TTM Success - Addison Russell

My friend Jackson T told me about an Addison Russell signing he was handling, so I dug out this nice 2018 Topps Chrome pink refractor and sent it along. The card turned out awesome. I was glad Jackson did the signing because I had located this card after Max had taken some Russells for me not too long before this. I definitely would have sent this along sooner. It all worked out, and the card is now in the album. 

I mailed to the signing on April 9 and got the card back on July 20, for a 102-day TAT. Thanks for another great signing opportunity, Jackson.

TTM Success - Tim Beckham

A private signing that I had been waiting a while for came along through a friend on Facebook. I had tried getting this 2018 Bowman Chrome gold refractor of Tim Beckham signed in person a couple times. Beckham isn't the easiest guy to get (ask my buddies Jackson and Dugan). I finally sas the private signing and went ahead and sent this card along. It turned out great.

Beckham (b. 1990) played in the majors in 2013, from 2015 to 2019 and 2022 for the Rays, Orioles, Mariners and Twins. He had 404 hits, 63 home runs and a .246 batting average. 

I mailed to the signing on May 29 and got the card back on July 12, for a 44-day TAT. I paid a fee of $15.00.

TTM Success - Whit Merrifield

A private signing I had been hoping for popped up recently. I had been trying to get Whit Merrifield on some cards since my dad poured his driveway back in 2021. My brother took some cards for me, but didn't see Merrifield after that. Since then, I pulled a couple nice parallels, which were the ones that I ended up sending out. Above is an awesome blue shimmer foil from 2024 Topps.

This one is a blue foil from 2025 Topps. In person, it is a darker shade of blue. My scanner kind of brightened it.

Merrifield (b. 1989) played in the majors from 2016 to 2024 for the Royals, Blue Jays, Phillies and Braves. He had 1,249 hits, 94 home runs and a .280 batting average. He led the league in hits in 2018 and 2019. He was an All Star three times (2019, 2021 and 2023). He finished 17th in the 2018 AL MVP race.

I mailed to the signing on May 2 and got the cards back on June 11, for a 37-day TAT. I paid a fee of $25/card.

TTM Success - Kris Benson

Here are some signed Orioles cards for the album that came in TTM from a private signing. I didn't think I'd be able to get Kris Benson, but the signing popped up. I had pulled and put aside the above 2007 Topps Heritage in hope that a signing would happen. So, when it did, it was really easy to find. The price point was good, so i searched the Orioles box for some other cards to send off.

I ended up sending a 2006 Fleer, 2006 Topps and 2007 Topps to the signing, as well. All of the cards turned out great.

Benson (b. 1974) played in the majors from 1999 to 2000, 2002 to 2006 and 2009 to 2010 for the Pirates, Mets, Orioles, Rangers and Diamondbacks. He had a record of 70-75 with 806 strike outs and a 4.42 ERA. He finished 4th in the 1999 NL Rookie of the Year voting. 

I mailed to the signing on March 7 and got the cards back on May 21, for a 75-day TAT. I paid a fee of $25/card.

TTM Success - Javier Vazquez

Here is another card that I got signed recently through a private signing on SCN. I sent this 2010 Topps National Chicle, and it turned out great. I forgot how cool this set looked. I'm glad I was able to find this one to send out to the signing. 

Vazquez (b. 1976) played in the majors from 1998 to 2011 for the Expos, Yankees, Diamondbacks, White Sox, Braves and Marlins. He had a record of 165-160 with 2,526 strike outs and a 4.22 ERA. He was an All Star in 2004 and finished 4th in the NL Cy Young race in 2009.

I mailed to the signing on March 21 and got the card back on May 5, for a 45-day TAT. I paid a fee of $20.00.

TTM Success - Moises Alou

A private signing with Moises Alou popped up recently on SCN. I had a couple of Alou's cards put aside, should such an event arise. I sent both of the cards off and they turned out great. 

