Jim Nash and Billy Conigliaro

Two returns to start off the week.

Jim Nash signed and personalized his 1972 Topps.

And Billy Conigliaro signed a 1971 and 1972 Topps for me.

I'm going to try to get a few requests out tomorrow before the holiday weekend.

A Few Returns This Week

I have been very busy all week and haven't been getting home until late so I haven't had time to post.

I received just a couple returns this week.  Al Kaline signed his 1961 Topps.  I enclosed $10 with my request.

Jim Foor signed his 1972 Topps rookie card, already signed by Paul Jata.

Today my son got back a 1958 Topps signed by Bill Virdon, who also enclosed a signed postcard.

Last Sunday I went to the Twin Cities Sports Collectors Club card show in Bloomington and picked up a few cards to send out.  I was able to send out about a dozen requests on Monday so hopefully I'll start seeing those come back next week.

Bob Cerv Return

One return in the mail today.  My son received a 1958 Topps signed by Bob Cerv that he sent out just one week ago.

My son enclosed $5 with his request.  Mr. Cerv was kind enough to include a signed Diamond Signatures card as well. 

I have very few requests out now.  I need to hit a card show soon and get some more cards to send out.

Jack Mayo and Foster Castleman

We received a couple of returns yesterday.

I received a 1949 Bowman signed by Jack (Jackie) Mayo, along with a short note about his career afer his playing days.

My older son received a really nice return from Foster Castleman.  In addition to signing his 1958 Topps, Mr. Castleman include a signed 1979 TCMA, a signed and inscribed index card, and a nice note wishing him good luck in everything he does.  Very nice!

Kasko and Maxvill

I received a few ttm requests back today and thought I better post about them.  If I don't stay up on them every day, I'll fall behind forever.  Tomorrow night I need to sign my boys up for baseball so I might not get too far on scanning in all my TwinsFest items.  I got back a couple of paid signings items that I'll get in for sure.

Today I got back two more 1972 Topps.  Dal Maxvill and Eddie Kasko both signed their cards for me in 7 days.

Jim O'Toole and Frank Linzy

I received a couple of returns today.  Jim O'Toole signed his 1960 Topps:

And Frank Linzy signed a few cards for me:  1965, 1971, 1972 and 1973 Topps.

This brings my 1972 Topps set total to 151 signed cards, or about 37.75% of my goal of 400 cards.

No TwinsFest schedule out yet.  I'm hoping to get it as soon as possible so I can organize my binder of cards and pictures.

Bob Locker and Ernie Banks - And What's Up With Blyleven?

Another return and a purchase.  First, I bought a 1971 Topps Ernie Banks from Steve on SCN, who got me the Gates Brown card signed.

Also, Bob Locker signed his 1971 and 1972 Topps.

I keep checking the Twins web site to see if the TwinsFest schedule is out.  It's not.  But I noticed they changed the wording around Blyleven's autograph restrictions:

Bert Blyleven

• Will sign only personalized items including flat items, baseballs (no sweet spot) and specialty items signed by multiple players (Homer Hankies, prints, programs, etc.)
• No bats, jerseys or HOF inscriptions

I'm not real happy about this.  It's not very fan friendly.  A lot of people wrote about how he should be in the Hall of Fame and a lot of fans supported him.  Is this how he thanks them?  I'm sure his price will be $30 this year, like the other Hall of Famers.  For $30, I wouldn't expect that my item would have to be personalized.  It looks like Bert has signed a contract with MAB.  They are selling baseballs with his HOF inscription for $105!  Wow, Bert didn't waste any time cashing in on his Hall of Fame election. 

Another Red Man and a Few More Returns

I'm really liking the Red Man cards I'm getting back.  Today I received Bobby Shantz on a 1952 Red Man.  I've got three more I've sent out and am hoping to get back soon.

I also got Larry Bowa on 1971, 1972 and 1978 Topps.

 

Terry Humphrey signed his 1972, 1973 and 1978 Topps.

And Oscar Brown was kind enough to sign his 1971, 1972 and 1973 Topps.

I also received a whole stack of old Twins Programs I bought on Ebay.  They are from the '70's and '80's.  I'll scan some in on a day when I have no returns to share.

I happened to check out the Twins web site today for any updated information on TwinsFest.  They already had the tentative names listed already but today they also listed the signing restrictions of certain players.  Carew, of course, doesn't sign bats or jerseys at TwinsFest.  Mauer and Morneau won't sign game used items.  I was a bit surprised to see signing restrictions for Blyleven.  Especially the details:


"Autograph Restrictions:
Bert Blyleven

• Will sign flat items, only personalized baseballs and specialty items signed by multiple players (Homer Hankies, prints, programs, etc.)
• No bats, jerseys or HOF inscriptions"

So, if I'm reading this right, he won't sign a baseball unless he personalizes it?  I"m glad I already got one!  And isn't a "program" also a "flat item"?  So, will he sign a program that isn't signed by someone else?  I don't get it.  I think I'll play it safe and skip his line altogether.  I have a ball, bobblehead and a couple of programs already.

First Return of the Year - Bill Hands

First, I forgot to mention one milestone in my 2010 wrap up in my last post.  I crossed the 2000 success mark for through the mail (ttm) requests.  I am at 2014 now.  I've been sending out since mid-2003.

I was happy to get a return today as I don't have many out.  Bill Hands signed his 1971 and 1972 Topps for me.  I sent this one out before Thanksgiving.

I sent out 14 requests this morning and received a few cards from Ebay purchases today so I hope to send out a few more tomorrow.  I also received an Ernie Banks photo that I intended to send in to a signing but the upper right corner was crushed in the mail.  I'm committed to the signing and not sure if I'll have time to replace it before the signing.

An Addition To My 1958 Topps Set - Ruben Gomez

Today I received a signed 1958 Topps signed by Ruben Gomez that I bought from another member of sportscollectors.net.  He had originally obtained it by sending it in to a signing organized by the Philadelphia A's Society in 2003. 

My 1958 Topps set hasn't had too many additions this year.  I think the only living players I don't yet have include Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays and Willie Kirkland.

Severinsen, Thompson and Campbell

Three returns today:

Charlie Thompson signed his 1954 Topps.

Al Severinsen signed a 1972 Topps.

And Dave Campbell signed his 1971, 1972 and 1973 Topps.

 

Lots of Returns Piling Up

After Saturday's blizzard and a couple of days of travel, I have quite a few returns to catch up on.  My favorite return in quite a while came from Brant Alyea, but I'll post that one tomorrow.

Woodie Fryman signed four cards for me:  1971, 1972, 1973 and 1978 Topps.

Ken Berry and Tom Shopay each signed their 1972 Topps.

Bill Gogolewski signed his 1972 and 1973 Topps.

Jim Colborn signed his 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1978 Topps.

Jack Heidemann signed his 1971 and 1972 Topps and also included a signed business card.

Finally, Ken Sanders signed his 1972 Topps.

I'm exhausted after trying for two days to travel to New York state and ending up getting stranded in Atlanta last night.  I got about four hours of sleep before giving up and traveling back home.