TTM Success - Nick Maton

This TTM success from Nick Maton allowed me to get a 2021 Topps Pro Debut out of my boxes.  One of the most difficult sets to leaf through quickly, I find myself skipping over 2021 Topps and 2021 Pro Debut.  Still, I enjoy getting the cards signed, so I try my best to slow down and go through the boxes when I have the time.  They just hurt my eyes.

Anyway, I saw that Nick Maton was signing TTM, so I sent off two cards.  The came back looking great.

Along with the Pro Debut, I got this 2021 Bowman signed.  The signature really shows nicely on this card.

Maton (b. 1997) has played in the majors since 2021 for the Phillies.  He has 72 hits, 12 home runs and a .214 batting average.  He appeared in the World Series last year with the Phillies.  He had one at bat, but did not record a hit.  Fun fact, he is the older brother of Wood Ducks pitcher, Jacob Maton.  His brother, Phil, currently plays for the Astros.

I mailed to Maton on January 13 and got the cards back on February 14, for a 32-day TAT.  He kept two of my cards.

May-June 2023 Graphing of Fireflies at Wood Ducks

Scanning all of these cards has been an arduous task, but I finally got it done after my scanner had to be rebooted.  Anyway, I was able to get a lot more Columbia stuff signed this week, after getting a taste last week.

Several 2023 Bowman Chrome parallels that I had ordered finally came in, so I was able to get some cool stuff signed this week, like the above Andres Mesa pearl parallel.  It had a small scratch on the surface, so I guess the seller opted to not have it graded.  That's ok with me, since I wanted to get one signed and into my album.  The card looks amazing.

I also was able to get the base chrome, as well as an aqua Lunar Crater parallel and a green grass parallel signed.  They all look really cool.

Tommy Specht was finally brought up from Arizona, and I got my Perfect Game and Panini Prizm cards taken care of.  Specht is now the second youngest player on the team, behind Gleider Figuereo.

Wyatt Sparks finally is here, after getting injured after the team set came out in 2021.  I have a couple other of these cards somewhere, but I don't know were, at this moment.  A fellow grapher sent me two of the 2022 Bowman Chrome sapphire parallels of Danyer Cueva, so I got to keep one for myself.

I finally got the 1988 Topps John Habyan signed.  My friend, Billy, gave me the 1987 Classic, which looks really cool.

Habyan cleaned me out of all of the cards of his that I had pulled over the winter.  I was hoping he would be back, and I was glad that I got these taken care of.

I finished getting the 2023 Bowman paper of Lizandro Rodriguez.  I also got the chrome 2022 Bowman of Steven Zobac.  The 2017 Panini Stars and Stripes of Wesley Scott turned out nicely, as well.  I think he said he was 15 or 16 when that photo was taken.  He also said that his mom got a ton of the cards.

I was glad to almost finish off the 2023 Columbia Fireflies team set.  I was missing two players who were in the set, but not with the team.  That got me really close.  I may have to see where the other two guys are and try to get them TTM or something.

Scanning this set was a pain.  This was the reason why the scanner had to be rebooted, but I finally got everything done.  It was crazy that this team set was $18.00.  I was glad to get it, though, because a lot of the guys who signed their cards said that it was the first time they had signed any cards for anyone.

Also, the set looks pretty cool.  I like the Fireflies colors.  Having the extra cards made it so I had folks to look for at every game, which kept me engaged the whole week.

The Wood Ducks won the series 5-1, which was great.  We also welcomed a new face into our graphing group, a great guy named Jesse.  He wants me to teach him the ropes with graphing, which I enjoy doing.  It has also been nice having someone else to chat baseball with us at games.

In all, I got the following autographs: Danyer Cueva x 6, Gleider Figuereo x 2, Carlos Maldonaldo x 1, Andres Mesa x 4, Wyatt Sparks x 1, Tommy Specht x 10, Omar Florentino x 1, John Habyan x 30, Omar Hernandez x 1, Brennon McNair x 1, Ben Kurdna x 8, Frank Mozzicato x 9, Shane Panzini x 5, Erick Pena x 15, Lizandro Rodriguez x 4, Brett Squires x 1, Levi Usher x 1, Daniel Vazquez x 7, Marcus Olivarez x 1, Tony Pena Jr x 3, Enmanuel Pire x 1, Lizandro Rodriguez x 2, Matt Schmidt x 1, Wesley Scott x 3, Steven Zobac x 16, Ian Moller x 1, Ari Adut x 1, David Hollie x 1, Cooper McKeehan x 1, Jean Ramirez x 1, Oscar Rayo x 1, Dionmy Salon x 1, Yeison Morrobel x 1, Luis Ramirez x 2, Taylor Bloye x 1, Junior Calderon x 1, Roger Leyton x 1, Shane Panzini x 2, David Sandlin x 1, Ben Sears x 1 and Samuel Valerio x 1, Kevin Varitek x 1, Nevan Dominguez x 1, Ted Elsner x 1, Eduardo Herrera x 1, Chazz Martinez x 1, Mauricio Veliz x 1 and Cam Cauley x 3 (161 total autographs).

