TTM Success - Josh Willingham

The early 2000s had some mice products that I remember fondly.  One of them was 2006 Upper Decl Epic.  When I saw a private signing pop up for Josh Willingham, I was excited to add one of the few 06 Epics that I had left to my autograph album.  The card turned out awesome.

I went ahead and included this 2006 Flair Showcase, since I passed it in my box while looking for the UD Epic.  This card also turned out nicely.

Willingham (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2004 to 2014 for the Marlins, Nationals, A's, Twins and Royals.  He had 988 hits, 195 home runs and a .253 batting average.  He was a Silver Slugger Award winner in 2012.  He finished 9th in the NL Rookie of the Year Award voting in 2006.

I mailed to the signing on December 14 and got the cards back on February 7, for a 55-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ryan Shealy

I got some really cool cards back signed when I got this success in from Ryan Shealy.  I knew I had several of his cards, they were just scattered among all of my card boxes.  I finally rounded up the ones shown and sent them off.

I enjoyed the 2006 Flair Showcase set, and now have a couple of them signed.  This one probably looks better in person, as the scan picked up some of the flaws in the marker used by Shealy.  Still, I like having the card, and am glad it got signed.

Shealy also signed a 2003 Topps Traded, 2007 Allen and Ginter and a 2007 Topps Chrome refractor.

Shealy (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2005 to 2008 and 2010 for the Rockies, Royals and Red Sox.  He had 146 hits, 19 home runs and a .268 batting average.

I mailed to Shealy on June 15 and got the cards back on June 26, for an 11-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jeff Harris

I was really happy to get these cards back from Jeff Harris. It was mainly because I really wanted to get a 2006 Upper Deck Epic card signed (and there is one shown below). I was also glad to get all three of these cards out of my box. 

I opened a few boxes of 06 Epic, which were very expensive. I sold off a lot of the cards, but a small handful survived several card shows and Ebay. Now, there is one in my album (along with the 2006 Topps and 2006 Flair Showcase).

Harris (b. 1974) played in the majors in 2005 and 2006 for the Mariners. He had a career record of 2-5 with 26 strike outs and a 4.26 ERA.

I mailed to Harris on April 25 and got the cards back on June 23, for a 59-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jason Bergmann

 I used my 2020 Harvey book to my advantage by getting a type of card I really wanted in my album, signed.  I had been trying to get a 2006 Upper Deck Ovation signed but have missed out, then I saw this one of Jason Bergmann in my rookies box, so I tried again.

The card turned out great, I think, and will look really cool with the other cards in my album.

I also got a 2006 Flair Showcase and a 2006 Topps Rookie 52 signed.  Those Flair Showcase are really nice.  I've been able to get a few of the Rookie 52s done.  I remember busting a box of those back when they came out.  This was way before Heritage Minors.  I kind of wish Topps would bring back Bowman Heritage to the mainstream.

Bergmann (b. 1981) played in the majors from 2005 to 2010 for the Nationals.  He had a career record of 12-24 with 299 strike outs and a 5.04 ERA.

I mailed to Bergmann on May 7 and got the cards back on May 30, for a 23-day TAT.

TTM Success - Melvin Mora

Sometimes it's tough to send a TTM request to a former Oriole.  Tough in that I have so many cards to choose from, I often have a hard time deciding what to send out.  When I saw that Melvin Mora was signing TTM, I went through both Orioles boxes and pulled out mostly Topps base cards of his to send.  I then saw this 2006 Flair Showcase and remembered that I didn't have any of these in the autograph album, and how it would look cool when signed.

I got my return from Mora, and was really excited to see that he signed the cards in gold Sharpie!  I figured it would be blue or black that he would use, but Mora used gold.  Man, the gold Sharpie really looks awesome, too.  The card scanned so nice, I couldn't believe it.

He also signed this 2004 Topps in gold.  I picked this one over the other Topps base cards of Mora because I have very few 2004 extras lying around, so I figured this would be a good one to add another tick mark in my Topps Autograph Project.

Mora (b. 1972) played in the majors from 1999 to 2011 for the Mets, Orioles, Rockies and Diamondbacks.  He had 1,503 hits, 171 home runs and a .277 batting average.  He batted .340 during the 2004 season, earning himself a spot on the AL MVP ballot (18th overall) and a Silver Slugger Award on a really bad Orioles team.  Mora was a two-time All Star (2003 and 2005) and was a bright spot in a dark period of Orioles baseball.

Mora was traded to the Orioles in 2000, along with Mike Kinkade, Leslie Brea and Pat Gorman for Mike Bordick and spent ten seasons with the O's.  His time there, and steady play, earned him induction into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2015.  He appeared on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot in 2017, but did not receive any votes.

I mailed to Mora on March 2 and got the cards back on March 10, for an 8-day TAT.

Care Package From Nick H.

Still catching up on posts, here are a few cards that I got in a care package from my friend, Nick H. way before Christmas.  Nick is a really good guy who I have been talking to for a while now.  He sent me a few Orioles, highlighted by this 2006 Flair Showcase Brian Roberts relic.

Nick also included this Melvin Mora relic from 2008 Upper Deck.  I'll have to organize my Orioles box soon and add these to the collection.

Thanks for the care package, Nick!

Christmas Gift From Jet - 2006 Flair Showcase Brian Roberts Auto

I got this Brian Roberts autographed card from 2006 Flair Showcase as a Christmas gift from my good buddy, Jet.  I've been helping him this past year with advice, trades, set building, you name it.  Jet is a really cool guy, and already has an amazing collection at such a young age.  I guess it's safe to say, I'm a bit envious of the guy.  I mean come on, he has a Hank Aaron rookie (part of his complete set of 1954 Topps).

Jet always seeks me out for help, and has tole me before that he looks up to me.  He just recently started collecting signed baseballs by Hall of Famers because I inspired him to do so.  I don't really set out to inspire anyone.  I just enjoy what I enjoy, and like to share it with you all.  The fact that this kid from Oklahoma is inspired by anything I do it amazing to me.  I'm happy to know that young folks out there want to enjoy this same hobby that I enjoy.

So, thanks for this awesome Christmas present, my friend.  I hope you, your mom, and the rest of your family had a great Christmas.  You're a great guy, and definitely deserve it.  Thanks, Jet!