TTM Success - Kyle Freeland

Here is another 2021 Spring Training TTM success that came in a couple months ago.  This success was from Kyle Freeland on some cards that I had put aside a while ago.  I finally got them signed, and they turned out great.  I love the 2018 Topps Heritage Minors posters insert cards.  I was really happy that Freeland signed this one.

I also got a 2015 Pro Debut, 2015 Pro Debut Grand Entrance and a 2015 Bowman Chrome 89 Bowman insert signed.

Freeland (b. 1993) has played in the majors since 2017 for the Rockies.  He has a record of 44-47 with 579 strike outs and a 4.30 ERA.  He finished 7th in the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year voting and 4th in the 2018 NL Cy Young Award race.

I mailed to Freeland on February 9, 2021, and got the cards back on May 17, 2022, for a 462-day TAT.  The envelope I had was almost destroyed and the cards came in one of those "We Care" envelopes, but all of the cards I had sent were accounted for and undamaged.

TTM Success - Mike Freeman

Here is a nice 2015 Pro Debut that I was able to get signed recently, from Mike Freeman.

Freeman (b. 1987) played in the majors from 2016 to 2021 for the Diamondbacks, Mariners, Dodgers, Cubs, Indians and Reds.  He had 80 hits, 5 home runs and a .225 batting average.

I mailed to Freeman on February 22 and got the card back on March 19, for a 25-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ben Klimesh

These two cards that I got back from Ben Klimesh TTM had quote a few travel miles on them.  I had sent to him once before, but got a RTS, and then they sat in my RTS pile.  I finally tried again with a different address, and got these cards signed.

Funny thing is, Klimesh signed each of the two 2015 Topps Pro Debut cards in different colored ink; one in black, and one in blue.

Klimesh (b. 1990) was a 15th round pick by the Reds in the 2012 June Amateur Draft out of Trinity University in Texas.  He played in the minors from 2012 to 2016, all in the Reds system (reaching AAA).  He had a record of 10-7 with 227 strike outs and a 5.21 ERA.

I mailed to Klimesh on January 21 and got the cards back on February 21, for a 31-day TAT.  He also included a note.

TTM Success - Taylor Sparks

A couple prospect cards came out of my box finally and were signed TTM by Taylor Sparks.  I like moving these cards, since they were around the first time I really got into Bowman and Pro Debut.  This 2015 Pro Debut turned out well, and I have very few cards from that series left.  I didn't open a whole lot of 2015 Pro Debut, but it would be nice to add a couple more signed ones to my album.

I did, however, open a ton of 2014 Bowman and Bowman Draft.  I really enjoyed the parallels in this set, so I was eager to bust packs and boxes.  I have whittled down the stack of extras from what I opened, and have gotten a lot of cards from the set signed.

Sparks (b. 1993) was a second round pick by the Reds in the 2014 June Amateur Draft out of UC Irvine.  He played in the minors from 2014 to 2019, all in the Reds system, while reaching AAA.  He had 375 hits, 61 home runs and a .217 batting average.

I mailed to Sparks on November 24 and got the cards back on August 17, for a 266-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tim Berry

Several cards came out of my Orioles box when I was able to get Tim Berry to sign for me TTM.  I had his stuff put aside for a while, hoping that I would have seen him at some point, but that never happened.  I had seen earlier in the year where someone got him TTM, so I dug a bunch of cards out and sent them along.

All of the cards turned out great.  The 2015 Pro Debut at the top of this post is probably my favorite of the bunch.  He also signed 2014 Bowman, 2014 Pro Debut, 2015 Heritage Minors and 2015 Bowman.

Berry (b. 1991) was a 50th round pick by the Orioles in the 2009 June Amateur Draft out of San Marcos High School in California.  He played in the minors from 2010 to 2018 in the Orioles, Marlins, Padres and Phillies systems.  He did reach AAA, but was unable to make the jump to the majors.  He had a career record of 36-50 with 636 strike outs and a 4.77 ERA.

