Benny Ayala Cards From Jackson

My friend, Jackson, recently went on a graphing trip to Puerto Rico recently, and came back with several signed Benny Ayala cards for me.  I cleaned out my boxes of Ayala stuff and took these 6 cards back.  The above 1981 Topps turned out great.

I got a couple old Fleer cards (1981top left; 1983 top right), an older Donruss (1984, bottom left) and a 1985 Topps buyback (bottom right).  I was really glad to get the buyback signed, since I had it in my box for a while since I pulled it out of the pack.

I also got this 1991 Crown Orioles card signed, and it turned out well, also.

Ayala (b. 1951) played in the majors in 1974, 1976 to 1977 and 1979 to 1985 for the Mets, Cardinals, Orioles and Indians.  He had 217 hits, 38 home runs and a .251 batting average.

Jackson really hooked me up with these.  I'm hoping I can send him back to Puerto Rico with some cards of other guys the next time he goes back.

Another TTM Success From Maury Wills

For a while, there was a stack of Maury Wills cards, all together, in one of my boxes.  I had gotten the cards together because Wills was one of the free signers at the 2015 National Card Show.  I ended up getting him to sign a baseball, but in the event they called wild cards on Wills, I wanted to be ready.  They never did call wild cards, and these baseball cards were dumped into a box when I got home.

Recently, I came across the cards, and pulled them so I could send TTM to Wills.  I had kept from sending them when I got my 1987 Topps signed, just in case he bypassed one card for another and leaving the possibility he wouldn't sign my 87.  So, I sent that one solo in 2018 and sent these off this year.  All of the cards came back looking great, and I am glad to add them to my album.

I mailed to Wills on May 10 and got the cards back on May 22, for a 12-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $5.00/card.

Another Meeting With Johnny Bench and Doug Flynn

The annual Hope for the Warriors golf tournament is this weekend, and tonight was the Mad Boar Block Party in Wallace, NC, where Johnny Bench and Doug Flynn come out every year to support soldiers in need.  This was my third time attending the event, and I came away with a good many signed cards, and a few more Bench baseballs.

I found the above 2021 Topps Stadium Club card at the National, having seen it on Twitter the day the set came out.  I saw it and knew that would be one of the cards I brought with me to the event.  If I got no other cards signed, I wanted this one.  It was the only Bench card in the entire box I searched through at the show, but I only needed one.  It turned out great, and I was glad I was able to get it signed.

I also got this 2020 Topps Decades' Best chrome card signed.  The signature didn't show up too well on the scan, but it definitely looks sharp.

I also got an assortment of Bench cards signed that I had been collecting as the year went on.  I pulled a ton from the boxes I got from the former LCS, and also took some from my good friend, Max.  I also got a few signed for him.  I took a consignment for my friend, Cal, and got him hooked up, as well.

Either Max, or my friend Gerard, had sent me a bunch of Doug Flynn cards a while back, and I went ahead and got all 11 of my cards signed for a donation to the cause.  Flynn is super nice, and I always am glad to chat with him at this event.

I had a lot of duplicates left over of Flynn, so I will pass them out to a few friends who have helped along the way.

The Hope for the Warriors golf tournament is every August in Wallace, so you should make plans to come out and show them some support.  They're a class group, and I have enjoyed the Mad Boar Block Party each time I have gone.

TTM Success - Luis Tiant

I saw that Luis Tiant was signing TTM, so I jumped on the chance to add more signed cards of his to my autograph album.  I had gotten Tiant at the National a couple years ago, and my buddy, Gerard sent me some signed cards a while back, as well.  Also, my friend, Drew, sent me a Tiant signed ball way back when.

So, I found two cards that Tiant hadn't signed, and sent them on their way.  The above 1981 Fleer turned out really well.  I don't have many from that set in my album, so it was nice to add this one.  The card at the top of the post is a 1974 Topps.  On both of the cards, Tiant is rocking an amazing mustache.  Can't miss it.

Tiant (b. 1940) played in the majors from 1964 to 1982 for the Indians, Twins, Red Sox, Yankees, Pirates and Angels.  He had a career record of 229-172 with 2,416 strike outs and a 3.30 ERA.  He was an All Star three times (1968, 1974 and 1976).  His best finish in the Cy Young voting was 4th (1974, AL) and in the MVP voting was 5th (1968, AL).  1968 was the year Denny McLain won the MVP and Cy young awards by posting 31 wins and a 1.96 ERA.  Tiant's 21-9 and 1.60 ERA didn't stand a chance.  Tiant was a 4-time 20-game winner (1968 - 21, 1973 - 20, 1974 - 22, ans 1976 - 21), bur he also lost 20 games when he went 9-20 in 1969.

