Bob "Buck" Rodgers

Another return today. I'm happy to get a return on a Tuesday, as it's typically not a good day in the mail.


Bob "Buck" Rodgers signed two 1964 Topps for me. His own card, as well as the "Angels Backstop" card with Ed Sadowski.

The returns are going to be slowing down a bit, although I am expecting a couple of Hank Aaron cards back this week from a Steiner signing last weekend.

Norman Roy

I got one return today. Norman Roy signed his 1951 Bowman for me.


This makes 104 signed cards from that set. More than I ever thought I'd get. I have another one that I need to send out. However, I think I've gotten most of the players that are decent signers. It's getting tougher and tougher to get any more.

One Return and Some Antique Store Finds

I received one return in the mail today. Bill Dailey signed his 1964 Topps.

I sent off five magazine requests today, including Al Kaline, Ned Garver, Don Newcombe, Bobby Thomson and Ernie Broglio.

I have had really good luck finding inexpensive old magazines lately. I bought a bunch on eBay, which includes those I sent out today. After going to the post office this morning, I went to an antique store just to look around. This store used to have a dealer that had some signed baseballs of good ttm signers, although some of them were deceased. I check occasionally to see if the prices are reduced or if they're having a sale. Well, those baseballs weren't there anymore, but I did find five old magazine for $4-$5 each.

The magazines are all from 1961 and 1962. Three are Sports Illustrated and two are Sport Magazine. One of the SIs is the spring baseball preview, with a great one page write-up on each team. 1961 was the first year for the Twins, and they talked about Killebrew moving from third base to first, and the importance of Camilo Pascual pitching well to boost a young rotation (that included Jim Kaat).

Another SI features Cookie Lavagetto on the cover.


One of the Sport Magazines has Stan Musial on the cover (along with Ken Boyer). This one doesn't have a label and might be a good candidate to get Musial to sign.

The Returns Keep Coming

Five more returns today.

Phil Niekro signed his 1965 Topps rookie card and added his HOF inscription. The card got a little creased in the mail and the envelope was in rough shape, with tape to help close it. I think I'm lucky to have gotten this one back at all. I included his $10 fee.

Larry Jansen signed his 1948 Leaf and 1973 Topps Cubs Coaches card. They spelled his last name incorrectly on the '48.



Vern Law signed his 1954 Topps and added his CY inscription. I had mentioned his Cy Young Award in my letter so it was nice of him to add that on my card. I included $5 with my request.


Ted Kazanski signed his 1954 Topps.


Finally, Bill Fischer signed his 1964 Topps card from when he was with the Twins.

I hope to get some Sport Magazines packaged up and ready to send tomorrow.

Gibbon, Herbert, Harshman and De La Hoz

Four more returns today.

Jack Harshman signed his 1954 Topps.


Ray Herbert also signed his 1954 Topps.

Joe Gibbon signed his 1964 and 1972 Topps for me.


Mike De La Hoz signed another 1965 Topps for my collection.

I also received three more Sport magazines from the 1950's that I bought on eBay. The covers include pictures of Al Kaline, Bobby Thomson and Johnny Antonelli. I already have the Antoneeli magazine signed (so why did I buy it?) but the other two will be going out for signatures.

Bud Byerly Return

Today I just had one return waiting for me. Bud Byerly signed his 1952 Topps for me. It got a little creased on the trip, which is why I never spend too much on the cards, and start with a lower/mid grade card.

More Returns Today

I got several more returns today. An unusual amount for a Tuesday.

Tito Francona signed his 1960 and 1969 Topps and also enclosed a signed picture. He did not return my 1967 Topps.


Ted Kubiak signed his 1969 and 1972 Topps.

Hal Brown signed his 1959 and 1964 Topps.

Finally, Ed Erautt signed his 1952 Topps for me.


Tonight I broke open three of the Willie Mays cards that I'll be sending in to be signed. They were PSA graded so I had to free them from their holders.

Finally, Some Returns

I got several returns today:

Bob Barton signed two different 1972 Topps cards for me. He also wrote me quite a long letter about the "In Action" card (which he says makes it look like he's in prison because of the fence and guard) and some facts about that game.


