2025 National Free Signer - Dwight Gooden

For the second year in a row, Dwight Gooden was one of the free VIP signers at this year's National.  I still had cards pulled from last year and brought them with me to the show.  I only used one of those cards, as Jesse and I found some nice Goodens in some bargain boxes.

Something cool was that we found a set of 1985 Renata Galasso cards. I grabbed the above card that I thought looked cool.  Jesse found a great one that had Gooden's first grade picture on it.  It got Gooden to stop signing and admired the card.  His wife even took a photo of it.

I also found the (left) 1991 Fleer ProVisions card in a box; that card had to get added to the album.  The card on the right was the only one that I brought from home.

Gooden was awesome, as always.  Im glad he came to the show forward second time.

TTM Success - Mike Simms

Here are some quintessential early 90s cards that were added to the autograph album by way of a TTM success from Mike Simms.  The above 1991 Fleer looks great signed.

I also got back a 1991 Topps, 1992 Topps, 1992 Upper Deck and a 1991 Score.

Simms (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1990 to 1992 and 1994 to 1999 for the Astros and Rangers.  He had 163 hits, 36 home runs and a .247 batting average. 

I mailed to Simms on March 12, 2024, and got the cards back on April 14, 2025, for a 398-day TAT.

Latest Stacks of Autos From Gerard

My friend Gerard has sent me a few packages of signed cards lately.  I combined them so I could try to catch up a bit on posts.  He went to the Cape Cod League over the last few weeks and got a few cards signed for me.  He told me in advance that he would see Rintaro Sasaki, so I bought two Leaf Metal cards and sent them along.  I got this numbered one back signed, and Gerard kept the base card.  It helped him have some stuff to take with him to the games and it got me a sweet card for the autograph album. 

Gerard added some Jarrod Saltalamacchia cards to the album, along with some Dennis Cook cards.  The Team USA cards also are great.  I finally added some 2025 Stars and Stripes to the album with a Derrick Smith and Alex Sosa.  The Matthew Dallas came from a pair of cards that I had prepped for graphing early in the Bird Dawgs season for one of their opponents only to find out that was the wrong Matthew Dallas.

Gerard finished off all of the Jake Sanford cards that I had.  

Not to mention, he finished off all of the Saltalamacchia cards, as well.  As far as I know, at least.  He also made a deal with someone to get Mason McCoy to sign the above 2024 Topps Update that I started when I got Chandler Seagle earlier in the year.

He took some Carolina Mudcats cards from me when we met up in Durham a month or so ago.  He got Chandler Welch and Luis Pena for me.

Finally, Gerard had this beat up 2012 Topps Allen Craig that he had gotten signed.  He gave it to me for the album, probably because I sent him so many Craig cards over the years.  Who knows why it is so beat up.

Thanks for the autographs, Gerard!

TTM Success - Brian Meyer

This TTM success from former pitcher Brian Meyer was very colorful.  I got back a signed 1991 Fleer (above) and a 1990 Topps (below).  Both of the cards are way beyond the normal white-bordered Topps cards.  Ive had people tell me that the 1991 Fleer set is hideous.  I respectfully disagree; I kind of like the set.  They also look good when signed.

This 1990 Topps also looks nice.  This set is reminiscent of the funky colored 1972, 1975 or 2015 Topps.  Sometimes it's a good change to switch from the plain white borders.

Meyer (b. 1963) played in the majors from 1988 to 1990 for the Astros.  He had a record of 0-5 with 29 strike outs and a 2.84 ERA.

I mailed to Meyer on November 21 and got the cards back on December 3 for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Rick Parker

Another very dry week of TTM returns dod see me get one, this success from Rick Parker that was sent out last year.  I got some early 90s stuff signed, which helped get some stuff out of the boxes.

I sent off a 1991 Fleer (top), 1990 Topps Traded (left), 1991 Topps (middle) and a 1992 Topps Stadium Club.