I mailed to Berry on December 1 and got the cards back on March 2, for a 91-day TAT.

TTM Success - Patrick Kivlehan

These Patrick Kivlehan cards remained in my boxes for a long time because I had known someone who claimed to be friends with him and may be able to get them signed for me.  That never panned out, so I took matters in my own hands and sent them TTM.  The cards came back, and the cards are now in my album.

I was able to get a 2015 Topps Pro Debut and a 2013 Bowman signed by Kivlehan.  Both look great.

Kivlehan (b. 1989) played in the majors from 2016 to 2018 for the Padres, Reds and Diamondbacks.  He had 44 hits, 10 home runs and a .208 batting average.

I mailed to Kivlehan on January 11 and got the cards back on January 26, for a 15-day TAT.

TTM Success - Christian Binford

Here are more cards that I was able to get signed TTM that normally would have been taking up space in my prospects box.  I believe I had actually moved these to the Box of Shame, as Christian Binford had been with Bowie, I think.  I'm pretty sure I was set to graph him, but missed him.  Thankfully, I was able to get some of his cards signed anyway.  The above 2015 Topps Pro Debut really turned out great.

I was really glad to get these two 2014 Bowmans signed, as I had a bunch of them at one time when 14 Bowman first came out.  I got a lot of cards from that set signed, then they kind of plateaued as guys either dropped out of the minors, or made the majors and got tougher to graph.

Binford (b. 1992) was a 30th round pick by the Royals out of high school in the 2011 June Amateur Draft.  He played in the minors in the Royals, Orioles and Tigers systems from 2012 to 2018.  He had a 38-56 record with 645 strike outs and a 4.32 ERA.

I mailed to Binford on December 17 and got the cards back on January 25, for a 39-day TAT.

TTM Success - Sean Coyle

Sean Coyle is another of those players who's name I saw in my boxes bunches of times.  I finally got around to looking for an address for him and sent some of the cards off.  They came back signed not too long later, and I'm glad to get them into my album.

I like the design of 2015 Pro Debut.  I didn't open much of it, but now, Pro Debut is pretty much a staple around here.  They look cool when signed, like the one above.

Here are some Bowmans that I got Coyle to sign.  They are 2011 Chrome, 2011 base and 2014 base.

Coyle (b. 1992) was a 3rd round pick by the Red Sox in the 2010 June Amateur Draft out of high school.  He played in the minors in the Red Sox, Angels and Orioles systems from 2010 to 2017, reaching AAA.  He had 490 hits, 70 home runs and a .234 batting average.

I mailed to Coyle on October 16 and got the cards back on January 25, for a 101-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jacoby Jones

I added some recants cards out of my prospects box with this TTM success from Jacoby Jones.  The aboce 2015 Topps Pro Debut turned out really well.  I only have a handful of these cards, so it was nice to be able to get one of them signed.

I have a bunch of 2014 Bowman (above left) though, and it was really nice to be able to get one of those signed.  The 2015 Bowman Chrome (above right) also turned out well.

Jones (b. 1992) has played in the majors since 2016 for the Tigers.  He has 206 hits, 30 home runs and a .217 batting average.

I mailed to Jones on May 7 and got the cards back on June 6, for a 30-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dane Phillips

I was able to move some cards out of my stash of older Bowman, Heritage Minors and Pro Debut cards with this TTM success from Dane Phillips.

I really like the 2015 Pro Debut (above) look, but didn't open many of those boxes.  Getting on of the few cards I have signed is an added bonus.

The above 2013 Bowman Chrome (left) came out of my boxes, and the 2014 Heritage Minors came out of a huge box of stuff that my friend, Trevor, gave me.  Now, they will all be in my album!

Phillips (b. 1990) was a 2nd round pick by the Padres in the 2012 June Amateur Draft (he had previously been selected by the Mariners in the 49th round of the 2009 June Amateur Draft, but didn't sign).

He played 6 seasons of pro ball between 2012 and 2017; 3 seasons in the minors (Eugene, Lake Elsinore and Fort Wayne) and 3 seasons in independent ball (Evansville).

