2023 National Free Signer - Jim Gantner

Jim Gantner was the next free signer at the National.  I had gotten him a while back on my 1987 Topps, so I had to dig out some other stuff for the show.  I got the above 1989 Topps Big signed, and it turned out really well.

I also got a 1988 Donruss Baseballs Best (these look so cool with the orange border), a 1988 Topps and a 1990 Topps signed.

Gantner has a really nice signature.  I kind of wish I had brought an 87, just to upgrade it with the thinner marker he was using.

2023 National Free Signer - Jody Davis

Jody Davis was the next free signer at the National.  I had gotten him TTM back in 2017 on a few cards, and Max got him on an 87 Topps for me.  I had the above 1989 Topps Big, which turned out nicely. 

The above 1988 Fleer and 1989 Upper Deck also turned out great.

I didn't get a photo of Davis signing, as I was heading straight from his line to some of the paid signers, so I was in a hurry.

TTM Success - Rick Schu

Here is a TTM success from a former Oriole that helped me get a 1989 Topps Big out of my boxes, which was nice.  I had this card of Rick Schu and was really happy to get one of them out, because they're kind of bulky and take up a lot of space.

I also got a 1991 Crown Orioles card signed, which was good.  I have slowly been adding these to my album, and have gotten quite a few taken care of.

I also got a few other cards signed, a 1987 Fleer, 1989 Fleer and a 1990 Topps.

Schu (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1984 to 1991 and 1996 for the Phillies, Orioles, Tigers, Angels and Expos.  He had 386 hits, 41 home runs and a .246 batting average.

I mailed to Schu on April 27 and got the cards back on May 8, for an 11-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tommy Barrett

I got some junk wax era cards signed TTM recently with this success from Tommy Barrett.  The above 1989 Topps Big turned out really well.  These cards are nice, but the size difference makes them cumbersome to keep up with.  Still, they look good, and I may try to get some move done.

This 1989 Topps turned out well.  I always loved the design and they look really nice in my album.

Barrett (b. 1960) played in the majors in 1988, 1989 and 1992 for the Phillies and Red Sox.  He had 17 hits, no home runs and a .202 batting average.

I mailed to Barrett on December 4 and got the cards back on December 18, for a 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - Bruce Benedict

It took two attempts, but I finally got a TTM success from Bruce Benedict.  I needed him on my 1987 Topps, and I had a ton of his other cards, so after waiting two years (and seeing recent successes), I sent again.  This time around, I got my cards back, and they turned out well.

I'm not the biggest fan of Topps Big, but I needed to fill some spots in an 8-card page, so sending this one was ok for me.  It has taken some damage, due to how it was stored in my TTM box, but it is signed, looks good, and will take it's place in my album.

I also got an 89, 86 and also an 87 Topps done.  I am about to break down the albums I have for signed cards and make one dedicated to my 1987 set.  It should make it so it is easier for me to verify which cards I have, and ensure that I have the correct ones crossed off of my list.

Benedict (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1978 to 1989 for the Braves.  He had 696 hits, 18 home runs and a .242 batting average.  He was a two-time All Star (1981 and 1983).

I mailed to Benedict on January 2 and got the cards back on January 11, for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dion James

Here is yet another player who hung around in my "to be TTMed" box for a long time.  I don't know why I held out for so long to send to Dion James, but for whatever reason, his cards sat around for about a year, before I finally sent them out.

I was able to get another Topps Big card signed.  These come in handy when I need to fill in some slots on an 8-card page (for the larger cards) when I don't have any 50s cards out for signature.

I got a nice 1987 Classic (top left) and some Topps versions (1985, 86 and 90). signed as well.

James (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1983 to 1985, 1987 to 1990, 1992 to 1993 and 1995 to 1996 for the Brewers, Braves, Indians and Yankees.  He had 781 hits, 32 home runs and a .288 batting average.

I mailed to James on May 11 and got the cards back on May 25, for a 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dale Sveum

Here is another player that I had a ton of cards of that somehow eluded my sending out for some time.  I finally got a request out for Dale Sveum, and I am really happy with the results.  The above card is another Topps Big (1989).  Originally, I didn't care for these cards.  I thought they were too big and they didn't really fit well in my collection boxes.  I have now realized that these cards are great for signing.  This one turned out really nice, I think.

Here is a 1986 Topps Traded and a 1989 Topps.  Both of them look nice, I think.  The 1986 Traded may have the edge, but I like them both.

1987 Fleer is a nice set that I think is starting to grow on me for autographs.  I never opened much of this when I was younger, but I have a box of them that came from Mom.  The blue looks really nice when scanned.

Sveum (b. 1963) played in the majors from 1986-88, 1990-94 and 1996-99 for the Brewers, Phillies, White Sox, A's, Mariners, Pirates and Yankees.  He had 597 hits, 69 home runs and a .236 batting average.

Sveum managed the Brewers for 12 games at the end of the 2008 season, for a 7-5 record.  He, then, got the managerial job for the Cubs in 2012 and 2013.  He didn't fare all that well for the rebuilding Cubs, where he went 127-197 (.392 win %).

I mailed to Sveum on November 18 and got the cards back on November 28, for a 10-day TAT.