Another TTM Success From Jim Palmer

These Jim Palmer cards were left over from my trip to Baltimore. I talked to him but he wouldn't sign, so I sent them off TTM to go ahead and get them signed.  The above 2013 Panini Cooperstown card is a really nice parallel that I've had for a long time. 

I also got this 2010 Topps Tribute signed that turned out great.

I mailed to Palmer on October 3 and got the cards back on October 14, for an 11-day TAT.   I paid his fee of $10/card.

Another TTM Success From Jim Palmer

My mom sent me 20 bucks on my birthday and asked me to let her know what I bought with the money.  I decided I would pull two more Jim Palmer cards out of my box and send them TTM to get signed, and here they are.  The above card is a 2001 Topps American Pie Decade Leaders.  This is a really nice card; I enjoy the colors on the card, and it will look great in my album.

This card is a 1981 Perma-Graphic Superstars Credit Card that I found at the National.  I had never seen these before, so I picked up a few from a bargain box (not sure if it was a dime box or not).  I had also grabbed a Johnny Bench for his signing in August, but that was canceled.

I mailed to Palmer on September 19 and got the cards back on October 13, for a 24-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $10.00/card.  Thanks for the birthday money, Mom!

Another TTM Success From Jim Palmer

There are a bunch of Jim Palmer cards in my collection that I'd love to get signed, and I have been able to get a few done in person and TTM.  The latest round of what I sent him was really nice, in that I got this 2016 Topps Tribute signed, along with my 1972 Topps ERA leaders card that had already been signed by Wilbur Wood.  I have since sent off the 72 Topps to Vida Blue and have gotten it back completed.  I'll show it when I post the Blue success.

I mailed to Palmer on August 20 and got the cards back on August 31, for an 11-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $10/card.

Christmas Gift From Jackson

My good friend, Jackson, sent me this awesome Christmas gift that included the above signed Brooks Robinson 1965 Topps.

1965 is one of my favorite sets, and I was glad to be able to put this Brooks in my autograph album.

Jackson included this Jim Palmer Hall of Fame plaque card, which I had never seen before.  If The Orioles hadn't canceled Fan Fest, I would put this at the top of my list of cards that I would want to get signed.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to for the time being, but might give it a shot later this summer.

Finally, Jackson included these two cards in the package.  I might see Jomar Reyes this summer, and I can always use new Brooks cards.

Thank you so much for the package, Jackson!

Graphing Recap of April 2019 Yankees at Orioles

It all started prior to Fan Fest when Ticketmaster oversold the vouchers for Eddie Murray and Beooks Robinson.  I was able to get Chris and I into the Eddie Session, but my good friend, Gerard, was denied, even though it said he had gotten his vouchers in time.  So, he was given the option to see Eddie either on April 6, or June 15.  Gerard couldn't really go either way, so he left it up to me if I wanted to try to use the session.  I definitely wouldn't be able to go on June 15, so I made some arrangements, and was able to go this past Saturday. 

I was really worried, because I came down with some kind of bug on Tuesday, which put me out of work on Wednesday.  Whatever it was seemed to be on the way out by Wood Ducks Opening Night on Thursday, so I was all set to go on Friday up to Baltimore.  Only thing is, that sick day and the Wood Ducks opener left me with very little time to prep for the trip.

I had already sat aside some Orioles because of Fan Fest, and added more to that pile when Topps and Heritage came out.  Then, I grabbed some Yankees from those boxes, and happened upon a couple on my desk, and tossed them in a box.  All of my card prepping took place in the hotel room late at night Friday and early Saturday morning.

I had decided early on that I wasn't going to get Eddie on a ball, because I didn't want to feel like I had a duplicate or want to sell something.  I originally wanted him on the 1988 Topps Record Breakers card, but at the 11th hour, I remembered that I had the above 2010 Topps Short Print, so I decided that was going to be the one I got signed.

