TTM Success - Kip Young

Here is another signed 1980 Topps that has been added to the autograph album.  Kip Youbg signed the card in thin blue Sharpie, and it looks pretty nice. 

Young (b. 1954) played in the majors in 1978 and 1979 for the Tigers.  He had a record of 8-9 with 71 strike outs and a 3.86 ERA.

I mailed to Young on November 9 and got the card back on December 17 for a 38-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Adam WIlk

This 2011 Bowman Adam Wilk was in my to-be-TTMed box for what felt like forever.  I finally pulled it to send out after I found the below 2010 Bowman and 2010 Bowman Chrome and pulled them. 

All of the cards look good, even though 2010 Bowman Chrome doesn't scam well.

Wilk (b. 1987) played in the majors in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017 for the Tigers, Angels, Mets and Twins.  He had a record of 0-5 with 27 strike outs and a 7.36 ERA.

I mailed to Wilk on December 4 and got the cards back on December 16 for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Ike Hampton

A 1978 Topps came back signed from Ike Hampton in December.  He has a pretty cool signature.  I had found the card in my vintage Topps box and figured that I'd send it off.

Hampton (b. 1951) played in the majors from 1974 to 1979 for the Mets and Angels.  He had 28 hits, 4 home runs and a .207 batting average. 

I mailed to Hampton on November 20 and got the card back on December 13 for a 23-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Mark Reynolds

A private signing popped up with former Oriole Mark Reynolds.  I had a bunch of his cards that I wanted to get signed, but at his price point, I narrowed it down to three cards.  The above 2013 Topps short print was actually from a game I was at with Ryan.  I believe it was the Brooks Robinson sculpture dedication game. He (Ryan, not Mark Reynolds) can comment and confirm.

I also sent off the above 2011 Topps Black Diamond wrapper redemption card and the 2011 Topps Diamond Die cut card.  Both of these are really great cards to add to the album. 

Reynolds (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2007 to 2019 for the Diamondbacks, Orioles, Indians, Yankees, Brewers, Cardinals, Rockies and Nationals.  He had 1,283 hits, 298 home runs and a .236 batting average. He finished 20th in the 2009 NL MVP race.

I mailed to the signing on October 16 and got the cards back on December 12 for a 57-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $45.00.

TTM Success - Brian Kingman

A couple nice 80s cards made their way into the autograph album when this TTM success came in from Brian Kingman.  The above 1983 Topps looks pretty nice. 

I also got this 1980 Topps signed. Derek Bryant hasn't signed since 2022; Mike Morgan hasn'tsigned since 2021, so I'm not too sure I'll be able to complete this card. I may give it a shot though.  

Kingman (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1979 to 1983 for the As and Giants.  He had a record of 23-45 with 273 strike outs and a 4.13 ERA.  He lost 20 games in 1980.  

I mailed to Kingman on November 23 and got the cards back on December 11 for an 18-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Shawn Barton

1993 Topps is a huge set.  Checking in at 825 cards, it is the largest Topps issue.  The set is a bit boring, but I try to add them to the autograph album when I can.  This signed Shawn Barton card came back signed TTM recently.  It turned out nicely.

Barton (b. 1963) played in the majors in 1992, 1995 and 1996 for the Mariners.and Giants.  He had a record of 4-2 with 29 strike outs and a 4.71 ERA.

I mailed to Barton on November 26 and got the card back on December 10 for a 14-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Dan Briggs

Some older cards were added to the autograph album when this TTM success came in from  Dan Briggs.  The above 1980 Topps has the good yellow and brown Padres uniform.  It's pleasingly ugly. 

I also got a 1979 Topps and a 1982 Topps signed.

Briggs (b. 1952) played in the majors from 1975 to 1979 and in 1981 and 1982 for the Angels, Indians, Padres, Expos and Cubs.   He had 134 hits, 12 home runs and a .195 batting average. 

I mailed to Briggs on November 27 and got the cards back on December 9 for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Brick Smith

The boxes I got from the former LCS included some old minor league cards.  I took a few of them and put them aside for TTMs, one of which was this 1986 All Star Card of Brick Smith.  Smith signed the card in ballpoint pen.  The signature is pretty shaky, but the card will look nice in the album. 

Smith (b. 1959) played in the majors in 1987 and 1988 for the Mariners.  He had 2 hits, no home runs and a .111 batting average. 

I mailed to Smith on November 6 and December 7 for a 31-day TAT. 

A Third TTM Success From Scott Bailes

While going through my boxes, I found even more cards of Scott Bales so I could send a third TTM request to him.  The cards I got back were all junk wax era cards, but there's nothing wrong with that.  Above is a 1990 Donruss that turned out nicely.

