December 6, 2025, Markakis-Johnson Signing

On Saturday, Jesse, Ryan and I made the trip to Prince Frederick, Maryland to attend a toy drive and signing with former Orioles Jim Johnson and Nick Markakis.  Markakis hasn't done any private signings and from what I can remember, hasn't done an in person signing in probably over 10 years or so.  I jumped at the chance to make the trip when I found out about the signing.  I dug through my Markakis PC box and pulled some good stuff.  This 2007 Topps Turkey Red Chrome refractor is numbered 29/99.  It wasn't on my radar, but when I found it, it jumped to the top of the list.

The above 2008 Topps Chrome Target T205 (above left) was the original card that I wanted to get done.  It turned out great.  I was also able to get a 2009 Topps done, as well.  I appreciate Jesse for getting the T205 chrome done.  He got a Topps Propaganda Markakis done for himself.

I had gotten Johnson on a card recently through a private signing, so I had to really dig to find more of his cards.  I went through my Orioles boxes and found some Johnsons.  The above (left) 2006 Ropps Rookie 52 was a cool card to dig out of the box. The card on the right is a 2012 Topps Heritage. 

The guys were really friendly.  They look super serious in the photo above, but they really were cool.

The toy drive looks like it brought in a bunch of stuff for the kids.  I had a great time with my friends, and hope we can get to some more signings soon.

TTM Success - Aaron Miles

A TTM success came in this week from Aaron Miles that added the above 2007 Upper Deck and below 2012 Topps Jeritage to the autograph album. 

Both of the cards turned out nicely.  I found two other Miles cards on my desk today; I guess I had pulled them, then forgot to send them along with these two.  Oh well.  These were just fine.

Miles (b. 1976) played in the majors from 2003 to 2011 for the White Sox, Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs and Dodgers.  He had 793 hits, 19 home runs and a .281 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Cardinals in 2006.

I mailed to Miles on March 27 and got the cards back on May 6, for a 39-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Matt Downs

I got some really nice cards back from Matt Downs via TTM.  The above 2012 Topps Heritage turned out really nicely.  I don't have many of these, but I do have a bunch of Heritage Minors from that year.

He also signed a 2012 Topps.  These look nice signed, but I haven't sent many off lately.

Downs (b. 1984) played in the majors from 2009 to 2012 for the Giants and Astros.  He had 121 hits, 20 home runs and a .230 batting average.

I mailed to Downs on July 27 and got the cards back on August 18, for a 22-day TAT.

TTM Success - Buck Showalter

On Saturday I got a TTM success that I was really excited about.  I got four cards back from Orioles manager, Buck Showalter.  The above 2005 Topps gold parallel was the card I was the most happy to get back.  I don't know why, I guess because I have had it for so long.  You may be able to see that there is some damage on the card on the right side.  It was a victim of a common problem with mid 90s to mid 2000s Topps cards.  The over gloss on the card allows for it to stick the the other cards near it if it ever gets hot.  I was able to salvage this one out of a box of junk, and held onto it.  Now, it has been salvaged yet again as a TTM success.

I figured I would try to send a few other cards to Buck and see if I could get multiples signed.  I was lucky enough to get three Topps Heritage cards signed.  Heritage always looks good with an on-card auto.

I had gotten Buck before TTM.  That was a couple years ago on a ball.  I have since replaced that ball with an IP auto from Buck, and gave the TTM one to my friend, Frankie.

I have already inspired one young Instagram follower to send to Buck since he has seen my post about this TTM success.  I hope he can get a success like I did.

I mailed to Buck on 2/22 and got the cards back on 3/5, making them a 12-day TAT.  Not bad for a guy who is really busy right now.

A Little Something From Mom

My mom gave me a couple packs of 2012 Topps Heritage that she picked up recently when I was visiting on Saturday.  I opened the packs in front of her and she was a bit disappointed to see that I didn't get any big hits (or any Orioles).

I got home and looked through both packs again and realized that there was something different about the Ryan Braun card that was in one of them.  The photo was in black and white, unlike the rest of the cards.  I looked it up on COMC and discovered that it was a B&W color swap variation and the book value is $10.  So, Mom, I did get a pretty cool hit!

Thanks for the packs, Mom.  It was nice to open some cards with you for the first time in about 15 years or so.

Biggest Surprise for the First Half

Well, it's the All Star break.  If you would have told me that the Orioles would be in second place in the AL East, hold one of the two Wild Card slots and have a record that was 5 games above .500, I would have probably told you to put down the pipe...

However, here we sit, halfway through the 2012 season and the Orioles are in second place.  Yeah, ok, they crawled to the halfway point after being bludgeoned by the Angels, three of their original starting 5 rotation members have taken the shuttle to Norfolk, yet, they are still above .500 and hold a wild card spot.  Wow.  They are even poised to be buyers at the trade deadline.  In years past, the Orioles have been perpetual doormats for the AL East.  Now they are linked to Zack Greinke and Wandy Rodriguez.  They obtained one of my favorite all-time non-Orioles (Jim Thome) for a could minor leaguers.  Furthermore, oft maligned owner Peter Angelos has let Dan Duquette know that he is committed to winning this season 'no matter the cost.'  That in itself is a refreshing change.

I'm not going out on a limb and saying that the Orioles will continue to hold one of the playoff spots.  I'm just savoring the moment, like every Orioles fan should.  We aren't used to this.  The Orioles haven't put together a winning season since 1997 (their last trip to the post season).  I'm savoring every moment of this and enjoying it while it lasts.  There have been ups and downs this season, but there is much more promise for the future than in years past.  Let's hope we can ride this wave as long as we can.

So, what is your biggest surprise to this season?  Leave me some comments, I'm interested in seeing what everyone else thinks.  This, for sure, has been an interesting season so far.

Thoughts on 2012 Heritage

I have picked up maybe 9 packs of Heritage so far and I have to say, I like it.  As always, Heritage delivers.  Of course, the 1963 design is a nice one.  Lots of vivid colors, a cool look.  I have always thought of 1963 as a really solid looking set.  It isn't my favorite, but I would probably consider it in my top 6 or 7.  I really can't wait til next year's offering, which will feature the 1964 design.

I haven't really pulled anything major, yet.  I plan on buying a few packs here and there.  I doubt I will buy a box.  Of course, I could change my mind if I see some on sale at the card show, or Blowout or something like that.  The above Koji looks really cool.  I also like the below Hank Aaron that I pulled.

I got a J. J. Hardy Chrome that I didn't scan/  The other two Orioles I got so far are Buck Showalter and the below Adam Jones.

The Jones is a nice looking card, as well.  As you can tell, I got my scanner to cooperate with the white borders by putting a wrapper behind the card.  You can see a tiny bit of the yellow showing that I was unable to crop off.  Anyway, overall, I like Heritage.  I won't be building the set (as far as I know) due to the ridiculous short print and variation cards.  I do plan on getting more packs in hopes of pulling some more Orioles or maybe a Sandy Koufax auto.  You never know.