Gary Gaetti Bobblehead

Today I received my 2007 Gary Gaetti Stadium Give Away (SGA) bobblehead back signed from a Tom Orr private signing.

Other SGA bobbleheads from that year included Joe Mauer (Batting Title), Justin Morneau (MVP) and Michael Cuddyer.  I have all four of these signed now.

John Ellis Return

I received the only outstanding request I had out over the weekend.

John Ellis signed both his 1972 Topps cards in a thick, black marker.  The marker appeared to start slow on the first card, and then it got smeared a bit on his jersey number.  I'm usually not one to complain when players sign through the mail, but I paid $10 to have these signed, so I'm a little disappointed in how they turned out.

I didn't send any cards to Twins spring training because, well, who are those guys?  I don't have cards for many of them and I prefer to get cards signed of the players in a Twins uniform.  The return rate has been pretty poor the last several years as well, so I've given up trying.

Gary Neibauer - 1972 Topps

Today I received one of my two outstanding requests for this year.

Gary Neibauer signed his 1972 Topps in ballpoint in about 10 days.

Bob Speake Return

Yesterday I received a nice return from Bob Speake, who signed his 1956, 1957 and 1959 Topps for me.

This was my only outstanding request from the last few months so any other returns will be a big surprise.  I need to find some time to send out some of the cards from the 70's that I've got laying around.

I didn't end up going to TwinsFest this year.  Too cold and the roster just wasn't compelling enough to get me to spend the money.

Bill Dailey - 1964 Western Oil Print

Today I received a nice return from Bill Dailey, who signed his 1964 Western Oil print that I sent on New Year's Eve.

It looks like it got a little bent.  I guess the cardboard I included in the envelope wasn't strong enough to prevent it from getting bent.  It's not too bad, and will probably improve by laying flat for a while.

That gives me a perfect return rate for 2018.  I clearly didn't take many risks.

Happy New Year! 2019 Collecting Goals

Happy New Year!

In looking back at 2018, I didn't set any goals.  And it shows.

I only sent out 49 requests.  48 of them were returned successfully, and the remaining request was just sent out yesterday.

One of the highlights of the year was adding Chuck Knoblauch to my 1991 Twins World Series bobblehead set. 

I completed a few multi-signed cards and received TTM successes from several Hall of Famers including Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Ryne Sandberg and Al Kaline.

At least for a while, I will have less money to spend on autographs.  I have a 1967 Mustang convertible in the shop getting some frame repairs and a new floor, which will consume much of my fun money.

For 2019, I plan to focus on some TTM while minimizing the costs.  I have a lot of cards I can send out including the 1978 Topps set.  I will also focus on a smaller number of select items, such as adding any players I can to my 1991 Twins bobblehead set, Western Oil prints, magazines and perhaps some Gold Glove baseballs.

My only goal for the year will be to hit 100 TTM requests.  I haven't hit that mark since 2015.

I'm currently undecided about going to TwinsFest.  The roster isn't looking very interesting, and I really don't need any more Blyleven, Carew and Oliva autographs.  I'll keep an eye on the list and decide later.

Good luck to you in 2019!

A Few Returns: Robinson, Sandberg and Becquer

A few days ago I received a return from Brooks Robinson who signed his 2010 Topps Heritage Stadium Seat card for his $5 fee.

And today I received two returns.

Ryne Sandberg signed his 1985 and 1987 Topps for $5 per card.

Julio Becquer signed his 1958 and 1960 Topps.

I have no outstanding request sent out this year, so unless I receive a really old request, this is probably it until next year.