June 6, 2026, Graphing of the Knights at Bulls

Yesterday, Jesse and I made another trip to Durham, this time to see Charlotte. I hadn't seen the Knights in a long time, so it was nice to get some White Sox guys into my autograph album. 

Scott Aldred helped me get some older Topps cards out of my boxes. The 1992 Topps gold turned out great. I was also glad to finally get Dustin Harris on something other than team set cards.

Chad Pinder was one of the best "gets" we got. I had been told that he would be one per, but he did almost whole pages for us.

I had pulled almost every Pinder card I had last season when he was managing Kannapolis. I missed him, and had to dump his cards into the Box-of-Shame. 

It was nice to get almost all of his cards done. Now they don't have to go back in the box.

Hagen Smith was another guy who almost signed everything we had. I think I have one extra card of his left. Jesse impressed everyone when he was the only person who was able to get Everson Pereira to sign. He only signed for Jesse, but it was cool.

Finally, I chipped away at the Bulls team set. I also got a handful of other cards signed by the Bulls guys.

I was kind of disappointed that a good many Knights guys were on the IL. I have a lot of stuff left over. 

In all, we got the following autographs: Scott Aldred x 4, Dru Baker x 4, Dustin Harris x 4, Braden Montgomery x 2, Ben Peoples x 1, Everson Pereira x 1, Chad Pinder x 16, Hagen Smith x 10, Reid Brignac x 2, Bryan Broecker x 2, Michael Grove x 1, Brody Hopkins x 2, Cooper Kinney x 3, Austin Slater x 2, Chase Solesky x 2 and Owen Wild x 2 (58 total autographs).

August 26, 2025, Graphing of the FerryHawks at Blue Crabs

With some PDOs to burn, I took time off on Tuesday to make a quick trip to Southern Maryland.  The Staten Island FerryHawks were there, with Pablo Sandoval in tow.  Chris wanted to see him again, and I was happy to oblige.

I bought a bunch of team set cards to bring along to get signed, and for the most part, I wasn't disappointed.  One of the cards I found was this Cards Against Humanity-style card of Brian McKenna.  He told us while we were sitting behind the bullpen at the game about why the card existed.  The team he played for (The Joliet Slammers) had been purchased by Cards Against Humanity, so each player got their own card.  He told me that the cards are pretty hard to find.  I agreed; I paid 10 bucks for it.  I'm glad it got signed, and that McKenna was cool.

I found some cool team set cards of most everyone. Also, there were a few guys with mainstream cards, like Eddy Diaz with 2021 Bowman cards.  My favorite from this group was the Long Island Ducks card of Tyler Dearden.  It's just a cool card.

Drew Maggi also had some mainstream stuff.  I had gotten him before, and he was easy to spot.  McKenna also had a Florence Y'alls card, which looks nice.

The card Sandoval signed was a Topps Archives card using the 1986 Topps design.

I found some cool cards of Jamari Baylor and Connor Overton.  The 2022 Topps Chrome Sapphire orange refractor turned out great.  I also finally got Andrew Thurman, who I had tried a couple times TTM and never got anything back.

Ethan Wilson was nice.  We got him outside pregame.  I hated bothering him, but he was nice enough to sign.  I also got my Myrtle Beach team set card of Jarod Wright out of my box.

Nate Roe was nice.  He liked how I had found some of his older stuff.   He pointed them out to another player who was nearby.  Also, Kolby Johnson was super nice. 

For the most part, Chris and I had a great time.  We ran into a very rude player while we were graphing outside after the game. I'm not going to give him any more of my energy.  Aside from that, we had a great time and the weather was beautiful. 

In all, we got the following autographs: Robbie Baker x 2, Mark Contreras x 3, Tyler Dearden x 3, Eddy Diaz x 7, Durbin Feltman x 2, Clay Helvey x 2, Kolby Johnson x 2, Trayson Kubo x 2, Drew Maggi x 3, Brian McKenna x 3, Christian Rodriguez x 2, Nate Roe x 2, Pablo Sandoval x 2, Matt Scheffler x 2, Kirby Snead x 2, Jamari Baylor x 7, Sam Dexter x 2, Connor Overton x 3, Andrew Thurman x 6, Ethan Wilson x 5 and Jarod Wright x 5 (67 total autographs).

