Metrodome Chairs Update

It's been quite a while since I updated this blog with a picture of my Metrodome chairs after attaching the legs.  I bought the chairs in January of 2014, and a few months after that I bought the feet for the chairs at Crystal Welding.  They're very well made and look nice.

Frank Baumann Return

Today I received a nice return from Frank Baumann, who signed his 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1964 Topps.

I REALLY need to get some more cards to send out.

Ted Savage and Bob Allison

Today I received a TTM return and an Ebay purchase.

Ted Savage signed his 1963 and 1971 Topps in almost a month.

I also received a 1965 Topps signed by Bob Allison,  It's JSA-authenticated.

I also received a few unsigned cards from the 1963 set that I plan on sending out later this week.  It's been very slow lately as I haven't had much time to send out requests, and I don't have many cards to send out.

Art Mahaffey

Today I added another signed 1963 Topps to my collection.

Art Mahaffey signed his card in about eight weeks.  He was also nice enough to put my card in a semi rigid card holder for the return trip.  I usually don't use card holders because they have a tendency to cause envelopes to get caught in the postal sorting machines, but this one arrived safely.

Bobby Shantz

Today I received a quick return from Bobby Shantz, who signed his 1963 and 1964 Topps for me.  I sent this to him just 7 days ago.

I had previously purchased his signed 1963 Topps, but I really like to get them myself when I can. Mr. Shantz is a very generous and reliable signer through the mail, but it took me a while to find his 1963 card for a reasonable price since it's in the high number series.

Bill Pleis - 1963 Topps

Yesterday I received a return from former-Twin Bill Pleis, who signed his 1963 Topps for me.

If things slow down a bit for me, I'll stock up on some more cards to send out.  I haven't been sending many lately.

Some Returns After a Long Dry Spell

It seems like my returns are coming back very slowly lately.  I've sent out a few here and there but they just aren't coming back.

Today, I was surprised to get two returns that had been out a while.

First, Billy O'Dell signed his 1963 and 1964 Topps that I sent to him last October.

I didn't send out many Spring Training requests this year.  Just four.  And one of those never made it because the request I sent to Matt Capps with the Braves was returned twice due a a bad address.

But I did get one back today.  Michael Cuddyer signed his 2011 Allen & Ginter that I sent back in early March.  Cuddy is on the disabled list with the Mets so I guess he had some time to get to his fan mail.  Thanks Michael!

Bud Daley - Pitching Leader

Today I received my fourth autograph on my 1961 Topps Pitching American League Pitching Leaders card.  The card is already signed by Milt Pappas, Art Ditmar and Chuck Estrada.

I think I'll send it off to Frank Lary next.  He can be slow to respond sometimes, but is still very dependable.  But I might not see this card again for a while.

1960's Twins Matchbook Covers

I've made a couple Ebay purchases lately.  I like buying oddball stuff from the 1960's, and these matchbook covers fit right in.

Each has a player's picture on the cover, and inside there are just a couple of stats, including position, height/weight and handedness.

Jim McAndrew and Ruben Amaro

I thought I'd get back more then I did this week, but today I received two returns.

Jim McAndrews signed his 1972 Topps as well as a Ron Lewis 1969 Mets postcard.

Ruben Amaro signed his 1963 and 1964 Topps.  This is the 25th 1963 Topps I've gotten signed this year, reaching the halfway point of my goal for the year.

Pumpsie Green and Carl Warwick

Yesterday I received two more 1963 Topps.

Both Pumpsie Green and Carl Warwick signed their 1963 Topps for me,  Each charges $5 to sign cards.

Gene Conley and Dom Zanni

I received two more returns today.  I've gotten to the point that many of the 1963 Topps I still need are from players who charge, so I enclosed $5 in these requests.

Both Gene Conley and Dom Zanni signed their 1963 Topps in about two weeks.

Another 1969 Met

Today I received a return from Rod Gaspar who signed his Ron Lewis postcard of the 1969 Mets.

I have a few of these but I'm not really planning on trying to get them all.  I think this is my 11th signed card from the set of 31.  At least a four or five are deceased and I'm not sure if it's even possible to complete the set as it may have been printed after some of them died.  Plus, there's Yogi Berra, who doesn't seem to be signing any more, and Nolan Ryan, who I'm happy to pay for, but have other items I'd rather get signed before this one.

Chuck Estrada and Jim Landis

I received two returns today.  One that I just sent out last week, and one I sent in early February.

Chuck Estrada signed his 1963 and 1964 Topps, as well as the 1961 Topps card highlighting the pitching leaders form the previous year, already signed by Pappas and Ditmar.  I haven't decided who to it to next.  Probably Bud Daley.

Jim Landis signed his 1963 Post, and 1963 and 1966 Topps.

I expect a few more returns this week, since I sent out 12 last week.

Warren Spahn Magazine

Yesterday I received a signed Warren Spahn magazine that I bought on Ebay.

There's a slight smear in the "S" in his last name, but not too bad.

Mr. Spahn was in poor health about the time I started TTM collecting, but was a good signer prior to that.  I regret that I was never able to send him a card.

No returns in the mail.  I'm still hoping to get one or two this week.

Dean Chance - 1963 Topps

Today I received a 1963 Topps signed by Dean Chance that I had sent in to an SCN member to have signed at a fund raising even in Michigan.

I also sent 12 requests this morning, so hopefully next week things will pick up.  This week could be pretty slow.

Bobby Wine Return

Today I received a return from Bobby Wine that I sent out last October.

He was kind enough to sign his 1963, 1964 and 1986 Topps. (The 1964 got a little smeared).

 

Dick Simpson

Today I received a couple cards signed by Dick Simpson.

He signed his 1964 and 1965 Topps, which was already signed by Jose Cardenal.

The cards took quite a beating on their trip to California and back.  They aren't creased, but they lost a lot of color and appear sort of scuffed up.

Here's what the 1965 Topps looked like before I sent it.

Felix Torres

Yesterday I received a 1963 Topps signed by Felix Torres.  The card got a little bent on its trip to Puerto Rico and back, but not too bad.

Don Schwall

Today I received one return.

Don Schwall signed his 1962 and 1963 Topps for me.

Eli Grba and Barney Schultz

Today brought a couple more 1963 Topps for my set.

Barney Schultz signed his.

And Eli Grba signed his 1961 and 1963 Topps.

Another 1952 Topps

One return today after a a couple days without any.

Joe Presko signed his 1952 Topps for me in a little under two weeks.

A Pair of Signed Chuck Knoblauch Baseballs

Last week I received an email ad from Steiner Sports selling two signed baseballs for $99.  I get ads like that occasionally, but usually don't find two baseballs from the list of those available that I don't already have or that I want to add to my collection.

This time though, I was surprised to see a couple of balls signed by Chuck Knoblauch.  One has his Rookie of the Year award inscription and the other has a 91 Champs inscription.  I was surprised that Steiner had these inscriptions since they are usually pretty Yankees-focused and these were inscriptions from his time with the Twins.  I bought one of each.

Knoblauch has been in the news occasionally, and not for good reasons.  He seems to have distanced himself from the game so appearances are rare.  He was elected to the Twins Hall of Fame, but he got into some trouble and they ended up canceling the induction ceremony.

I still have his bobblehead from the 1991 World Series set that I'd like to get signed, but I don't know when I'll have that opportunity.