Another TTM Success From Spencer Strider

Spencer Strider is having a good season.  I had forgotten that I jad gotten him TTM before but I sent off this 2022 Topps and got it back signed. 

Strider (b. 1998) is 19-5 on the season.  With 6 or 7 games left, he may get one more start to push for 20 wins.  He is the only pitcher with a chance at 20 this year.  He also has 274 strike outs and a 3.81 ERA.  He was an All Star this season.

Strider has a great shot at the National League Cy Young Award this year.  It is a crowded field in the NL, but he has a good shot.

I mailed to Strider via the Braves on May 20 and got the card back on June 2, for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Owen Murphy

Another 2022 Bowman Draft TTM success came in; this time from Braves prospect, Owen Murphy.  The cards turned out nicely, even though the Sharpie didn't quite write clearly.

Murphy (b. 2003) was a first round (20th over all) draft pick by the Braves in the 2022 July Amateur Draft out of Riverside-Brookfield High School in Illinois.  He is assigned to Augusta right now (Braves Low A), and I will see them next weekend.  I have my cards taken care of, already, so that will help me out when looking for other players.

So far, he has a record of 1-3 with 46 strike outs and a 3.41 ERA.  I mailed to Murphy on January 13 and got the cards back on February 11, for a 29-day TAT.

TTM Success - JR Ritchie

This 2022 Bowman Draft came back TTM signed by Braves prospect, JR Ritchie.  He doesn't have much of a signature, but the card is signed and has a home in my autograph album.

Ritchie (b. 2003) was a first round (35th overall) pick by the Braves in the 2022 July Amateur Draft out of Bainbridge High School in Bainbridge, Washington.  He played at Rookie Level and Low A last season, and will probably start this season in Low A.  I doubt he will still be with Augusta when they come to the Wood Ducks at the end of the season.  He has a record of 0-0 with 14 strike outs and a 1.88 ERA.

I mailed to Ritchie on January 3 and got the card back on January 17, for a 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ignacio Alvarez

Another TTM success from 2022 Bowman Draft came in, this time from Braves prospect, Ignacio Alvarez.  The cards turned out nicely with the success.

I think I was at about a 50% success rate from the 2022 Bowman Draft TTMs I have sent out so far.  I started sending them out in January right after my Bowman Draft box came in, with a big batch going out January 3 and 4.  They tapered off with a couple single submissions until February when I started gearing up toward Spring Training.  My success rate on Spring Training so far this season has been dismal.  So far, only two of my 70+ submissions have come back.  If it stays like this, I may elect to cut back on what I send next year.

Anyway, I digress.  Alvarez (b. 2003) was a 5th round pick by the Braves in the 2022 July Amateur Draft out of Riverside City College in California.  He played at two levels of the Braves system last season, Rookie League FCL Braves and Low A Augusta.  I will see Augusta at the end of this season, but I doubt Alvarez will still be there.  So far, he has 27 hits, 1 home run and a .287 batting average across his 30 minor league games.

I mailed to Alvarez on January 3 and got the cards back on January 12, for a 9-day TAT.

2022 National Paid Signer - Dale Murphy

Another of the paid signers at this year's National was Braves legend, Dale Murphy.  I had gotten Murphy on the 87 Topps from a private signing.  I wanted to meet him again, since I met him at a past National (on the edge of the signing pavilion as he was chatting with someone).  I had this 2019 Topps short print that I wanted signed, so it was an easy choice.

Murphy was super nice, which is what I always hear.  I mentioned to him that he was my aunt's favorite player, so he told me to tell her hello for him.  I texted her and she said it made her day.  He also posed for a great selfie with me:

TTM Success - Tucker Davidson

A lot of people aren't fans of the unlicensed products released b Panini, but I don't mind them.  2021 Mosaic is a nice product, and some of the parallels looks really cool.  This one is a blue digital camo parallel, and I was able to get it signed TTM by Tucker Davidson.  I think the card turned out great, and will look cool in my album.

Davidson (b. 1996) has played in the majors since 2020 for the Braves.  He has a record of 0-1 with 22 strike outs and a 5.55 ERA.  He won the World Series last season with the Braves.

I mailed to Davidson on January 25 and got the card back on March 8, for a 42-day TAT.

TTM Success - Rafael Ramirez

A private signing that I really needed popped up that helped me finish this 1987 Topps Braves Leaders card, and also knock out Rafael Ramirez's base card.  I had already gotten Glenn Hubbard on the leaders card, so it was nice to finally be able to put this away as finished in my 87 album.

Ramirez (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1980 to 1992 for the Braves and Astros.  He had 1,432 hits, 53 home runs and a .261 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1984, and finished 16th in the NL MVP race in 1983.

I mailed to the signing on December 27 and got the cards back on January 28, for a 32-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $40.00.

