

I also got this 1971 Topps signed that I got from Conrad's boxes. It, too, turned out well.

Humphreys (b. 1935) played in the majors from 1962 to 1970 for the Tigers, Cardinals, Cubs, Senators and Brewers.  He had a record of 27-21 with 364 strike outs and a 3.36 ERA.  He won the 1964 World Series with the Cardinals.

I mailed to Humphreys on June 1 and got the cards back on June 21, for a 20-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Paul Popovich

Paul Popovich was one of the free signers at the National, but before I knew that, I had sent to him TTM.  I got the cards back before I left and forgot.  I, then, had to scramble to find other cards of his to take to the show.

I was able to get stuff to take to the show that I hadn't gotten signed with this TTM success, so it worked out.

I'm pretty sure that I have all of Popovich's Topps cards signed now. 

August 26, 2023, Hope For The Warriors Johnny Bench Signing

The annual Hope For The Warriors celebrity meet and greet came around again this weekend, and Johnny Bench was back.  He missed last year, so it was nice being able to go and get some more of his cards signed.

The above 1968 Topps rookie card was given to me by an old friend, Joey, who had upgraded the one in his collection.  Because I had helped him long ago when he was first getting started, he gave me this card for free.  It was in rough shape, but I was happy to get it signed nonetheless. 

I got a bunch of Bench cards signed this time around.  The price was really good, and I enjoy helping this charity.  So, I got 20 Bench cards done.

I held back a select few from my album so I could give some to a couple friends.  I'm really happy with the ones I kept, though.

I had a friend send me some photos of some Bench cards that he would like to have signed, and I am already excited about going again next year.  I hope Bench keeps coming out this way.

Doug Flynn was also along for the signing. He signed a couple of my cards with a donation to the cause, and then signed a few more for my friend, Jesse, who finished off what I had brought with me.  Flynn is always super nice when we have been able to meet him. 

In all, we got the following autographs: Johnny Bench x 20 and Doug Flynn x 8 (28 total autographs).

TTM Success - Jim Britton

A couple nice vintage cards came back signed TTM from Jim Britton.  He signed both rookie cards in ballpoint pen.  I think it is kind of strange that he has two rookie cards.  He was likely a bonus baby that had to be kept on the roster for a while, then was sent to the minors, and then called back up to te big roster later on.

Both of the cards are a little rough, but I am still glad to add them to the album. These are a 1964 Topps (top) and 1968 Topps (above).

Britton (b. 1944) refused a football scholarship from Penn State University to play baseball.  He was originally signed by the Orioles, but was then drafted by the Braves in what was then called the First Year Draft.  He played in the majors from 1967 to 1969 and 1971 for the Braves and Expos.  He had a record of 13-16 with 148 strike outs and a 4.02 ERA.

During a minor league game in 1967, Britton was batting for Richmond in the 9th inning against Rochester.  Britton's father suffered a fatal heart attack while watching Britton bat.  As his father was being administered CPR, Britton's manager sent him out to pitch the bottom of the ninth.  He gave up a it and a walk and was taken out of the game by manager, Lum Harris.  Harris would say "I didn't take him out because of his daddy.  Jim had worked hard.  He was tired.  I told him that his daddy had passed out in the stands.  To go to him."  The game was a 2-0 pennant playoff win against Rochester.  A policeman whispered in Harris's ear that Britton's father had passed away [seemingly during the interview].  A teammate then called for everyone to bow their heads and pray.

I mailed to Britton on January 23 and got the cards back on February 15, for a 23-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ray Washburn

Here is a nice 1968 Topps that I found in my vintage box of Ray Washburn.  The card turned out great; I'm glad I sent it out.

Washburn (b. 1938) played in the majors from 1961 to 1970 for the Cardinals and Reds.  He had a record of 72-64 with 700 strike outs and a 3.53 ERA.  He won the World Series with the Cardinals in 1967.  He was a member of the 1964 Cardinals that won the World Series but did not appear in the series.

I mailed to Washburn on October 26 and got the card back on February 2, for a 99-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jack Billingham

Completing a multi-player card is always nice, and I was able to finish this 1968 Topps Dodgers Rookies card that I had previously gotten signed TTM by Jim Fairey.  I finished the card with a TTM success frmo Jack Billingham after waiting a couple months.

