2025 National Pickup - Judy Johnson Signed Baseball

Another Hall of Famer was added to the collection at last year's National when I got a great deal on this baseball signed by Judy Johnson. He was a former Negro Leaguer who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1975.

Johnson (b. 1899) played in the Negro Leagues from 1923 to 1927, 1929 and 1932 to 1936 for Hilldale Club, Homestead Grays, Pittsburgh Crawfords and New York Cubans. He had documented statistics that included 481 hits, 32 home runs and a .288 batting average. 

I'm pretty sure Johnson is my 177th Hall of Famer on a baseball. 

2025 National Pickup - Dick Allen Signed Baseball

Oops. I may or may not have forgotten to post some of last year's pickups from the National. With this year's event days away, I had better catch up.

I found this baseball signed by the late Dick Allen very cheap at the show. It is authenticated, and has a lot of toning on the ball, but that's ok.

Allen (b. 1942 - d. 2020) played in the majors from 1963 to 1977 for the Phillies, Dodgers, White Sox and A's. He had 1,848 hits, 351 home runs and a .292 batting average. He was the 1964 NL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP in 1972. He led the AL in hone runs in 1972 (37) and 1974 (32).

I'm pretty sure he is Hall of Famer 176 in my collection.

Another TTM Success From Pat Gillick

Way back in 2011, I got a TTM success from Hall of Famer, Pat Gillick on a baseball.  It was far beyond time to send to him again, so when I pulled this 2023 Panini Select, I had something new to send out.

While it is tough to see the signature on this card, it is signed and inscribed with HOF 2011. I love how these cards look, regardless of how they scan. This is just a sharp set, and I'm glad I could add this one to the autograph album. 

I mailed to Gillick on November 14 and got the card back on November 29, for a 15-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Bert Blyleven

This 1980 Topps of Bert Blyleven was found in my partial set that I use for TTMs.  I thought the card was pretty sharp, and put it aside for a potential submission to the Hall of Famer. I finally pulled the money for his fee and sent the card off.  It looks pretty nice.  It kind of looks like Blyleven's signature is getting a little shaky.

I mailed to Blyleven on October 13 and got the card back on October 27 for a 14-day TAT. I paid his fee of $20.00.

Another TTM Success From Jim Rice

This 1982 Fleer of Jim Rice was in one of my boxes when I found it.  I thought it was in great shape, so I sent it to him TTM to sign. 

The card turned out great and is now in the autograph album. 

I mailed to Rice on October 2 and got the card back on October 14 for a 12-day TAT. I paid a fee of $20.00.

Another TTM Success From Rollie Fingers

One of the cards I got from my VIP gift bag at the National this year was this exclusive art card of Rollie Fingers.  Once I saw it, I knew I had to send to Fingers TTM again so I could add it to the autograph album. 

I was right that the card would look awesome signed.  He also added the HOF 92 inscription. Definitely well worth the $20.00 fee.

I mailed to Fingers on August 5 and got the card back on August 15 for a 10-day TAT. 

2025 National Paid Signer - Todd Helton

One of the paid signers I got at the National this year was Hall of Famer, Todd Helton.  I needed Helton for my signed baseball collection.  He was giving HOF '24 inscriptions for free.

Helton (b. 1973) played in the majors from 1997 to 2013 for the Rockies.   He jad 2,519 hits, 369 home runs and a .316 batting average.  He was a 5-time All Star (2000 to 2004) and his best MVP finish was 5th (2000).  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2024 with 79.7% of the vote (on his 6th ballot). 

By my math (which may be off), Helton is my 175th Hall of Famer on a baseball. 

2025 National Paid Signer - Billy Williams

For my next paid signer (Billy Williams), I had a 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary card put aside.  It was a nice card, but after discussing with Max, I opted to find a 1961 Topps of Williams to get signed instead.  With what I was paying for the signing, it made sense to find his rookie card and go ahead and get it signed. 

