TTM Success - Colby Lewis

This TTM success from former pitcher, Colby Lewis, added some nice cards to the autograph album.  The above 2015 Topps Stadium Club is a great card, from a great set, and I was glad to get it signed.

I also got a 2010 Topps Update and a 2015 Topps Heritage signed by Lewis, and both turned out nicely, as well.

Lewis (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2002 to 2004, 2006 to 2007, 2010 to 2012 and 2014 to 2016 for the Rangers, A's and Tigers.  He had a record of 77-72 with 961 strike outs and a 4.70 ERA.

I mailed to Lewis on May 10, 2021, and got the cards back on December 17, 2022, for a 586-day TAT.

TTM Success - Yohel Pozo

Another 2022 Topps came in signed recently when I got this TTM success back from former Wood Duck, Yohel Pozo.  I use sportscollectors.net, and no one had listed any success from Pozo on there, yet, so mine went in as the first one.  I thought that was pretty cool.  I mailed to him via the Round Rock Express right after I got my Series 2 cards sorted.  The card turned out great; signed in black Sharpie.

Pozo (b. 1997) made his MLB debut last season where he had 21 hits, 1 home run and a .284 batting average for the Rangers.  I mailed to Pozo on September 16 and got the card back on October 4, for an 18-day TAT.

TTM Success - Scott Heineman

This 2020 Topps featuring the inaugural season of Globe Life Stadium signed by Scott Heineman will look pretty cool in my autograph album.  I got the card signed TTM by Heineman, with an inscription.  I wish Topps would do more of these with logos like this one.  

Heineman (b, 1992) has played in the majors since 2019 for the Rangers and Reds.  He has 27 hits, 5 home runs and a .172 batting average.

I mailed to Heineman on February 1 and got the card back on February 14, for a 13-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Kyle Cody

Former Wood Duck, Kyle Cody, wasn't a Wood Duck for long, but when he was, he was really good.  I had hoped that I would see him during the 2018 season, but he kept getting hurt, then ended up in Frisco.  I had sent to him TTM a little bit before this request, and got a return from his home address.  I sent these cards to Rangers Spring Training last year.

This 2018 Bowman chrome mojo parallel turned out nicely.  I was glad to get this one signed, as it had sat in my box for a long time.

Cody (b. 1994) had played for the Rangers since 2020.  He has a record of 1-3 with 32 strike outs and a 3.71 ERA.  This season hasn't been too kind to Cody; he is 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA and is on the 60-Day IL with shoulder inflammation.

I mailed to Cody on February 22, 2020, and got the cards back on March 30, 2021, for a 402-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Jonathan Hernandez

There were a bunch of Jonathan Hernandez cards in the boxes I got from my former LCS when it closed down.  I had gotten him TTM before, but I couldn't resist sending again, to Rangers Spring Training, because the cards were all parallels or just nice ones in general.

The above black and white 2019 Bowman Heritage turned out great.  I got almost a whole 3,000-count box of 19 Bowman Heritage, and have been able to add a few of them to my autograph album over the course of the year.

I also was able to get a 2020 Select, 2020 Donruss parallel and a green 2019 Bowman signed.

Hernandez (b. 1996) is a former Wood Duck and was supposed to be the Rangers closer this season.  He is down with Tommy John, so he won't be back for a while.  So far, he has a 7-2 record, 50 strike outs and a 3.40 ERA.

I mailed to Hernandez on February 9 via Rangers Sprig Training and got the cards back on March 20, for a 39-day TAT.

TTM Success - Joe Palumbo

Former Wood Duck Joe Palumbo signed a few cards for me TTM through Rangers Spring Training.  This 2020 Panini Select was the key to the TTM request, and the card looks awesome.  I really like this design, and the cards look really great in my album.

I also got a 2020 Donruss base and a foil signed; the foil is on the right.

Palumbo (b. 1994) was a 30th round pick by the Rangers in the 2013 June Amateur Draft out of St. John the Baptist High School in New York.  He made his debut for the Rangers in 2019, and also pitched for them in 2020.  He has a record of 0-4 with 26 strike outs and a 9.47 ERA.

I mailed to Palumbo on February 9 and got the cards back on March 4, for a 23-day TAT.

