TTM Success - Evan Steele

Evan Steele was someone I had pulled to try to get to sign some cards IP back a few years ago.  He never came through Kinston, so I had to wait to try him TTM.  I saw recently that he was signing.  I had these two cards pulled, so I sent them out.  He signed the above 2018 Topps Heritage Minors and the below 2019 Bowman Holiday.

Steele (b. 1996) was a 2nd round pick by the Royals in the 2017 June Amateur Draft out of Chipola College in Florida.  He played in the Royals system in 2017 and 2019.  

He had a record of 4-5 with 72 strike outs and a 2.84 ERA.

I mailed to Steele on May 8 and got the cards back on July 5 for a 58-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Jack McDowell

When I heard that (with a donation) Jack McDowell was sending signed CDs of his music following TTM requests, I dug out a couple cards and sent to him.  I had this freshly pack-pulled 1992 Triple Play that I sent along.  I got the pack out of a bargain box at the Winston-Salem card shop.

McDowell sent the above 1998 Pacific, 1993 O Pee Chee and 1992 Score.

I'd like to say that I enjoyed McDowell's music, but I don't have a working CD player at the moment. My laptop no longer had a CD drive, and the player I had at the office crapped out.  I use Spotify exclusively now and have had no need for a CD player.  I'll get around to listening to them at some point.  I don't want to buy a player and I don't have room to store one anyway.

I mailed to McDowell on June 25 and got the cards, along with two signed CDs on July 5 for a 10-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $10.00.

TTM Success - Nick Hundley

Another former Oriole was added to the autograph album when I got this TTM success back from Nick Hundley.  I saw that he was signing (after I tried and failed to get him TTM in the past), so I sent off a couple cards.  The above 2014 Topps Update was the key card I wanted back.  I'm glad it did come back, because it is a great shot.

I also got this 2017 Topps back.  Both cards were inscribed with Bible verses.

Hundley (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2008 to 2019 for the Padres, Orioles, Rockies, Giants and A's.  He had 766 hits, 93 home runs and a .247 batting average.

I mailed to Hundley on March 26 and got the cards back on June 16 for an 82-day TAT.

TTM Success - Orlando Hernandez

A private signing that I was highly anticipating came about with Orlando Hernandez.  I had two cards from 1999 put aside in the event a signing popped up.  The above 1999 Topps Gold Label is a sharp card.  I had four cards to pick from, and it was tough deciding on what to send.  This one turned out great.  I was afraid the card was too dark, but the scan really shows how awesome it turned out to be (it also lightened up the background).

This 1999 Club K card also looks great.  This was pack pulled when I busted hobby boxes way back at Andrew's house years ago.

Hernandez (b. 1965) played in the majors from 1998 to 2002 and 2004 to 2007 for the Yankees, White Sox, Diamondbacks and Mets.  He had a record of 90-65 with 1,086 strike outs and a 4.13 ERA.  He finished 4th in the 1998 AL Rookie of the Year race.

Hernandez won the World Series with the Yankees in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and the White Sox in 2005.

I mailed to the signing on April 21 and got the cards back on June 14 for a 54-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tyler Cropley

My recent TTM successes weren't all older Bowman cards.  I got this one back from Tyler Cropley on a couple 2024 cards.  Above is a 2024 Topps Chrome.

This is a 2024 Topps.  Both cards turned out nicely.

Cropley (b. 1995) played in the majors in 2023 with the Royals.  He had 1 hit, no home runs and a .167 batting average.

I mailed to Cropley on May 6 and got the cards back on June 6 for a 31-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Chris George

Here is a random Topps card pulled from my box that I got signed TTM by Chris George.

George (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2001 to 2004 for the Royals.  He had a record of 14-20 with 99 strike outs and a 6.48 ERA.

I mailed to George on September 6, 2023, and got the card back on June 5, 2025, for a 638-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mike Nixon

Another of the cards that Ryan gave me came back signed TTM; this one came in from Mike Nixon.  This is a 2002 Bowman Chrome.  Nixon's auto isn't much, but the card is signed and now in the autograph album. 

Nixon (b. 1983) was a 3rd round pick by the Dodgers in the 2002 June Amateur Draft out of Sunnyslope High School in Arizona.  He played in the Dodgers system from 2002 to 2005, reaching AAA.  He had 308 hits, 11 home runs and a .267 batting average. 

