2026 National Free Signer - Ron Kittle

At this year's National, I got to see Ron Kittle as a free signer for the third time. He had been a signer at the 2021 and 2023 Nationals as well. I was surprised that I even had any cards of him left, but I did. The above 1988 Fleer turned out great. I have a partial set of 88 Fleer somewhere, but I haven't located it in all of my mess.

I did raid a partial set of 1989 Upper Deck. I didn't realize that Kittle had two cards in that set. I also had him sign a 1989 Score and a 1989 Donruss.

I had several vouchers for Kittle (obviously), so I got several cards out of my slider box. I think I have a couple left, in case he shows up at next year's National. 

TTM Success - Bruce Fields

A couple cards from 1989 came back signed in this TTM success from Bruce Fields.  The above 1989 Upper Deck came from a partial set that I got from the former LCS.  Obviously it was partial because the Griffey had been removed.

I also got this nice 1989 Topps signed.  It looks great, as well.

Fields (b. 1960) played in the majors in 1986, 1988 and 1989 for the Tigers and Mariners.  He had 31 hits, 1 home run and a .271 batting average. 

I mailed to Fields on January 18 and got the cards back on January 30, for a 12-day TAT. 

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.

Another TTM Success From Don August

I found a few more cards of Don August over time as I looked for other guys to send TTM to, and finally, I sent another request to him.  Normally, I try to not send additional requests to folks, but I have done it from time to time.  I did like the above 1989 Score Rookies and Stars that I found in a box from Goodwill, and I wanted to get it signed.

I also found the above 1989 Score Traded card in a Goodwil box.  The above 1989 Upper Deck was left over from a repack box.

I mailed to August on September 23 and got the cards back on September 30, for a 7-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jim Walewander

Sometimes, when you send out a TTM request, the player will send their own cards along with what you sent.  This happened early on for me, when Virgil Trucks sent me a couple signed cards along with my baseball.  I wasn't expecting an extra card from Jim Walewander, I was just hoping the second time sending would be a charm since the first address didn't work.

Walewander sent this awesome art card along with the cards I sent, and it looks really cool!

I used the request to add some late 80s Topps cards to my album like this 1988.  I have a ton of cards from 1988, but the box was at the bottom of my stack of Topps boxes, so this set is often overlooked.

I sent out a 1990 CMC (top left) that I found in a box that Mom rescued from the attic, and the top right 1989 Pro Cards minor league card came out of a box that my wife got me a long time ago for my birthday.

Walewander (b. 1962) played in the majors in 1987, 1988, 1990 and 1993 for the Tigers, Yankees and Angels.  He had a 52 hits, one home run and a .215 batting average.

I mailed to Walewander on September 14 and got the cards back on September 23, for a 9-day TAT.  This was my second attempt, as his listed address has changed.

TTM Success - Ron Washington

This was a TTM success that got me pretty excited when it came in.  I had a few cool cards of former Rangers manager, Ron Washington, and they all came back looking great.  This 1990 CMC AAA was one of the minor league cards that came out of a show box from Mom's attic.  I'm glad to be able to use some of those obscure minor league cards, and this one of Washington looked really cool.

I had to add a 1987 Topps to the album, and I don't have many 1989 Upper Deck for whatever reason.  Both of them turned out really nice, as well.

Washington (b. 1952) played in the majors in 1977, then from 1981 to 1989 for the Dodgers, Twins, Orioles, Indians and Astros.  He had 414 hits, 20 home runs and a .261 batting average.

Washington managed the Rangers from 2007 to 2014 to a record of 664-611 (.521%).  His Rangers won the AL Pennant in 2010 and 2011; losing in 2010 in 5 games, and losing in 2011 in 7 games.

I mailed to Washington on June 12 and got the cards back on August 12, for a 61-day TAT.  I sent via the Braves at SunTrust Park.

TTM Success - Dave Schmidt

I was able to add a former Oriole to my autograph album with this success from Dave Schmidt.  I hadb't gotten any 1989 Upper Deck signed yet, so it was nice to finally add one to the binder.

I also added a few nice Topps cards, including a 1987 Topps.  I also got a Donruss Diamond Kings signed, and those always look great.

Schmidt (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1981 to 1992 for the Rangers, White Sox, Orioles, Expos and Mariners.  He had a career record of 54-55 with an ERA of 3.88 and 479 strike outs.

I mailed to Schmidt on February 6 and got the cards back on May 18, for a 101-day TAT.

2016 BBWAA Hall of Fame Ballot Announced

Today, the 2016 BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot was announced, and to no one's surprise, it is headlined by an all-time great, Ken Griffey, Jr.  The election results will be announced on January 6th, and it is a foregone conclusion that "Junior" will be elected.

He wasn't my favorite player growing up, but he was near the top.  Even when my friends in school were getting Jordans, I had Griffey Nikes.  Man, I wish I could find a pair of those now.  They were some cool shoes.

Griffey was amazing to watch when he played.  He is one of those players that I will tell my son about, pretty much in the same way folks told their kids about Willie Mays or Hank Aaron.  I truly believe that Griffey was one of those players who transcended generations.  I think I'll have a hard time finding someone who disagrees with me.

Furthermore, I think Griffey may be the reason I am waiting for Mike Trout to do something amazing.  Don't get me wrong, Trout is a really good baseball player, but I think I was spoiled by watching Griffey for so long, I'm waiting on Trout to hit 80 homers and have 200 RBIs or something.

Of course, some idiot will turn in a blank ballot, and other idiots will hold Griffey off of theirs because "no one has ever been a unanimous choice, so no one should ever be..."  Those people need their voting privileges taken away.  Seriously.

Griffey isn't the only big newcomer to this year's ballot.  Former ace closer, Trevor Hoffman is also eligible for the first time.  Recently, the voters have become more accepting of the closer role, so maybe that will help Hoffman get in.  I'm not 100% convinced that he will get in on his first ballot, though.  We will see.  I do anticipate Mike Piazza finally getting in.  Maybe Tim Raines will see a boost in his voting as well.  I think this year will see two guys make it, and if stars align, maybe a third.  I doubt it will be more than two being voted in though.

For more information on the Hall of Fame ballot, check their website HERE.