At the conclusion of his career, he had 442 hits, 46 home runs and a .284 batting average.

I mailed to Phillips on April 10 and got the cards back on May 1, for a 21-day TAT.

Some Biloxi 50/50s

I had a few cards left over from the Mudcats last season, so I put out a message on my Instagram to see if anyone could take some of those guys this season.  A guy named Johann was able to take the cards and 50/50 for me.

I had been stuck with some Jake Gatewood cards that I found right before he was moved up from the Mudcats.  I wasn't able to get them signed, so I was glad that Johann agreed to take them.

I also think he missed some time with the Mudcats, as well.  I know I would have tried to get the 2015 Pro Debut (top left) signed pretty early on, so maybe that contributed to my large stash of his cards.

I appreciated Johann getting them all done for me.  All of the cards turned out great.

He had messaged me telling me that he had accidentally damaged a couple Bob Milacki cards when he spilled some water, so Johann, on his own, went on Ebay and replaced a couple for me.  He didn't have to do that, but it was really appreciated.

Finally, one of the cards I had sent was my 1991 Orioles Crown Bob Milacki.  I had picked up the set after last season, then Milacki was moved up to coach at Biloxi, so I missed out on him on this card.  I'm really glad Johann was able to hook me up, and I know we will do more 50/50s next season.

TTM Success - Trevor Williams

Another Spring Training TTM success; this one is from Pirates pitcher, Trevor Williams.  I was able to use this 2015 Topps Pro Debut, and it turned out well.  I prepped it before I sent it, of course.

These Topps cards, from 2018 and 2019, also look really nice.

Williams (b. 1992 has played in the majors for the Pirates since 2016.  He has a 22-20 record with 254 strike outs and a 3.72 ERA.  He was a second round draft pick by the Marlins in the 2013 June Amateur Draft out of Arizona State.

I mailed to Williams via Pirates Spring Training on February 6 and got the cards back on March 4, for a 26-day TAT.

TTM Success - Kevin Plawecki

I added a few recent cards to my autograph album that came out of my prospects box.  I always enjoy making some room in that box, and getting these Kevin Plawecki cards signed helped in that regard.

The 2015 Bowman shimmer mini really turned out well, as did the other cards that I sent.

Plawecki (b. 1991) has played in the majors for the Mets since 2015.  He has 153 hits, 14 home runs and a .218 batting average.

I mailed to Plawecki on March 31 and got the cards back on October 9, for a 192-day TAT.

TTM Success - Kyle Waldrop

I added a couple cool recent cards wih this success from Kyle Waldrop.  I had hoped to be able to add a Diamond Kings to my album, and this one is pretty nice.  I mean, I have some older Donruss Diamond Kings, but this is a Panini.  I like the oil painting feel to these, and the signature turned out pretty nice.

I also added a 2015 Pro Debut.  I really enjoy Pro Debut, especially 2015.  They are nice cards, and I am glad I was finally able to put one in the album.  I always feel like I miss out when searching through the ones that I have.

Waldrop (b. 1991) played in the majors in 2015 and 2016 for the Reds.  He had 5 hits, no home runs and a .217 batting average.  He was granted Free Agency in November 2017, and has yet to sign anywhere.

I mailed to Waldrop on February 15 and got the cards back on March 2, for a 15-day TAT.

Ebay Pickup - 2015 Topps Pro Debut Mascot Relic

I saw a version of this card at my local card shop a couple weeks ago and thought that it looked really cool, so I found one on Ebay at a good price.  I got this one for $8.00 + $2.50 shipping.

The Lake County Captains are a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians based out of Erstlake, Ohio.  Their mascot is Skipper, who debuted with the team in 2003.

From what I recall, I have never seen a mascot relic card, but I could be wrong.  I have seen the Topps Opening Day mascot autographs, though.

I just thought it was a really cool card.  I hope the mascot hasn't gone missing and wasn't sacrificed to make this card.