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 - Brad Kilby

Here are a few nice cards that came back signed TTM from Brad Kilby.  I like all of the green on the above 2010 Topps.  The 2010 Topps design wasn't the best, but I do like the colors, and was happy to get on of the cards out of my box.  I think I ended up with more 2010 Topps than any other year from that decade, except for maybe 2013.  Nowadays, it is hard to find base cards anywhere.

I also got Kilby to sign a 2010 Topps Heritage, and a 2010 Allen & Ginter.  The Heritage design that year looks great, as 1961 Topps was a very good looking set.

Kilby (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2009 to 2010 for the A's.  He had a record of 1-0 with 28 strike outs and a 1.07 ERA.

I mailed to Kilby on November 12 and got the cards back on January 25, for a 74-day TAT.

TTM Success - Steven Bondurant

I got a 2005 Topps Update card out of my box with this TTM success from Steven Bondurant.  I had busted a bunch of packs of these back in 05 and still have a ton left over.  I was glad to get this one signed.

Bondurant (b. 1980) was a 15th round pick by the A's out of the University of South Carolina in the 2003 June Amateur Draft.  He played 5 seasons in the A's system, reaching AAA.  He had a career minor league record of 31-24 with 372 strike outs and a 4.01 ERA.

I mailed to Bondurant on November 18 and got the card back on December 18, for a 30-day TAT.

TTM Success - Craig Minetto

I added another 1980 Topps to my autograph album with this TTM success from Craig Minetto.  The card looks pretty nice, and I like the A's uniform on there.

Minetto (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1978 to 1981 for the A's.  He had a record of 1-7 with 76 strike outs and a 5.40 ERA.

I mailed to Minetto on October 6 and got the card back on October 16, for a 10-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jeff Tam

I got a 2001 Topps out of my box with this TTM success from former pitcher, Jeff Tam.  He signed the card with a black marker.

Tam (b. 1970) played in the majors from 1998 to 2003 for the Mets, Indians, A's and Blue Jays.  He had a career record of 7-14 with 146 strike outs and a 3.91 ERA.

I mailed to Tam on September 23 and got the card back on October 10, for a 17-day TAT.

TTM Success - Rich Harden

I was really excited when I saw that Rich Harden signed TTM.  I had a ton of his cards, and he didn't seem to really have much of a limit of what he would sign, so I sent 5 cards along.  The above 2008 Masterpieces really turned out well.  I always enjoy Topps, but Upper Deck did have some great offerings, and Masterpieces was one of them.

Harden also signed a 2002 Topps Prospects card (above left), 2006 Topps (above right), 2008 Upper Deck Heroes (bottom left) and a 2008 Stadium Club (bottom right).

Harden (b. 1981) played in the majors from 2003 to 2011 for the A's, Cubs and Rangers.  He had a career record of 59-38 with 949 strike outs and a 3.76 ERA.

I mailed to Harden on March 16 and got the cards back on September 26, for a 194-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tyler Baum

I have come to enjoy getting recent draft picks cards signed.  I usually just hoard the Bowman cards for in-person graphing, but this year has killed that.

This 2019 Bowman Draft card of A's prospect, Tyler Baum, turned out nicely.  He also included a signed index card thanking me for writing to him.

Baum (b. 1998) was a second round pick in the 2019 June Amateur Draft by the A's out of UNC-Chapel Hill.  He pitched in 11 games in Low A ball last summer where he went 0-3 with 34 strike outs and a 4.70 ERA.

I mailed to Baum on May 30 and got the card back signed on June 5, for a 6-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jackie Moore

I moved a couple cards out of my 80s boxes when I got these two cards signed by Jackie Moore.  I always heard Kevin Kennedy talk on XM about how great a bench coach Moore was for him, so it was nice to put a face (and signature) with the name.  Kennedy hasn't been on XM in years, but when he was on, I always enjoyed listening to him.

The above 1986 Topps signed by Moore turned out really well.  This set looks really nice when signed.

This 1985 Topps also looks nice.  I also sent Moore a 1973 Topps Whitey Herzog card (Moore is shown as a coach on the card).  Moore signed it, then I sent it on to Herzog and Chuck Estrada to complete the card.  It'll get posted on here eventually.

