Christmas From Max 2024

Max came through again with some cards to help out with my 1987 Topps set.  Crossing off the tough Mark Portugal (above) was something I was really happy to do once I opened his gift.  He also got me another signed card from the set, but I had already gotten the same guy from a private signing, so Max's will be used to trade for someone else that I need and will be posted later on.

Portugal (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1985 to 1999 for the Twins, Astros, Giants, Reds, Phillies and Red Sox.  He had a career record of 109-95 with 1,134 strike outs and a 4.03 ERA.   He finished 6th in the 1993 NL Cy Young Race and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1994.  He was part of the Teins organization when they won the World Series in 1987, but did not pitch in the playoffs.

Max also found this Wamder Franco signed 1987 Topps-design insert when he was looking for signed 87s and picked it up for me.  He got it as a joke, and i definitely chuckled when I saw it.  What a shame, though.  Wander was really cool the couple of times when I met him in Durham.  I'm going to refrain from discussing his issues much more other than I know we will never see him play in the majors again. Still, it's a nice card and I'm still putting it in the autograph album. 

Thank you so much for the Christmas gift Max.  You always come through.  

Another TTM Success From Bill Mooneyham

Better late than never.  Except, while I was waiting for this TTM success to come back from Bill Mooneyham, I took part in a private signing that crossed the card off of my needs list. 

This one came back after I mailed to him directly, several years ago. So, the card from the private signing that I got is signed in blue, and this one will go in the regular autograph album. 

I mailed to Mooneyham on May 2, 2020, and got the card back on October 7, 2024, for a 1,619-day TAT.

1987 Topps Set Pickup - Chet Lemon

This is my most recent pickup for my signed 1987 Topps set, a Beckett certified Chet Lemon.  I jad recently read an article about how Lemon has suffered a series of strokes, so I grabbed this one off of Ebay.  The article was really good and explained why folks hadn't heard much out of Lemon for some time now.  His wife wanted to let fans know, since there are plans to have Lemon at an upcoming Tigers game commemorating the 1984 World Series Champion Tigers.

Lemon (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1975 to 1990 for the White Sox and Tigers.  He had 1,875 hits, 215 home runs and a .273 batting average.  He was a three-time All Star (1978, 1979 and 1984).  He won the World Series with the Tigers in 1984.  He appeared on the 1996 Hall of Fame ballot but received only 0.2% of the vote. 

I like having my set in an album, but I don't want to crack this case.  I'll probably put an unsigned Lemon in the album with a slip of paper saying "see graded card" or something like that.

1987 Topps Set Pickup - Steve Bedrosian

Another signed 1987 Topps was added to set off of Facebook recently when I grabbed this Steve Bedrosian for cheap.

Bedrosian (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1981 to 1991 and from 1993 to 1995 for the Braves, Phillies, Giants and Twins.  He had a record of 76-79 with 921 strike outs and a 3.38 ERA.

I've got one more new 1987 Topps that I picked up, which I will show soon.

1987 Topps Set Pickup - Greg Minton

Finally, some more signed 1987 Topps will be added to the set in short order.  I've seen a couple folks giving up on their set endeavors and punting, so I've swooped in and grabbed a few guys that I needed.  The first is this Greg Minton that I got from a guy on Facebook.

I had written an email to Minton about a year ago, and got a response.  He said for me to send him a card and he would sign it.  The card never came back, so I bought this one and crossed Minton off of the list.

Minton (b. 1951) played in the majors from 1975 to 1990 for the Giants and Angels.  He had a career record of 59-65 with 479 strike outs, 150 saves and a 3.10 ERA.

Minton puts me at 756/792 for the set.  36 cards to go!

Another TTM Success From Tim Laudner

My 1987 Topps Twins Leaders card has been upgraded thanks to a recent private signing with Tim Laudner.  I had the card already, but it was signed in black. I prefer blue, so I took the card with me to High Point  a few weeks back and had Frank Viola sign it in blue.  I saw the Laudner signing pop up on SCN, so I got the card out as quickly as I could. My card that is signed in black is now up for sale, with the hope that someone jumps on it soon.

I mailed to the signing on June 26 and got the card back on July 15, for a 19-day TAT. I paid a fee of $30.00.

A Signed 1987 Topps From Jackson

Finally, another signed 1987 Topps has cone in, this one being a long-overdue Juan Bonilla from my friend, Jackson.  He arranged a private signing with Bonilla last year, and my friend, Aidan, signed up for this as a Christmas gift to me.  Signed 87s have been really slow lately, as I am down to just a left that I need for the set.

Bonilla (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1981 to 1983 and 198t to 1987 for the Padres, Yankees and Orioles.  He had 375 hits, 7 home runs and a .256 batting average.

Thanks for helping me with the set, Jackson and Aidan!