Above are cards from 1990 Fleer, 1992 Fleer, 1991 Score and 1988 Donruss.  Somewhere i have a partial 1990 Fleer set.  Who knows where that is.  Otherwise, I'd have a lot more of them in the autograph album. 

I mailed to Bailes on November 19 and got the cards back on December 6 for a 17-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Sid Fernandez

When I saw that Sid Fernandez was signing TTM, I scrambled to find some cards and sent them out.  I had gotten him on his 87 Topps via a private signing, so this time I took what I could find in a pinch.  The above 1994 Score Rookie and Traded card covers Fernandez's time as an Oriole, which was fine with me.

I found these two Topps cards (a 1993 and a 1994 Gold parallel) next, then gave up the search.

I was glad to get a few of his cards in the autograph album, since he seemed to be tougher in the past.

I mailed to Fernandez on November 23 and got the cards back on December 6 for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Paul McClellan

Here is a way to make 90s junk wax cards a little more interesting.  Paul McClellan sent these two cards back signed TTM with paint pens and both cards look pretty cool.  The above 1992 Stadium Club pops.

This 1992 Topps also looks sharp.

McClellan (b. 1966) played in the majors from 1991 to 1992 for the Giants.  He had a record of 3-7 with 46 strike outs and a 5.26 ERA.

I mailed to McClellan on November 18 and got the cards back on December 6 for an 18-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Skip Jutze

This nice 1974 Topps signed by Skip Jutze shows off a nice, old Astros uniform and catchers helmet.  Also a pretty solid mustache. I had this card for a while and finally got around to sending it out. 

Jutze (b. 1946) played in the majors from 1972 to 1977 for the Cardinals, Astros and Mariners.  He had 141 hits, 3 home runs and a .215 batting average.

I mailed to Jutze on October 10 and got the card back on December 4 for a 55-day TAT.

TTM Success - Brian Meyer

This TTM success from former pitcher Brian Meyer was very colorful.  I got back a signed 1991 Fleer (above) and a 1990 Topps (below).  Both of the cards are way beyond the normal white-bordered Topps cards.  Ive had people tell me that the 1991 Fleer set is hideous.  I respectfully disagree; I kind of like the set.  They also look good when signed.

This 1990 Topps also looks nice.  This set is reminiscent of the funky colored 1972, 1975 or 2015 Topps.  Sometimes it's a good change to switch from the plain white borders.

Meyer (b. 1963) played in the majors from 1988 to 1990 for the Astros.  He had a record of 0-5 with 29 strike outs and a 2.84 ERA.

I mailed to Meyer on November 21 and got the cards back on December 3 for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Dave Geisel

A TTM success from Dave Geisel came in recently that landed me a couple 1984 cards for the autograph album.  The above q984 Fleer turned out nicely.  I don't have many of these in the album, so it was a nice add.

1984 Topps isn't my favorite set, and they kind of get pushed to the back of the line when sending, so it was nice to get this one in.

Geisel (b. 1955, today) played in the majors in 1978, 1979 and from 1981 to 1985 for the Cubs, Blue Jays and Mariners.  He had a 5-5 record, 144 strike outs and a 4.01 ERA.

I mailed to Geisel on November 21 and got the cards back on December 2 for an 11-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Don Gordon

Something funny about my autograph album is that 1988 Topps is a bit underrepresented. Compared to a set like 1973 Topps, of which I have 167 signed cards, i have just 96 signed 1988 Topps.  For a set that is so overproduced, it's just a little odd that I don't have as many signed cards.  Don't Gordon was the most recent addition to the album from 1988 Topps, and the card turned out nicely.

Gordon also included this nice religious tract card.  I like when players add extras to the submission. 

Gordon (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1986 to 1988 for the Blue Jays and Indians.  He had a record of 3-8 with 56 strike outs and a 4.72 ERA.

I mailed to Gordon on November 18 and got the cards back on December 2 for a 14-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Bernie Carbo

Back in 2018, I got a TTM success from Bernie Carbo.  I got around to sending to him again this year.  I had the above 1979 Topps that my buddy Ryan sent me a while back. The card turned out great. 

Carbo also sent this religious tract card that he signed.  This was a cool card to add to the album. I appreciate Carbo adding an extra to the TTM request. 

I mailed to Carbo on November 9 and got the cards back on November 30 for a 21-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Travis Miller

A 2001 Topps was added to the autograph album when I got this card back from Travis Miller.  The autograph is kind of tough to see, but it's there.

Miller (b. 1972) played in the majors from 1996 to 2002 for the Twins.  He had a record of 7-18 with 199 strike outs and a 5.05 ERA.

