Monday, December 20, 2010

Spring Training Return: Trevor Crowe


  • Trevor Crowe 1/2- The Indians prospect signed his 09 Topps rookie card and kept another card that I believe was a T206. The end of the signature is smeared, but it's nice to get any returns during the winter time. This is one of my longest returns of all time. I've seen a few other players catching up on their mail for the year, so hopefully a few more will trickle in before the year is over. Sent 3/8 (282 days)

Friday, December 17, 2010

Hockey TTM: Matt Carle


When I moved to Boston last fall, I started to get into hockey as something to distract me from the off-season for baseball. It's definitely grown on me very quickly, and I recently started picking up a pack of hockey cards here and there since they can be had for really cheap. I finally sent a few out in the mail to see what I could get, and this was my first return.

  • Matt Carle 1/1- The Flyers defenseman signed a 2010/11 Upper Deck retro insert that looks like it's from the early 90's. Sent 12/3 (14 days)

Monday, December 6, 2010

TTM Return: Nick Hundley


  • Nick Hundley 2/2- It's been quite a long time since I received any cards back, but that's the offseason for you. I was very excited to get two cards back signed from Nick Hundley that were both part of the 09 Topps set. I don't know why he was included in both Series 1 and 2; he never changed teams during that time, and he's not exactly a top star. Either way, I was happy to knock out a few more cards for my set and get my 300th autograph of the year! Sent 7/16 (139 days)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

TTM Return: Bruce Bochy


  • Bruce Bochy 1/1- The World Series Champions' manager signed a Master & Mentor card from the 09 Topps Heritage set. This is easily the longest return time I've had for a card. I sent this one out early last year. Now if only I could find a way to get Lincecum to finish off the card... Sent 4/27/09 (555 days)

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Autographs Abroad! Penn & Teller in Toronto


I just returned from a week-long trip to Canada, with stops at Niagara Falls, Toronto, and Montreal. Unfortunately, the NHL didn't want to modify their schedule to conform with my vacation, so I missed out on any major sporting events. However, I still got to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, as well as as the AHL affiliates of the Senators and Canadiens play at the Bell Centre in Montreal. While I didn't get any sports autographs on the trip, I did manage to meet a well-known comedy duo while they were on tour in Toronto.

My girlfriend and I were looking for a late night place to eat and found a diner called Fran's across the street from a local performing arts theater. As we sat down for dinner I looked at the billboard at the theater and noticed that Penn & Teller were performing that night, but the show had started about an hour earlier. After our meal was just about finished, I noticed the theater crowd pouring out next door and didn't think anything of it until I saw a freakishly tall man with a beard and pony tail surrounded by a sea of people.

We quickly paid for our meal and found our way into the sea of people that had traffic blocked on a busy downtown Toronto street. I felt incredibly unprepared without a pen or sharpie to speak of, but fortunately both comedians had sharpies and were more than willing to take pictures and sign autographs with everyone that waited. After about 20 minutes, I made my way to the front of the mob and met Penn. The crowd for Teller was much more subdued, but he was just as friendly (and expectedly less talkative) and took a picture with me as well.



Since I didn't attend the show, I didn't have a playbill. Fortunately, I bought a few postcards of Toronto earlier in the day, so I had them sign one as a unique souvenir from my first international autographing experience.

Penn & Teller- souvenir Toronto postcard



TTM Return: Jon Garland


  • Jon Garland 1/1- I came home from vacation to find just one envelope waiting for me in the mail. The Padres pitcher signed his 09 Topps card in black sharpie. Sent 7/15 (110 days)

Monday, October 25, 2010

My 100th TTM Return of the Year!


  • Brett Jackson 1/1- The Cubs' 2009 First Round Draft Pick signed his 2010 Topps Pro Debut card from the Arizona Fall League in Phoenix. This is my 100th TTM return and my 250th signed card of the year! Sent 10/7 (18 days)

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Chef Ming Tsai


Yesterday I took a 3 hour excursion with my girlfriend to IKEA, and upon arrival I saw the opportunity to add a new autograph to my collection. Chef Ming Tsai, a former TV chef and current contestant on Food Network's Next Iron Chef, was signing free copies of his latest cookbook, "Simply Ming".

