TTM Success - Justin Towle

Here is another older Bowman card (1997 Bowman) that came back signed TTM.  This is from Justin Towle.  

Towle (b. 1974) was a 12th round pick by the Reds in the 1992 June Amateur Draft out of Inglemoor High School in Washington. He played in the minors from 1992 to 1998, all in the Reds system.  He reached AA.  He had 446 hits, 49 home runs and a .266 batting average. 

I mailed to Towle on October 11 and got the card back on October 24 for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Andy Brown

A couple more older Bowman cards got signed TTM recently when these two came back from Andy Brown.  The above 1999 Bowmans Best turned out great.  I have a handful of these cards in the box, and am happy to get any of them signed. 

I also got his 1999 Bowman Chrome taken care of.  Neither card scanned all that great, but they look fine in person. 

Brown (b. 1980) was a first round pick by the Yankees in the 1998 June Amateur Draft out of Richmond High School in Indiana.  He played in the Yankees and Cardinals systems from 1998 to 2005, reaching AA.  He had 459 hits, 70 home runs and a .219 batting average. 

I mailed to Brown on October 11 and got the cards back on October 23, for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jeff Stevens

Here's a nice 2011 Bowman of Jeff Stevens that I got signed TTM recently. The card turned out nicely, even though I had no idea who Stevens was.  I like getting random Cubs guys, since my buddy, Max, is a huge Cubs fan.

Stevens (b. 1983) played in the majors 2009 to 2011 for the Cubs.  He had a record of 1-0 with 28 strike outs and a 6.27 ERA.

I mailed to Stevens on October 8 and got the card back on October 21 for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Chris Fallon

This 2003 Bowman came back signed TTM by Chris Fallon recently. It was a card that came in from a stack of early 2000s Bowmans that my friend Ryan sent me.  I don't have many Bowman from 2003 or 2004, so it was nice of Ryan to help me out.

Fallon (b. 1979) was a 22nd round pick by the Royals in the 2001 June Amateur Draft out of St. Johns.  He played in the minors from 2001 to 2004 in the Royals and Rockies systems, reaching High A. He had 416 hits, 35 home runs and a .272 batting average. 

I mailed to Fallon on September 22 and got the card back on October 20 for a 28-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jason Fitzgerald

Here is a 1998 Bowman Chrome that I got signed TTM by Jason Fitzgerald.  I'm glad I could get a few of these cards out of my box.  One of these days, I'll be able to condense some of these older Bowman cards down and come up with an empty 5,000-count box.

Fitzgerald (b. 1975) was a first round (41st overall) pick by the Indians in the 1997 June Amateur Draft out of Tulane.  He played in the minors from 1997 to 2003 in the Indians and Braves systems. He played in Kinston in 1999.  In his minors career, he had 647 hits, 50 home runs and a .258 batting average. 

I mailed to Fitzgerald on October 10 and got the card back on October 18 for an 8-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Gary Rajsich

A 1983 Topps was added to the autograph album when this one came back TTM signed by Gary Rajsich.  The card turned out fine.

Rajsich (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1982 to 1985 for the Mets, Cardinals and Giants.  He had 70 hits, 3 home runs and a .236 batting average. 

I mailed to Rajsich on October 10 and got the card back signed on October 18 for an 8-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Paul Winterling

Another former Oriole was added to the autograph album when this 2008 Bowman Chrome came back signed TTM by Paul Winterling.  I vaguely remember Winterling from back in the day.  I probably saw him with Frederick at a Winston-Salem Warthogs game.  That would likely be the only tome I would have seen him.

Winterling (b. 1983) was an undrafted free agent signed by the Orioles out of Johns Hopkins University. 

He played in the minors from 2005 to 2008, all in the Orioles system.  He would reach high-A Frederick. I probably saw him in 2008 at the same game that I saw Brandon Snyder and Matt Wieters.

Winterling had 153 hits, 21 home runs and a .231 batting average across his 4 mi or league seasons.

