TTM Success - Eddie Zosky

Here is another one of those guys who kind of hung out in my card box for a long time until I finally got around to sending TTM.  I like this 1990 ProCards AAA that was in an old attic box from Mom.

I also sent out a 1992 Topps, 1993 Topps and a 1993 Stadium Club.  All turned out really well.

Zosky (b. 1968) played in the majors in 1991, 1992, 1995, 1999 and 2000 for the Blue Jays, Marlins, Brewers and Astros.  He had 8 hits, no home runs and a .160 batting average.

I mailed to Zosky on January 2 and got the cards back on March 11, for a 68-day TAT.

TTM SUccess - Orlando Mercado

I put myself behind even further by forgetting to bring my laptop with me on my trip this past weekend, but I'll get back together soon.  I wanted to get some TTMs posted before I got into some recent IP stuff, so here we go.

I crossed another player off of my 1987 checklist with this success from Orlando Mercado.  He signed my card with a dried-up Sharpie, but it still counts.  Maybe I will upgrade it sometime in the future, but the card is signed.

I also had him sign this really cool 1990 Topps traded.  I like all of the colors on the card, and it will look cool in my album.

Mercado (b. 1951) played in the majors from 1982 to 1984 and 1986 to 1990 for the Mariners, Rangers, Tigers, A's, Twins, Mets and Expos.  He had 112 hits, 7 home runs and a .199 batting average.

I mailed to Mercado on February 25 and got the cards back on March 11, for a 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - Don Aase

Another 1987 Topps off of the list, I was finally able to get Don Aase for my set.  I had thought he wasn't signing, but then I saw a bunch of successes pop up.  I sent the card off right when I saw the successes and got it back really quickly.

Aase (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1977 to 1982 and 1984 to 1990 for the Red Sox, Angels, Orioles, Mets and Dodgers.  He had a career record of 66-60 with 641 strike outs and a 3.80 ERA.

I mailed to Aase on February 26 and got the card back on March 11, for a 13-day TAT.

TTM Success - Andy McGaffigan

This TTM success from Andy McGaffigan helped me knock a card off of my 1987 Topps list, and also knocked an item off of my "adulting" list.  After he sent my cards back signed, Andy followed me on LinkedIn and sent me a message wanting to know more about what I do for a living.  It turns out that he is a financial adviser, and I had been putting off getting life insurance for a long time.  So, it worked out, and we have formed a professional relationship, all because I wanted his autograph.

Andy is a really nice guy, and I am glad we were able to do business together.  It would have taken a lot to get me to sit down and get signed up, but I'm really happy that I finally got around to doing it.

McGaffigan (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1981 to 1991 for the Yankees, Giants, Expos, Reds and Royals.  He had a recors of 38-33 with 610 strike outs and a 3.38 ERA.

I mailed to McGaffigan on February 26 and got the cards back on March 11, for a 13-day TAT.

Graphing The Wood Ducks Exhibition Game

It took three seasons, but the Wood Ducks finally got an exhibition game completed against Mount Olive University.  The last two were rained out, but this one was played for 12 innings (even though the Woodies were well ahead of the Trojans after the top of the 9th was completed).  Apparently they wanted to stretch a few pitchers out.

There are a lot of new faces on the team, but there are also some familiar ones this season.  I have been stockpiling Rangers prospect cards and ended up with a bunch that I can take with me to games to get signed.  I am also taking 50/50s and consignments this season, but there are a couple players I won't be taking (Leody, Anderson).

I also picked up some Hickory and Spokane team sets so I can get some of the guys who aren't in commercial products yet.  It helped out yesterday.  There are some pretty cool players who I was already able to get to sign some stuff.

I also took care of some stuff I got at the most recent card show in Raleigh, like the two Eric Jenkins cards above.  He was really nice, once again.  I hope he has a big year this year.

I was also able to knock out a ton of Peter Fairbanks cards that I had picked up after the "meet the team" event back in 2017.  We saw him then, but had no cards.  He then got hurt and came back last season.  He was impossible to get to sign anything last year, so I was glad I was able to get him as he came off of the field last night.  Now, I won't have to bother him again.

It was nice seeing Michael Matuella again.  I had to ask him about his Duke Blue Devils, but I did wait until he was done signing.  Everyone's bracket is busted, so it's ok.

Buried in the middle of this group of cards is Tyreque Reed.  This dude is huge.  He looks like he should be playing football, but I'm glad he is a Wood Duck.  I'm looking forward to seeing him crush a few baseballs.

Aside from Leody and Anderson, Bubba Thompson is probably the biggest Rangers prospect on the team.  I was told ahead of time that he will sign anything you have.  That was not the case on Monday.  Maybe he will sign more later on, but yesterday, he was only two-per.  I got him twice, though, so I was able to get some cards out of the way.  I took several 50/50s on him, so I hope that he will help get them done.  We will see as the season progresses.

The biggest news of the day came when I finally broke down and purchased season tickets for my son and I.  It was only a matter of time, and I was happy to do it.  I imagine it will save me money in the long run, so that's a plus.

Now I sit and wait for the season to start on Thursday.

TTM Success - Ray Fosse

This TTM success from former catcher, Ray Fosse, was nice in that it was also a success from Spring Training.  I sent off some nice cards, and they all look great now that they are signed.  I liked this airbrushed 1976 Topps Traded showing Fosse after he had been traded back to the Indians from the A's.

I also got a 1972, 1977 and a 1980 signed by Fosse.

Fosse (b. 1947) played in the majors from 1967 to 1977 and 1979 for the Indians, A's, Mariners and Brewers.  He had 758 hits, 61 home runs and a .256 batting average.  He was a two-time All Star (1970 and 1971) and won the World Series twice with the A's (1973 and 1974).  He was a Gold Glove Award winner in 1970 and 1971, and his best MVP finish was 23rd (1970, AL).

Fosse was injured during a collision with Pete Rose on the last play of the 1970 All Star game.  He wound up with a later-diagnosed separated shoulder that had healed incorrectly.  That collision is still talked about today.

I mailed to Fosse on February 19, via A's Spring Training and got the cards back on March 11, for a 20-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Bobby Shantz

I had a craving recently to add a few more 50s cards to my autograph album, so I picked up some nice cards to send out TTM.  This 1953 Bowman Bobby Shantz came back signed really quickly, which was nice.

I paid Mr. Shantz's fee of $10.00.  I mailed the card on March 5 and got it back signed on March 11, for a 6-day TAT.