TTM Success - Conor Essenburg

Another 2025 Bowman Draft came in the mail signed recently. This Conor Essenburg was sent in early February. It came back signed with what looks like a simple C and E. These kids need to learn better signatures.

Essenburg (b. 2006) was a 5th round pick by the Braves in the 2025 July Amateur Draft out of Lincoln-Way West High School in Illinois. He has played at two levels (Rookie and Low A) in the Braves system this season. He has 49 hits, 8 home runs and a .245 batting average. 

I mailed to Essenburg on February 5 and got the card back on March 28, for a 51-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Jacob Waguespack

This Durham Bulls team set card of Jacob Waguespack was sent out TTM during Spring Training this year and came back signed. I had about the same run of luck on Spring Training this year, as I have the past couple of years. Around 10-15% success seems to be what I have to settle for these days. As my good friend Billy says, "the cards aren't getting signed sitting in the box." So, I have to keep taking that chance.

I had sent to Waguespack back in 2020. I usually don't list stats when I get a guy twice. Since he is an active pmayed and his stats have increased, I will update them.

Waguespack (b. 1993) has played in the majors in 2019, 2020, 2024 and 2026 for the Blue Jays, Rays and Tigers. He has a career record of 5-5, with 99 strike outs and a 4.70 ERA.

I mailed to Wagiespack on February 13 via Mariners camp and got the card back on March 26, for a 41-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Travis Adams

A signed 2026 Topps came back TTM from Travis Adams after I sent it to him at Spring Training. There isn't a whole lot going on with his signature, but it is signed and in the album now.

Adams (b. 2000) had played in the majors since 2025 for the Twins. He has a career record of 2-4 with 63 strike outs and a 6.94 ERA.

I mailed to Adams on February 14 via Twins camp and got the card back on March 25, for a 39-day TAT.

TTM Success - Doug Jennings

This 1989 Topps that I got signed TTM by Doug Jennings turned out great. The A's cards in the 1989 set always looked cool. I guess it's how the green and yellow team name and player name ribbon really pop on the card. 1989 will always be a good-looking set in my opinion. 

Jennings (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1988 to 1991 and 1993 for the A's and Cubs. He had 65 hits, 5 home runs and a .202 batting average. 

I mailed to Jennings on October 30, 2024, and got the card back on March 24, 2026, for a 510-day TAT.

TTM Success - Scott Ruskin

This 1993 Topps card of Chris Ruskin came back signed looking nice from a TTM submission I sent out not too long ago. I'm surprised that I'm still finding new guys who sign TTM out of some of those Junk Wax Era cards. 

Ruskin (b. 1963) played in the majors from 1990 to 1993 for the Pirates, Expos and Reds. He had a record of 11-9 with 146 strike outs and a 3.95 ERA. 

I mailed to Ruskin on March 7 and got the card back on March 23, for a 16-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Steve Soderstrom

Here are a couple nice 90s cards of Steve Soderstrom that I found in my boxes and sent out TTM. The above 1994 Upper Deck Top Prospects insert was a nice find in the boxes. I remember when 1994 Upper Deck came out, it was all the rage, especially the Electric Diamond parallels.

This 1997 Bowman also turned out nicely.

Soderstrom (b. 1972) played in the majors in 1996 for the Giants. He had a record of 2-0 with 9 strike outs and a 5.27 ERA.

I mailed to Soderstrom on February 25 and got the cards back on March 20, for a 23-day TAT. 

June 23-24, 2026, Graphing of the Brockton Rox at Bird Dawgs

Before I left for vacation a few weeks ago, I caught two games between the Brockton Rox and Down East Bird Dawgs. I caught Tuesday and Wednesday's games, and was able to get a few cards signed.

I was glad to get this card of Derek Bender signed. I wasn't sure what to expect from him, as he is the former Twins minor leaguer who had tipped his team's pitches to his opponent so his team's season would end early. Allegedly.

I got a few Perfect Game cards signed by Hayden Travinsky. I like having the option of getting Perfect Game cards signed; I just hate that they're so cumbersome to find.

I also got a few random team set cards signed. I bailed on the Thursday game since I still had cards to locate for my vacation. This is the last time I'll see the Bird Dawgs until mid-August.

In all, I got the following autographs: Derek Bender x 2, Brendan Bell x 4, Joe Kemlqge x 4 and Hayden Travinski x 6 (16 total autographs).