Twins @ Red Sox, 5/7

I didn't have any luck with the Twins last night, but I was able to get a few autographs over by the NESN television booth on Yawkey Way.

• Ben Cherington- 2012 Red Sox pocket schedule
• Tim Wakefield- 09 Topps U&H

My Very First TTM Request Has Finally Come Home

I sent my very first TTM request during spring training 2009 to Mike Lowell.  Since I sent this card out, I've moved from Maryland to Massachussetts, gotten myself a "real" job, visited Ireland and Costa Rica, and gotten married.  I've also gotten over one thousand cards signed, including 294 for my 2009 Topps set.  How time flies.

I knew when my father-in-law called me to tell me I received an envelope from the Red Sox that it must have been a TTM send-out from at least three years ago.

Unfortunately, the long wait for this return brought a less than exciting result.  Mike sent a preprinted form letter apologizing for the delayed response, as well as a pre-printed photo card that simple says "Mike".  He returned the card I sent unsigned.  It was sent in an envelope from the Red Sox, and I received a similar return from Jonathan Papelbon a few years ago that was sent out around the same time as this one.

• Mike Lowell 0/1- Sent 3/12/09 (1,516 days)

Astros @ Red Sox, 4/28

A beautiful Sunday afternoon for autographs and baseball:

• Doug Brocail- 10 Upper Deck Houston stadium card
• Brad Peacock- 12 Topps gold
• Erik Bedard- 09 Topps
• Travis Blackley- custom Astros card
• Chris Carter- 11 Topps Heritage

Frank Turner

I pre-ordered the newest album from UK folk-punk artist Frank Turner, and received a signed booklet from "Tape Deck Heart" as well.  I first saw Frank play in a small pub in Ireland a few years ago, and since then he's gone on to play sold out arena shows across England, and even played a pre-show for the Olympics last summer.  If you haven't heard of him, check out this video for his new single "Recovery".

Spring Training TTM: Koji Uehara

• Koji Uehara 2/2- My favorite addition to the Sox bullpen this season signed cards from the 11 Topps and 10 Upper Deck sets.  I'm hoping to get the combo card signed by Adam Jones later this year.  Sent 3/7 (49 days)

I'm having issues uploading pictures to blogger right now, but I'm hoping a few system updates should get things back to normal sometime soon.

Spring Training TTM: Christian Friedrich

• Christian Friedrich 4/3- In addition to signing three cards for me, Christian also wsrote a nice note on one of my index cards.  He mentioned that he really liked the look of the gold card and thanked me for his support, and he signed the note as well.  I wish that more young players had this time of enthusiasm when it comes to fan interaction.  

Athletics @ Red Sox, 4/22

Inside the stadium:

• John Jaso- 13 Topps Heritage
• Chris Young- 09 Topps