The card turned out nicely.  Williams was really nice, and shook my hand after he signed.  I had heard that he could be very difficult at Wrigley, but he was nice at the show.  I probably should have upgraded my signed baseball, but this 61 Topps will look awesome in the autograph album. 

2025 National Paid Signer - Tony Perez

Next up is one of the paid signers I signed up for at this year's National.  When I saw Tony Perez on the list, I knew I wanted to sign up for him.  I had this 2004 Topps Tribute that I wanted to get signed, so that's was the card I brought with me to the show.

Perez was really cool when we met him.  He smiled the whole time and reached his hand out when he was done signing.  I shook hands with Hall of Famer, Tony Perez.  What a nice guy.

Another TTM Success From Tony LaRussa

This 2024 Panini Select Tony LaRussa was pulled from the blasters that I got a few months ago.  I thought it was a really cool card, so I sent it out to LaRussa TTM to get signed.  He signed it in thin blue Sharpie.

I mailed to LaRussa on December 24 and got the card back on March 26 for a 92-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Juan Marichal

My blaster boxes of 2021 Panini Prizm came in back in February and ai pulled this sweet Juan Marichal orange shimmer parallel.  I hadn't sent to him in a while, so I sent the card out to get it signed. It turned out great!

Marichal is a great signer for a cheap price, and I have gotten him several times.  I mailed to him on March 3 and got the card back on March 14 for an 11-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $20.00.

Bout Dang Time

My 174th Hall of Famer on a baseball is someone I've advocated to get into the Hall for quite some time.  Dave Parker finally got in via the Veterans Committee this past December.  It's about time.  Parker is battling Parkinson's, so it is especially good to see him get the call while he is still living. 

I may upgrade my ball at some point and get one with a HOF inscription, but above is one I got in 2012 via TTM. Congratulations to the Cobra for finally getting into the Hall of Fame. 

2024 National Pickup - Derek Jeter Signed Baseball

While it has taken me some time to finally clean out my stuff from the 2024 National, I am ashamed to say that I completely forgot to post this signed baseball that I picked up at the show.  I got this ball on the last day of the show, and probably overpaid a bit.  Still, I am glad to cross Derek Jeter off of my list.  I'm not a fan of how high his prices are; I've always contended that had Jeter played for someone like, say, the Royals, he would be held in the same regard as Paul Molitor.  A great player, a Hall of Famer, sure, but not the legend that folks make Jeter out to be.  That may be a little bit of my dislike for the Yankees shining through, but I feel like I am not alone in this sentiment.

Anyway, Jeter (b. 1974) played in the majors from 1995 to 2014 for the Yankees.  He was a part of the late 90s Yankee dynasty that won the 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 World Series.  He also won the World Series in 2009.  He had 3,465 hits (leading the league twice), 260 home runs and a .310 career batting average (with 12 seasons of batting .300 or better; ok that's actually pretty dang good).  He never won an MVP award (the horror!), finishing second in 2006 and third in 1998 and 2009.  For those that care, he had a career 71.3 WAR, according to baseball-reference's metrics.

Jeter was a 14-time All Star (1998 to 2002, 2004, 2006 to 2012 and 2014) and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2006 to 2009 and 2012).  He was the 1996 AL Rookie of the Year and 2000 World Series MVP.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2020, his first ballot, with 99.7% of the vote.  No, I don't have a vote, but even I, with my disdain for Jeter, am not dumb enough to say he didn't deserve to get in.  The argument against not voting for someone it a different discussion for a different day, but even I know he is definitely a Hall of Famer.  Duh.

Somewhere along the line, I messed up my HOF count, so in my estimation, Jeter is my 173rd Hall of Famer on a baseball.  That would also make it necessary to say that Dave Parker getting in last month puts him (Parker) as #174.  Hopefully I remember that, and can audit my numbers accordingly.

2024 National Pickup - Fred McGriff Signed Baseball

Another Hall of Famer on a baseball was added to my collection at this year's National when I picked up this ball signed by Fred McGriff.  I had met McGriff a few years ago in Danville, but couldn't get him to sign.  So, I passed on paying the premium to meet him and bought this ball at a good price.