TTM Success - Bobby Jenks

This TTM success from Bobby Jenks took some time to come in, but I was glad when it finally did.  I got the above 2008 Topps signed, which turned out well.  Even though the signature doesn't match how he signed the card.  I imagine his signature changed over the years.

I also got a 2007 Topps Update, 2007 Upper Deck, 2006 Allen and Ginter, and a 2010 Allen and Ginter signed by Jenks.

Jenks (b. 1981) played in the majors from 2005 to 2011 for the White Sox and Red Sox.  He had a record of 16-20 with 351 strike outs and a 3.53 ERA.  He also had 173 career saves.  He was an All Star in 2006 and 2007 and won the World Series with the White Sox in 2005.

I mailed to Jenks on May 13, 2021, and got the cards back on February 13, 2023, for a 641-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jerry Bell

This TTM success from Jerry Bell was interesting in that it appears that the photo on the above 1974 Topps and below 1973 Topps are so very similar.  I'm not sure that they're the exact same photo, but they could be.

The sideburns are petty awesome.  Bell also has a really nice signature.

Bell (b. 1947) played in the majors from 1971 to 1974 for the Brewers.  He had a record of 17-11 with 89 strike outs and a 3.28 ERA.

I mailed to Bell on February 2 and got the cards back on February 13, for an 11-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Steve Brye

Here is another player who I got to sign TTM a while back, Steve Brye.  I found some more of his cards and sent to him again.  The above 1975 Topps Mini turned out really well.

I also got a 1975, 1976 and 1977 Topps signed by Brye.

I mailed to Brye on February 1 and got the cards back on February 13 for a 12-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Billy Grabarkewitz

Back in 2018, I sent off to Billy Grabarkewitz TTM and got a couple cards signed.  I found a couple more in the boxes from Conrad and decided to send to him again.

I got a 1975 (top) and a 1971 (above) Topps signed by Grabarkewitz this time.  Both of the cards turned out nicely.

I mailed to Grabarkewitz on January 31 and got the cards back on February 13, for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Joe Gaines

This TTM success from Joe Gaines was a nice success.  Gaines's 1964 Topps is a nice old school looking card.  His signature is also nice.

I also enjoyed this 1991 Crown Orioles card.  Gaines looks like he is about to tell a good baseball tale.

Gaines (b. 1936) played in the majors from 1960 to 1966 for the Reds, Orioles, Colt .45s and Astros.  He had 186 hits, 21 home runs and a .241 batting average.  I mailed to Gaines on January 20 and got the cards back on February 13 for a 24-day TAT. 

Memorial Day Weekend 2023 Graphing in Augusta and Columbia

Happy Memorial Day to everyone. This weekend, I drove by myself to Augusta and Columbia for a little break and graphing since last week was a tough one.  On Tuesday, I got confirmation that the Wood Ducks would be moving to Spartanburg and would be replaced supposedly with a wood bat league team.  Yeah, that's definitely not the same.  Anyway, depression aside, I got out and did some major relaxation with some graphing therapy.

The weather was terrible, but i was lucky that Augusta has a little enclave you can hang out in and still get stuff signed without getting rained on.  Nolan Martinez was one of my goals, sknxesi had sent these three cards TTM last year, only to have them returned to sender.  They're signed now with some miles on them and in my album.

I was disappointed that I had let Terry Pendleton walk by me. Had I gotten him, I'd have left earlier than I did.  I stayed til the game was called and ended up picking up a team set from the team store and added a few more autographs to the trip. 

I was pretty tired by the time I was home and able to scan everything from the trip.  Since there wasn't really a game in Augusta, I combined everything.  I went there on Saturday, then caught a double header in a misty rain on Sunday in Columbia.  The Fireflies played the Charleston Riverdogs, so I was able to knock down a couple big stacks of cards for those two loaded teams.  I also had hit Augusta because I won't see them until August and there's a chance some of those guys will already be moved up by then.