I mailed to Winterling on November 20, 2024, and got the card back on October 17 for a 331-day TAT.  The coolest part was the letter that Winterling sent along with the card.  Take some time to check out the letter; you'll have to zoom in, but it's a great read:

Another TTM Success From Felix Millan

Back in 2020, I got a TTM success from Felix Millan on 4 cards.  Four years later, I felt it was time to send out a few more. Starting with this 1975 Topps Mini.  It looks like Millan needs a new pen, but the card is still signed and in the album. 

I also sent these, a 1971 Topps and a 1974 Topps.  The signature is faint on both, but again, they're signed.  I don't think I have any Millans left, but I've got a bunch of good ones in the album. 

I mailed to Millan on March 12, 2024, and got the cards back on October 14, 2025, for a 581-day TAT.

TTM Success - Brian Snyder

Here is a nice 1986 Topps that came back signed TTM by Brian Snyder.  1986 Topps is a cool set, and I haven't added many new ones to the album lately.  I need to go back through that box and pull some more guys to send to.

Snyder (b. 1958) played in the majors in 1985 and 1989 for the  Mariners and A's. He had a record of 1-2 with 24 strike outs and a 6.75 ERA.

I mailed to Snyder on October 3 and got the card back on October 14 for an 11-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Jim Rice

This 1982 Fleer of Jim Rice was in one of my boxes when I found it.  I thought it was in great shape, so I sent it to him TTM to sign. 

The card turned out great and is now in the autograph album. 

I mailed to Rice on October 2 and got the card back on October 14 for a 12-day TAT. I paid a fee of $20.00.

TTM Success - Geoff Goetz

Geoff Goetz signed several cards for me, which helped create some room in my old Bowman box.

He signed a 1997 Bowman (top of post), 2000 Bowman (top left), 2000 Bowman Chrome (top right) 1998 Bowman Chrome (bottom left) and 1999 Just Minors (bottom right).

Goetz (b. 1979) was a first round (6th overall) pick by the Mets in the 1997 June Amateur Draft out of Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida.

He played in the minors from 1997 to 2002 and 2004 in the Mets, Marlins and Yankees systems.  He would reach AA.  He had a record of 21-20 with 302 strike outs and a 3.37 ERA.

I mailed to Goetz on October 2 and got the cards back on October 11 for a 9-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Tyler Soderstrom

This 2021 Bowman Chrome of Tyler Soderstrom went all the way to Chicago last season to my buddy, Max.  He was going to try to get Sodsrstrom to sign it, but that didn't happen.  I kept seeing the card this year in the Box-of-Shame while looking for players to sign.  I noticed a private signing on SCN for Soderstrom, so i decided to go ahead and free it from the box and get it signed. 

Soderstrom (b. 2001) has played in the majors since 2023 for the A's.  He has 219 hits, 37 home runs and a .250 batting average. 

I mailed to the signing on August 20 and got the card back signed on October 9 for a 50-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $35.00.

TTM Success - George Theodore

Another 1974 Topps was added to the autograph album when this card came back signed from George Theodore. 

The Stork inscribed the card to me with best wishes and a "The Stork" inscription. The top two lines got fouled up a bit.  I think it was because some residual wax was on the surface of the card.

Theodore (b. 1946) played in the majors in 1973 and 1974 for the Mets.  He had 42 hits, 2 home runs and a .219 batting average. 

I mailed to Theodore on September 30 and got the card back on October 9, for a 9-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Glen Condren

Here is another football card that I picked up at the National this year, then sent out for TTM.  This Glen Condren card turned out nicely. 

Condren (b. 1942) played professionally from 1965 to 1967 and 1969 to 1972 for the Giants and Falcons.  He was an 11th round pick in the 1964 draft by the Giants out of the University of Oklahoma.

I mailed to Condren on August 7 and got the card back on October 6 for a 60-day TAT.

