Friday, August 28, 2009

One Return Today


Very quick return back today:

  • Eugenio Velez- 2008 Topps Heritage and 2009 Topps.  It went from one side of the country to the other and back in a total of 9 days.  Great return! Sent 8/19 (9 days)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 30/93 (32.3%)
Topps 2009 Set: 4/660 (0.6%)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Going Out In the Morning


  • Ryan Zimmerman c/o Nationals
  • Nick Johnson c/o Marlins
  • Josh Hamilton c/o Rangers

RTS-Ryne Sandberg



Ryne Sandberg- 0/1 RTS, Refused- Unable to Forward

Monday, August 24, 2009

Red Sox Return

Today I received back a 2005 Topps Cracker Jack card signed by Bill Mueller, who helped the Red Sox turn things around in the '04 ALCS by hitting an RBI single off Mariano Rivera in Game 4 to take the game into extra innings.  Sent 8/14 (10 Days)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 29/90 (32.22%)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

My First Project


I've decided to take a stab at working on a complete set to get signed.  Someone over at Sportsgraphing.com has a blog documenting their TTM successes for the 2008 Topps set.  I'm going to try my luck with the 2009 Topps set since it is relatively inexpensive and the cards have nice big pictures with minimally distracting borders.  

As of right now, I'm working with some singles I've already purchased from packs, but eventually I'll buy the complete 600-something card set at Target for $50.  This should help keep my random pack-buying habits under control, as I'll have to spend a decent amount of cash on stamps instead.

  I already have the following cards signed from this set:

  • Jeff Bailey
  • Michael Bowden
  • John Buck
That means I already have 0.45% of the set completed! Woohoo!


Going out Monday morning:

  • Nate Schierholtz
  • Brad Ziegler
  • Scott Lewis
  • Andy LaRoche
  • Edinson Volquez (09 A&G)

Friday, August 21, 2009

One Semi-Success Today


  • Curtis Granderson- He was considered one of the most prolific TTM signers for a while, but unfortunately he now sends a signed postcard and no longer signs individual cards.  A technical success I suppose, and at least I got my card back.  Longest return of the year so far.  Sent 5/6  (105 days)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 28/85 (32.94%)

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Going Out in the Morning


  • Josh Willingham c/o Nationals
  • Hank Blalock c/o Rangers
  • David Eckstein c/o Padres
  • Carlos Ruiz c/o Phillies
  • Nick Swisher c/o Yankees
  • Eugenio Velez c/o Giants

Overall TTM Success Rate: 27/85 (31.76%)

Monday, August 17, 2009

Portland Sea Dogs at Bowie Baysox 8/16


I started a team ball yesterday just so I could get back into the groove of getting autographs, and I ended up with 8 players:

  • Reid Engel
  • Chad Rhoades
  • Jon Still
  • Lars Anderson
  • Iggy Suarez
  • Jason Place
  • Matt Sheely
  • ???
I only went 15 minutes before game time so I wasn't trying to go all out, but it felt good to get some autographs.  Whether it's minor leaguers or pros, I still get excited every time I get an autograph, regardless of the caliber of player or talent.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Drought

It's been a rough several weeks with very few autographs to speak of.  I took a break from sending out cards for a few weeks in hopes of getting some returns, but I'm ready to keep sending since I'm not getting anything back.  Going out today:

  • Lee Smith
  • Bill Mueller
  • Alfonso Soriano
Hopefully I'll have something to report about in the next few days.

Monday, August 3, 2009

GCL Red Sox Prospect


  • Tyler Yockey- '09 Bowman & '09 Bowman Chrome.  According to the back of his card, he went to the same high school as Gil Meche, who I received in person last week. Sent 7/7 (26 Days)
Overall TTM Success Rate: 27/76 (35.5%)

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Weekend Series- Red Sox at Orioles


I ended up going to each game of the Sox series at Camden (Sweep!), but it was a rough weekend for autographs.  I managed to get Mike Lowell and Nick Green on a ball outside the stadium on Friday, as well as a Boog Powell 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game card that I picked up in Cooperstown.  I didn't get a chance to go for autographs on Saturday unforunately, and on Sunday I was completely shut out.  Nick Green did sign inside, but I didn't have anything for him.  My luck with IP autographs the last few weeks have been about as good as TTM lately.

Total IP Autographs: 27
Total TTM Successes: 26


Overall TTM Success Rate: 26/76 (34.2%)

1 Return Saturday


  • Joe Nathan- Another great addition to my small collection of A&G cards. Sent 7/13 (19 Days)  '08 Allen & Ginter