TTM Success - Rick Aguilera

Finally, a private signing with a tough (for me at least) to get 1987 Topps autograph came along.  I was able to add Rick Aguilera to the set after a private signing on SCN.

Aguilera (b. 1961) played in the majors from 1985 to 2000 for the Mets, Twins, Red Sox and Cubs.  He had a record of 86-81 with 1,030 strike outs and a 3.57 ERA.  He also had 318 saves in his career.  He was a three-time All Star (1991, 1992 and 1993).  He finished 18th in the 1991 AL MVP race.  He won the World Series with the Mets in 1986 and Twins in 1991.  He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot on 2006 but received only 0.6% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on December 20 and got the card back on February 9, for a 51-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $59.00.

Max Crosses Off Another Tough 1987 Autograph

My good friend, Max, messaged me the other day asking if I had gotten Orel Hershiser for my 1987 set yet.  I hadn't, so he picked this up for me.  I was surprised.  I haven't seen any Hershiser signings as of late, so I wasn't sure how I would add this card to my set.

Hershiser (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1983 to 2000 for the Dodgers, Indians, Giants and Mets.  He had a record of 204-150 with  2,014 strike outs and a 3.48 ERA.  He had over 20 wins once (23 in 1988).  He was an All Star 3 times (1987 to 1989).  He was a Gold Glove Award winner in 1988 and a Silver Slugger in 1993.  He was the NL Cy Young Award winner in 1988.  His best MVP finish was 6th (1988).  He won the World Series with the Dodgers in 1988.  That post season, he was both the NLCS and World Series MVP.  He was also the ALCS MVP in 1995.

Hershiser appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot twice (2006 and 2007), but received at most, 11.2% of the vote.

Thank you so much, Max, for helping me add Hershiser to the set!

Signed 1987 Topps Mitch Webster From Gerard

My good friend, Gerard, found this Mitch Webster signed 1987 Topps for my set.  Gerard has helped a bunch with the set.

Webster (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1983 to 1995 for the Blue Jays, Expos, Cubs, Indians, Pirates and Dodgers.  He had 900 hits, 70 home runs and a .263 batting average.  

Thank you so much for the help with the set, Gerard!

Some Signed 87s For Christmas From Max

Several tougher 1987 Topps cards were crossed off of my checklist when I got a Christmas gift from my good friend, Max.  He has helped me tremendously with this set, and I am very grateful.  I had sent to Brian Fisher TTM, but never got my card back.  Now, I don't need to worry, as the card is now signed and in the 87 album.

I had been promised a signed Ed Correa from someone else, but he hasn't delivered, so this one will take care.of that.

I had mailed to Keith Atherton, but he also hasn't returned my card.  Mickey Hatcher does sign TTM, but for a fee to a vendor who I had a negative experience with some years ago, so I don't necessarily like dealing with his group.  Max saved me so many headaches by crossing these guys off the list.  He also put me at 752 cards, which means I have 40 to go.  I never thought I'd be this close. 

Thank you so much for the Christmas gift, Max!

Another TTM Success From Bobby Valentine

A huge card has been crossed off of the 1987 Topps checklist.  I had picked up this Ricky Wright signed 1987 Topps from someone who was dismantling their almost completed set a couple years ago.  It sat on my desk in a stack of cards waiting for a private signing with Bobby Valentine.  I waited and waited then after Brooks Robinson passed, I panicked and dropped the card in the mail. I was sweating for a while, especially since about 2 weeks after I sent it out, a private signing with Valentine was announced.  The card finally came back signed and now is locked into the album.  I just need someone to get Wright to agree to get his base card signed.  I doubt it'll happen, but I can hope.

I mailed to Valentine on October 7 and got the card back on November 10, for a 34-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tim Conroy

The 1987 Topps cards being added to the signed set are slowing down. I need something like 40 or so more to complete the set, and am down to some tough ones. I was able to get Tim Conroy via a private signing on SCN recently, which crossed him off of my list. 

Conroy (b. 1960) played in the majors in 1978 and from 1982 to 1987 for the A's and Cardinals.  He had a record of 18-32 with 307 strike outs and a 4.69 ERA.

I mailed to the signing on April 13 and got the card back on June 14, for a 62-day TAT.

TTM Success - Steve Lake

Finally, I was able to cross Steve Lake off of my checklist for my 1987 Topps set.  A private signing came up, and I got my card done.  I had tried him TTM a couple times, but never got my cards back.

Lake (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1983 to 1993 for the Cubs, Cardinals and Phillies.  He had 267 hits, 18 home runs and a .237 batting average. I mailed to the signing on February 3, and got the card back on May 30, for a 55-day TAT.

