Hall of Fame Wednesday

I'm shipping out cards to the following Hall of Famers today:

• Stan Musial
• Wade Boggs
• Ryne Sandberg

2009 Success Statistics

Total IP Autographs: 24

Total TTM Autographs: 25

Total TTM Failures: 2

Spring Training: 4/10 (40%)

Minor Leaguers: 8/13 (61.5%)

Coaches: 2/3 (66.6%)

Retired Players: 5/17 (29.4%)

Major Leaguers: 6/33 (18%)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 25/76 (32.9%)

Went to Camden Yards Today

I took the light rail down to Camden today to get tickets for this weekend's series against the Red Sox and took some Kansas City Royals cards just in case.  I ended up sticking around for a few hours with some rain storms mixed in, but it was a pretty good haul for the day.  Here's what I got:

• John Bale- '09 Upper Deck
• Mark Teahen- '08 UD Documentary
• Gil Meche- '09 Topps Heritage
• Billy Butler- '07 UD Masterpieces
• Alex Gordon- '07 UD Masterpieces
• John Buck- '09 Topps

I also got to meet Tim Kurkjian from ESPN, and had him sign a blank card.  He was a really nice guy that apparently is there pretty often since he's from the Baltimore area.  For a day that I had no intention of getting autographs, it turned out pretty great.

Hall of Fame Weekend

I went to Cooperstown this weekend for the first time in 7 years for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and it was great to step back into childhood and return to a place that's remained relatively unchanged for so many years.  Both Jim Rice and Rickey Henderson gave quality speeches, but my favorite moment was the standing ovation for Yaz.  I was finally able to get my hands on some cards of former players that I didn't have before, so I'll be sending out more cards through the mail soon. (That's me with Luis Tiant in the picture.)

The Perfect Game

After the incredible performance by Mark Buehrle today, I'll be sure to send out a card to him first thing tomorrow morning.

Shipping Out 2 Cards via Bear Mail

Sending out cards to two Cubbies today, one current and one former:

• Ryan Theriot c/o Cubs
• Billy Williams c/o home

1 Return Today

• Jim Lonborg- I have been trying to learn more about Sox greats of the past and found that Mr. Lonborg is a great signer through the mail, but I only had a card of him in a Phillies uniform.  I asked him if he could exchange it for a Red Sox card, and he obliged.  Very quick return!  Sent 7/13 (10 days)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 25/70 (35.7%)

So much for that Adam LaRoche card...

I just sent out an '08 A&G Adam LaRoche card this morning, and they just announced he's been traded to the Red Sox.  It's nice that the Red Sox picked him up, but I guess that's one card I won't be getting back.  

2 Returns Today

I got back two autographs today:

• Joey Votto- Sent an '09 Upper Deck, received an '06 Bowman that wasn't prepped well.  Slight bubbling, but still a fantastic return in about a month! Sent 6/13 (39 days)

• Garret Anderson- '02 Stadium Club Gold.  I've learned my lesson with this one, don't send thick stock cards through the mail!  The sorter had its way with it.  Tons of minor wrinkles, but a nice big signature on a horizontal card.  Sent 7/10 (12 days)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 24/70 (34.3%)

Going Out Tomorrow Morning

• Mike Cameron c/o Milwaukee Brewers
  
• Clete Thomas c/o Detroit Tigers
  
• Paul Molitor c/o Minnesota Twins
  
• Matt Cain c/o San Francisco Giants
  
• Adam LaRoche c/o Pittsburgh Pirates
  

2009 Success Statistics

Total IP Autographs: 17

Total TTM Autographs: 22

Total TTM Failures: 2

Spring Training: 4/10 (40%)

Minor Leaguers: 8/13 (61.5%)

Coaches: 2/3 (66.6%)

Retired Players: 4/12 (33.3%)

Major Leaguers: 4/27 (14.8%)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 22/65 (33.8%)

My 2009 IP Successes Thus Far

July:

• Jason Varitek 7/1 '08 Allen & Ginter
• Jacoby Ellsbury 7/1
• Nick Green 7/1

June:

• George Kottaras 6/30
• Justin Masterson 6/30
• Jeff Bailey 6/30
• Dennis Eckersley 6/30

May:

• Joba Chamberlain 5/9 '08 Allen & Ginter
• Jake Arrieta 5/17
• Kevin Millar 5/25

April:

• Brian Roberts 4/4 Orioles Fanfest '08 Allen & Ginter
• Matt Albers 4/4 Orioles Fanfest
• Ryan Freel 4/4 Orioles Fanfest
• Rick Dempsey 4/4 Orioles Fanfest
• James Shields 4/11
• Luke Scott 4/11
• Adam Jones 4/11 '09 Topps Heritage

My 2009 TTM Successes Thus Far

July:

• Elvis Andrus: Sent 5/5, Rcvd 7/6
• J.R. Towles: Sent 6/8, Rcvd 7/3 '08 Allen & Ginter, '08 UD Goudey
• Alex Buchholz: Sent 6/19, Rcvd 7/2
• Akinori Iwamura: Sent 6/19, Rcvd 7/2 '07 UD Masterpieces RC
• Mitch Dening: Sent 6/19, Rcvd 7/6
• Justin Erasmus: Sent 7/7, Rcvd 7/18
• Omar Vizquel: RTS Sent 7/10, Returned 7/20

June:

• Mike Mussina: Sent 4/28, Rcvd 6/24
• Jamie Moyer: Sent 5/8, Rcvd 6/17 '06 Topps Turkey Red
• Fu Te Ni: Sent 5/22, Rcvd 6/1

May:

• Carl Erskine: Sent 4/27, Rcvd 5/6
• Nomar Garciaparra: Sent 4/27, Rcvd 5/29
• Bobby Thomson: Sent 4/27, Rcvd 5/11 '07 UD Masterpieces
• Matt Wieters: Sent 5/2, Rcvd 5/7
• Larry Rothschild: Sent 5/6, Rcvd 5/14 '09 Topps Heritage
• Michael Bowden: Sent 5/6, Rcvd 5/20 '09 Topps Heritage RC
• Jonathan Van Every: Sent 5/8, Rcvd 5/21

April:

• Mark Kotsay: Sent 3/12, Rcvd 4/6
• Hideki Okajima: Sent 3/12, Rcvd 4/6 '07 Topps Turkey Red RC
• Brady Anderson: RTS Sent 3/12, Returned 3/19- Bad Address
• Bobby Doerr: Sent 3/28, Rcvd 4/4 '07 UD Masterpieces
• John Farrell: Sent 4/8, Rcvd 4/20

March:

• Jeff Bailey: Sent 3/12, Rcvd 3/20
• Michael Bowden: Sent 3/12, Rcvd 3/20