TTM Success - Kyle Cody

Getting Wood Ducks team set cards back TTM is always great, especially since I never thought I would get this one of Kyle Cody signed.  I had hoped I would see him one more time in Kinston, but I missed out.  Thankfully, he signs TTM, and I got my card done.  I like how Jim Perry Stadium in Buies Creek is shown on the card.  I was most likely at this game, then.

I also got these two cards from 2018 Bowman signed.  I wasn't 100% sure they would come back, so I didn't send anything too awesome.  I'm glad these came back, though, because it helped to reduce my pile of Cody stuff a little bit.

Cody (b. 1994) was a 6th round pick by the Rangers in the 2016 June Amateur Draft out of the University of Kentucky.  He has played in the majors since 2020 for the Rangers, but has been oft injured.  He is currently on the 60-Day DL.  He has a record of 1-3 with 32 strike outs and a 3.71 ERA.

As a Wood Duck, Cody was 3-0 with 35 strike outs and a 2.05 ERA.  He only appeared in 5 games as a Wood Duck; it felt like he was here longer.

I mailed to Cody on January 11 and got the cards back on February 8, for a 28-day TAT.

TTM Success - Scott Heard

I pulled this 2001 Topps Stars card of Scott Heard out of one of the boxes I got from my closing LCS and sent it off for a TTM autograph.  The card came back looking great not too long after.

Heard (b. 1981) was a first round (25th overall) draft pick in the 2000 June Amateur Draft out of Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, CA.  He played in the minors from 2000 to 2003, all in the Rangers system.  He reached High-A ball and had 289 hits, 24 home runs and a .245 batting average.

I mailed to Heard on November 16 and got the card back on December 19, for a 33-day TAT.

Christmas Gift From Andrew - Sam Huff Autos

My stack of TTMs to be blogged has gotten so big, I took the stack down and put it in a box.  The stack was in danger of either falling over on its own, or being knocked over by a goofball cat who hasn't quite learned that my desk is not for him.  The huge stack also was kind of daunting.  Trying to pull from it and get blogs written has pushed back trades and gifts that I've gotten, just so I don't fall farther and farther behind on the TTM posts.  That's one of the drawbacks to sending out 1,001 ttms in 2020.  Thanks, pandemic!

Anyway, I do have a ton of trades and Christmas gifts to post, still, so I wanted to make sure one got posted, so I could put the cards away.  My awesome friend, Andrew, sent me these Sam Huff autos for Christmas.  They are really awesome cards, and I didn't have any of them in my collection.  The above 2020 Topps Heritage Minors auto/patch it a really amazing card.  It is numbered 3/25.

I hadn't seen any of Huff's Bowman Platinum autos, so this was a nice surprise.  This card isn't numbered.  I don't think I opened any Bowman Platinum in 2020.

The gift was delayed, according to Andrew.  He had the top two cards purchased and ready to mail, then he saw this 2019 Leaf Trinity numbered 1/10 Huff auto.  This card is awesome.  I'm really glad Andrew waited!

Thanks so much for the Christmas gifts, Andrew!  I hope you like what I sent you.  I may have forgotten to send you one thing I bought, so you'll be getting a Valentine's Day or Presidents Day gift soon.

TTM Success - Steve Hargan

I liked these two cards that I gt back from Steve Hargan TTM.  1976 Topps might seem like a plain set, but really, it is very colorful.  Yes, compared to the trippy 1975 and out there 1972 offerings, 76 can seem a bit ordinary.  The cards really pop when scanned, and it is a pretty decent set. I have a bunch, still, and want to try to get some more out of my box and scanned.

On the other hand, yes, 1969 Topps is pretty plain.  The colors are a bit duller, but it can be a sharp set, depending on the cards.  They do look really nice when signed, too.

Hargan (b. 1942) played in the majors from 1965 to 1972 and 1974 to 1977 for the Indians, Rangers, Blue Jays and Braves.  He had a career record of 87-107 with 891 strike outs and a 3.92 ERA.  He was an All Star in 1967.

