TTM Mailbag: Evan Gattis

Here's my second TTM autograph success from spring training.  The good news is that I received my 2013 Topps card back from Evan Gattis signed in blue Sharpie in just 24 days.  The bad news is that the blue Sharpie was badly smudged and went everywhere it wasn't supposed to.  I used a little baby powder on the card to decrease the glossy finish on the card prior to mailing.  The card has a partial fingerprint on it, so I don't think I had a chance.  Just the same, I'm happy to have the card back signed. 

TTM Mailbag: Tyson Ross

My first TTM autograph return of spring training came from Tyson Ross of the Padres.  Mr. Ross signed my 2014 Topps Update card in just 15 days.  The card came back in great condition with his signature in thin black Sharpie. 

TTM Mailbag: Clayton Kershaw

After a long period of no returns, I finally received a TTM autograph in my mailbox this week.  It comes from Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers.  It was postmarked from Dallas, TX.  I originally sent it to Dodgers Spring Training in Arizona last March.  The return took 339 days, but was well worth it.  The card is a 2011 Topps base card and is signed beautifully in blue Sharpie.  I'm thrilled to get the card back.  I doubt many 3 time Cy Young Award winners would take the time to sign.  Very cool.

TTM Mailbag: Jason Grilli

I sent out a TTM autograph request to Jason Grilli during 2014 Spring Training.  I received this 2013 Topps card returned signed in blue Sharpie in 237 days.  I got this card back a couple of months ago and forgot to post it.  The card looks great.  The Pirates gave Grilli to the Angels in exchange for walking disaster Ernesto Frieri before the trade deadline.  Apparently, Grilli took his mail with him to the west coast.   I'm very happy to get this card back. 

TTM Mailbag: Ricky Nolasco

This is the card I received signed from Ricky Nolasco.  I sent it to him at Twins Spring Training in Fort Myers.  It came back signed in blue Sharpie in just 21 days.  The card is a 2010 Topps.  I think the Twins will live to regret the Nolasco signing.  And the Hughes signing.  Just saying. 

TTM Autograph Requests Have Been Neglected

It's true.  I have been delinquent in my TTM requests.  In fact, I haven't sent a request out in over a year.  I just realized that today.  My last request was to Denard Span in April 2012.  I haven't gotten that back yet.  I sent it to the Twins so I guess I won't hold my breath.  This week will be the week that I resume my TTM mailings.  I don't have all those 2013 Topps duplicates for nothing.  Any suggestions?

TTM Mailbag: Chris Volstad

My latest TTM Autograph return comes from Chris Volstad of the Chicago Cubs.  I received a 2011 Topps and a 2008 Topps card signed in blue Sharpie.  I actually sent this request out during spring training.  It took 241 days to come back.  I thought this was a goner.  But, it was worth the wait, because both cards look great.  Apparently, the Royals recently claimed Volstad off waivers, realized how bad his season was, and promptly dumped him in less than a month.  Such is life. 

TTM Autograph Requests

I sent out my first TTM requests of the regular season out this week.  My requests went to Matt Capps and Denard Span of the Twins.  I also sent a AAA request to former big leaguer Ross Ohlendorf.  Ohlendorf has been decent so far this season.  Span has also gotten off to a fast start.  Capps has been OK but he has converted all of his save opportunities.  I feel that I have a decent chance of getting returns from all three this season based on past results. 

TTM Mailbag: Aaron Hill

I recently received a TTM autograph return from Aaron Hill of the Diamondbacks. I received my 2011 Topps card signed in black Sharpie in just 18 days. The signature looks perfect with no flaws or smudges. Hill was traded to the Diamondbacks by the Blue Jays last year. He was an All-Star in 2009, but his numbers have slumped in the past two years. Hill is off to a slow start in spring training, but that doesn’t mean much once the season starts.

TTM Mailbag: Neil Walker

I received my first TTM autograph return from spring training this week. Neil Walker signed a 2010 Allen & Ginter and a 2011 Topps in black Sharpie from Pirates spring training in just 7 days. Unfortunately, the A&G card has a small corner ding but it’s not that bad. Both cards still look really good though.

