2025 National Pickups - 1964 Topps Set Needs

My trip to the National this summer wasn't only about getting autographs.  I also wanted to pick up some PC stuff and also chip away at a few of the sets I've been working on.   It turns out that I focused on the 1964 Tipps set solely this year.  It was unintentional, but the 28 cards I bought for the set made a huge sent in the needs list.  By the time I left the show, I realized that I hadn't worked on my 1955 Bowman, 1962 Topps or 1967 Topps sets at all.

One of my main goals for the show was to right the wrong of last year where I failed to pick up the 1964 Topps Pete Rose.  I had a dollar amount in mind for what I was willing to spend on the card and came in well under that amount.  The only issue I see with the card is that the back is a bit faded.

Because I saved so much on the Rose, I went ahead and added the above cards (Tommy John rookie, Roger Maris and Sandy Koufax).

I was glad to cross the cards off of the needs list.  Maybe next year I'll hit a couple of the other sets harder.

TTM Success - Tommy John

I had him in my 1987 Topps set but I went ahaid and sent another TTM to Tommy John. This signature looks a bit shakier than the other, but both are pretty similar.

I also had John sign this 1973 Topps. It also turned out well.

John (b. 1943) played in the majors from 1963 to 1974 and 1976 to 1989 for the Indians, White Sox, Dodgers, Yankees, Angels and A's. He had a career record of 288-231 with 2,245 strike outs and a 3.34 ERA. He was a 4-time All Star (1968 and 1978 to 1980). His best Cy Young finish was 2nd in 1977. John won 20 or more games 3 times (1977, 1979 and 1980).

I mailed to John on May 12 and got the cards back on June 8, for a 27-day TAT. I paid a fee of $10/card.

Ebay Pickup - Some Tougher Autos For The 87 Set

BBC Exchange had a bunch of signed 1987 Topps cards for sale in their Ebay store at great prices, so I picked a few out of the list and added them to my set.  I picked some of the seemingly tougher ones and went with those.  I started out by looking for a signed Tom Seaver, but his signed 87s have been near impossible to find.  So, I grabbed a few other guys that I hadn't seen and crossed them off of my list.

I had been holding out hope that Andres Galarraga would do a signing sometime soon, but it always seemed like I missed out.  I think he has done Expos Fest a few times, but at the price that BBC Exchange had this card at, I went ahead and got it.

I really need John McNamara on a Red Sox Team Leaders card (and Seaver too).  I just received a signed 84 Topps from McWilliams after waiting for over 2 years, so I grabbed this one so I wuldn't have to wait again.

Tommy John had been signing, but I learned that his ex wife was taking the money sent to her address and signing his cards herself.  Mickey Tettleton seems to be a tough get, so I went ahead and bought this one.  I have something else I want to get him on anyway, so if he pops up on a private signing, I'll do that card instead and will already have the 87 out of the way.

1969 Topps Pickups From Sportlots

I knocked 8 more 1969 Topps cards off of my wishlist during my recent buying spree on Sportlots.  I have slowed down on this set, only because I have been busy working on other things in my collection.  I want to finish this set up sometime soon, but haven't been too motivated.  I only grabbed a couple 1969s while at the National.  Once I get these eight cards posted, my wishlist will be up to date.  This is the biggest reason why I went ahead and posted them today.

Tommy John was the biggest name in the group of cards that I got.  The rest were just random guys that I needed.

I'm hoping to get back to some National posts soon.  I still have so much from there that I have yet to show.  I hope it hasn't been too much!

July 2013 Trip to Baltimore - Trading With Michael

Ever since Fan Fest in January, I have been corresponding with Michael, a fellow Orioles fan and autograph hound.  Michael's a really nice guy who has an amazing collection of Orioles memorabilia.  He also has very high standards for his stuff, so he goes out of his way to get all of his signed baseballs on OMLB balls, on the Sweet Spot.  He doesn't mess around.  He is also a very shrewd negitiator when it comes to trading, which, in turn, can be a lot of fun.  You kind of feel like a GM when he presents an offer for something you really don't want to trade away.  He always has compelling offers, so I generally listen when he comes calling.  It also helps that he is genuinely an all around nice guy.

So, when Michael found out I was going to be in Baltimore this past Monday, he presented me with a trade proposal for the above 2012 OMLB Camden Yards Anniversary game used baseball.  This go-round, he was looking for cash considerations and we went back and forth until we agreed on an amount and he offered to throw in a signed baseball that you will see below.

The Camden ball is MLB authenticated and after referring to their database, I can tell you that the ball was from June 10, 2012.  The Orioles faced the Phillies and the ball was a foul tip by Shane Victorino off of Jason Hammel.  Cool, right?

The other part of the deal was the above Matt Wieters signed baseball.  My Wieters ball from 2008 has faded quite a bit.  I didn't know, then, about proper care for signed baseballs, so replacing it became a must.  This one looks really nice, and it, too, is an OMLB baseball (when my other Wieters ball was not).

Michael ddn't yet have Al Bumbry on a baseball, so when we got him at the autograph signing, I got one signed for him.  He threw in the above Tommy John signed ball for the Bumbry.  It isn't an OMLB ball, but it works fine for me.

In one of the nicest gestures I've seen, Michael threw in three additional OMLB balls, signed by him!  I thought it was a really awesome gesture.  The middle baseball is, according to Michael, game used from one of his games.  He hit a single that won the game.

Michael is a really nice guy and I was really happy to complete this trade with him.  I'm sure we will meet up again and swap more O's related stuff very soon.