TTM Success - Greg Vaughn

Another TTM success that was facilitated by PastPros came in recently, when these two cards came back from Greg Vaughn. Above is a 2000 Topps Gold Label that turned out great. This is a very good looking set, and it was easy to choose this one to be sent out for Vaughn's signature. 

I also sent out a 1995 Fleer. Again, this set is a favorite because of the freakiness of the design. It really is a fun set, and I'd like to get my hands on some more boxes of it.

Vaughn (b. 1965) played in the majors from 1989 to 2003 for the Brewers, Padres, Reds, Devil Rays and Rockies. He had 1,475 hits, 355 home runs and a .242 batting average. He was a 4-time All Star (1993, 1996, 1998 and 2001) and won the Silver Slugger Award in 1998. That season, he hit 50 home runs. His best finish in the MVP Race was 4th in both 1998 and 1999. He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2009, but received no votes.

I mailed to Vaughn via PastPros on November 22 and got the cards back on December 12, for a 20-day TAT. I paid a total of $46.00.

TTM Success - Jaret Wright

The above 1998 Fleer Ultra Rocket To Stardom insert of Jaret Wright kept popping up when I'd look through boxes. I finally pulled the card and out it aside to try to get it signed at some point, then I kept seeing it in stacks on my desk.  Of course, when I finally decided to send to Jaret Wright, I couldn't find the card.  That's how it usually works.  Obviously, I did end up finding the card, and I sent off to Wright TTM via PastPros.  The card looks great.  It actually is a die cut card, but that's hard to tell from the scan. 

I also sent off two cards showing Wright as an Oriole.  I couldn't decide between the 2007 Topps or 2007 Topps Heritage, so I sent both.  They both look great.

Wright (b. 1975) played in the majors from 1997 to 2007 for the Indians, Padres, Braves, Yankees and Orioles.  He had a record of 68-60 with 694 strike outs and a 5.09 ERA.  He finished 5th in the 1997 NL Rookie of the Year voting. 

I mailed to Wright via PastPros on January 8 and got the cards back on February 5, for a 28-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $20/card, along with PastPros fee of $8.00.

TTM Success - Pete Falcone

Here is a nice TTM success that I got back from Pete Falcone via PastPros.  I had the above 1982 Fleer in my box that seemed like a nice addition to the autograph album.  The card turned out really nicely.

I also got the above 1980 Topps signed.  It also turned out great.

Falcone (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1975 to 1984 for the Giants, Cardinals, Mets and Braves.  He had a record of 70-90 with 865 strike outs and a 4.07 ERA.

I mailed to Falcone on January 4 and got the cards back on January 26, for a 22-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Rondell White

Thanks to PastPros, I finished this 2006 Topps by getting Rondell White to sign it TTM.  I had gotten Lew Ford on the card early this season when Long Island was in High Point. That feels like forever ago.

White (b. 1972) played in the majors from 1993 to 2007 for the Expos, Cubs, Yankees, Padres, Royals, Tigers and Twins.  He had 1,519 hits, 198 home runs and a .284 batting average.  He was an All Star in 2003.

I mailed to White via PastPros on May 1 and got the card back on May 22, for a 21-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Royce Clayton

There is a drawer in my card room that has a stack of cards that I just want to get signed.  It's more than just getting someone's autograph, it is that the card is either a cool parallel, or has nice photography on it, that I think would look cool in my album.  This 1995 Topps of Royce Clayton is one of those cards.  I like this action shot of former Padre, Tim Hyers sliding into Clayton.  It doesn't look like Hyers signs regularly, because if he did, I'd get him to sign this card, as well.  I saw that Clayon signed TTM through PastPros now, so I sent the card on its way, and got it back fairly quickly.

