Brooks Robinson Signs More Cards TTM

He was done signing TTM and I was content with what I had already gotten back from the greatest third baseman of all time.  Then I pulled this silver pack mojo card from 2022 Topps and took a look to see if he really was done signing cards TTM.  He still was, so I prepped this card and sent it on its way.  I also looked in my box for the two other cards that I had aside that I really wanted to get done, and put them in the envelope as well.

I promised myself that I truly would be done after these three cards were signed.  I had this 1968 Topps deckle edge card aside to get Brooks to sign for some time now, and for whatever reason, it never got sent in past TTM requests, or taken with me to a signing.  Maybe I had misplaced it, or had something just ahead of it in my mind on what I wanted to get signed.  Regardless, this one getting into my autograph album was long overdue.

Finally, I tossed this 1991 Crown Orioles card in just to try to get it signed.  Again, I'm not going for thr set, but the cards are really convenient when I know there is a former Oriole signing.  Or at least one who was with the team prior to 1991.

Anyway, I promised myself that I truly was done asking anything of Brooks.  I even included a thank you card for all of the things he has done over the years.  He is a great man and a genuine human being.  I am glad I have gotten what I have from him.  I sent off the three cards with $20 and am really happy with these results.  I hope Brooks liked my thank you card and knows how much he means to all Oriole fans.  Thank you, Brooks!

TTM Success - Jim Rice

I decided to push a little bit harder with the 1987 set, mostly because I have two boxes of them, and need to find something to do with all of these extra cards.  I spent the money on finally adding Jim Rice to my list of TTM successes.

I already have Rice's autograph on a ball for my HOF collection, but I figured at $10/card, it wasn't a bad idea to add him to my autograph album as well.  Also, I will forever remember searching the two boxes with my son Chris for just one card, the above All Star version.  We finally found this one in the last row of the second box.  Full disclosure, though, I went into my boxes a couple weeks later and found one almost immediately.

Rice (b. 1953) played in the majors from 1974 to 1989 for the Red Sox.  He had 2,452 hits, 382 home runs and a .298 batting average.  He led the league in home runs in 1977 (39), 1978 (46) and 1983 (39).  He led the league in RBI in 1978 (139) and 1983 (126).  He had over 30 home runs 4 seasons and over 100 RBI in 8 seasons.  He batted over .300 in 7 seasons.  Rice was the AL MVP in 1978.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2009, his 15th and final year of eligibility and received 76.4% of the vote.

I mailed to Rice on September 16 and got the cards back on September 25, for a 9-day TAT.  He charges a fee of $10/card, and will only accept cash.

Cal Ripken TTM Success

Wait.  before you get excited, this TTM success is over 20 years old.  I don't think it is nearly as easy to get him TTM these days.

I mailed to Cal back when I was 10 or 11, so probably around 1991 or so..  I got this signed postcard in return and I remember thinking it was really cool that I could get an autograph through the mail.  Who would have thought that 20+ years later that I would be this involved in TTMs and autographs.

I really like the post card itself.  I mean, look how young Cal was!  He had HAIR!

The reason you guys haven't seen this autograph yet is because I had it buried in my foot locker and dug it out yesterday.

Growing up, Cal was my favorite player.  He still  is, of course, but I have added a few other players to the list.

TTM Success - Whitey Herzog

On the day a legendary manager of the St. Louis Cardinals retired, I received a signed baseball from another legendary Cardinals manager, Whitey Herzog.

Herzog got his start as a manager in 1973 with the Rangers when he managed 138 games.  He was the second manager of the Rangers when he took over for Ted Williams.  Yes, THAT Ted Williams.  He was fired as manager of the Rangers and replaced with Billy Martin.  He managed the Angels for 4 games in 1974 on an interim basis before Dick Williams was hired before being hired by the Kansas City Royals in 1975. 

With the Royals from 1975 to 1979, Herzog amassed a record of 714-410 and led those teams to three straight American League West titles from 1976 to 1978.

He joined the Cardinals in 1980 and went on to manage them until 1990.  During that time, the Cardinals won three NL pennants (1982, 1985 and 1987) and one World Series (1982).  He ended his managerial career with a record of 2409-1281 (.532 winning pct.).

Herzog is my 50th Hall of Famer and my 37th TTM Success.  I mailed to him on October 22 and got him back today, October 31, making him a 9-day TAT.  He signed for a fee of $10.00.

Really Awesome Mail Day Part 1 - Doug Harvey Signed Baseball

I was so busy today with little odd jobs around the house that I forgot to check my mail until well after 7PM.  When I got the the mailbox, I opened it and said "Oh cool, I got a ball... no wait... 2 balls... no wait... some cards too!  AWESOME!!!

Here is the first of the two TTM successes I got today:

Hall of Famer Doug Harvey!  Harvey (b. 1930) is one of only 9 umpires in the Hall of Fame.  He umpired in the National League from 1962 to 1992 and was one of the last umpires in the Majors who did not attend an umpiring school.

Harvey's 4,673 games called ranks fourth all-time.  Harvey umpired in 5 World Series (1968, 1974, 1981, 1984, 1988), six All Star games (1963, 1964, 1971, 1977, 1982 and 1992) and 9 times in the NLCS (1970, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1989 and 1991).

Harvey makes my 49th Hall of Famer and my 34th TTM success.  I mailed to Harvey on June 20 and received it today, October 15 making him a 4-month TAT for me.  I had almost given up on the ball, but am glad that it finally came.  I'll post the other ball I got tomorrow with the cards to follow that post.