I mailed to Nixon on November 26 and got the card back on June 2 for a 188-day TAT.

TTM Success - Max Kuhns

Something else that I've been trying to do with my cards is to try to get a few team set cards out of my box.  I was successful in getting this 2017 SAL All Star Card of Max Kuhns signed TTM. 

Kuhns (b. 1994) was a 21st round pick by the Mets in the 2016 June Amateur Draft out of Santa Clara University.  He played in the minors in 2016 through 2019 and 2023 in the Mets and Phillies systems.  He had a record of 2-4 with 99 strike outs and a 5.20 ERA.

I mailed to Kuhns on May 6 and got the card back on May 29 for a 23-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Kevin Hooper

As I said before, I did a purge of sorts of my older prospect cards.  I pulled a bunch to try to send out TTM, and the above 2007 Topps Rookie 52 card of Kevin Hooper is another example that came back signed.  The card turned out nicely.

Hooper (b. 1976) played in the majors in 2005 and 2006 for the Tigers.  He had one hit, no home runs and a .125 batting average. 

I mailed to Hooper on May 6 and got the card back on May 27 for a 21-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jay Tessmer

Here is a random older Bowman card that I got signed TTM recently by Jay Tessmer.  Ive been going through the older Bowman box and condensing down to make room for other stuff.  I've done pretty well in identifying some guys who signed, which helps clear out space.

Tessmer (b. 1971) played in the majors from 1998 to 2000 and 2002 for the Yankees.  He had a record of 1-0 with 14 strike outs and a 7.71 ERA.  He was part of the Yankees teams that won the World Series in 1998, 1999 and 2000.  He didn't pitch in the postseason, though.

I mailed to Tessmer on May 8 and got the card back on May 27 for a 19-day TAT. 

TTM Success - DJ Herz

Another 2025 Topps came back signed TTM from Spring Training by DJ Herz.  It's a little weird that I'm still covering Spring Training successes when today was the day between the end of the season and the playoffs.

Herz (b. 2001) is from Fayetteville, NC.  He played in the majors last season for the Nationals.  He went 4-9 with 106 strike outs and a 4.16 ERA.

I mailed to Herz on February 18 via Nationals camp and got the card back signed on May 21 for a 92-day TAT. 

Gerard Helps Complete a Card

My friend Gerard helped me finish off a dual card that I started back in April.  I got Chandler Seagle to sign his end of the card when I saw Gwinnett in Norfolk.  Gerard then took the card to get Mason McCoy.  He sent the card out to someone taking consignment who was able to finish the card.

I got the card back a little while later.  It is nice to have a multi-player card signed.  McCoy used to be an Orioles farm hand, and I had a few team set cards that I wanted to finish.  I sent them TTM to Spring Training and never got them back.  Oof.

Thanks for finishing the card, Gerard.

2025 National Pickup - John Donaldson Signed Card

While at the National, Jesse and I came across a vendor that had these signed cards showing Joe DiMaggio coaching a few Oakland A's.  I believe one of the guys seared is Catfish Hunter.

I bought the card because it is signed by John Donaldson, a North Carolina native, and someone I have met at the Wilson Hot Stove Event.  I figured the card would look cool in my album.

It turned out, the vendor knows Donaldson personally.  Donaldson signs a few of the cards and the vendor sells them, giving the money to Donaldson.  So, I was glad I picked one up, because Donaldson is a very nice guy.

TTM Success - Eddie Butler

A couple 2014 cards were added to the autograph album when these two came back signed TTM by Eddie Butler.  Above is a 2014 Bowman Chrome mini refractor.

The above card is a 2014 Topps Update of Butler.  I thought I had more cards of him, but I wasn't able to find them before I put these two in the mail.

Butler (b. 1991) played in the majors from 2014 to 2018 for the Rockies, Cubs and Rangers.  He had a record of 12-22 with 153 strike outs and a 5.80 ERA.

I mailed to Butler on April 22 and got the cards back on May 20 for a 28-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Justin Lange

Here is a nice 2021 Topps Heritage that I got signed TTM recently by Justin Lange.  I took a chance and sent to him, hoping I could get my card signed.  I got the card done, and it turned out nicely.

