TTM Success - Brett Krill

A pass through my early 2010s Bowman box led me to pulling some players from those years and sending cards out TTM. One of the ones that came back from that batch was this 2012 Bowman Chrome of Brett Krill.

The card turned out great. Some of those Bowman cards from that era are really clean and look great when signed.

Krill (b. 1989) was a 25th round pick by the Giants in the 2010 June Amateur Draft out of UCLA. He played in the Giants system from 2011 to 2014, reaching AAA. He had 284 hits, 13 home runs and a .268 batting average. 

I mailed to Krill on March 23 and got the card back on April 6, for a 14-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Kirk Saarloos

The above 2002 Bowman Chrome of Kirk Saarloos was a card that came in the early 2000s Bowman package that Ryan sent me last year. I am still working on getting some of those cards out, but most of them have been sent.

I got the card back signed TTM, along with this 2004 Topps that I sent. He signed them in silver Sharpie.

Saarloos (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2002 to 2008 for the Astros, A's and Reds. He had a record of 29-30 with 251 strike outs and a 5.02 ERA. 

I mailed to Saarloos on March 9 and got the cards back on April 6, for a 28-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Tyler Townsend

Another former Oriole farmhand was added to the autograph album when this 2009 Bowman came back TTM signed by Tyler Townsend. I have very few 2009 Bowmans signed, so this one was a nice addition.

Townsend (b. 1988) was a 3rd round pick by the Orioles in the 2009 June Amateur Draft out of Florida International University. He played in the minors from 2009 to 2012, all in the Orioles system. He reached AA Bowie before retiring. He had 234 hits, 36 home runs and a .272 batting average. 

I mailed to Townsend on December 10 and got the card back on April 6 for a 117-day TAT.

TTM Success - Eric Nolte

Ah, a 1988 Topps. A signed one at that. Going through the 5,000-count box I have that holds 1988 and 1989 Topps is so tough to go through. Still, I have to go through that box every so often just to keep pulling guys here and there. I pulled this Eric Nolte to send out TTM. It came back sognef in black Sharpie, and looks good.

Nolte (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1987 to 1989 and 1991 for the Padres and Rangers. He had a record of 5-8 with 69 strike outs and a 5.63 ERA.

I mailed to Nolte on February 21 and got the card back on April 3, for a 41-day TAT.

2025 National Paid Signer - Miguel Cabrera

The last paid signer that I missed posting from last year's National was Miguel Cabrera. I may have gotten a grunt from Pujols; I didn't get anything from Miggy. He talked to the handler the whole time. I wish Tristar would tell their folks to try to sway the conversation back to the customers if the athlete is talking with them. Either way, I got my ball signed and it'll be a part of the Hall of Fame collection when he is inducted.

Cabrera (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2003 to 2023 for the Marlins and Pirates. He had 3,174 hits, 511 home runs and a .306 batting average. He was the AL MVP in 2012 and 2013. He was the AL batting champ in 2011 (.344), 2012 (.330), 2013 (.348) and 2015 (.338). He was an All Star 12 times (2004-2007, 2010-2016 and 2022). Cabrera is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2029.

TTM Success - Mike James

Here is another signed 1997 Topps that was added to the autograph album. I sent this card TTM to Mike James and got it back signed in black Sharpie.

James (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1995 to 1998 and 2000 to 2002 for the Angels, Cardinals and Rockies. He had a record of 16-14 with 247 strike outs and a 3.67 ERA.

I mailed to James on October 3 and got the card back on April 3, for a 182-day TAT.

2025 National Card Show Paid Signer - Albert Pujols

Last year's National feels like it happened yesterday. Not because I was at THIS year's National yesterday (and today... and the rest of the week), but the year did fly by. So much so, I still have a couple baseballs I had yet to post, including this one I got signed by Albert Pujols.

I paid a good bit to meet Pujols in person and get a ball signed, but he was one of the two big ticket guys I chose to get. He grunted when I said hello, signed my ball, and rhat was it. Oh well. 

Pujols (b. 1980) played in the majors from 2001 to 2022 for the Cardinals, Angels and Dodgers. He had 3,384 hits, 703 home runs and a .296 batting average. He was a 3-time NL MVP (2005, 2008 and 2009) and NL Rookie of the Year in 2001. He was the NL batting champ (.359) in 2003. He batted over .300 in 10 straight seasons. He led the league in home runs twice. Pujols is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028.