TTM Success - Andy Dirks

This TTM success from Amdy Dirks was a nice one in that it got four cards out of my box that had been sitting in there for quite some time.  I think one or two of them came from my buddy Aidan R.  He sent me a stack of cards to try TTM a few tears ago, and I saw that Dirks was finally signing.  The above 2013 Topps was a great addition to the autograph album. 

He also signed a 2011 Bowman Chrome, 2011 Elite Extra Edition and a 2014 Heritage.

Dirks (b. 1986) played in the majors from 2011 to 2013 for the Tigers. He had 268 hits, 24 home runs and a .276 batting average.

I mailed to Dirks on September 10 and got the cards back on November 1, for a 52-day TAT.

TTM Success - Derek Holland

Derek Holland turned out to be a bit of a tough TTM to get.  I had to send to him twice, and finally got this 2013 Topps back signed.  The ones I sent before this one have never come back.

Holland (b. 1986) played in the majors from 2009 to 2021 for the Rangers, White Sox, Giants, Cubs, Pirates and Tigers.  He had a record of 82-83 with 1,241 strike outs and a 4.62 ERA.

I mailed to Holland on March 8 and got the card back on April 28 for a 51-day TAT.

July 11-13, 2025, Graphing of the Boulders at Bird Dawgs

When we got back from our road trip, we had a three-game series in Kinston between the Bird Dawgs and New York Boulders.  There weren't many guys on the team with cards.  The cards that I was able to find were quality.  I got another 2019 Midwest League All Star Card signed by Austin Dennis.  I saw someone recently finished the set.  I doubt mine will get finished, but it is nice to run into someone from the set.

I knocked out a couple 2010 Topps Pro Debut during this series, which was great.  It is getting harder and harder to get cards from that set signed, and I have gotten three of the guys this year in the Frontier League.  Finally, I got Alfredo Marte on his 2013 Topps, as well.  I thought I had a lot more Marte cards, but only found four.  I also could have sworn that I had more Tyler Vail, but nope.  I only had his 2010 Pro Debut.

I also got an 8 x 10 with the two Bird Dawgs All Stars signed.  My buddy Jesse made the custom photo of Steven DiTomasso and Brandon Kaminer.  I've already put it away for safe-keeping.

In all, I got the following autographs: Austin Dennis x 1, Alfredo Marte x 4, Tyler Vail x 1, Steve DiTomasso x 1 and Brandon Kaminer x 1 (8 autographs).

Another TTM Success From JJ Hardy

A very exciting TTM success came in from Spring Training when this 2013 Topps wrapper redemption JJ Hardy came back signed. Hardy was a guest instructor at Orioles camp in February, and I took a shot at trying to get him TTM. I'm so glad I got this back signed.

I had gotten Hardy via a private signing before, but this was a straight-up TTM request.  I didnt get the other Orioles guest instructors, but I did try.  I missed sending to Brian Roberts, but did send to Adam Jones and Nick Markakis.  I saw some other folks had gotten Jones, but I wasn't one of them.  I'll take the Hardy, though!

I mailed to Orioles Spring Training on February 18 and got the card back on March 3 for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Mark Reynolds

A private signing popped up with former Oriole Mark Reynolds.  I had a bunch of his cards that I wanted to get signed, but at his price point, I narrowed it down to three cards.  The above 2013 Topps short print was actually from a game I was at with Ryan.  I believe it was the Brooks Robinson sculpture dedication game. He (Ryan, not Mark Reynolds) can comment and confirm.

I also sent off the above 2011 Topps Black Diamond wrapper redemption card and the 2011 Topps Diamond Die cut card.  Both of these are really great cards to add to the album. 

Reynolds (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2007 to 2019 for the Diamondbacks, Orioles, Indians, Yankees, Brewers, Cardinals, Rockies and Nationals.  He had 1,283 hits, 298 home runs and a .236 batting average. He finished 20th in the 2009 NL MVP race.

I mailed to the signing on October 16 and got the cards back on December 12 for a 57-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $45.00.

TTM Success - Brian Omogrosso

This 2013 Topps was signed TTM recently by Brian Omogrosso.  His signature was pretty decent with the card signed in thin black Sharpie.   It actually blends well with his uniform. 

Omogrosso (b. 1984) played in the majors from 2012 to 2013 for the White Sox.  He had a record of 0-2 with a 5.54 ERA.

I mailed to Omogrosso on August 26 and got the card back on September 7 for a 12-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From David Lough

Last month, I got a TTM success in from David Lough because I had heard he was now signing his mail.  I had completely forgotten about the TTM request I had sent him back in 2020.  Well, it came in on Monday. I got the above ruby red foil parallel from 2014 Topps signed, and it turned out greqt.

He also signed a 2013 Pinnale, 2013 Topps, 2014 Topps Heritage and a blue parallel from 2014 Topps.  I never give up on a TTM request, and this one took almost 4 years to come in.

