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.

TTM Success - Jett Williams

This TTM success that was borne out of my 2022 Bowman Draft pickups brought in a sweet insert card.  Jett Williams signed two cards for me TTM, and the above insert might be one of m favorites that I have gotten back so far this year.  The card looks better in person, but the scan isn't too bad.

He also signed a 2022 Bowman Draft paper, which turned out nicely.

Williams (b. 2003) was a first round (14th over all) pick by the Mets in the July 2022 Amateur Draft out of Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas.  He played in 10 games for the FCL Mets last season, collecting 8 hits, 1 home run and a .250 batting average.

I mailed to Williams on January 6 and got the cards back on January 18, for a 12-day TAT.

TTM Success - R. A. Dickey

This TTM success came from a pretty big name, former Cy Young Award winner, R. A. Dickey. I had tried him before, but never got my stuff back. I had see folks get him recently, so I trier again and was successful the second time around.

I was able to get a 2013 Topps and a 2011 Topps signed, and both turned out great.

Dickey (b. 1974) played in the majors in 2001, from 2003 to 2006 and 2008 to 2017 for the Rangers, Mariners, Twins, Mets, Blue Jays and Braves. He had a record of 120-118 with 1,477 strike outs and a 4.04 ERA. He won 20 games in 2012, the season in which he won the NL Cy Young Award. He was an All Star in 2012, as well. His best finish in the MVP race was also that season, when he finished 14th. He won a Gold Glove Award in 2013.

I mailed to Dickey on March 8 and got the cards back on April 27, for a 49-day TAT.

TTM Success - Brent Gaff

Here are some mid-80s cards that I was able to get signed by Brent Gaff.  The above 1986 Topps looks really great, as most of them do.  I remember being able to pick up a few wax boxes of 86 Topps for $5.00 a box, when a card shop closed down in Gastonia.  Now, wax boxes of them cost a lot more.  Thank to folks grading a crazy amount of the cards.

I also got a 1983 Donruss and a 1985 Topps signed by Gaff.

Gaff (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1982 to 1984 for the Mets.  He had a record of 4-5 with 60 strike outs and a 4.06 ERA.

I mailed to Gaff on December 4 and got the cards back on March 20, for a 106-day TAT.

2021 National Signer - Mike Piazza

The signers list this year at the National was kind of light.  I think it was because they weren't sure about the event even happening until June 1, then Tristar had to scramble to get guys lined up.  Even past free signers like Marty Cordova were on the paid list this year.  Still, there were a few guys I needed for my Hall of Fame collection.  Speaking of, the collection has been neglected lately with the signed 1987 Topps set taking up a lot of my time.  I picked a couple guys off of the list who I still needed; and I missed one that I thought I had (Larry Walker).

I paid the fee to meet Mike Piazza, and got him on this baseball Saturday at the show.  He was really cool; we talked about him getting in trouble with Axl Rose years ago when Piazza leaked some new GNR music to an LA radio station.  I had asked Piazza if he had any new ones he could leak for me, since I'm a huge fan, and he said "Man, I got into so much trouble over that..."  I said "With who, Axl?  Did you make him angry?" and Mike replied "Well, when is he not angry?"  That was a cool shared moment right there, albeit brief, since we were moving through the line quickly.

Piazza (b. 1968) played in the majors from 1992 to 2007 for the Dodgers, Marlins, Mets, Padres and A's.  He had 2,172 hits, 427 home runs and a .308 batting average.  He was the 1993 NL Rookie of the Year and a 12-time All Star (1993 to 2002, 2004 and 2005).  His best MVP finish was 2nd (NL, 1996 and 1997).  He was a 10-time Silver Slugger Award winner, as well.  Remarkable, he hit over .300 9 times in his career.  His .308 batting average ranks 126th all-time and his home runs rank 51st.

Piazza was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2016, his 4th time on the ballot.  He is my 152nd Hall of Famer on a baseball, and the first that I have added since October of 2020.  Glad to cross a new name off of the list.

TTM Success - Ray Knight

I had entered a private signing for Ray Knight a while back, but it fell through.  Thankfully, I was patient, and another came along that allowed for me to add his card to my 1987 Topps set.  The card looks great.  Also, I was finally able to show the set off to someone in person yesterday, which was really nice.  It isn't any fun collecting something and not being able to share it.  That's why I have this blog, and my instagram page.  Still, it is a lot more fun watching someone flip through the pages in person and talking about the cards and players.

Knight (b. 1952) played in the majors in 1974 and from 1977 to 1988 for the Reds, Astros, Mets, Orioles and Tigers.  He had 1,311 hits, 84 home runs and a .271 batting average.  He was an All Star twice (1980 and 1982) and his best MVP finish was 5th in 1979 (NL).  He was the World Series MVP in 1986 with the Mets.  Of course, the Mets won that World Series.

Knight also managed the Reds in 1996, 1997 and 2003 to a record of 125-137 (.477 win %).