Friday, October 22, 2010

TTM Return: Ryan Zimmerman


  • Ryan Zimmerman 1/1- It's always great to get a return from a top player like Zim, especially one for my set. Ryan signed his 09 Topps card from his home in Virginia. Sent 9/10 (42 days)

Pack Break: 2010 Topps Update Series Jumbo



Bought my first jumbo pack of 2010 Topps Update Series today for $10. It seems like Topps has been changing the official title of this product for the past 3 or 4 years and can't seem to find one they like. The All-Star cards are especially plain and boring; the front of the card has either the AL or NL logo in place of the team logo and makes no mention of the All-Star Game on the front of the card. Each pack contains 50 cards. Here are the highlights:

Rookie cards:
  • Logan Morrison
  • Mitch Moreland
  • Jeanmar Gomez
  • Felix Doubront
I also pulled two different Stephen Strasburg cards and a Starlin Castro card, none of which were official rookie cards, but I'm happy to have my first cards of those players.


Insert cards:
  • Ted Lilly gold #1174/2010
  • Robin Roberts "Cards Your Mom Threw Out"- 1966 Topps
  • Topps Million Card Giveaway- Redeemed for 1984 Jerry Koosman
  • Walter Johnson "More Tales of the Game"
  • Duke Snider Turkey
  • Tom Seaver Vintage Legends- 2008 Topps
  • Brennan Boesch Peak Performance
  • Omar Infante All-Star Game Jersey #10/50

Monday, October 18, 2010

Spring Training Return: Andrew Bailey


  • Andrew Bailey 2/2- I sent out cards to Mr. Bailey twice this year, but I'm pretty sure I sent these particular cards out during spring training. I guess he's catching up on the entire season's worth of mail, signing cards from the 09 Topps Updates & Highlights and 206 sets. Sent 3/4 (224 days)

Pack Pull Auto: Wilson Ramos


I bought four packs of 2010 Topps Chrome at my local card shop the other day, and this was the best pull of the lot:

  • Wilson Ramos Autographed RC Refractor #376/499- I usually don't buy Chrome for the look of the base cards; the refractors are what tempt me. Ramos seems to be a pretty good catcher, but unfortunately he's in the Twins organization where that position should be filled for quite some time if a certain Mr. Mauer has anything to say about it. The card is really pretty and is one of my favorite pack pull autographs now.

Monday, October 11, 2010

TTM Return: Ryan Rowland-Smith


  • Ryan Rowland-Smith 1/1- The Mariners pitcher signed his 09 Topps card in just over two months. Sent 7/30 (69 days)

Trivia: Ryan is one of only four Australian pitchers in the MLB. Can you name the other three?

Thursday, September 30, 2010

TTM Return: Max Scherzer


  • Max Scherzer 1/1- Max personalized his 09 Topps card from Detroit in about 3 months. I'm hoping that I can still hit the 150-card mark for this set by the end of the year. Only 10 more to go! Sent 7/3 (87 days)

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

TTM Return: Ryan Church


  • Ryan Church 3/3- The well-traveled outfielder from the Diamondbacks signed cards from the 09 Topps, Updates & Highlights, and Upper Deck sets. Sent 9/21 (8 days)

Sunday, September 26, 2010

TTM Return: Nick Green

It's been a pretty long drought from TTM returns, but I finished off the week with a nice return on Saturday:

  • Nick Green 2/2- The former Red Sox utilityman signed cards from the 09 Topps Updates & Highlights and Topps Heritage sets. I sent these cards to the Albuquerque Isotopes back in April when Nick was playing for the Dodgers' AAA farm team. The envelope was postmarked from Georgia where he lives during the offseason. He was always a very friendly guy in person when he was with the Sox, it's too bad he didn't catch on at the major league level this year. Sent 4/26 (149 days)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Orioles @ Red Sox, 9/21 & 9/22


My last two games of the season were Tuesday and Wednesday. It's disappointing how the season turned out for the Sox, but it was nice to see them win with a Papi home run last night. I picked up a few autographs inside the stadium.