The card above is a 1996 Pinnacle Denny's hologram that I picked up somewhere. The scan obviously doesn't do the hologram justice, but in person, it looks really cool. I had to explain to Jesse how holograms on cards was a huge thing in the mid-90s.

I also sent off this 2015 Bowman Chrome RC Flashback. It, too, turned out great.

Alou (b. 1966) played in the majors in 1990, from 1992 to 1998 and 2000 to 2008 for the Pirates, Expos, Marlins, Astros, Cubs, Giants and Mets. He had 2,134 hits, 332 home runs and a .303 batting average. He was an All Star 6 times (1994, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2005). His best MVP finish was 2nd (1994, NL). He finished 2nd in the 1992 NL Rookie of the Year voting. He won the World Series with the Marlins in 1997. He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2014, receiving only 1.1% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on March 21 and got the cards back on May 2, for a 42-day TAT. I paid a fee of $35/card.

TTM Success - Marty Castillo

A huge addition to the 1987 Topps set happened for me a few months ago. I saw a private signing with Marty Castillo pop up, much to my disbelief. Castillo has been a rare signature up to this point, but recently, he has done a few private signings. He was the last guy I needed on this Togers Leaders card. I wasn't about to chance it with a TTM, so I had to wait for a private signing. 

Castillo (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1981 to 1985 for the Tigers. He had 67 hits, 8 home runs and a .190 batting average. He won the World Series in 1984 with the Tigers. It shows that Topps used an old photo, since Castillo didn't play for the Tigers in 1986.

I mailed to the signing on February 28 and got the card back on April 14, for a 45-day TAT. I paid a fee of $15.00.

Another TTM Success From Chance Sisco

A friend of mine reached out recently with another private signing with Chance Sisco. I had gotten him a few times and had answered a private signing before, but i had more Sisco cards, the price was good and I wanted to help out his signing. So, I sent off this 2015 Topps Pro Debut gold parallel, along with a couple others. 

I was going to only send the Bowman card on the right, but I had mentioned to my friend Brayden about the signing, abd he said "I have two Siscos right here". So, he sent them to me. He didn't want one back signed, so I will keep it in my album myself.

Sisco is playing with the Chicago Dogs independent team this year. Maybe I can go check a game out while at the National soon.

I mailed to the signing on February 14 and got the cards back on March 20, for a 34-day TAT. I paid a fee of $5.00/card.

TTM Success - Jason Giambi

A private signing for Jason Giambi for an amazing price popped up on Facebook, and I jumped in. I follow some private signings pages on there and they have helped me add some guys to the album. The above 2004 Fleer National Pastime was a card I had pulled a while back and was easy to find so I could meet the short window for the signing. It turned out great. I don't think I have any others of these in the album. 

Giambi (b. 1971) played in the majors from 1995 to 2013 for the A's, Yankees, Rockies and Indians. He had 2,010 hits, 440 home runs and a .277 batting average. He was the 2000 AL MVP. He was a five-time All Star (2000-2004) and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2001 and 2002). He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2020 and received only 1.5% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on February 20 and got the card back on March 19, for a 27-day TAT. I paid a fee of $20.00.

TTM Success - Trevor Bauer

He's controversial. However, when I saw a private signing pop up with Trevor Bauer, I jumped on the chance to add him to my autograph album. I picked out a 2011 Bowman Chrome to send out... and he missed the card during the signing. I got my card back unsigned, but the promoter sent me two replacement autographs. One was the above 2013 Bowman and the other was the below 2021 Topps.

I would have been fine with just one card, but the promoter went above and beyond to keep me happy.

Bauer (b. 1991) played in the majors from 2012 to 2021 for the Diamondbacks, Indians, Reds and Dodgers. He had a record of 83-69 with 1,416 strike outs and a 3.79 ERA. He won the NL Cy Young Award in 2020. A polarizing figure even before the allegations levied against him, he probably will never pitch in the majors again.