TTM Success - Jesse Franklin V

A 2020 Bowman Draft card came out of my box and got signed TTM by Jesse Franklin V.  I enjoy opening Bowman products, but they are getting harder and harder to come by.  I opened a box of 2021 Bowman after getting shut out by my card supplier.  I wish Topps would boost production or do something to help people like me be able to find cards somewhere.

Anyway, the card came back looking amazing; Franklin has a great signature.

Franklin (b. 1998) was a 3rd round pick by the Braves in the 2020 June Amateur Draft out of some university in Michigan that I've never heard of.  Their mascot is a Wolverine.  He was assigned to High A Rome Braves this season, and so far, he has 7 hits, 0 home runs and a .219 batting average.

I mailed to Franklin on January 15 and got the card back on January 28, for a 13-day TAT.

TTM Success - Randy Johnson

Recently, I received (spoiler alert) three TTM successes from three different guys names Randy Johnson.  Do the math, and yeah, some big stuff is coming.  Anyway, two of them came in at the same time, and when I was prepping to mail, there was just a little confusion that I had put the right cards in the right envelopes.

Anyway, I got a return from the Braves Randy Johnson on a 1983 Topps and a 1985 Topps.  Both cards came out great, and I was glad to finally get them out of my boxes.

Johnson (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1982 to 1984 for the Braves.  He had 129 hits, 6 home runs and a .267 batting average.

I mailed to Johnson on November 30 and got the cards back on January 8, for a 39-day TAT.

TTM Success - Rod Gilbreath

Here is a nice 1975 Topps that I was able to get signed TTM by Rod Gilbreath.

Gilbreath (b. 1952) played in the majors from 1972 to 1978 for the Braves.  He had 356 hits, 14 home runs and a .248 batting average.

I mailed to Gilbreath on December 15 and got the card back on December 24, for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Pat Jarvis

I got another 1973 Topps out of my box when I got this one signed TTM by Pat Jarvis.  Check out the Braves trucker cap on this card.  It's a pretty epic hat.

Jarvis (b. 1941) played in the majors from 1966 to 1973 for the Braves and Expos.  He had a career record of 85-73 with 755 strike outs and a 3.58 ERA.

I mailed to Jarvis on November 19 and got the card back on December 5, for an 18-day TAT.

TTM Success - Greg Olson

I got a few junk wax era cards out of my box with this TTM success from former catcher, Greg Olson.  Not to be confused with former Oriole closer, Gregg Olson.

Olson (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1989 to 1993 for the Twins and Braves.  He had 309 hits, 20 home runs and a .242 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1990.

I mailed to Olson on June 29 and got the cards back on December 1, for a 155-day TAT.

TTM Success - Paul Runge

I got a couple 80s cards back signed from Paul Runge recently.  The above 1989 Topps looks really nice, now that it is signed.  Runge's signature is very clear, which can't be said about a lot of today's players.

The above 1986 Topps also turned out nicely.

Runge (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1981 to 1988 for the Braves.  He had 80 hits, 4 home runs and a .232 batting average.

I mailed to Runge on October 12 and got the cards back on November 9, for a 28-day TAT.

TTM Success - Chipper Jones

I saw on the Private Signings group page on Facebook that there was going to be a private signing with Chipper Jones that would benefit charity, so I jumped in with this 2019 Topps silver pack 84 Chrome.  I got a couple friends to sign up for the signing as well, and we were all satisfied with how it went.  I think I'll do it again if they have a signing this year.  This card turned out great, and I am glad it was the one that I sent along.

I sent to the signing on September 28 and got the card back on November 5, for a 38-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $60/card, which was a steal for Jones, in my opinion.

TTM Success - Andres Thomas

Here's another 1987 Topps that I got signed recently by taking advantage of a private signing on SCN.  Andres Thomas signed the card along the edge, but that's ok.  It is still signed, and is in my album.

Thomas (b. 1963) played in the majors from 1985 to 1990 for the Braves.  He had 493 hits, 42 home runs and a .234 batting average.

I mailed to the signing on July 17 and got the card back on October 31, for a 106-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $10.00.

TTM Success - Troy Cameron

I got some more cards out of the old boxes I picked up from my LCS and sent them TTM, this time to former Braves prospect, Troy Cameron.  The above 2000 Bowman Tools of the Trade foil card looks awesome in person.  The scan really lets me down, but the red foil in person is really sharp.

I also got two different 1999 Bowman Chromes signed.  The one on the left is the Home State (Florida) version of the card, which is a really cool feature in this set.  Folks from NC had the Cape Hatteras lighthouse in the background.  I need to find a few of those guys who will sign.

Cameron (b. 1978) was a first round (29th overall) pick by the Braves in the 1997 June Amateur Draft.  He spent 8 seasons in the affiliated minors (with the Atlanta, Colorado, Cleveland, White Sox and Padres organizations).  He also played in a handful of independent league games.  Between 1997 and 2005, in the minors, Cameron had 545 hits, 88 home runs and a .226 batting average.

