Another TTM Success From Nick Solak

Nick Solak is a pretty dependable TTM signer, so when I found these cards, I figured it was time to send to him again.  I got the above 2020 Topps Chrome signed, which turned out great.

I also got a 2021 Topps, a Topps Chrome insert and a Bowmans Best signed.  They all look great.

Solar (b. 1995) has played in the majors since 2019 for the Rangers, Braves and Tigers.  He has 218 hits, 21 home runs and a .252 batting average.

I mailed to Solak on February 13 via Reds camp and got the cards back on March 25, for a 40-day TAT. 

August 12-13, 2023, Graphing of the Baysox at Flying Squirrels

This past weekend, I made the trip back up to Richmond to try to get Jackson Holliday again.  Spoiler alert, I didn't get him.  I'll stick with my one Jackson Holliday auto while he signs multiples for everyone else.

The trip was still a good one, as Chris and I spent time our friend, Ryan, and his family.  Ryan graphed with us on Saturday, where we got the bulk of our autos.

I finished off Jud Fabian and Dylan Beavers, so that was a plus.  We didn't get John Rhodes at all, even though he looked right at us on Sunday.

I got this 2022 Panini Prizm Draft card of Silas Ardoin signed while I was there.  He put me on the board early by singing it.  This was a nice pickup from the National. 

I was extremely happy to get John Means as he was leaving the parking lot.  He was stuck waiting for traffic to die down and was nice enough to roll his window down and sign for the last few of us who stayed after missing Jackson on Saturday. The 2022 Topps Stadium Club Chrome (top of post) was another National pickup.

Chris and I went on our own on Sunday and came away with only 4 autographs.  It was very hot, so instead of braving the heat and trying to be denied after the game, we left early.  I found out later from another grapher that he was able to get Jackson on multiples outside near the bus.  It just wasn't meant to be for me.

In all, we got the following autographs: Today's graphing recap of Baysox at Flying Squirrels: Dylan Beavers x 2, Jud Fabian x 4, Billy Cook x 1, Silas Ardoin x 1, Collin Burns x 4, Connor Gillispie x 2, John Means x 5, Max Wagner x 2 and Donta Williams x 1 (22).

Even though we didn't get Holliday, it was a nice trip.  It is always nice spending time with Ryan, and doing some graphing with him.

Private Signing Return From Michael - Drew Butera

My friend, Michael, contacted me recently about joining in on a private signing with Drew Butera.  I couldn't locate any of his cards, which is a shame because I had a black parallel of his at one point.  Not to worry, Michael hooked me up with the above 2020 Topps Chrome sapphire.  The card looks awesome!

Butera (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2010 to 2021 for the Twins,  Dodgers, Angels, Royals and Rockies.  He had 262 hits, 19 home runs and a .196 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Royals in 2015.

Thanks for doing the signing, Michael!

Another Pack of Autos From Drake

My friend, Drake, sent me another package recently that had a few more autos in it that he wanted to send along.  A couple of the cards were ones he meant to send back a while ago, but he finally got them to me.  More of them were surprises that he wanted to send, and that was really nice of him.  I enjoyed the above 2020 Topps Chrome sepia parallel of Jordan Yamamoto.  I have a few of the sepia parallels, and I like to get them signed, but haven't been able to add may of them to the album.

Drake took a few of my Randy Arozarena cards to try to get signed when he visited Tampa, and came away with this 2020 Bowman.  I am really glad to add Randy to my autograph album.  I wish I could have gotten him myself, but I haven't had the opportunity.

I thought I missed the opportunity to send Drake this 2021 Elite Extra Edition Khalil Watson.  Drake had asked me to send him some of Watson's cards, and I thought I didn't have any at the time.  It turned out that I had a pack of Elite Extra Edition that I had opened, and the Watson was in there.  He took it later on and got it signed for me.

Drake included a lot of extras, and I added them to the autograph album.  These are all nice cards that I was happy to add to the album.

Thank you so much for the cards, Drake.  I appreciate our 50/50s and trade.  I know we will do a lot more later on.

Another TTM Success From Whitey Herzog

While going through some stacks of cards and preparing for the National, I was reminded that I had thos 2020 Topps Chrome Decades Best card of the 1980s Cardinals. I figured I would go ahead and send it off to Whitey Herzog and get him to sign it. The card turned out great. I'll loom for the other guys via signings soon. 

I mailed to Herzog on June 10 and got the card on June 18, for an 8-day TAT. I paid his $5 fee.