Picture Update: Scanner is Up and Running!

As the year draws to an end, I finally have my new scanner working and I've updated the blog with pictures from some of my recent successes over the past few months.

Jim Leyland (50th card from the 2009 Topps Set!)

I came back home from the holidays to a RTS envelope from Edgar Renteria, as well as a 2009 Topps set card signed by Jim Leyland. I've always respected Leyland's old school, "don't take crap from anybody" approach to the game, and it was nice to add a longtime manager of the game to my collection. This brings my 2009 Topps set completion up to 50 cards. Sent 12/11 (14 days)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 60/151 (39.7%)

2009 Topps Set: 50/660 (7.6%)

Lee Smith

I sent out a 2000 Fleer Legends of the Game card to Lee Smith about 4 months ago and received it back signed on Saturday. Hopefully with some of the weaker Hall of Fame classes as of late, he has a shot to make it in sometime in the near future. Sent 8/14 (134 days)

Josh Hamilton

Arrived home in Maryland with 2 envelopes waiting for me today. The first was a RTS from Scott Lewis that I sent to the Columbus Clippers several months ago. I was only disappointed momentarily until I saw the next envelope postmarked from Fort Worth, Texas. After seeing return after return from Josh Hamilton, mine finally showed up. Josh signed a 2007 Upper Deck Masterpieces rookie card, as well as a 2009 Topps card for my set. Sent 8/28 (116 days)

2009 Topps set: 49/660 (7.4%)

Adam Kennedy

Another quick TTM return yesterday. Adam Kennedy signed his 09 Topps and 09 Upper Deck cards for me from home. Sent 12/11 (7 days)

2009 Topps Set: 48/660 (7.3%)

Five Returns in One Day!

It seems like the forwarding service for my new mailing address is finally starting to catch up with my older TTM sendouts. I received the following returns today:

• Tony LaRussa- 1/2 Signed an '08 Topps but not the '09 I needed for my set! Sent 9/21 (78 days)
• Jed Lowrie- 1/1 '08 Topps Rookie Card, Sent 4/9 (8 months! New Record!)
• Aaron Laffey- 2/2 He doesn't have a regular card in the '09 Topps set, but he signed a combo card of him and Jeremy Sowers, as well as a '09 Heritage card as well. I'll send to Sowers during spring training. Sent 9/9 (90 days)
• Jair Jurrjens- 1/1 '09 Topps, Also sent 9/9 (90 days)
• Mark Teixeira- 0/1 Returned my '09 Topps card unsigned with a form letter on Yankee letterhead stating that he couldn't respond to fan mail due to overwhelming response, Sent 9/28 (72 days)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 56/149 (37.6%)

2009 Topps Set: 47/660 (7.1%)

Topps 2009: Paul Konerko

I sent Mr. Konerko several cards to sign last week, and he quickly returned copies of his 2007 and 2009 Topps cards signed in some type of thick brown sharpie. Although the signatures don't look that great, it was nice to get back some cards from a seasoned veteran c/o their home. Sent 11/25 (8 days)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 52/147 (35.4%)

Topps 2009 Set: 45/660 (6.8%)

Dick Groat

While going through some of my older cards the other day, I found a few from the 2001 Topps Archives set. The set is basically just reproductions of popular cards throughout the years, as well as final-year cards for some players like Dick Groat. Mr. Groat was the 1960 NL MVP and well-known for his double play tandem with Bill Mazeroski. Very quick return, and his signature is still just as nice as it was over 40 years ago. Sent 11/23 (8 days)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 51/147 (34.7%)