A Huge Autograph Haul From The National

Catching up on scans has been tough, and this post had a ton of scans that I needed to get through.

While at this year's National, Michael and I spent a ton of time (and a good bit of money) at the IP autos boxes.  There's a dealer at the show with stacks and stacks of 5,000-count boxes of in person (and I assume TTM) autos.  There are a lot of obscure autos in there, and Michael and I had a blast going through it.

Above are cards of Eugenio Velez, Heath Bell, Ryan Church, Kevin Young, Jeff Reboulet, Lou Frazier, Marc Barcelo and Ty Blach.  I like all of the cards showing the infield dirt for some reason. 

Michael and I also completed a card-for-card trade for autographed cards while we were recovering from a long day at the show. Unfortunately, those autos got mixed up with the ones I had purchased.   Here are autographs of David Segui, Bill Mueller and Akinori Iwamura.  The 2006 Topps card is signed by some unknown Oriole.

I'm pretty sure that this Miguel Rojas came from Michael. Regardless, this 2017 Topps looks pretty cool. I like the Marlins logo here.

Going through the boxes, I pulled every Nolan Reimold and Brandon Waring that I could find. It is always cool finding a Wofford card in the wild at a show.

This Doug Drabek was an upgrade to the personalized one that was in my 1987 Topps set. I will put the personalized one in the autograph album and this one with the set.

I also love finding signed Wood Duck, Kinston Indian and Carolina Mudcat cards in the wild.  I needed the above 2019 Topps Heritage Minors Diosbel Arias, so finding that one was great.  I also found a couple Steve Mintz autos, which was great.  There are also autos of Rick Prieto, Brian Anthony and Macier Izturis.

I found a lot of former Oriole farmlands in thr boxes.  Here are Rick Bauer, Brian Burres, a couple Feeddie Bynum, Howie Clark, Tommy Davis, Cesar Devarez, Eric DuBose and Brian Finch.  I remember all of these dudes.  Several are ones I wish I could have gotten in the past.

This next batch is Jeff Fiorentino x 2, Pedro Florimon, Mike Fontenot, Riley Hornback, Caleb Joseph, Dave Johnson, Jim Johnson and Eugene Kingsale.  A couple of them (Fontenot, Mike Johnson and Joseph) are guys i had gotten before either in person or TTM.

Here are: another Kingsale, a couple Adam Loewen, Val Majewski, Kevin Millwood, Ntema Ndungidi, Ryan Ouellette, Hayden Penn and Keith Reed.  I remember the organization being really high on Penn, but he didn't work out.  Much like a lot of these guys, sadly.  Adding the 2010 Topps Heritage of NCs own Kevin Millwood was also a bonus.

These are: Keith Reed, Matt Riley x 3, Ed Rogers, Luke Scott, Nate Spears, John Stephens and Mamon Tucker.  Stephens was the Orioles minor league pitcher of the year twice, but still didn't do much at the Major League level.  He got into 12 games in 2002, to a 6+ ERA.  He is from Australia, so I don't think I'd ever get a chance to get him TTM.

The last of the Orioles cards are a couple more Mamon Tucker, a 2017 Heritage Gabriel Ynoa and a 1994 Donruss Greg Zaun.  That Ynoa is a cool addition of a guy I forgot was an Oriole.

Now, I get into cards that junped out at me in the autograph boxes and/or the deal with Michael.  Here are: Ladies Alvarez, who I wish I had gotten when I was in Oklahoma City a couple years ago; Phillippe Aumont, Paul Bako, Grant Balfour, Skeeter Barnes, Jason Bay, Rob Bellior and Joe Biagini.

Next are: Cousin Hank Blalock (right, P. A.?), Brainer Bonaci, Julio Borbon, Dusty Brown, Brian Burgamy on a sweet Topps 206, Freddie Bynum, Eric Chavez (not the A's guy) and Ozzie Chavez.

More: Scott Coolbaugh, Callix Crabbe, Will Craig, Rajai Davis, Rick Dempsey (with a 1988 WS Champs inscription; this was from Michael), Chris Denorfia and Justin Duchscherererer.

Here are: Darnell Evans, Josh Fogg, Ray Fosse, Kyle Funkhouser, Esteban German, Fredi Gonzalez, Goose Gossage, KeBryan Hayes and Luis Hernandez.

These are: Ramon Hernandez, Teoscar Hernandez, Richard Hidalgo, Justin Huber, Tyrell Jenkins, two Blaze Jordan, Steve Johnson and Mitch Keller.

