TTM Success - John Gant

While these cards sat in my to-be-blogged stack, I actually met and got John Gant to sign in person on our road trip to Iowa this summer.  These cards shown on this post came in before that because I sent to Gant TTM.  I didn't know that I'd meet him later in the summer.  I was happy to get my 2014 Bowman purple parallel signed, however.  This card had been floating around my boxes for some time.

I also got a 2016 Topps Update and 2021 Topps Update signed.  Both of these turned out nicely.

Finally, here is a 2022 Topps Update that Gant signed.  I'm glad he signed all four in blue Sharpie. 

Gant (b. 1992) played in the majors from 2016 to 2021 for the Braves, Cardinals and Twins.  He has a record of 24-26 with 325 strike outs and a 3.89 ERA.  Since 2021, Gant has bounced around a bit.  He didn't play in 2022 or 2024; but spent 2023 in Japan while playing in independent ball briefly this season and then having his contract purchased by the Royals, who assigned him to Omaha.

I mailed to Gant on April 28 and got the cards back on May 13 for a 15-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Ryan Verdugo

A search through my Bowman boxes brought me another stack of cards to try to send TTM.  One of the cards that came back signed was this 2009 Bowman Chrome Ryan Verdugo.

Verdugo (b. 1987) does not appear to be related to Alex Verdugo.  He played in the majors in 2012 for the Royals.  He had a record of 0-1 with 2 strike outs and a 32.40 ERA.

I mailed to Verdugo on April 30 and got the card back on May 13 for a 13-day TAT. 

September 16, 2025, Graphing of the High Point Rockers

My last opportunity to graph this season came and went on Tuesday when I saw High Point for the last time.  I didn't even bother with trying to get the opposing team (Charleston) this time around.

The biggest reason I wanted to see High Point one more time was to see David Hess.  Hess, a former Oriole, is a two-time cancer survivor and all-around great guy.  I bought the above 2019 Topps Chrome orange refractor for the potential trip.  The card is numbered to 25.  He signed the card, along g with a 2019 Topps base card for my friend, Ryan.

Frank Viola was great, as usual.  I'm running out of different Viola cards to get signed.  I do still have a ton overall, though.

I was looking through boxes for some cards to send to Max, and found a bunch of Alex Dickerson 2011 Bowmans.  I got those done, along with a few others.

I got several High Point team set cards signed.  George Greer was surprised that I wanted his autograph, so he signed my team set card, told me to hold on and brought me the Cardinals card from the clubhouse.  I thought that was really cool.

The 2017 Bowman sky blue refractor of Luis Gonzales was found in a bargain bin at the National.  I got most of the cards I found there signed.  I enjoyed finding the various parallels at the show and getting them into the album. 

I went to the fame with my brother, Andy.  I miss how we went to Wood Ducks games back when he was here for college.  It was good to get together and spend some time with each other.

In all, I got the following autographs: Alex Dickerson x 9, Ryan Dull x 1, Luis Gonzalez x 2, George Greer x 2, David Hess x 2, Jamie Keefe x 1, Drew Mendoza x 2 and Frank Viola x 9 (28 autographs).

TTM Success - Mike MacDougal

Here is a nice TTM success that came in that added a few mid-2000s cards to the autograph album.  I had seen that Mike MacDougal was signing, so it gave me the opportunity to get this 2006 Topps signed.

I also sent out this 2005 Topps (left) and a 2007 Upper Deck (right).  All of the cards turned out well.

MacDougal (b. 1977) played in the majors from 2001 to 2012 for the Royals, White Sox, Nationals, Cardinals and Dodgers.  He had a record of 18-23 with 325 strike outs and a 4.00 ERA.  He was an All Star in 2003.  

I mailed to MacDougal on April 22 and got the cards back on May 9 for a 17-day TAT. 

September 13-14, 2025, Graphing of the Tides at Bulls

Graphing season is winding down.  My birthday week usually signals the end of the season is near, so I try to take some time off of work and cram a few games in.  I'll miss the final week of the mi or league season due to a conference, so I am working to get as much graphing in as I can.  Last weekend, I went up to Durham to see the Bulls and Tides for the final time this year.  Chris went with me to both games; Aidan met us Saturday and Jesse came with us on Sunday.

The Orioles sent a few guys to the Tides on rehab.  We missed Tyler O'Neill, but were able to see Gary Sanchez and Jordan Westburg.  The above Sanchez is a super thick card that I found at the National.  I have no idea what this card is, but it looked cool.  It was a bargain bin find that is now signed and in my album. 

I finished off several Tides team set guys, and a couple guys we didnt see the week before, like Colin Selby.  I got the last Panini Select card of Jud Fabian thatI found at the National signed.  I also got Gary Sanchez on a 2025 Topps, which has him in an Orioles uniform. 

I added four more Jordan Westburg to the album. I regretted later that I didn't get him on his 2021 Topps Heritage Minors card.  I'll have to try for that one another time.

We still struggled a bit in getting Bulls guys.  I did get Tre Morgan, which was nice.  He comes out the front entrance, so it's tough to catch him sometimes.

I finally got a couple Matt Thaiss cards out of the box.  He has been a bit elusive, but at least two cards are now out of the box. 

I got every Jesse Scholtens card that I had signed.  I also was able to catch Forrest Whitley outside.  He's another tough one.

Speaking of tough ones, Joe Boyle again has laid claim to the "second worst" experience. He's just not friendly, and this time, as he came out of the clubhouse (with only me, Chris and Jesse sitting on the bench), I asked him "Mr. Boyle, may we please have your autograph?" His reply was "No, not for you guys."  Ouch.  What a guy.  Anyway, he's nit going to steal my joy, as they say.

In all, we got the following autographs: Silas Ardoin x 2, Jud Fabian x 5, Billy Facteau x 1, Gary Sanchez x 2, Colin Selby x 6, Reed Trimble x 3, Thaddeus Ward x 2, Levi Wells x 5, Jordan Westburg x 5, Jonathan Hernandez x 5, Dominic Keegan x 2, Trevor Martin x 3, German Melendez x 1, Tristan Peters x 1, Brian Reith x 1, Jesse Scholtens x 9, Matt Thaiss x 2, Jamie Westbrook x 1, Forrest Whitley x 4, Logan Workman x 1, Jose Barrero x 1, Tre Morgan x 2 and Santiago Suarez x 1 (66 total autographs).

TTM Success - Mike Crudale

Here is a random 2003 Topps that came back signed TTM from Mike Crudale.  

Crudale (b. 1977) played in the majors from 2002 to 2003 for the Cardinals and Brewers.  He had a record of 3-1 with 60 strike outs and a 2.09 ERA.  His career MLB numbers look great, but following the 2003 season, he ended up with the Pirates and Giants organizations.  He pitched in both organizations in 2004 to a record of 1-1 with a 7.52 ERA.  After that season, he bounced around the independent league and foreign ball.

I mailed to Crudale on March 3 and got the card back on May 8 for a 66-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jim Johnson

Another former Oriole was available for a private signing recently when Jim Johnson popped up.  I don't believe I had gotten him before, so I signed up.  I dug this 2012 Topps out of my Orioles box.  It turned out nicely.

Johnson (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2006 to 2018 for the Orioles, A's, Tigers, Braves and Dodgers.  He had a record of 38-46 with 531 strike outs and a 3.79 ERA.  He led the league in saves in 2012 and 2013.  He was an All Star in 2012.  That season he finished 7th in the AL Cy Young Award voting and 14th in the AL MVP race. 

I mailed to the signing on March 21 and got the card back on May 6 for a 46-day TAT.  I paid a $20.00 fee.