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)
  

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)
  

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%)

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.

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)
  

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)
  

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)
  

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)
  

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.

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)
  

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!