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 Free Signer - Chris Sabo

The one free signed at this year's National that I looked forward to the most was former Oriole, Chris Sabo. I was glad to finally get him to sign some Orioles cards. The above 1994 Score Rookies and Traded card is pretty cool. I like that design, and don't have many of them in the autograph album. 

He signed a 1992 Topps and a 1994 Upper Deck. I tend to forget how good the 1994 Upper Deck set looks. They look great signed.

I also got a 1994 Fleer Ultra signed. They also look sharp. This is such an underrated set.

Sabo (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1988 to 1996 for the Reds, Orioles, White Sox and Cardinals. He had 898 hits, 116 home runs and a .268 batting average. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1988. He was a three-time All Star (1988, 1990 and 1991). He won the World Series with the Reds in 1990.

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 - Mike Harkey

Some older cards from the Junk Wax Era were added to the autograph album when I got these back signed TTM from Mike Harkey. He signed the above 1989 Topps and the three cards below: a 1992 Topps, 1994 Score and 1993 Fleer Ultra. 

Harkey (b. 1966) played in the majors in 1988, from 1990 to 1995 and 1997 for the Cubs, Rockies, A's, Angels and Dodgers. He had a record of 36-36 with 316 strike outs and a 4.49 ERA. He finished 5th in the 1990 NL Rookie of the Year voting. 

I mailed to Harkey on January 31 and got the cards back on March 19, for a 47-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Andy Van Slyke

Back in 2018, I got Andy Van Slyke to sign my 1987 Topps card TTM. Enough time had passed, so I sent to him again once I got a few nice cards together. The 2018 success was through a private signing. This time around, I sent to him directly. 

He signed the above 1992 Topps, which looks awesome. 

He also signed a 1987 Fleer Update (above, left), a 1995 Upper Deck (above, middle) and a 2023 Panini Prizm pink parallel (above, right). The 1995 Upper Deck adds an Orioles card to the collection. That's always a good thing.

I mailed to Van Slyke on January 3 and got the cards back on January 28, for a 25-day TAT. I paid a fee of $5.00/card.

TTM Success - Stan Javier

A private signing came up recently that helped me cross off another card for my signed 1987 Topps set, Stan Javier.  I missed a signing with him a few years ago and had to wait around for another to pop up. One finally did, and I sent off the two cards of him that I had pulled.

I really like the shot on the above 1992 Topps. This set has some good shots in it, and I was glad to add this one to the autograph album. 

Here is the 1987 that inches me a little closer to my goal. I'm pretty sure I won't finish the set, but it has been a lot of fun to fill. I'm now 30 cards away, which is a lot closer than I ever thought I'd get.

Javier (b. 1964) played in the majors in 1984 and from 1986 to 2001 for the Yankees, A's, Dodgers, Phillies, Angels, Giants, Astros and Mariners. He had 1,358 hits, 57 home runs and a .269 batting average. He won the World Series with the A's in 1989.

I mailed to the signing on November 5, 2024, and got the cards back on December 11, 2025, for a 401-day TAT. I paid a fee of $10.00/card.

TTM Success - Tom Runnells

A 1992 Topps was added to the autograph album when I received this TTM success from Tom Runnells.  This card turned out great. Runnells has a great signature. 

Runnells (b. 1955) played in the majors in 1985 and 1986 for the Reds. He had 8 hits, no home runs and a .174 batting average. 

He managed the Expos for parts of the 1991 and 1992 seasons, compiling a record of 68-81 (.456 win %).

I mailed to Runnells on November 14 and got the card back on December 8, for a 24-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.

TTM Success - Paul McClellan

Here is a way to make 90s junk wax cards a little more interesting.  Paul McClellan sent these two cards back signed TTM with paint pens and both cards look pretty cool.  The above 1992 Stadium Club pops.

This 1992 Topps also looks sharp.

McClellan (b. 1966) played in the majors from 1991 to 1992 for the Giants.  He had a record of 3-7 with 46 strike outs and a 5.26 ERA.

I mailed to McClellan on November 18 and got the cards back on December 6 for an 18-day TAT. 