I mailed to Miller on October 31 and got the card back on November 29 for a 29-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Kason Gabbard

Here are a couple late 2000s cards that came back signed TTM from Kason Gabbard.  Above is a 2008 Topps and below is a 2006 Topps Update.

I thought I had more of Gabbard's cards, but these two were the only ones I was able to find.

Gabbard (b. 1982) played in the majors from 2006 to 2008 for the Red Sox and Rangers.  He had a record of 9-7 with 103 strike outs and a 4.53 ERA.

I mailed to Gabbard on October 30 and got the cards back on November 29 for a 30-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Steve Braun

Several nice vintage cards came back signed TTM by Steve Braun recently.  I was especially happy that I added another 1972 Topps to the album.  I like the old school All Star Rookie trophy.

I also got back his 1978, 1980 and 1983 Topps.

Braun (b. 1948) played in the majors from 1971 to 1985 for the Twins, Mariners, Royals, Blue Jays and Cardinals.  He had 989 hits, 52 home runs and a .271 batting average.  He won the 1982 World Series with the Cardinals.

I mailed to Braun on October 22 and got the cards back on November 29 for a 38-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Guy Hoffman

Here are a few 80s cards that I got back signed TTM from Guy Hoffman.  The above 1980 Topps White Sox Future Stars card looks pretty cool.

Above left is a 1987 Fleer Update and above right is a 1988 Topps.  Hoffman inscribed both of these for me, and both look great.

Hoffman (b. 1956) played in the majors in 1979, 1980, 1983 and from 1986 to  1988 for the White Sox, Cubs, Reds and Rangers.  He had a record of 17-17 with 187 strike outs and a 4.25 ERA.

I mailed to Hoffman on October 31 and got the cards back on November 26 for a 26-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jose Bautista

A while back, Jose Bautista was coaching for some team that was going to come through Kinston; I think maybe Myrtle Beach. For whatever reason, I didn't see him (COVID season, maybe?). I don't remember now.  Anyway, I had his cards pulled, then put away, then pulled again.  I finally sent to him TTM, and after quite a while, got the cards back signed.  I was glad to finally get his 1991 Crown Orioles card into the autograph album. 

I also got a 1989 Topps, 1994 Topps Finest and a 1994 Topps signed.

Bautista (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1988 to 1991 and 1993 to 1997 for the Orioles, Cubs, Giants, Tigers and Cardinals.  He had a record of 32-42 with 328 strike outs and a 4.62 ERA.

I mailed to Bautista on October 24, 2023, and got the cards back on November 25, 2024, for a 398-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Tim Birtsas

Here are some more cards of Tim Birtstas that I got signed TTM recently.  I've held these cards for a while.  I was glad to add the above 1989 Score to the autograph album. 

I also added the above 1986 Donruss (left) and the above 1988 Topps (right).

I mailed to Birtsas on November 6 and got the cards back on November 21 for a 15-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Eddy Putman

A 1980 Topps card was added to the autograph album when I got this one back signed TTM from Eddy Putman.  His signature is pretty thin, but completes the card.

Putman (b. 1953) played in the majors in 1976, 1978 and 1979 for the Cubs and Tigers.  He had 17 hits, 2 home runs and a .239 batting average.

I mailed to Putman on October 28 and got the card back on November 21 for a 24-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Shane Turner

The above 1992 Donruss The Rookies card of Shane Turner came out of a pack of cards that Mom got me a long time ago.  I held it for a while and finally sent it out TTM.  It's a cool looking card, and now resides in the autograph album. 

I also foind this 1993 Topps of Turner and sent it along.

Turner (b. 1963) turned 62 today.  He played in the majors in 1988, 1991 and 1992 for the Phillies, Orioles and Brewers.  He had 28 hits, no home runs and a .236 batting average. 

I mailed to Turner on October 16 and got the cards back on November 21 for a 36-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jim Vatcher

These cards were supposed to be posted yesterday (1/7), but the death of Brian Matusz had me not feeling like posting, so I didn't.  I may reflect on Matusz's passing later on; the emotions are still raw.  In the meantime, I will continue on as planned.  

So, here are some signed cards that I got back signed TTM from Jim Vatcher.  The cards are all staples of the junk wax era, but all also turned out well and look great in the album.  I especially enjoyed the above 1991 Score.  These are just sharp cards, and tend to look good when signed.

I also got a 1991 Topps, 1991 Upper Deck, 1992 Stadium Club and a 1991 Donruss signed.  They all turned out well.

Vatcher (b. 1965) played in the majors from 1990 to 1992 for the Phillies, Braves and Padres.  He had 27 hits, 1 home run and a .248 batting average.

I mailed to Vatcher on November 5 and got the cards back on November 20, for a 15-day TAT.