Even though the signature is a little tough to see on the card, I was glad I chose it.  Eddie held the card for a bit and said that he had never seen one like it before.  I told him it was a 2010 Topps SP and he said that he thought by looking at the yellow railings on the card that it was taken in Chicago (at old Comiskey).  He remarked on the road gray jersey, as well.  So, the card definitely got his attention.

The biggest moment of the trip came right after Chris and I finished dinner on Friday night, however.  We had eaten dinner downtown, after walking from our hotel.  I had realized on the ride up that I had forgotten my photo edges for Chris's autograph book (and also my laptop, hence, no blog posts this past weekend).  I texted my friend Michael to see if he had any photo edges.  About 15 minutes later, I got a phone call...

Michael needed to know where I was because he had a graphing tip for me that I couldn't pass up.  He had seen Aaron Judge (and Brett Gardner, Clint Frazier and Taylor Wade) go into a restaurant not too far from where I was.  I had to go to my hotel, though, and get my cards, and meet Michael where he was.  I also had to pray that the foursome were slow eaters.  I got to the room and grabbed my cards.  I threw some baby powder on the Aaron Judge card that I thought would look best and put the snap case of cards in my shirt pocket (since I had left from work to head north) and made the mile-long trek across the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore to try and see if I could get Aaron Judge.

Chris actually got Judge first.  He is working on the All Star stamped 2018 Topps set, so he presented Judge with all 4 cards that he pulled out of his box and asked him straight up "how many will you sign?"  Judge told him one, so Chris got one of the cards signed.  I had chosen the 1983 Chrome shimmer that I had gotten out of last year's Silver Packs, and I am so glad that I did.  It turned out amazingly.  I also commented on his height, since I am about a foot shorter than he is (he's 6' 7").  He was so nice, and I was so happy to be able to say that I had gotten him.  Huge credit to Michael.

The next day, prior to the Eddie meeting, Chris and I made our way to the player's parking lot/entrance at Camden Yards.  We saw a bunch of players going in, but very few stopped.  I was able to get Tommy Kahnle on the above Yankee team card from 2018 Topps.

I was also able to get Renato Nunez on the above 2013 Pro Debut that I have had in my box forever.  I was glad to get it signed, and he was really cool.

At the very last minute, before Chris and I left the house, I was thrashing through card boxes, trying to find my Brian Roberts PC.  I had seen that he was on commentary for the series, so I figured I should try to get him on a couple cards if I could.

I liked the white bordered 2006 Turkey Red and then realized I had a duplicate of the 2006 Upper Deck Special F/X and had to get that signed.  You see, back in the day, we didn't have Topps Now that would come out and possibly have the game you went to depicted on a card.  You had to be REALLY lucky.  Well, 2006 Upper Deck actually had a card of the game that I had gone to that got me back into card collecting.  I had taken a friend to Baltimore and that day, I had bought Roberts's jersey.  In extras, he came to the plate and I told my friend that Roberts was going to hit a walkoff homer.  He did, and later that night some Yankee fans bought us drinks.  Now I have a signed version of the card and was able to relay that story to Roberts as he was signing.  He was still really cool, as he had been every other time I had met him.

Prior to the start of the game, the Orioles had a Celebration of Life for the late Frank Robinson.  In attendance were his wife and daughter, as well as several of his former teammates, contemporaries and players he had managed.  Speeches were given by Jim Palmer, Boog Powell and Brooks Robinson.  I also saw Cal and Eddie in attendance.

The Orioles lost the game, but it was really close.  Miguel Castro gave up a three-run home run to Clint Frazier that put the Yankees ahead.  I was able to witness Judge hit two home runs in the innings prior.  This season's Orioles aren't expected to do much of anything, but I was pleasantly surprised to see them hang tough against the Evils (and Judge).

