TTM Success - Jake Westbrook

One of my longest TTM turn-around times happened recently when I got this lot of cards back signed by Jake Westbrook.  I had sent the cards out in 2020, and finally got them all back signed this past August.  A five-year turn.  I never give up on my TTMs, but at some point, you have to be realistic that some of that old stuff isn't coming back.  I was able to cross Jake Westbrook off of the ledger, and that was a great feeling.

I sent an assortment of Topps cards, from 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011.  On top of that (and this post), I also sent a 2008 Upper Deck.

All of the cards turned out great.  I was surprised that he signed all of the cards.  I try not to send that many these days, if I can help it.  Still, he signed them all and I'm glad.

Westbrook (b. 1977) played in the majors from 2000 to 2008 and 2010 to 2013 for the Yankees, Indians and Cardinals.  He had a career record of 105-103 with 965 strike outs and a 4.32 ERA.  He was an All Star in 2004.  He won the World Series with the Cardinals in 2011.

I mailed to Westbrook on June 5, 2020, and got the cards back on August 12, 2025, for a 1,894-day TAT.

TTM Success - Lenny DiNardo

My friend Michael hosted a private signing with former pitcher, Lenny DiNardo recently.  I sent a couple cards that I had and Michael threw in the above Upper Deck Team USA.  This was a really nice card that I definitely wouldn't have been able to pull from the boxes.

I'm pretty sure both of these were mine, though.  Left is a 2002 Topps and right is a 2008 Topps.

DiNardo (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2004 to 2009 for the Red Sox, A's and Royals.  He had a record of 10-18, 132 strike outs and a 5.36 ERA.

I mailed to the signing on February 22 and got the cards back on April 5 for a 42-day TAT.

TTM Success - Kason Gabbard

Here are a couple late 2000s cards that came back signed TTM from Kason Gabbard.  Above is a 2008 Topps and below is a 2006 Topps Update.

I thought I had more of Gabbard's cards, but these two were the only ones I was able to find.

Gabbard (b. 1982) played in the majors from 2006 to 2008 for the Red Sox and Rangers.  He had a record of 9-7 with 103 strike outs and a 4.53 ERA.

I mailed to Gabbard on October 30 and got the cards back on November 29 for a 30-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Kyle Davies

Several Topps cards came back signed TTM from former pitcher, Kyle Davies.  I don't have a lot of 2009 Topps in the autograph album, so i was glad to get this one in there.

He also signed a 2004, 2008 and 2010 Topps.  All of the cards look great.  They had sat in the to-be-TTMed box for some time, and I finally got some mailed out.

Davies (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2005 to 2011 and 2015 for the Braves, Royals and Yankees.  He had a record of 43-65 with 547 strike outs and a 5.57 ERA.

I mailed to Davies on September 28 and got the cards back on October 10, for a 12-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Travis Buck

My friend Ryan gave me some cool Travis Buck cards to send to him TTM.  These aren't those cards.  Buck kept the two 2007 Topps Chrome refractor (a black and a white) cards that I sent, and sent me back this 2005 Bowman Chrome and the below 2008 Topps.

I'm still glad it got something back; it just would have been nice to add those two refractors to the album. 

I mailed to Buck previously in 2021.  This TTM request was sent on August 24 and got the cards back on September 9, for a 16-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Ross Detwiler

Mail continues to be slow lately, with no TTMs coming in so far this week.  One of the few I have left to discuss until more come in was this TTM success from Ross Detwiler via a private signing on SCN. I found his cards easily, and signed up to get 4 of them done.  The above 2008 Upper Deck First Edition turned out nicely.

I also got a 2007 Tristar Prospects Plus, 2008 Topps gold and 2008 Topps signed during the signing.  They all turned out great.

Detwiler (b. 1986) played in the majors in 2007, from 2009 to  2016 and from 2018 to 2022 for the Nationals, Rangers, Braves, Indians, A's, Mariners, White Sox, Marlins, Padres and Reds.  He had a record of 30-51 with 505 strike outs and a 4.56 ERA.

