TTM Success - Ron Perranoski

I got a TTM success back from former pitcher, Ron Perranoski on March 28.  I saw him on this 1987 Topps Dodgers Leaders card, and thought it would look cool signed (and add another 1987 Topps to the tally).  I mailed the card on March 18, so it only took 10 days to get it back.

Perranoski (b. 1936) played in the majors from 1961 to 1973 for the Dodgers, Twins, Tigers and Angels.  He had a career record of 79-74 with an ERA of 2.79 and 687 strike outs.  He also led the league in saves twice, amassing 178 over his career.

He finished 4th in the 1963 NL MVP voting, and 7th in the 1970 NL Cy Young voting.  He won the World Series with the Dodgers in 1963 and 1965; and took home rings as a coach (again with the Dodgers) in 1981 and 1988.

TTM Success - Sam Mele

I got a TTM success last Monday from former big leaguer, Sam Mele.  I was really excited to get this one back, because I really liked the 1952 Topps that I had picked up for him to sign.  I didn't have to pay much for it, since it had the evident creases on it, but that made it easier to send TTM.

I really wish I could put a 1952 set together, but the Mantle really makes it tough to even consider.  Let alone the other premium cards like Eddie Mathews, Andy Pafko, etc.  I do have a couple other 52s that I have gotten signed, and a couple others that I have out pending signature.  I think they will look really cool in my auto album.

Mele (b. 1922) played in the majors from 1947 to 1956 for the Red Sox, Senators, White Sox, Orioles, Reds and Indians.  He had 916 hits, 80 home runs and a career average of .267.

I mailed to Mele on March 18 and got the signed card back on March 28, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Bob Saverine

I got a TTM success last Saturday from former Oriole, Bob Saverine.  I mailed him this 1964 Topps and the below 1965 Topps on March 12 and got them back on March 26, for a 14-day TAT.  These were the first 1964 and 1965 Topps that I have gotten.

Saverine (b. 1941) played in the majors from 1959, 1962-1964, 1966 and 1967 for the Orioles and Senators.  He had 206 hits, 6 home runs and a .239 career batting average.  He was traded by the Orioles to the Astros for Don Larsen in 1965,  He didn't play for the Astros, though, he was picked up by the Senators in the 1965 Rule V Draft.

In case you were wondering, here is an update on my Topps Autograph Project.  As of yesterday (April 2), I need autographs on 1957, 1961, 1967, 1969, 1978, 1982, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2015 and 2016 Topps.  I haven't really concentrated on the later years of Topps since I wanted to make sure I knocked the harder 1950s out of the way.  I got two different 51 Blue Backs in last week that I am really excited to show.  I bought some more 52 and 53 Topps at the last card show, just to send off, and those are now out, pending signature.  They will look really nice when they come in.  I hope you all are enjoying seeing these older Topps come back in signed, and also enjoying the looks into the careers of some of these guys.

Thanks for reading!

TTM Success - Larry Bowa

I got a TTM success last Friday from former player and manager, Larry Bowa.  My good friend, Max, had told me that I should look for some of Bowa's cards, and luckily, I found these four to send.  I was able to get my first 1973 Topps signed, thanks to Max's suggestion.

The managers cards from 2002 and 2005 turned out really nice, as well.  Born in 1945, Bowa played in the majors for 16 seasons (1970 to 1985) for the Phillies, Cubs and Mets.  He had 2,191 hits, 15 home runs and a career average of .260.  He was a 5-time All Star and finished as high as 3rd in the NL MVP voting (1978).  Bowa won the World Series with the Phillies in 1980.  Bowa also appeared in 5 NLCS (4 with the Phillies - 1976, 77, 78 and 80) and one with the Cubs (1984).  In 1982, Bowa was traded to the Cubs with future Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg for Ivan DeJesus.

Bowa managed the Padres in 1987 and 1988, then the Phillies from 2001 to 2004.  His career managerial record was 418-435.  He was named the NL manager of the year in 2001.

TTM Success - Bob Duliba

Last Friday, I got a TTM success on a couple vintage Topps cards from former pitcher, Bob Duliba.  I mailed to him on March 12 and got the cards back in 13 days.

He helped me with my second signed 1960 Topps and my first signed 1966.

Both cards turned out nice, but I do find it odd that he signed across his forehead.  Still, it is a cool card, and I am glad he returned them to me.

Duliba (b. 1935) played in the majors from 1959-1960, 1962-1965 and 1967 for the Cardinals, Angels, Red Sox and Kansas City A's.  He had a career record of 17-12 with an ERA of 3.47 and 129 strike outs.

TTM Succes - Charlie Hough

I received a huge TTM success on Friday, March 25 from former pitcher, Charlie Hough.  The above 1986 Topps Rangers Leaders card might be one of the best looking TTM successes that I have gotten.  Hough has a really nice signature, and the design of this card really fits with the auto.

Hough signed for free, and signed everything that I sent.

I tried a few different Hough cards, and they all turned out great.  I think the 1992 Pinnacle really looks nice.  I don't have very many of those any more, but I opened a ton of those packs way back when.

1994 Collector's Choice might be another nice forgotten 90s set, and this one turned out really great.  By this time, Hough was at the end of his career, but was a veteran presence on an expansion Marlins team.

Finally, here is a 1986 Topps mini league leaders Hough.  This was in one of the boxes that Mom gave me, and I figured I would try to get one of them signed.

I mailed to Hough on March 2 and got the cards back on March 25 for a 23-day TAT.

Hough (b. 1948) played in the majors from 1970 to 1994 for the Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox and Marlins.  He was an inaugural member of the Marlins.  He had a career record of 216-216 with an ERA of 3.75 and 2,362 strike outs.  He was an All Star only once, in 1986.  He appeared in three World Series with the Dodgers (1974, 1977 and 1978), but failed to win a ring.  His might be one of my favorite signatures that I have gotten so far.

TTM Success - Don Gullett

I got some signed cards back from former pitcher, Don Gullett on March 24, after a 20-day TAT (I mailed to him on 3/4).  All three cards I got back from him were 1977 Topps.  It's funny, the signature he gave looks almost exactly like the facsimile auto that Topps printed on the card.

Gullett (b. 1951) played in the majors from 1970 to 1978 for the Reds and Yankees.  He had a career record of 109-50 with an ERA of 3.11 and 921 strike outs.  He finished as high as 5th in the NL Cy Young Award voting (1975).  Gullett's career (which looked like he would be on track for some major accolades) was cut short due to extensive shoulder and rotator cuff injuries.

Gullett played in 5 World Series (1970, 1972, 1975, 1976 and 1977) and won three of them; 1975 and 1976 with the Reds and 1977 with the Yankees.