Tiant appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot 15 times between 1988 and 2002.  His highest vote percentage was 30.9% (in 1988), leaving him well short of the required 75% to gain election to the Hall.

I mailed to Tiant on October 19 and got the cards back on November 2, for a 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - Scott McGregor

It's always good to get a former Oriole TTM, and even better if it is one who signs a lot of cards in one return.  I got a bunch of cards back from Scott McGregor, and am happy with the return.  I was able to get this 1981 Fleer that my good friend, Max, gave me a while back.  The card got a little beat up, but it still looks fine.

I also got the 1991 Crown Orioles card signed.  Again, I'm not going for the set, but...  I may be going for anything I can get out of my box.  Take that for that it's worth.

Finally, I got McGregor on (top left to right) a 1977 and 1978 Topps, and also (bottom left to right) 1980 and 1984 Topps.

McGregor (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1976 to 1988 for the Orioles.  He had a career record of 138-108 with 904 strike outs and a 3.99 ERA.  He was an All Star in 1981 and his best Cy Young finish was 6th (1980 and 1983).  He won 20 games in 1980 and won the World Series with the Orioles in 1983.  He appeared on the 1994 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to McGregor on June 4 and got the cards back on June 13, for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Kiko Garcia

I added another 1991 Crown Orioles card to my album, along with some other early 80s (and a 79) cards.  I had Kiko Garcia set aside for a while to send, but never did.  I finally got around to dong it, and am glad I finally did.

Garcia signed all of the cards in black, and they all turned out well.  The 1981 Fleer (right) came out of a lot of cards that my friend, Max, sent me several years ago.

Garcia (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1976 to 1985 for the Orioles, Astros and Phillies.  He had 351 hits, 12 home runs and a .239 batting average.

I mailed to Garcia on May 11 and got the cards back on May 21, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Bob Sykes

I added some nice early 80s cards to my album with this TTM success from Bob Sykes.  I especially liked the above 1982 Fleer, because I didn't have many in my collection.

He also signed a 1980 and 1981 Topps, but the Sharpie looks like it is dying out.  Still, the cards are fine with me, and I'm glad to have them.

Sykes (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1977 to 1981 for the Tigers and Cardinals.  He had a career record of 23-26 with 215 strike outs and a 4.65 ERA.

I mailed to Sykes on December 3 and got the cards back on February 3, for a 62-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mark Corey

After this post, I have two TTMs on my desk that need to be blogged.  I haven't sent many out this month, mainly because I have been graphing a ton in person at Wood Ducks games, and have also been busy during the week.  I haven't had a lot of time to sit down and write the necessary letters to players.  I hope to get a few out in the next week or so, just to get the clock ticking on some of them while I am off doing the various events I have planned for this month.

This TTM success from Mark Corey helped me add a former Oriole to my binder.  I also was able to add a 1981 Fleer out of a stack that my amazing friend, Max, sent to me.

I also thought it was interesting that Corey had two Topps Prospects cards.  I don't think I will be going after the other guys, though.

Corey (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1979 to 1981 for the Orioles.  He had 12 hits, 1 home run and a .211 batting average.

I mailed to Corey on May 10 and got the cards back on June 26, for a 47-day TAT.

Sox Fest Autos ad More From Max

My buddy Max recently went to the annual Fan Fest for the Chicago White Sox and picked up a bunch of autos for me.  We were operating under our normal agreement: I would search for cards that Max needed (mostly past players who would be there) and he would send me a few cards back signed for my trouble.  Max nailed it, as usual with a nice return from quite a few players.

I was really glad to see these Miguel Gonzalez cards come back.  The 2013 Topps Wal Mart blue at the top would have been fine by itself, but Max went for a mini rainbow here with the 2014 cards.  There are red hot foil, Target red and Wal Mart blue cards from 2014.  I thought this was a really cool touch from Max that he didn't have to do.  I sent him a ton of Miggy cards, though, so he had a lot to choose from.

Here are some of the other guys that Max was able to get.  I know I sent him the Willie Harris 2008 Upper Deck.  I may have also sent him the 2014 Bowman Tyler Danish.  I know I failed to find him extra Eric Soderholm cards, since I had gotten him TTM and sent out my extras to a few kids as TTM starter packs.  I also don't think I sent him the 81 Fleer Ed Farmer.  Still, I'm glad to add these cards to my album.