2024 National Free Signer - Carlos Baerga

The free signers from the National are finally winding down, with just a few more to go.  This one was with Carlos Baerga, who I had gotten TTM back in 2017.

I had this really nice 1998 Fleer Metal that was the main card I wanted to get signed. I had it signed with gold paint pen, and it looks awesome.

I had an extra voucher for Baerga and got his 1995 Topps done (bottom right).  They also called wild cards on him, and I knocked out a few others (top from left: 1992 Topps and 1993 Topps, and bottom left: 1994 Donruss).

Baerga was really nice.  I was glad to get a few extra cards out of my slider box, since I spent a lot of time finding his stuff.

July 23, 2024, Graphing of the Legends at Dirty Birds

On my way to Cleveland for the 2024 National, I met up with my friend, Michael, in Charleston to catch the Lexington Legends at Charleston Dirty Birds.  Greg Zaun is managing the Legends and Arthur Rhodes is their pitching coach.  These were two former Orioles that I wanted to get to sign some cards. 

I cleaned out the rest of the Charleston cards that I had, including a couple more Delino Deshields, Jr. that I found in a box just a couple days before i left for the show.  I was also happy that I finally got my David Lebron Frederick Keys team set card signed.

It took me a while to find some Zaun cards, but I found enough for both Michael and I.  I found some JT Riddle cards in the same box I found the Deshields cards in.  I also got a Midwest League All Star team.set card signed by Brady Whalen.

When Michael and I were looking at teams to see on the way to Cleveland, I saw that former Wood Duck. Nic Laio was on Lexington.  I was able.to finally get his 2021 Wood Ducks team set card signed.  I'm down to just a couple cards left to complete that set.

While I didn't find a whole lot of Greg Zaun cards, I found a ton of Arthur Rhodes cards. 

I loaded a ton of the cards into my book, then also got some help from my friend, Josh, who lives near Charleston.

Josh and his friend Jimmy came to the game, which was the first time I've seen Josh in person since he and I went to Myrtle Beach during the full throes of COVID.  He has since gotten married and now has a one-year old son.  I wish I could have also seen his wife and son, but the little guy isn't quite old enough to catch a Dirty Birds game.  I'm glad Josh brought Jimmy along; Jimmy isn't a huge baseball fan but enjoyed himself and seems to be turning into a fan.  It really made me happy that Josh went out of his way to get to the game to see me.

In all, I got the following autographs: Delino DeShields Jr x 2, Phil Ervin x 6, David Lebron x 1, Cristofer Ogando x 1, Korry Howell x 2, Nic Laio x 3, Arthur Rhodes x 19, JT Riddle x 2, Brady Whalen x 1 and Gregg Zaun x 4 (41 total autographs).

TTM Success - Jim Campanis Jr

Here are a couple cards that I got signed TTM by Jim Campanis, Jr.  I had gotten his dad a while back and then found these to send off.  The above 1988 Topps turned out nicely.

I also got this 1992 Topps signed.  I doubt I will be able to finish the card, but I may give it a shot.

Campanis (b. 1967) was a 3rd round pick by the Mariners in the 1988 June Amateur Draft out of the University of Southern California. He played in the minors from 1989 to 1994 in the Mariners and Angels systems.  He reached AA.  He had 478 hits, 56 home runs and a .254 batting average. 

I mailed to Campanis on February 7 and got the cards back on March 25, for a 47-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Matt Merullo

These Matt Merullo cards from the Junk Wax era had been held for a while in my to-be-TTMed box because I knew I had more that I could send to him. I finally got into my 1992 Toppa box and pulled that cards and sent this lot out.  I especially like the 1992 Fleer that I got signed.  I used to have a ton of these, but let a lot of them go.

I also got his 1990 Score, 1992 Donruss, 1992 Stadium Club and the 1992 Topps signed. 

Merullo (b. 1965) played in the majors in 1989 and from 1991 to 1995 for the White Sox, Indians and Twins.  He had 116 hits, 7 home runs and a .234 batting average. 