Clayton (b. 1970) played in the majors from 1991 to 2007 for the Giants, Cardinals, Rangers, White Sox, Brewers, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Nationals, Reds, Blue Jays and Red Sox.  He had 1,904 hits, 110 home runs and a .258 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1997.  He appeared on the 2013 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to Clayton via PastPros on November 14 and got the card back on December 3, for a 19-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jeromy Burnitz

This is a card that I had sitting around for a long time that I really wanted to get signed.  Jeromy Burnitz is finally signing through PastPros, so I made sure to get this 2022 Fleer EX out to him.  The card looks awesome, and I am glad I finally got it signed.

Burnitz (b. 1969) played in the majors from 1993 to 2006 for the Mets, Indians, Brewers, Dodgers, Rockies, Cubs and Pirates.  He had 1,447 hits, 315 home runs and a .253 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1999, and his best MVP finish was 19th in 1998 (NL).  He appeared on the 2012 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to Burnitz on November 14 and got the card back on December 1, for a 17-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ruppert Jones

Here is another card I was able to add to my signed 1987 Topps set; this one was from Ruppert Jones, via PastPros.  My card got lost, so I had to reach out to PastPros, and this replacement card can in, instead.

Jones (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1976 to 1987 for the Royals, Mariners, Yankees, Padres, Tigers and Angels.  He had 1,103 hits, 147 home runs and a .250 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1977 and 1982.  He won the World Series with the Tigers in 1984.

I mailed to Jones on October 9 and got the card back on February 3, for a 117-day TAT.

TTM Success - Travis Hafner

Another card that I found while digging through my boxes was this really cool 2001 Bowmans Best Franchise Futures Travis Hafner.  I added it to my stack of stuff that I really wanted to get signed, and sent it off not too long after.  He signs through PastPros, so I had no problems getting it signed; it was more of waiting until I wanted to pay.  The card turned out great and looks awesome in my album.

Hafner (b. 1977) played in the majors from 2002 to 2013 for the Rangers, Indians and Yankees.  He had 1,107 hits, 213 home runs and a .273 batting average.  His best MVP finish was 5th in 2005.  He appeared on the 2019 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to Hafner via PastPros on October 9 and got the card back on October 22, for a 13-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Dave Parker

I wasn't going to bother Dave Parker again with another TTM request, but I found a couple of his rookie cards at a card show for a great price, so I picked them up.  I sent one to my buddy, Nate, and I sent the other to Parker to be signed and added to my autograph album.

The 1974 Topps looks great, and I am glad I sent it off to be signed.  I mailed the card on October 13 via PastPros and got the card back on October 27, for a 14-day TAT.  With PastPros fees, I paid a total of $23.50 for the autograph.

TTM Success - Ron Hassey

I have a section in my TTM box for guys who charge, and I tend to let those sit for a long time before I get the money together to get the cards signed.  Ron Hassey's cards probably sat in that spot for 3 or 4 years, until I finally sent them off to be signed TTM.  I needed Hassey for my 1987 Topps set, and I am glad I finally got around to getting him off of the list.

I went ahead and sent my 1981 Topps off, as well, since I like that set, too, and wanted to add this one to the album.

Hassey (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1978 to 1991 for the Indians, Cubs, Yankees, White Sox, A's and Expos.  He had 914 hits, 71 home runs and a .266 batting average.  He won the World Series with the A's in 1989.

I mailed to Hassey via PastPros on October 13 and got the cards back on October 20, for a 7-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $10/card plus PastPros fee of $3.50.

TTM Success - Gene Tenace

These was a lot of sweating prior to and during this TTM request that I sent to Gene Tenace.  It started with finding a needle in a haystack by seeing this Yogi Berra signed 1987 Topps Astros leaders card at the Cleveland National a couple years ago.  I picked it up for $20 and put it in my 87 album.  When I saw a Hal Lanier signing finally come up, I sent it off to him.  Lanier is spotty lately with TTM returns, so I wanted the assurance of locking in with a paid signing and getting my card done that way.  It is still risky, of course, because things can happen and cards can get wrecked when sending through the mail.  The card came back from the Lanier signing, and I was ready to send it off to Denis Menke, who I have gotten TTM from before.  I believe the guy who ran the Lanier signing told Menke the card was coming, and it got back to me signed really fast (9 days).  Finally, I turned it around and sent to Gene Tenace, who signs through PastPros.  This awesome card is now complete and has its place in my 87 album.