Max also used this opportunity to close a few minor deals.  He sent me a 2009 Topps card signed by Skip Schumacher in exchange for a 2009 Topps Geovany Soto that I had.  I went ahead and swapped those out in my album, so I didn't have the Schumacher to show.  I also sent him a 1988 Topps Traded Vance Law that I recently got TTM for this 1989 Topps.  Since the 88 Traded wasn't a true Topps base, I was completely fine with swapping it out for the 89.

Max also included a few Orioles cards.  Most notably, Max filled a team bag full of 1981 Fleer Orioles.  There are a few duplicates in the bag, so a few may be sent out as TTMs shortly.

He also included these two 2016 Topps Update Matt Wieters cards.  Funny how his appearance changed so dramatically between the two cards (spoiler alert, that isn't Wieters in the top card).

So, thank you so much, as always, Max!  I loved the package!

TTM Success - Gary Lucas

I received a TTM success from former pitcher Gary Lucas on a couple 80s cards.  They both turned out great, and I also got an additional 1987 Topps that I sent along.  The 1981 Fleer looks pretty nice.  That wasn't the best set in the world, but the card lends itself to a nice auto.

Lucas (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1980 to 1987 for the Padres, Expos and Angels.  He had a career record of 29-44 with 410 strike outs and an ERA of 3.01.

I mailed to Lucas on February 22 and got the cards back on December 16, for a 298-day TAT.  This is the longest wait I've had so far.

TTM Success - Doug DeCinces

For a $10.00 check, I was able to add quite a few signed cards as a TTM from former Oriole, Doug DeCinces.  Known as the guy who replaced Brooks Robinson at 3rd base for the Orioles, DeCinces had a pretty good career.  This 1979 Hostess card came from one of my first deals with my good friend, Max.  I'm glad to be able to still be getting some of these signed.

I also added several of DeCinces's Topps issues.  They all turned out great, I think!

This 1981 Fleer was a nice one to get signed.  It might not be the greatest set, but the cards do look nice when signed.  Funny thing, though, DeCinces never won a Gold Glove Award.

Finally, this 1988 Topps really turned out great.  The blue sharpie even fits with the blue sub border and name banner of the card.  I was really happy with this one, even though he wasn't an Oriole on this card.

DeCinces (b. 1950) played in the majors from 1973 to 1987 for the Orioles, Angels and Cardinals.  He had 1,505 hits, 237 home runs and a .259 batting average.  He finished as high as 3rd in the AL MVP voting (1982, his first season with the Angels) and was an All Star in 1983.  He appeared on the 1993 Hall of Fame ballot and received 0.5% of the vote.

I mailed the cards to DeCinces on November 7 and got the cards back on November 17, for a 10-day TAT.  He signs for a fee, and I felt like $10.00 for 7 cards was not bad at all.

June 23, 2012 Trip to The Card Shop

My son and I went to the Kinston card shop today, mainly because it had been since April since I had been there and I thought I'd see if he had anything new.  I was able to find some good stuff for myself and some of my friends (Andrew, Drew, Scott, Nick, Dustin).  One of the best cards I found, for a mere 5 bucks, was this Jason Hammel 2005 Leaf Limited auto.

Hammel is having an awesome season so far, and to be able to add this sweet auto was really nice today.  I didn't even realize until I got home and was showing it to Andrew on Skype that the card is numbered 1/50.  Very nice!

I found this 1981 Fleer Jim Palmer in the 50 cent box.  The card is off center, but I don't care.  It is a Palmer that I didn't have, so I grabbed it.

I really liked this 2008 Donruss Threads Joe Jackson.  You don't see Shoeless Joe card a whole lot, so I picked this one up, especially since I am reading Eight Men Out right now.

The fellow who runs the shop gave me 2 copies of this Frank Robinson Home Run Heroes card.  I had hoped it would be Frank in an Orioles uniform, but oh well.  It is still a Frank card, and I'll take it.  Plus it was free.

Finally, I added this 2012 Topps Tribute Eddie Murray that is numbered out of 199; I believe it is the blue parallel.  Just a nice card.  I always enjoy Topps Tribute, so I had to grab this Murray when I saw it.

I hope you all enjoyed seeing these cards.  The shop has a nice bit of relics and autos fairly cheap.  I have packages ready to mail Dustin, Nick, Andrew and Cam, so you guys will have those headed your way on Monday.  Tomorrow, I hope to post about a trip to see the Mudcats play the Keys, weather permitting.