After the end of the 8th inning, Chris and I made our way back to the player entrance and got there right as the game was letting out.  I noticed that Frank's wife and daughter were standing outside, so I approached them.  I thanked Mrs. Robinson for being so kind to me at the National back in July.  She seemed to remember me, thanked me and introduced me to her daughter.  I told the both of them that I really respected Frank, and that Chris and I had mourned for their loss.  They teared up, each shook my hand and thanked me, and Mrs. Robinson pulled Chris in for a hug.  I was really glad that I took the time to approach them.  I feel like although I was a bit awkward, they must have appreciated the gesture.

 We got back to graphing, and I was able to get Jim Palmer outside.  I complimented him on his speech about Frank, to which he replied "my wife didn't like it".  He was really nice, and didn't call us collectors this time.  Michael was there and told me that I would be able to get Ken Singleton, as well.  I was upset that I had forgotten to bring his cards, but then remembered that I had brought the entire 1991 Crown Orioles set, since I knew about the Frank memorial ahead of time.  Singleton would be in there, duh.  So, I was able to get that card signed.  Having that set really came in handy.

I am really terrible with player's faces, and usually have to sponge off of other graphers to be able to tell who's who.  Luckily, I recognized Paul Fry, myself, since I had a nice conversation with him at the National.  He signed two of these 2019 Heritage cards for me, and one for Chris.  I think future Fan Fests will help me complete the other guys on the card.

We waited around for quite a while after the game ended and were about to leave when we saw Aroldis Chapman come outside to text his ride.  He barely acknowledged us, but we were able to get his autograph/  I was super happy to be able to say that I got him and Judge in the same trip.  This was really one of my most successful graphing trips to Baltimore that wasn't a paid Fan Fest.

So, thank you, Michael for all of the help with the tips, thank you Gerard for hooking me up with the tickets.  Thank you Ticketmaster for screwing up in the first place, but most of all, thank you, Chris, for coming along and only complaining minimally (and when I couldn't really hear you anyway).  I had a wonderful bonding time with my son, and I know he had a blast as well.  I also think it is safe to say that the both of us are Aaron Judge fans, and that is ok.

2019 Orioles Fan Fest Recap

Another Orioles Fan Fest is in the books, and as far as sheer number of autographs go, I did better than any other Fan Fest.

I had paid for 6 autograph sessions, and was able to get items done in each that I was really happy about.  Chris hit up the kids line several times, and this year was the first year where he had some cards that he strictly wanted to get done for himself.  He and I were accompanied by my good friend, Ryan, and the three of us had a really good time.  The above dual 2018 Topps Update Hess/Araujo was one of the many cards I was able to get signed that I was really excited about.

Dylan Bundy was really cool this year, and he pretty much asked me why I wasn't planning on going down to Sarasota for Spring Training.  Man, I wish I could, but that is something I really need to plan, and push for sometime in the future.

I got a ton of cards signed that I have had for a while.  I picked up the Diamond Kings Anthony Santander (above left) from the card shop last year, thinking that I would be able to get him.  Chris took care of that during the final kids session.

Luis Ortiz was really nice; probably the nicest of all of the players I met.  I was talking to Jimmy Yacabonis about my Wood Ducks hat, and Ortiz remarked that he was almost a Wood Duck.  I told him that I actually knew that, and that was why I ended up with so many of his cards.  We had him at that session, and saw him later on as we were walking around.  He signed everything Ryan and I handed him.

It was nice meeting former Orioles #1 pick, DL Hall.  I think he will be with Frederick this season, so I may be able to get him on some more cards later on.  He did strictly 2-per for Chris and I during our session.

I ran out of Keegan Akin cards, which was fine.  He was pretty nice, even though I overheard him telling one of the handlers that he wasn't having the best time.  I talked to him anyway about the weather, and he seemed to open up some.  He turned out to be a pretty nice guy.

Jonathan Villar signed everyting I handed him, which was nice.  All of these cards are either card show or card shop pickups.

