Saturday, March 29, 2014

Paul Molitor TTM Return

Yet another Twin return from spring training.

Paul Molitor was kind enough to sign his 2013 Allen & Ginter for me.


Byron Buxton was the only one I sent to that I didn't receive back yet.  Since he's hurt, I'm not sure if he's still with the team in Ft. Meyers.  I'm not holding my breath on ever getting that one back.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Scott Diamond Spring Training Return

Today I received yet another Twins return from spring training.  I'm really impressed with how well Twins players sign through the mail.

Scott Diamond signed his 2013 Topps Heritage and 2013 Allen & Ginter for me.


Diamond cleared waivers for the Twins but it's not clear if he'll become a free agent or accept a minor league contract.  I believe he needs to decide today.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Ricky Nolasco Return

Yesterday I received another Twins spring training return.  This time from Ricky Nolasco, who signed his 2012 Topps Heritage.


Sunday, March 23, 2014

Cuno Barragan Return

I'm getting caught up on my returns.  The last one I have to post is one I received yesterday from Cuno Barragan, who signed his 1962 and 1963 Topps, and answered a question I had asked in my letter.


I have a few more cards to send out.  I hope to send those out some time this week.

Jason Kubel and Roman Mejias Returns

When I got home from our spring break trip, I had two returns waiting for me.

I was happy to see a return from Fort Meyers, knowing it would be one of the Twins.  It turned out to be Jason Kubel, who signed his 2011 Topps Heritage for me.



I also received a nice return form Roman Mejias, who signed his 1958, 1963 and 1964 Topps.

 

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Rockies Spring Training Ball

I ended up with three signatures from the spring training game I went to.  All three were from the Rockies.  The Padres, who were the home team, rode carts out to the field and didn't seem to sign much, at least as they entered the field.

Walt Weiss signed the ball on the sweet spot for me.


Vinnie Castillo also signed for me.  He is a "special coach" for the Rockies this year.


Finally, Chris Martin signed as well.  I'm not sure if he'll be on the major league roster this year or not.



Monday, March 17, 2014

A Ball From Morneau

As Morneau went into the dugout after the first inning, he tossed the ball to my son.



Also, Jason Pirdie (another ex-Twin) tossed a ball to my other son after the 8th inning.

Spring Training In Arizona

We're in Arizona for spring break and are taking in a spring training game between the Padres and Rockies.
I hoped to get Morneau's autograph and yelled out to him from autograph alley here at Peoria Stadium, but he said he didn't have time.
I did get three Rockies on a ball including Walt Weiss.



Saturday, March 08, 2014

Frank Sullivan - 1956 Topps

One return today.  Frank Sullivan signed his 1956 Topps for me.  I enclosed $5 with my request.


Friday, March 07, 2014

Pena and McBean

Two more returns:

Yesterday I received a 1963, 1964 and 1966 Topps signed by Orlando Pena.

 



 And today I received four cards signed by Al McBean: 1962, 1963, 1966 and 1969 Topps. 

 

I wrote a few more requests tonight to send out to Twins spring training.

Tuesday, March 04, 2014

The Returns Continue - Including Some Twins From Sprint Training

Usually Tuesdays are really bad for returns.  I'm not sure why.  But having sent out 20 requests a week ago yesterday, I was happy to see five returns waiting for me today.

First, I got back a couple cards from current Twins players at spring training.

Kyle Gibson signed a 2013 Topps Heritage high number card.


Vance Worley signed and personalized his 2013 Topps Heritage for me.


Dick Lines signed a 1967 and 1968 Topps.


Ned Garver signed his 1956 Topps and also included a signed Diamond Signatures card.



Dick Brodowski signed and personalized a 1956 Topps for me.


Hopefully the returns keep coming this week.  I have a couple more out to Twins spring training and I'm curious if those will make it back.

Monday, March 03, 2014

Several Returns Today

I received several returns today from the 20 requests I sent out a week ago.

Curt Simmons signed his 1952 and 1963 Topps.



Lew Krausse signed his 1963, 1968 and 1969 Topps.

 


Mel Nelson signed his 1964 and 1966 Topps.  He also answered my question about his time in Minnesota, of which he recalled a "short summer".


George Thomas signed his 1963 and 1967 Topps.





Daryl Spencer signed his 1956 Topps and also enclosed a 2012 Baseball Magazine card.




Finally, Don Kaiser signed his 1956 and 1957 Topps.


I still have 14 requests out, so I should have several more posts this week.

Sunday, March 02, 2014

A Three Year Wait

On Friday I received a return from Hal Lanier, who signed his 1972 and 1973 Topps for me.


I sent this request in February of 2011.  This is about my third or fourth TTM request that has taken over three years to be returned.  I can usually tell at the mailbox if it's an old return, because the stamp of the SASE will be older.  It's fun to open these requests that I've given up on receiving long ago.

I had since sent another request to Mr. Lanier in 2013, because I wanted to add his 1972 card to my set, and that request came back in about 30 days.

I sent out 20 requests last Monday, so I expect to start seeing some returns later this week.  Thursday could be a big day.