TTM Success - Jose Bautista

A while back, Jose Bautista was coaching for some team that was going to come through Kinston; I think maybe Myrtle Beach. For whatever reason, I didn't see him (COVID season, maybe?). I don't remember now.  Anyway, I had his cards pulled, then put away, then pulled again.  I finally sent to him TTM, and after quite a while, got the cards back signed.  I was glad to finally get his 1991 Crown Orioles card into the autograph album. 

I also got a 1989 Topps, 1994 Topps Finest and a 1994 Topps signed.

Bautista (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1988 to 1991 and 1993 to 1997 for the Orioles, Cubs, Giants, Tigers and Cardinals.  He had a record of 32-42 with 328 strike outs and a 4.62 ERA.

I mailed to Bautista on October 24, 2023, and got the cards back on November 25, 2024, for a 398-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Joe Morgan

Back in 2017, I got a TTM success in from former Manager, Joe Morgan.  He signed a 1960 Topps and a 1990 Topps.  Since then, I found this 1989 Topps and decided to finally send it out.  This card turned out great.  I'm glad I got it sent out.

I mailed to Morgan on August 10 and got the card back on August 22, for a 12-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Mike Dunne

This 1989 Topps came back signed from Mike Dunne recently.  I had sent him a 1985 Topps also, but that one didn't come back. 

This card was also damaged, but I'm still glad it came back, finally.

I mailed to Dunne on November 2, 2022, and got the card back on August 19, 2024, for a 656-day TAT.

2024 National Free Signer - Pat Tabler

Pat Tabler was the next free signer at this year's National. I ended up with two vouchers for him.  I got this 1989 Topps out of a box of cards that my grandma gave me.  The card turned out nicely.

I also got this 1985 Topps signed. This one is a bit dark, but still looks nice.

Tabler (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1981 to 1992 for the Cubs, Indians, Royals, Mets and Blue Jays.  He had 1,101 hits, 47 home runs and a .282 batting average. He was an All Star in 1987. He won the World Series with the Blue Jays in 1992.

Another TTM Success From Tom Kelly

Another batch of signed cards came in signed from former Twins manager, Tom Kelly.  I had seen these cards in a couple passes through my boxes and wanted to add them to the autograph album. 

The cards I sent were a 2002 and 1989 Topps.  They both turned out great, and I'm glad I got them out of the boxes.

I mailed to Kelly on March 6 and got the cards back today (March 18), for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - John Davis

Today saw only one TTM come in, which, since I'm posting it now, puts me as caught up with my posts.  This TTM success came in from John Davis after waiting since 2022.

Davis (b. 1963) played in the majors from 1987 to 1990 for the Royals, White Sox and Padres.  He had a record of 7-9 with 73 strike outs and a 4.92 ERA.

I mailed to Davis on November 17, 2022, and got the card back today (March 7, 2024), for a 476-day TAT.

TTM Success - Greg Cadaret

Some Junk Wax era cards were removed from the boxes and added to the autograph album when I got this TTM success back from Greg Cadaret.  I had to dig to find the working address, but I was successful.  The above 1991 Donruss turned out nicely. 

I also added a few of his Topps cards; a 1988, 1989 and 1994.

Cadaret (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1987 to 1994 and 1997 to 1998 for the A's, Yankees, Reds, Royals, Blue Jays, Tigers, Angels and Rangers.  He had a record of 38-32 with 539 strike outs and a 3.99 ERA.

I mailed to Cadaret on October 16 and got the cards back on February 20, for a 127-day TAT.

TTM Success - Bruce Fields

A couple cards from 1989 came back signed in this TTM success from Bruce Fields.  The above 1989 Upper Deck came from a partial set that I got from the former LCS.  Obviously it was partial because the Griffey had been removed.

I also got this nice 1989 Topps signed.  It looks great, as well.

Fields (b. 1960) played in the majors in 1986, 1988 and 1989 for the Tigers and Mariners.  He had 31 hits, 1 home run and a .271 batting average. 