McGriff (b. 1963) played in the majors from 1986 to 2004 for the Blue Jays, Padres, Braves, Devil Rays, Cubs and Dodgers.  He had 2,490 hits, 493 home runs and a .294 batting average.  He was a 5-time All Star (1992, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2000) and a 3-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1989, 1992 and 1993).  His best MVP finish was 4th (NL, 1993).  He won the World Series with the Braves in 1995.

McGriff was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2023 via the Veterans Committee.  McGriff is my 172nd Hall of Famer on a baseball.

Hall of Fame Signed Baseball - Peter Gammons

My good friend, Gerard, got this baseball signed for me by Hall of Fame sportswriter, Peter Gammons.  Gammons was a signer at a show near Boston, so Gerard took the ball for me and dropped it off so I could add another Hall of Famer to my collection.  My 173rd Hall of Famer on a baseball came as a result.  The ball turned out great, and Gammons added the HOF inscription for free.

Gammons (b. 1945), after graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, joined the Boston Globe in 1969, covering the Red Sox and/or penning national baseball coverage from 1969 to 1975 and 1978 to 1986.  He worked for Sports Illustrated from 1976 to 1978 and 1986 to 1990.  He joined ESPN as an on-air baseball analyst, and worked there until 2009.  He was selected for the J. G. Taylor Spink Award for outstanding baseball writing given by the Baseball Writers Association of America in 2005, enshrining him in the Hall of Fame.

Thanks for getting my ball signed, Gerard!

Hall of Fame Signed Baseball - Joe Castiglione

My good friend, Gerard, picked up this signed baseball for me of newly minted Hall of Famer, Joe Castiglione.  He was just named as the 2024 Ford Frick Award winner.  Gerard saw him at a recent card show.

Castiglione (b. 1947) has been the Red Sox radio announcer since 1983.  Prior to that, he capped games for the Brewers and Indians.

I had a chance to get Castiglione on a ball when I was in Boston in July and again in Baltimore in October.  I reacted too.slowly both times. Thankfully, Gerard got him for me and I can add a new Hall of Famer to the collection.  Castiglione is my 171st Hall of Famer on a baseball. Thanks Gerard!

Another TTM Success From Goose Gossage

Goose Gossage is about as automatic as you can get when it comes to someone signing TTM. One card is free and multiples are $5 a piece. I hadn't sent to him in a while, so I sent off this 1983 Fleer, which turned out great.

I've got several Gossage cards I want to send out, so I'll probably send another soon. I've got a friend who sends Gossage rookie cards out maybe once a month and has amassed a large collection of the signed rookies.  It's got one, that's all I need.

I mailed to Gossage on September 28 and got the card back on October 18, for a 20-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Jim Palmer

These Jim Palmer cards were left over from my trip to Baltimore. I talked to him but he wouldn't sign, so I sent them off TTM to go ahead and get them signed.  The above 2013 Panini Cooperstown card is a really nice parallel that I've had for a long time. 

I also got this 2010 Topps Tribute signed that turned out great.

I mailed to Palmer on October 3 and got the cards back on October 14, for an 11-day TAT.   I paid his fee of $10/card.

TTM Success - Dennis Eckersley

This 2005 Donruss Throwback Threads came back signed from Hall of Famer, Dennis Eckersley recently.  I found the card in a box and thought it would be a good one to send out to Eckersley, since he has been signing.  Yeah, the card is a bit dark, but it still looks good.

I mailed to Eckersley on August 14 and got the card back on September 18, for a 35-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $20/card.

Another TTM Success From Bill Mazeroski

Here is another card signed by Hall of Famer, Bill Mazeroski.  I had found the card in my boxes from Conrad and figured I'd send it out to be signed.  The card turned out nice.  It's a 1971 Topps that was in decent enough shape.  Those cards are hard to keep in mint condition due to the black borders.

I mailed to Mazeroski on June 1 and got the card back on June 10, for a 9-day TAT. I paid his $10.00 fee.