Jim Fregosi signed a 1962, 1964 and 1969 Topps.




Wally Westlake signed a 1952 and 1953 Topps and also included a signed picture.



Finally, Dick Brodowski signed a 1954 Topps and wrote a short note to me as well.


I also received a 1954 Topps back unsigned by Jack Dittmer, who appears to be an excellent signer based on activity on SCN. I hope he is doing okay.


Finally, I recieved four Willie Mays cards that I bought on eBay that I'm sending in to a private signing. Three different 1958 Topps and his 1965 Topps.

Still No Returns

I have over a dozen requests that have been out for 10 days now, and still no returns. Very odd.

Today I received eight signed 1951 Bowmans that I bought on eBay. All of these players are deceased, and I picked up these cards for about the same price as unsigned cards, so I'm really happy to have them.

Slow Week

I expected to start getting back some of the requests I sent out on the 9th and 1oth of this month, but nothing yet.

I did receive a 2008 Topps Heritage signed by Johan Santana that I purchased on eBay. I bought this for my younger son who is a huge Santana fan.

My wife and I went to Rochester, MN today to attend the "Gold Rush" antique show at the fairgrounds there. I didn't find any sports-related items that interested me.

Justin Morneau Signed Baseballs

We received the Justin Morneau signed baseballs from the Lojo Sports signing. Lojo wasn't taking mail order, but an SCN contact had arranged to send in a large number of items.

My sons and I each sent in a ball. Johnny sent in a regular Rawlings Official Major League Ball (romlb) and had Morneau sign it on the sweet spot.

David sent in a 2008 All-Star ball and got it signed by the logo.

And I sent in a HHH Metrodome commemorative ball and had it signed by the logo.


Although we had to pay for these, it wasn't too expensive, and definitely better than standing in line for six hours to get them signed. Each ball has a numbered hologram sticker attached to it along with a COA with a matching number.

Unfortunately, it looks like Justin is out for the rest of the season. Apparently he has a stress fracture somewhere in his back.

Our Last Trip To The Dome

Today we went to our last Twin's game at the Metrodome. Unfortunately, the Twins lost 2-4 to the A's. Yes, the A's.

They were giving away Jim Kaat bronze statues, so we each got one.

My sons went down along the third base line, close to the bullpen, during warm ups and were fortunate enough to get Francisco Liriano and Matt Guerrier to sign their HHH Metrodome commemorative baseballs. They each signed for almost everyone that was there waiting for them.
I received a few more vintage cards that I bought on eBay today as well. Including '54 Topps and a '51 Bowman. I've mailed about a dozen this week, and hope to mail out about the same or more this coming week.

Global Authority Grading?

Today I received a couple of 1948 Leaf baseball cards that I bought on eBay. I plan on sending these out for autographs (Roy Smalley and Gene Hermanski).

The odd thing is that these are both graded by a company called Global Authority (www.globalauth.com). I had never heard of them before. It appears they are part of the previous company called Global Authentication, Inc. (GAI) which had a mixed reputation as an autograph authentication service from what I've read. They "slab" the cards they grade simply by placing them in an ultra pro semi rigid case, and putting a printed "tamper evident" sticker over the opening.

Nothing wrong with that. And they appear to be cheaper than other services. However, the Smalley card I bought, graded as a 4.5, is listed on the sticker as a 1952 Topps, when it is really a 1948 Leaf. I have to wonder if they were also grading a '52 Topps of Smalley and got the stickers mixed up (which would mean the grade is probably wrong too), or if they just got the card type and year wrong.
So far, I'm not impressed. I don't have cards graded, so I won't be using their service anyway.

Returns From Starrette and Horton

I got a couple of returns over the weekend.

I received Willie Horton in care of the Tigers, who signed a 1965 Topps.

I also received a 1964 and 1987 Topps signed by Herm Starrette.

Over the weekend I purchased a few old Sport Magazines on eBay that I'll send out for autographs when I receive them. I also bought a few vintage cards, including three 1948 Leafs.