TTM Success - Cole GIllespie

Here are some nice cards that came back signed TTM from Cole Gillespie.  2010 Topps (above) is one of the worst sets around, as far as the cards lasting over time.  The ones that weren't already curling in the packs curl over time.  I have had to store mine racked together tightly in a box so they remain somewhat flat.  They were also notorious at not having many chrome parallels showing up in packs and boxes.  Weird.  Still, the cards look nice when signed, so I was glad I got this one back. 

I also got a 2010 Bowman Chrome refractor and a 2014 Topps Update back.  Both of these are nice.

Gillespie (b. 1984) played in the majors in 2010 and 2011 and from 2013 to 2016 for the Diamondbacks, Giants, Cubs, Mariners, Blue Jays and Marlins.  He had 110 hits, 6 home runs and a .251 batting average. 

I mailed to Gillespie on January 18, 2022, and got the cards back on December 19, 2024, for a 1,066-day TAT.

October 22, 2023, Chantilly Show Graphing Recap

What a weekend.  My good friend, Jesse, and I met up with another close friend, Ryan this weekend.  The three of us, along with Ryan's nephew Blayke, checked out the Chantilly show on Sunday.  I wanted to finish of the 1982 Topps Baltimore Orioles Future Stars card that I had already gotten signed TTM by Jeff Schneider and Bob Bonner.  That left Cal to get taken care of, which I finally aas able to do. 

Cal commented on the card in that I got Schneider and Bonner, which was cool.  He shook my and Jesse's hands.  He's always friendly, and I was happy to pay the fee to see Cal again.

I paid Bill's premium fee to get the "Rick Face" card signed, finally.  It took some digging in some Orioles boxes to find the card, but I located it and got it added to the autograph album. 

Bill was super friendly and happily posed for the picture.  He commented on my Oklahoma Cielo Azul hat.  I just checked, ND I wore the same hat last year and I recall that Bill commented on it then, too. 

The Sunday autograph lineup wasn't terribly impressive for me, but I saw that Steve Carlton was going to be there.  I decided that I'd pay his fee and get him on a card to add to my album.  He signs TTM for a fee, but I wanted to meet him.

Carlton was nice.  He was pretty soft-spoken and it was hard to hear him at points. Jesse and I were nervous when we were lining up for this picture.  Carlton told us to calm down, line the shot up properly and thanked us for coming.  It was really nice of him to not push us along and ensure that we got a good photo.

Jair Jurrjens was signing in the Forward Area, so I got two cards of his signed for his fee.  I got a 2010 Topps Chrome and a 2011 Topps signed.  Jurrjens has an awesome signature.

Jurrjens was really nice.  I'm glad that I read the lineup thoroughly and saw that he would be there.

I was on a pretty tight budget, but i was still able to find some cool stuff.  I worked on my 1955 Bowman set just a bit and also found some cool vintage cards to send TTM.  We'll see if I can get them in.

Thanks Ryan, Blayke and Jesse for the great time and thanks Jesse for keeping our ride ti and from Ryan's house interesting and the photo ops.

TTM Success - Gordon Beckham

This TTM success from Gordon Beckham was a pleasant surprise.  He had been signing, but that doesn't always mean I will have success.  So, I gave it a shot, and got 4 cards back signed.  I really like the 2012 Topps above; nothing wrong with a nice action shot on a landscape oriented card.

I also was able to get a 2010 Topps Chrome out of my box, which is always nice, especially since the curved cards take up the space of around 3 or 4 cards.  I also added a 2010 Topps and a 2015 Topps.

Beckham (b. 1986) played in the majors from 2009 to 2019 for the White Sox, Angels, Braves, Giants, Mariners and Tigers.  He had 807 hits, 80 home runs and a .237 batting average.  He finished 5th in the 2009 AL Rookie of the Year voting.

I mailed to Beckham on December 22 and got the cards back on February 16, for a 56-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tommy Manzella

I got some nice cards back TTM from Tommy Manzella.  The above 2010 Allen and Ginter turned out well, even though Manzella smeared the signature a bit.

These two had better signatures.  2010 Topps Chrome is a much-maligned set, but the cards look nice when signed.

Manzella (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2009 to 2010 for the Astros.  He had 59 hits, 1 home run and a .224 batting average.

I mailed to Manzella on March 16 and got the cards back on November 19, for a 248-day TAT.

