TTM Success - Garrett Richards

A trio of TTMs came in this week, one of which was this success from Garrett Richards.  This 2013 Topps Update gold parallel turned out nicely.

I also got this 2018 Topps Stadium Club, which also looks nice.  The card curved a lot since the mail person left the mailbox open while it was raining. I put the card in a top loader between two of my 5,000-count boxes.  That helped straighten it up.

Richards (b. 1988) played in the majors from 2011 to 2022 for the Angels, Padres, Red Sox and Rangers.  He had a record of 55-50 with 853 strike outs and a 3.87 ERA.  

I mailed to Richards on March 25 and got the cards back on May 23, for a 59-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mike Kickham

A couple different 2013 cards came out of my box when I sent off to Mike Kickham.  I got both of cards back signed nicely in black marker.  The above 2013 Topps Pro Debut is one of only a few I had left over from back then.  I was glad to get it signed. 

I also got this 2013 Topps Update signed.

Kickham (b. 1988) played in the majors in 2013, 2014, 2020 and 2021 for the Giants, Red Sox and Dodgers.  He had a record of 1-4 with 49 strike outs and a 10.10 ERA.

I mailed to Kickham on March 6 and got the cards back on April 27, for a 52-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Tim Collins

With all of the 2022 Bowmans coming in TTM recently, it was cool to see a much older Bowman come in with this TTM success from Tim Collins.  The above 2009 Bowman Chrome turned out nicely.  I had found the card in my older Bowman boxes and thought it would be nice to send out for an autograph.

I had this 2013 Topps Update to send along with the Bowman card, so it went, too.  Both of the cards turned out nicely; Collins has a nice signature.

Collins (b. 1989) played in the majors from 2011 to 2014 and 2018 to 2019 for the Royals, Nationals and Cubs.  He had a record of 12-17 with 245 strike outs and a 3.60 ERA.

I mailed to Collins on October 11 and got the cards back on January 14, for a 95-day TAT.

TTM Success - Stephen Pryor

Some more early 2010s cards came out of my boxes with this TTM success from Stephen Pryor.  I hav a ton of 2010 Bowman, and getting at least one of them out of my box is a good thing.  Not that there's anything wrong with the set, you just get tired of looking at them every time you go through the box.

I also sent off a 2010 Topps Pro Debut and a 2013 Topps Update.

Pryor (b. 1989) played in the majors from 2012 to 2014 for the Mariners.  He had a record of 3-1 with 35 strike outs and a 2.81 ERA.

I mailed to Pryor on October 27 and got the cards back on May 23, for a 228-day TAT.

Some Juan Uribe Signed Cards From Max

Max hit me up recently for an assortment of former and current players to find in my boxes for upcoming signings.  One of them was Juan Uribe.  I found him a bunch of cards, and he sent me a few back for my efforts, which I always appreciate.

In return, I got the 2015 Topps Update at the top of the post, and the above 2012 Topps and 2013 Topps Update.

Uribe (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2001 to 2016 for the Rockies, White Sox, Giants, Dodgers, Braves, Mets and Indians.  He had 1,568 hits, 199 home runs and a .255 batting average.  He won the World Series in 2005 with the White Sox and in 2010 with the Giants.

I love doing these player card searches for Max, and I'd like to take on a few more from some other folks, so that may be something that ends up happening.  Thanks, Max!

TTM Success - Luke Gregerson

Some fairly recent cards came back TTM with this success from Luke Gregerson.  He signed my 2015 Topps Heritage, which turned out nicely.

I also got a 2013 Topps Update and a 2015 Topps signed by Gregerson.

Gregerson (b. 1984) played in the majors from 2009 to 2019 for the Padres, A's, Astros and Cardinals.  He had a record of 35-35 with 621 strike outs and a 3.15 ERA.  He won the World Series in 2017 with the Astros.

I mailed to Gregerson on March 8 and got the cards back on May 1, for a 54-day TAT.  He signed 3 of the 5 cards I sent.

Hairston Brothers Signing With Jackson

When friends of mine message me and ask me to find all the cards I can find of a player, I actually really enjoy it.  It helps me move cards out of my boxes and almost always ensures that I will get a few back signed.  They aren't always free, but st least at some reduced rates.

My friend, Jackson, messaged me asking if I had any Scott Hairstons that I could send him, and I was able to find him quite a few.  After the initial package was sent, I found this 2013 Topps Update pink parallel in one of my plastic bins.  I was able to get the card to him before the signing, and got it back into my collection afterward.

I had no problem participating in Jackson's signing, so I went ahead and paid $20 to get the pink parallel and 3 other cards back, a 2012 Topps, 2013 Topps and 2013 Topps Update.