TTM Success - Rich Aude

Look! It's a 1995 Fleer.  The crazy set that looks like the designers were on acid makes another appearance.  I got this card back signed TTM by Rich Aude.  I do enjoy this set in all its weirdness, and was happy to add another one to the autograph album. 

I also added a 1995 Pinnacle and 1990 ProCards.  

Aude (b. 1971) played in the majors in 1993, 1995 and 1996 for the Pirates.  He had 34 hits, 2 home runs and a .225 batting average. 

I mailed to Aude on April 16 and got the cards back on October 4 for a 171-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jon Coutlangus

A couple 2007 cards that I had been holding into for a while finally got sent out, then came back signed.  For whatever reason, I held these two Jon Coutlangus cards.  I don't remember if there was a lull in his signing habits or if I mistakenly thought he charged.  I finally got the cards out and they came back signed in blue.

I had sent off his 2007 Topps Rookie 52 and his 2007 Topps Chrome.

Coutlangus (b. 1980) played for the Reds in 2007.  He went 4-2 with 38 strike outs and a 4.39 ERA.

I mailed to him on September 5 and got the cards back on September 26 for a 21-day TAT. 

Max Helps With An Auto

My buddy Max has been very busy lately with things beyond graphing, so he hasn't been able to take as many cards this year like he had before. Still, i was excited when he asked me to send him some Addison Russell cards for a signing.  I found 4 cards (if I remember correctly), and got this 2016 Topps Opening Day back signed.  Russell has a cool autograph. 

Russell (b. 1994) played in the majors from 2015 to 2019 for the Cubs.  He had 480 hits, 60 home runs and a .242 batting average. He was an All Star in 2016 and finished 19th in the NL MVP race that season.  He won the World Series with the Cubs in 2016.

Thanks for helping me add this card to the autograph album, Max!

TTM Success - Johnny Sutton

This 1979 Topps of Johnny Sutton came back signed in black Sharpie recently. I had never heard of Sutton, which, it the main purpose of why I send these cards out in the first place.

Sutton (b. 1952) celebrates a birthday today.  He played in the majors in 1977 and 1978 for the Cardinals and Twins.  He jad a record of 2-1 with 27 strike outs and a 3.15 ERA.

I mailed to Sutton on August 29 and got the card back on September 26 for a 28-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Kevin Whelan

A couple older Bowman cards came back signed TTM from Kevin Whelan.  The above 2006 Bowman Chrome turned out really well, even though the scan shows the card being very dark.

This 2011 Bowman also turned out nicely.

Whelan (b. 1984) played in the majors in 2011 and 2014 for the Yankees and Tigers.  His major league experience consisted of three games.  He had a 0-0 record with 2 strike outs and a 9.00 ERA.

I mailed to Whelan on August 19 and got the cards back on September 18 for a 30-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Bud Anderson

A pass through my bulk Topps box with cards ranging from 1969 to 1984 allowed me to find these two cards of Bud Anderson that I sent out TTM to him for autographs.  Above is a 1983 Topps, and below is his 1979 Topps rookie card. 

It looks like Byron McLaughlin doesn't sign, so I'm not sure if I'm going to take a chance in sending the cards out again.  I could go ahead and get Greg Biercevicz; he is taking over 100 days or so to sign. Then I could maybe wait and see if McLaughlin does a signing or something. 

Anderson (b. 1956) played in the majors in 1982 and 1983 for the Indians.  He had a record of 4-10 with 76 strike outs and a 3.68 ERA.

I mailed to Anderson on August 29 and got the cards back on September 15 for a 17-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Bill North

Bill North is a guy who's cards I had pulled for a long time, but since he charged for signing, I kept putting off mailing to him.  I finally pulled some cash and sent a 1974 Topps (above) and a 1980 Topps (below).  The cards turned out great. 