Billingham (b. 1943) played in the majors from 1968 to 1980 for the Dodgers, Astros, Reds, Tigers and Red Sox.  He had a record of 14-113 with 1,141 strike outs and a 3.83 ERA.  His best finish in the Cy Young voting was 4th in 1973, the same season that accounts for his lone season as an All Star.  He won the World Series with the Reds in 1975 and 1976.  Billingham appeared on the 1986 Hall of Fame ballot, but received only 0.2% of the vote.

I mailed to Billingham on October 31 and got the cards back on January 10, for a 71-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Jim Lonborg

These three Jim Lonborg cards were in one of my boxes for quote a while, so I figured I would take the opportunity to send to him again for some autographs.  The above 1968 Topps was the card that I really wanted to add to the autograph album, and it turned out very well.

I also sent another 1973 Topps that I had, even though I had gotten one signed before.  I'll probably send it out to a friend as a gift or surprise auto or something.  I also added a nice 1974 to the album.  I have a mass of 74s pending, so the representation of that set will increase in the coming months.

I mailed to Lonborg on December 1 and got the cards back on December 8, for a 7-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jose Santiago

There should be a nice wave of vintage cards coming soon via TTM that should keep me busy for a long time.  A previous wave that I sent out included this 1968 Topps that I mailed to Jose Santiago.  The card is a little rough, but still looks nice.

Santiago (b. 1940) played in the majors from 1963 to 1970 for the A's (KC) and Red Sox.  He had a career record of 34-29 with 404 strike outs and a 3.74 ERA.  He was an All Star in 1968.

I mailed to Santiago on October 17 and got the card back on December 6, for a 50-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ron Stone

Here are a couple nice vintage cards that I got back signed from Ron Stone.  The above 1970 Topps turned out really well.  You can tell Stone had an A's jersey on, although the card has him listed with the Phillies.

I looked to see if Stone was in the 1991 Orioles Crown set, then learned that he never played a game for the Orioles, so that search didn't last long.  This 1968 Topps was pretty nice, anyway. 

Stone (b. 1942) played in the majors in 1966 and from 1969 to 1972 for the A's (Kansas City) and Phillies.  He had 194 hits, 6 home runs and a .241 batting average.

Stone's connection to the Orioles was that he was originally signed by the Orioles prior to the 1963 season as an amateur free agent.  He was selected by the A's in the 1965 Rule 5 draft, returned to the Orioles I'm July 1966 then traded by the Orioles to the Phillies in 1969 for Clay Dalrymple.

I mailed to Stone on October 17 and got the cards back on November 18, for a 32-day TAT.  Stone also included a signed post card.

TTM Success - Dave Bristol

He has shown up at Reds Fest in the past, but I believe I was unable to find Dave Bristol's cards when they had been requested.  I know I found some after the fact and put them aside, then COVID happened, and I kept seeing them on my desk.  I finally got tired of waiting for another grapher to ask for them, so I sent these out to Bristol, myself, for a TTM request.  Bristol signed a 1967 and a 1968 Topps for me, and both look nice.

Both of the cards are lower grade.  I can't remember where found them.  I feel like I picked them up at a show sometime in the past, knowing folks had been asking me for his cards.  Regardless, these are now signed and in my album.

Bristol (b. 1933) managed the Reds from 1966 to 1969, Brewers from 1970 to 1972, Braves from 1976 to 1977 and the Giants from 1979 to 1980.  His managerial record over 11 seasons was 657-764 (.462 win %).

I mailed to Bristol on September 29 and got the cards back on November 17, for a 49-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dave Baldwin

This TTM success from Dave Baldwin was nice because Baldwin included several of his own custom cards along with the 1968 Topps that I sent.  He has a really nice signature, and it looks great on everything.

These four customs turned out great, as well.  It looks like he sent one custom card for every team he had played on.  He sent one of him on the Seattle Pilots, but they moved to Milwaukee before he could play for them.

Baldwin (b. 1938) played in the majors from 1966 to 1970 and 1973 for the Senators, Brewers and White Sox.  He had a record of 6-11 with 164 strike outs and a 3.08 ERA.

I mailed to Baldwin on October 25 and got the cards back on November 12, for an 18-day TAT.

TTM Success - Denny Ribant

Here are a couple really nice vintage cards that I got signed TTM by Denny Ribant.  The above 1966 Topps was an Ebay purchase that I picked up to go with the 1968 Topps (below) that I found in my box.  I liked how this card looked, so I got it and am happy with it being in my album, now.

