TTM Success - Shane Reynolds

If someone were to go back and look at all of my posts about TTM successes, one common statement comes out in most of the posts.  I usually talk about how great the cards came out and how happy I am with the TTM success,  Well, due to a near-dead Sharpie, these cards that came back from Shane Reynolds look like crap.

I had some really cool late 90s cards that I haven't gotten many of in my album, and I was really excited to try to get them back signed.  Add in the long wait time for these, and this was just a dud.

The cards are still going into my album, but I really wish he had used a better Sharpie.  Not much I can do about it now.

Reynolds (b. 1968) played in the majors from 1992 to 2004 for the Astros, Braves and Diamondbacks.  He had a career record of 114-96 with 1,403 strike outs and a 4.09 ERA.  He was an All Star in 2000 and finished a career-best 9th in the NL Cy Young race in 1996.  He appeared on the 2010 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to Reynolds on September 14, 2017, and got the cards back on May 28, 2019, for a 621-day TAT.  He also kept two of my cards.

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.

TTM Success - Brett Butler

I got a bunch of great 90s cards in this TTM success from Brett Butler.  The above 1998 Score is one of the best horizontal shots that I have been able to get TTM, and I am really happy about it.  I don't recall opening up very many packs of 1998 Score, but the more I see cards from that set, the more I appreciate it.

The 1995 Finest turned out really nice, even though it didn't scan all that well.  I'm also loving the Zach Morris phone in the 1997 Donruss.  I also believe this is my first Upper Deck Fun Pack card that I have been able to get signed.  Finally, the 1988 Topps Traded is one of the best of Butler's line of Topps cards.

I also got a 1982 Topps card showing the Braves Future Stars signed.  I don't know if I will go for the other two guys, but I do believe Bedrosian signs, so I may give it a shot.

Butler (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1981 to 1997 for the Braves, Indians, Giants, Dodgers and Mets.  He had 2,375 hits, 54 home runs and a .290 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1991 and received MVP votes in six seasons (finishing as high as 7th in 1991).  Butler appeared on the 2003 Hall of Fame ballot and received 0.4% of the vote.  His 558 career stolen bases rank 25th all-time.

I mailed to Butler on November 8 and got the cards back on January 13, for a 66-day TAT.

TTM Success - Orlando Merced

While I'm disappointed in how this card scanned, I am really happy about this TTM success from Orlando Merced.  I sent off some really nice mid-90s cards, and all of them came back looking really great.  The above card looks so much better in person; you'll have to take my word for it.  This is a 1997 Donruss Press Proof.  While not serial numbered, the back does say that the card is 1 of 2000.  The auto shows up really nice on it, I think,

Stadium Club cards always look great when signed.  This borderless, horizontal 1995 Stadium Club is such a sharp card.  It just begged for an auto.  I am so glad I sent this one out.

Here is a card that could have made an appearance on the Topps Autograph Page.  Speaking of, I didn't realize that the page wasn't showing up in the tabs last night.  That has been corrected and hopefully you all can see it now.  Please remember to take a look!

Finally, here are a couple more nice mid-90s cards.  The left one is a 96 Studio, which I believe is the first from that set that I have been able to get signed.  The card on the right is a 1996 Flair.  Flair cards always look awesome when signed, and this one is no different.

Merced (b. 1966) played in the majors from 1990 to 1999 and 2001 to 2003 for the Pirates, Blue Jays, Twins, Red Sox, Cubs, Expos and Astros.  He had 1,108 hits, 103 home runs and a batting average of .277 across his MLB career.  He finished 2nd to Jeff Bagwell in the 1991 NL Rookie of the Year voting.

I mailed to Merced on October 24 and got the cards back on December 6 for a 43-day TAT.