I was surprised that I still had Ryan McKenna cards left, but I purchased the Carolina League Top Prospects set at the end of last season, and needed him on that.  I found the black shimmer 2015 Bowman Chrome at the National last year, and was glad to get it signed.  It sucks that he had a dead Sharpie, though.

We had Renato Nunez in a signing session, and Chris also got him as he was out on the floor, so I got most of what I wanted done of his completed.  I missed the 87 Topps insert from a couple years ago, though.  Maybe next time on that one.

Chris got Chance Sisco during his first trip through the kids line, which helped me go ahead and get the high priority cards signed (see below).  He also was able to get him as he passed by us on the floor, which even further helped our cause.  Finally, in the paid session we had with him, Chris got two of Ryan's cards done, and I finished up a couple of the Bowman parallels shown above.

This Bowman Chrome Talent Pipeline was the highest priority card that I wanted Sisco to sign.  I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to finish it, but it turned out really well.

The Rule V picks were at the event, and I actually had a few cards of each.  Chris wasn't paying attention when he got these signed in the kids line, and smeared the Bowman Chromes that I had.  Oh well, they have a good story, now, as I got one of the smeared ones, and Chris took the other.

Richie Martin was pretty cool, and I got all of the cards I had of him signed.

I an mow out of Joey Rickard cards, as I had two paid session with him in them.  I had to take some cards from Ryan so I would have enough for each session.

I was able to get Tanner Scott on this Aberdeen set card, which has been hanging out in my box for a while.

Normally, I would have fixed this scan where the Scott McGregor slid under my Richard Bleier, but I was over scanning by the time I saw it.  It'll just have to stay this way.  I was really happy about getting the 2013 Pro Debut Rio Ruiz signed, because of the small handful of cards from that set, I did, indeed, have the Ruiz in my box.  It would have languished there forever, so I'm glad I got it done.

I had a multitude of horizontal cards that I got signed.  Another Talent Pipeline card that I can work on completing at some point.  I had a couple generic Orioles cards that helped with some guys I didn't have in my box, Donnie Hart on my 1994 Score, and Jimmy Yacabonis on my 2017 Topps.

I liked what I had for Rick Dempsey.  The 2004 Topps World Series Programs card of the 1983 World Series was a nice touch.

I got to talk to Boog Powell about horseradish again, which is always fun.  He's probably tired of my story by now, but he is a super nice guy, and the cards that I had turned out well.

The 1970 and 1971 Topps cards that I had of Boog were beat all to hell, but they were the last of what I had that I wanted to get signed.  They turned out nicely, and will have a home in my album.

I laid a page of 4 cards down for Jim Palmer, and he signed this Upper Deck Masterpieces.  I'm glad he chose this card, because they really are nice, and the autographs show up well.

Fan Fest was plagued by an overselling of sessions for Eddie Murray and Brooks Robinson.  My Brooks session was refunded, and so was one session with Eddie Murray.  I had my friend, Rae, also picking up an Eddie session, which went through.  I used my opportunity to meet Eddie again by helping out a friend with his set that he is working on, since he helped me with my 87 set (by getting Tim Raines).  My good friend, Jacob, was surprised to find out that I was able to get his 1991 Studio Murray signed, and it will be sent to him shortly.  I also let Chris pick out a Murray that he liked, and that was what he got signed.

We all had a really good time at Fan Fest, but it did feel like it was missing something, which Ryan and I discussed on the way home.  This was the first Fan Fest that I didn't spend a dime.  I didn't get a chance to look through any game-used items, but I didn't have a whole lot of time.  Ryan said that he looked, and there really wasn't anything that really jumped out.  The normal pile of used jerseys wasn't there, which was a bummer.

Oh well.  I came away with 115 autographs one all was said and done, so that was pretty nice.  Ryan and I made a couple of trades, and I have some stuff that I can send to Max and Gerard for all of their help with their Fan Fests.  I also am really happy that I was able to help Jacob with a major piece for his Studio set.