I mailed to Fields on January 18 and got the cards back on January 30, for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Bob Brower

While I have a ton of 1988 and 1989 Topps, I don't have near as many in my autograph album compared to other sets from that era.  1988 especially is underrepresented. I added one to the album with this TTM success from Bob Brower.  The 1988 turned out nicely.

The 1989 turned out well, also.

Brower (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1986 to 1989 for the Rangers and Yankees.  He had 141 hits, 17 home runs and a .242 batting average.

I mailed to Brower on June 30 and got the cards back on July 20, for a 20-day TAT. 

2023 National Free Signer - Steve Trout

The next free signer at the National was Steve Trout, a guy who I had gotten as a free signer before at a National a few years ago.  I had a bunch of his cards put aside for a potential TTM at some point.  I had held off sending to him because I didn't want to pay a fee to send to someone I've already met.  I'm glad I waited, because I ended up with 6 of Trout's vouchers.

I got the above 1981 Topps signed, which turned out well 

I also got a 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1988 Topps signed.

The above 1989 Topps was one I found while locking for Jim Gantner cards prior to leaving for the show, and it turned out nicely, as well.

Trout is always fun to meet.  He's very friendly and seems to enjoy doing signings. I believe I have most of his Topps run signed, so that's a plus.

TTM Success - Charlie Puleo

1989 Bowman is a very underrated set.  I imagine it doesn't get as much love because of the odd sizing of the cards.  Still, when signed, the cards look great.  I got this one back signed TTM from Charlie Puleo.  The card looks really nice and helps take up a spot in an 8-card page in my binder.

I also got this 1989 Topps signed, which looks great.

Puleo (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1981 to 1984 and 1986 to 1989 for the Mets, Reds and Braves.  He had a record of 29-39 with 387 strike outs and a 4.25 ERA.

I mailed to Puleo on March 6 and got the cards back on March 17, for an 11-day TAT. 

April 29, 2023 Graphing of Long Island Ducks at High Point Rockers

Graphing independent ball is a challenge that is a bit different than affiliated ball.  You have to have a wide range of cards, and a lot of time devoted to finding stuff of the guys on the teams you're going to see.  I had found out that Daniel Murphy had signed with the Long Island Ducks and that they would be visiting High Point on a weekend that the Down East Wood Ducks were out of town.  So, I planned early for a trip to High Point, and took a bunch of cards with me from some older boxes.

I got Murphy on two cards, which was nice.  I got him inside pre-game, and outside after the game.  I wish I had put the Gypsy Queen parallel that I had in my book by itself so I could have gotten that signed, but I was still happy that he hit this 2016 Topps Chrome.

He signed this 2019 Topps outside.  I had hoped he would do more than one outside, but I am still happy with what I was able to add to my album.

Wally Backman was the first signer for me yesterday.  He signed two inside pre-game and one outside as he was walking to the bus.  He was nice enough, even though he didn't say a whole lot.  I was glad to add a couple of these 80s Topps and a 1992 Upper Deck to the album.

I had to raid my factory sealed 2006 Topps set to get the two Lew Ford 2006 Topps cards.  I also had to raid my hand-collated 2005 set for that card, as well.  I went ahead and ordered replacements in case I was able to get him on all three, and I did well.

Adieny Hechavarria was really cool.  I got him on everything in my book pre-game, right before the National Anthem.  I refilled what I had left, traded a 2015 Bowman for the 2010 Pro Debut and got him again outside after the game.  He was super nice, and commented on how he liked the 2018 Topps Big League card.

I was surprised that I had some Sam Travis cards.  He was nice, as well.  I felt bad but I presented a ton of cards to Edward Salcedo, since I didn't want to put any 2010 or 2012 Pro Debuts back in the box.  He didn't seem to mind signing a bunch of the same cards, so I have some stuff I can send out in some blind trades.

