TTM Success - Dennis Eckersley

This 2005 Donruss Throwback Threads came back signed from Hall of Famer, Dennis Eckersley recently.  I found the card in a box and thought it would be a good one to send out to Eckersley, since he has been signing.  Yeah, the card is a bit dark, but it still looks good.

I mailed to Eckersley on August 14 and got the card back on September 18, for a 35-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $20/card.

Christmas From Max

My good friend Max has been hooking me up for a long time now.  I can't remember what it was like before he came along, but I know it wasn't nearly as fun.  We don't get to talk like we used to because he is so busy with school and sports, but he still makes time to check in and we still do 50/50s for each other quite a bit.

He hooked me up by helping me get my 1987 Topps Bo Jackson signed at a show a couple months ago.  I had to pay Bo's ridiculous fee, but Max got to meet him, and got my card taken care of.  I'm really happy to cross this one off of my list.

Max has pledged to help me as much as he can with my signed 1987 set.  For Christmas he sent me this awesome Dennis Eckersley.  Eck was someone I would have probably paid for at an upcoming National, but I probably would have waited for quite a while.  I'm happy that I don't have to wait for it any longer!

I had looked up quite a few Dave Henderson 87s, but hadn't pulled the trigger on any.  He passed away a few years ago, and I wasn't able to get him while he was living.  I have learned very quickly that once a player passes, his signed 87 Topps cards disappear from the secondary market.  I'm really happy that Max found one and sent it to me.

Thanks so much for getting Bo done for me, and also for the amazing Christmas gifts, Max!  You're one of my closest collecting friends, and you have taught me so much about 50/50s and graphing.  Merry Christmas, my friend, to you and to your family!

Sportlots Pickups - 1997 Topps

I went on a Sportlots binge twice in the last two weeks and grabbed a bunch of cards to help me with set needs.  I got enough cards to wrap up a few sets that have been kind of twisting in the wind, recently.  One of those sets is 1997 Topps.  I picked up 35 cards that I needed, leaving me one remaining to complete the set.  The card that I have left is on its way from my friend, Max.

Once I finish 1997 Topps, I will work on completing 1994, then turning my attention to 1995 so I can wrap up all of the recent issues of Topps.  Once those 90s sets are completed, I will have a straight run of sets from 1973 to 2014.  1972 is keeping me from having a run from 1970 to 2014, but I haven't started that set, yet.  I'll probably start '72 once I finish 1969, which is not too far from completion.

Christmas Presents From Mom Part One

I hope everyone had a great and safe Christmas.

I'll start my Christmas posts off with some of the stuff I got from my mom.  I plan on breaking up what I got into several posts, so check back often to see what all was received.

First off, I got two more Ball of Fame boxes.  Mom was really hoping I would pull the Mickey Mantle, as she is a big Yankee fan.  I wasn't that lucky, but got two really good baseballs, one of which I already had, but it was still an upgrade over the one I already had.

The first box I opened was Bruce Sutter.  I picked Sutter up last year, but this one is graded, so I consider it an upgrade.  I'll probably sell the other Sutter that I have.  If anyone is interested, let me know.

My other pull was a Hall of Famer who i didn't already have, so I was really happy.  It was also another 'full name' variation, so that made it even better.  I got Dennis Eckersley!  I have been wanting an Eck ball for a while, but have kept putting it off, so it is good to finally have him as my 58th Hall of Famer.

My mom always gets me awesome stuff, and there is a bit more to show!  Thanks again Mom!!!