Above are: Jon Knott, Ramon Laureano, Wl Ledezma, Matt Lindstrom, Zach Lee, Jordan Lyles, Dillon Maples, Robert Machado and Pratt Maynard.

I got excited when I saw the 2002 Topps Mauer.  Except it was Jake Mauer, not Joe.  That would have been too good to be true, obviously.  The rest are: Kevin Mench, Danny Mendick, Colby Miller, Luke Montz, two Manny Mota, Tomas Nido and Randy Nieman on a 1986 Topps Tiffany.

Next are: John Olerud, Gene Pentz, Felix Pie, Brooks Pounders, Wilfredo Rodriguez, Jojo Romero, Josh Sharpless, Kyle Sleeth and Mallex Smith.

I'm pretty sure I got the above Blake Snell from Michael.  Probably the Dillon Tate, too.  There are also Erick Threets, Jason Tyner, Jordan Weems, Jimy Williams, Matt Williams, Peanut Williams and Vance Worley.  I know i sent TTM to Worley, but the card(s) haven't come back yet.

Whew, finally, here is a 2017 Topps Heritage Minors TJ Zeuch.  I got Zeuch last year, but didnt get the Heritage done, so I was glad to add this one to the album. 

That was a ton of cards.  I'm glad I finally got off of my butt and got them all scanned and filed into the autograph album. 

Thanks for looking through the boxes with me, Michael, and also thanks for the trade.

Facebook Pickup - Signed 1965 Topps Luis Aparicio

Recently, I saw a post on one of the Facebook autograph groups I'm a part of that someone was selling extra Luis Aparicio autos from a past signing.  I had only gotten him on something more recent, so i decided to buy the 1965 Topps he had available. 

Since the card shows Aparicio as an Oriole, I was glad to pick this one up and add it to the album. The guy has some more cards available, so I may pick another up soon.

Aparico, at the age of 90, is now the oldest living Hall of Famer.

TTM Success - Brian Roberts

A private signing with Brian Roberts popped up recently which allowed me to dip into the PC of him for some cool cards to add to the autograph album.  The above 2005 Bowman Heritage mahogany parallel turned out nicely.  I've been wanting to add one of these to the album, so this was a great opportubity.

I also got a 2009 UD SP Legendary Cuts (left) and a 2005 UD Ultimate Collection signed.  Both of these are really great, and we're good choices to add to the album. 

Roberts (b. 1977) was my PC player after Cal Ripken retired.  I had taken a buddy to an Orioles game in 2005, and Roberts hit a walkoff homer in the 11th inning off of the Yankees.  I had called it, also.  So, it was o ly natural to build a PC of him after that moment.

Roberts played in the majors from 2001 to 2014 for the Orioles and Yankees.  He had 1,527 hits, 97 home runs and a .276 batting average.  He led the league in doubles twice (2004 and 2009) and led the league in stolen bases in 2007.  He was an All Star in 2005 and 2007.  He finished 18th in the AL MVP race in 2005.  He appeared on the 2020 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to the signing on May 25 and got the cards back on August 23, for a 90-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $30/card.

TTM Success - Fritz Connally

Another 1991 Crown Orioles card came in via TTM recently when I got this one back signed by Fritz Connally.

Connally (b. 1958) played in the majors in 1984 and 1985 for the Cubs and Orioles.  He had 27 hits, 3 home runs and a .221 batting average.

I mailed to Connally on August 7 and got the card back on August 19, for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - John Morris

Finally, a bunch of TTM successes came in over the last couple of months.  I have a decent stack of stuff to post, which will carry me well into the off-season.  Then, I will be sending out more requests daily.

This TTM success from John Morris helped me add a 1991 Crown Orioles card to the album, along with a 1975 Topps and a 1975 Topps Mini. 

Morris (b. 1941) played in the majors in 1966 and from 1968 to 1974 for the Phillies, Orioles, Pirates, Brewers and Giants.  He had a record of 11-7 with 137 strike outs and a 3.95 ERA.

I mailed to Morris on July 15 and got the cards back on August 5, for a 21-day TAT. 

2024 National Paid Signer - Sammy Sosa

The next paid signer I got at the National was Sammy Sosa.  It was his first National, and I got this nice 2005 Bowman Heritage signed.  I liked the brick background, and that it showed Sosa in an Orioles jersey.

Sammy was really nice and allowed me to pose for a photo with him.

Sosa (b. 1968) played in the majors from 1989 to 2007 for the Rangers, White Sox, Cubs and Orioles.  He had 2,408 hits, 609 home runs and a .273 batting average.  He was a 7-time All Star (1995, 1998 to 2002 and 2004) and the 1998 NL MVP.  He hit 40 or more home runs 7 times; 50 or more 4 times and 60 or more home runs 3 times.  His 609 home runs are 9th all-time.