I mailed to Merullo on January 22 and got the cards back on February 27, for a 36-day TAT. 

2024 Cubs Convention Autos From Max

Another Cubs Convention has come and gone, and my amazing friend, Max, took a bunch of cards and got them signed for me.  He always delivers, and this year he got me some good stuff taken care of.  He also helped me clear some room in my boxes.  The above 2020 Donruss orange foil of Adbert Alzolay turned out great.  I had a ton of Alzolay's cards, and Max got a good one done.

I'm pretty sure Max has gotten every single Dave Otto out of my boxes, and the above 1992 Topps is a nice Otto card.  Surely there's one or two left hidden in a box somewhere.  That just means a have way too many boxes.  I was also glad to see this 2011 Topps Ryan Dempster get done.  Thats another guy who I'm finallynrunning low on. 

I remember finding the two Ray Birris cards in the boxes I had on loan from Conrad.  He's got a great signature and the 1974 and 1975 Topps were great additions to the autograph album.

I just recently cleared out a bunch of Manny Trillo cards and sent them to Max so he would have more for the next time he sees Trillo.

I am also finally low on Geovany Soto.  Getting those two 2007 Bowmans signed was nice, since I've had a ton of 07s since that set came out. That was the first "modern" (as in post 2000) Bowman set that I had in bulk.  They've just been languishing in a box since then, so it was nice to get some moved. 

Some more recent stuff was thinned out as well.  It was unfortunate that the Cubs waited until the last minute to announce who was going to be at the Con.  I had to scramble to get a package together for Max, but I had a lot of 2022 and 2023 stuff at the ready.  We probably could have racked up a lot more autos had the Cubs put the list out a week earlier.  Still, adding the Javier Assad, Caleb Kilian and Mark Leiter, Jr. cards to the album was nice.

I was even able to get a couple Alexander Canario cards out of the Box Of Shame for the Con.  I had missed him when I saw the Twnnessee Smokies a couple years ago, so it was nice to finally get him. Max rounded out the package with a 2023 Topps Update Jose Cuas, a Panini Prizm Luke Little and a 2020 Bowman Luke Little.

Thanks for getting these done for me, Max.  I look forward to your next message with a list of guys you need this season.  Baseball is back and I'm excited to see who all each of us it able to see this year. 

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 - 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 - John Wehner

Some nice early 90s cards were added to the autograph album when I got this TTM success back from John Wehner.  I had a bunch of his cards, so there were several that I could choose from to send out.  This 1993 Fleer Ultra turned out great.  I like this design, and it looks great in the album .

I also got a 1992 Topps, 1993 Topps, 1993 Fleer and a 1996 Fleer signed.

Wehner (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1991 to 2001 for the  Pirates and Marlins.  He had 200 hits, 4 home runs and a .249 batting average.  He was part of the 1997 World Series Champion Marlins, but did not play in the series.

I mailed to Wehner on November 3 and got the cards back on November 20, for a 17-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Joe Slusarski

Some late 80s/early 90s cards came back signed TTM when I got these cards back from Joe Slusarski.  I had this 1988 Topps Traded that turned out nicely.

I believe most of these cards came out of the boxes of cards that my Aunt Karen gave me. All of these turned out great, as well.

Slusarski (b. 1966) played in the majors from 1991 to 1993, 1995 and 1999 to 2001 for the A's, Brewers, Astros and Braves.  He had a record of 13-21 with 173 strike outs and a 5.18 ERA.

I mailed to Slusarski on November 15 and got the cards back on May 23, for a 189-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Buck Showalter

The Mets aren't doing nearly as well as preseason pundits would have predicted but it isn't Buck Showalter's fault.  He's a great manager, and there's only so much he can do.  

Anyway, I found some of his cards and sent to him TTM again.  I finally got his 1992 Topps signed, which turned out great.

I also liked these Upper Deck cards with Buck modeling the Diamondbacks jerseys before the team came out.  They're really cool.  I also got his 2004 Topps card signed.

I mailed to Buck on February 13 via Mets Spring Training and got the cards back on February 21, for an 8-day TAT.