My friend, Jessie, gave me a couple Bowman Platinum of Spencer Schwellenbach.  He was really nice.  Owen Murphy signed TTM for me recently, but in black, so this blue 2022 Bowman Draft is an upgrade.

I hit a few guys in the team set while I was waiting on Pendelton to come back out.  Those guys were really nice, as well.

Pendleton finally did come back out and laughed that he had spoken to me before he went in and I didn't get my card out.  I knew I had it but wasn't even thinking.  The rain really had me out of sorts.

In Columbia, I had no shame. I had the mascot, Mason sign 3 of my cards and a girl at customer service gave me another signed card (the one in black).  The two Heritage Minors cards are ones I've had for a while and am glad I got them done.

Both the Riverdogs and Fireflies are stacked.  The double header helped me get everyone I set out to get.  The mist messed up a few of the cards, but I had a dry erase marker on me and I was able to fix the smeared cards.

I was really glad to get Dominic Keegan.  He's batting like .334 or something like that, and I feel like he will be moved up soon.  I bet he's not here when Charleston comes through Kinston in July.

I finally got some of my Ryan Spikes and Cooper Kinney cards signed.  Some of them have been in my boxes for a while.  They also have some 2022 stuff and those were good to get signed as well.

The mist was off and on but the games were pretty good.  They were also pretty quick.  My brother, Adam, joined me for part of the second game, which was nice. 

There are several 2022 Topps Pro Debut that loom really similar. That's probably part of the reason I kept getting Columbia and Charleston players mixed up. 

Steven Zobac was really cool.  Right when he put marker to card, the mist started coming down and 4 of the cards were ruined.  Or so I thought.  During the first game, I fixed them with the dry erase marker and they cleaned up.  I asked him if he would mind touching them up for me between the first and second game, and he obliged.  That was really nice of him.

During the trip, I got the following autographs: Jorge Bautista x 1, Jair Casanova x 1, Tyler Collins x 1, Dawson Dimon x 1, Francisco Floyd x 1, Didier Fuentes x 1, Elison Joseph x 1, Nolan Martinez x 3, Owen Murphy x 4, Connor Narron x 3, Terry Pendleton x 1, Spencer Schwellenbach x 4 and Ethan Workinger x 1, Jhon Diaz x 1, Chandler Simpson x 1, Xavier Isaac x 1, Dominic Keegan x 4, Cooper Kinney x 4, Trevor Martin x 4, Ryan Spikes x 8, Mason x 4, Mack Anglin x 1, Frank Mozzicato x 3, Shane Panzini x 5, Erik Pena x 5, Tony Pena, Jr. x 6, Lizandro Rodriguez x 6, Daniel Vazquez x 6 and Steven Zobac x 8 (90 total autographs).

TTM Success - Hideki Matsui

A private signing came along recently that I junked into so I could get this really cool 2010 Topps Update signed by Hideki Matsui.  I'm sure most folks who signed up for the signing sent in Yankees stuff, but I have always liked this card. Now it is in my autograph album. 

Matsui (b. 1974) played in the majors from 2003 to 2012 for the Yankees, Angels, A's and Rays.  He had 1,253 hits, 175 home runs and a .282 batting average.  He was an All Star in 2003 and 2004.  He finished 2nd in the 2003 AL Rookie of the Year voting (to Angel Berroa).  His best MVP finish was 14th in 2005.  He won the World Series in 2009 with the Yankees.  He was the MVP of that World Series.

I mailed to the signing on December 21 and got the card back on February 13, for a 54-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Fred Kendall

Here are a couple cards that I got signed TTM from Fred Kendall.  I had originally mailed to Kendall in 2018 for a TTM success, but found these two cards later on.  I decided it was time to send to him again, so I got the above 1980 Topps and the below 1974 Topps signed this time.

I enjoy the old Padres jersey on this 1974 Topps.  They're always interesting to see, even though they're not the best.color scheme.

I mailed to Kendall on February 1 and got the cards back on February 11, for a 10-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Wane Granger

Here are a coupke 1970s cards that I got signed TTM by Wayne Granger.  The above 1971 Topps turned out nicely, even though Grangers signature is a bit of a mess.

The signature on this 1974 Topps turned out a little better than the 1971.

Granger (b. 1944) played in the majors from 1968 to 1976 for the  Cardinals, Reds, Twins, Yankees, White Sox, Astros and Expos.  He had a record of  35-35 with 303 strike outs and a 3.14 ERA.  He finished 8th in the 1970 NL Cy Young voting.  He received MVP votes in 1969 and 1970, with his best finish being 15th (1969).  He led the NL in saved in 1970 with 35.