North (b. 1948) played in the majors from 1971 to 1981 for the Cubs, A's, Dodgers and Giants.  He had 1,016 hits, 20 home runs and a .261 batting average.  He led the league in stolen bases in 1974 and 1976.  He finished 29th in the AL MVP race in 1973.  He won the World Series with the A's in 1974.

I mailed to North on September 5 and got the cards back on September 15 for a 10-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $10/card.

November 8, 2025, Graphing Recap of IHRA at Darana Motorsports Park

The racing organization that my dad used to race with has staged a dramatic comeback this season, with the final race of their six-race season coming this past weekend.  The race was held at Darana Motorsports Park in Dunn, NC.  The track was formerly known as Dunn-Benson Drageay and also Galot Motorsports Park.  I had heard about the race when it was announced a few months ago, and planned to attend to show ky support.  I have fond memories of Dad going to IHRA races back in the 80s and 90s, so I would like to see this new iteration be successful. 

It was really cool that they had Big Daddy Don Garlits there signing autographs. Garlits is 93 years old, but is still up and about. I paid $20 for the above poster, which he signed in copper Sharpie. He told me while the picture was being taken that he had originally built that car for "Jungle" Jim Lieberman.  Lieberman decided against running a dragster, so Garlits kept the car for himself; he also told me "see, I would build them just as good for my customers as I would for myself!"

Of course, I had to go by and see Shirley Muldowney since she was set up at the track selling signed posters for her "Shirley's Kids" charity.  She signed two cards for me and also the above poster.  The poster and autograph were $20, and I gave her another $20 as a donation for signing my cards.  She was really funny when Chris and I walked up; complaining about eyedrops she needed to take.  She also was fretting over not being able to find her special pens she had bought for signing. I've loved Shirley since I was 3, and she has always been awesome every time I've met her.

While I was waiting for Shirley to sign my poster, Don Garlits walked over to her, hugged her and said some great things about her.  It was so cool to see these two former bitter rivals get together.  I'm glad I was able to get my phone out and take a picture of the moment.

I had to get some graphing in while I was there, so I raided my old 1990 IHRA set and also an album of drag racing cards that Mom found for me.

Del Worsham was really cool.  He had a conversation with a couple guys while he was grinding some clutch plates; doing his own work on his funny car.  He ended up winning the race, which was cool to see.  He commented on how young he was in the cards, then joked about how young Rickie Smith was on his card.

Also above, you can see that Shirley ended up finding her pen that she was looking for when she signed one of her cards in white.

I had an amazing time with Chris at the race. I was pleasantly surprised when I was recognized by several people who knew me, or my parents.  I also surprised a friend who used to race against Dad that hadn't seen me in about 18 years or so.  He and his wife were thrilled that I came out to the race.

The quality of the race was top-notch.  Chris and I picked out a spot in the stands, then barely moved for hours.  He walked to the car a couple times to drop some stuff off and get drinks from the cooler.  He shot a bunch of pictures and videos on his phone also, so i know he was enjoying himself.  He even bought me a shirt.

I posted some videos, but they didn't work.

I almost forgot, in all, I got the following autographs: Don Garlits x 1, Shirley Muldowney x 3, Chris Cline x 2, Camrie Caruso x 2, Larry McBride x 3, Keith Jackson x 1, Tommy Mauney x 5, Rickie Smith x 2 and Del Worsham x 3 (22 total autographs).

TTM Success - Micah Owings

Here are a couple really cool cards that I got back signed TTM by Micah Owings.  First, the above 2007 Topps Turkey Red.  This card looks great.  I like this design, and was glad to add it to the autograph album. 

I also got this 2010 Topps Heritage signed.  Owings inscribed both cards, and that was fine with me. 

Owings (b. 1982) played in the majors from 2007 to 2012 for the Diamondbacks, Reds and Padres.  He had a record of 32-33 with 347 strike outs and a 4.86 ERA.

Before Shohei Ohtani, Owings was known as a prolific battery, as far as a pitcher was concerned.  He had 58 hits, 9 home runs and a .283 batting average. He won the Silver Slugger Award as a pitcher in 2007.