I mailed to the signing on April 25 and got the cards back on May 29, for a 34-day TAT. I paid a fee of $30.00.

TTM Success - Kameron Loe

A signed 2008 Topps came in TTM yesterday when I got this card back from Kameron Loe.  He has an interesting signature, and it is very similar to the facsimile signature on the card.  It has been a while since Topps but the fake signature on cards, and that's fine with me.

Loe (b. 1981) played in the majors from 2004 to 2008 and 2010 to 2013 for the Rangers, Brewers, Mariners, Cubs and Braves.  He had a record of 34-43 with 357 strike outs and a 4.49.ERA.  I mailed to Loe on January 24 and got the card back on March 11, for a 47-day TAT.

TTM Success - Scott Moore

A former Oriole from their dark days was added to the autograph album when I got this 2008 Topps of Scott Moore back signed TTM.  I had seen that he was signing recently, so I pulled this card and sent it out.  There aren't a whole lot of 2008 Topps in the album, so u was glad to add this one.

Moore (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2006 to 2008, 2010 and 2012 for the Cubs, Orioles and Astros.  He had 93 hits, 16 home runs and a .242 batting average. 

I mailed to Moore on January 6 and got the card back on February 20, for a 45-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ryan Braun

This TTM success from Ryan Braun was a bit of a surprise.  I had seen that he had signed for some folks, but it always seems like I send too those types of guys too late and never get my stuff back.  I found this cool 2008 Topps player propaganda posters card and sent it on. The card looks really cool.

Braun (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2007 to 2020 for the Brewers.  He had 1,963 hits, 352 home runs and a .296 batting average.  He was a 6-time All Star (2008 to 2012 and 2015).  He led the NL in hits in 2009 and led the NL in runs and homers in 2012.  He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2007 and NL MVP in 2011. His career went off the rails when he failed a testosterone test and suspension in 2011 and his connection to Biogenesis that resulted in another suspension.

While he will likely never get into the Hall of Fame, he did receive a spot on the Brewers Wall of Honor.

I mailed to Braun on October 9 and got the card back on October 23, for a 14-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Bobby Jenks

This TTM success from Bobby Jenks took some time to come in, but I was glad when it finally did.  I got the above 2008 Topps signed, which turned out well.  Even though the signature doesn't match how he signed the card.  I imagine his signature changed over the years.

I also got a 2007 Topps Update, 2007 Upper Deck, 2006 Allen and Ginter, and a 2010 Allen and Ginter signed by Jenks.

Jenks (b. 1981) played in the majors from 2005 to 2011 for the White Sox and Red Sox.  He had a record of 16-20 with 351 strike outs and a 3.53 ERA.  He also had 173 career saves.  He was an All Star in 2006 and 2007 and won the World Series with the White Sox in 2005.

I mailed to Jenks on May 13, 2021, and got the cards back on February 13, 2023, for a 641-day TAT.

Some Signed Cards From CJ

This past season, I took some cards for 50/50s from CJ from Instagram, but I never sent him anything for him to get done for me.  I think I just plain missed his message saying what teams he could take, and got into my groove of graphing and forgot to double check.  Still, I got his stuff done, and also sent him a nice stack of pocket schedules, which he collects.  In return, he sent me a blind package of some autos that were nice additions to my album.

The above 2016 Bowman signed by Jacob Heward takes care of a card that I have seen a lot in my box, but haven't gotten signed.  I missed Heyward when he was at Richmond, and haven't been back.  I'm glad I got one in my album now, though.

I already had a 2020 Topps Heritage Minors Hudson Potts sent to me by Gerard, but I was happy to get another, nonetheless.  CJ also sent me a 2021 Heritage Minors of Potts, along with a Cole Henry.  The other 2020 Heritage Minors were Brenton Doyle and Parker Meadows.  He also sent a 2020 Pro Debut of Matt Gorski.

