A Bunch of Autos From Max

My good friend, Max, hooked me up yet again with some great autos that I got from Cubs Convention.  I had sent him several recently, and some were ones that I had been perpetually sending him over time.

I really like the above 2003 Topps Gary Matthews.  I had gotten him TTM a while back, but at that time, only had a handful of 2003s.  I finally got the bulk cards from my LCS, and this one was in that batch.

The above 2007 Topps Matthews is beat all to hell, and if I had to guess, it was in a lot of cards that someone sent me a while back as a care package.  I can't remember who, but the card is one that most people would have just thrown out.  I kept it, and upgraded it with a signature.  Now, the beat up card will take residence in my autograph album and will remain there.

I felt like I had gotten some Larry Biittner cards signed before, but I couldn't find where that had happened.  I was able to get all of these out of some boxes, which is always nice.

I'm pretty sure that the Classic Jon Lieber was from a box of cards that Mal got me maybe 10 years ago, and still insists that I didn't like.  That's far from the truth, as I love looking through it here and there, and pulling cards out to get signed.  It's the gift that keeps on giving all year round, Clark.

Finally, if Max had a dollar for every Ron Coomer card that I have sent him over the years, he would have a lot of dollars.  He got three more back to me, and they look great.

The sad part of all of this is that over the last 6 years or so, I've watched Max grow up.  He is about to graduate high school and go off to college.  His graphing days are going to be coming to an end for a while, as he embarks on the next journey in his life.  Thankfully, as things have gotten busier and busier for him, he still thinks of me, and messages me when he can.  I'm hoping we can get together and do some graphing at a Wood Ducks game in the future.  In the meantime, I'll keep an eye on him from afar, and know that he's going to do some great things.  Thanks, as always, for everything you do, Max.

TTM Success - Bill Campbell

I had a nice assortment of cards come in signed TTM from former pitcher, Bill Campbell.  I had to add his 1987 Topps (above) to the album, and ended up choosing several other Topps issues to send out.

I liked this 1976 Topps, and it came out really well.  This looks like a Spring Training shot, based on the size of the bleachers in the background.  Those look like they could be palm trees in the background as well.

Here are the other cards I got back, left to right top 1979, 1980, bottom 1982 and 1983.

Campbell (b. 1948) played in the majors from 1973 to 1987 for the Twins, Red Sox, Cubs, Phillies, Cardinals, Tigers and Expos.  He had a career record of 83-68 with 864 strike outs and an ERA of 3.54.  He also had 126 saves in his career, leading the league in 1977 with 31.  His best finish for the AL Cy Young was 5th in 1977 and his best finish in the AL MVP voting was 8th in 1976.  He was an All Star in 1977.

I mailed to Campbell on September 20 and got the cards back on September 28, for an 8-day TAT.