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)
  

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".

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
  

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.
  

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?