July 25, 2025, Graphing of the Ghost Peppers at Rockers

This past Friday, I went to High Point to try to knock a few Gastonia cards out that I missed from my road trip last month.  I didnt exactly clear many Gastonia guys out, but I did do pretty well with High Point. 

A lot of the Gastonia guys that I needed were on the IL.  I did get a couple guys like Tony Fossas and Cory Thompson. 

I did pretty well with High Point, like I said above.  Alex Dickerson was added to the roster since the last time I had been there.  He was really nice and signed almost everything that I had.  I helped Max complete some 2017 Topps Heritage Minors trio cards, which was cool.

In all, I got the following autographs: Tony Fossas x 1, Jack Reinheimer x 4, Cory Thompson x 2, Kevin Watson x 1, Alex Dickerson x 8, Kyle Halbohn x 1, Drew Mendoza x 3, Frank Viola x 9, and Luis Gonzalez x 7 (36 autographs).

A Few More Autos From Max

Soon, I'll be able to spend a little time with my buddy Max.  Hes a great guy and always hooks me up with autographs.  He sent over a handful of signed cards recently.  This 2022 Topps 87 Chrome Silver Pack card of Jake Burger is a great addition to the autograph album.   I'm not sure if I sent this to him to get signed or if it was an extra he sent to me.  I love these silver pack cards and getting them in the album is great.

Max also sent these autographs from Manny Acta, Jerry DiPoto, Gabe Speier, Caleb Thielbar, Alek Thomas and Nick Pratto.  Im pretty sure at least a couple of these are ones that I sent.  Max loves to help me knock out team set cards.  I forgot all about the 2018 SAL Top Prospects card.  I still have a few unsigned cards from that set but over the years, a bunch of them have been signed.

Max sent a cpuple team cards sugned by Jerry DiPoto, Emerson Hancock and Luke Little.  Max helps big time with helping me get these out of the boxes.  Im glad they can get put to use as opposed to sitting in some boxes.  These really do come in handy.

Finally, Max sent me another Wander Franco signed 1987 Topps design card. Franco has become a bit of a running joke between Max and I.  I'm not going to get into the specifics on Franco.  We'll never see him again.  However, sone of these cards may be important if I ever want to assemble some of these 87-themed insert sets, so I'm definitely not going to refuse them.

As always, thanks Max for the autographs.  I can't wait to take you to dinner when I'm in Chicago.

TTM Success - Drew Rasmussen

The card probably got put back in the return envelope while the ink was still wet, but this is a TTM success from Drew Rasmussen.

I had gotten Rasmussen at a Durham Bulls game a while back, and asked him if he had seen my mailer.  I guess he finally found it and returned the card. 

Rasmussen (b. 1995) has played in the majors since 2020 for the Brewers and Rays.  He has a record of 20-12 with 301 strike outs and a 2.95 ERA.

I mailed to Rasmussen on February 9, 2021, and got the card back on November 1, 2024, for a 1,361-day TAT.  He kept the 4 cards I sent and sent me this one.

The Biggest Return From Max Yet

My friend, Max, has helped me tremendously with getting cards out of my boxes and into my autograph album. He was the person who first helped me set up my graphing book back in 2017 and I haven't looked back.  His latest return of signed cards to me had to have been the largest one so far, and it had some really cool stuff that I was excited to file into the album pages.  The above Curtis Mead parallel was something that I wanted to get signed ever since I pulled it.  Mead is a tough graph these days, so I'm glad this one is done.

Max likes to take these Topps team cards to cover for guys he has no cards of.  Thankfully, he always labels them so i know who he got.  These cards are, left to right then top to bottom: Colten Brewer, Shawn Armstrong, Austin Shenton, Ronel Blanco, Ben Brown, Garrett Cooper, Declan Cronin, Calvin Faucher.