Because Sosa has been linked to steroids through his questionable congressional testimony (he suddenly forgot how to speak without an interpreter), among other accusations, he was unable to secure election to the Hall of Fame during his 10 years on the ballot. The highest voting percentage he received was 18.5% in 2022.  He will now be at the mercy of the Veterans Committee.

TTM Success - Jim Fuller

When my friend, Ryan, told me that Jim Fuller was signing TTM, I struggled to figure out where I had sat my cards.  I had Fuller pulled to send to last year, but he wasn't signing.  I put the cards somewhere and forgot where.  Somehow, they got separated, and I still haven't found the other two cards.  Thankfully, I found my 1991 Crown Orioles card, and sent it out.  It came back signed in black pen and looks nice. 

Fuller (b. 1950) played in the majors in 1973, 1974 and 1977 for the Orioles and Astros.  He had 61 hits, 11 home runs and a .194 batting average. 

I mailed to Fuller on May 24 and got the card back on June 10, for a 17-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Paul Hartzell

Back in 2020, I sent to Paul Hartzell TTM and had quite an adventure with my cards. Apparently, my stuff was ruined when the envelope got wet. Hartzell reached out to me on LinkedIn and sent me back some signed cards, along with my sole surviving card, the 1991 Crown Orioles card.  It was left unsigned and sat in my to-be-TTMed box for over 3 years.  I finally dropped it back in the mail and got the card signed.  It got some frequent flyer miles, but can now reside in the autograph album.

I mailed to Hartzell on May 1 and got the card back on May 15, for a 14-day TAT. 

TTM Success - David Lough

My friend, Ryan, told me that former Oriole, David Lough, was signing TTM, so I sent this 2015 Topps out, and it came back signed the other day.  There isn't much to his signature, but the card is signed and in the album. 

Lough (b. 1986) played in the majors from 2012 to 2016 for the Royals, Orioles and Phillies.  He had 190 hits, 13 home runs and a .254 batting average. 

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

Another TTM Success From Carl Warwick

Back in 2016, I had sent to Carl Warwick abd got him to sign two cards.  He had signed and personalized a 1964 and 1966 Topps.  This was well before I picked up the complete 1991 Crown Orioles set.  Since then, I've been trying to get some of them signed, so I went ahead and sent to Warwick earlier this month.

He signed the 1991 Crown, and three other cards that I sent.  I had found extra 1964 and 1966 Topps, and Warwick signed them without personalizations now.  I also sent off a 1962 Topps, and Warwick inscribed that one with the 1964 WS Champions inscription.

I mailed to Warwick on May 1 and got the cards back today (May 11) for a 10-day TAT. I paid his fee of $5/card.

TTM Success - BJ Ryan

A private signed with a former Oriole came up recently.  I had been wanting to get BJ Ryan into my album for a while, and I finally did so with some pretty nice cards.  I had to pick up the above 2000 Fleer Ex off of Ebay, and it turned out nicely.

I also got a 2005 Topps and a 2005 Upper Deck.  Both of these came out of the Orioles boxes.

Ryan (b. 1975) played in the majors from 1999 to 2009 for the Reds, Orioles and Blue Jays.  He had a record of 21-28 with 625 strike outs and a 3.37 ERA.  He was an All Star in 2005 and 2006.

I mailed to the signing on March 4 and got the cards back today (May 9), for a 66-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dylan Bundy

This return from a private signing with Dylan Bundy helped me get two cards that I tried getting signed in Durham finally added to the autograph album.  Last season, I walked around with this 2012 Bowman Sterling for two days trying to get Bundy to sign, but got ignored both days.  The card looks great.  

This 2013 Topps short print was another one that i had hoped to get signed. I had a couple copies of this one, so it was nice to get one of them signed.  It would have been better had he stopped for us in Durham, but it's all good.  I had gotten Bundy in person myself several times.  

Bundy (b. 1992) played in the majors in 2012 and from 2016 to 2022 for the Orioles, Angels and Twins.  He had a record of 54-65 with 852 strike outs and a 4.74 ERA.  He finished 9th in the 2020 AL Cy Young Award voting.

I mailed to the signing on January 31 and got the cards back on May 1, for a 91-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $15/card.

TTM Success - Calvin Maduro

A TTM success came in yesterday after what had been a very slow week.  I got this 1995 Bowman signed by former Oriole, Calvin Maduro during a private signing on SCN, and it turned out nicely.  I don't have many 1995 Bowman as all, so adding this one to the album was a must.  It also sat on my desk for a long time, so it was good to finally get it moved.