Tuesday:
  • Robert Andino- 08 Topps
  • Ken Burns- blank card
  • Jake Fox- 09 Topps Updates & Highlights
Wednesday:
  • Brandon Snyder- Orioles team card
  • Josh Bell- Orioles checklist
  • Brian Roberts- 09 Topps

Friday, September 17, 2010

Topps 206 Pack Update

TTM returns have been nonexistent this week, so I figured I'd review a few more packs of 206.

Pack 1:
  • Carl Crawford
  • Magglio Ordonez
  • Carlos Beltran
  • Alice Stebbins Wells mini, World's 1st female cop in 1910
  • Aaron Harang gold- Zombie face! Getting ready for Halloween early this year
  • Josh Johnson
  • Adrian Beltre
  • Pablo Sandoval
  • David Price
Pack 2:
  • Shin-Soo Choo
  • Geovany Soto
  • Josh Johnson mini- Polar Bear back
  • Bengie Molina
  • Roy Oswalt
  • Howie Kendrick
  • Matt Cain
  • Prince Fielder
  • Mike Pelfrey
Do the last 4 cards in that pack look familiar? I pulled the exact same 4 cards in the exact same order of a pack I reviewed last week. Topps doesn't seem to be a big fan of quality collation.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

TTM Return: Adam LaRoche

  • Adam LaRoche 1/1- Mr. LaRoche signed his card from the 09 Topps set. I'm unsure when I sent this card, but I think it was sometime towards the end of spring training.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Hats Off to 206! Pack Breaks/Review


I've purchased several packs of the new Topps 206 recently, and decided to review my packs here. For those of you that haven't seen them, almost every player is pictured with their hat off in the tradition of the original 206 cards.

Pack 1:
  • Tommy Hanson
  • Pedro Feliz
  • John Maine mini- Baseball Caramels back
  • Glen Perkins gold
  • Howie Kendrick
  • Matt Cain
  • Prince Fielder
  • Mike Pelfrey
Pack 2 (Rangers Crazy!):
  • Jose Lopez
  • Josh Hamilton
  • Ian Kinsler
  • Julio Borbon- only player I've seen in the set with a hat on
  • Babe Ruth mini- Baseball Caramels back
  • Tommy Manzella RC gold
  • Cole Hamels
  • Justin Morneau
  • Johnny Evers
Pack 3:
  • Vladimir Guerrero
  • Kyle Blanks
  • Joba Chamerblain gold
  • Chipper Jones
  • Tommy Hanson mini- Gold Chrome #28/50
  • Adam Wainwright
  • Rick Ankiel
  • Scott Sizemore RC
  • Alexei Ramirez
Pack 4:
  • Wade Davis RC
  • Joe Mauer
  • Alex Rodriguez mini- Piedmont back
  • Barry Zito gold
  • Daniel Murphy
  • Kevin Kouzmanoff
  • Adrian Gonzalez
  • Chris Iannetta
  • Drew Stubbs RC
Pack 5:
  • Cliff Lee
  • Jacoby Ellsbury
  • Neftali Feliz mini- Baseball Caramels back
  • Travis Snider gold
  • Kosuke Fukudome
  • Ian Desmond RC
  • Andre Dawson
  • Travis Hafner
  • Matt Garza
Pack 6:
  • Josh Beckett
  • Carlos Zambrano
  • Gordon Beckham
  • Jeff Franis gold
  • Rick Porcello mini- Old Mill back
  • Justin Verlander
  • Cody Ross
  • Hunter Pence
  • Chase Utley