I try to send him the older ones, too.  The 1994 Score stadium cards are also helpful.  These are, from left to right and top to bottom: Logan Porter, Jhonny Peralta, Sean Doolittle, Carson Spiers, Trevor Megill, Pat Murphy.

Max completed a 2018 Topps Heritage that i had gotten signed by Heath Hembree when he got it signed by Ildemaro Vargas.  He also got Yuki Matsui, Matt Wise, JR House, Bryan Hoeing, Tanner Scott, Sam Hentges and Ricky Gutierrez.

This Alika Williams Jumbo relic card is pretty cool.  I was disappointed that I couldn't find my other Williams cards in time.  I had him pulled in the past, and couldn't remember which box they got put in.  I did find them, but I'm afraid Max won't see him again.  Let's hope he does.

Here are skme recent cards that he got signed by Alec Marsh, Jordan Lyles, JP France, Hunter Brown, Harold Ramirez, Kyle Farmer, James Karinchak, Dylan Floro, Jake Irvin.  I was glad to get these added to the Topps ledger.  I have already gotten several 2024 Topps done, which is nice.  Hopefully my Series 2 come in soon, so I can go for some more.

Here are some 2022 cards signed by Scott Barlow, Stuart Fairchild, Emmanuel Rivera, Triston McKenzie, Martin Perez, Rene Pinto, Jhoan Duran and Angel Zerpa.  I especially like the holiday parallels.  Those are always fun to get signed.

This next group, signed by Zack Littell, Luke Maile, Skip Schumaker, Rod Barajas, Mike McCoy and Doug Waechter go farther back in time for Topps flagship sets.  There is also a Bowman Chrome Rod Barajas and a 2008 Upper Deck First Edition of Skip Schumaker.

Even more older cards signed by Jeremy Guthrie, Matt Capps, Jayce Tingler, David Bell, Miguel Cairo, Jody Reed, Bob Scanlan and Rod Allen go as far back as 1989 Fleer (Allen).  The 1995 Fleer Bob Scanlan is also awesome.  You know, because 1995 Fleer is great!

Here is a Kyle Farmer 2021 Topps Update, a Garrett Hampson 2019 Topps, Gabriel Arias 2021 Heritage Minors, a cool Thyago Viera Diamond Kings that I kept seeing during several passes through my boxes, a Bryan Abreu 2019 Heritage Minors, a Quintin Berry 2012 Bowman, a Collin Cowgill 2012 Bowman, a Chris Johnson 2009 Bowman (which is crazy because I've heard he never signs), and Rays manager Kevin Cash on a 2002 Bowman Chrome. 

The above Tanner Scott turned out awesome.  I like this Bowman insert set. There are two Gaby Sanchez parallels, a JR House 2001 Bowman Chrome, an upgraded Garrett Cleavinger signed in blue, an upgraded 2022 Topps Chas McCormick and a few more Ildemaro Vargas cards.

Max hooked me up with a few team set cards signed by Jacob Young, Rene Pinto, Bryan Abreu.  I've made good progress on the giveaway set from when we went to Fredericksburg last season.  There may be one or two left that I need to get signed (I didn't go by the card shop and get the two special ones they offered).  I was also happy to see the 2019 Carolina League Top Prospects card get signed by Bryan Abreu.

Finally, here are a couple old.team set carda signed by Zach Rosscup and Alec Zumwalt.

Max really hooked it up, and is still.goi g strong on the season.  Hopefully, he can keep knocking out these cards and I can keep finding stuff for him.

Thanks so much, Max!

TTM Success - Ryan Feltner

Here is a nice 2022 Topps that I got signed TTM by Ryan Feltner.  The card turned out great.

Feltner (b. 1996) has played in the majors since 2021 for the Rockies.  He has a record of 6-14 with 128 strike outs and a 6.06 ERA.

I mailed to Feltner on August 11 and got the card back on October 19, for a 69-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Ryan Vilade

Back I'm 2018, I got a TTM success in from Ryan Vilade.  Five years later, I got him again on a couple really cool cards.  The above 2022 Panini Diamond Kings card turned out great.  It is nice and colorful; it will make a great addition to the autograph album. 