Parker (b. 1963) played in the majors from1990 to 1991 and 1993 to 1996 for the Giants, Astros, Mets and Dodgers.  He had 55 hits, 2 home runs and a  .279 batting average.

I mailed to Parker on November 27 and got the cards back on May 21, for a 176-day TAT.

TTM Success - Greg Litton

A bunch of Junk Wax era goodies came back when I received this TTM success from Greg Litton.  Cards like the above 1990 Donruss were signed and added to the autograph album. 

Litton has a really nice signature and it showed up well on everything that came back.  I got a couple Topps cards signed (1991 and 1992), a 1991 Donruss and a 1991 Fleer.

Litton (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1989 to 1994 for the Giants, Mariners and Red Sox.  He had 195 hits, 13 home runs and a .241 batting average. 

I mailed to Litton on October 17 and got the cards back on December 29, for a 73-day TAT. This was the last TTM that I got in during 2023.

TTM Success - Clay Parker

A few more early 90s cards were added to the autograph album when I received this TTM success from Clay Parker.  The above 1990 Topps turned out nicely.

I also got a 1991 Donruss, 1991 Fleer and a 1991 Topps signed by Parker. 

Parker (b. 1962) played in the majors in 1987, from 1989 to 1990 and 1992 for the Mariners, Yankees and Tigers.  He had a record of 7-10 with 121 strike outs and a 4.42 ERA.

I mailed to Parker on November 2 and got the cards back on December 23, for a 51-day TAT.

TTM Success - Gary Mielke

Here are a few early 90s cards that came back signed TTM from Gary Mielke.  The above 1991 Fleer turned out nicely.  I know there are a ton of people who abhor this design, but I don't mind it.  It is easy to read, easy to spot in a box or on a card show table, and the cards come out looking great when signed.

I also got a 1990 Topps and a 1991 Topps signed in the same TTM request from Mielke.  Both of these turned out nicely, as well.

Mielke (b. 1963) played in the majors in 1987, 1989 and 1990 for the Rangers.  He had a record of 1-3 with 42 strike outs and a 3.56 ERA.

I mailed to Mielke on November 7 and got the cards back on December 6, for a 29-day TAT.

2022 National Free Signer - Mickey Morandini

Mickey Morandini was another of the free VIP signers at this year's National.  Like most of the others, he was someone that I had gotten in the past via TTM.  I also think I had sent my friend, Max, some of Morandini's cards, but I still had plenty that I was able to use for the National.

Morandini was announced as one of the VIP signers for the 2020 National that was canceled due to COVID.  So, I had most of these cards already put aside.  Thankfully, I found them quickly, and was able to be prepared for the show.  I had a lot of his vouchers, so I got a 1991 Fleer, 1991 Donruss, 1993 Triple Play, 1997 Pacific, 2000 Topps and a 1991 Studio signed.

All of the cards turned out great.  I used to have a friend who was working on the 1991 Studio set, but he took off, so I will just file this away in my album.  I like the set, but am definitely not going to try to complete it.  I have enough going on.

2021 National Free Signer - Brian McRae

Brian McRae was one of the few free signers at the National this year who I hadn't gotten TTM, or at past Nationals.  He was pretty nice, and I had to ask him about his dad, Hal McRae.  I have needed Hal for my 87 set, but have struck out so far.  Brian said his dad doesn't sign much, and I left it at that.

The above 1993 Stadium Club turned out great.  When I had only one voucher, this was the card that I absolutely wanted to get signed.  It turned out really well, and I was able to find a few more vouchers, so I got some other cards signed as well.

I believe I am out of McRae cards in my boxes, now that I got all of these done.  I could be (and probably am) wrong, however.  He signed a 1991 Fleer, 1992 Pinnacle, 1991 Upper Deck and a 1992 Donruss.

Finally, I got this 1995 Leaf signed.  These cards were some of my favorites to open in the parking lot of the card shop back then with my mom.  They turn out really well when signed, and the set had some really great inserts.  The only drawback was that they, like most 90s cards, were over-glossed and tend to stick together and become bricked after a while.  Don't store your cards in an attic, boys and girls.