The Hanson gold mini is a really pretty card, the scan doesn't do it justice. At the same price per hobby pack as Allen & Ginter, you get one more card per pack and less random cards of ancient Greek gods and animals. Some of the backgrounds on the cards are plain solid colors, but others have great postcard-like pictures of historic building and stadium structures that stay true to the traditional roots of the T206 cards.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Rays @ Red Sox, 9/8



I took a half day at work to go for autographs before the game yesterday. The crowds weren't as bad as Monday, but there was still a decent crowd waiting for the Rays. Here's how I did outside the stadium:

  • Chad Qualls- 09 Topps
  • Brad Hawpe- 10 National Chicle
  • Wade Davis- 10 Topps
  • Ben Zobrist- 09 Topps U&H, 09 Topps U&H All-Stars, and personalized bible card
As I was walking back towards the Kenmore T station to go home, I saw a couple with an extra ticket and bought a grandstand seat for $20. I hadn't scored any big names during the series and was determined to get someone inside. It was definitely worth buying the ticket to the game, as I received the following autographs:

  • Desmond Jennings- team baseball
  • Evan Longoria- 09 Topps Postseason Highlights


I love that Longoria continues to sign consistently inside the stadium, as I got him around this time last year as well. Zobrist is also very generous and friendly to anyone that stops to say hello. The season's winding down, but fortunately I made the most of this Rays series and plan to do the same for the Yankees at the beginning of October.

3 TTM Returns: Chris Tillman, John Russell, & Mike Sweeney



Great mail day today:

  • Mike Sweeney 1/2- Mike kept my 09 Topps Heritage and signed his 09 Updates & Highlights. Sent 8/30 (9 days)
  • John Russell 1/1- Mr. Russell signed his 09 Topps card. Sent 7/16 (53 days)
  • Chris Tillman 2/2- The young Orioles pitcher signed his 09 Topps U&H and 10 Topps and personalized both. Sent 7/28 (41 days)

Monday, September 6, 2010

Rays @ Red Sox, 9/6


There was a huge crowd outside of Fenway for the Rays today. I missed out on a few big pitchers, so I might try again Wednesday afternoon. Here's how I did:

  • John Jaso- 09 Topps Finest
  • Joe Maddon- 09 Topps
  • Dan Wheeler- 08 Upper Deck
  • Brad Hawpe- 09 Topps
  • Dustin Richardson- 2010 Topps Allen & Ginter
  • Rocco Baldelli- 09 Topps
Pretty good day, managed to get 3 cards done for my set. The season's gone by way too fast, but I'm still hopeful I can reach 150 signed cards for the 09 Topps set by the end of this year.

White Sox @ Red Sox, 9/4


I was originally going to go for autographs outside the stadium before the night game on Saturday, but Hurricane Earl postponed Friday's game and turned Saturday into a day-night doubleheader. Since I had to work in the morning, my only shot was to get autographs inside pre-game. I only managed to get one, but it was a good one:

  • Omar Vizquel- 09 Topps Updates & Highlights, still a great signer and very fan-friendly, I hope he makes it to the Hall if he ever decides to retire.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

TTM Return: Chad Billingsley


  • Chad Billingsley 3/3- I've been looking forward to getting this one back ever since I sent it out last month. Chad signed cards from the '09 Topps, Updates & Highlights, and Heritage sets in just over a month. Sent 8/2 (32 days)

Friday, September 3, 2010

TTM Return: Joe Martinez

  • Joe Martinez 1/1- Joe signed his rookie card from the 09 Topps set in one week from the Indianapolis Indians organization. Sent 8/26 (7 days)

Thursday, September 2, 2010

TTM Return: Justin Masterson


  • Justin Masterson 2/2- Justin signed his cards from the 09 Updates & Highlights and T206 sets in just over 2 months. Sent 6/28 (65 days)

Monday, August 30, 2010

Spring Training Return: Juan Pierre

  • Juan Pierre 1/2- I thought this one was long gone. I sent two cards to Juan during Spring Training, then after not hearing anything back, decided to re-send in June. I received one card signed from the June send-out several weeks later, and assumed my spring training letter had gotten lost in the mail. Again he only signed one card, but this time it was the one I needed for my 09 Topps set. My longest return of this year! Sent 2/17 (193 days)

