TTM Success - Austin Hyatt

Lately, I have been pretty successful in finding working addresses for guys who signed a while back, but had been kind of dormant.  That had led me to pull a lot more different cards from my boxes and try to expand who I send to TTM.  I found this cool 2011 Bowman Platinum X Fractor and was able to get it signed TTM by Austin Hyatt.

Hyatt (b.1986) was a 15th round pick by the Phillies in the 2009 June Amateur Draft out of the University of Alabama.  He played in the minors from 2009 to 2012, all in the Phillies system, reaching AAA.  He had a record of 37-23 with 551 strike outs and a 3.79 ERA.

I mailed to Hyatt on February 2 and got the card back on February 10, for an 8-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Juan Samuel

Juan Samuel used to signed TTM quite a bit, but stopped a couple years ago.  I missed the opportunity to get him to sign a 1987 Topps Phillies Leaders card back then, so I had to wait until he popped up in a private signing.  I didn't want to take a chance and lose this card that had already been signed by Von Hayes and Glenn Wilson.  Thankfully, a signing did pop up, and I was able to get Samuel to complete the card.

I mailed to the signing on December 21 and got the card back on February 7, for a 48-day TAT.

TTM Success - Glenn Wilson

Adding 1987 Topps cards to my autograph collection is getting a bit tougher than it had been, mainly because I have gotten all of the easy guys and am now working toward adding tougher signers via private signings and trades.  Some of the cards, I'm also upgrading, as was the issue with Glenn Wilson.  My friend, Gerard, hooked me up with a signed Wilson that he found, which crossed him off of my list.  That card was a little beat up and signed in ballpoint pen, so when I saw a signing come up, I considered upgrading my card.  I realized that Wilson was on the Phillies leaders card, so I went ahead and sent both of them in for the signing.

Now, all I need to finish this card is to add Juan Samuel.  I missed two Samuel signings in 2020, so hopefully he will pop up again.  He used to be a near-sure thing as far as TTM goes, but he hasn't signed TTM since 2018.  I'll wait it out and see if a signing comes up.

Wilson (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1982 to 1990 and 1993 for the Tigers, Phillies, Mariners, Pirates and Astros.  He had 1,098 hits, 98 home runs and a .265 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1985 and also finished 23rd in the NL MVP voting that season.

I mailed to the signing on February 2 and got the cards back on March 22, for a 48-day TAT.

TTM Success - Charlie Manuel

It took me two tries, but I was able to get a TTM success from Charlie Manuel.  I believe I sent off the same cards in both attempts, but the second attempt was the charm here.  The cards turned out great.  This one is a 2010 Topps Heritage and the one below is a 2011 Heritage.

Manuel (b. 1944) played in the majors from 1969 to 1972 and 1974 to 1975 for the Twins and Dodgers.  He had 76 hits, 4 home runs and a .198 batting average.

He managed in the majors from 2000 to 2002 and 2005 to 2013 for the Indians and Phillies.  He had a record of 1,000-826 (.548) and won the World Series with the Phillies in 2008.  His Phillies also appeared in the 2009 World Series, losing to the Yankees.

I mailed to Manuel on January 23 and got the cards back on February 11, for a 19-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dickie Noles

It took a bit, but I was finally able to cross Dickie Noles off of my needs list for my 1987 Topps set.  The card came back signed in black, and turned out well.

I also got Noles on a 1981 Topps card, as well, since I had a bunch of them signed already.  You never know when you'll decide to torture yourself by starting an autographed set, and I have been able to add a ton of 81s.

Noles (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1979 to 1988 and 1990 for the Phillies, Cubs, Rangers, Indians, Tigers and Orioles.  He had a record of 36-53 with 455 strike outs and a 4.56 ERA.  He won the World Series with the Phillies in 1980.

I mailed to Noles on April 23 and got the cards back on September 12, for a 142-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ruben Amaro Jr

 
I got some more junk wax era cards out of my box and into my album with this TTM success from former Phillies GM, Ruben Amaro, Jr.   I had a bunch of his cards, so I was glad to be able to get a few signed, and then send some off to some friends, so they too could get a few done.

Surprisingly, I don't have a whole lot of 1992 Fleer (top left).  Those must not have survived the great card purge I did a few years ago.  I had taken a buch of junk wax cards and made gift bags that I gave out for Halloween.  Now, I kind of wish I had kept some of those, because I wasn't doing TTM back then.