McRae (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1990 to 1999 for the Royals, Cubs, Mets, Rockies and Blue Jays.  He had 1,336 hits, 103 home runs and a .261 batting average.

2021 National Free Signer - Jack Clark

Jack Clark was another of the free signers, and another guy who I had already gotten through a paid signing for my 1987 set.  So, I selected a variety of cards to get him to sign, starting with the above 1992 Topps.  I had this card set aside for a while, since it was the next on my list of his cards that I wanted to add to my album.  1992 Topps has some really nice shots in the set, and this one is right at the top of them, I believe.

I also had Clark sign his 1988 Topps, 1989 Score and 1991 Fleer.  The card slid a bit on my scanner, so it turned out a bit crooked.

Clark was really nice, and when I mentioned to him that my dad drag raced for over 40 years (Clark, a former drag racer, himself), and when I told him who my dad is, Clark asked me to get Dad's autograph for him.  That was really cool, especially since Clark gave me his phone number to do so.

TTM Success - Mark Knudson

Here are some nice 90s cards that I got signed TTM from Mark Knudson.  The above 1991 Fleer turned out really well, as they always do.

I also got a 1988 Donruss, 1990 Topps and 1991 Topps signed by Knudson.  All of them look great.

Knudson (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1985 to 1991 and 1993 for the Astros, Brewers and Rockies.  He had a record of 24-29 with 195 strike outs and a 4.72 ERA.

I mailed to Knudson on November 30 and got the cards back on January 2, for a 33-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mike Huff

I got some 90s Junk Wax Era stuff out of my boxes and into my autograph album with this TTM success from Mike Huff.

I have no idea where I got the above 1991 Score Traded Huff, but it is a nice card, and the odd cards are always nice to see in my albums.

Huff also signed a 1991 Fleer, 1992 Topps, 1995 Donruss and a 1995 Ultra.  All of the cards turned out great.

Huff (b. 1963) played in the majors in 1989 and from 1991 to 1996 for the Dodgers, Indians, White Sox and Blue Jays.  He had 198 hits, 9 home runs and a .247 batting average.

I mailed to Huff on October 22 and got the cards back on November 2, for an 11-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Jose Canseco

I took a shot recently at sending to Jose Canseco with a little money, hoping to get a couple cards back signed, as opposed to paying the usual fee through private signings (which he does a ton of).  The test was a success, as I came away with the above signed 1991 Fleer and the below signed 1997 Topps Stars.

A lot of people hate the 1991 Fleer set.  I liked it when it came out, and I still like it today.  It is easy to spot in a box, and it is easily recognized.  The card stock is also nice, a bit above par of some of the other early 90s stuff.  The cards look sharp when signed, and really nice when scanned.

I like these Topps Stars cards, as well.  They were in a 5,000-count box that Mom got me a while back.  These are really nice cards, as well, and look pretty cool when signed.

I mailed to Canseco on July 15 and got the cards back on October 9, for an 86-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $5.00.

TTM Success - Paul Mirabella

I added some nice cards to my autograph album with this TTM success from Paul Mirabella.  I might be the only person on the planet who likes the 1991 Fleer design, but it looks really nice when signed.  Additionally, Mirabella has a nice signature, which really pops on this card.

Both of these Topps cards (1982 and 1989) really turned out nicely.

Mirabella (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1978 to 1990 for the Rangers, Yankees, Blue Jays, Orioles, Mariners and Brewers.  He had a career record of 19-29 with 258 strike outs and a 4.45 ERA.

I mailed to Mirabella on March 12 and got the cards back on March 19, for a 7-day TAT.

Gerard With Some Nice Autos

I got a nice package in the other day from my good friend, Gerard.  In it, he included this signed 1987 Topps Jesse Orosco for my 1987 set.  I missed out on Orosco when he did a private signing a few months ago, but Gerard came through in the clutch and picked this MLB authenticated one up for me.