I mailed to the private signing on September 5 and got the card back on October 13, for a 38-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ron Darling

Another 1987 Topps came off of the list when I entered the recent private signing for Ron Darling.  The card came out looking great, and I was really happy with the signing/

Darling (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1983 to 1995 for the Mets, Expos and A's.  He had a record of 136-116 with 1,590 strike outs and a 3.87 ERA.  He was an All Star in 1985, and won the Gold Glove Award in 1989.  His best finish in the Cy Young race was 5th, in 1986.  He won the World Series in 1986 with the Mets.

I mailed to the signing on September 5 and got the card back on October 2, for a 27-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $20.00.

Another TTM Success From Mookie Wilson

Another private signing came along where I had a card that I thought would really look great when signed.  I had seen this 2015 Topps Gypsy Queen Walk-Off Winners card in one of my boxes, and was smart enough to pull it and put it aside, in case a signing came along.  One did, and I was able to find the card right away and send it off.  That can't be said a lot of times when signings come up.

I mailed to the private signing on June 4 and got the card back on July 30, for a 56-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $12.00.

TTM Success - Felix Millan

Here are some nice older cards that I was able to get signed by Felix Millan.  I had the above 1968 Topps in my vintage box for a future set that I might build.  I've raided that box so much, and I've kind of put the set building on the back burner.  Still, I enjoy it, and I'll get back to some at some point.  Right now, though, I'm adding autographs to my album.

I also got Millan's 1973, 1976 and 1978 Topps cards signed.  He has a really nice signature, and all of the cards look great.

Millan (b. 1943) played in the majors from 1966 to 1977 for the Braves and Mets.  He had 1,617 hits, 22 home runs and a .279 batting average.  He was an All Star 3 times (1969, 1970 and 1971) and a Gold Glove Award winner twice (1969 and 1972).  His best (and only) finish in the MVP voting was 16th in 1973 (NL).

I mailed to Millan on May 5 and got the cards back on May 23, for an 18-day TAT.

TTM Success - TJ Chism

I had TJ Chism's cards in my box for a while, so I could send to him TTM, but it took me some time to find his address.  My friend, Gerard, found it for me, and I sent to him.  The cards came back looking great.

I'm not the biggest fan of 2015 Bowman.  In my opinion, the crds are really hard to read when you are leafing through them due to the foil letters and vertical type.  I usually have to flip them over and go through them by looking at the backs, but maybe that's just me.  If a card is hard to read quickly, they fall out of favor with me really quickly.  That being said, I like getting them signed, because that removes them from my box, and I have less and less cards to look through.

Chism (b. 1988) was a 32nd round pick by the Mets in the 2009 June Amateur Draft out of La Salle University.  He spent 6 seasons in the minors between 2009 and 2015, reaching the AA level (Binghamton).  He went 14-11 with 225 strike outs and a 2.78 ERA.

I mailed to Chism on May 11 and got the cards back on May 21, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Brett Baty

Here is another TTM success that I got by paying attention to who was signing from 2019 Bowman Draft.  I only had this Brett Baty card, so it was the only thing I sent.  It turned out great, so I was happy about that.

Baty (b. 1999) was a First Round draft pick (12th overall) by the Mets in the 2019 June Amateur Draft.

He reached Low A Brooklyn last season while also playing in the Gulf Coast and Appalachian Leagues.  He had 44 hits, 7 home runs and a .234 batting average.

I mailed to Baty on January 6 and got the card back on February 28, for a 53-day TAT.

TTM Success - Carlos Cortes

I have been trying to add some more prospect cards to my autograph albums and this TTM success from Carlos Cortes was one that came in successfully recently.

The above 2019 Pro Debut gold is numbered 40/50 and turned out really well.  Cortes signed with a silver Sharpie, and I think it was a nice touch.

I also sent this 2018 Bowman Chrome refractor.  The silver Sharpie really looks good on this one, especially in person.

Cortes (b. 1997) was a 3rd round pick by the Mets in the 2018 June Amateur Draft out of the University of South Carolina.  So far, through two minor league seasons, Cortes has 164 hits, 15 home runs and a .258 batting average.  He is likely to move to Single A Columbia this season, right down the street from where he played college ball.

I mailed to Cortes on October 25 and got the cards back on December 5, for a 41-day TAT.

Christmas Gift To Myself - Signed 1987 Topps Randy Myers

Another of the cards I picked up for myself for Christmas was this Randy Myers signed 1987 Topps.  For some reason, he doesn't sign a whole lot, so I went ahead and picked up with JSA certified auto once I saw it pop up.

Myers (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1985 to 1998 for the Mets, Reds, Padres, Cubs, Orioles and Blue Jays.  He had a career record of 44-63 with 884 strike outs and a 3.19 ERA.  His 347 career saves are 12th all-time.  He won the World Series in 1990 with the Reds, and was a member of the 1986 Mets, but did not appear in the playoffs with them.  Myers was a 4-time All Star (1990, 1994, 1995 and 1997) and his best Cy Young Award finish was 4th (1997, AL).  That season, he also scored his best finish in the MVP voting, 4th.