CJ also hooked me up with a few signed Bowman; a 2018 Bowman Adam Wolf, 2015 Bowman Chrome Jantzen Witte, 2019 Bowman Will Robertson and a 2019 Bowman Aaron Schunk 

CJ also sent this 2008 Topps signed by Dave Bush that I didn't have in my collection. I had a 2007 from Gerard.

Thank for the cards CJ. I appreciate the package.

Some Signed Cards From Jackson T.

My friend, Jackson T., sent me a nice care package recently that had some really nice autos in it.  Jackson often hooks me up with some nice stuff, but I wasn't expecting Joe Maddon to be included.  I knew he had a signing with Maddon recently, but I definitely wasn't expecting the above 2008 Topps, or the 2007 Topps below.

Jackson is going to help me add a few nice cards to my 1987 set, once he gets the signings lined up.  I provide cards for him here and there, and every now and then, I get some bonus cards back.

I did send Jackson a few Willie Montanez cards.  He sent me back the above 1975 SSPC and 1978 Topps.

Finally, here are a 1997 Pinnacle Ed Sprague and a 2004 Just Minors David DeJesus.

Thanks so much for the cards, Jackson!

TTM Success - Jason Varitek

This TTM success came as a surprise, but I was really happy to get it.  The above 2020 Topps Stadium Club that I got back signed by Jason Varitek really turned out great.  Stadium Club has some awesome shots, and this one is one of my favorites.

I also got the 2008 Topps Postseason Highlights card showing the Red Sox winning the 2007 World Series signed.  I should have sent the SP with Rudy Giuliani in, but I wasn't able to locate the one I have.  I have since found it (because I wasn't looking for it).

Varitek (b. 1972) played in the majors from 1997 to 2011 for the Red Sox.  He had 1,307 hits, 193 home runs and a .256 batting average.  He was a three-time All Star (2003, 2005 and 2008).  He won the Gold Glove Award in 2005, along with a Silver Slugger Award.  His best MVP finish was 21st in 2005.  He won the World Series with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007.  He is also the only catcher to catch 4 no hitters.  He appeared on the 2017 Hall of Fame ballot, but received only 0.5% of the vote.

I mailed to Varitek via the Red Sox on March 30, 2021, and got the cards back on January 24, 2022, for a 300-day TAT.

TTM Success - Billy Butler

This return took a long time, but was well worth it.  I had a ton of Billy Butler cards, and took a shot at getting a few of them signed, and it paid off.  The above 2010 Topps National Chicle turned out really well.  I like these cards, and have now gotten a few of them signed.  The Sharpie he used seems to have been dying, but this card turned out ok.

Some of the other cards turned out better than others, solely based on the Sharpie.  Still, I was glad to get the cards back signed after waiting for so long.

Butler (b. 1986) played in the majors from 2007 to 2016 for the Royals, A's and Yankees.  He had 1,479 hits, 147 home runs and a .290 batting average.  He was an All Star and Silver Slugger Award winner in 2012.  

I mailed to Butler on March 26, 2020, and got the cards back on October 25, 2021, for a 578-day TAT.

TTM Success - Grady Sizemore

So, this 2008 Topps Chrome Trading Card History card of Grady Sizemore looks awesome in person.  Take my word for it.  The card didn't scan all that well.  I was really glad when I saw that Sizemore had signed on with Pastpros.  I had always liked him and knew this was the card I was going to send in.

Sizemore (b. 1982) played in the majors from 2004 to 2011 and 2014 to 2015 for the Indians, Red Sox, Phillies and Rays.  He had 1,098 hits, 150 home runs and a .265 batting average.  He was a three-time All Star (2006, 2007 and 2008), two-time Gold Glove Award winner (2007 and 2008) and a Silver Slugger Award winner (2008).  His best MVP finish was 10th (2008).

I mailed to Sizemore via Pastpros on March 18 and got the card back on April 9, for a 22-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $34.05.

Signed Aramis Ramirez Cards From Max

My good friend, Max, helped with a private signing with Aramis Ramirez where I sent him a ton of cards.  Max sent me a few back signed, and they all look great.  The above 1998 Topps New Breed was the one that I really wanted back, and it looks amazing.  I vaguely remembered I had it, and was so glad to find it when Max asked for Ramirez.  That made the whole thing worthwhile.  I am so glad he asked me for the help with the signing.