The 1968 Topps also turned out nicely.  This is definitely a Spring Training head shot (note the palm trees in the back).

Ribant (b. 1941) played in the majors from 1964 to 1969 for the Mets, Pirates, Tigers, White Sox, Cardinals and Reds.  He had a record of 24-29 with 241 strike outs and a 3.87 ERA.

I mailed to Ribant on October 25 and got the cards back on November 5, for an 11-day TAT.

TTM Success - Al Weis

Another 1968 Topps was robbed from my vintage box and added to my autograph album when I got this card back signed TTM from Al Weis.

Weis (b. 1938) played in the majors from 1962 to 1971 for the White Sox and Mets.  He had 346 hits, 7 home runs and a .219 batting average.

I mailed to Weis on October 26 and got the card back on November 4, for a 9-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Ron Brand

Here are a few more vintage cards that I got back signed recently.  I had the two Topps (1968 and 1971) cards of Ron Brand and also an old Fleer Expos sticker, so I sent them out to Brand.  All of the cards came back looking pretty nice.  The sticker is a bit worn, but will look fine in my album.

I like the 1971 Topps card, but like most others from that year, the edges and corners show wear pretty prominently.  Still, I like adding them to the album, and need to find some more bulk from 1969-1971 to send off for TTMs.

Brand (b. 1940) played in the majors in 1963 and from 1965 to 1971 for the Pirates, Astros and Expos.  He had 322 hits, 3 home runs and a .239 batting average.

I mailed to Brand on October 17 and got the cards back 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - Len Gabrielson

There will be a wave of vintage cards coming back TTM soon, and this return from Len Gabrielson was part of the initial wave I sent out this past month.  I also went on a bit of a buying spree that yielded me several that I have sent off as of late.

I was able to get a 1965 Topps and a 1968 Topps (above) signed TTM.  He inscribed both of them and has a really awesome signature.

Gabrielson (b. 1940) played in the majors in 1960 and from 1963 to 1970 for the Braves (Milwaukee), Cubs, Giants, Angels and Dodgers.  He had 446 hits, 37 home runs and a .253 batting average.

I mailed to Gabrielson on October 17 and got the cards back on October 24, for a 7-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jim Fairey

Some more cards were pulled from my vintage box recently to help populate some new names to send TTM to.  Jim Fairey was one of the guys I found in that box (the 1968 Topps below).  I had also found his 1973 Topps, which turned out nicely.

I was happy with how the 68 Topps turned out, as well.  I saw that Jack Billingham signs for a fee, so I will probably send this card off to him to complete.

Fairey (b. 1944) played in the majors from 1968 to 1973 for the Dodgers and Expos.  He had 180 hits, 7 home runs and a .235 batting average.

I mailed to Fairey on October 4 and got the cards back on October 17, for a 13-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Manny Mota

When I was at the Raleigh card show a few weeks ago, I made a purchase from my friend, Kurt, who specializes in lover grade vintage cards.  I love looking through his bargain bins, and usually find some nice stuff that I can drop in the mail for TTMs.  This time around, I found a couple beat up Manny Mota cards that I thought would look good when signed.  I was right.

The cards I sent were a 1967 Topps and a 1968 Topps.  I figured that someone building a set may use these as placeholders until they upgraded to better cards and then trashing these.  Instead, I got them signed and added them to a forever home in my autograph album.  The condition of the cards doesn't really matter to me like it does for some others.  They still look great.

I mailed to Mota on December 21 and got the cards back on January 11, for a 21-day TAT.

TTM Success - Darrell Brandon

Some cool vintage cards were removed from my boxes and put into my album with this TTM success from Darrell Brandon.  I had pulled Brandon's cards a while ago, and finally sent them off for signature.  The above 1968 Topps is beat up, but still looks great.

I was also happy to move a 1972 Topps and a 1973 Topps out of my boxes.  Let's go.

Brandon (b. 1940) played in the majors from 1966 to 1969 and 1971 to 1973 for the Red Sox, Pilots, Twins and Phillies.  He had a record of 28-37 with 354 strike outs and a 4.04 ERA.

I mailed to Brandon on November 19 and got the cards back on December 15, for a 26-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $5/card.