Lange (b. 2001) was a first round (34th overall) pick by the Padres in the 2020 July Amateur Draft out of Llano High School in Texas.  He has played in the Yankees and Padres systems since 2021 (skipping 2024 due to injury).  He has a record of 7-10 with 221 strike outs and a 5.51 ERA.

Checking into Lange's bio revealed to me that he was born on 9/11.  I found that to be interesting. 

I mailed to Lange on April 30 and got the card back on May 20 for a 20-day TAT.

Anither TTM Success From Dave Magadan

My 1993 Upper Deck Florida Marlins team checklist is almost complete now that I have added Dave Magadan to the card via a private signing. 

I was disappointed that the mail person left my mailbox open during a storm when the card was delivered.  The envelope was soaked, but the signatures weren't affected.  The card sustained a little damage by being a little warped.  I put it in a top loader to straighten it back out, and that seemed to work.  Note, the card was mailed back in a cardboard gold top loader, so that helped in keeping it from being completely destroyed.

The last signature I need for the card is Jeff Conine.

I mailed to the signing on March 8 and got the card back on May 16 for a 69-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $20.00.

TTM Success - Tommy Joseph

A private signing came around with Orioles (likely soon-to-be-former) assistant hitting coach, Tommy Joseph.  My friend Michael hosted the signing and hooked me up with some cards i didn't have.

This signing was cool in that I got a few Topps Heritage cards added to the autograph album. I can't remember which cards were mine and which were ones Michael chipped in.

Joseph (b. 1991) played in the majors in 2016 and 2017 for the Phillies.  He had 200 hits, 43 home runs and a .247 batting average. 

I mailed to Joseph on April 21 and got the cards back on May 15 for a 24-day TAT. I paid a fee of $6/card.

TTM Success - Cole Seifrig

This 2003 Bowman of Cole Seifrig is another of a stack of cards that Ryan sent to me to try TTM.  I got this back signed by Seifrig, but the signature smudged a bit.  Oh well.

Seifrig (b. 1984) was a 5th round pick by the Marlins in the 2003 June Amateur Draft out of an Indiana high school.  He played in the Marlins system from 2003 to 2005, reaching Low A.  

He had 204 hits, 16 home runs and a .224 batting average. I mailed to Seifrig on April 23 and got the card back on May 15 for a 22-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jimmy Garappolo

Here is another football autograph; this one coming from a TTM success from Jimmy Garoppolo.  I found his cards in a box if football stuff from the  former LCS.  Jesse informed me that Garoppolo signed TTM, so I gave it a shot.

Both cards turned out nicely.  I'm not very familiar with the years of football cards so I had to search.  The top card is a 2014 Sage Hit Next Level RC and above is a 2014 Score RC.

Garoppolo (b. 1991) has played professionally since 2014 for the Patriots, 49ers, Raiders and Rams.  He has 96 touchdowns and 15,828 passing yards.  He won Super Bowl XLIX and LI as a backup quarterback with the Patriots.  He led the 49ers to Super Bowl LIV, but lost to the Chiefs.

I mailed to Garoppolo on October 12 via the Rams and got the cards back signed on May 13 for a 213-day TAT.

TTM Success - John Gant

While these cards sat in my to-be-blogged stack, I actually met and got John Gant to sign in person on our road trip to Iowa this summer.  These cards shown on this post came in before that because I sent to Gant TTM.  I didn't know that I'd meet him later in the summer.  I was happy to get my 2014 Bowman purple parallel signed, however.  This card had been floating around my boxes for some time.

I also got a 2016 Topps Update and 2021 Topps Update signed.  Both of these turned out nicely.

Finally, here is a 2022 Topps Update that Gant signed.  I'm glad he signed all four in blue Sharpie. 

Gant (b. 1992) played in the majors from 2016 to 2021 for the Braves, Cardinals and Twins.  He has a record of 24-26 with 325 strike outs and a 3.89 ERA.  Since 2021, Gant has bounced around a bit.  He didn't play in 2022 or 2024; but spent 2023 in Japan while playing in independent ball briefly this season and then having his contract purchased by the Royals, who assigned him to Omaha.