TTM Success - Catherine O'Hara

Here is another celebrity TTM success.  I got Catherine O'Hara to sign two cards TTM recently.  I sent off an 87 Topps checklist since I'm filling up the back of my 87 set album with signed checklists.  I know a lot of people wonder why I send them, and it is simply that I have a ton of them, and it is kind of cool to flip through the back of that album and see who all I got on those checklists. 

I also sent off this 2010 Allen and Ginter Betelgeuse card.  It would have been cool had she signed the front, but I can see why she didn't.  The autograph may not have shown up as well.

O'Hara (b. 1954) is an actress best known for roles in Schitts Creek, Beetlejuice, Best in Show and the first two Home Alone movies.  I especially loved her in Schitts Creek.  That show was really funny. 

I mailed to O'Hara on January 21 and got the cards back on May 20, for an 88-day TAT.

TTM Success - Andy Hawkins

The 1987 set has slowed down considerably.  I have to wait for private signings most of the time now to really add to the set.  Recently, one popped up for Andy Hawki s that allowed me to finish the Padres leaders card.

Hawkins is pretty tough, as has been Terry Kennedy to sign his part of this card.  I'm glad I finally got it done, though.

I sent to the signing on February 15 and got the card back on April 8, for a 52-day TAT.

2023 National - A Couple Random Auto Pickups

Navigating the National is often like looking for a needle in a haystack.  Especially when the show is so crowded, you can barely get to any tables.  Fast forward to the last day of the show, and I finally had time and access to a table with albums of signed cards by set.  There were maybe 3 different dealers at the show with this setup, and the other two had very slim pickings for 1987 Topps.  One of them has a very helpful checklist of signed cards by year; I buy from that guy all of the time, it seems.  This year, his list said he had a signed 1987 Topps Orel Hershiser.  When I asked about it "oh that sold already, I need.to cross that out." Darn.

Well, on Sunday, this table DID have an 87 Topps that I needed, the above Eric King.  So, it took all show, but I did knock an 87 Topps off of my list.

I looked through their other albums and found a couple other vintage Topps cards to add to the album, just for fun.  I missed an opportunity to send to Spook Jacobs before he passed away, so I was glad to find this one, and picked it up.  I also saw the 1956 Topps Enos Slaughter at a good price, and added it to the album, as well.

I probably could have added a lot more vintage cards to the album, but I had to meet up with someone prior to heading over to the autograph pavilion for the list signers at the show.  Still, I'm happy with what I got, and I'm one card closer on my 87 set.

TTM Success - Chevy Chase

The rumor is that he has a ghost signer, but I still sent off TTM for Chevy Chase.  I had the above 1992 Star Pics card in my boxes for a while, and I couldn't even begin to think where it came from.  So, I got the card signed anyway.  A quick look at PSA authenticated offerings on Ebay shows that these signatures match what has been authenticated for Chase, so maybe I got a couple of good ones.  They also don't look autopenned, so maybe I did good.

Of course, I sent off a 1987 Topps checklist to whittle the stack down a little more.  

Chase (b. 1943) was an original cast member for Saturday Night Live, on which he appeared in 1975 and 1976, and has also hosted 8 times.  He is known for his roles in Caddyshack, the National Llampoon Vacations movies, Fletch, Three Amigos, Funny Farm, Foul Play and Spies Like Us.

I wrote to Chase on January 23 and got the cards back signed on February 9, for a 17-day TAT

TTM Success - Hank Williams Jr

Another signed 1987 Topps checklist has made its way to the album, along with a filler card and a 2010 Topps Houston Astros team history card; all signed by music legend, Hank Williams, Jr.

I had seen that Williams was signing TTM, so I got these three cards together and sent them out.  They turned out nicely.  I k ow some folks don't understand why I get the checklist or filler cards signed; I like to add folks who (loosely) were active in 87 on the hundreds of checklists I have remaining.  Maybe not hundreds, but it seems that way.  Anyway, it's fun to have a page or two at the back of the album with these random politicians and celebrities.  The filler cards are probably proof that I can't throw anything away, but they still look cool in the album. 

Williams (b. 1949) was born into the music industry.  He has blazed a path apart from his famous father, and made a name for himself in his own right. He has a tie to the sports world, as the singer of the former opening song to Monday Night Football.

I mailed to Williams on January 23 and got the cards back on February 6, for a 14-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Danny Heep

This 1987 Topps card signed by Danny Heep was a long time in the making.  I had sent to him TTM directly and never got a return.  Then a private signing came along last year that got canceled.  Finally, another signing came along and I was able to get the card crossed off of my checklist.

Heep (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1979 to 1991 for the Astros, Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox and Braves.  He had 503 hits, 30 home runs and a .257 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Mets in 1986 and with the Dodgers in 1988.

I mailed to the signing on December 19 and got the card back on January 23, for a 35-day TAT.