Moore (b. 1939) played in the majors in 1965 for the Tigers.  He had 5 hits, no home runs and a 0.94 batting average.  As a manager, he managed the A's from 1984 to 1986.  His career won/loss record was 163-190 (.462 win %).

I mailed to Moore on May 14 and got the cards back on June 1, for an 18-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Blue Moon Odom

Going through my boxes, I typically come across a bunch of cards that I just want to get signed.  Some of the players have signed for me before, so I hold those cards back, and every now and then, I'll send the cards out.  I had gotten John "Blue Moon" Odom TTM several years ago, but I kept seeing these cards in my 1973 Topps box, and kept thinking that I would love to get a few of them signed.

I finally mailed to Odom again, and the cards turned out great.  I think, if he comes back anytime soon, I will get Johnny Bench on the above card.  I think it would be cool with both players autographs on the card.

Yeah, I'm not finishing this one.  It is a cool card, though, and I was glad to be able to get Odom to sign it.

Finally, I added Odom's base card.  It also looks great.

I mailed to Odom on May 4 and got the cards back on May 14, for a 10-day TAT.  I paid Odom's fee of $5/card.

Also, a note on blog comments - I can't reply directly to comments, so if you have specific questions, like how to do TTM or where I get addresses, please just email me.  My email address is listed on the side of the blog.  If you have commented a specific question, I'm not being rude, I just haven't been able to reply directly.

Another TTM Success From Carney Lansford Completes a Card

I had gotten Carney Lansford via a private signing a bit ago, and completely forgot he was on the 1987 Topps A's Leaders card.  I was really upset that I missed out, but I was fortunate enough to see that he was signing again.  This time around, though, the card was out for signature, and almost didn't get back in time.  I had sent it to someone who was getting me Dave Von Ohlen, but the card did get back in time, and I was able to finish off the card with Lansford's signature.

I mailed to the private signing on February 5 and got the card back on March 2, for a 26-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $10.00.

TTM Success - Matt Olson

I had forgotten I sent this TTM request out last year, so when it came back a few weeks ago, I was very excited.  I've been working on the 2010 Bowman USA et for a while, and was so excited to be able to cross Matt Olson off of the list.  I had bought a bunch of the USA cards in bulk from a dime box at the 2011 National (my first one), and have seen a few of the players become stars (Alex Bregman, Olson, Albert Almora).  I'm glad Ryan talked me into getting the lot.

Olson has two First Bowman cards, it seems, as this 2012 Bowman has 1st Bowman printed on the front.  I guess they forgot he was in that USA set.

Olson (b. 1994) has played in the majors since 2016 (all for the A's).  He has 323 hits, 89 home runs and a .254 batting average.  He finished 4th in the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year voting (after only playing in 59 games).  He won the Gold Glove Award in 2018 and 2019, and finished 21st in the 2019 AL MVP voting.

I mailed to Olson on February 12, 2019, via A's Spring Training and got the cards back signed on February 3, 2020, for a 356-day TAT.

Christmas Gift To Myself - Signed 1987 Topps Steve Ontiveros

The last of the cards that I picked up for myself for Christmas was this signed 1987 Topps of Steve Ontiveros.  The Steve Ontiveros from the 70s (former infielder) signs TTM regularly, but for some reason, the Ontiveros from the 80s (former pitcher) does not.  Oh well, I got this one at a good price, and got it out of the way.

Ontiveros (b. 1961) played in the majors from 1985 to 1990, 1993 to 1995 and 2000 for the A's, Phillies, Mariners and Red Sox.  He had a career record of 34-31 with 382 strike outs and a 3.67 ERA.  He won the AL ERA title in 1994.  He was an All Star in 1995.

Another Private Signing Success From Mickey Tettleton

I dropped the ball a few months ago when I sent to a private signing with Mickey Tettleton on SCN.  I sent a couple cards and was all excited because I had already gotten his 1987 Topps.  I completely missed that he is on this 1987 Topps A's team leaders card.  I already knew that I messed up by not sending it to Carney Lansford.  So, I took advantage of another signing that popped up, and was able to get Tettleton.  I'll have to keep an eye out for another Lansford signing, as well as Dave Von Ohlen (the guy on the left).

I mailed to the signing on October 21 and got the card back on November 7, for a 17-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $14.00.

