2026 National Free Signer - Steve Lyons

The last free signer that I was getting at this year's National was Steve Lyons. His line took the longest, but it was because he made a point to talk to everyone. I appreciated that, even though I really wanted to get back to the bargain boxes that Nate and I were looking through.

I did make it back to the bargain boxes with about 30 minutes to spare.

Lyons (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1985 to 1993 for the Red Sox, White Sox, Braves and Expos. He had 545 hits, 19 home runs and a .252 batting average. 

2026 National VIP Party Free Signer - Jerome Walton

The next free signer, Jerome Walton. He was really cool and signed a card the first time through the line.

After the VIP party, we went back through his line, and I had him sign the other cards I had. He took the two I had, signed them and said "That's all you got?". Unfortunately, I didn't have anything else.

Walton (b. 1965) played in the majors from 1989 to 1998 for the Cubs,  Angels, Reds, Braves, Orioles and Devil Rays. He had 423 hits, 5 home runs and a .269 batting average. He was the 1989 NL Rookie of the Year and finished 13th in the NL MVP race.

2026 National VIP Free Signer - Gregg Jefferies

Gregg Jefferies was one of the VIP party signers on Wednesday at the National. Nate and I went through the line initially and got one card signed, each. Later on, we went back through and got the rest of our stuff signed. 

Jefferies was really nice and chatted with us the two times through the line. The 1994 Score Gold Rush is what I had him sign initially, then he signed a: 1993 Topps, 1992 Topps, 1991 Topps, 1989 Topps, 1996 Fleer, 1991 Fleer, 1988 Fleer and 1988 Donruss. Everything turned out great.

They had three VIP party signers, and the others will be posted shortly. 

TTM Success - Jack Savage

What a cool name. Jack Savage. It sounds like a wrestler's name. I saw that I could get Savage to sign TTM, so I pulled some junk wax era cards and sent them off. The above 1989 Donruss turned out nicely. 

I also sent out a 1990 Topps Traded (above, left) and a 1991 Topps (above, right).

Savage (b. 1964) played in the majors in 1987 and 1990 for the  Dodgers and Twins. He had a record of 0-2 with 12 strike outs and a 7.67 ERA.

I mailed to Savage on January 6 snd got the cards back on January 17, for an 11-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Mike Simms

Here are some quintessential early 90s cards that were added to the autograph album by way of a TTM success from Mike Simms.  The above 1991 Fleer looks great signed.

I also got back a 1991 Topps, 1992 Topps, 1992 Upper Deck and a 1991 Score.

Simms (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1990 to 1992 and 1994 to 1999 for the Astros and Rangers.  He had 163 hits, 36 home runs and a .247 batting average. 

I mailed to Simms on March 12, 2024, and got the cards back on April 14, 2025, for a 398-day TAT.

Latest Stacks of Autos From Gerard

My friend Gerard has sent me a few packages of signed cards lately.  I combined them so I could try to catch up a bit on posts.  He went to the Cape Cod League over the last few weeks and got a few cards signed for me.  He told me in advance that he would see Rintaro Sasaki, so I bought two Leaf Metal cards and sent them along.  I got this numbered one back signed, and Gerard kept the base card.  It helped him have some stuff to take with him to the games and it got me a sweet card for the autograph album. 

Gerard added some Jarrod Saltalamacchia cards to the album, along with some Dennis Cook cards.  The Team USA cards also are great.  I finally added some 2025 Stars and Stripes to the album with a Derrick Smith and Alex Sosa.  The Matthew Dallas came from a pair of cards that I had prepped for graphing early in the Bird Dawgs season for one of their opponents only to find out that was the wrong Matthew Dallas.

Gerard finished off all of the Jake Sanford cards that I had.  

Not to mention, he finished off all of the Saltalamacchia cards, as well.  As far as I know, at least.  He also made a deal with someone to get Mason McCoy to sign the above 2024 Topps Update that I started when I got Chandler Seagle earlier in the year.

He took some Carolina Mudcats cards from me when we met up in Durham a month or so ago.  He got Chandler Welch and Luis Pena for me.

Finally, Gerard had this beat up 2012 Topps Allen Craig that he had gotten signed.  He gave it to me for the album, probably because I sent him so many Craig cards over the years.  Who knows why it is so beat up.

Thanks for the autographs, Gerard!