This is a 2022 Topps factory set shimmer parallel, and turned out amazingly.  I found both of the cards at the National this year.

Vilade (b. 1999) made his Major League debut in 2021.  Appearing in 3 games, he had no hits.  He hasn't made it back to the majors since.

I mailed to Vilade on August 1 via the Indianapolis Indians and got the cards back on August 15, for a 14-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Nick Ahmed

These cards came back signed TTM from Nick Ahmed.  I had sent to Diamondbacks Spring Training.  The above 2021 Panini Mosaic blue parallel turned out great.  These were really nice cards that I ended up with a lot of.  I was glad to get this one signed and into my album.

I also got a 2011 Bowman Chrome, 2017 Topps and a 2022 Topps signed.

Ahmed (b. 1990) has played in the majors since 2014 for the Diamondbacks.  He has 678 hits, 70 home runs and a .234 batting average.  He was a Gold Glove Award winner in 2018 and 2019.

I mailed to Ahmed on February 14 and got the cards back on June 6 for a 112-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Spencer Strider

Spencer Strider is having a good season.  I had forgotten that I jad gotten him TTM before but I sent off this 2022 Topps and got it back signed. 

Strider (b. 1998) is 19-5 on the season.  With 6 or 7 games left, he may get one more start to push for 20 wins.  He is the only pitcher with a chance at 20 this year.  He also has 274 strike outs and a 3.81 ERA.  He was an All Star this season.

Strider has a great shot at the National League Cy Young Award this year.  It is a crowded field in the NL, but he has a good shot.

I mailed to Strider via the Braves on May 20 and got the card back on June 2, for a 13-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Randy Dobnak

Randy Dobnak is a pretty prolific TTM signer, so I sent to him again this season during Spring Training.  The above 2020 Topps Fire was the card that pushed me to sending again.  This is a wild set, and looks cool in my album. 

I also got a 2021 Topps, 2022 Topps and a 2021 Topps Heritage signed.  All of the cards turned out great.

I mailed to Dobnak on February 24 via Twibs camp and got the cards back on March 31, for a 35-day TAT.

TTM Success - Stephen Ridings

Another Spring Training TTM success came in recently when I got this one back from Stephen Ridings. The 2022 Topps that I sent came out nicely.

Ridings (b. 1995) played in the majors in 2021 for the Yankees.  I saw him earlier this season when he was playing for AAA Syracuse in the Mets system.  He has a record of 0-0 with 7 strike outs and a 1.80 ERA.

I mailed to Ridings on February 13 and got the card back on March 10, for a 25-day TAT.  I asked him when I saw him in Durham; he is not related to the Ridings family that populated the neighboring street I grew up on.

Autographs From Max - Some Cubs and Rangers

The partnership with my awesome friend, Max, and I has helped me move a lot of cards out of my boxes and has helped me add some cool stuff to my autograph albums.  Max is the person who really helped push me toward concentrating on signed cards, as opposed to baseballs.  Now, I have something like 18 full albums of signed cards, which is kind of crazy.

I had this 2021 Bowman Chrome ray wave refractor of Ed Howard for a while, and Max finally got it signed for me.  I had sent it off to someone else for a 50/50, but it came back unsigned.  I am glad it is finally done.

Max took some Rangers guys from me recently, and hit it big on a few of them.  I believe he is cleaned out on Ian Kennedy, so I am going to help provide some more to him in short order.  He also helped me add Jon Gray and Josh Smith to the autograph album.

I was glad to get a few of these "mojo" refractors signed, since I had a bunch of them.  The silver pack Dane Dunning 1986 Topps chrome turned out pretty great, as well.

Here are a couple nice Cubs cards that Max got signed for me.  The top one is Justin Steele and the bottom one is Miles Mastrobuoni.

Finally, Max got a Cole Ragans card signed for me.  I had a bunch of his cards hoarded, since I thought he was going to come through the Wood Ducks.  He skipped Kinston, so I missed out completely.

Thanks for getting these signed for me, Max, I really appreciate it!