I mailed to Hargan on October 1 and got the cards back on October 14, for a 13-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Nick Solak

I had sent to Nick Solak before, but I had a bunch more cards of his that I wanted to get signed, so I sent to him again.  The card I wanted the most, was this 2018 Bowman blue parallel.  He inscribed it with my name, but I don't care.  I was happy to get it out of my box.

I also got a 2017 Bowman Chrome, 2020 Topps and a 2017 2017 Topps Pro Debut signed by Solak.

Solak (b. 1995) has played in the majors since 2019 for the Rangers.  So far, he has 90 hits, 7 home runs and a .277 batting average.

I mailed to Solak on August 4 via the Rangers and got the cards back on October 10, for a 67-day TAT.

Multiple TTM Successes for One Card

I decided to get the three living guys who are on this 1973 Topps Rangers Manager/Coaching Staff card when I first got Jackie Moore on it.  I also needed Chuck Estrada on a 1991 Crown Orioles card, so I paired this card with that, and finally, I paid the $5 to get Whitey Herzog.  I sent to Herzog, even though I had just sent to him a few months prior, so I could get him on his own 1991 Crown Orioles card.

Chuck Hiller passed away a while back, so getting him on this card is out of the question, but I think it is cool that I was able to get the other three guys.  I did this recently with a couple team cards for my 87 set, and those should be coming up to be posted, soon.

TTM Success - Isiah Kiner-Falefa

I was able to get another current MLB player via TTM when I got these cards back from Isiah Kiner-Falefa.  I had held some of his cards when I thought I could get a couple folks to get him at Rangers AAA (either Round Rock a couple years ago, or Nashville), but he has been sticking around the majors now.

I love those silver pack chromes from Topps; the above right one being a 1983 design.  I have been getting them lately with my Topps boxes, and they are some really cool cards to get signed.

Kiner-Falefa (b. 1995) has played in the majors since 2018 for the Rangers.  He has 200 hits, 8 home runs and a .262 batting average.

I mailed to him on February 29 at Rangers Spring Training and got the cards back on July 7, for a 129-day TAT.

TTM Success - Charley Pride

I saw that former Negro Leaguer and Country Music Hall of Famer, Charley Pride was signing TTM, so he became someone else that I put on a checklist from my 1987 Topps set.  Recently someone asked me why I sent the checklist cards, and really it is when I have nothing else I can send, that I'll send one of these out.  Also, if they were active in 87, that helps.

Pride signed my Texas Rangers sticker upside down, but it is still signed.  He was drafted by the Rangers in a ceremonial Negro League draft several years ago, which is why the Rangers card was sent.  I'm sure if I looked around hard enough, I would have found one of those Country Gold cards for him to sign.  I have no clue where I would have any of those, so these two cards got sent instead.

Pride (b. 1934) played for the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro Leagues in 1952.  He was picked up by the Boise Yankees in 1953, the Yankees Class C minor league team.  He suffered an injury, which cause him to lose some velocity on his fastball, so he was dropped to the Yankees Class D team, the Fon Du Lac (Wisconsin) Yankees.  During that season, he and teammate, Jesse Mitchell were traded to the Birmingham Black Barons for a team bus, according to Pride's autobiography.

His mother had given him a guitar when he was 14, and he taught himself how to play.  After serving in the Army in the mid-50s, and a failed attempt at making pro ball, Pride began singing for the semi-pro team he was playing for.  During his time playing in Memphis, he recorded a few songs for Sun Records.  Those songs didn't make the music charts, but Pride continued to perform for small clubs and such while he was playing baseball and living in Montana.  Eventually, he would sign with RCA Victor and his music career would take off.

Pride and his brother, Mack "The Knife" Pride", along with 28 other living former Negro Leaguers, would be drafted by Major League teams during the ceremonial draft in 2008.  Pride was drafted by the Rangers, the team of which he is a part owner, and his brother was drafted by the Rockies.  His brother passed away in 2018.

I mailed to Pride on May 4 and got the cards back on June 9, for a 36-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jonathan Hernandez

I was able to add a former Wood Duck to my autograph album with this TTM success from Jonathan Hernandez.  I sent the cards to Rangers Spring Training, and he sent them back signed in black Sharpie.

I was really excited to get these cards back, as I have enjoyed seeing the former Wood Ducks move along and up the Rangers depth chart.