TTM Success - Drew Stubbs

I have spent more and more time trying to identify recent players who sign TTM.  One of them was Drew Stubbs, and I got some nice cards signed by him.  The above 2014 Topps Target red parallel turned out nicely.

I also sent a (curved) 2010 Topps Chrome (left), a 2011 Topps (middle) and a 2016 Topps Update (right).  They all look nice.

Stubbs (b. 1984) played in the majors from 2009 to 2017 for the Reds, Indians, Rockies, Rangers, Braves, Orioles and Giants.  He had 687 hits, 92 home runs and a .242 batting average.

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

July 9, 2017 Graphing of the Burlington Royals at Danville Braves

It had been a long time since I had added a new minor league park to my list of parks I have been to, but with my trip to Bowling Green earlier this year, I can now say that I have added two this season.  I decided to take a little day trip yesterday to Danville, Virginia, to see the Danville Braves vs the Burlington Royals.

The 2 hour and 45 minute drive to Danville from the house wasn't too bad, and I had plenty of time this past weekend to prepare for the trip.  I had picked up some cards to take with me for graphing, and it forced me to make the trip, so the cards could get signed.  I waffled for a bit on whether or not I was going to go, but I kept thinking, "what else am I going to do?", so I went.

I had a great time at the game, even though it was really hot!  I spent a lot of time by the Braves' bullpen listening to the banter between the pitchers.  It was really interesting just sitting there and listening to them.

There isn't much to American Legion Field.  It is king of reminiscent of the field in Auburn, NY, where I saw the Doubledays.

I made the trip on a good day, I guess, because Fred McGriff was in attendance as a roving instructor.  I said hey to him, and he raised his arm in acknowledgement.  I didn't ask him for an autograph, because I didn't bring an OMLB with me, nor did I have any of his cards.  Oh well.

 I really enjoyed the game, but it was so hot.  I bought two hot dogs (they were great), a souvenir soda, then a Dippin Dots in a plastic helmet, and then an extra large soda.  I think I sweated out all of the junk food, or I walked a lot of it off.

The Braves won the game in the bottom of the ninth on a walk-off hit.  It was nice to see the celebration after the game.  Especially with how awesome everyone was at signing.  A far cry from the Salem Red Sox, for sure.

The first auto I was able to get was Kanekoa Texeira, the pitching coach of the Braves.  I was able to find his cards really quickly, since the 2010 Topps that I have are all pretty much in order.  The auto is tough to see on this 2010 Chrome, but regardless of the curving of the card, looks really nice in person.

Texeira was really nice in person.  He has a handlebar mustache growing; kind of like Rollie Fingers.  So, we talked mustaches while he signed.

I was able to get some older Topps out of my boxes and into my album with these two from Barbaro Garbey.  He is the hitting coach for the Danville Braves, and was really nice while signing.

These two die cut Derian Cruz cards turned out really nicely.  They are both numbered to 200.

I had to wait until almost game time before I could get Keith Weisenberg on this Perfect Game card.  He was really nice, when he finally came out with the other pitchers and signed the one card I had.

I tried to get Kyle Muller pre-game, but since he was the starting pitcher, I had to wait until after the game.  He walked by, and I asked him if he would sign, but he wanted to shower first, so he told me he would come back out.  True to his word, a little while later, he came out in his street clothes, and signed for everyone.  What I really liked about this stadium was that the players all come out of a gate and chat with fans following the game.  So, I stood with a fellow Instagrammer, and chatted while the players came out and signed.  I didn't wait around to see if McGriff came out and signed, but I wasn't going to bother him anyway.

Since Muller bypassed me pre-game, and I waited to get Weisenberg, I was afraid that I had run out of time to get Jeison Guzman from the Royals.  So, once I had gotten Weisenberg, I ran over to the visitor's side ad the Royals were still stretching.  So, I called out to Guzman, and he came over to sign for me.

He signed all three of the numbered, die cut cards that I had, which was really nice.  I like that my LCS had these three, and sold them very cheaply!

I had a great time in Danville, and I definitely would go again!

COMC Pickup - 2010 Topps Brian Roberts Orange Parallel

I really hope I'm nearing the end for the 2010 Topps parallels for Brian Roberts.  I know I should at least have Chrome just about wrapped up.  this is yet another colored parallel for Chrome from that year, the Orange variety.  This card is not numbered, and was likely out of a retail pack, much like the orange parallels are today.

