Some Independent League Autos From Mike W

Last season, I sent some cards to a guy I met while graphing in High Point for him to get signed in Gastonia.  I wasn't able to get down there, so Mike W. got a few cards signed for me.  I was able to send him some Curtis Terry cards I had, which was nice.  The Terry cards were left over from when a friend of mine was going to see Saint Paul.  Terry was released and ended up in independent ball.

Mike also got a couple Jack Reinheimer cards signed for me.  I had gotten Reinheimer TTM a couple years ago, but had a couple cards left over.

The above 1990 Topps Goose Gozzo was another card someone had missed during a 50/50.

Finally, these three Zach Jarrets were missed by me when I wasn't able to get him after he came through here with Frederick.  He was released by the Orioles and ended up on Gastonia.  I'm glad I was able to get these team set cards done, finally.

I hope to see Mike again in High Point.  I really enjoy going there and getting those independent guys.

2024 Cubs Convention Autos From Max

Another Cubs Convention has come and gone, and my amazing friend, Max, took a bunch of cards and got them signed for me.  He always delivers, and this year he got me some good stuff taken care of.  He also helped me clear some room in my boxes.  The above 2020 Donruss orange foil of Adbert Alzolay turned out great.  I had a ton of Alzolay's cards, and Max got a good one done.

I'm pretty sure Max has gotten every single Dave Otto out of my boxes, and the above 1992 Topps is a nice Otto card.  Surely there's one or two left hidden in a box somewhere.  That just means a have way too many boxes.  I was also glad to see this 2011 Topps Ryan Dempster get done.  Thats another guy who I'm finallynrunning low on. 

I remember finding the two Ray Birris cards in the boxes I had on loan from Conrad.  He's got a great signature and the 1974 and 1975 Topps were great additions to the autograph album.

I just recently cleared out a bunch of Manny Trillo cards and sent them to Max so he would have more for the next time he sees Trillo.

I am also finally low on Geovany Soto.  Getting those two 2007 Bowmans signed was nice, since I've had a ton of 07s since that set came out. That was the first "modern" (as in post 2000) Bowman set that I had in bulk.  They've just been languishing in a box since then, so it was nice to get some moved. 

Some more recent stuff was thinned out as well.  It was unfortunate that the Cubs waited until the last minute to announce who was going to be at the Con.  I had to scramble to get a package together for Max, but I had a lot of 2022 and 2023 stuff at the ready.  We probably could have racked up a lot more autos had the Cubs put the list out a week earlier.  Still, adding the Javier Assad, Caleb Kilian and Mark Leiter, Jr. cards to the album was nice.

I was even able to get a couple Alexander Canario cards out of the Box Of Shame for the Con.  I had missed him when I saw the Twnnessee Smokies a couple years ago, so it was nice to finally get him. Max rounded out the package with a 2023 Topps Update Jose Cuas, a Panini Prizm Luke Little and a 2020 Bowman Luke Little.

Thanks for getting these done for me, Max.  I look forward to your next message with a list of guys you need this season.  Baseball is back and I'm excited to see who all each of us it able to see this year. 

A Dual Autographed Card From Rich

Regular blog reader, Rich, messaged me out of the blue on Facebook offering me the above 1982 Topps Football card showing football Brothers, Lyle and Glenn Blackwood.  I like multi-signed cards; it is always cool to complete one of them and adds a layer of difficulty.  I really appreciate Rich reaching out with the card.

Lyle Blackwood (b. 1951) played professionally from 1973 to 1986 for the Bengals, Seahawks, Colts and Dolphins.  He had 35 interceptions in his career and led the league in 1977 with 10.

Glenn Blackwood (b. 1957) played professionally from 1977 to 1987 for the Dolphins.  He had 29 interceptions in his career.

Thank you so much for the card, Rich.  It is really cool and is a great addition to the autograph album. 

Another TTM Success From Cory Spangenberg

Two more cards were freed from my Box Of Shame when I pulled these Cory Spangenbergs that I failed to get signed IP a while back.  I sent them TTM recently and they came back signed last week.

The above 2014 Topps Heritage Minors is a cool card.  I ended up with a bunch of those when I got the boxes from the LCS when it closed.  I was glad to get one out of the box and into the album.

I also got this 2011 Bowman black border card signed. This set was another that I inherited from the LCS.

I mailed to Spangenberg on January 10 and got the cards back on February 9, for a 30-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jack Wynkoop

While making a pass through my Box Of Shame, I pulled a couple guys that I had missed and tried them TTM recently.  One of the successes that came out of this was Jack Wynkoop.  I sent off the above 2015 Bowman Chrome and the below 2015 Bowman base.

Both cards came out looking nice with the black Sharpie.  One of my friends had gotten Wynkoop for me in blue a while back, but this one will go well in my album, too. 

Wynkoop (b. 1993) was a 6th round pick by the Rockies in the 2015 June Amateur Draft out of the University of South Carolina.  He played in the minors from 2015 to 2019 and 2021 in the Rockies system, reaching AAA.  He had a record of 32-40 with 416 strike outs and a 4.06 ERA.

I mailed to Wynkoop on January 10 and got the cards back on February 9, for a 30-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Roc Riggio

The 2023 Bowman Draft TTM successes have slowed down.  There are still several out there that should come back, so I'm holding out hope that a few more will come in.  The most recent one to come in was this card signed by Roc Riggio.

Riggio (b. 2002) was a 4th round pick by the Yankees in the 2023 July Amateur Draft out of Oklahoma State. He played at two levels last season; Rookie ball and low A where he had 14 hits, no home runs and a .192 batting average.

I mailed to Riggio on January 8 and got the card back on February 9, for a 32-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Rick Aguilera

Finally, a private signing with a tough (for me at least) to get 1987 Topps autograph came along.  I was able to add Rick Aguilera to the set after a private signing on SCN.

Aguilera (b. 1961) played in the majors from 1985 to 2000 for the Mets, Twins, Red Sox and Cubs.  He had a record of 86-81 with 1,030 strike outs and a 3.57 ERA.  He also had 318 saves in his career.  He was a three-time All Star (1991, 1992 and 1993).  He finished 18th in the 1991 AL MVP race.  He won the World Series with the Mets in 1986 and Twins in 1991.  He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot on 2006 but received only 0.6% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on December 20 and got the card back on February 9, for a 51-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $59.00.