Maduro (b. 1974) played in the majors in 1996, 1997 and from 2001 to 2003 for the Phillies and Orioles.  He had a record of 10-19 with 140 strike outs and a 5.78 ERA.  He was an Orioles prospect on the 95 Bowmaj, but had to wait until 2001 to play for them.  He had been traded to the Philles in 1996 to complete the trade for Pete Incaviglia and Todd Ziele.

I mailed to the signing on April 8 and got the card back on April 26, for an 18-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $10.00.

Another TTM Success From Mark Corey

A completed multi-player card is really nice, and my latest one was this 1981 Topps Orioles Future Stars.  I completed it by sending to Mark Corey again.  It took a little bit to get here, so I started to get a little worried that something happened to it, but it came in and looks great.

I also sent out Corey's 1991 Crown Orioles card to get that added to the album.  I do like to see these come in.  I also am glad that I have been able to get a lot of them signed and into the album.  The whole set was a $5 purchase at a card show from the late Chandy Greenholt, so getting them in also gives me a little reminder of him.

I mailed to Corey on February 28 and got the cards back on April 19, for a 51-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Dan Graham

Another 1991 Crown Orioles card has been signed and added to the autograph album.  I sent to Dan Graham again to get this card done. 

I also had the above 1981 O Pee Chee that was a unique addition to the album. Then, I found the above 1982 Donruss, which was good to get out of that box, since that's usually the last box that I go through.

I mailed to Graham on January 22 and got the cards back on April 1, for a 70-day TAT.

TTM Success - Bret Barberie

Finally, my signed cards from a SCN private signing with Bret Barberie came in today.  He had apparently used black Sharpie when he was supposed to use blue, so the return of the cards got delayed.  The promoter replaced my cards that had gotten signed in black, which he didn't have to do.  The above 1995 Topps was one of the replacement cards, and I am happy to get it.  One of the reasons why I wanted to do the signing was because Barberie was in some great early Marlins uniforms. I also like the background of this card; the storm clouds brewing really create a great look on the card.

I had sent 4 cards; a 1993 Topps Team Stadium Club, 1995 Collectors Choice SE, 1993 Upper Deck Marlins checklist and a 1995 Topps Traded (which showed Barberie in an Orioles uniform).

I fully intend to fill out the 93 Upper Deck.  The delay in the cards caused me to miss a signing with Orestes Destrade.  Hopefully another with him pops up soon.  The promoter sent me back an extra 1995 Collectors Choice SE signed in blue since mine was in black.

Here's the 1995 Topps Traded, which I was lucky to have in the first place.  I got a card of Barberie in an Orioles uniform signed, and that's fine with me.

Barberie (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1991 to 1996 for the Expos, Marlins, Orioles and Cubs.  He had 388 hits, 16 home runs and a .271 batting average.  He finished 5th in the 1991 NL Rookie of the Year voting. 

I mailed to the signing on November 16 and got the cards back today (March 14), for a 119-day TAT.  I got a special on the signing; 4 cards for $50.

TTM Success - BJ Surhoff

For some reason, I thought BJ Surhoff didn't sign TTM. It hadn't really occurred to me to check, but I saw he had signed for someone recently, so I pulled a few cards quickly and sent them out. I was happy when they came back fast, and looked great.  The above 1999 Circa was an interesting random card that I found in my box. 

I also sent out a 2003 Topps Chrome and a 2006 Topps.  They all turned out great.  I had several more cards I'd have wanted to get signed, but stopped at 3.

Surhoff (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1987 to 2005 for the Brewers, Orioles and Braves.  He had 2,326 hits, 188 home runs and a .282 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1999, when he also had his only MVP votes; he finished 18th in the AL MVP race that season.

He appeared on the 2011 Hall of Fame ballot, but received only 0.3% of the vote.  I mailed to Surhoff on February 27 and got the cards back on March 11, for a 13-day TAT. 

TTM Success - John Lowenstein

A rare signing popped up that I had to jump into with former Oriole, John Lowenstein.  The signing was delayed due to Lowenstein having a stroke, but he is reportedly recovered.  I picked a random Topps issue of his, the above 1985 Topps to send to the signing along with my 1991 Crown Orioles card for the "set."

Lowenstein (b. 1947) played in the majors from 1970 to 1985 for the Indians, Rangers and Orioles.  He had 881 hits, 116 home runs and a .253 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Orioles in 1983.

I mailed to the signing on October 10 and got the cards back today (March 11), for a 153-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $30.00.