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%)

Duke Snider

I've heard of how great a signer Duke Snider can be through the mail, but for some reason I never had any cards of his. I picked up a UD Legends of New York card of his when I went to Cooperstown for the induction this year, but decided to save it for the offseason when TTM returns slow down. A great return from a great Hall-of-Famer. My 50th return of the year! Sent 11/17 (10 days)

In non-sports news, Best Buy had a great Black Friday deal on a scanner/copier/printer, so I should be updating some of my most recent autograph returns with pictures in the near future.

Overall TTM Success Rate: 50/147 (34%)

Topps 2009: Donald Veal

I took a chance and sent out Donald Veal's 09 Topps card to his team in the Arizona Fall League, and he quickly personalized it and returned it to me in less than three weeks. Sent 11/6 (18 days)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 49/146 (33.6%)

Topps 2009 Set: 44/660 (6.6%)

In-Person Signings: John Krasinski and Jonathan Safran Foer

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to meet John Krasinski (Jim from The Office) while he was in town promoting his directorial debut, an adaptation of David Foster Wallace's Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. John is a native of Newton, so it was fitting that he premiering the film in Boston. The event took place at the Brookline Booksmith.

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to have him sign anything other than a promotional postcard for the movie, and we couldn't take pictures with him. However, he is every bit as funny in real life as he is on t.v. and it was great to meet him.

John Krasinski- 1/1 Brief Interviews with Hideous Men promotional postcard

A few days later, the same bookstore was promoting a reading/discussion/signing with Jonathan Safran Foer, author of Everything is Illuminated. The book was adapted for film a few years ago with Elijah Wood as the lead actor.

Foer discussed his newest work on factory farming, Eating Animals, at a synagogue down the street from the bookstore. Following the discussion, Foer went back to the bookstore to sign copies of all of his books.

Jonathan Safran Foer- 2/2 Personalized copies of Everything is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

2009 Topps: Mike Cameron

For some reason, Mike Cameron had a base card in both Series 1 and Series 2 of the 2009 Topps set, despite playing exclusively with the Brewers all season. Mike signed both cards in a very nice silver sharpie, bringing my total count for the complete 2009 Topps set up to 43 cards. Very quick return! Sent 11/9 (7 days)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 48/142 (33.8%)

Topps 2009 Set: 43/660 (6.5%)

David Eckstein

Even though the TTM returns are becoming few and far between now that the season's over, there's still a few trickling in from time to time. David Eckstein signed a 1999 Bowman Rookie Card, as well as a 2009 Topps base card for my set. Sent 8/19 (73 days)

Overall TTM Success Rate: 47/142 (33%)

Topps 2009 Set: 41/660 (6.2%)