I mailed to Lough on July 15, 2020, and got the cards back on June 17, 2024, for a 1,433-day TAT.

May 23, 2024, Graphing of the Redbirds at Bulls

Needing to burn some PDOs, I took yesterday and today off with the intention of hitting arrival at Durham.  I was able to rack pretty well during the trip up there; so much so, I was able to get autographs 5 times (arrival, batting practice, inside pregame, inside postgame and outside postgame.  I prepped for the trip for several weeks and was really happy with how I did, along with my friend, Jordan.  The main card I wanted to get done was the above 2024 Topps Jordan Walker black gold insert.  I hit it outside, so everything else later was gravy.

Shane Baz was the other guy that I really wanted to get.  He hit a whole page outside on arrival.  The (bottom left) 2018 Bowman Hi Tek was the other card I really wanted to get.  Baz was really cool.  He did comment outside postgame about how many cards I had.  What can I say, I had a ton. 

Chris Devenski was the first graph we got; he was really cool and signed a 2019 Topps Heritage, and the above (bottom left) 2016 Heritage Minors Minor Miracles card that I just happened to see that he was on.

I spent a lot of time looking for the 2017 Topps Heritage Minors CJ Hinojosa (top, second from left), so I was really excited to get it done.  The 2013 Topps Emerald Parallel of Rob Brantly just happened to appear on my desk and I was able to add it to the book for this trip.  I was alsonavle to get Ronny Simon and Logan Driscoll. 

Yu Chang was on the IL, but was still in town.  He hit two per for us the two times we saw him.  He was really nice and I hope I can get him a few more times. 

The guys on Memphis were all really cool.  I got Ben Johnson, Howie Clark, Moises Gomez, Jose Fermin, Adam Kloffenstein and Zack Thompson.  The Fermin was the first IP 2024 Topps that I've gotten.  His signature looks awesome.

Cesar Prieto hit everything I had in the book.  He said he'd sign after stretching, then walked by without signing.  I called his name again, and he pointed at me, acknowledged me and came back by.  He was really nice.

I also hit Luken Baker, who is a large human being, Andre Pallante and again, Jordan Walker.

Finally, here is a 2022 Topps Pro Debut Michael McGreevy.  I got him inside postgame.  He pitched a great game (a complete game), but took the 1-0 loss after a passed ball allowed a runner to score.

In all, we got the following autographs: Shane Baz x 11, Rob Brantly x 5, Yu Chang x 5, Chris Devenski x 2, Logan Driscoll x 3, CJ Hinojosa x 1, Ronny Simon x 2, Edwin Uceta x 1, Luken Baker x 3, Howie Clark x 1, Jose Fermin x 1, Moises Gomez x 5, Ben Johnson x 1, Adam Kloffenstein x 5, Michael McGreevy x 3, Andre Pallante x 3, Cesar Prieto x 6, Zack Thompson x 1 and Jordan Walker x 2 (61).

TTM Success - Dylan Bundy

This return from a private signing with Dylan Bundy helped me get two cards that I tried getting signed in Durham finally added to the autograph album.  Last season, I walked around with this 2012 Bowman Sterling for two days trying to get Bundy to sign, but got ignored both days.  The card looks great.  

This 2013 Topps short print was another one that i had hoped to get signed. I had a couple copies of this one, so it was nice to get one of them signed.  It would have been better had he stopped for us in Durham, but it's all good.  I had gotten Bundy in person myself several times.  

Bundy (b. 1992) played in the majors in 2012 and from 2016 to 2022 for the Orioles, Angels and Twins.  He had a record of 54-65 with 852 strike outs and a 4.74 ERA.  He finished 9th in the 2020 AL Cy Young Award voting.

I mailed to the signing on January 31 and got the cards back on May 1, for a 91-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $15/card.

TTM Success - Cole De Vries

Three cards from a couple 2013 sets came back signed in this TTM success that I got back from Cole DeVries.  The above 2013 Topps Heritage turned out nicely.  I don't have much left in my boxes from this set, so it was nice to get one signed.

I also got a 2013 Topps and 2013 Topps Walmart blue parallel signed.  Both look nice.

De Vries (b. 1985) played in the majors from 2012 to 2013 for the Twins.  He had a record of 5-7 with 70 strike outs and a 5.08 ERA.

I mailed to De Vries on June 2, 2021, and got the cards back on April 8, 2023, for a 674-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 - R. A. Dickey

This TTM success came from a pretty big name, former Cy Young Award winner, R. A. Dickey. I had tried him before, but never got my stuff back. I had see folks get him recently, so I trier again and was successful the second time around.

I was able to get a 2013 Topps and a 2011 Topps signed, and both turned out great.