TTM Mailbag: John Maine

I received a TTM autograph return this week. This was my first return of the year. I thought this was a spring training return, but the envelope only had a 44 cent stamp on it. It turns out the envelope was from John Maine. I received two cards signed in 276 days. I sent the cards to AAA Colorado Springs but the envelope was postmarked from Charlotte, NC. Both cards came back in great shape signed in black Sharpie. By the way, did anyone realize that Maine signed a Minor League deal with the Red Sox?

1st TTM Autograph Requests of 2012

I sent out my first TTM autograph requests of the year out this week to spring training facilities. I made a list of the players that I wanted to send letters to this year. I sent 5 letters out to Joba Chamberlain, Rafael Soriano, Aaron Hill, Chris Volstad, and Neil Walker. A couple of those are close to sure bets. I would be thrilled to get the Joba request back. Typically, I will send 5 letters out at a time just to make life easier and continue doing so throughout the year. Any advice for who to send to during the rest of the year?

TTM Mailbag: Brandon Morrow

I received a TTM autograph return this week from Brandon Morrow. I sent two cards to Blue Jays Spring Training and received both back in 237 days. Both the Topps Heritage and Upper Deck First Edition cards were signed in blue Sharpie. Unfortunately, each card has a tiny smudge on the front. It is still a very nice return and my longest to date which gives some hope for some cards that I sent out during spring training. I try to send to Blue Jays players during spring training so that I can avoid sending packages into Canada. I can’t wait for spring training to start in 2012. At best, there are only 5 games remaining this season.

TTM Mailbag: Max Scherzer

My latest TTM Autograph return came from Max Scherzer of the Detroit Tigers. I received 1 of the 2 cards I sent in 58 days. I received my Topps Ticket to Stardom card back but not my Allen & Ginter. I don’t really care which card comes back. I’m just happy to get the autograph. I wish the card was not personalized. For display purposes, I think cards look better with just the signature. Oh well. I’m still happy to get this back.

TTM Mailbag: A.J. Pierzynski

My latest TTM Autograph return comes from the Chicago White Sox. A.J. Pierzynski signed 1 of my 2 cards in 42 days. I am happy that I got both cards back. The card that was signed has a cool photo on it so the autograph makes the card look really good. The black Sharpie isn’t weak but it isn’t sharp either. Pierzynski has a reputation of rubbing other players the wrong way. But he is a pretty good TTM signer so he is a friend of mine.

TTM Mailbag: Fausto Carmona

I received another TTM autograph return this week. Fausto Carmona returned my two cards in just 36 days. I received a 2011 Topps and 2006 Upper Deck signed in blue Sharpie. The Upper Deck is technically a rookie card. Both signatures look great, although the back of the Upper Deck card contains some of the Sharpie from the Topps card. It’s hardly noticeable. Carmona is currently on the DL so I guess he had some time to sign. Overall, this is a great return in a little over a month.

TTM Mailbag: Chase Headley

My most recent TTM Autograph return comes from Chase Headley of the Padres. He signed my 2010 Allen & Ginter and 2011 Topps in just 14 days. The cards are in perfect condition and so are the actual signatures. Headley has been a good signer so far this year but it's always nice to get a return.

TTM Return: David Robertson

I received a TTM Autograph Return this week for the first time in a while. During Spring Training I sent a 2009 Topps card to David Robertson. I received the card back in 126 days. The signature looks great. Robertson includes his uniform number with his autograph. It can be difficult to get Yankee autographs so I am happy to get this return back. The card and autograph are in perfect condition. This return was well worth the wait. There is some talk that Robertson should be an All-Star this year. His numbers would support his selection to the team. However, it is hard for setup men to make the team. Oh well. I’m thrilled to have this return.

More TTM Requests

I haven’t had too many TTM auto returns lately. So I figured I would increase my odds by sending a few more requests out. I mailed out three envelopes to Javier Vazquez, A.J. Pierzynski, and Chase Headley. I feel pretty good about getting these back signed based on past history.

TTM Requests

I have not sent a TTM Autograph request out since spring training. Today, I sent out three. I sent two baseball cards each to John Maine, Fausto Carmona, and Max Scherzer. I have seen some recent successes from these players and I would love to get the autographs. For the record, I was 4 for 13 during spring training. Maybe I was too ambitious.