TTM Success - Jim Palmer

I heard that Jim Palmer was signing TTM, so I had to send a couple cards along and add him to my TTM successes list.  I have gotten him to sign cards in person plenty of times, but I definitely wanted to try to get these two done TTM, and I have to say, they look awesome.  The above 2018 Panini Diamond Kings looks awesome!

The Diamond Kings card was the first one I chose to send, then it came down to this one.  Since I have gotten so many 1987 Topps signed, I thought it was fitting to add this mini from 2012 Topps to the album as well.

Palmer (b. 1945) played in the majors from 1965 to 1967 and 1969 to 1984 for the Orioles.  He is the greatest pitcher in the history of the Orioles.  He has a career record of 268-152 with an ERA of 2.86 and 2,212 strike outs.  He is a three-time Cy Young Award winner (1973, 1975 and 1976) and a six-time All Star.  He finished second in the AL MVP Award voting in 1973 (Reggie Jackson was the winner).  He won 20 or more games eight times.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990 when he was named on 92.6% of the ballots cast (his first time on the ballot).  He is the only Oriole to have been on all three Orioles World Series Championship teams.

I mailed to Palmer on June 4 and got the cards back on June 30, for a 26-day TAT.  I paid $10/card.

September 2017 Trip to Baltimore

I thought I was done graphing for the year.  I was content to rest on the 964 signed cards that I had gotten and call it a year.  I decided that, for my birthday, I would make the trip to Baltimore for a game or two, and ended up doing a bit more graphing.

I was slammed for work, so I didn't get a lot of time to sort, but luckily, I still had a ton of Orioles cards that I had sat aside for the Norfolk exhibition game in March.  I took those stacks, then supplemented them with a few Orioles alumni that I thought may come.

I also met up with my good friend, Michael, and he showed me the ropes of graphing at Camden Yards.  He helped me outside the stadium, inside at the field, and up in the club level.  One of the biggest autos I was able to get was this Jonathan Schoop.  It turned out really nice, especially since I didn't get a chance to prep the card beforehand.  I was really lucky that the auto suck with this one.  I was able to get him to sign it at his car, along with a ton of other folks.  I appreciate that his wife was so gracious as to let us hand the cards inside the car to him.

Boog Powell was probably the easiest Oriole to approach.  He was at his station at Boog's BBQ chatting and posing for photos.  He signed every card that I had, which was great, because I had brought some nice Topps cards straight from my PC.

I was able to get this 1992 Action Packed card signed, which is the first that I have been able to add to my album.  It turned out nice, and the line through the auto came due to the scan.

I had brought a few Orioles team cards with me, just in case I ran into any players and didn't have their cards on hand.  Such was the case with Austin Hays on Saturday at the field level.  I had him sign the 2016 Heritage team card instead, which turned out really nicely.  The 2017 Topps team card is signed by radio personality, Tom Davis, while the 2016 team card is signed by THE Roch Kubatko!

I was able to talk to Jim Palmer outside of the stadium after the game, Friday night.  He wouldn't sign, though.  He told me he would sign for me Saturday, if I was at the game.  Sure enough, before the game Saturday, he came over in the parking lot and signed a card for me.

I got Palmer to sign this card post game, Saturday.  He is funny with autographers; he said "You're all collectors!", and joked around with all of us.  He took one kid's graphing book and asked everyone to "throw em all up there" so, with the kid holding the book, Palmer signed all of our cards.

I was also able to take a selfie with Palmer, but it turned out pretty blurry.  Still, he was nice about it.

I was able to get Rick Dempsey before Saturday's game in the parking lot.  I had a number of cards with me and handed them over to him.  He signed a few (above) and I thanked him.  He wasn't overly talkative, but we did talk about what he would do in the offseason.  He talked about playing golf.