Amaro (b. 1965) played in the majors from 1991 to 1998 for the Angels, Phillies and Indians.  He had 218 hits, 16 home runs and a .235 batting average.

I mailed to Amaro on July 31 and got the cards back on August 24, for a 31-day TAT.

TTM Success - Von Hayes

I sent to him before, but didn't get the cards back.  I saw that he has a fee, so I tried again, and got two cards back signed from Von Hayes.  The above 1987 Donruss Diamond Kings turned out really well.  I was going to send him one of these regardless of my 1987 Topps set pursuit.  I really like the Diamond Kings, and am happy to get this one signed.

I did get an 87 Topps signed.  This card turned out nicely, as well.  I forgot Hayes was on the Phillies Leaders card, so I will be sending that one out sometime soon.

Hayes (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1981 to 1992 for the Phillies and Angels.  He had 1,402 hits, 143 home runs and a .267 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1989.  His best finish in the NL MVP voting was 8th in 1986.

I mailed to Hayes on June 3 and got the cards back on June 16, for a 13-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5.00/card.

TTM Success - Nick Leyva

I had these Nick Leyva cards in my box for a long time, and finally got around to mailing to him.  I feel like this is a pretty common theme among my TTM requests.  I let cards sit in the boxes, with the hope that I find a few more along the way, and finally get around to dropping them in the mail.  If they're just plain old Topps base cards, they'll probably sit and wait a while.  If they're stars or really cool parallels, maybe I'll drop them in the mail sooner.

Nothing against Leyva, but his cards did sit there for a long time.  Years, probably.  I finally added them to a pile that I was sending out, and the cards came back looking great.

Leyva (b. 1953) managed the Phillies from 1989 into the 1991 season.  His overall record was 148-189 (.439 win %).

I mailed to Leyva on January 30 and got the cards back on February 8, for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jack Baldschun

I like it when I send a card to someone TTM, and the person adds their own personal stuff, like what happened with Jack Baldschun.  He included this nice signed photo, along with my card.

I sent this 1966 Topps, and it turned out really well.  It was just hanging out in my vintage box, so now, it has moved to the autograph album.

Baldschun (b. 1936) played in the majors from 1961 to 1967 and 1969 to 1970 for the Phillies, Reds and Padres.  He had a career record of 48-41 with 555 strike outs and a 3.69 ERA.

I mailed to Baldschun on September 13 and got the card and photo back signed on January 17, for a 126-day TAT.

TTM Success - Larry Christenson

I'm continuing to work through my "to be TTMed" box and got these Larry Christenson cards out.  They came back signed, and he has a really nice signature.

Christenson (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1973 to 1983 for the Phillies.  He had a career record of 83-71 with 781 strike outs and a 3.79 ERA.  He won the World Series with the Phillies in 1980.

I mailed to Christenson on October 19 and got the cards back on November 7, for a 19-day TAT.

TTM Success - Terry Harmon

Two more cards were removed from my box that I got in Columbia from Conrad when I sent them off to Terry Harmon.  Both cards turned out well.

Harmon has a nice, neat signature, and it looks great on my cards.

Harmon (b. 1944) played in the majors in 1967 and from 1969 to 1977 for the Phillies.  He had 262 hits, 4 home runs and a .233 batting average.

I mailed to Harmon on October 2 and got the cards back on October 29, for a 27-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mac Scarce

I got some nice 70s cards in from this TTM success from Mac Scarce.  The above 1975 Topps turned out well, even though the card itself is pretty mis-cut.  Still, it is a cool set and I never have enough of the cards to send out.  I need to get a box lot of some 70s stuff and sort them sometime.

I do have a ton of 1973 Topps, and am not at a shortage of those to send out to former players.  They tend to turn out well, with the white borders and all.

Scarce (b. 1949) played in the majors from 1972 to 1975 and 1978 for the Phillies, Mets and Twins.  He had a record of 6-19 with 164 strike outs and a 3.69 ERA.

I mailed to Scarce on September 20 and got the cards back on September 27, for a 7-day TAT.

TTM Success - Don Carman

I got a bunch of cards back signed from former pitcher, Don Carman with this TTM success.  I sent off a run of Topps cards, the 1990 Donruss, and this 1987 Fleer.  I wasn't sure if he would sign them all, but ended up throwing this Fleer in at the last minute.

I got Carman's Topps cards from 1986 to 1990 signed, and they turned out well.

Carman (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1983 to 1992 for the Phillies, Reds and Rangers.  He had a career record of 53-54 with 598 strike outs and a 4.11 ERA.

