2026 National Free Signer - Mike Squires

Another guy that I had gotten in the past via TTM was a free signer this year at the National. I had gotten Mike Squires on a few cards back in 2024, but luckily didn't get him on a 1982 Topps. I forgot to check if I had gotten him before, but it worked out anyway.

I only had one voucher for Squires, so I got only one card signed. It was fine, though, as I got through the line really quickly and went back to looking through bargain boxes.

2026 National Free Signer - Randy Martz

Randy Martz was the next free signer at this year's National. I had him sign the above 1982 Topps and the 1983 Donruss and 1983 Topps shown below. 

Martz (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1980 to 1983 for the Cubs and White Sox. He had a record of 17-19 with 78 strike outs and a 3 78 ERA.

Martz was pretty friendly, and his line moved quickly. Something I noticed this year was how much better the VIP lines moved. I went through **most** of the lines very fast.

2026 National Free Signer - Steve Trout

Steve Trout made his return to the National this year as a last-minute replacement signer. I can't remember who he replaced, but it was one of the football guys. Jim Osborne maybe. Well, I scoured my boxes for Trout cards, and came up with a few that I didn't yet have in the autograph album. 

He was cool, as always. I've gotten him 3 or 4 times now.

I didn't mind that several of the signers were guys that I had gotten before, since it still helped me get cards out of the boxes. It would be nice, though, if there was a little more variety of the signers. Oh well.

2026 National VIP Party Free Signer - Cecil Cooper

The next free signer at the VIP party at this year's National was Cecil Cooper. He was a free signer at two past Nationals that I had been to, 2015 and 2021.

At the past shows, I had gotten Cooper on a 1983 All Star Game ball, 1987 Topps and a 1986 Donruss. He also signed TTM for me, which added a  1976, 1984 and a 1988 Topps. I was running very low on Cooper cards, but found a few that I didn't already have.

Cooper was really nice and commented on my hat. I was glad to get him again. I'm out of his cards now, so if he comes back, I'll need to add some more. 

TTM Success - John Harris

Here are a couple early 80s cards that came back signed TTM by John Harris. He signed my 1982 Topps (above) and 1981 Topps (below).

Harris (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1979 to 1981 for the Angels. He had 31 hits, 5 home runs and a .258 batting average.

I mailed to Harris on February 23 and got the cards back on March 5, for a 10-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Dennis Werth

Here are a couple cool cards that I found in my box and sent out TTM. They are sugned by Dennis Werth. He has a nice signature, and both cards look good.

Werth (b. 1952) played in the majors from 1979 to 1982 for the Yankees and Royals. He had 29 hits, 3 home runs and a .209 batting average. He is the father of former major leaguer, Jayson Werth.

I mailed to Werth January 2 abd got the cards back on February 24, for a 53-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jack O'Connor

Another 1991 Crown Orioles card has been signed and added to the autograph album. I saw that I could add Jack O'Connor via TTM, so I found some other cards to send along.

He signed a 1982 Topps, 1983 Topps, 1983 Donruss and 1988 Score. The Score is the only card I saw that showed O'Connor in an Orioles uniform. 

O'Connor (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1981 to 1985 and 1987 for the Twins and Orioles. He had a record of 14-17 with 177 strike outs and a 4.89 ERA.

I mailed to O'Connor on January 2 and got the cards back on February 5, for a 34-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Dave Stewart

Dave Stewart is a guy who I thought I had gotten before, but it turns out the signed card I got for my 1987 Topps set came from Max. So, when I saw a private signing for him, I pulled and sent this 1982 Topps rookie card. After I had signed up for the signing, I saw that Stewart was signing on his own for the same fee. The card turned out great. 

Stewart (b. 1957) played in the majors in 1978 and from 1981 to 1995 for the Dodgers, Rangers, Phillies, A's and Blue Jays. He had a record of 168-129 with 1,741 strike outs and a 3.95 ERA. He was an All Star in 1989. He won 20 or more games in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990. His best finish in the Cy Young Race was 2nd (1989, AL), and his best finish in the MVP race was 8th (1990, AL). He won the World Series with the Dodgers in 1981, A's in 1989 and Blue Jays in 1993. He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2001 and 2002, receiving at most, 7.4% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on December 11 and got the card back on January 28, for a 48-day TAT. The card came from an old box of cards Mom found at Goodwill. 

TTM Success - Jim Wright

This is not the Jim Wright I got back TTM and posted a couple weeks ago.  This is another Jim Wright who played around that same time, and has a 1982 Topps (above).  I sent to both Wrights on the same day; this was the second to arrive.

Wright (b. 1955) played in the majors in 1981 and 1982 for the Royals.  He had a record of 2-3 with 36 strike outs and a 4.04 ERA.

I mailed to Wright on October 16 and got the card back on November 17, for a 32-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dave McKay

Here is another 1982 Topps that has been signed and added to the autograph album. This Dave McKay turned out nicely.