Another TTM Success From Steve Searcy

While clearing out some room in my boxes, I gathered some cards of guys I had sent to in the past with the plan to send again.  The point was to make room in the boxes and added new cards to the album.  I pulled a few cards of Steve Searcy, who I had sent to back in 2018.  Back then, I jad sent only his 1989 and 1990 Topps.  This time I got a 1989 Score, 1989 Donruss, 1991 Donruss, 1991 Topps and 1991 Stadium Club back signed.

All of the cards turned out nicely.  It was nice to get these Junk Wax Era.cards moved into the autograph album. 

I mailed to Searcy on December 27 and got the cards back on January 6 for a 10-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 - Rick Parker

Another very dry week of TTM returns dod see me get one, this success from Rick Parker that was sent out last year.  I got some early 90s stuff signed, which helped get some stuff out of the boxes.

I sent off a 1991 Fleer (top), 1990 Topps Traded (left), 1991 Topps (middle) and a 1992 Topps Stadium Club.

Parker (b. 1963) played in the majors from1990 to 1991 and 1993 to 1996 for the Giants, Astros, Mets and Dodgers.  He had 55 hits, 2 home runs and a  .279 batting average.

I mailed to Parker on November 27 and got the cards back on May 21, for a 176-day TAT.

TTM Success - Paul Marak

Here are some early 90s that I was able to get signed TTM from Paul Marak.  When I sent off the cards, I learned that Marak now lives in nearby Goldsboro.  I got a nice 1991 Leaf signed.  I remember when Leaf came out; it was considered a premium set.  The packs cost a good bot more than normal Topps or Donruss.

Speaking of, here is a 1991 Donruss, 1991 Topps and a 1990 ProCards AAA.

Marak (b. 1965) was one of only 50 former major leaguers to have been born in the UK. He played in the majors in 1990 for the Braves.  He went 1-2 with 15 strike outs and a 3.69 ERA.

I mailed to Marak on January 8 and got the cards back on January 16, for an 8-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Greg Litton

A bunch of Junk Wax era goodies came back when I received this TTM success from Greg Litton.  Cards like the above 1990 Donruss were signed and added to the autograph album. 

Litton has a really nice signature and it showed up well on everything that came back.  I got a couple Topps cards signed (1991 and 1992), a 1991 Donruss and a 1991 Fleer.

Litton (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1989 to 1994 for the Giants, Mariners and Red Sox.  He had 195 hits, 13 home runs and a .241 batting average. 

I mailed to Litton on October 17 and got the cards back on December 29, for a 73-day TAT. This was the last TTM that I got in during 2023.

TTM Success - Clay Parker

A few more early 90s cards were added to the autograph album when I received this TTM success from Clay Parker.  The above 1990 Topps turned out nicely.

I also got a 1991 Donruss, 1991 Fleer and a 1991 Topps signed by Parker. 

Parker (b. 1962) played in the majors in 1987, from 1989 to 1990 and 1992 for the Mariners, Yankees and Tigers.  He had a record of 7-10 with 121 strike outs and a 4.42 ERA.

I mailed to Parker on November 2 and got the cards back on December 23, for a 51-day TAT.

TTM Success - Casey Candaele

A bunch of late 80s to early 90s stuff came in signed TTM from Casey Candaele.  The above 1988 Toys R Us is the card that drove the whole thing.  It is the first one of these to make it into the album. I have no idea where I got it, but it is pretty cool. 

I also got a 1988 Topps, 1991 Topps, 1992 Topps and a 1991 Donruss signed.  They all turned out great.

Candaele (b. 1961) played in the majors from 1986 to 1988, 1990 to 1993 and 1996 to 1997 for the Expos, Astros and Indians.  He had 43 hits, 11 home runs and a .250 batting average. 

I mailed to Candaele on October 17 and got the cards back on November 20, for a 34-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Shawn Boskie

This TTM success from Shawn Boskie added some 90s cards to the autograph album, including a run of his Topps cards from 1991 to 1994.  The above 1991 Donruss also turned out nicely. 

Here are the Topps cards that came back signed from the TTM request.  I got a Bible inscription on the 1992 Topps.

Boskie (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1990 to 1998 for the Cubs, Phillies, Mariners, Angels, Orioles and Expos.  He had a record of 49-63 with 494 strike outs and a 5.14 ERA.

I mailed to Boskie on October 18, 2021, and got the cards back on January 23, 2023, for a 462-day TAT.