Al Albuquerque was nice.  He made like he was going to sign for us, walked away with a hat, then made like he was coming back; then he finally did come back and signed everything I had.  I don't think he was messing around, he looked like he was trying to find someone.

Ian Clarkin was the starter, so I was unable to get him before the game.  So, it was guaranteed that I was going to try to get some autos outside after the game.  He was really cool outside.  He talked to me, along with a couple other graphers about his night.  He also commented on how fun these mini Bowman Chromes are.

I also got three other different Bowman Clarkins signed; his 2014 Chrome, 2014 paper and 2015 Chrome.  He signed some extras, no problem, so I have even more trade bait.

I was worried that I missed Kyle Lobstein, so when a pair of players walked outside, I asked them if Lobstein was still inside.  One of them said "I'm right here" and he signed my cards.  We laughed a bit, but he was really nice.

Matt Vogel got shelled in the game, but was still nice enough to stop and sign my two cards at the dugout post-game.  I appreciated him stopping, even though he didn't have to.

Finally, I got Frank Viola to hit a page in my book of a bunch of different cards.  I was surprised that out of all of the cards he signed for me, only one of them was one I had gotten before.

I had a snap case sitting on a desk here at the house from a past trip to High Point.  I was glad I had found it and got some Violas out of it and into the autograph album.

In all, I got the following autographs: Al Alburquerque x 5, Wally Backman x 3, Ian Clarkin x 7, Lew Ford x 3, Adeiny Hechavarria x 9, Kyle Lobstein x 5, Daniel Murphy x 2, Edward Salcedo x 10, Sam Travis x 4, Frank Viola x 8 and Matt Vogel x 2 (58 total autographs).

TTM Success - Steve Shields

A couple late 80s cards were added to the autograph album when I got this TTM success back from Steve Shields.  One would think that I would have a ton of 1988 and 1989 Topps in the album, but I don't have nearly as many as I do of some of the early 80s issues.  I think a big part of it is that going through those boxes can be kind of tedious, so I avoid them a lot of times.  I have been trying to add some more 88s and 89s to the album, though, so more may be coming in soon.

Shields (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1985 to 1989 for the Braves, Royals, Mariners, Yankees and Twins.  He had a record of 8-8 with 126 strike outs and a 5.26 ERA.

I mailed to Shields on October 27 and got the cards back on December 12, for a 46-day TAT.

TTM Success - Steve Ellsworth

This 1989 Topps came back signed TTM from Steve Ellsworth.  His signature is pretty messy, much like mine, but the card is still signed, and will have a home in my album.

Ellsworth (b. 1960) played in the majors in 1988 for the Red Sox.  He had a record of 1-6 with 16 strikeouts and a 6.75 ERA.

I mailed to Ellsworth on November 29 and got the card back on December 10, for an 11-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Jim Clancy

There were a bunch of Jim Clancy cards that I had found recently while searching boxes, so I thought it would be a good time to send some more cards out to him for signatures.  The above 1989 Bowman turned out nicely.  This set looks good, but the larger size of the card makes it hard to store with other standard sized cards.  So, I have a bunch of 1989 Bowman that are pretty beat up.  This one is fine, though, and will fit into the 8-card album page that I have for vintage TTM successes.

I also got these four Clancy cards signed: 1989 Topps, 985 Fleer, 1988 Donruss Baseballs Best and 1987 Donruss Highlights.  I like adding some of these oddball sets to the autograph album.

I mailed to Clancy on November 3 and got the cards back on November 21, for an 18-day TAT.

TTM Success - Brad Moore

Here is a random 1989 Topps that I got out of my box and into my autograph album when I got it back signed TTM from Brad Moore.

Moore (b. 1964) played in the majors in 1988 and 1990 for the Phillies.  He had no record, 3 strike outs and a 1.08 ERA.  I mailed to Moore on November 1 and got the card back on November 19, for an 18-day TAT.