TTM Success - Rafael Santana

Here is another autograph that I got from the recent private signings that I saw on SCN.  I assume there was some kind of Mets alumni event, because the guys I got recently were all Mets.  This success came from Rafael Santana, and when I saw his name pop up, I had to check his list of cards to see if he was even in the set.  I admit, I had never heard of him.

Santana (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1983 to 1988 and 1990 for the Cardinals, Mets, Yankees and Indians.  He had 497 hits, 13 home runs and a .246 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Mets in 1986.

I mailed to the signing on September 19 and got the card back on October 15, for a 26-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $29.00.

TTM Success - Sid Fernandez

Another of the recent private signings was for former pitcher, Sid Fernandez.  I had needed him for quite a while, and finally got his 87 Topps done.  I actually have an old Sports Illustrated that I need him on, too, but I had to wait to send that.

Fernandez (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1983 to 1997 for the Dodgers, Mets, Orioles, Phillies and Astros.  He had a career record of 114-96 with 1,743 strike outs and a 3.36 ERA.  He was a two-time All Star (1986 and 1987) and his best Cy Young Award finish was 7th (1986, NL).  He won the World Series with the Mets in 1986.  He appeared on the 2003 Hall of Fame ballot, but only received 0.4% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on September 19 and got the card back on October 15, for a 26-day TAT.  I paid a $29.00 fee (which is why I didn't send the Sports Illustrated).

TTM Success - Dave Magadan

I knocked off several 1987 Topps recently when I took part in a few private signings on SCN.  There were a bunch back to back to back, so I had to expand the budget a bit, but I was able to get a couple tough guys off of my checklist and into my binder.

I had sent TTM to Dave Magadan in the season, since he is a hitting coach somewhere.  I never did get those cards back, so I went ahead and sent to the signing and am happy with the card.

Magadan (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1986 to 2001 for the Mets, Marlins, Mariners, Astros, Cubs, A's and Padres.  He had 1,197 hits, 42 home runs and a .288 batting average.  He finished 22nd in the 1990 NL MVP voting.  He was a part of the World Series Champion New York Mets, but did not appear in the post season that year.

I mailed to the private signing on September 19 and got the card back on October 15, for a 26-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $29.00.

TTM Success - Bob Ojeda

I added this Bob Ojeda auto for my 87 set through a private signing on SCN.  I have a bunch more coming, which is nice.  The set is coming along a lot better than I ever thought it would, but I have some tough ones to get still.

Ojeda (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1980 to 1994 for the Red Sox, Mets, Dodgers, Indians and Yankees.  He had a career record of 115-98 with 1,128 strike outs and a 3.65 ERA.  He finished 4th in the 1986 NL Cy Young Award race, and 21st in the MVP voting that season.  He won the World Series with the Mets in 1986. 

During Spring Training in 1993, Ojeda joined fellow Indians pitchers Tim Crews and Steve Olin on a boat ride near Crews's Florida home.  It was near dark, and Crews was legally drunk, when the boat struck a pier, killing Olin and Crews.  Ojeda received lacerations on his head, but survived the crash.  He spent most of the 1993 season recuperating from the accident.

I mailed to the private signing on July 19 and got the card back on August 29, for a 41-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $39.00.

TTM Success - Dwight Gooden

I added the second of two Dwight Gooden cards to my 1987 set when I took advantage of a private signing that my buddy, Jacob, told me about.  My good friend, Max, got me the base card, so this All Star card was the other one that I needed.

I mailed to the signing on February 19 and got the card back on August 8, for a 170-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $19.00.

Thanks for letting me know, Jacob!

TTM Success - Ed Hearn

Another 1987 Topps came off of the checklist when I got this TTM success back from Ed Hearn.  The card turned out really well, and I was glad to cross it off of the list.

I also sent him this 1989 Topps to sign, and it looks really good, too.

Hearn (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1986 to 1988 for the Mets and Royals.  He had 45 hits, 4 home runs and a .263 batting average.  He was a member of the 1986 Mets, but did not play in the playoffs or World Series with them.

I mailed to Hearn on January 4 and got the cards back on July 20, for a 197-day TAT.

TTM Success - Gordie Richardson

I added this nice 1966 Topps to my autograph album when I got it back signed by Gordie Richardson.  He signed it in ballpoint pen, and it seems like the pen is about to give out.

Richardson (b. 1938) played in the majors from 1964 to 1966 for the Cardinals and Mets.  He had a career record of 6-6 with an ERA of 4.04 and 86 strike outs.  He won the World Series with the Cardinals in 1964.

I mailed to Richardson on March 5 and got the card back on March 25, for a 20-day TAT.