TTM Success - Gary Mielke

Here are a few early 90s cards that came back signed TTM from Gary Mielke.  The above 1991 Fleer turned out nicely.  I know there are a ton of people who abhor this design, but I don't mind it.  It is easy to read, easy to spot in a box or on a card show table, and the cards come out looking great when signed.

I also got a 1990 Topps and a 1991 Topps signed in the same TTM request from Mielke.  Both of these turned out nicely, as well.

Mielke (b. 1963) played in the majors in 1987, 1989 and 1990 for the Rangers.  He had a record of 1-3 with 42 strike outs and a 3.56 ERA.

I mailed to Mielke on November 7 and got the cards back on December 6, for a 29-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mark Williamson

Another 1991 Crown Orioles card was part of another TTM success that I got in.  I sent off four cards to former Oriole, Mark Williamson.  He has a cool signature.

In addition to the 1991 Crown, Williamson signed a 1989 Topps, 1991 Topps and a 1994 Fleer.  I don't have very many 1994 Fleer cards at all; I was surprised that I had this one. 

Williamson (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1987 to 1994 for the Orioles. He had a career record of 46-35 with 397 strike outs and a 3.86 ERA.

I mailed to Williamson on October 27 and got the cards back on November 15, for a 19-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jack Daugherty

Here are some early 90s cards that I got signed TTM recently by Jack Daugherty.  I had gone through those 90s boxes and pulled a bunch of people to send to, and Daugherty was one who had a bunch of cards.  I hadn't added a 1992 Fleer to the album in a while, so this one was nice to put in there.

I also got a 1990 Topps, 1991 Topps and 1992 Topps signed.

Daugherty (b. 1960) played in the majors in 1987 and from 1989 to 1993 for the Expos, Rangers, Astros and Reds.  He had 194 hits, 10 home runs and a .256 batting average.

I mailed to Daugherty on October 26 and got the cards back on November 14, for a 9-day TAT.

Various 50-50s From Patrick

Taking a couple days off from posting didn't put me any farther behind than I thought I would be, which is nice.  I still have several 50/50s I need to catch up on and what will probably end up being a card dump post of stuff that I just can't tell where it came from.  I did, however, figure out which signed cards I got back from my friend, Patrick, and got them all into this post.

Patrick took a bunch of cards for Wilmington and Harrisburg for me the last to seasons, and did pretty well getting me most of my cards signed.  I was glad he was able to get Tim Cate done for me; he helped me finish a couple of the duals with Owen White that I had already posted a while back.

He also helped me knock out some random cards, as well as a few Carolina League All Star cards.  I wish they would bring back the league all star games.  It is so stupid that the minor leagues haven't been having them.

Patrick helped me get a 2011 Bowman Chrome signed.  I haven't been through that box in a while, since there haven't been many guys I've seen lately in that set.  I probably will go through that box soon and get some TTMs from it.

Finally, Patrick got a few more Frank Viola cards done for me.  I still have several of his cards, in case I see him at High Point again.

I appreciate Patrick getting these cards signed for me.  I didn't send him as many cards this season, as we both were busy, but he does have a package he is going to send back soon.  I also owe him some of his cards, so I need to get them in the mail too.

Some Signed Jack McDowells From Dugan

I met up with my buddy, Dugan, while on my way to Winston last week and picked up some cards that he had gotten signed for me by Burlington Sock Puppets manager, Jack McDowell. Yes, the former Burlington Royals are now the Sock Puppets.

Burlington is part of the new collegiate wood bat league set up by MLB when they changed the minors around.  Dugan has been to a couple Buington games now and seems to have enjoyed himself.  I do want a Sock Puppets hat...

Dugan got me a bunch of McDowell cards signed.  I had gotten him TTM and also as a free signer at the National.  I think I'm pretty much out of McDowell cards now. 

Thanks so much for getting these signed for me, Dugan!

TTM Success - Colby Ward

A couple 90s Junk Wax Era cards came back signed TTM with this success from Colby Ward.  I really liked this 1991 Donruss.  I don't have nearly as may as I used to, but I like sending the ones I have off and having them come back signed.

I also got this 1991 Topps back, and it turned out well.  I always enjoy 1991 Topps; it is an underrated set and I love getting them signed.

Ward (b. 1964) played in the majors in 1990 for the Indians.  He had a record of 1-3 with 23 strike outs and a 4.25 ERA.

I mailed to Ward on December 1 and got the cards back on February 23, for an 84-day TAT.