Friday, August 27, 2010

2 TTM Returns: Joe Nathan & Luke Hochevar


  • Joe Nathan 2/2- The injured Twins closer signed cards from the 09 Topps and 09 Topps U&H sets in about 4 months. Sent 4/28 (119 days)
  • Luke Hochevar 1/1- Luke signed his 09 Topps card in 2 weeks from Kansas City. It seemed like he had a reputation for taking over a year to return cards through the mail, but I took a chance and received it back much quicker than expected. Sent 8/13 (14 days)

Thursday, August 26, 2010

TTM Return: Jamey Carroll

  • Jamey Carroll 1/1- The Dodgers utility infielder signed his 09 Topps card in 4 weeks. Sent 7/29 (28 days)

2009 Topps Set: 125/660 (18.9%)

Monday, August 23, 2010

Doubleheader: The King vs. John Kerry


During the day I went for autographs at Fenway, then traveled to Lowell for John Kerry bobblehead night. Here's how I did:

Fenway, outside the stadium:
  • Chone Figgins- 09 Bowman
  • Casey Kotchman- 06 Topps
  • Daniel Bard- Red Sox pocket schedule
  • David Aardsma- 10 Topps
  • Felix Hernandez- 09 Topps
Lowell:
  • Kolbrin Vitek- Spinners program
  • Bryce Brentz- Spinners program
Despite the rain, it turned out to be a fun day. Kerry was a no-show at the Spinners game, but the bobbleheads look awesome.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Blue Jays @ Red Sox, 8/21


Went for autographs outside Fenway after work today. Most of the players came in on the team bus; one bus arrived around 2:30 while the late bus arrived around 3:45. There were a few players that came separately in cabs.

  • Cito Gaston- 09 Topps
  • Yunel Escobar- 09 Topps
  • Ricky Romero- 2010 Allen & Ginter
The bus made things very difficult, but I was happy to get a few done for my set.

TTM Return: Jon Rauch


  • Jon Rauch 2/2- The 6' 11" reliever for the Twins signed his cards from the 09 Topps and Upper Deck sets. Sent 7/27 (25 days)

Friday, August 20, 2010

TTM Return: Darin Erstad


A great return today from a veteran who I grew up watching on SportsCenter highlight reels, Mr. Erstad retired earlier this year and is now a coach with the Nebraska baseball team.
  • Darin Erstad 2/2- Sent 8/2 (18 days)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

2 TTM Returns: Luis Durango & Jonny Gomes


I had three envelopes waiting for me in the mail today. One was an RTS from Mark Loretta, but fortunately the other two envelopes had some autos to add to my collection:

  • Luis Durango- The Padres' infield prospect signed three cards, including his official rookie cards from this year's Topps and Allen & Ginter sets. Sent 8/7 (12 days)
  • Jonny Gomes- One of the young talents of the upstart Reds, Jonny signed an '09 Topps Updates & Highlights, as well as a Cincinnatti team card from the 2010 Topps set. Although he can't actually be seen on the card, I have a good hunch that he's buried in the pile of players after hitting a walk-off of some sort. Sent 8/9 (1o days)

Monday, August 16, 2010

2 TTM Returns: Sean O'Sullivan & Humberto Quintero


After a long mail drought, I received cards back from two players today:

  • Sean O'Sullivan 2/2- Definitely my fastest return of the year, Sean signed his cards from the 09 Topps Updates & Highlights and 09 Topps Heritage. Sent 8/9 (7 days)
  • Humberto Quintero 3/3- The Houston catcher signed cards from the 09 and 10 Topps sets, as well as the 09 Upper Deck. Sent 7/30 (17 days)

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Buffalo Bisons @ Pawtucket Red Sox, 8/15




This was my first time using a notebook to get cards signed, and it was also my first time to McCoy Stadium. I couldn't have been less prepared.