I mailed to Gant on April 28 and got the cards back on May 13 for a 15-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Ryan Verdugo

A search through my Bowman boxes brought me another stack of cards to try to send TTM.  One of the cards that came back signed was this 2009 Bowman Chrome Ryan Verdugo.

Verdugo (b. 1987) does not appear to be related to Alex Verdugo.  He played in the majors in 2012 for the Royals.  He had a record of 0-1 with 2 strike outs and a 32.40 ERA.

I mailed to Verdugo on April 30 and got the card back on May 13 for a 13-day TAT. 

September 16, 2025, Graphing of the High Point Rockers

My last opportunity to graph this season came and went on Tuesday when I saw High Point for the last time.  I didn't even bother with trying to get the opposing team (Charleston) this time around.

The biggest reason I wanted to see High Point one more time was to see David Hess.  Hess, a former Oriole, is a two-time cancer survivor and all-around great guy.  I bought the above 2019 Topps Chrome orange refractor for the potential trip.  The card is numbered to 25.  He signed the card, along g with a 2019 Topps base card for my friend, Ryan.

Frank Viola was great, as usual.  I'm running out of different Viola cards to get signed.  I do still have a ton overall, though.

I was looking through boxes for some cards to send to Max, and found a bunch of Alex Dickerson 2011 Bowmans.  I got those done, along with a few others.

I got several High Point team set cards signed.  George Greer was surprised that I wanted his autograph, so he signed my team set card, told me to hold on and brought me the Cardinals card from the clubhouse.  I thought that was really cool.

The 2017 Bowman sky blue refractor of Luis Gonzales was found in a bargain bin at the National.  I got most of the cards I found there signed.  I enjoyed finding the various parallels at the show and getting them into the album. 

I went to the fame with my brother, Andy.  I miss how we went to Wood Ducks games back when he was here for college.  It was good to get together and spend some time with each other.

In all, I got the following autographs: Alex Dickerson x 9, Ryan Dull x 1, Luis Gonzalez x 2, George Greer x 2, David Hess x 2, Jamie Keefe x 1, Drew Mendoza x 2 and Frank Viola x 9 (28 autographs).

TTM Success - Mike MacDougal

Here is a nice TTM success that came in that added a few mid-2000s cards to the autograph album.  I had seen that Mike MacDougal was signing, so it gave me the opportunity to get this 2006 Topps signed.

I also sent out this 2005 Topps (left) and a 2007 Upper Deck (right).  All of the cards turned out well.

MacDougal (b. 1977) played in the majors from 2001 to 2012 for the Royals, White Sox, Nationals, Cardinals and Dodgers.  He had a record of 18-23 with 325 strike outs and a 4.00 ERA.  He was an All Star in 2003.  

I mailed to MacDougal on April 22 and got the cards back on May 9 for a 17-day TAT. 

September 13-14, 2025, Graphing of the Tides at Bulls

Graphing season is winding down.  My birthday week usually signals the end of the season is near, so I try to take some time off of work and cram a few games in.  I'll miss the final week of the mi or league season due to a conference, so I am working to get as much graphing in as I can.  Last weekend, I went up to Durham to see the Bulls and Tides for the final time this year.  Chris went with me to both games; Aidan met us Saturday and Jesse came with us on Sunday.

The Orioles sent a few guys to the Tides on rehab.  We missed Tyler O'Neill, but were able to see Gary Sanchez and Jordan Westburg.  The above Sanchez is a super thick card that I found at the National.  I have no idea what this card is, but it looked cool.  It was a bargain bin find that is now signed and in my album. 

I finished off several Tides team set guys, and a couple guys we didnt see the week before, like Colin Selby.  I got the last Panini Select card of Jud Fabian thatI found at the National signed.  I also got Gary Sanchez on a 2025 Topps, which has him in an Orioles uniform. 

I added four more Jordan Westburg to the album. I regretted later that I didn't get him on his 2021 Topps Heritage Minors card.  I'll have to try for that one another time.

We still struggled a bit in getting Bulls guys.  I did get Tre Morgan, which was nice.  He comes out the front entrance, so it's tough to catch him sometimes.

I finally got a couple Matt Thaiss cards out of the box.  He has been a bit elusive, but at least two cards are now out of the box. 

