Brooks Robinson TTM Return

There was just one return in the mailbox today, but it was from Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. 

Mr. Robinson generously signed his 1962 Topps, 1962 Topps Sporting News All-Star card, and 1965 Topps AL Batting Leaders card for his $10 per card fee.

I was also very pleasantly surprised to see that he had enclosed a signed Hall of Fame postcard.  He did this for me once before back in 2017.  

Harvey Kuenn 1954 Topps Purchase

The 1954 Topps set is one of my favorites.  The larger format, portrait with action shot, great background colors and facsimile signature make these cards very appealing.

The facsimile signature can get in the way of actual autographs, much in the same way as other sets such as 1971 Topps.  But this doesn't stop me from getting them signed.

According to SCN, there are about 12-15 players from the set still alive that are willing to sign ttm.  Roughly double that to get the number of players from the set still alive, regardless of their signing habits.  This is pretty depressing to me since this set has a roster which includes the generation of players I prefer to collect.  I have 112 unique signed cards from this set, with a few dupes.

I just received the Harvey Kuenn signed card from a fellow SCN member, authenticated and slabbed by PSA/DNA.

Jim Golden, Ken McMullen and Danny Murphy

Three returns today are a good way to start the week.  My returns may start slowing down a bit since I haven't sent out too many returns lately.  Typing is a struggle with one hand after my shoulder surgery, and cataloging my returns is about all I have the patience for.

Jim Golden signed his 1961 Topps and a couple team cards.

Ken McMullen signed his 1965 and 1972 Topps and a couple team cards.

And Danny Murphy signed his 1961 Topps and three team cards.

I am still hoping for a return or two from spring training, but time is running short.  Those requests could come back later in the season too, but I'm hoping for sooner.

Don Lee, Bill Mazeroski and Ron Stone TTM Returns

I forgot to post my returns yesterday so I'm catching up a bit today.

Yesterday, I received a return from former-Twin Don Lee, who signed the 1958 Tigers and 1963 Twins team cards as well as his 1963 Topps.

I also received a few cards from Ron Stone, who signed his 1971 Topps, and the 1971, 1972 and 1973 Phillies team cards.

Today, my request to Bill Mazeroski with his $10 fee was returned in 11 days.  He signed his 1962 Topps.  This card can be very dark due to his black sleeves, which can be trouble for the autograph showing up well.  This card is much lighter than most copies, so the signature is quite easy to read.

Five TTM Returns Including Three Twins Players

I never really went all-in on spring training ttm requests, even when return rates were much higher.  When I first started in this hobby in 2003, I would read about collectors that would send hundreds of requests to spring training.  And they would do quite well!  It seemed like many players who didn't normally sign, would sign generously during spring training.  I'm not sure when (but well before COVID) or why, but the returns from spring training have dropped significantly, to the point where I read about many collectors drastically scaling back or skipping it completely.   

I always took a much more conservative approach, sending mostly to Twins players, and mostly to players that had at least a 50% success rate, or a success rate that showed a willingness to sign during the spring.  Off the top of my head, Jose Berrios, Justin Morneau and Paul Molitor (for free) were a few of my better returns.  

I sent just a few more to spring training this year and prior to today, had just a single return from Mitch Garver, who is a very generous signer and not just during spring.  He sometimes doesn't get to all his mail until after the season is over, but I've not had a request he didn't respond to.  He signed from Ranger's spring training this year.

I've sent a total of 11 requests to spring training.  Three were to non-Twins (but picturing them on Twins cards), including Garver (Rangers), Jose Berrios (Blue Jays) and Jake Cave (Phillies).  Of the eight current Twins players, four were mailed out today.  Three of the remaining four were returned today, including Griffin Jax, Caleb Thielbar and Josh Winder who all signed their 2022 Topps Heritage cards nicely in blue sharpie.

The last remaining Twins player I've sent to this spring was Kenat Maeda, who has just a 13% success rate on SCN in over 50 requests.  This is my long shot request that I include just for the heck of it.  

I also received two more ttm returns today.

Joe Morgan signed his 1960 Topps and the 1961 Indians, 1961 Phillies and 1965 Cardinals team cards.

And Jerry Reuss signed his 1971 and 1972 Topps nicely for his $15 per card fee.  His 1972 card falls in the high number series.  Due to that, and his $15 fee, I have procrastinated sending to him but finally decided to get these set cards done while I still can.

I almost forgot; I also received a 1965 Topps signed by Jesus Alou (allegedly :)) that I bought on eBay.  I may send this one in for authentication.  Does anyone have any opinions on it?

Boisclair and Humphreys Returns

I received two ttm returns today.

Bruce Boisclair signed his 1978, 1979 and 1980 Topps as well as the 1978 Topps Mets team card.

And Bob Humphreys signed his 1970 Topps and the 1963 Tigers, 1965 Cardinals and 1971 Brewers team cards.

Jesus Alou, Tommy Smith and Rick Wise

One ttm return, one purchase and one mail-in signing return today.

I bought a few Jesus Alou signed cards when I heard he passed away last week.  The first one arrived today: a 1973 Topps authenticated by Beckett.  I bought this from Mill Creek Sports.

The ttm return was from Tommy Smith, who signed his 1975 Topps, as well as the 1975 and 1976 Topps Indians team card and the 1978 Mariners team card.

The private signing return was from Rick Wise, who signed my 1971, 1973, 1976 and 1978 Topps.  They also included a senior league card from 1989.