Another TTM Success From Mark Lowe

Oops.  I didn't realize that I had gotten Mark Lowe TTM a couple years ago.  I actually got another 2010 Upper Deck done, but this one has a better signature.

I didn't have these two Topps cards, though.  I got a 2012 Topps Update and a 2016 Topps signed this time. Both of these turned out great.

I mailed to Lowe on May 2 and got the cards back on September 19, for a 140-day TAT.

TTM Success - Lucas Luetge

These cards were mailed TTM to Lucas Luetge in 2020, and finally came back a couple weeks ago.  There have been a few TTM successes of late that came in after waiting several years, and it is always fun to see those old stamps show up in my mailbox.  The way I send off TTMs is sort of coordinated as new stamps come out.  I can tell if it is a recent stamp on the envelope, or if it is an older one, whether or not I have been waiting a while for a TTM to come in.  Maybe that makes sense.  It does to me.

Anyway, I got these three cards back from Luetge; a 2012 Topps Update, a 2013 Topps gold and a 2013 Topps.  He signed the cards in black Sharpie, and they all turned out well.

Luetge (b. 1987) played in the majors from 2012 to 2015 and made a return in 2021, pitching into 2022.  He has played for the Mariners and Yankees.  He has a record of 11-11 with 212 strike outs and a 3.38 ERA.

I mailed to Luetge on July 9, 2020, and got the cards back on October 31, 2022, for an 844-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 - Randy Choate

Here are a couple nice Topps Update cards that I was able to get signed TTM by Randy Choate.  The above 2012 Topps Update card looks nice, with the Marlins logo and color scheme.  I believe 2012 was the first year with this Marlins concept, and the colors look nice, I think.  The Marlins switched over from "Florida" to "Miami" for the 2012 season, and revamped their colors and logo.  I think their colors always pop on cards, but these are extra flashy/

This 2013 Topps Update of Choate is more of a back-to-basics color scheme.  I've always said, red looks really good on a card, and this one has a lot of it.  The card is sharp, and looks nice signed.

Choate (b. 1975) played in the majors from 2000 to 2007 and 2009 to 2015 for the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rays, Marlins, Dodgers and Cardinals.  He had a career record of 16-14 with 348 strike outs and a 3.90 ERA.  He won the World Series with the Yankees in 2000.

I mailed to Choate on August 12 and got the cards back on October 31, for an 80-day TAT.

Christmas Package From Dylan D.

I got a Christmas gift in the mail recently from my friend, Dylan, in Connecticut.  He and I have connected recently and did a few 50/50s this past season.  Dylan sent me a message saying that the package wasn't much, but I really enjoyed what I got.

This Miguel Tejada relic is numbered 386/499 and is a pretty nice card.

I had hoped somewhat that CC Sabathia would sign with the Orioles this winter, but that wasn't the case.  Oh well.  This is still a nice card; from 2012 Topps.

Finally, here are a couple IP autos that Dylan got and sent along.  I had sent him a few Mike Jacobs cards, and I was glad to get one back for my album.  I didn't realize he saw Pat Borders, so I may have to take a look and see if I can send a few back to him.

Thanks so much for the package, Dylan!  I really appreciate it!

My Thoughts on 2012 Topps Update

To get my mind off of last night's meltdown, I figured I would post about the jumbo box of Topps Update that I picked up from the card shop yesterday.

When one of the gold cards you get is one of the players who you are trying to get every single parallel of, that definitely makes getting the box worthwhile.  I was super excited to pull this Topps Gold Nolan Reimold from one of the first packs I opened (I think it was the second or third pack I opened.  I think all I need of him from 2012 now is a printing plate, any 1/1 they issued (platinum or whatever) and the orange factory set exclusive (I should have bought one when I saw it.  Oh yeah, I still need his mini black parallel.

Speaking of black parallels, I pulled the above Jay Bruce from my box.  Cool.  I also got the above Roberto Clemente award winner golden ring.  Pretty cool card.  I'm probably one of the few who likes the manufactured rings.  But hey, I also enjoyed the manufactured patches also.

I think my biggest hit was the above Yu Darvish relic.  Usually, pulling Darvish stuff is up to my buddy Scott, since it seems Darvish is in every pack he opens.  I bet Scott could buy a crappy wax pack of 1987 Topps and pull a Darvish...

Hey look!  My wife can finally have that Jesus Montero autograph that he denied her a few months ago.  If you don't remember the story, my wife asked him to sign her notepad at a game in August and he told her he doesn't sign pieces of paper.  He does, however, sign stickers.  Yeah, this is trade bait.

Finally, after doing a google search this evening for Topps Update Short Prints, I discovered that I owned a short print of Prince Fielder.  The all star cards featuring players in suits is one of the variations that permeate this year's set.  There are also some All Star parade SPs as well as horizontal SPs.

I had two minor disappointments with this set/box.  One i that Miguel Gonzalez didn't make it into the checklist, so I'll have to wait until sometime in 2013 to get his RC.  My other gripe is that the Jim Thome in an O's uniform is a SP and it is going at a ridiculous price on Ebay.  I figure I'll wait for them to flood the market and snatch one up for cheap.