Another TTM Success From Danny Darwin

Here is a cool 1991 Topps Desert Shield card that I found at the National in a dime box.  I knew I'd have a good shot to get it signed by Danny Darwin, so I picked it up and dropped it in the mail.  The card looks awesome.

I mailed to Darwin on July 31 and got the card back on August 13, for a 13-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Danny Darwin

Because I missed sending him a 1987 Topps the first time I sent TTM to Danny Darwin, I had to mail to him again.  I had a few other cards sitting around, so I included them in the TTM request.  I probably wouldn't put a 1991 Donruss in a TTM request to anyone, but I wanted to add one to the album here.  There isn't anything wrong with these cards, they just aren't usually the first choices I send along.  Really, I like the design, as it reminds me of when I first got into collecting.  It's very "Saved by the Bell" if you really look at it.

I was able to get a 1987 Topps done, as well as a checklist.  I also included a 1988 Fleer since the red, white and blue design is pretty sharp.

I mailed to Darwin on January 22 and got the cards back on March 17, for a 54-day TAT.

TTM Success - Danny Darwin

I really enjoy it when a player who had a long career will sign TTM.  It is even better when they will sign multiple cards.  This is the case with Danny Darwin.  I had so many cards of his to choose from, I had to leave out a ton.  I was able to, however, make a nice mix of cards from his career and they all came back looking great.

I found the above 1994 Pinnacle Museum Collection at my LCS and since I knew I was going to send to Darwin, I picked it up.  It was the first card of his that I pulled when I started getting my request together.  The card came back looking great.  Even if it was the only card I got back, it would have been worth it.

Luckily, I got back everything that I sent (all 7 cards).  I found the 1983 Fleer (left) in a box of old Fleer cards that Mom picked up for me.  The 1991 Fleer (right) came out of a bunch of packs that Chris and I busted a couple weeks ago.  Those packs had been residing in my closet forever, so we finally decided to open them.  Now, at least one of the cards will be part of my TTM/IP auto album.

I had opened a ton of these 1994 Leaf way back when they had come out.  Unfortunately, most of what I had from back then melded together, as is the case for a lot of mid-90s junk wax.  The gloss on the cards melts if the cards are stored in a hot location (attic) and the cards get sealed together in some sort of a brick, suitable for kindling.  My mom found a box of cards that had a bunch of the 1994 Leaf, so I decided to send this one along so that the Leaf set was represented in the album.

Finally, I sent a few Topps cards along from my boxes so that I could add some tick marks to different Topps sets for my Topps Autograph Project (which is coming along nicely, I may add).  The above 1988 Topps looks great, and that set has really grown on me as one of the better ones to get signed.

Darwin's choice of a blue Sharpie really pops with these two specimens.  The 1982 (left) and 1985 (right) Topps really look nice.  Pair that with the cool, retro Rangers jerseys, and I ended up with an awesome TTM success!

Darwin (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1978 to 1998 for the Rangers, Brewers, Astros, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Pirates, White Sox and Giants.  He had a career record of 171-182 with 1,942 strike outs and an ERA of 3.84.  He played in the majors for 21 seasons and never appeared in a playoff game and also never appeared on any Cy Young or MVP ballots.  He did appear on the 2004 Hall of Fame ballot, but did not receive any votes.

I mailed to Darwin on November 7 and got the cards back on November 15, for an 8-day TAT.

May 8, 2010 Carolina Mudcats vs. Chattanooga Lookouts

Chris and I decided to catch the Mudcats vs. Lookouts today since I wouldn't be at the card shop. Since the Lookouts are the AA affiliate of the Dodgers, I went on a mission to get as many Dodger Prospect autos for a certain Dodger fan that I know who happens to be my best friend... Yeah you know the guy :) I think we did pretty well.During the game, the mini mudcat came and sat beside Chris for an inning. This was pretty cool, except for the kid who came after and asked Chris and I to move. I told him sorry, we had tickets for our seats. Wasn't trying to be a jerk, but I was raised to not TELL someone to move out of their seats. Was kind of funny though.

I got a bunch of autographs. Initially, I was disappointed because I paid for field level seats, and there was a huge net blocking us from the players. We did find a place near the visiting clubhouse and got some awesome autographs. The above ball is Dustin Yount. Yes, he is the son of Robin Yount. Dustin has been in the minors for a LONG time. He is a former Orioles prospect. He was a really nice guy, though, taking the time to talk to Chris as he was signing.

Before we went to the game, I looked at the Lookouts roster and saw that Danny Darwin was their pitching coach. I thought to myself that it would be really cool if I got his auto. I succeeded. Pretty nice signature too.

I said before that I wa son a mission to hook Max up, really wanting to get him an autograph of the Dodgers' #1 prospect. I succeeded in that as well. Damn, I'm good. Haha. We got several other Lookouts players. Chris got them all on one ball and I went through 5 single balls.

This was our first trip to Five County Stadium in Zebulon, NC. We drive by the baseball water tower every weekend on the way to the shop. I am glad we went. It is a beautiful stadium. I am still partial to Grainger Stadium in Kinston, though.

A cool picture of Dustin Yount and Danny Darwin talking before the game.

Dustin Yount signing for some kids before he came and talked to Chris.

Dee Gordon signing my baseball. He was pretty nice as well.

Danny Darwin signing Chris' ball. I like catching some of the 80's stars who are now coaching.

The game was close until the bottom of the 8th when the Lookouts allowed an INSIDE THE PARK GRAND SLAM. That's right. I'm not kidding. Just WOW.

Any thoughts guys? I'm so happy I accomplished my mission to get a Gordon auto for Max. You'll probably be reading about it on his blog shortly.