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 Willie Hernandez

Recently, I saw that Willie Hernandez was signing TTM with a fee, so I decided to hold my breath and take a chance that I could get him on my 1987 Topps Tigers leaders card that had already been signed by Sparky Anderson.  I sweated it out a bit, but the card came back signed (and undamaged).  I was very happy with the results.

I also sent off this 1978 Topps card, just because, and it looks nice, also.

I mailed to Hernandez on January 28 and got the cards back on February 12, for a 15-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $10/card.

TTM Success - Willie Hernandez

This was a nice private signing that landed me a pitcher I needed for my 1987 set.  Unfortunately, he is on two cards in the set, and the second card was one I wasn't ready to send (the Tigers leaders card).  Still, I crossed this one off of my list, and it turned out well.

Hernandez (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1977 to 1989 for the Cubs, Phillies and Tigers.  He had a record of 70-63 with 788 strike outs and a 3.38 ERA.  He was the 1984 AL Cy Young Award winner and MVP.  He had gone 9-3 with 32 saves in 80 games that season.  He was an All Star in 1984, 1985 and 1986.  He won the 1984 World Series with the Tigers.

Hernandez appeared on the 1995 Hall of Fame ballot, but received only 0.5% of the vote.

I mailed to the private signing on January 19 and got the card back on March 2, for a 42-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $35.00.