I mailed to the signing on February 11 and got the cards back on March 9, for a 26-day TAT. The promoter also offered me a refund, which I declined. The extra auto was more than enough. 

TTM Success - Jayson Werth

Last night, I showed a TTM success from his father; tonight i show a TTM success from Jayson Werth. I signed up for a private signing on SCN for Werth, so I could get one of my older Orioles Bowmans out of my box. This 1998 Bowman Chrome turned out nicely. It was coincidence that both Werth successes came in on the same day.

Werth (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2002 to 2005 and 2007 to 2017 for the Blue Jays, Dodgers, Phillies and Nationals. He had 1,465 hits, 229 home runs and a .267 betting average. He was an All Star in 2009 and his best MVP finish was 8th (2010, NL). He won the World Series in 2008 with the Phillies. He appeared on the 2023 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to the signing on October 21 and got the card back on February 24, for a 126-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dave Stewart

Dave Stewart is a guy who I thought I had gotten before, but it turns out the signed card I got for my 1987 Topps set came from Max. So, when I saw a private signing for him, I pulled and sent this 1982 Topps rookie card. After I had signed up for the signing, I saw that Stewart was signing on his own for the same fee. The card turned out great. 

Stewart (b. 1957) played in the majors in 1978 and from 1981 to 1995 for the Dodgers, Rangers, Phillies, A's and Blue Jays. He had a record of 168-129 with 1,741 strike outs and a 3.95 ERA. He was an All Star in 1989. He won 20 or more games in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990. His best finish in the Cy Young Race was 2nd (1989, AL), and his best finish in the MVP race was 8th (1990, AL). He won the World Series with the Dodgers in 1981, A's in 1989 and Blue Jays in 1993. He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2001 and 2002, receiving at most, 7.4% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on December 11 and got the card back on January 28, for a 48-day TAT. The card came from an old box of cards Mom found at Goodwill. 

Another TTM Success From Mark McGwire

Anither 1991 Fleer ProVisions card was added to the autograph album when I got this one back signed TTM from a private signing with Mark McGwire.

I always thought this set was cool, so i really enjoy getting these signed when I can. I saw the signing with McGwire pop up, and had already pulled the card to send out.

I mailed the card to the signing on November 12 and got the card back signed on January 20, for a 69-day TAT. I paid a fee of... a lot.

Another TTM Success From Carl Yastrzemski

This 2019 Topps short print of Dustin Pedroia is going to be a cool project to complete. I signed up for a private signing with Carl Yastrzemski back in October. The card came back in November, but it was smeared. The promoter took the card back, and this card that I picked up to replace it got signed. It took a while, but all has been resolved. The card looks great, and now I have to wait on a Dustin Pedroia signing. 

I mailed to the original signing on October 24 and got the card back on November 29, for a 36-day TAT. I sent the replacement card in December and got this one back today, in about 3 months (I didn't write down what day I sent the replacement out). I paid... way too much...

Another TTM Success From Bill Russell

When I saw a recent private signing for Bill Russell, I had completely forgotten that he was in the 1987 Topps set, and that I had already gotten him through a signing in 2021. Oh well. I saw the name pop up, and I searched my vintage boxes for the above 1976 Topps. It's a nice card, and in the end, I'm glad I found it to send off.

I like the 1976 set, and it was fitting, since 1976 was the theme for this past year's Topps Heritage set. I believe i saw a post earlier today showing that 2026 Heritage is out, so I'll probably have to get myself a box.

I mailed to the Russell signing on November 12 and got the card back on December 30, for a 48-day TAT. I paid a fee of $15.00.

TTM Success - Kevin Kiermaier

This 2018 Topps Fore was an easy.chpice to send when I saw that a private signing was posted for Kevin Kiermaier. These cards look cool, and I was able to add one to the autograph album. 

Kiermaier (b. 1990) played in the majors from 2013 to 2024 for the Rays, Blue Jays and Dodgers. He had 905 hits, 95 home runs and a .246 batting average. 

