Dave Hillman - 1961 Topps

One return today.  Dave Hillman signed his 1961 Topps for me. 

I've been adding a few to this set lately and hope to get some more to send out, but probably won't buy any more until the next card show after TwinsFest.  Although, as slow as I think TwinsFest might be for me this year, maybe I'll take my list along and buy some cards from the dealers at TwinsFest.

Several Returns Today

I received five returns today.

Jack Dittmer signed his 1953 Topps.

John DeMerit and , Tito Francona and Chuck Estrada all signed their 1961 Topps.

 And Gus Triandos signed his 1955, 1956 and 1961 Topps.

I've also received a few cards in the mail that I've purchased on Ebay and sportlots.com that we'll try to get signed at TwinsFest.  I also ordered a bunch of 8x10s on Ebay.

Conley, Erskine and Naragon

A few nice returns today.  Gene Conley signed his 1956 and 1961 Topps for a $10 fee.  He also wrote a nice note in response to my letter and included information about his book.  Mr. Conley played in both for both MLB and the NBA.

Carl Erskine signed the 1958 Topps Dodgers team card.  He also included a signed Diamond Signatures card and wrote a short note thanking me for my interest on my letter.

Finally, Hal Naragon signed the 1958 Topps Indians team card.  While writing the letter to Mr. Naragon, I noticed that Roger Maris played with him on the Indians.  I never knew Maris played for any team other than the Yankees.  Mr. Naragon wrote a short response to my question regarding playing with Maris with very positive comments about him.

All three letters came with responses to my questions or short "thank yous" which is why writing to the retired players is so fun.

Del Crandall and Joe Hicks Returns

Two returns today.  Del Crandall signed his 1953 Topps for his $5 fee.

Joe Hicks signed and personalized a 1961 Topps.  He also wrote me a note about his career after his playing days.

I've started ordering some items to get signed at TwinsFest and received a few items today.  I ordered a 1988 All Star program to have signed by Terry Steinbach, who was the MVP of that game. 

I also received bobbleheads of Shannon Stewart and Jacque Jones for my boys to have signed.  I plan on getting Jacque Jones on a bobblehead that I already have.  I won a Shannon Stewart signed bobblehead, along with signed bobblehads of Joe Mauer, Paul Molitor and Al Newman several years ago.  I had Stewart sign a Metrodome banner back in April at the Minneapolis Sports Collectible and Autograph Convention.  I'm not sure what I'll have him sign, if anything.

Finally, I received a couple 2002 Twins Programs with Jacque Jones on the cover that me and my younger son plan to get signed.

Another Goal Met - 1970 John Wheeldon Super Valu Portraits

I had a goal for this year to complete all the living players in the 1970 Super Valu giveaway portraits by John Wheeldon.  There are 12 in the set, and I just got back my 10th signed picture from Ron Perranoski.  The two deceased players include Cesar Tovar and Harmon Killebrew.

I also got back a couple of cards today.  Jim Perry signed his 1961 Topps All Star card.

And Jim Greengrass signed his 1953 Topps and also wrote me a nice note about his career after his playing days.  In his note he thanked me for including him in my collection!  How many of today's players would take that point of view?  I'm guessing none. 

A few days ago I received a 1951 Bowman signed by Johnny Vander Meer that I bought from a member on sportscollectors.net.  He gave me a very nice deal.  Thanks Kyle!

A while ago I also received a surprise in the mail.  Another scn member, and local collector, sent me a 1972 Topps signed by Burt Hooton and Earl Stephenson as a Christmas present.  How nice and unexpected!  He looked at my wantlists posted on scn and sent this card along since I didn't have it yet.  Thanks again Kevin!

Miller, Smith and Swanson

Three returns today.

Art Swanson signed his 1956 Topps and wrote a short reply about his career after his playing days.

Stu Miller signed his 1953 Topps.

And Hal R. Smith signed his 1961 Topps.  Sending to Mr. Smith is tricky.  There are two Hal Smiths that played in the 50's and 60's.  Both were catchers.  I've sent to both successfully but you have to make sure you're sending the right cards to the right players!

I ordered my TwinsFest tickets today.  I need to start getting cards and other items together.

Five More Returns Today

My end of year rush to meet my goal of sending out 250 requests this year has resulted in five more returns today.  I only need to send out 6 more requests to meet my goal.

Today I received Johnny Orsino on a 1964 Topps.

Rollie Fingers signed my 1972 Topps for his $15 fee.

Bob Aspromonte signed his 1961 and 1972 Topps.

Ed O'Brien signed a 1953 and 1956 Topps for me and also wrote a short note about his career after his playing days.

Finally, Grady Hatton signed a 1951 Topps Red Back.

Catching Up - Two Days of Returns Including Jim Bunning

We were away for a couple of days but I came home to a few nice returns.

On Friday, I received a 1972 and 1973 Topps from Paul Casanova that I sent to him back in July.

 Also on Friday, I got back three 1972 Topps from Bill Melton, including his regular card, his "Boyhood Photos" card, and his "In Action" card.

On Saturday I received a 1961 Topps signed by Frank Sullivan.  I had enclosed $5 with my request.

I also received a 1958 Topps signed by Hall of Famer Jim Bunning.  Since retiring from the Senate, Mr. Bunning has been a great signer ttm.  I already have a '58 signed by Bunning that I sent out years ago, but it was signed in ballpoint.  I noticed he was recently signing in sharpie, so I decided to send again in hopes og upgrading.  This one looks nice.  Finding a decent '58 Topps of Bunning is difficult as they all seem to be printed poorly and mis-cut.

Finally, Roy Sievers signed a 1953 Topps for me.  Mr. Sievers has always been a great signer and thanks to his long career, has a lot of great cards spanning about 15 years.

The list of players who will be attending TwinsFest is now on the Twin's web site.  The list of current players is kind of weak.  Lot's of minor-leaguers and some guys I've never heard of.  There are some good names for returned players though.  The usual guys like Blyleven, Carew, Molitor, Morris, Oliva, Hrbek, Gladden, etc.  I'm sure I can find plenty to have these guys sign.  Some guys that I don't normally see there are also listed, including Kaat, Reardon, and Scott Erickson.  It looks like there will be seven players there from my 1991 bobblehead set so I'll make some good progress on getting those signed.

Bennie Daniels TTM Return

Today I received a nice return from a very reliable TTM signer.  Bennie Daniels signed a 1959, 1961 and 1962 Topps for my collection.

 

I sent off the 1991 Twins bobbleheads of Rick Aguilera and Terry Leach on Saturday.  They should come back the last week in October.

I have very few cards to send out.  I need to make my way to a show and buy a bunch more to send out.

Some Purchases - 1961 Topps and 1953 Topps Archives

I received a few purchases in the mail this week.  I bought a few 1961 Topps from Mickey's Sportscards including Vic Power, Chico Fernandez, Tony Taylor, Hank Sauer and Ted Bowsfield.  These players are either deceased or tough signers, with the exception of Bowfield, but his card was so cheap I bought it anyway.

 

I also bought a few 1953 Topps Archives (released in 1991) from a fellow member of sportscollectors.net.  I bought a few deceased players that I don't currently have autographs of, including Sal Yvars, Cal Hogue, Ben Wade  and Toby Atwell.

I also bought a couple deceased players that I have other autographs of including Bobby Thomson and Jim Delsing.

I also bought Cloyd Boyer, who is a good signer through the mail.  I'm not sure why I bought it.  Maybe I was confused with Clete Boyer, who has passed away.