He also got a couple Sam Horn cards signed for me when Horn was doing a signing.  It was reallt nice of Gerard to hook me up like this!  Thanks so much!

TTM Success - Erik Hanson

Some 90s cards got signed during this TTM success from former pitcher, Erik Hanson.  I had a ton of his cards, and narrowed it down to just three, and ended up with some pretty nice autos.

I had a ton of 1991 Fleer in a box in a closet.  They were unopened packs from back then, and I figured I would go ahead and open them.  They look really nice when signed.  I know a lot of people who don't like the yellow borders, but they really aren't that bad.

I also got a 1996 Topps and a 1994 Upper Deck Electric Diamond signed.

Hanson (b. 1965) played in the majors from 1988 to 1998 for the Mariners, Reds, Red Sox and Blue Jays.  He had a record of 89-84 with 1,175 strike outs and a 4.15 ERA.  He was an All Star in 1995.

I mailed to Hanson on October 3 and got the cards back on November 14, for a 42-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Ron Kittle

When I sent a TTM request to Ron Kittle back in April of 2016, I wasn't working on the 1987 Topps set.  So, I had to send to him again.  I got my 1987 Topps signed, and also another card that I wanted to add to my album.

I had to dig for this 1991 Fleer, but I was able to get Kittle on an Orioles card.  I hadn't seen another Orioles Kittle, so this one it pretty cool.  I am also one of the rare people who like the 1991 Fleer set.  I love the color, and also the lettering and black lines.  To me, it is just a sharp set.  Some folks don't care for the yellow.

I sent to Kittle on October 10 and got the cards back on October 27, for a 17-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mark Eichhorn

Just plugging along, getting my TTM success posted and here is a success from a former Oriole.  I got 6 cards back from Mark Eichhorn.  I added yet another 1987 to the album with the card, here.

I sent off two other Topps cards, this 1992 and 1995.  I didn't have but two cards of Eichhorn as an Oriole, and the 1995 was the only Topps year that I had.  I have a ton of 1995s to send out, still.  It really helped that I had those sorted by number and was able to pull out everyone who signed TTM.

I kind of neglect Fleer, even though I talked about how much I liked some of their sets the other day.  The 1991 Fleer cards always look nice when signed.  I don't believe I have gotten very many 1990s signed, though.  I don't keep track of any other brand but Topps base, so who knows.  I may count up everything someday, but that won't be today.

Finally, here is a 1995 Score showing Eichhorn in an O's jersey.  I've said before that I really like this set, and I was really happy with how this card turned out.

Eichhorn (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1982, 1986 to 1994 and 1996 for the Blue Jays, Braves, Angels and Orioles.  He had a career record of 48-43 with 640 strike outs and a 3.00 ERA.  He won the World Series with the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993.

I mailed to Eichhorn on November 14 and got the cards back on February 10, for an 88-day TAT.

TTM Success - Carlos Garcia

I was able to get a few really cool cards signed recently from former second baseman, Carlos Garcia.  This 1995 Score turned out really nice, I think.  I always liked this set, and at one point, tried to complete it.  This is one of those over-glossed sets, though, that tend to stick together.  I wish there was a way to fix this problem, but I don't think this exists.

I also added these three 90s cards.  I always enjoy the 1991 Fleer set.  The bright yellow of the set is very different than most sets out there, still.  Some folks don't like it, but I always have.  Of course, I like the 1990 Donruss set as well.  The middle card is a 1996 Fleer, which was made with autograph hunters in mind.  The rough finish makes it a pain to leaf through the cards, but they really look cool signed.  Finally, the card on the right is a 1997 Donruss.  I don't recall opening any packs of this when it came out.  The only versions I have are from bulk card finds and purchases.  Still, the design is nice, and the signed card looks good.

Garcia (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1990 to 1999 for the Pirates, Blue Jays, Angels and Padres.  He had 580 hits, 33 home runs and a .266 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1994 while with the Pirates.

I mailed to Garcia on November 7 and got the cards back on January 26, for an 80-day TAT.