McKay (b. 1950) played in the majors from 1975 to 1982 for the Twins, Blue Jays and A's.  He had 441 hits, 21 home runs and a .229 batting average. 

I mailed to McKay on October 20 and got the card back on November 10 for a 21-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Denny Lewallyn

Another 1982 Topps was pulled from the boxes and sent out TTM for signature.  This one was of Denny Lewallyn, and turned out well.  His uniform is a bit dark for the signature to show up on, but the card still looks fine.

Lewallyn (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1975 to 1982 for the Dodgers, Rangers and Indians.  He had a record of 4-4 with 28 strike outs and a 4.48 ERA.

I mailed to Lewallyn on October 25 and got the card back on November 5 for an 11-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Rick Bosetti

There is a lot of green on this Rick Bosetti card.  I went through my early 80s Topps box recently and pulled a few cards to try to send out TTM. This 1982 Bosetti was one that was pulled.  His signature almost perfectly matches the facsimile autograph on the card. 

Bosetti (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1976 to 1982 for the Phillies, Cardinals, Blue Jays and A's.  He had 385 hits, 17 home runs and a .250 batting average. 

I mailed to Bosetti on August 8 and got the card back on August 16 for an 8-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Doug Gwosdz

Here are a couple 80s cards that came back signed TTM from Doug Gwosdz.  I got a 1984 Topps (above) and a 1982 Topps (below) signed.

I had hoped I could finish this 1982 Topps San Diego Padres Future Stars card, but Mike Armstrong hasn't signed in a while and Fred Kuhaulua has passed away.

Gwosdz (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1981 to 1984 for the Padres.  He had 15 hits, 1 home run and a .144 batting average. 

I mailed to Gwosdz on January 2 and got the cards back on January 11 for a 9-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. 

Another TTM Success From Larry Harlow

Another 1991 Crown Orioles card was signed TTM recently when I got this one back from Larry Harlow.  I've tried to get a few of these in the mail lately, and have seen a few come back. 

I had a few other Harlow cards put aside to send, so I got a good many out.  Above are: 1979 Topps, 1980 Topps and 1982 Topps.

I mailed to Harlow on October 15 and got the cards back on October 29 for a 14-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Rickey Keeton

Here's a 1982 Topps that I got back signed TTM from Rickey Keeton.  It's not my favorite set, but the card looks good.  The fake signature onnthe card kind of clashes with the real auto, but it is a pretty accurate signature. 

Keeton (b. 1957) played in the majors in 1980 and 1981 for the Brewers.  He had a record of 3-2 with 17 strike outs and a 4.95 ERA.

I mailed to Keeton on August 26 and got the card back on September 19, for a 24-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Ron Gardenhire

When these cards came back signed from Ron Gardenhire, I had thought I had gotten him previously.  It turns out, no, these were the only cards I had sent him.  They are now signed, and it looks like I don't have anything else out to him.   I got his 1982 Topps rookie card done.  I may have to finish the card off by taking advantage of some private signings at some point.

I also got a 1983 Donruss, 2004 Topps and a 2006 Topps signed.  All of them turned out well.

Gardenhire (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1981 to 1985 for the Mets.  He had 165 hits, 4 home runs and a .232 batting average.

He managed the Twins from 2002 to 2014, to a record of 1,068-1,039 and the Tigers from 2018 to 2020 to a record of 132-241.  His overall managerial record was 1,200-1,280 (.484 win %).  He was the AL Manager of the Year in 2010.  He finished second five times (2003, 2004, 2006 2008 and 2009).

I mailed to Gardenhire on March 31, 2022, and got the cards back today (April 8, 2024), for a 739-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Tom Burgmeier

The last time I sent to Tom Burgmeier TTM, I only had two of his cards.  Since then, I got a lot more in my hoard and was able to send off these five, which included the above 1972 Topps.  I love how the 72s look when signed. 

I also got his 1973, 1978, 1982 and 1973 Topps signed. This helped me move several cards out of the boxes.

I mailed to Burgmeier on January 3 and got the cards back on March 29, for an 86-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Junior Kennedy

This past week was horrible for incoming mail.  I have a ton of TTM requests out in the world, and for whatever reason, not many have been coming back lately.  The last one to come in this week was of Junior Kennedy.  He signed 5 cards for me, including the above 1980 Topps.  His signature is nice, but small.

He also signed a 1979, 1971, 1982 and 1983 Topps.  All of them look great.

Kennedy (b. 1950) played in the majors in 1974 and from 1978 to 1983 for the Reds and Cubs.  He had 258 hits, 4 home runs and a .248 batting average.

I mailed to Kennedy on January 3 and got the cards back on January 17, for a 14-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Gary Lavelle

When I sent this 1982 Topps of Gary Lavelle to him TTM, I didn't check to see if I had gotten him before.  I had, back in 2018, on 6 cards.  That included a 1982 Topps.  Oh well, now I have another one.

I mailed to Lavelle on November 29 and got the card back on December 13, for a 14-day TAT.