I really enjoy when Max asks me to look for certain players.  I am able to clear out some room in my boxes and help him with his signings.  Sometimes, I throw some money his way, as well, in order to see some of the cards come back signed and add them to my albums.  Ramirez isn't someone I'd come in contact with, so I definitely wanted to get a few cards back.

Ramirez (b. 1978) played in the majors from 1998 to 2015 for the Pirates, Cubs and Brewers.  He had 2,303 hits, 386 home runs and a .283 batting average.  He was an All Star 3 times (2005, 2008 and 2013).  He won the Silver Slugger Award in 2011.  His best finish in the MVP race was 9th (NL) in 2012.

Thanks for the signed cards and the huge box of other stuff you sent my way, Max!

TTM Success - Greg Dobbs

I got some nice cards back signd from Greg Dobbs recently.  The above 2008 Topps was a good choice, and turned out well.  This probably isn't Topps's best effort, but the design is clean, and I like how they did the team names in alternating bubbles at the top.  The border is pretty restrictive on the photo, though.

This is a 2013 Topps mini.  I like getting these signed and out of my box.  They were able to be had cheaply back then, and I bought a couple boxes to bust with my buddy, Andrew.  I got rid of most of the base cards, but still have a small handful in my 2013 Topps box.

I really like this 2011 Topps update of Dobbs.  For some reason, I have always liked the infield dirt shown on cards.  This one just looks cool, and looks even better now that it is signed.

Dobbs (b. 1978) played in the majors from 2004 to 2014 for the Mariners, Phillies, Marlins and Nationals.  He had 548 hits, 46 home runs and a .261 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Phillies in 2008.

I mailed to Dobbs on November 16 and got the cards back on December 7, for a 21-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jamey Carroll

I was able to get a few cards signed TTM recently by Jamey Carroll.  The above 2008 Topps turned out well, and is nice because I still don't have as many signed 2008s compared to some other years of Topps.

Carroll also signed a 2012 Topps Update gold parallel, and a 2012 Topps.  Both of these look great, and the landscape orientation lends to a better autograph, in my opinion.  Carroll also inscribed each card with his respective uniform number shown on each card.

Carroll (b. 1974) played in the majors from 2002 to 2013 for the Expos, Nationals, Rockies, Indians, Dodgers, Twins and Royals.  He had 1,000 hits, 13 home runs and a .272 batting average.

I mailed to Carroll on July 31 and got the cards back on November 6, for a 98-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tim Redding

Here are some early 2000s Bowmans and a 2008 Topps that I was able to get signed TTM by Tim Redding.  The above 2002 Bowman turned out nicely.  These are some pretty cool cards that I never got many of back then.  I have a small bit of them now, thanks to the stuff that I have picked up recently from the LCS.

Redding's 2000 Bowman and his 2008 Topps both turned out well, also.

Redding (b. 1978) played in the majors from 2001 to 2005 and 2007 to 2009 for the Astros, Padres, Yankees, Nationals and Mets.  He had a career record of 37-57 with 552 strike outs and a 4.95 ERA.

I mailed to Redding on September 1 and got the cards back on September 11, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dave Weathers

I had put these cards away after not seeing any successes from Dave Weathers for a while.  I found the cards again when I was going through a box, and checked to see if he had started signing again.  He was, so I sent these cards off.

The above 1995 Topps is a really good shot, and I was glad to get it signed.

I also got a 1994 Upper Deck, 1995 Fleer and 2008 Topps signed.

Weathers (b. 1969) played in the majors from 1991 to 2009 for the Blue Jays, Marlins, Yankees, Indians, Reds, Brewers, Cubs, Mets and Astros.  He had a career record of 73-88 with 976 strike outs and a 4.25 ERA.  He won the World Series with the Yankees in 1996.

I mailed to Weathers on June 13 and got the cards back on June 24, for an 11-day TAT.