I mailed to Cameron on September 22 and got the cards back on October 5, for a 13-day TAT.

TTM Success - Javy Lopez

I recently took part in a private signing for former catcher, Javy Lopez.  I had one specific card in mind, but couldn't find it.  I gave up the search when I found the above 2005 Topps Cracker Jack, and the below 1997 Pinnacle Zenith.  I ended up finding the card I had been looking for, after this signing took place.  Lucky for me, there was another one not too long after, so I got what I wanted done (and I will show off the other card in a later post).

Man, I really love 1997 Zenith.  I actually think I have the set in a box I had gotten from the LCS, so I may try to get a few more of these signed.  I have one from the set out for a private signing right now, and I'm hoping it comes back after the holidays.  If it does, it will be a huge get.

Lopez (b. 1970) played in the majors from 1992 to 2006 for the Braves, Orioles and Red Sox.  He had 1,527 hits, 260 home runs and a .287 batting average.  He was an All Star 3 times (1997, 1998 and 2003), and a Silver Slugger Award winner in 2003.  His best MVP finish was 5th, in 2003 (NL) when he mashed 43 home runs for the Braves.  He won the World Series with the Braves in 1995 and was the 1996 NLCS MVP.

Lopez appeared on the 2012 Hall of Fame ballot, but received only 0.2% of the vote.  Lopez was hailed as a huge free agent signing for the Orioles back in 2004.  He his .316 his first season in Baltimore, but only managed 23 homers, when he had hit 43 the prior season for the Braves.  His production fell off quickly, and he was traded to the Red Sox in 2006 for a PTBNL (the player turned out to be Adam Stern, who appeared in 2 games for the Orioles in 2007).  I remember a brief experiment where the Orioles tried Lopez at first base, which failed miserably.  I also think that the experiment was performed without Lopez fully buying into the idea.

I mailed to the signing on September 5 and got the cards back on October 5, for a 30-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $20.00/card.

TTM Success - Brian Asselstine

I added some nice early 80s cards to my album with this TTM success from Brian Asselstine.  The above 1981 Topps turned out really well.  It has a good action shot on it.

I also got this 1982 Topps signed, and it also looks nice.  Asselstine is rocking a nice beard, but not as good as mine!

Asselstine (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1976 to 1981 for the Braves.  He had 146 hits, 12 home runs and a .254 batting average.

I mailed to Asselstine on April 28 and got the cards back on September 24, for a 149-day TAT.

TTM Success - Andruw Jones

When I take part in a private signing, they don't always have to be someone in the 1987 Topps set.  Sometimes, if I see one at a decent price and/or if I have a nice card I want done, I'll send in for the signing.  When I saw one come up for Andruw Jones, I decided that I would spend the money to get this 2003 Topps 205 done.  The card looks amazing.  It may be one of the best TTM signed cards that I have gotten back, and I have gotten some really good ones.  Jones has a great signature, and on this card, it looks amazing.

Jones (b. 1977) played in the majors from 1996 to 2002 for the Braves, Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox and Yankees.  He had 1,933 hits, 434 home runs and a .254 batting average.  He was a 5-time All Star (2000, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006) and a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner (1998-2007).  He led the NL in home runs in 2005 with 51 and his best MVP finish was 2nd, that season, behind Albert Pujols.

Jones has appeared on the last 3 Hall of Fame ballots (2018-2020) with this year's vote total (19.4%) being the highest he has received.  I'm sure his vote totals will increase in the coming years, but in the end, I doubt he is a Hall of Famer.  His drop off after his age-30 season was remarkable.  It really is a shame, too.  He was on pace for Hall of Fame numbers, for sure.

I mailed to the signing on May 30 and got the card back on July 17, for a 48-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $24.99 for the signing.

TTM Success - Felix Millan

Here are some nice older cards that I was able to get signed by Felix Millan.  I had the above 1968 Topps in my vintage box for a future set that I might build.  I've raided that box so much, and I've kind of put the set building on the back burner.  Still, I enjoy it, and I'll get back to some at some point.  Right now, though, I'm adding autographs to my album.

I also got Millan's 1973, 1976 and 1978 Topps cards signed.  He has a really nice signature, and all of the cards look great.

Millan (b. 1943) played in the majors from 1966 to 1977 for the Braves and Mets.  He had 1,617 hits, 22 home runs and a .279 batting average.  He was an All Star 3 times (1969, 1970 and 1971) and a Gold Glove Award winner twice (1969 and 1972).  His best (and only) finish in the MVP voting was 16th in 1973 (NL).

I mailed to Millan on May 5 and got the cards back on May 23, for an 18-day TAT.