I also sent off this 1973 Topps buyback that I had pulled several years ago.  It also turned out well, but definitely takes a back seat to the Astros Leaders card.

Tenace (b. 1946) played in the majors from 1969 to 1983 for the A's, Padres, Cardinals and Pirates.  He had 1,060 hits, 201 home runs and a .241 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1975 and his best MVP finish was 18th (1975 and 1976, AL).  He won the World Series four times (1972-1974 - Oakland and 1982 - St Louis); he was the 1972 World Series MVP.

Tenace managedthe Blue Jays for 33 games in 1991 and amassed a 19-14 record (.576%)

Tenace appeared on the 1989 Hall of Fame ballot, but received only 0.2% of the vote.  I mailed to Tenace on July 23 and got the cards back on July 31, for an 8-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $15/card plus PastPros handling fees.  I paid $20 for the card; $15 for the Lanier signing, and Menke was free.  So, I put over $50 into the card to get it completed, and I'm certain it is worth far more than that.  I'm just happy to have it completed.

TTM Success - Jeffrey Leonard

PastPros has been adding some new signers to their roster, and a few of them are guys that have been needing for my 1987 Topps set.  One of the new guys on there was Jeffrey Leonard.  I went ahead and got the card in the mail so I could cross him off of my list.

Leonard (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1977 to 1990 for the Dodgers, Astros, Giants, Brewers and Mariners.  He had 1,342 hits, 144 home runs and a .266 batting average.  He was a two-time All Star (1987 and 1989) and was the 1987 NLCS MVP.  His best MVP finish was 20th in 1983; he was second in the 1979 NL Rookie of the Year voting, behind Rick Sutcliffe.  Also, baseball-reference has one of his nicknames listed as "Penitentiary Face".

I mailed to Leonard on April 15 and got the card back on July 16, for a 92-day TAT.

TTM Success - Karim Garcia

I had seen Karim Garcia's name pop up in a list of recent successes on SCN, but I couldn't remember the significance of why I had been keeping an eye out for his name.  Then, on a pass through my boxes, I saw this card and remembered that was why I wanted to try to get Garcia TTM.

This 996 Pinnacle Aficionado Global Reach insert is a really cool card, and I wanted to try to get one in my autograph album.  Garcia signs through PastPros, so once I figured that all out, it was pretty easy to get this card signed.

Garcia (b. 1975) played in the majors from 1995 to 2004 for the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Tigers, Orioles, Indians, Yankees and Mets.  He had 352 hits, 66 home runs and a .241 batting average.

I mailed to Garcia via PastPros on April 8 and got the card back signed on May 7, for a 29-day TAT.

TTM Success - Bip Roberts

Bip Roberts is now on PastPros, so I sent off a 1987 Topps for my set and got it back signed.

Roberts (b. 1963) played in the majors in 1986 and from 1988 to 1998 for the Padres, Reds, Royals, Indians, Tigers and A's.  He had 1,220 hits, 30 home runs and a .294 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1992.  That season, he finished 8th in the NL MVP race.

I mailed to Roberts on April 15 and got the card back on April 28, for a 13-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $23.00.

TTM Success - Rodney Scott

I had ROdney Scott's cards in my box for probably 4 years or more, but always put off mailing to him due to him having signing fees.  I finally had a few extra bucks and decided to send to him, so I could clear out some space in my box.

I sent along a 1981 Topps (above) and a 1979 Topps (below).  He used some weird colored marker; I guess you could say that is purple.

Still, the cards got signed, and they'll add something a little different to my album, which always helps.

Scott (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1975 to 1982 for the Royals, Expos, A's, Cubs and Yankees.  He had 504 hits, 3 home runs and a .236 batting average.  He led the NL in triples in 1980 with 13; that year he also had 63 stolen based.  He finished 22nd in the 1980 NL MVP race.