I got every Jesse Scholtens card that I had signed.  I also was able to catch Forrest Whitley outside.  He's another tough one.

Speaking of tough ones, Joe Boyle again has laid claim to the "second worst" experience. He's just not friendly, and this time, as he came out of the clubhouse (with only me, Chris and Jesse sitting on the bench), I asked him "Mr. Boyle, may we please have your autograph?" His reply was "No, not for you guys."  Ouch.  What a guy.  Anyway, he's nit going to steal my joy, as they say.

In all, we got the following autographs: Silas Ardoin x 2, Jud Fabian x 5, Billy Facteau x 1, Gary Sanchez x 2, Colin Selby x 6, Reed Trimble x 3, Thaddeus Ward x 2, Levi Wells x 5, Jordan Westburg x 5, Jonathan Hernandez x 5, Dominic Keegan x 2, Trevor Martin x 3, German Melendez x 1, Tristan Peters x 1, Brian Reith x 1, Jesse Scholtens x 9, Matt Thaiss x 2, Jamie Westbrook x 1, Forrest Whitley x 4, Logan Workman x 1, Jose Barrero x 1, Tre Morgan x 2 and Santiago Suarez x 1 (66 total autographs).

TTM Success - Mike Crudale

Here is a random 2003 Topps that came back signed TTM from Mike Crudale.  

Crudale (b. 1977) played in the majors from 2002 to 2003 for the Cardinals and Brewers.  He had a record of 3-1 with 60 strike outs and a 2.09 ERA.  His career MLB numbers look great, but following the 2003 season, he ended up with the Pirates and Giants organizations.  He pitched in both organizations in 2004 to a record of 1-1 with a 7.52 ERA.  After that season, he bounced around the independent league and foreign ball.

I mailed to Crudale on March 3 and got the card back on May 8 for a 66-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jim Johnson

Another former Oriole was available for a private signing recently when Jim Johnson popped up.  I don't believe I had gotten him before, so I signed up.  I dug this 2012 Topps out of my Orioles box.  It turned out nicely.

Johnson (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2006 to 2018 for the Orioles, A's, Tigers, Braves and Dodgers.  He had a record of 38-46 with 531 strike outs and a 3.79 ERA.  He led the league in saves in 2012 and 2013.  He was an All Star in 2012.  That season he finished 7th in the AL Cy Young Award voting and 14th in the AL MVP race. 

I mailed to the signing on March 21 and got the card back on May 6 for a 46-day TAT.  I paid a $20.00 fee.

TTM Success - Hunter Feduccia

Here is another Spring Training TTM success; this is from Hunter Feduccia.  He added a 2025 Topps to the autograph album.

Feduccia (b. 1997) has played in the majors since 2024 for the Dodgers and Rays.  He has 13 hits, no home runs and a .171 batting average so far in his career.

I mailed to Feduccia on February 20 via Dodgers Spring Training and got the card back on May 5 for a 92-day TAT.

September 5-7, 2025, Graphing of the Sounds at Tides

This past weekend, I had a trip planned to Norfolk. Jesse couldn't make it, and Chris had to work.  I reached out to another friend who jumped at the chance to go.  My friend Aidan was the first person I reached out to, and he accepted right away.  I was surprised that I didn't have to beg.  

We planned to get to Norfolk Friday night while the game was going on; we ended up getting there early.  So, instead of scrambling to get into the game, we opted to check into the hotel and grab a nice dinner.  Afterward, we went back to the room to reset and figure out our books, then made our way to the ballpark.  I wanted to try to at least get inside and grab a couple Norfolk team sets so we would have them on hand for arrival Saturday morning.  They let me in, and I bought Aidan and I each a set.  We then made our way to Nashville's side and graphed outside postgame. 

Aidan and I got Rhys Hoskins outside (the Topps Cosmic Chrome, above left, is what Hoskins signed Friday.  I got him inside after  BP Saturday on the 2020 Topps Chrome pink refractor (middle) and the gold Topps Fire was signed outside on Sunday.

Luis Urias was a tough one per, but Aidan and I each got him Friday night.  Inside on Saturday, a father and son helped me out by taking two of my cards and got them signed. 