TTM Success - Steve Rosenberg

A few Junk Wax Era cards were added to my autograph album when I got this TTM success in from Steve Rosenberg.  I cleared out a little bit of room in my boxes from this era by pulling several guys who I had seen sign TTM and sent a few on their way.  The above 1990 Donruss turned out well.  I don't care what anyone else says, I like this set.  It was one of the first sets I had collated (because I had so many of them).

I wasn't about to deny some Topps entries into the album, so I added the above 1989 Topps and 1990 Topps,  Both look great.

Rosenberg (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1988 to 1991 for the White Sox ad Padres.  He had a record of 6-15 with 115 strike outs and a 4.94 ERA.

I mailed to Rosenberg on November 7 and got the cards back on November 17, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mark Williamson

Another 1991 Crown Orioles card was part of another TTM success that I got in.  I sent off four cards to former Oriole, Mark Williamson.  He has a cool signature.

In addition to the 1991 Crown, Williamson signed a 1989 Topps, 1991 Topps and a 1994 Fleer.  I don't have very many 1994 Fleer cards at all; I was surprised that I had this one. 

Williamson (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1987 to 1994 for the Orioles. He had a career record of 46-35 with 397 strike outs and a 3.86 ERA.

I mailed to Williamson on October 27 and got the cards back on November 15, for a 19-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jim Lindeman

Some more Junk Wax Era cards were added to my autograph album recently when I got this TTM success back from Jim Lindeman.  He signed the above 1992 Topps and the below 1989 Topps and 1992 Topps Stadium Club.

All of the cards look pretty good, I think.  Lindeman has a nice signature, and I am glad he signed the cards in blue.

Lindeman (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1986 to 1994 for the Cardinals, Tigers, Phillies, Astros and Mets.  He had 165 hits, 21 home runs and a .244 batting average.

I mailed to Lindeman on October 27 and got the cards back on November 14, for an 18-day TAT.

Matt F With 50-50 Returns

There should be a bunch of 50/50 returns coming in soon now that .inor league seasons are wrapping up. I'm glad that I'm getting a handle on my posts, because that means a ton of cards are headed back (hopefully).

A friend of mine from Instagram (Matt F) took some 50/50s last season and this year, we expanded further and sent out a ton of stuff to each other. Matt may have gotten me the most out of everything I sent to everyone, as far as 50/50s go. I had pulled these Joe Boyle cards when I busted 2020 Bowman Draft and had hoped I could send them TTM. It's never able to fi d a good address for him, but got lucky when I saw that Matt could take him.  The cards look awesome and now I don't have to worry about getting them signed.

Parker Meadows was another guy I had held cards for TTM, but sent them to Matt, instead. I'm glad he got these done for me, as well.

I love getting random cards out of my boxes and sent out for TTMs and 50/50s.  I've become a bit of a hoarder, as far as cards go, and making room for new stuff is always good.  I kept running into the 2015 Heritage Chi Chi Gonzalez in my box, so it was nice to finally get it signed and into my album.  I was also tired of seeing these two James Marinans in the Bowman boxes, and now they're done, as well.

Matt really hooked me up with some guys this season, and it is really appreciated.  I moved a bunch of recent Bowman stuff out of my box.

Matt's home minor league team was Dayton, but I ust found out that he moved. I'm hoping he can take 50/50s next season, since he does so well with getting my stuff signed. It is going to be tough not being able to knock out Dayton guys as easily as I had with Matt. I guess I'll have to find someone else who sees them.

Matt hit me up on a bunch of the coaches for Dayton and some other guys from that league.  He also sent me a few extra autos he had, as I had done with him. 

He was able to get Bryan LaHair for me on a few cards, which was great.  I was also glad to move a few Jimmy Jones out of my Topps boxes.

Finally, Matt got a couple Juan Samuel cards signed for me.  He had gotten a little difficult the last couple of years, as far as signing his mail.  I think I opted for a private signing to ensure that I got my 1987 Topps Phillies leaders card signed; I should have waited. Thing is, had I have waited, he may not have signed for Matt.

Thanks so much for getting all of these cards signed for me, Matt.