Whitey Herzog and Gene Garber TTM Returns and Some 1961 Topps Purchases

Today I received two TTM returns.

Hall of Famer Whitey Herzog signed his 1958 and 1973 Topps for his $5 per card fee.  I don't currently have a ball signed by Mr. Herzog.  I think I should send out one and add this Hall of Famer to my baseball collection.

Gene Garber signed his 1974, 1975 and 1983 Topps as well as the 1983 Topps Super Veteran card.

I also received five signed 1961 Topps cards that I bought from a fellow member of SCN.  The players include Bobby Del Greco, Clem Labine, Norm Larker, Turk Lown and Seth Morehead.

Bill "Spaceman" Lee and George Stone Returns

I received two returns to kick off the week.

Bill "Spaceman" Lee signed his 1975 and 1981 Topps, adding "Earth 2022" on the 81 as he does on many cards, and copying his facsimile signature on the 75.  

I just noticed that he seems to consistently follow that pattern: adding "Earth" and the current year to any card without a facsimile signature and copying his facsimile signature on those that have one. 

One of my previous requests to him included a 1971 Topps, on which he signed his full name, including his middle name, just as shown on the facsimile signature.

And George Stone signed the 1973 Mets team card, as well as his 1974, 1975 and 1976 Topps cards.

There are a few signings coming up that are going to cost me, but I want to get some things done before it's too late.  I've regretted not spending some money on signings in the past and now can no longer get them, either because the player has passed away, or their prices increased too much.

Not only are the signings expensive, but some of the cards are too.  I ordered Tony Perez's 1966 Topps and Johnny Bench's 1969 Topps.  Both cards feature the Topps All Star Rookie trophy.  The Bench card is probably the most I've paid for a card to be signed other than Harmon Killebrew's 1955 Topps.  And the condition isn't that great!  But good enough.

I'm also considering sending some cards to Billy Williams at the Chicago Sports Spectacular in June.  The prices aren't out yet, but I'd like to send at least his 1964 Topps Stand Up, which I already have.  If the price is reasonable, I'll send his 62 Topps with the Topps Rookie Trophy on it, and maybe even a 71 Topps.

I keep telling myself I need to slow down on the spending and just send out the cards I already have to players that don't charge.  But then I see a signing, and think I'll regret it if I don't participate.  Maybe I just need to quit looking.

Toby Harrah and Charlie Spikes TTM Returns

 I received two returns today to close out the week.

Toby Harrah signed his 1975, 1983, 1985 and 1987 Topps nicely in blue sharpie.

And Charlie Spikes was kind enough to sign his 1974, 1975, and 1977 Topps as well as the 1976 Indians team card.  Again, a nice blue sharpie return.

Lately I've been asking a few questions in my letters.  Partly to mix things up from any previous letters I may have sent to these players, but also to see if they read them, and to get their answers.

Lately, I've been asking players if they had any favorite ballparks to play in, and if there were any parks they didn't like to play in.

Many players respond that they were just happy to be there and enjoyed all the parks.  When they do pick a favorite, it's almost always Fenway.  I assume because of the history, as one player noted, but many don't specify why.

I've only had a few players note a park they didn't care for, and it's only been pitchers who didn't care to pitch in Candlestick Park. 

Carbo, Fingers and Giusti

I forgot to post about my return yesterday from Dave Giusti, who signed the 1973 and 1976 Pirates team cards as well as his 1975 and 1977 Topps cards.

And today I received two returns:

Bernie Carbo signed his 1976 Topps.

And Rollie Fingers signed his 1971 Topps and finished the 1978 Topps Leading Firemen card for his $15 per card fee.

Trade: 1975 Topps Dave Winfield

About 10 years ago, I bought a 16x20 photo signed by Reggie Bush.  I don't know why.  I must have thought it was a really good deal.  I paid about $39 including shipping.

It immediately went in my closet and stayed there until a couple weeks ago when I was looking through the closet for something else.

I posted it in the sell/trade section in SCN and ended up trading it for a Dave Winfield signed 1975 Topps.  It isn't authenticated but did come with a copy of the auction letter from JSA, for whatever that's worth.  The signature is a bit light and in ballpoint, which matches very closely to a couple I have on 1978 Topps cards, one of which is PSA slabbed.

I probably wouldn't have paid for this card to get signed, or even paid for a signed copy, but I'm happy to have it instead of the Reggie Bush picture that really didn't fit in my collection.

I was a little surprised that I didn't have any ttm returns today, but that's not too uncommon for a Tuesday for me, for whatever reason.  Are Tuesdays light mail days for anyone else?

The Twins are off to a disappointing start.  The starting pitching has been pretty good, but the bullpen has been shaky.  The offense has been very inconsistent.  With Sano off to a slow start, and Buxton already hurt, they are living up to their reputations so far.  I hope things improve, but at this point I'm hoping for a winning season and not much more.

I bought most of the 20220 Topps Heritage Twins cards that have been released so far.  There are already four players in the set that didn't start the season on our team including Donaldson, Astudillo, Simmons and Pineda.  I have low expectations of getting any of these signed, but I have them just in case the team bus breaks down in front of my house.

I didn't end up getting any Josh Donaldson autographs during his time in Minnesota, which is disappointing.  I have a bobblehead and a bunch of cards and would have liked a signed picture as well.  This is true of most players since the pandemic started, since TwinsFest is typically when I have the opportunity to get Twins' autographs.

Five Returns to Start the Week - Christenson, Helms, Miller, Soderholm and Stinson

I started the week with a full mailbox containing five returns.

Larry Christenson signed his 1974, 1975 and 1983 Topps.

Tommy Helms signed the 1976 Astros team card and his 1974, 1975 and 1977 Topps.

Norm Miller signed the 1972 Astros team card as well as his 1972 and 1973 Topps cards.

Eric Soderholm signed the 1972 Twins team card and his 1974, 1975 and 1977 Topps.

And Bob Stinson finished the 1971 Topps Cards Rookie Stars card already signed by Bob Chlupsa and Al Hrabosky. 

Merv Rettenmund Return

Yesterday I received a return from Merv Rettenmund, a very generous signer who signed his 1974 Topps Traded, 1975 and 1977 Topps, and the 1978 Topps Angels team card already signed by Gary Nolan.