Hairston (b. 1980) played in the majors from 2004 to 2014 for the Diamondbacks, Padres, A's, Mets, Cubs and Nationals.  He had 589 hits, 106 home runs and a .242 batting average.

Jackson also had a signing going on for Jerry Hairston, and I missed the cutoff date to send anything in.  Jackson had leftovers, so I picked up two of the extra cards he ended up with.  The above card is a 2002 Topps 206 and the below card is a 2004 Bowman Heritage.

Hairston (b. 1976) played in the majors from 1998 to 2013 for the Orioles, Cubs, Rangers, Reds, Yankees, Padres, Nationals, Brewers and Dodgers.  He had 1,126 hits, 70 home runs and a .257 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Yankees in 2009.

The Hairstons are sons of former Major Leaguer, Jerry Hairston, Sr., and grandsons of former Major Leaguer, and Negro Leaguer, Sam Hairston.

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.

TTM Success - Josh Collmenter

I was able to get some nice mid-2010s cards signed via TTM from Josh Collmenter.  The above 2012 Topps turned out really well.

Collmenter also signed cards from 2013 and 2014 Topps Update, 2015 Topps Heritage and 2011 Bowman.

Collmenter (b. 1986) played in the majors from 2011 to 2017 for the Diamondbacks and Braves.  He had a record of 38-35 with 494 strike outs and a 3.64 ERA.

I mailed to Collmenter on October 12 and got the cards back on October 24, for a 12-day TAT.

TTM Success - Casper Wells

I got this 2013 Topps Update Casper Wells signed TTM recently.  His signature is really nice, and I was glad to get a 13 Update out of my box.

Wells (b. 1984) played in the majors from 2010 to 2013 for the Tigers, Mariners, A's, White Sox and Phillies.  He had 158 hits, 25 home runs and a .230 batting average.

I mailed to Wells on July 23 and got the card back on September 9, for a 48-day TAT.

TTM Success - Josh Thoele

Here are some nice cards from the early 2010s that I was able to get signed TTM by Josh Thoele.  The above 2010 Topps has a nice shot of Thoele sliding.  I like these kinds of shots on cards.  His signature is kind of clunky, but hey the card is signed.

The above 2010 Topps National Chicle (above left) and 2013 Topps Update (above right) both turned out well.

Thoele (b. 1986) played in the majors from 2009 to 2016 for the Mets and Blue Jays.  He had 323 hits, 9 home runs and a .242 batting average.

I mailed to Thoele on May 6 and got the cards back on June 6, for a 31-day TAT.

TTM Success - Nate Jones

I added some recent cards to my album with this TTM success from former White Sox, now Reds, pitcher, Nate Jones.  The above 2019 Topps gold turned out really well.  I like being able to get inserts and parallels signed, and this one will look really good in the album.

I also got Jones's 2013 Update, 2017 Topps and 2018 Topps signed.  All look really nice, I think.

Jones (b. 1986) has played in the majors since 2012 for the White Sox.  He has a career record of 22-13 with 318 strike outs and a 3.12 ERA.

I mailed to Jones via Reds Spring Training on February 10 and got the cards back on March 12, for a 31-day TAT.

A Couple Autos From Keegan

I sent some Richmond cards to my friend, Keegan, in hopes of getting some 50/50s done, but it was pretty close to the end of the season, so all he was able to get done for me was this Jalen Miller 2016 Bowman Chrome black and gold refractor.  I had sent him a Jonah Arenado card just like this one, but he got released by the Giants right before Keegan was set to do the graphing.

I took a couple guys for Keegan, and in return he sent me this 2013 Topps Update Chris Davis in return.  I didn't have this one signed by Davis yet, so that was nice.

Hopefully, Keegan will be able to take some more 50/50s next season, as some good players should be moving up to Richmond.

TTM Success - Jason Frasor

I added some more recent cards to my autograph album when I was able to get a TTM success from Jason Frasor.

I was especially excited to get the above 2013 Topps Update Emerald Parallel back signed.  I have been working on the Topps Flagship (series 1 and 2) set of emerald parallels, and it is a lot harder to complete the set than it looks.

I also added these to the album, a 2006 Topps, 2007 Topps Update and a 2010 Topps.  I have a ton of 2010 Topps, so it was nice to be able to get one out of my box.

Frasor (b. 1977) played in the majors from 2004 to 2015 for the Bue Jays, White Sox, Rangers, Royals and Braves.  He had a career record of 35-35 with 615 strike outs and a 3.49 ERA.

I mailed to Frasor on March 26 and got the cards back on April 4, for a 9-day TAT.

A Surprise Package From Andrew

I got a really nice package (along with a nice note) in the mail the other day from my very good friend, Andrew.  I haven't been able to talk to him much recently because we both have been really busy, but he is still one of the people that I talk to the most, especially about baseball and cards.