I mailed to Carman on January 8, 2018, and got the cards back on April 12, 2019, for a 459-day TAT.

TTM Success - Aaron Altherr

I was able to get some cool cards signed by former Phillies outfielder, Aaron Altherr.  I sent to him via Phillies Spring Training, and since then, he has bounced to the Giants and Mets.  The cards I sent were some really good ones, like the above Topps Fire, and the Topps Gallery below.

The cards turned out great, and I appreciate Altherr signing them.

Altherr (b. 1991) has played in the majors since 2014 for the Phillies, Giants and Mets.  He has 219 hits, 37 home runs and a .221 batting average.

I sent to Phillies Spring Training on February 2 and got the cards back on April 5, for a 52-day TAT.

TTM Success - Bobby Wine

 I added some nice vintage cards to my autograph album, and also tossed in a 1986 Topps with this TTM success frmo Bobby Wine.  The above 1970 Topps turned out really well.

It is also kind of cool to see the 20-year difference when you put the 1986 next to the 1966.  I think all of the cards turned out well.

Wine (b. 1938) played in the majors in 1960 and 1962 to 1972 for the Phillies and Expos.  He had 682 hits, 30 home runs and a .215 batting average.  He won a Gold Glove Award in 1963.

He managed the Braves in 1985 to a 16-25 record (.390 %).

I mailed to Wine on March 18 and got the cards back on April 4, for a 17-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ted Kazanski

When I looked for older players who signed TTM, I saw that Ted Kazanski signed, and that he had some nice cards in 1954 and 1955 Topps.  I went ahead and bought the 54 and 55 to add to my album (and also a 1957 Topps).  I didn't pay a whole lot, which was great.  I feel like the 1954 Topps (above) came out the best of the three cards.

They all turned out really well, though.  Adding more 1955 Topps to my album was my ultimate goal, and I was really glad to add this one.

This 1957 Topps also looks really nice.

Kazanski (b. 1934) played in the majors from 1953 to 1958 for the Phillies.  He had 288 hits, 14 home runs and a .217 batting average.

I mailed to Kazanski on March 5 and got the cards back on March 28, for a 23-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Pat Neshek

When 2019 Heritage came out, I had to get the Pat Neshek from the set signed.  The card is cool as it is, but when you read more into it, it is even better.  Topps wanted to throw some subtle winks into the set, like they always do, and this card pays homage to the original set in that it resembles the Lowell Palmer card from 1970.  Neshek, himself, is a huge fan of that set, and was apparently elated when Topps approached him about recreating the Palmer card.

The card turned out really when when signed, and I am happy to be adding it to my album.

I got these two cards back from Neshek, as I always send him autos for his collection.  These were really nice cards to get back from him.

I had originally thought I was done sending to Neshek, but since the Heritage came out, I tossed this 2018 Topps in as well.

I mailed to Neshek on March 5 and got the cards back on March 14, for a 9-day TAT.  I sent to him via Phillies Spring Training.

TTM Success - Nick Pivetta

My first Spring Training TTM success from this year and also my first signed 2019 Topps came in from Nick Pivetta.  I sent him a couple signed cards for his collection, and got my 2019 Topps taken care of.

Pivetta (b. 1993) has played in the majors since 2017.  He has a 15-24 record with 328 strike outs and a 5.33 ERA.  He was a 4th round pick by the Nationals in the 2013 June Amateur Draft out of New Mexico Junior College.

I mailed to Pivetta on February 7 and got the card back on February 16, for a 9-day TAT.  I actually sent him 4 autos for his collection.

TTM Success - David Doster

This TTM success got a couple cards out of my box that will look pretty nice in my autograph album.  The above 1996 Upper Deck Diamond Debuts turned out really well, in spite of how the scan looks.

This 1996 Bowman came out of a box that I got while I was at Andrew's house a couple years ago.

Doster (b. 1970) played in the majors in 1996 and 1999 for the Phillies.  He had 47 hits, 4 home runs and a .233 batting average.

I mailed to Doster on January 4 and got the cards back on January 15, for an 11-day TAT.

TTM Success - Luis Aguayo

Another paid signing brought me another signed card for my 1987 Topps set.  This time, I was able to get Luis Aguayo's autograph, and it turned out well.

Aguayo (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1980 to 1989 for the Phillies, Yankees and Indians.  He had 260 hits, 37 home runs and a .236 batting average.

I mailed to the private signing on November 27 and got the card back signed on December 17, for a 20-day TAT.

I paid a fee of $20/card.