The layout of this stadium makes it very difficult to get access to players. Unless you're sitting in the field-level executive suites, you have to either find a player to throw things down to, or place your cards/balls on a string and dangle it in front of the dugouts like a lazy attempt at fishing for autographs.

I didn't have many cards for either teams, but I was excited to see Pedroia rehab. This made it very crowded around the PawSox dugout, so the only luck I had was over on the Bisons side.

Here's how I did:
  • Chad Cordero 1/1- Chad signed an 09 Topps Heritage that I threw down to him. He made a spectacular leap up to hand me the sharpie and card back.
  • Michael Barrett 6/6- My notebook pays off! I've held onto cards of this guy for at least a decade back when he was a rookie with the Expos. It was nice to get a bunch of cards done that I've kept from the days when I was younger and had more time to dedicate to this hobby.
That was it. Nobody that I needed on the PawSox side signed anyways. I can see why most people just graph in the parking lot of this place, because inside it's incredibly difficult.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

TTM Return: Mark Kotsay


  • Mark Kotsay 2/2- My second White Sox return of the week, Mark signed a 2010 Topps Heritage White Sox team card and his card from the 09 Topps Updates & Highlights set. Sent 5/26 (69 days)

Monday, August 2, 2010

TTM Return: John Danks


  • John Danks- The White Sox pitcher kept my 09 Topps and signed an 09 Upper Deck. If anyone is interested in trading for some of my signed 09 Upper Deck cards, let me know. Sent 4/19 (103 days)

Lake Monsters @ Spinners, 8/1


Sunday was Heidi Watney day at LeLacheur Park, and I've never seen a Single A team draw such a huge crowd. Heidi was on hand to throw out the first pitch and sign autographs, plus the first 1,000 guests received a bobblehead of her. I wasn't really going all out for autos since I don't have much in the way of minor league cards, but I got a few here and there. Here's how I did:

  • Heidi Watney- Signed on the base of the bobblehead
  • Kolbrin Vitek- The newest #1 draft pick for the Sox signed my souvenir program
  • Seth Schwindenhammer- souvenir program
  • Jay Broughton- souvenir program
  • David Renfroe- souvenir program
  • Bryce Brentz- souvenir program
  • Nick Robinson- souvenir program
  • Jose Iglesias- The top shortstop prospect for the Sox was on rehab assignment in Lowell, and sweet spotted a NY-Penn league ball for me.
Around the 8th inning, my girlfriend and I were awarded with a free pizza dinner from a place in Lowell for being a couple with Red Sox gear on. With all the promotions and giveaways at minor league games, it's hard not to come out on top in the end!

Saturday, July 31, 2010

TTM Return: Magglio Ordonez


  • Magglio Ordonez 1/1- The Tigers slugger signed his base card from the 09 Topps set in a little over 2 months. I believe he is on the DL right now, so he's probably catching up with all his mail. This is probably the least exciting card in the set photography-wise, as sitting on a bucket of sunflower seeds doesn't exactly invoke a sense of power or strength. However, it's always great to get a return from one of the bigger names in the game, and it was well worth the $10 donation to the Tigers Foundation. Sent 5/17 (74 days)

Friday, July 30, 2010

Red Sox Food Drive


The Red Sox Wives' Club organization was hosting a charity food drive at Fenway before tonight's game. For a donation of $10 or 10 non-perishable food items, you could pick out a signed 5X7 photo card of various Red Sox players. I brought a backpack full of food and had enough for 3 autographs. I picked Josh Beckett, Dustin Pedroia, and J.D. Drew. Drew's signature is pretty bad, but it was the first Drew autograph of my collection.