We've been friends now for two years and I'm really glad that Weston introduced us.  Andrew and I send packages back and forth to each other now without even expecting anything in return from the other.  It's a really good setup.

In that vein, he pulled the above 2013 Topps Update Chris Davis gold parallel and immediately put it aside for me.  I made a trade the other day for a rookie card of Yadier Molina, not because I wanted it, but because I knew he needed it.  The wheels keep on turning.

Thanks so much for the package Andrew.  You'll be getting another from me before you know it!

Two Trades in One

I completed two trades recently, both of which landed me the above Chris Davis 2013 Topps Update Chrome.  I originally traded something that I can't remember to my buddy, Kalib (you know, from CUbs Cardboard) and he sent me the Davis in return.

Then, I completed a trade with a guy named Shant.  He needed some Chrome refractors and in return he sent me some Chrome base and the Davis (along with a few other O's cards).  The trade with Shant and the one from Alex really put a dent in my 2013 Chrome needs.

Thanks for the trades, guys.  I really appreciate it!

Christmas From Judson

I got a surprise Christmas package in the mail recently from blogger, Judson, from the blog "My Cardboard Habit."  Judson has been a great trade partner and was really gracious to send me the above Alex Murphy Bowman Chrome green parallel and the below Chris Davis Topps Update Chrome gold parallel.  THe Murphy, who was a 2013 draft pick, is numbered 21/75.  He was a 6th round pick who is a lifelong Oriole fan.  He passed up an offer to play for Wake Forest in order to play for his lifelong team.  That's a great story and I really hope he makes it to the bigs.

The Davis (which I'm sure Scott will love to see) is numbered 219/250 and looks AWESOME.  I really love the gold chromes.  I wish I had pulled more of these.  Really.

Thanks for the cards, Judson!  I really appreciate it and also the kind words you said about my blog.  It really means a lot!  If you all haven't checked out Judson's blog, please click the link I provided above and read it.  It's one of the best!

My Christmas Present From Andrew

My very good friend, Andrew, sent me a really awesome Christmas present that I got the other day.  It means so much to me that I'm interrupting my string of card show posts to show off two of the cards I got from him.

First up is this 2013 Topps Update Chris Davis Camo parallel.  I believe Andrew sent me an Ebay link of the Camo at one point, but I was tapped out on card money at the time and didn't buy it.  He came through for me, like he always does and surprised me with it for Christmas.

The card is numbered 69/99.

Next is this amazing Manny Machado 2013 Topps Chrome orange refractor parallel.  These parallels are retail exclusive and are not numbered.  I have to tell you, though, it looks awesome with Manny's Orange jersey.  It really pops!

I'm so excited to have these cards in my PCs now.  Thanks so much for the Christmas presents, Andrew, it means a lot to me!

November 10, 2013 Trip to the Card Shop

I took a trip to the Greenville card shop on Saturday because I was bored.  I picked up a few packs of cards and also hit up the bargain bin.  In it, I found a couple Bowman Platinum cards from this year of Kevin Gausman and also some cards for a few fellow bloggers.  I also found the above 1995 Upper Deck SP Vladimir Guerrero prospect card.  It was only a dollar, so I figured it wouldn't be a bad pickup.  It looks really cool and I can't recall that I have seen it before.

The coolest part of the story, however, comes out of the $12 pack of 2013 Topps Update that I got for Chris.  He got the SP of Bo Jackson.  Since I am a fan of Jackson, I thought it might be a good idea for me to take it off of his hands.  I traded him some Tim Lincecum cards for it and have now added it to my collection.  I made sure to make a fair trade with him so he knows how to do it in the future.  He had begun to have more and more trade requests and I want to make sure he knows how to deal fairly.  I didn't take into account with him that I had purchased the pack with my money; That might have just confused him.  I hooked him up, trust me.

A Kind of Trade With Scott

I just got back into town from the Charlotte, NC Pearl Jam show that occurred last night.  It was freaking amazing.  Just saying.  We did have a blast.  I wanted to get a post done today since I'm pretty wore out and I still have to carve up two pumpkins.

I got a nice trade package from my good friend, Scott, the other day.  He sent me some Orioles, mostly 2013 Update stuff, in exchange for me picking up a Mike Napoli auto off of Ebay that he had been watching.

Scott's a great guy, so anytime I can help him out, I usually try to do my best.  I'm sure he is recovering from last night's Red Sox victory.  That was the first World Series in forever that I haven't watched the last out on TV.  Eddie Vedder gave an update during the concert, and I checked my MLB At Bat app on the way to my wife's parents' house to get the final score.  She and I have been together for the final out of the World Series since Luis Gonzalez got the winning hit in the 2001 series.  It's all good, though.  I missed it for a worthy reason, the Pearl Jam show was AWESOME.