TTM Success For The Set - 1987 Topps Will Clark

I finally was able to add this 1987 Topps Will Clark to my 1987 set when it came back TTM after I mailed it to AT&T Stadium.  I had actually sent one before, but I had done that one for Chris.  He offered me the one he had, but I didn't want to take it from him.  So, I had to find another and send it along.

I mailed the card on March 26 and got the card back on April 30, for a 35-day TAT.

Second TTM Success From Will Clark

I sure didn't intend to post two repeat TTM successes in a row, but that is how it worked out with my returns.  This is another case of having a card that I really wanted signed, then taking the chance and sending it out.  I'm glad I did!

This is a 1992 Donruss Diamond Kings Will Clark that I have had in the collection since it was pulled from a pack in 1992.  It has survived being put in binders and boxes and multiple iterations of my collection.  I'm reall glad that I will have a '92 Diamond Kings represented in my album, and it is a great player pictured on the card.

I mailed to Clark on November 7 and got the card back on January 17, for a 71-day TAT.

Resutls of the Nachos Grande Group Break

 This is my 800th post.  Who knew I'd have that much to say about cards and stuff.  Pretty nice when you think about it.

I took part in one of Nachos Grande's group breaks a couple weeks ago.  I bought in for the Orioles or course and as always, when you buy in to one of his group breaks, you get a random team assigned.  I was assigned the Red Sox along with the Orioles, so that ended up being a really good group break for me.

He picked up boxes of 1999 Topps Finest, 1999 Flair Showcase, 2000 Fleer Tradition, 2000 Fleer Gamers and 2001 Upper Deck Decades.

 The 1999 Finest are really nice, as all Finest seem to be.  I got a few extra Orioles, one of which was the above Mussina.

 I have always liked Flair.  That was one product I hater to see go when Fleer went under.  Having the Red Sox in this group break was really nice because I ended up with some Nomar Garciaparra cards.  I have always liked Nomar.  He was a really good player.  I doubt he will get any consideration for the Hall of Fame at all, but when healthy, he was one of the best players of his era.

 This Nomar is really nice as well.  Flair was always solid, yet, underrated.

 Another benefit of being assigned the Red Sox was the ability to get Perdo Martinez cards.  Pedro was an amazing pitcher who will most likely get into the Hall of Fame.  Maybe not on the first ballot, but he will get in.

 The Orioles' cautionary tale of handing out big contracts, Albert Belle was pretty decent in the first two years of his 5-year deal he signed with the Orioles before the 1999 season.  This is, though, he did NOTHING the final three years of the contract.  He had a degenerative hip condition that did not allow him to play in the 2001, 2002 or 2003 seasons.  He got paid to stay home.  Since then, the Orioles have been really gun shy to hand out big long-term contracts.

 It was nice to add some new Cal Ripken cards to my collection.  I added 4 new Cals to my collection from this group break.

 

 

 The Fleer Gamers cards are pretty nice.  Similar to Fleer Metal that came out in the mid-90s, I added this Nomar and the below Cal to my collection.

 The Fleer Tradition are nice, too, but wow, do they really look like 1954 Topps or what?  Hmm, I can't imagine that Topps was too happy to see this.  It isn't the first time one product looked eerily similar to another...

 This Fleer Tradition Will Clark is really nice.  I think I might drop it in the mail to my older brother who was a big Will Clark fan.

 I liked the Upper Deck Decades stuff, especially since I got some new Brooks Robinson cards.  Hmmm, these look eerily similar to 1975 Topps.  Kind of.  Maybe.

One thing I noticed with all of the UD Decades cards I got out of the break was that ALL of the photos on the cards appeared to be just a bit fuzzy or out of focus.  Anyone else notice that?

I enjoyed my second group break with Nachos Grande.  I hope to do some others; I tried to get in on his latest group break, but someone snuck in and nabbed the Orioles before I could.  Oh well, there is always next time!

TTM Success - Will Clark

We got back from visiting the family Tuesday night to find one of my awesome mailers in my mail box.  I received a TTM success from Former first baseman Will Clark.

Clark (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1986 to 2000 for the Giants, Rangers, Orioles and Cardinals.  He amassed career totals of 2,176 hits, 284 home runs and a .303 batting average.

Clark signed for free and is my 41st TTM success.  He was my older brother's favorite baseball player growing up, so I made sure to tell him to send to Clark also.  I hope he gives it a shot.

I mailed to Will Clark on December 8, 2011 and got my ball back on December 27, 2011; a TAT of 19 days.  Not bad.  I like the inscription that he added, plus, he has a really nice signature.