TTM Success - Julio Cruz

Here is another instance where I had someone who was already deceased on one of my 1987 Topps team leaders cards and was really sweating over getting the other person on the card.  Thankfully, when I reached out on a TTM message board about whether or not Julio Cruz signed TTM, someone helped me out and got it signed for me.

It turned out that Cruz frequented a card shop in Washington, and the owner was a member of the group.  He took my cards, and a donation to a local orphanage, and had Cruz sign the cards.  He even sent me pictures of the event, which was really cool.

Cruz (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1977 to 1986 for the Mariners and White Sox.  He had 916 hits, 23 home runs and a .237 batting average.  He finished 24th in the 1983 AL MVP race.

I mailed to the signing on October 28 and got the cards back on December 29, for a 62-day TAT.  I paid a $20.00 donation to The Shepherd's Crook Orphanage.

TTM Success - Mark Dewey

Here are some nice 90s cards that I was able to get signed by Mark Dewey via TTM.  I had a bunch of his cards put aside since he was a coach with a team that came through Kinston (can't remember which).

I got Dewey to sign a 1995 Topps (top), 1992 Stadium Club (above, left), 1994 Donruss (above, middle) and he included his own religious tract card (above, right).

Dewey (b. 1965) played in the majors in 1990 and from 1992 to 1996 for the Giants, Mets and Pirates.  He had a record of 12-7 with 168 strike outs and a 3.65 ERA.

I mailed to Dewey on December 18 and got the cards back on December 28, for a 10-day TAT.

Ebay Pickup For The 87 Set - Fred Toliver

I added a tougher card to my 87 set when I found this Fred Toliver signed card on Ebay.  The card looks great.  I had tried to send to him, but he hasn't signed since 2007 and I'm not certain his Harvey address is correct.  Regardless, I have the card now and can cross it off of my list.

Toliver (b. 1961) played in the majors from 1984 to 1989 and 1993 for the Reds, Phillies, Twins, Padres and Pirates.  He had a career record of 10-16 with 180 strike outs and a 4,73 ERA.

TTM Success - Colt Hynes

Here are a couple 2014 Topps that have been hanging around in my to be TTMed box for a while. I finally got them out to Colt Hynes and they came back looking pretty sharp.

Hynes (b. 1985) played in the majors in 2013 and 2015 for the Padres and Blue Jays.  He had a 0-0 record, 17 strike outs and an 8.55 ERA.

I mailed to Hynes on December 16 and got the cards back on December 28, for a 12-day TAT.

TTM Success - Brad Eldred

Here is an older Bowman Chrome that I was able to get signed TTM by Brad Eldred.  The card is a 2004 Bowman Chrome and turned out pretty well.  I prepped it with baby powder, and it didn't mess the card up too bad.  I had been having some issues with the older chromes that may have gotten hot in the past and messed up the UV protection.  Just a guess.  This one turned out ok, though.

Eldred (b. 1980) played in the majors in 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2012 for the Pirates, Rockies and Tigers.  He had 56 hits, 15 home runs and a .203 batting average.

I mailed to Eldred on December 15 and got the card back on December 28, for a 13-day TAT

TTM Success - Ken Hamlin

Here are some nice vintage cards of Ken Hamlin that I picked up from a Raleigh card show a while back.  I sent them off for TTM and they came back looking great.  I really like the above 1961 Topps; it is a sharp card and looks great signed.

1962 Topps is such a great set.  I would like to build the set someday; I maybe will at some point.  Signed versions of these cards always seem to look nice, as well.

Hamlin (b. 1935) played in the majors in 1957, from 1959 to 1962 and 1965 to 1966 for the Pirates, A's (KC), Angels and Senators.  He had 323 hits, 11 home runs and a .241 batting average.

I mailed to Hamlin on September 21 and got the cards back on December 28, for a 98-day TAT.

TTM Success - Lucas Sims

I had gotten him IP before, but also sent off some cards to Lucas Sims.  He only signed one of the cards I sent, but that's ok.  This 2018 Topps turned out well.

Sims (b. 1994) has played in the majors since 2017 for the Braves and Reds.  He has a record of 8-7 with 151 strike outs and a 4.94 ERA.

I mailed to Sims on January 28, 2020, and got the card back on December 26, 2020, for a 333-day TAT.  I sent 3 cards, and he signed one.