I mailed to Granger on January 31 and got the cards back signed on February 11, for an 11-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Fred Beene

Here are some 70s (and a 1991 Orioles Crown) cards that I got signed recently TTM by Fred Beene.  The above 1974 Topps turned out nicely. 

The above 1975 Topps also turned out well.  I like adding these 75s to the album.

Finally, here's a 1975 Topps Mini and the 1991 Orioles Crown.

Beene (b. 1942) played in the majors from 1968 to 1970 and 1972 to 1975 for the Orioles, Yankees and Indians.  He had a record of 12-7 with 156 strike outs and a 3.63 ERA.  

I mailed to Beene on January 30 and got the cards back on February 11, for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Thomas Harrington

Here is another 2022 Bowman Draft TTM success, this time from Pirates prospect, Thomas Harrington.  He personalized my card in thin blue Sharpie.  He has a nice signature; much better than some that I have seen, recently.

Harrington (b. 2001) was a first round (36th overall) pick by the Pirates in the 2022 July Amateur Draft out of Campbell University.  Harrington is from Sanford, NC, down I-95 from Campbell (maybe a few turns here and there).  He has started his professional career at Low A Bradenton and has a 4-1 record with 37 strike outs and a 3.27 ERA.

I mailed to Harrington on January 3 and got the card back on February 11, for a 39-day TAT.

TTM Success - Bud Daley

Here is another 1964 Topps that I got signed TTM recently.  This is a rough Bud Daley card, but it is now signed, and in my album.

Daley (b. 1932) played in the majors from 1955 to 1964 for the Indians, A's (Kansas City) and Yankees.  He had a record of 60-64 with 549 strike outs and a 4.03 ERA.  He received votes for the AL MVP Award in 1959 and 1960.  He wan an All Star in both of those seasons.  He won the World Series in 1961 and 1962 with the Yankees.

I mailed to Daley on January 21 and got the card back on February 11, for a 22-day TAT.

TTM Success - Bill Parsons

Even more 70s cards were added to my autograph album with this TTM success from Bill Parsons.

He signed the above 1975 Topps Mini in ballpoint pen, along with the cards below .

The other cards I sent were Topps cards from 1973, 1974 and 1975.

Parsons (b. 1948) played in the majors from 1971 to 1974 for the Brewers and A's.  He had a record of 29-36 with 282 strike outs and a 3.89 ERA.  He finished 2nd in the 1971 AL Rookie of the Year voting to Chris Chambliss.

I mailed to Parsons on January 21 and got the cards back on February 11 for a 22-day TAT. 

May 16-20, 2023, Graphing of the Peckers at Woodies

This week, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers came into town and I got a few cards signed. I missed the Wednesday game since it was the last education day/11am start, caught the double header on Saturday, and skipped today, since I didn't have much else to get signed.  I got some 50/50s in for some new folks, one of which gave me some nice parallels.  The above 2021 Panini Prizm Draft green parallel of Cam Cauley turned out nicely. 

He also gave me a coupke Bowman Sapphire parallels that look really cool.  The 2023 Bowman Anthony Gutierrez refractor was also a gift from him. 

I had been running with this Hickory Crawdads team set card in my slider box for over a year since Sharnol Adriana showed up last season as a roving instructor.  He was here this week, and I finally got this card signed.

I know my friend, Jessie, has the Bowman Prospects Anthony Gutierrez for me, but it was also sent to me as a 50/50.  I'll also put Jessie's in the autograph album, since he gifted me the card.

I got several autographs from Dauri Lorenzo.  I missed Tyler Whitaker, who wasn't in uniform at all this series.  I finally saw him yesterday. He said he couldn't write due to a wrist injury, so that pretty much shut me down for today.  Also, the weather forecast wasn't looking great, which is ultimately the reason I didn't go.  I ended up seeing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, which was pretty great.  It was worth taking the day off.

In all, I got the following autographs: Sharnol Adriana x 1, Cam Cauley x 12, Danyer Cueva x 5, Gleider Figuereo x 5, Anthony Gutierrez x 12, Andres Mesa x 3, Yeison Morrobel x 3, Nolan DeVos x 2, Dauri Lorenzo x 18, Andrew Taylor x 1, Ian Moller x 2, Luis Ramirez x 1, Trey Dombroski x 1 and DEWD x 1 (67 total autographs).