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).

TTM Success - Owen Murphy

Another 2022 Bowman Draft TTM success came in; this time from Braves prospect, Owen Murphy.  The cards turned out nicely, even though the Sharpie didn't quite write clearly.

Murphy (b. 2003) was a first round (20th over all) draft pick by the Braves in the 2022 July Amateur Draft out of Riverside-Brookfield High School in Illinois.  He is assigned to Augusta right now (Braves Low A), and I will see them next weekend.  I have my cards taken care of, already, so that will help me out when looking for other players.

So far, he has a record of 1-3 with 46 strike outs and a 3.41 ERA.  I mailed to Murphy on January 13 and got the cards back on February 11, for a 29-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mike Compton

When a player includes extra cards in a TTM return, it is always enjoyable.  I have no idea what the above card is, but it is really cool.

I did know what card this one is; a 1971 Topps that looks nice now that it is signed. 

Compton (b. 1944) played in the majors in 1970 for the Phillies.  He had 18 hits, 1 home run and a .164 batting average. 

I mailed to him on February 2 and got the cards back on February 10, for an 8-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Bill Dailey

Here is another 1964 Topps that I got signed by Bill Dailey TTM out of the boxes from Conrad.  The card turned out nicely.

Dailey (b. 1935) played in the majors from 1961 to 1964 for the Indians and Twins.  He had a record of 10-7 with 109 strike outs and a 2.76 ERA.  He finished 23rd in the AL MVP voting in 1963.

I mailed to Dailey on January 23 and got the card back on February 10, for an 18-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jeff Rineer

Here is another 1991 Crown Orioles card that I was able to get signed TTM.  This card was sent out to Jeff Rineer and came back signed pretty quickly.  I had never heard of Rineer, but saw the card in the set, and saw that he signed TTM.

Rineer (b. 1955) played in the majors in 1979.  He played in one inning of one game for the Orioles.  He has no record (0-0), no strike outs and a 0.00 ERA.  That's probably why I had never heard of him.

I mailed to Rineer on February 1 and got the card back signed on February 10, for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Cade Horton

Another TTM success that originated from my boxes of 2022 Bowman Draft came about when I sent off to Cubs prospect, Cade Horton.  I had the above Blackjack insert, and was excited to get it back signed.  The card turned out nicely.  I'll have to find a way to get Christopher Paciolla on it, as well.

I also got Horton's chrome and base cards from 2022 Draft signed.

Horton (b. 2001) was a first round (7th overall) draft pick by the Cubs in the 2022 July Amateur Draft out of the University of Oklahoma.  He is currently assigned to the South Bend Cubs, the Cubs High A team.  I missed him at Myrtle Beach, which is what I figured would happen, since Myrtle Beach won't be in Kinston until August.  He currently has a record of 0-0 with 25 strike outs and a 4.00 ERA.

I mailed to Horton on January 17 and got the cards back on February 10, for a 24-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mike Wallace

Check out the awesome airbrush work on the Yankees hat that Mike Wallace is sporting on this 1975 Topps Mini.  I got this and three other cards signed TTM by Wallace recently, and just now realized that the two photos used on the cards are airbrused.  Pretty obvious ones, at that.

The airbrushing of older Topps cards is an interesting thing to catch, if you are able to do so.  There are some really good ones and some that are so bad they're good.

Wallace (b. 1951) is from Gastonia, NC.  He played in the majors from 1973 to 1977 for the Phillies, Yankees, Cardinals and Rangers.  He had a record of 11-3 with 105 strike outs and a 3.91 ERA.

I mailed to Wallace on January 31 and got the cards back on February 9, for a 9-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From John Goryl

Here is another vintage card that I got signed TTM when I send a second request to John Goryl.  This 1963 Topps looks nice, even though ot was signed in ballpoint pen. 

I mailed to Goryl on January 23 and got the card back on February 9, for a 17-day TAT. 

Week of May 9-14 Graphing of Shorebirds at Wood Ducks

With the arrival of 2023 Bowman, I have some fresh product that I was happy to get into my book and get signed during this week's series against the Delmarva Shorebirds.  I could have easily skipped this series, since the Orioles sent Jackson Holliday up to Aberdeen, but I went ahead and caught the entire series, with the exception of the Wednesday early game.  Those darn education days...

I was glad to get the above Spotlight insert of Anthony Gutierrez signed; the card looks sharp!

I took some 50/50s for my friend, Aidan, so I got a couple 2023 Bowman First Editions into the album.  One was the above Gleider Figueroa, and the other was the Andres Mesa, below.

I pulled the Andres Mesa 2023 Bowman Chrome gold parallel numbered to 50 out of one of the boxes that I opened.  The card got signed immediately.  It turned out amazing.

I took some 50/50s for a guy named Ryan recently, and as a gift, he sent me the 2021 Bowman Draft chrome green refractor of Cam Cauley, above.  That card looks awesome.  I'm trying not to ask Cam much anymore, now that I have gotten his stack down to nothing.  I made the mistake of getting Dylan MacLean on the Panini Prizm tiger stripe parallel.  It was supposed to be a gift from my friend, Gerard, to Dylan, but I forgot the memo, so I got it signed.  I let Dylan know, and he told me not to worry about it.

We sat in front of Brock Porter's parents during the Saturday game, and found out that he had told his parents about us.  All good things, from what we were told, so that was cool.

Now that Jackson Holliday is gone from Delmarva, Luis Gonzalez is the only guy on the team that I had cards for, with the exception of pitching coach, Adam Bleday.  I got Gonzalez on everything I had, which was good.

I tried to get Gonzalez to sign one of the extra 2022 Heritage Minors cards with my friend, Matt's orange paint pen, but I didn't prime the pen enough, and the auto didn't come out as nicely as I had hoped it would.  Still, it is a bit of a novelty, and it will go into my album anyway.

In all, I got the following autographs: Cam Cauley x 20, Danyer Cueva x 20, Gleider Figueroa x 12, Anthony Gutierrez x 28, Dylan MacLean x 3, Carlos Maldonaldo x 1, Andres Mesa x 11, Ian Moller x 13, Brock Porter x 5 and Luis Gonzalez x 15, Yeison Morrobel x 18, Adam Bleday x 2 (148 total autographs).