Hernandez (b. 1996) made his MLB debut last season for the Rangers.  He went 2-1 with 19 strike outs and a 4.32 ERA in 9 games.

I mailed to Hernandez on February 11 and got the cards back on March 4, for a 22-day TAT.

TTM Success - Glen Cook

I took a card out of my box and got it signed with this TTM success from Glen Cook.  He signed my 86 Topps with a blue Sharpie, and it turned out well.

Cook (b. 1959) played in the majors in 1985 for the Rangers.  He went 2-3 with 19 strike outs and a 9.45ERA.

I mailed to Cook on January 27 and got my card back signed on February 4, for an 8-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tommy Boggs

This one took a while to come back, but I was glad to add Tommy Boggs to my autograph album.  The old Rangers jersey on the above 1977 Topps looks really cool.

I also got Boggs on 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1983 Topps cards.  His signature looks pretty great on all of the cards.

Boggs (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1976 to 1983 and 1985 for the Rangers and Braves.  He had a career record of 20-44 with 278 strike outs and a 4.22 ERA.

I mailed to Boggs on October 22, 2018, and got the cards back on October 22, 2019, for a 365-day TAT.  I don't think I could pull an exactly a year TAT again if I tried.

Corey Ragsdale Promoted to Rangers MLB Field Coordinator

I just learned a couple minutes ago that Corey Ragsdale would not be returning as the Wood Ducks manager for the 2020 season.  While I am really sad to hear this, I am super excited because he has been promoted to the Rangers MLB staff as their MLB field coordinator.

I knew something like this was coming.  All Rags did this season was impress me on how he managed the Wood Ducks and also continued his other job as Rangers Minor League Field Coordinator.

The Minor League Field Coordinator is the person who determines where each minor league player is assigned, who moves up (or down), etc.  He also made sure my beard was up to par this season.

At the final regular season home game, Rags hugged Chris and I and thanked us for coming out this season.  I told him that it was my first season as a season ticket holder, and he was probably the biggest reason why I would be renewing my package.

I had also ran into him outside the stadium a few games before where, during the game, he had been ejected.  He went so far as seemingly apologizing to Chris and I for being ejected.  Rags is just a great guy.  I really hope that we can run into him in the future, as he may be one of my most favorite people I have come across in all of the MiLB games that I have gone to.  I can easily say that Chris and I love Rags.

I'll also miss saying this before every game, "Go get em, Rags!"

TTM Success - Jim Mason

I received a TTM success from Jim Mason.  I had some older cards that I sent out, and they all came back looking pretty nice.

Mason (b. 1950) played in the majors from 1971 to 1979 for the Senators, Rangers, Yankees, Blue Jays and Expos.  He had 322 hits, 12 home runs and a .203 batting average.  Mason appeared in 3 World Series games for the Yankees in their loss to the Reds in 1976.  He had only one plate appearance, but he made it count, his only World Series hit, a home run and a 1.000 batting average!

I mailed to Mason on September 13 and got the cards back on September 23, for a 10-day TAT.

I mailed to Mason on

TTM Success - CD Pelham

It took a while, but I got my cards back TTM from former Wood Ducks pitcher, CD Pelham.  I had heard he was singing via Spring Training by my friend, Gerard, so I sent the cards pretty early on, but they never came back.  In April, I saw CD in Nashville, and even he had no idea where they were.  It didn't matter much to me, I was more happy that he remembered Chris and I when we were in Nashville, and even gave us tickets to one of the games.

Pelham (b. 1995) made it to the Rangers last season, where he played in 10 games.  He had a 7.04 ERA and 7 strike outs.

This season, CD went 1-4 with a 11.97 ERA and 37 strike outs between Nashville (AAA) and Frisco (AA).  It really was a tough year for him.

CD was a 33rd round pick in the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft out of SPartanburg Methodist College, in Spartanburg, SC.  I sure have spent plenty of time in Spartanburg, myself, between Wofford College Football games, Tommy Mauney's chassis shop and Gene Fulton's engine shop.

I mailed to Pelham on February 5 via Rangers Spring Training and got the cards back on August 30, for a 206-day TAT.  In my note, I reminded CD one more time that Jordan is better than Lebron.