I mailed to Owings on January 24 and got the cards back on September 12 for a 231-day TAT.

TTM Success - John Scott

A nice 1978 Topps came back signed from John Scott.  I haven't gotten as many 1978 Topps signed as I have some other years from around that time.  The card turned out great.

Scott (b. 1952) played in the majors in 1974, 1975 and 1977 for the Padres and Blue Jays. He had 57 hits, 2 home runs and a .222 batting average. 

I mailed to Scott on August 29 and got the card back on September 11 for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Brett Hayes

More cards that Ryan gave me came back signed TTM; this time a couple came in from Brett Hayes.  The above 2005 Bowman Chrome X-Fractor turned out pretty well. 

I also got a 2005 Bowman Draft base card signed.  It also looks pretty nice.

Hayes (b. 1984) played in the majors from 2009 to 2015 for the Marlins, Royals and Indians.  He had 89 hits, 13 home runs and a .205 batting average. 

I mailed to Hayes on August 19 and got the cards back on September 11 for a 23-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Tom WIlson

Here is a 2004 Topps that I got signed TTM by Tom Wilson.  He signed the card in black Sharpie, and it turned out nicely.

Wilson (b. 1970) played in the majors from 2001 to 2004 for the A's, Blue Jays, Mets and Dodgers.  He had 140 hits, 15 home runs and a .253 batting average. 

I mailed to Wilson on March 15, 2014, and got the card back on September 11, 2025, for a 545-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ellie Rodriguez

This is a 1972 Milton Bradley game card of Ellie Rodriguez that I found in a dime box at the National.  I didn't have any of these in the autograph album, so I was glad I found one of someone who signs TTM.

Rodriguez (b. 1946) played in the majors from 1968 to 1976 for the Yankees, Royals, Brewers, Angels and Dodgers.  He had 533 hits, 16 home runs and a .245 batting average.  He was a two-time All Star (1969 and 1972).

I mailed to Rodriguez on August 5 and got the card back on September 8 for a 34-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5.00/card.

TTM Success - Larry Zbyszko

This is a Topps Chrome wrestling card of WWE Hall of Famer Larry Zbyszko that I picked up at the National, then sent out TTM for him to sign.  The autograph turned out great.

Zbyszko (b. 1951) wrestled from 1971 to 2015 after cutting his amateur wrestling career at Penn State short.  He was trained by Bruno Sammartino and would go on to be one of Sammartino's chief rivals in the late 70s.  He is a two-time World Champion, having won the AWA World Championship twice.  He would marry the daughter of AWA promoter, Verne Gagne.  He was elected to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015.

I mailed to Zbyszko on August 19 and got the card back on August 29 for a 10-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Mickey Wiswall

Here is a random 2010 Bowman that came back signed TTM recently by Mickey Wiswall.  I've got so many 2010 Bowman in my box.  They came from the old card shop when it closed.  I've been able to get a few signed, but it doesn't seem like I've made a dent in the stack of cards.

Wiswall (b. 1988) was a 7th round pick by the Mariners in the 2010 June Amateur Draft out of Boston College.  He played in the Mariners from 2010 to 2012 and 2014, reaching AA.  He had 351 hits, 45 home runs and a .259 batting average. 

I mailed to Wiswall on November 26 and got the card back on August 28, for a 275-day TAT.

TTM Success - Evan Crawford

Here is a nice 2011 Bowman Chrome that came back signed TTM by Evan Crawford.  I sent two, and both came back signed. 

Crawford (b. 1988) was a 9th round pick in the 2009 June Amateur Draft out of Indiana University Bloomington by the Giants.  He played in the minors from 2009 to 2011 in the Giants and Cubs systems.  He had 316 hits, 7 home runs and a .284 batting average. 

I mailed to Crawford on July 17 and got the cards back on August 25 for a 39-day TAT.