Birthday Gift From Max - 1987 Topps Set Needs

Max has contributed so many cards to my 1987 Topps set, so I wasn't surprised that the set is where he put his focus for my birthday gift.  What I didn't expect was that he would hook me up with two guys I sent to TTM, but have, so far, eluded me.

I have been waiting on my 1987 Topps to come back from Lasorda for some time now (over a year, I think), so I'm just about set to write it off.  Maxx hooked me up, so I don't have to worry about hunting one down later on to complete the set.

I sent to Mike Maddux at Spring Training, and I'm sure the card will come back eventually, but Max, still, decided to send me one that he had gotten in person.  If the TTM one ever comes back, I can use it as trade bait to knock something else off of the list.

Thank you so much for the birthday gifts, Max, I truly appreciate them!

TTM Success - Ray Culp

My lot of 1972 Topps that I bought off of Conrad helped facilitate this TTM success from Ray Culp.  That, and raiding my vintage box again.

I took another 1968 out of my box, and got it signed.  Culp's signature looks a bit shaky, but I'm still happy with what I got.

Culp (b. 1941) played in the majors from 1963 to 1973 for the Phillies, Cubs and Red Sox.  He had a record of 122-101 with 1,411 strike outs and a 3.58 ERA.  He finished 3rd in the 1963 NL Rookie of the Year Award voting (Pete Rose took the crown) and was an All Star twice (1963 and 1969).  He appeared on the 1979 Hall of Fame ballot, but did not receive any votes.

I mailed to Culp on October 17, 2017 and got the cards back on July 19, 2018, for a 275-day TAT.

TTM Success - Nate Oliver

I raided my vintage box again with this 1968 TOpps that I got signed TTM by Nate Oliver.  I kind of hate doing it,  but on the other hand, it gives me some older cards to send off.  Especially since it is going to be a while before I attempt the 1968 set anyway.

Oliver (b. 1940) played in the majors from 1963 to 1969 for the Dodgers, Giants, Yankees and Cubs.  He had 216 hits, 2 home runs and a .226 batting average.

I mailed to Oliver on May 24 and got the card back on July 9, for a 46-day TAT.

TTM Success - Aaron Sele

Taking a small break from the 1987 pursuit, I got a couple nice mid-90s cards signed by former pitcher, Aaron Sele.  The above 1994 Finest was what spurred the TTM request, and it turned out fairly well.  They don't scal all that great, but the card looks nice in person.

I also added a 1995 Topps.  Sele personalized the cards, but that was fine with me.

Sele (b. 1970) played in the majors from 1993 to 2007 for the Red Sox, Rangers, Mariners, Angels, Dodgers and Mets.  He had a career record of 148-112 with 1,407 strike outs and a 4.61 ERA.  He was an All Star in 1998 and 2000.  He finished a career-best 5th in the Cy Young Award voting in 1999.

I mailed to Sele on April 27, 2017, and got the cards back on July 9, 2018, for a 438-day TAT.  He signed two of the four cards I sent.  He sent one back unsigned and kept one.

Another TTM Success From Ben Oglivie

Way back in APril 2016, I received a TTM success from Ben Oglivie and failed to send a 1987 Topps.  I got two 1986 Topps and two 1987 Donruss signed, but didn't send an 87 Topps.  I corrected that error this time around, and sent along the above 1973 Topps, and some others from the 80s.

I mailed to Oglivie on May 29 and got the cards back on July 5, for a 37-day TAT.

TTM Success - Eddie Whitson

Another need for my 1987 set drove me to send off for Eddie Whitson, and I got five cards signed as a result.  The above 1987 Topps looks great, of course.

I also had him sign 1979, 1980, 1983 and 1986 Topps.  His signature was consistent on each.

Whitson (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1977 to 1991 for the Pirates, Giants, Indians, Padres and Yankees.  He had a record of 126-123 with a 3.79 ERA and 1,266 strike outs.  He was an All Star in 1980.

I mailed to Whitson on March 14 and got the cards back on June 29, for a 107-day TAT.

TTM Success - Cookie Rojas

It took me two tries, but I got a few cards signed TTM from Cookie Rojas.  I had the cards for quite a while, and was happy to finally be able to add them to the album.

I was able to get signed a 1971, 1972, 1976 and 1988 Topps Traded.  The Topps Traded was a last-minute addition to the envelope, but it made it back signed.

Rojas (b. 1939) played in the majors from 1962 to 1977 for the Reds, Phillies, Cardinals and Royals.  He had 1,660 hits, 54 home runs and a .263 batting average.  He was a 5-time All Star.  His best MVP finish was 14th (1971 - AL).

Rojas managed the Angels in 1988 to a record of 75-79 and also managed the Marlins for one game in 1996 (they won that game).

I mailed to Rojas on May 25 and got the cards back on June 29, for a 35-day TAT.