He was a 4-time Gold Glove Award winner (2015, 2016, 2019 and 2023). He finished 17th in the 2015 AL MVP race. He won the World Series in 2024 with the Dodgers.

I mailed to the signing on November 8 and got the card back on December 18, for a 40-day TAT. I paid a fee of $30.00.

TTM Success - BJ Upton

A private signing that I was pretty excited about came up recently where I was able to add BJ Upton to the autograph album. This 2010 Toppa 206 was tge card I was going to send all along. This was a nice set that I enjoyed opening back then, and it looks good when signed. 

Upton (b. 1984) played in the majors in 2004 and from 2006 to 2016 for the Rays, Braves, Padres and Blue Jays. He had 1,260 hits, 164 home runs and a .243 batting average. 

I mailed to the signing on November 8 and got the card back on December 15, for a 37-day TAT. I paid a fee of $30.00.

TTM Success - Gary Sheffield

Adding a card from 1997 Pinnacle Zenith to the autograph album is always a good thing. This is definitely one of my favorite sets. I had seen that Gary Sheffield was doing a signing, so I knew I had to get his card signed.

The shot on the card is really great, and it looks great signed. I had other Sheffield cards, but none could pass this one.

Sheffield (b. 1968) played in the majors from 1988 to 2009 for the Brewers, Padres, Marlins, Dodgers, Braves, Yankees, Tigers and Mets. He had 2,689 hits, 509 home runs and a .292 batting average. He was a 9-time All Star (1992, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2005. His best MVP finish was 2nd (2004, AL). He was a 5-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He won the World Series in 1997 with the Marlins. He fell off of the Hall of Fame ballot in 2024, where he received his most votes (63.9%), but failed to reach 75% required for induction. 

I mailed to the signing on October 31 and got the card back on December 12, for a 42-day TAT. I paid a fee of $65.00.

TTM Success - Stan Javier

A private signing came up recently that helped me cross off another card for my signed 1987 Topps set, Stan Javier.  I missed a signing with him a few years ago and had to wait around for another to pop up. One finally did, and I sent off the two cards of him that I had pulled.

I really like the shot on the above 1992 Topps. This set has some good shots in it, and I was glad to add this one to the autograph album. 

Here is the 1987 that inches me a little closer to my goal. I'm pretty sure I won't finish the set, but it has been a lot of fun to fill. I'm now 30 cards away, which is a lot closer than I ever thought I'd get.

Javier (b. 1964) played in the majors in 1984 and from 1986 to 2001 for the Yankees, A's, Dodgers, Phillies, Angels, Giants, Astros and Mariners. He had 1,358 hits, 57 home runs and a .269 batting average. He won the World Series with the A's in 1989.

I mailed to the signing on November 5, 2024, and got the cards back on December 11, 2025, for a 401-day TAT. I paid a fee of $10.00/card.

TTM Success - Joba Chamberlain

Joba. Joba. Joba. Those chants still ring in my ears. Joba Chamberlain was melting down in front of our eyes during game 2 of the ALDS. The Orioles were behind the Tigers and things weren't looking too good against Justin Verlander. Then, the Tigers went to their bullpen, and the game unraveled. I'll never forget it, the greatest baseball game I have ever witnessed in person, and Joba was a huge part of it. I wanted to add his autograph to my album for a long time, aside from the meltdown that contributed to that wild game. I also wanted to add a 2007 Upper Deck Rookie of the Month card to the album. 

I had sent this card to a private signing in the past, but that signing was canceled. I waited until another one came up. One finally did, and this card came back signed. It turned out great.

Chamberlain (b. 1985) played in the majors from 2007 to 2016 for the Yankees, Tigers, Royals and Indians. He had a record of 25-21 with 546 strike outs and a 3.81 ERA. He finished 8th in the 2008 AL Rookie of the Year voting. 

I mailed to the signing on October 18 and got the card back on December 5, for a 48-day TAT. I paid a fee of $30.00.