I would be really pleased if I could find a platinum parallel from 2010 of either Roberts or Reimold.  I missed my opportunity for the Reimold.  I know if I ever see it again, I'm jumping all over it.  Regardless of cost.  Well, within reason, of course.

Anyway, I never thought I enjoyed 2010 Topps this much, but I do have to admit that I really have enjoyed pursuing the rainbows of both Roberts and Reimold.  I don't know what it is, but I was able to get most of the parallels and a couple printing plates for really reasonable costs, so the set has grown on me.  I'm going to have to continue to keep my eye out to make sure I haven't missed anything.

I got this card off of COMC for $1.25.  Not bad, if you ask me.  Man, I love COMC.

Ebay Pickup - 2010 Topps Chrome Brian Roberts Purple Refractor

I added yet another Brian Roberts card to my 2010 Topps rainbow project.  This time, it was a purple refractor numbered 306/599.  I know I have said it numerous times, but I really like the colored parallels out of Topps Chrome.  I used to not be really into Topps Chrome, but 2010 really sold me on it.  That is kind of funny since 2010 might have been the worst year of Topps Chrome.  You know, with all the curving problems and near impossibility of pulling colored parallels.  Maybe its just me.

I have so many of Roberts' 2010 Topps parallels, but I saw one on Ebay yesterday that I really need to jump on, the 2010 Topps printing plate...  Uggh, I'm gonna go broke.

Ebay Pickup - 2010 Topps Chrome Red Brian Roberts

Since today is Brian Roberts' birthday, and since I got this awesome 2010 Topps Chrome red refractor in the mail today, I figured now would be a great time to post it.  It pushed back some of my other recent PC pickups, but that's ok.  More stuff to blog about.

So, I got this red refractor off of Ebay for $14.99, which is pretty steep, but since it is numbered 22/25, I guess that explains it.  The card looks awesome.  I, again, am lamenting the fact that it was almost impossible to pull colored refractors out of Chrome boxes that year, but maybe it was just my bad luck.

Roberts' contract with the Orioles is up once the World Series is completed, so he very well could be in another uniform next season.  I really hope not.  I know he was injured often over the last four years, but it would be fitting for him to end his career as an Oriole.  At this moment, he is the longest tenured Oriole and the only active player on the team who played alongside Cal Ripken.  Kinda strange to think about.  I think he will be re-signed to an incentive-laden deal that benefits both sides.  If he can stay healthy, he can definitely help the team, regardless of his age.

Ebay Pickup - 2010 Topps Chrome Brian Roberts Blue Refractor

Recently, I bought a bunch of cards off of Ebay and COMC for my player collections.  Some of the cards, I couldn't believe I didn't have already, like the above 2010 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor of Brian Roberts.

I opened several boxes of 2010 Topps Chrome and I also put the set together.  What stands out the most to me about the Chrome offering of that year was the fact that the cards were all curved badly.  Something else that I remembered was that of all the boxes that I opened, I don't remember getting a single colored refractor parallel.  I think Topps really had some major issues with Chrome that year.  That being said, when one does happen upon one of the parallels, they really do look nice.  I really like the blue parallels.  The card is curved, but that is nothing that I good top loader can't fix.

My Roberts PC has slowed down over the last few years due to his injuries, but he is still one one of my favorite players.  I was able to add another 2010 Topps parallel of his that I will post later.  I got PC additions of Roberts, Chris Davis and Nolan Reimold, plus I have a few other things coming.  I spent a total of close to $20 on all of these PC additions, which is great, considering how many I was able to pick up.

Stay tuned and you'll see all of the cards that I got!

More Mail From Roger

I am slowly catching up on my mail from the last few weeks and todays post covers a sweet package I got recently from Roger over at "I Don't Know, 3rd Base..."  I had sent him several Tigers cards and in return, he sent me a ton of Orioles stuff as well as some Series 2 Emerald Parallels.

It is really hard to believe that I didn't already have the above Brian Roberts blue refractor from 2008 Finest.  Those are some really nice looking cards, I think.  It is numbered 49/299, not bad!

I really liked this 2010 Topps Chrome Tim Lincecum orange parallel.  I guess Chris will get it in his collection eventually, but for now, I think I will enjoy it myself.

