2026 National Paid Signers - Jim Thome and Mike Schmidt

There were two paid signers I wanted to get on one card this year. I had never met Mike Schmidt before, and when I saw that he was added to the National lineup, I penciled him in as a guy I wanted to get this year. I had a couple newer cards that I had my eye on, but then I went through my 2004 Topps box looking for something else, when I found this card of Schmidt and Jim Thome. I had met Thome before, but had no problem meeting him again, so the goal of completing this card was set.

I got Schmidt first. His table was beside Thome's, and when he saw the card, he held it up and said "Hey Thome, take a look!" When I got over to Thome next, he held it up and said "Hey, Schmiddy". It was really cool meeting both. I chatted with Schmidt a bit but talked longer with Thome. I mentioned again about Kinston, and he talked about how much he loved playing there. He shook my hand, patted me on the shoulder and thanked me for coming. Jim Thome is such an awesome guy.

I love that I got this card signed by both guys. Dual Hall of Famer autos are tough, but some can still be done. I may have to try some more later down the line.

TTM Success - Mike Schmidt

Back in 2020, I sent off two Mike Schmidt 1987 Topps cards to te Hall of Fame to try to get them signed for my set.  They came back signed, but by a ghost signer (not by Schmidt, himself).  I saw that he was added to the autograph lineup for the 2020 National that was to be held in Atlantic City that year, but it was later canceled.  This year in Atlantic City, Schmidt wasn't in the autograph lineup, so I had to wait a little bit longer to get my cards signed for real.  Finally, a promoter that I have used in the past sent me a message soliciting for a Schmidt signing (at a pretty high price).  I went ahead and paid the fees to get Schmidt into my set and not have to worry any more about getting these cards signed.

I was out of the All Star card after my ghost signing incident, so I had to rely on my good friend, Gerard to send me one that he had.  I got it in hand and sent off to the signing.  Both of the cards came back looking great, and are now in my album.  The long, drawn out drama of me adding Schmid to the set has been put to bed.

I mailed to the signing on September 28 and got the cards back on November 17, for a 50-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mike Schmidt's Ghost Signer

I was excited when these came in after mailing to the Hall of Fame, but after further review, and seeking opinions from some friends, I received a TTM "success" from someone other than Mike Schmidt.

I was disappointed, too, because I figured that if I sent via the HOF, I had a good shot of getting a legit signature back.  However, that wasn't the case, and I have a couple of novelty cards in my album.

I just hate that I ended up wasting some sharp 87s, and will have to pay to meet Schmidt in order to insure that I will get legitimate autos for my set.  Oh well, it was worth a shot (and 2 stamps, 2 cards and about 15 minutes of my time).

I mailed to the Hall of Fame on April 23 and got these cards back on May 11, for an 18-day TAT.

Hall of Fame Signed Baseball - Mike Schmidt

The other baseball I got from the latest collectauctions.com auction was this Mike Schmidt signed baseball.  It is a Leonard Coleman ONL baseball that shows some minor toning.

Schmidt (b. 1949) played in the majors from 1972 to 1989, all for the Phillies.  Schmidt had 2,234 hits, 548 home runs and a career .267 batting average.  He was a three-time NL MVP (1980, 1981 and 1986) and won the World Series with the Phillies in 1980.  Schmidt is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen of all-time (I'd argue that Brooks is) and his 548 home runs are 15th all-time.  Schmidt was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995 (his first ballot) when he was named on 96.5% of the ballot (8th most all-time).

Schmidt is my 105th Hall of Fame signed baseball.

Trip to the Card Shop - 2011 Topps Lineage

When Babe and I went to the card shop this weekend, I picked up two packs of 2011 Topps Lineage.  I have already posted lineage before, but I really like the product so I thought I'd show what I got out of the two packs.

I pulled a Brooks!  I like his old jersey.  I think, based on the hat that Brooks is wearing, that this photo is from 1956-1962.  The hat is really old school, too.

I love the old All Star Rookie logo.  Much better than the pewter cup they have now.

I pulled a mini Mike Schmidt.  I have always liked the freakiness of the 1975 set (one of my favorite sets that I built).

Finally, I pulled a Tim Lincecum for my son.  I'll probably end up with it in my collection, but he did like the card.    I can't wait until he is older and knows how to take care of his cards.  That will definitely be the start of some good times, for sure.

New For Sale-Trade Page

I have decided to add a For Sale/Trade page to my blog in hopes to get some of the things I have for sale at card shows out so more people can see them.

It is hard sometimes to go through all the cards I have, price and label them so that people walking by my booth at shows can see everything.  I also have learned recently that it is really convenient to be able to trade a big hit for a Hall of Fame ball (like I was able to do with my Pujols triple relic/auto for the Mazeroski and Drysdale balls).

So, that being said, here are a couple featured items that I would love to sell or trade for something significant.  If any of it interests you, please shoot me an email at wregenthal@hotmail.com.

I won't refuse reasonable offers, but please, don't do me like the people on the Topps Diamond Giveaway are doing...  don't offer me a 1995 Topps Mike Macfarlane for an auto or something like that.

Below are the first items that will be added to the page...  Check the page for descriptions of each item.  Thanks for looking.

1970 Topps OJ Simpson Rookie Card

2008 UD Heroes Mike Schmidt Jersey #ed 115/125

2011 Topps Logan Morrison Auto

2011 Topps Alfonso Soriano Sparkle SP

2011 Topps Starlin Castro Auto

2011 Topps Mark Teixeira Sparkle SP

2011 Topps Travis Snider Silk Collection #ed 36/50

Manny Machado Auto Baseball - signed in person July 4, 2011