TTM Success - Brady Raggio

Here is a random Bowman card that I hot signed TTM from Brady Raggio.  The card turned out nicely.

Raggio (b. 1972) played in the majors in 1998, 1999 and 2003 for the Cardinals and Diamondbacks.  He had a record of 2-3 with 32 strikeouts and a 8.10 ERA.

I mailed to Raggio on October 21 and got the card back on November 18 for a 28-day TAT.

Bout Dang Time

My 174th Hall of Famer on a baseball is someone I've advocated to get into the Hall for quite some time.  Dave Parker finally got in via the Veterans Committee this past December.  It's about time.  Parker is battling Parkinson's, so it is especially good to see him get the call while he is still living. 

I may upgrade my ball at some point and get one with a HOF inscription, but above is one I got in 2012 via TTM. Congratulations to the Cobra for finally getting into the Hall of Fame. 

2024 National Pickup - Derek Jeter Signed Baseball

While it has taken me some time to finally clean out my stuff from the 2024 National, I am ashamed to say that I completely forgot to post this signed baseball that I picked up at the show.  I got this ball on the last day of the show, and probably overpaid a bit.  Still, I am glad to cross Derek Jeter off of my list.  I'm not a fan of how high his prices are; I've always contended that had Jeter played for someone like, say, the Royals, he would be held in the same regard as Paul Molitor.  A great player, a Hall of Famer, sure, but not the legend that folks make Jeter out to be.  That may be a little bit of my dislike for the Yankees shining through, but I feel like I am not alone in this sentiment.

Anyway, Jeter (b. 1974) played in the majors from 1995 to 2014 for the Yankees.  He was a part of the late 90s Yankee dynasty that won the 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 World Series.  He also won the World Series in 2009.  He had 3,465 hits (leading the league twice), 260 home runs and a .310 career batting average (with 12 seasons of batting .300 or better; ok that's actually pretty dang good).  He never won an MVP award (the horror!), finishing second in 2006 and third in 1998 and 2009.  For those that care, he had a career 71.3 WAR, according to baseball-reference's metrics.

Jeter was a 14-time All Star (1998 to 2002, 2004, 2006 to 2012 and 2014) and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2006 to 2009 and 2012).  He was the 1996 AL Rookie of the Year and 2000 World Series MVP.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2020, his first ballot, with 99.7% of the vote.  No, I don't have a vote, but even I, with my disdain for Jeter, am not dumb enough to say he didn't deserve to get in.  The argument against not voting for someone it a different discussion for a different day, but even I know he is definitely a Hall of Famer.  Duh.

Somewhere along the line, I messed up my HOF count, so in my estimation, Jeter is my 173rd Hall of Famer on a baseball.  That would also make it necessary to say that Dave Parker getting in last month puts him (Parker) as #174.  Hopefully I remember that, and can audit my numbers accordingly.

Christmas From Max 2024

Max came through again with some cards to help out with my 1987 Topps set.  Crossing off the tough Mark Portugal (above) was something I was really happy to do once I opened his gift.  He also got me another signed card from the set, but I had already gotten the same guy from a private signing, so Max's will be used to trade for someone else that I need and will be posted later on.

Portugal (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1985 to 1999 for the Twins, Astros, Giants, Reds, Phillies and Red Sox.  He had a career record of 109-95 with 1,134 strike outs and a 4.03 ERA.   He finished 6th in the 1993 NL Cy Young Race and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1994.  He was part of the Teins organization when they won the World Series in 1987, but did not pitch in the playoffs.

Max also found this Wamder Franco signed 1987 Topps-design insert when he was looking for signed 87s and picked it up for me.  He got it as a joke, and i definitely chuckled when I saw it.  What a shame, though.  Wander was really cool the couple of times when I met him in Durham.  I'm going to refrain from discussing his issues much more other than I know we will never see him play in the majors again. Still, it's a nice card and I'm still putting it in the autograph album. 

Thank you so much for the Christmas gift Max.  You always come through.  

TTM Success - Jordan Brown

This is a random 2011 Topps Heritage card that was signed with the driest marker that Jordan Brown had in his possession.  Still, the card is signed and is now in the autograph album. 

Brown (b. 1983) played in the majors in 2010 and 2013 for the Indians and Marlins.  He had 23 hits, no home runs and a .225 batting average. 

I mailed to Brown on November 4 and got the card back on November 18 for a 14-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Dave Goltz

A couple 70s cards were added to the autograph album when I got these two back from Dave Goltz.  Above is a 1974 Topps that turned out pretty well.

I also got this 1975 Topps Mini signed.  I already had his regular 75, so it was nice adding the mini.

I mailed to Goltz on October 8 and got the cards back on November 16 for a 39-day TAT.