TTM Success - Jerry DiPoto

A couple cards from 1994 and a nice Stadium Club card were sent out TTM and came back signed back in December.  The above 1994 Score Jerry DiPoto turned out nicely.

I really liked the above 1998 Stadium Club, and was glad I could get it signed.  Stadium Club always seems to be a nice product, and this set is pretty high quality.  The card is a bit thicker than a normal card and it super glossed; it almost seems shallacked.

DiPoto (b. 1968) played in the majors from 1993 to 2000 for the Indians, Mets and Rockies.  He had a record of 27-24 with 352 strike outs and a 4.05 ERA.

DiPoto has been a general manager for the Diamondbacks (2010), Angels (2011 to 2015) and Mariners (2015 to 2022).  He was promoted to President of Baseball operations by the Mariners in 2022.

I mailed to DiPoto on December 2 and got the cards back on December 12, for a 10-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Branden Boissiere

While I had gotten Branden Biossiere IP this past season, I was still excited to send to him TTM in order to get the above 2022 Topps Pro Debut into my autograph album. 

Topps, for some unknown reason, likes to issue the most important minor league cards after the season has concluded. So, I have had very few opportunities to get any Pro Debut signed yet.  Don't get me started on Heritage Minors or Bowman Draft.

Still, it was nice being able to get one of the cards done.  I had also found this 2021 Bowman Draft Chrome refractor in my box that I missed this past season, so I sent it TTM as well.

Boissiere (b. 2000) was a 3rd round pick by the Nationals in the June 2021 Draft out of the University of Arizona.  He has played in the Nationals system since 2021, reaching Low A (Fredericksburg).  He has 106 hits, 6 home runs and a .238 batting average so far in his minor league career.

I mailed to Boissiere on November 15 and got the cards back on December 12, for a 27-day TAT.

TTM Success - Steve Shields

A couple late 80s cards were added to the autograph album when I got this TTM success back from Steve Shields.  One would think that I would have a ton of 1988 and 1989 Topps in the album, but I don't have nearly as many as I do of some of the early 80s issues.  I think a big part of it is that going through those boxes can be kind of tedious, so I avoid them a lot of times.  I have been trying to add some more 88s and 89s to the album, though, so more may be coming in soon.

Shields (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1985 to 1989 for the Braves, Royals, Mariners, Yankees and Twins.  He had a record of 8-8 with 126 strike outs and a 5.26 ERA.

I mailed to Shields on October 27 and got the cards back on December 12, for a 46-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mike Diaz

Another signed 1987 Topps has arrived and my needs list has shrank by one.  This Mike Diaz came via a private signing on SCN.  I only need around 47 more cards to complete the set; it is getting so close.

Diaz (b. 1960) played in the majors in 1983 and from 1986 to 1988 for the Cubs, Pirates and White Sox.  He had 19 hits, 31 home runs and a .247 batting average.

I mailed to the signing on September 9 and got the card back on December 12, for a 94-day TAT.

First IP Graphing Of 2023 - Wayne County Hot Stove Event

The first IP (in person) graphing event of 2023 is in the books, and I was able to add a few cards to the autograph album.  I was told about the event by a fellow Wood Duck fan, and made my way to Goldsboro last night.  Entry for Chris and I was $15 each, and we were able to meet Marlins player, Brian Miller, as well as Goldsboro native, Jerry Narron.  I knew about Miller ahead of time, so I picked up the above 2022 Topps green foil card.

I also used my 2022 Topps base cards of Miller for a couple more autos.  I brought a clean OMLB and two filler cards just in case I ran into someone else at the event.  I was glad I did, because I was able to get Jerry Narron on a 1987 Topps checklist and a game insert/ad card.  I get asked all of the time about why I use the checklists.  I had, at one point, about 200 checklists, so they are easy to grab and put just about anyone on.  Same with the ad inserts.  A lot of people like to use blank dummy cards, but I've also seen where players won't sign blanks, so I figure these will pass as decent enough items to put some ink scribbles on.

I got a couple cases of ROMLBs from my old friend, Sam, and he would be happy to know that I have put two worthy subjects on two of the balls, so far.

I sat at a table with fellow Wood Duck fan, Jessie, and had a good time.  The food was good, along with the stories.  It was a nice start to graphing in 2023, with a couple more events coming up for me in the next couple of weeks.

In all, I got Brian Miller x 3 and Jerry Narron x 3 (6 total autographs).

Another TTM Success From Skip Lockwood

Back in 2017, I had originally sent TTM to Skip Lockwood.  I got a few cards signed, and figured that would probably be it.  I ended up with these two cards at some point, so I decided that after 5+ years, I should go ahead and send to him again.  I got a 1973 Topps and a 1974 Topps signed by Lockwood this time around, and they both came out looking pretty sharp.

I mailed to Lockwood on November 29 and got the cards back on December 10, for an 11-day TAT.

Additionally, that big wave of vintage TTMs has started to come in.  Today was a mass of 8 successes (two of which weren't vintage, but still) and I have a ton more pending.  Also, some signings have popped up, so I will be on the road a bit over the next couple of weeks.  I am getting ramped up for graphing season, which is right around the corner.

TTM Success - Steve Ellsworth

This 1989 Topps came back signed TTM from Steve Ellsworth.  His signature is pretty messy, much like mine, but the card is still signed, and will have a home in my album.

Ellsworth (b. 1960) played in the majors in 1988 for the Red Sox.  He had a record of 1-6 with 16 strikeouts and a 6.75 ERA.

I mailed to Ellsworth on November 29 and got the card back on December 10, for an 11-day TAT.