TTM Success - Graham Rahal

This is a 2018 Upper Deck Goodwin  champions card of Graham Rahal that I got back signed TTM. Goodwin is Upper Deck's answer to Allen & Ginter.  I do like the design, but Upper Deck has been on their last legs for years.  I got a huge box of these cards from the old LCS and got this one back signed.

Rahal (b. 1989) has been racing Indy cars since 2008 and has 6 wins.  He is the son of 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner, Bobby Rahal.  He's also the son-in-law of NHRA legend, John Force.

I mailed to Rahal on October 12 and got the card back on November 12, for a 31-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Mike Verstegen

This 1995 Bowmans Best card of former New Orleans Saint Mike Verstegen was a random card I found in one of my boxes from the old card shop.  I got it back signed TTM after two attempts; I just wish he had used a Sharpie.  That signature is barely visible.

Verstegen (b. 1971) played professionally in 1996 and 1997 for the Saints.  He got into 22 games in his career as a Tackle and Guard.

I mailed to Verstegen on October 12 and got the card back on November 12 for a 31-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Eli Morgan

A Spring Training TTM success came in recently from Eli Morgan on this nice 2022 Topps Stadium Club Chrome.  This set looks nice and I was glad to add one of them to the autograph album. 

Morgan (b. 1996) made his debut in 2021 for the Guardians.  He was traded to the Cubs in November of this year.  He has a record of 18-12 with 262 strike outs and a 3.97 ERA.

I mailed to Morgan on February 21 and got the card back on November 12 for a 265-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jerry McNertney

Here is another vintage Topps card that was added to the autograph album.  This is a 1971 Topps that I got back signed by Jerry McMertney.  He has a nice signature, and it looks great on there.

McNertney (b. 1936) played in the majors in 1964 and from 1966 to 1973 for the White Sox, Pilots, Brewers, Cardinals and Pirates.  He had 337 hits, 27 home runs and a .237 batting average.

I mailed to McNertney on October 28 and got the card back on November 8, for an 11-day TAT. 

November 30, 2024 - Wrestlecade

Before all of the events that happened at Thanksgiving, I had bought tickets and an autograph vouchers for Wrestlecade 2024.  We were scheduled to go the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  I wasn't really feeling up to it after losing Grandma, but I thought it would be best that Chris and I get out and get our minds off of things.  I'm glad we went.

I had seen that Ron Si.mons would be at the show, and he was a last-minute decision to meet.  Im so glad I paid to meet him because he was awesome.  I told him that I remembered watching him win the WCW Championship way back in the day.  He told.me he goes back and watches t constantly.  It was impactful to me because at the time, he looked like a 'regular guy' as opposed to the flashy cartoon characters I was used to when watching WWF (WWE). I didn't know own at that time what a bad ass Simmons was as a college football player.  He is a legend at Florida State.  One of only 12 players to have their number retired at Florida State (at the time of his number retirement, he was only one of seven).

He was so awesome to meet.  I told him that I had been wanting to meet him for years. He responded with "I love being met."  He gave me a sweet deal on the photo op, and after the hug he gave us, I asked him if I could trouble him for one more thing; would he say it? He did, "Damn!"

Another cool.meeting was when we met Zilla Fatu.  He is a future member of The Bloodline.  Son of the late Umaga, Zilla is working his way up through the ranks in the independent scene.  A very friendly guy, Zilla hugged Chris and I after the photo op.

We got to see him in action later that evening in a nice independent show that came with our day passes.

The one autograph voucher that I paid for in advance was that of Jim Ross.  He was also super nice and signed the above photo I printed out of Mankind falling off the Hell in a Cell at King of the Ring 1998.  He inscribed the photo "My God, he's broken in half!"

We, then, met Mick Foley, who signed the photo and inscribed it "I was broken in half."

I did a decent job on the photo having recently learned how to use the snippet tool on my computer. I paused the match on YouTube and snipped the scene, printing it out on an 8 x 10.  Not bad.

I also paid to get former NWA wrestler Magnum T. A. on this little card.  I watched him on Friday nights at my cousin Lynn's house when I was little. 

I also got Jake the Snake Roberts on the above Topps Gypsy Queen card.  Of all the guys we met, he was the quietest.  He wasn't rude, he just didn't say much.  All of that being said, we were super happy with everyone we met. I'd definitely go back to Wrestlecade if I got the chance. 

In all, I got the following autographs: Zilla Fatu x 1, Mick Foley x 1, Jim Ross x 1, Ron Simmons x 2, Magnum TA x 1 and Jake the Snake x 1 (7 total autographs).

Another TTM Success From Sean Casey

Here are a few nice Sean Casey cards that I had put aside to send TTM.  I finally did it; I had to wait until I had the money allocated for his fee.  It wasn't much, but several other players who charge, and other private signings took precedent.  The above 1999 21st Century Topps turned out nicely.  This is a really sharp card, and the main reason I wanted to send to Casey again.

The 2000 Fleer Mystique (left) was also a really nice card.  Fleer had some good sets in the early 2000s, but spread themselves way too thin.  Finally, the card on the right is a 1998 Fleer Tradition thar Casey included.  It was really nice of him to add an extra card.

I mailed to Casey on October 29 and got the cards back on November 8 for a 10-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $15/card.

Another TTM Success From Joe Cowley

Here are two cards from 1986 that I got back signed TTM; one is a 1986 Topps, the other is a 1986 Topps Traded.  Both are.signed by Joe Cowley, who I had gotten a while back on his 1987 Topps.

I had a partial Traded set in with my 1986 base cards, and I found both Cowleys.  I figured it was a good time to send to him again. 

I mailed to Cowley on October 26 and got the cards back on November 7 for a 12-day TAT.