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

Friday, July 2, 2010

2 Returns: Drew Stubbs & Manny Acta


  • Drew Stubbs 2/2- The young Reds outfielder signed 2010 Topps Heritage and National Chicle rookie cards in blue sharpie. Sent 6/1 (3o days)
  • Manny Acta 2/2- The former Nationals manager and current Indians manager signed 08 and 09 Topps cards in less than a week. Sent 6/26 (6 days)