Aidan and I got every player that we set out to get.  We didn't miss anyone that was actually there, which was a great feeling.  Daz Cameron was really nice as usual, but seemed a bit down when he signed Friday night. He made us think he wasn't going to be in Norfolk much longer (we were like "oh man, is he getting released?").  Turned out, he was there all weekend and signed for us again on Saturday.  It was just a little odd. 

I was really excited to get the Brandon Lockridge parallel (middle of the above scan) signed.  I pulled that from a pack when I busted my 2025 Topps series 2 boxes at the National. 

Inside on Sunday, Aidan pointed Rick Sweet out when he got into the dugout.  It was Sweet's birthday, and came over to us when we called him over.  We wished him a happy birthday, and he signed our cards.  He made me promise that I wouldn't show the cards to Lockridge, who came over abd signed my last card of him after that.

Jeferson Quero turned out to be tough, but we did ride the elevator with him in the hotel Sunday morning.  We just told him good morning and wished him a good game.  We weren't going to bother him in the hotel, that's crossing the line for me.

This trip was my first opportunity to see and get Enrique Bradfield, Jr.  I hadn't seen him at any level of the Orioles system until this trip.  He was very nice and signed every card that I brought.

The goal of the trip was to try to finish off what I could of the Norfolk guys so I wouldn't have to go to crazy this week in trying to get them when they're in Durham.  I finished what I had of several players, but still have enough stuff to get a few more later this week.  I figure that a lot of these guys won't be there next season. 

I had some help Sunday morning by a kid outside who helped me get Cionel Perez on my Diamond King card (since he was one per and hit my 2019 Topps Saturday morning and my 2019 Donruss Sunday morning).

I finally got to get Reed Trimble.  He was another Orioles minor leaguer who i just kept missing.  He made a point of signing my dual with Colton Cowser Friday night.  I had been waiting since 2022 to finish that card.

I'm officially out of Terrin Vavra cards.  He wouldn't sign last season due to an exclusive deal.   That has ended, and he now signs.  I got everything that I had done.

I only got Levi Wells once, even though I had a bunch of his cards.  Everything else would be duplicates, so I wasn't really worried.

I said earlier that Perez was one per; He did two per Saturday night and reduced it to one on Sunday, which is why I needed help.  I've got him on an Orioles card, so that was nice.

Aidan and I made a good dent in the team set.  It's a nice looking set this season.  The cards don't need prep.

Aidan and I had a great time.  It was awesome that he was able to make the trip.  It's hard for me to make new friends at my age, and after this trip, I feel like I do have a new friend.  It's great having folks I can reach out to that are willing to take a little graphing road trip over a weekend.  I hope we can do more down the line.  Hopefully we can get some more folks into coming with us.  I've always said that graphing is no fun to do alone.  I'll go by myself at times, but if given a choice, I'd much rather someone tag along every time!

In all, I got the following autographs: Tonight's graphing recap of the Sounds at Tides: Steward Berroa x 2, Tyler Black x 14, Daz Cameron x 10, Tucker Davidson x 5, Robert Gasser x 2, Eric Haase x 3, Rhys Hoskins x 3, Brandon Lockridge x 3, Josh Maciejewski x 3, Easton McGee x 1, Julian Merryweather x 6, Chad Patrick x 3, Luis Urias x 4, Silas Ardoin x 5, Yaramil Hiraldo x 1, Reed Trimble x 8, Felipe Alou Jr x 1, Alan Rail x 1, Justin Ramsey x 1, Raynel Delgado x 1, Jeferson Quero x 1, Bruce Zimmermann x 3, Jordyn Adams x 3, TT Bowens x 1, Enrique Bradfield Jr x 15, Jud Fabian x 2, Tim Federowicz x 7, Jose Barerro (Garcia) x 2, Maverick Handley x 1, Hudson Haskin x 2, Vimael Machin x 1, Corbin Martin x 6, Mike Montville x 1, Cionel Perez x 4, Carson Ragsdale x 1, Jaxon Reetz x 5, Sam Sauer x 1, Livan Soto x 8, Terrin Vavra x 10, Levi Wells x 2, Cameron Weston x 1, Rick Sweet x 2 and Chayce McDermott x 1 (157 total autographs).