Finally, Roger sent me 23 Series 2 emerald parallels.  I should be coming along nicely on this set.  I really hope to be able to sit down and sort and catalog my needs.  I've been saying it for a while, but I think it really needs to happen.

So, thanks again for the trade, Roger!  I'll continue to keep an eye out for Tigers stuff.  Also, as far as the trade you proposed in your note, please shoot me an email and we can discuss.

Birthday Package From Scott

I got a nice birthday package today in the mail from my good buddy Scott.  Inside the package was a good bit of Orioles cards from various years.  The highlight of the package was the below Wei-Yin Chen purple rookie refractor from 2012 Topps Chrome.

This is a really pretty card.  I like the different colored refractors, so getting one of Chen (and a RC) was a plus.

I'm pretty sure I didn't already have this Cut Above Cal Ripken.  I may have pulled one from 2012 Topps Series 2, but I can't remember.  It is a nice card and it is nice to be able to continue to add new Cal cards each year, long after he has retired.

Here is a nice 2010 Topps Chrome Mark Reynolds.  I'm sure I had several of these cards, but probably traded them away long before Reynolds was complacently devouring sunflower seeds as an Oriole.  I'm glad I have it now and will add it to my Reynolds PC.

Finally, you can file this one under 'blast from the past.'  I forget sometimes that former Cy Young Award winner Pat Hentgen pitched for the Orioles.  Hentgen was signed before the 2001 season to be a part of the Orioles' rotation, but injuries ruined his time in Baltimore.  It would have been nice for him to be healthy in Baltimore, but it wasn't meant to be.

So, thanks for the birthday package, Scott!  I really appreciate it!

Completing the Trade With Dodgerbobble

I did get some cards from Dodgerbobble in the trade for my Sutter ball.  One was this 1997 Upper Deck Amazing Greats.  This card is, well, amazing.  I like that it looks like it is made out of wood.  The diamond photo of Cal is a clear acetate which was picked up beautifully on my scan.

 Here is the back of the card which is super glossy.  It looks really nice, as well.

 I also got this 2010 Topps Chrome X Fractor of Brian Roberts.  I can never tell the difference between Superfractor and X Fractor.  I'm pretty certain this is the X Fractor.  If I'm wrong, someone please help me out.  I didn't have this though, so it was a nice addition to my Roberts PC.

I commend Dodgerbobble on having 2 cards for my player collections that I didn't already have.  This is becoming a rare thing since I have so many Roberts and Ripken cards now.  Very refreshing to see some new ones being added, for sure!

Set Complete - 2010 Topps Chrome

Blog reader Rodney met me at the card show on Saturday and gave me some cards to take off of my want list. He had all of the cards I needed to finish my 2010 Topps Chrome set. Here is the completer card for that set. This was my first attempt in completing a Chrome set. It sucks that most of the cards are curved, but I have them packed in a storage box, which will hopefully straighten them out. Thanks Rodney, it was great meeting you!

Christmas Haul

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I had a lot of traveling to do, so I wasn't able to do as many posts as I would have liked. We also got a good bit of snow here in Greenville, so that's always nice. Death to Mosquitoes!!!
My mom, who always gets me cool stuff didn't disappoint this year when I opened my gifts. She got me this sweet Lansing Lugnuts jersey. She was going through the minor league mascots with me this summer and liked the Lugnuts mascot. I now have 3 jerseys of minor league teams: Lansing Lugnuts, Montgomery Biscuits and Kinston Indians.

Mom also got me the little plush mascot. I have the Montgomery Biscuit too, so that makes two mascots... Cool!!! I need to figure out where I can display these guys.

Pete found the redemption card for this 2010 Topps Chrome Brian Matusz auto at a card show for a steal. He, then, gave it to me as my Christmas present. THANKS PETE!!!

Mom got me this graded 10 Cal Ripken 2001 Fleer Tradition with a piece of GU rookie season bat, which is really cool. I hadn't seen these before, so it was nice to get a Cal that I didn't even know about.

Mom also put several packs in my stocking as stocking stuffers, two of which were these jersey/card sets. One was Andruw Jones, and the other was that Ken Griffey, Jr. Can never go wrong with Griffey.

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In all, it was a pretty productive Christmas. I wasn't able to spend a whole lot, but that's not what matters. I was able to spend time with my family and that is far more important. Thanks for everything Mom!!!