Some Backed Up Returns

I was away from home for a few days and came home to five returns in the mailbox.

Bob Aspromonte signed his 1965 and 1970 Topps.  He also included a signed and personalized stat sheet with my cards.

Rick Cerone signed his 1983 Topps for me.  I have another request out that I sent back in June.  I sent this one in early October.  He only signs one card at a time.  The card I sent in June was his 1985 Topps.  He appears to be a very reliable signer, so maybe mine got lost in the mail.

Dave Moates signed his 1976 and 1977 Topps, as well as the 1976 Rangers team card.

Manny Mota signed his 1970 and 1976 Topps for me, as well as his individual card from 1980 and his Highlights card from 1980, which notes him becoming the all-time pinch hitter leader, with 145 hits.  He appears to have fallen to 3rd pace, ending his career with 150 pinch hits, behind Mark Sweeney with 175, and Lenny Harris with 212.

Finally, Gary Nolan signed his 1976 and 1977 cards, as well as the 1976 Reds team card and the 1978 Angels team card.

Mario Mendoza, Brooks Robinson and Garry Roggenburk

I've been sending out a lot of requests the second half of this month, so the returns should be steady for a while.  I received three successes today.

Mario Mendoza signed his 1978, 1979 and 1980 Topps which I sent to him in July.

After falling and breaking his arm last summer, Brooks Robinson is back to being a Hall of Fame signer through the mail.  He signed a 1971 Topps card commemorating the 1970 A.L. playoffs as well as a 1972 Topps card showing the 1971 World Series.

Finally, Garry Roggenburk signed his 1967 and 1968 Topps.

 

Andy Kosco and Tim McCarver Returns

I was happy to see both of these returns come back today.

First, Andy Kosco signed his 1966, 1970m 1971 and 1972 Topps that I sent him last February.  I was starting to wonder if this one would come back or not.  The 1971 Topps is in the high number series, so it was relatively expensive.

Next, Tim McCarver signed a couple cards from the 1965 Topps set commemorating the Cardinal's 1964 World Series win.  Mr. McCarver charges $10 per card.  A day or two after I mailed this, I started doubting if I had included the money or not, based on what was left in my wallet.  I must have included it though, and I'm happy to add these two cards to my 1965 set.  These two cards also helped me meet my goal of adding 10 cards to the set for the year.

I've been going after more of these cards that show either play off or World Series games.  I have a couple more out to Brooks Robinson right now.  I've gotten some already from him and other players:

Bill Mazeroski - 1961 Topps All Star

Today I received a return from Bill Mazeroski, who signed a 1961 Topps All Star card for his $10 fee.

I've sent several cards to him this year, but I have one more I'd like to get signed: his 1957 Topps rookie card.  I'll send that out soon, then leave him alone for a while. 

Willie Kirkland 1963 Topps

Today I received a purchase from an SCN contact who had previously held a private signing with Willie Kirkland.

I had seen the signing listed but decided not to spend the money, but was fortunate enough that his extras included a 1963 Topps for my set.  I guess this at least saved me the cost of the card itself, since I didn't already have one, and maybe a little shipping.

I participated in a signing with Mr. Kirkland about 10 years ago, where I was able to have him sign a 1958 and 1965 Topps.

Rod Carew Private Signing and a Couple TTM Returns

Today I received three cards back from a Tom Orr signing with Rod Carew.  I've been spoiled over the years to be able to get Mr. Carew's autograph at a pretty cheap price at TwinsFest.  He didn't sign bats or jerseys there, but cards, balls and bobbleheads could get signed for as low as $20 when I started collecting, and probably $35 the last time I went to TwinsFest, depending on if he was at a table with someone else.

Due to his health, and not being sure if TwinsFest will ever return to what it was pre-pandemic, I decided to take the opportunity to get a few cards signed that I really wanted.  I paid more than I would have at TwinsFest (probably), but who knows when I'll have the opportunity again.

I had him sign his 1968 Topps, 1970 Topps All Star, and 1971 Topps.

His signature has changed since his health issues began, but it's actually more readable I think.

Here's a 1971 Topps my son got signed prior to his health issues.

I have quite a few of Mr. Carew's signatures.  I think I have a ball, bat, jersey, a couple magazines, several cards, a bobblehead, a John Wheeldon print, a magazine and a 1970 Twins program.  I suppose if I were able to see him at TwinsFest again I should probably get a mini helmet signed.

I also received a couple ttm returns today.

Rene Lachemann signed his 1966, 1968, 1983 and 1985 Topps for me.

And Dave Freisleben signed his 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 Topps.

Cleveland, McCatty and Paxton Returns

I haven't sent out many requests lately so I was surprised to get three returns in my mailbox today.  A couple of them were sent two to three months ago.

Reggie Cleveland signed his 1971 Topps already signed by Luis Melendez and his 1973 and 1976 Topps cards for $2 per card.  I sent this request just 10 days ago.

Steve McCatty signed his 1978, 1980, 1983 and 1985 Topps.  The 1985 Topps was signed in blue, the other three in black.  I'm always curious what was going on when things like this happen.  Neither pen appeared to be running out of ink.

And Mike Paxton signed his 1978, 1979 and 1980 Topps as well as the 1980 Topps Indians team card.