TTM Return: James Loney


  • James Loney 1/2- James kept my 09 Topps set card, but returned a signed 08 UD Masterpieces from Dodgers Spring Training. Sent 2/19 (161 days)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

2 TTM Returns: Tony LaRussa & Dan Runzler


  • Tony LaRussa 1/1- I sent a few cards to the Cardinals skipper last year not knowing that he only signed one card at a time, so I re-sent his 2009 Topps card and received it today. The envelope was postmarked from Chicago, so I guess he took his mail on the road when the Cards visited the Cubs over the weekend. Sent 5/27 (62 days)
  • Dan Runzler 2/2- I know absolutely nothing about this guy, but I bought a pack each of 2010 Topps and Allen & Ginter a few weeks ago, and each pack had a rookie card of him. Mr. Runzler signed both cards very quickly from San Francisco. Sent 7/17 (12 days)

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

3 TTM Returns Today


Today was a good day for mail after a slow couple of weeks:

  • Brian Schneider 2/2- The Phillies backup catcher signed an 09 Topps and 09 Upper Deck in two weeks. Sent 7/14 (14 days)
  • Brian Barton 2/2- After a few seasons with a handful of major league teams, Brian is now playing independent league baseball. He signed an 09 Topps and 08 Allen & Ginter from the Newark Bears in blue ballpoint pen. Sent 7/2 (26 days)
  • Jamie Moyer 2/2- The ageless wonder of the Phillies rotation signed his cards from the 08 and 09 Topps set. The 08 card smeared pretty badly, but the 09 looks great for my set collection. Sent 4/19 (99 days)

Saturday, July 24, 2010

TTM Return: Austin Kearns

  • Austin Kearns 1/2- Mr. Kearns signed his 09 Topps card and returned a mini 08 Goudey unsigned from the Indians in about 2 months. Sent 5/26 (58 days)

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

TTM Return: Mariano Rivera

I was very excited to find this in the mail today:

  • Mariano Rivera 2/2- The Yankees' legendary closer signed 2 cards from the Topps 09 Updates & Highlights set, one for his All-Star appearance and one for his 500th save back on June 28th (my birthday!) last year. Sent 7/8 (13 days)

Monday, July 19, 2010

2 TTM Returns: Ron Gardenhire & Tim Redding


2 TTM returns to start the week:

  • Ron Gardenhire 2/2- The Twins manager signed his cards from the 07 and 09 Topps sets in just over 3 weeks. Sent 6/26 (23 days)
  • Tim Redding 2/2- Tim signed an 09 Topps and 09 Topps Heritage from the AAA affiliate of the New York Yankees. Sent 7/2 (17 days)

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Rangers @ Red Sox, 7/17


Today was a rough day for autographs after work. I missed all of the top stars on the Rangers after running back and forth across the Fenway perimeter, but I managed to get three cards at least.

  • Darren Oliver- 09 Upper Deck
  • David Murphy- 09 Allen & Ginter
  • C.J. Wilson- 09 Topps Heritage

Pack Pull Auto: Josh Outman


I picked up my first few packs of the new Allen & Ginter cards yesterday and pulled this beauty. I really love the frames on these cards.

Friday, July 16, 2010

TTM Return: Bobby Doerr


  • Bobby Doerr 4/2- The Red Sox legend signed two cards for me, as well as 2 protective index cards. Always a quick turnaround. Sent 7/8 (8 days)

Monday, July 12, 2010

3 Recent Returns


  • Ross Ohlendorf 1/2- Signed 09 Topps Updates & Highlights, kept 2010 Topps. However, he also signed one of the protective index cards. Sent 6/16 (20 days)
  • Don Wakamatsu 1/1- The manager of the Mariners signed his card from the 09 Topps set in 2 weeks. Sent 6/28 (14 days)
  • George Sherrill 1/2- Mr. Sherrill signed his 09 Topps card and kept the 09 Updates & Highlights card. Sent 7/2 (10 days)
I also received 2 long-term failures from last year as well. Clete Thomas and Ian Kinsler returned cards unsigned that I sent about 10-12 months ago.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Orioles @ Red Sox, 7/3


Went to Fenway after work today to get a few O's autographs. Here's how I did:

  • Kevin Milwood
  • Brad Bergesen
  • Jeremy Guthrie
  • David Hernandez
  • Mark Hendrickson
  • Nick Markakis