I mailed to Scott on April 8 and got the cards back on April 25, for a 17-day TAT.  I paid a fee through PastPros of $17/card.  Had I known that the signatures wouldn't look all that great, I probably would have put it off even longer.  Oh well.

TTM Success - Dave Palmer

I have been using PastPros quite a bit lately to get some cards for my 1987 set.  This time around, I crossed Dave Palmer off of the list.  It took a while, and I had to email the folks at PastPros, but I got my cards in, and they look good.

I went ahead and got this 1981 Topps signed as well.

Palmer (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1978 to 1980, 1982 and 1984 to 1989 for the Expos, Braves, Phillies and Tigers.

He had a career record of 64-59 with 748 strike outs and a 3.78 ERA.

I mailed to Palmer on September 28 and got the cards back on April 2, for a 187-day TAT.

TTM Success - Cecilio Guante

I crossed another card off of my 1987 Topps checklist when I got this card signed by Cecilio Guante via PastPros.  You have to love the old Pirates pillbox hat.  I never was a fan of the Pirate logo (top left of card), though.

Guante (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1982 to 1990 for the Pirates, Yankees, Rangers and Indians.  He had a career record of 29-34 with 503 strike outs and a 3.48 ERA.

September 28 and got the card back signed on October 25, for a 27-day TAT.  I paid PastPros fee of $12.00.

TTM Success - Shane Rawley

I had Shane Rawley cards in my TTM box since 2016.  It just took me forever to decide to pay his PastPros fee and send the cards off.  I finally got around to it, and sent three cards.  The above 1988 Tops All Star looks great.  I like the design, and it scanned really well.

I also sent off a 1983 Fleer, and of course, I got the 1987 Topps that I needed for my set.

Rawley (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1978 to 1989 for the Mariners, Yankees, Phillies and Twins.  He had a career record of 111-118 with 991 strike outs and a 4.02 ERA.  He was an All Star in 1987.

I mailed to Rawley on September 28 and got the cards back on October 15, for a 17-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $9.00/card (including PastPros fees).

Two TTM Successes From Dickie Thon

Dickie Thon signs through PastPros, so I figured it would be pretty easy to get my 1987 Topps signed by him.  I went through PastPros' steps back in November, sent my card in and waited.  I waited so long, I had forgotten about it, but when cleaning out my email, I saw the receipt from PastPros, and that it should take no longer than a month to get my card back.  I emailed them, and they said they would look into it.  I waited and forgot again, and when I was missing another player (Eric Plunk), I remembered that I needed to look for this one again.

Finally, I got a message from PastPros that Dickie had never received my 87 Topps, and would sign and send me one of his own.  THEN they message me again saying he didn't have any 87s, but he would send me something else.  I got this 1984 Fleer All Star card.  In the email, PastPros told me to re-send an 87, and Thon would sign that for me, as well.  So, I did, and got that signed card back in about a week.

I'm glad to have gotten my card back.  I have no idea what happened to the other one, but I can mark him off of my checklist, and all is well.

Thon (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1979 to 1993 for the Angels, Astros, Padres, Phillies, Rangers and Brewers.  He had 1,176 hits, 71 home runs and a .264 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1983.  He was a Silver Slugger and finished 7th in the NL MVP voting that season, as well.

I originally sent to Thon on November 6, 2018, and got the 84 Fleer back on September 30, for a 328-day TAT.  I sent the second 87 Topps on September 28, and got the signed card back on October 5, for a 7-day TAT.

TTM Success - Eric Plunk

I waited a while, but finally got a TTM success back from Eric Plunk via PastPros.  I needed him for my 1987 set, and the card turned out pretty well.  It got a bit damaged in transit, but really, it looks fine.

Plunk (b. 1963) played in the majors from 1986 to 1999 for the A's, Yankees, Indians and Brewers.  He had a career record of 72-58 with 1,081 strike outs and a 3.82 ERA.

I mailed to the private signing on March 25 and got the card back on August 19, for a 147-day TAT.  I paid the PastPros fee of $12.00.