Broberg, Griffin, Grubb and Wallace Returns

I received four returns to cap off a busy month.

Pete Broberg signed his 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1979 Topps for me.

Tom Griffin signed his 1974, 1975, 1977 and 1979 Topps.

Johnny Grubb signed his 1975, 1977, 1983 and 1986 Topps.

And Mike Wallace signed his 1975 and 1977 Topps.

Wallace was the only player of the four that I hadn't sent to yet.

I have about 35 recent requests out so I should have some steady returns for a while.  In June, I'm going to try to reduce my spending quite a bit, so I'll probably just send out cards I already have and try to avoid any private signings.  I may buy a few 1975 Topps to keep that project going, but not much beyond that.  I'll also try to concentrate on the players that don't charge fees.  We'll see if I can stick to this plan or not.

John Montefusco - 1976 Topps All Star Rookie Trophy Card

I received just one return today.  It was from a mail-in signing for John Montefusco who signed his 1976 Topps for me, adding another Topps All Star Rookie Trophy card to my collection.

A Few Purchases

I didn't receive any ttm returns today, but I did receive a few purchases.

I bought a 1971 Topps signed by Denny Doyle from Jim and Steve's in Illionois (via Ebay).  I have sent in to their signings in the past but none in the last few years.  I'm not sure if they still do any and if they do, why I don't hear about them.

They also set up at a card show in Brooklyn Park here in MN several years ago, so it was nice to meet the people I had been dealing with online and through the mail.

I also received three 1963 Topps from a fellow SCN member, including Marv Breeding, Bobby Del Greco and Ray Moore.

I sent off three more cards to Orlando Cepeda today, hoping that his signing streak continues.

I also received a few unsigned cards today to send out, including some vintage cards and some current Twins.

Ken Holtzman, Denny McLain and Bobby Richardson

Today I received two ttm returns and one private signing return.

I had sent a couple cards to this Denny McLain signing way back in January because the signing was supposed to be in early February.  The signing got delayed until late April, so I just got them back today.

I really don't know why I sent a 72 Topps because I already had one signed.  But I also sent in a 1968 Topps Deckle Edge, which is kind of a cool card.

Ken Holtzman signed his 1973 Topps for me in a little over two months.  Mr. Holtzman is very reliable.  He'll sign one card per request, usually takes about two months, and signs in ballpoint.  I have several cards I'd like him to sign, so I'll continue my pattern of sending a card once every few months.  I've previously sent a 1971 Topps and a 1978 Topps.  Next, I'll send a 1972 Topps.

Finally, Bobby Richardson signed a 1958 Topps for me and included his jersey number and 1960 World Series MVP inscriptions without me having to ask.  He frequently adds these inscriptions.  I don't know if he requires a fee, but I always send $5 per card, as is common according to the history on SCN.

I already had him on a 1958 Topps, which I sent back in 2003 when I started working on the set.  I noticed my first card was a bit off-center, which bothers me more and more each year, so I decided to upgrade this card a bit.

Winning the 1960 World Series MVP award must have been bittersweet for him, considering the Yankees lost the World Series to the Pirates, but it's still an impressive accomplishment.  He had 12 RBI in the series, beating out Mickey Mantle by one.

Del Unser TTM Return

Del Unser generously signed his 1969, 1977, 1980 and 1980 Highlights cards for my collection.  The 69 Topps includes his Topps All-Star Rookie Trophy.

Johnson, Kobel and Rivers TTM Returns

I received three more returns today.

Dave (Davey) Johnson signed his 1967 Topps (featuring the Topps All-Star Rookie Trophy) and his 1985 Topps which he inscribed without me asking, which was nice.

Kevin Kobel signed his 1975 Topps for me.  He didn't return the 1976 Topps I had enclosed.  Last time I sent him a request, he also kept the 1976 Topps as well as a 1976 team card.  I looked at his history on SCN, and he does sign his 1976 card, so I guess if I want it signed, I'll have to send just that card alone in a request.

Finally, Mickey Rivers signed his 1972 Topps for his $15 fee.  I've had this card sitting around forever, I just didn't want to spend the money, but I decided to finally get it done.  I think it looks nice.

Six TTM Returns!

Today was a big day at the mailbox, with six through the mail returns and some purchases of more cards to send out.

Bill Greif signed the 1976 Topps Padres team card, as well as his 1973, 1975, 1976 and 1977 Topps cards.

Darold Knowles signed the 1971 Senators team card, as well as his 1975, 1977 and 1980 Topps.

Jerry Koosman added another Topps All Star Rookie Trophy card to my collection by signing his 1969 Topps for his $10 fee.

White Sox Manager Tony LaRussa signed his 1987 Topps Manager card.  This return was postmarked May 12th from Boston.  The White Sox were in Boston May 6-9.  I'm not sure why the three-day delay and who would have physically mailed it.  Maybe it sat at Fenway for a couple days before it made it to the outgoing mail.

Dan Neville signed his 1965 Topps and wrote a nice note, which he also signed.  I'm going to send this off to a private signing to have it completed by Art Shamsky.  Shamsky signs ttm, but doesn't always use good pens, so I'm hoping to get it done nicely.

Finally, Bill Parsons signed his 1972, 1974 and 1975 Topps.

I received a couple orders from SportLots, containing mostly 1975 Topps, but a few 74 and 77's to go along with them.  I'll try to get a few of these sent out tomorrow.

Orlando Cepeda TTM Return

I was t little late to the party, but I just realized a couple weeks ago that Orlando Cepeda was signing reliably through the mail for $10 per!

I had spent $30 per on a few cards late last year and was happy to get that price.  I wasn't super confident that he'd continue signing, so I sent a check rather than cash.  Normally cash is the way to go, but I had seen another SCN request that was successful with a check.

So, I gathered up all the cards I had, which was three.  And two of them I had already gotten signed by him, but I sent them off anyway.  He signed his 1962 and 1973 Topps as well as a 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game very nicely in fine blue sharpie.

I'm not sure I'll send another, but I may browse Ebay to see if there are any cards that would be worth another request.

Kent Hrbek Bobblehead - FanHQ Signing

As I mentioned earlier today, I was packaging up a Kent Hrbek bobblehead to send to FanHQ for a signing, and the head popped off.  So, I decided to just send the head, and not risk it coming off again and breaking while he signed it.

I just got done hot-gluing the head back on.  I glued the spring to the post coming off the body, but it seems pretty tight.  It doesn't bobble at all.  At least it's on firmly and looks pretty good, I guess.

This is my fifth signed Hrbek bobblehead.  I've gotten the other four signed at TwinsFests over the years.