Because it was the final home series of the season, there were a bunch of Orioles alumni at the stadium and walking around the club level.  I was able to get Chris Hoiles on one.  I missed Joe Orsulak, though.  I saw Ross Grimsley leaving the stadium, and caught Scott McGregor, getting him on a card for myself, and one for Michael.

I was with fellow grapher, Patrick, when Brady Anderson came outside on Saturday night.  Michael had told me that Brady was gone for the weekend, but luckily, I was able to find his cards very quickly in my box.  I took the first two cards that I saw, which landed me this 1991 that Patrick got for me, and the awesome Pacific below that I was able to get done.

Also outside on Saturday night, I was able to use the above 2016 Orioles team card on Jimmy Yacabonis.  He might have made better sense on a 2017 team card, but in my scramble, this one was the first I could get my hands on in a pinch that night.  It'll do.

Buck Showalter was the last to leave the stadium on Friday night, and Michael and I were the last graphers standing.  Buck stopped his car and motioned for us to come over; he chatted with us for a bit, and was more than happy to sign for us.  I noticed, though, that he only signed the Orioles cards that we presented.  I had two other cards (a Yankee card and a Diamondbacks card) and he left them blank.

Jeremy Hellickson was sitting in his car on Saturday night, and told the graphers that he would sign on Sunday.  Apparently, though, he was waiting for someone who was late, so he finally motioned for us to come over, and he signed for a bit until the person he was waiting for finally came and caught a ride with him.  Who was he waiting for?  Alex Cobb!

I actually recognized Dave Johnson while we were in the club level.  He was really nice to Michael and I.  While he was signing for us, we talked about his son, Steve, who had to cancel a vacation to the Caribbean due to the hurricane.

I also got Johnson a second time as he came out of the stadium on Saturday so I could finish off my page of him.  I appreciated him stopping and chatting again.

On this trip, I was surprised at the number of Rays players that I was able to get on cards.  Saturday before the game, we were able to get Rays manager, Kevin Cash, after his finished his afternoon run.

I was able to get Alex Cobb a couple of times.  Jose Sucre is on the Rays team card at top left.

Cobb was really nice; he signed for me several times, and finished up all of the cards I had of him.

A lot of the players were one per, except for Curt Casali, but I had all of the same card of him, 2016 Topps.

I really enjoyed chatting with Tommy Hunter before the Saturday game.  He was open and honest about how he enjoyed his time in Baltimore, and how he didn't want to leave.

Tommy also gave a fellow grapher some crap for calling out for him to come over, then leaving to try to get Evan Longoria instead.  He was really funny and took quite a while to sign for everyone.

I wasn't going to do any graphing on Sunday morning, but I had to meet Michael and hand off some extra cards that I had.  While we were waiting for him, Austin Hays came over and posed for a photo with Chris.

I had one ROMLB with me, just in case.  I decided to use that ball to get an autograph from Orioles radio voice, Joe Angel.  With Michael's idea, I got Angel to inscribe the baseball "Wave it bye bye" and "In the WIN column".

The ball turned out great, except for the little smudge on the side.  I didn't care!

 I believe that Joe Angel will end up in the Hall of Fame as a Ford Frick Award winner, so hopefully this ball will find its way into my HOF collection soon.

Finally, the biggest autograph (in my mind) that I was able to get this weekend was that of Rays pitcher, Chris Archer.  I used my knowledge that he was from NC to my advantage.  He is from Clayton, NC, so I yelled over to him "Hey Chris!  I drove through Clayton on Tuesday on my way to Fuquay [Varina]!"  He smiled and waved, so I asked him if he minded signing a card for me.  He said he would when he was done, and was good on his word.  I had to jump on the dugout to slide the card and pen to him, much to the chagrin of the usher who yelled at me, but I didn't care.  I got the auto!

So, with this trip, I netted 1,016 signed cards on the season.  I think this was an awesome way to close it out and officially retire my graphing book for the winter.  I'll fire it all up again for Fan Fest in January.