Dickey (b. 1974) played in the majors in 2001, from 2003 to 2006 and 2008 to 2017 for the Rangers, Mariners, Twins, Mets, Blue Jays and Braves. He had a record of 120-118 with 1,477 strike outs and a 4.04 ERA. He won 20 games in 2012, the season in which he won the NL Cy Young Award. He was an All Star in 2012, as well. His best finish in the MVP race was also that season, when he finished 14th. He won a Gold Glove Award in 2013.

I mailed to Dickey on March 8 and got the cards back on April 27, for a 49-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Adam Lind

Three TTM successes in a row were from guys I had already gotten in the past.   I think it just happened that way, but it doesn't happen often.  I try not to send to the sake people over and over again, unless I have something really nice that I want to get signed.  This 2013 Topps sapphire parallel of Adam Lind is the perfect example of a card I found and just had to get signed.  The signature is hard to pick up in the scan, but it looks awesome in person.

I mailed to Lind on November 6 and got the card back on February 25, for a 101-day TAT.

A Bunch of Autos From Max

My good friend, Max, just sent me a nice stack of IP autos that he had gotten done recently.  I contributed some of the cards to his efforts, so it was nice to see some of them come back signed.  I like the above 2007 Topps CoSigners of Joe Crede.  I may have to send it off to Tadahito Iguchi, as well, and complete the card.

Max tossed in a couple minor league cards that I know I didn't contribute.  It will be cool to add them to the autograph album, for sure.

I was especially glad to move the several 2000 Topps Crede rookies and the 2007 Allen & Ginters that I had.  Some of that stuff can be hard to move, to when I get a chance to, I jump on it.

Here are a few more guys that Max added.  I'm pretty sure I didn't provide the 2013 Topps Geovany Soto, but if I had, then good, because I have a ton of 2013 Topps and I definitely am happy to thin out that box.

I know I sent Max some Rafael Furcal cards, so it is very likely the 2006 Topps, 2010 Topps and 2013 Topps came from me.  I like the minor league card, as well, because I wouldn't have had this one in my collection at all, if not for Max.

These two Jose Contreras cards appear to have gotten smudged a bit.  No worries, they still will have a good home in my album with the rest of the cards.

Finally, here are a couple Carl Everett cards.  I'm not sure if I sent any of Everett to Max in the past, but I have a ton of 1991 Bowman and don't often get much of a chance to move any.

Thank you so much for the signed cards, Max!  I look forward to the next list of names you send me so I can move some stuff out of my boxes again.

TTM Success - Mark Lowe

Here are a few nice cards that I got signed TTM from Mark Lowe.  I really liked tis 2013 Topps emerald parallel that he signed.  I always have liked these cards, and have a partial set that I have been working on (since 2013).  I plan to finish it some day.  In the meantime, I have added some of the extra cards to my autograph album.

I also added a 2010 Upper Deck and a 2013 Topps base card to the album via this TTM.

Lowe (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2006 to 2016 for the Mariners, Rangers, Angels, Indians, Blue Jays and Tigers.  He had a record of 10-27 with 352 strike outs and a 4.22 ERA.

I mailed to Lowe on March 9 and got the cards back on March 22, for a 13-day TAT.

TTM Success - Anthony Bass

There were more Anthony Bass cards in my boxes, I know it, but I couldn't find them.  So, these two were the only ones I sent out to him at Spring Training.  The came back looking nice, and I was glad to add another Spring Training TTM success to my album.  I normally do pretty bad with Spring Training (and this year was no exception), but I do get excited when I DO get some back.

Bass (b. 1987) played in the majors from 2011 to 2015 and 2015 to now for the Padres, Astros, Rangers, Cubs, Mariners, Blue Jays and Marlins.  He has a career record of 10-21 with 297 strike outs and a 4.32 ERA.

I mailed to Bass via Marlins Spring Training on February 11 and got the cards back on March 1, for an 18-day TAT.

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 - 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.

Mystery TTM From Gerard - Darin Mastroianni

September's surprise TTM came in that Gerard had sent, and it was from Darin Mastroianni.  The card was a 2013 Topps and inscribed to me.

Mastroianni (b. 1985) played in the majors from 2011 to 2014 and 2016 for the Blue Jays and Twins.  He had 58 hits, 4 home runs and a .206 batting average.  The card came in on September 9.

TTM Success - Jose Tabata

I got some cards from the 2010s out of my boxes with this TTM success from Jose Tabata.  The above 2012 Topps turned out really well.  I like the scoreboard backdrop behind Tabata, and how it matches up with the Pirates colors on the card.

Tabata also signed a 2010 Topps Update and a 2013 Topps for me.  His Sharpie of choice was a light blue, but I think it still looks good on the cards.

Tabata (b. 1988) played in the majors from 2010 to 2015 for the Pirates.  He had 438 hits, 17 home runs and a .275 batting average.

I mailed to Tabata on July 21 and got the cards back on August 3, for a 13-day TAT.