TTM Success - Mark Wagner

I added some more 80s (and a 70s) cards to my autograph album with this TTM success from Mark Wagner.  I really like the 1981 Topps, and it turned out great.

I also added 1979, 1980 and 1985 Topps to the album.

Wagner (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1976 to 1984 for the Tigers, Rangers and A's.  He had 205 hits, 3 home runs and a .243 batting average.

I mailed to Wagner on September 24 and got the cards back on October 18, for a 24-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jack Cust

It took a long time, but I was able to add a couple signed cards of former Oriole, Jack Cust, to my collection.  I didn't have many cards of Cust as an Oriole, but I did have two 2004 Upper Deck Vintage, so I sent both of them.

I also had this 2009 Upper Deck that he signed.  His Sharpie looks like it is starting to dry up, but I'm happy to have the signed cards nonetheless.

Cust (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2001 to 2004 and 2006 to 2011 for the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Orioles, A's and Mariners.  He had 510 hits, 105 home runs and a .242 batting average.

I mailed to Cust on October 26, 2017, and got the cards back on October 8, 2019, for a 712-day TAT.

TTM Success - Eric Plunk

I waited a while, but finally got a TTM success back from Eric Plunk via PastPros.  I needed him for my 1987 set, and the card turned out pretty well.  It got a bit damaged in transit, but really, it looks fine.

Plunk (b. 1963) played in the majors from 1986 to 1999 for the A's, Yankees, Indians and Brewers.  He had a career record of 72-58 with 1,081 strike outs and a 3.82 ERA.

I mailed to the private signing on March 25 and got the card back on August 19, for a 147-day TAT.  I paid the PastPros fee of $12.00.

TTM Success - Gene Nelson

Another 1987 Topps is marked off of the list with this TTM success from Gene Nelson.  I thought I had him already, but I must have gotten him mixed up with someone else.

When I sent to Nelson, I also sent these two cards, 1990 and 1992 Topps.

Nelson (b. 1960) played in the majors from 1981 to 1993 for the Yankees, Mariners, White Sox, A's, Angels and Rangers.  He had a career record of 53-64 with 655 strike outs and a 4.13 ERA.  He won the World Series in 1989 with the A's.

I mailed to Nelson on March 26 and got the cards back on August 5, for a 132-day TAT.

TTM Success - Ray Fosse

This TTM success from former catcher, Ray Fosse, was nice in that it was also a success from Spring Training.  I sent off some nice cards, and they all look great now that they are signed.  I liked this airbrushed 1976 Topps Traded showing Fosse after he had been traded back to the Indians from the A's.

I also got a 1972, 1977 and a 1980 signed by Fosse.

Fosse (b. 1947) played in the majors from 1967 to 1977 and 1979 for the Indians, A's, Mariners and Brewers.  He had 758 hits, 61 home runs and a .256 batting average.  He was a two-time All Star (1970 and 1971) and won the World Series twice with the A's (1973 and 1974).  He was a Gold Glove Award winner in 1970 and 1971, and his best MVP finish was 23rd (1970, AL).

Fosse was injured during a collision with Pete Rose on the last play of the 1970 All Star game.  He wound up with a later-diagnosed separated shoulder that had healed incorrectly.  That collision is still talked about today.

I mailed to Fosse on February 19, via A's Spring Training and got the cards back on March 11, for a 20-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jim Holt

Some more older Topps cards came back TTM signed by Jim Holt.  The cards turned out well.

All I could find of Holt in my boxes were these two cards, but they were plenty for me to send.  He has a pretty nice signature.

Holt (b. 1944) played in the majors from 1968 to 1976 for the Twins and A's.  He had 428 hits, 19 home runs and a .265 batting average.  He won the World Series with the A's in 1974.

I mailed to Holt on January 29, and got the cards back on February 27, for a 29-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Roger Craig

I had gotten Tony LaRussa on this 1990 Score "Lights Out Candlestick" card commemorating the earthquake during the 1989 World Series and thought it would be cool to add in the opposing manager.  So, I sent off to Roger Craig and paid his $5.00 fee.  I'm really glad I sent it off.  I doubt I will add any other signatures to the card, but you never know.

I mailed to Craig on January 23 and got the card back on February 23, for a 31-day TAT.