Kaat, Koosman and Lolich Returns

A few returns today, all which required fees.

First, I received four cards back from Jim Kaat, including a 1963 Fleer, 1966 and 1973 Topps, and his 2022 Allen & Ginter.  I sent $25 per to his agent, who left me a voicemail on my cell after they were signed letting me know they were headed back to me.  Great service!

I received a 1973 and 1975 Topps back from Jerry Koosman, who charges $10 per.  He also wrote a short response to a question in my letter and signed it "Koos".  Pretty cool.

And finally, I received a 1971 Topps and 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game back from Mickey Lolich, who charges $20 per.  I received a note back from Mrs. Lolich, thanking me for the donation that they would match to the charities they support.

A Few Purchases

I haven't received any ttm returns lately, but I did receive a few purchases.

I bought a 2018 Panini Chronicles Mitch Garver autograph card on eBay for only a few bucks.

I also bought three cards from an SCN member, including a 2019 and 2021 Topps Heritage signed Max Kepler cards and a 1961 Topps signed by Juan Pizarro.  The Pizarro card is an upgrade to the one I received ttm signed in black back in 2007.

Rich McKinney Return

I received one return today. Rich McKinney signed a 1971 Topps Buy Back, 1972 Topps, the 1972 Topps White Sox team card, and his 1973 Topps.

I had Rick Reichardt sign a different 1972 Topps a couple years ago and I apparently filed it in with my completed cards.  Reichardt's signature was very light, so maybe I decided to start over, I really can't remember.

I sent out another seven requests today in an attempt to keep the returns flowing.

Joe Mauer Topps Heritage x 4

Today I received four Joe Mauer Topps Heritage cards signed at the Lake Tahoe Celebrity Golf Tournament.  An SCN contact took consignments and was able to get all four of my cards signed.  One was signed in black, but that's the risk you take when getting autographs at an event like this where you're begging a player to sign as they're making their way around the tournament.

He signed his 2009 Topps Heritage regular and All Star card, which completes my 2009 Twins Topps Heritage set.

He also signed both of his 2010 Topps Heritage cards.  I just need Justin Morneau to sign both of his cards to complete my Twins set for that year.

Gene Alley TTM Return

This return took three months to arrive, and I saw the requests for Gene Alley piling up on SCN, so I was afraid that his health may be failing, or maybe he moved or something, but I am happy it showed up today so he must be okay.

He signed the 1965 and 1972 Pirates team cards, his 1967 Kahn's Weiners card, and his 1973 Topps.

I like to go after a few oddball cards like the Kahn's Weiners, but they can be expensive.  I think I paid about $13.50 for this one.

He was the first to sign the 1965 Pirates card, so I'll try sending it out to a few more players.  I had Bill Mazeroski sign one, but I'm going to leave that one with just his signature on it.

Ray Culp - 1964 Topps Stand Up

Ray Culp was kind enough to sign his 1964 Topps Stand Up to bring my signed collection of this set up to 26 cards.  Just 51 more to go.

This may be the last one I receive ttm, since the remaining players that sign don't sign ttm.  I may be able to get players like Boog Powell and Joe Torre via private signings.  In fact, I have their cards all set to go.

I had sent one in to a Bill White signing, but that signing was cancelled due to his health.  I'm not sure if I'll have another opportunity to get that one signed or not.

Then there's Mays and Koufax, who are also remaining in my 1958 set, which I doubt I'll ever get signed for either set.

Ron Hunt wants $50 a card, and then appears to provide a pretty poor signature anyway, so I guess he really just doesn't want to sign autographs.

Finally, I guess I might be able to get Yaz, but doubt I'd pay for both the expensive card and his expensive signing fee.

I sent out eight requests today, so hopefully things pick up a bit.  I also hope to be able to keep the momentum going and send out some more requests this week and into the weekend.

Orlando Cepeda All-Star

Today I received a 1962 Topps All Star card signed by Orlando Cepeda in two weeks.  I enclosed $20 with my request which is his going rate.  It was $10 for a long time, and I didn't notice the increase for my last few requests but he was kind enough to sign for me anyway.

The returns will really be slowing down since I have sent very few requests lately.  I might be able to get to some this week, but there will still be a week or two where the returns are few and far between.  It's been a while since I got back a return that has been out for a long time.  I'm hoping for one or two of those to help fill the gaps.

I should probably review the returns on SCN for my 1973, 1975 and 1978 sets to see if any spotty signers are replying lately.  There are probably a bunch of signers from the 75 and 78 sets I just haven't gotten around to so I should get going on those.

I've got over 300 stamps and 400 envelopes (of both the business and 6 3/4 sizes) so I can send out a lot of requests without spending any additional money.  I've also got a lot of unsigned ROMLB.  I should take an evening and send out a handful of ball to add to my collection.  Whitey Herzog tops that list for me.  I've even got a $20 bill in my wallet.

Darrel Chaney and Bobby Shantz

I received two returns today, although one was damaged.

Darrel Chaney signed his 1969 Topps, completing it, as well as his 1973 Topps.  He also included a signed religious card and wrote me a short note and signed that as well.

I was anxious to get my cards back from Bobby Shantz, but was disappointed to find out that both cards were pretty creased.  Not just in one spot either.  The sase, which I put the cards in when I send the request, did not appear to be very bent, but must have been rolled or folded a bit a few times on its trip to Mr. Shantz and back.  Pretty disappointing, but that's the risk you take sending cards unprotected in the mail.

I stand by this method though.  Card savers are a hassle, especially for older players, who sometimes sign the holder rather than removing the card from it.  Index cards are flimsier than the cards themselves so don't offer any protection.  In my several thousand requests, I have only had my cards damaged a handful of times.  Too bad it had to be this request though.  The Bowman card was a little over $7 on eBay, plus $5 for his fee, so it's disappointing.  I probably won't send another copy of the same cards.

15 Years of Procrastination

I received two TTM successes today.

Barry Moore signed his 1967, 1969 and 1970 Topps.  He also signed a 1970 Topps Buy Back card and the 1971 Topps White Sox team card.  I included $10 with my request.  He charges $5 for one card, and $10 for 2-5 cards.  So, of course I had to get my money's worth and send five cards.

He also wrote me a short note answering some questions I had asked in my letter, which he signed as well.

I also received a return from Bob Tolan.  I had been procrastinating sending to him due to his $15 per card fee, despite needing him for several of my sets.  I finally decided that I would really regret not sending to him should I miss the opportunity, so I sent two cards and $30 cash.  I have more to send, but didn't feel comfortable sending more than $30 in cash, so I started with his 1965 Topps already signed by Dave Dowling, and his 1972 Topps.

I sent the 65 Topps to Dowling back in 2008, so I procrastinated for 15 years before finally sending this out!

I would also like to send him his 1971 Topps, and a 71 Topps card commemorating the NL Playoffs in 1970 on which "Tolan Scores for the Third Time", with a photo of him crossing the plate.

Ed Hobaugh Return

 The slow trickle of returns continues today with a couple cards signed by Ed Hobaugh.  He was kind enough to sign his 1961 Topps as well as the 1963 Topps Senators team card.

He also answered a couple questions on my letter and wrote, "Best Wishes" before signing his name on it.

Gary Bell TTM Return

 After receiving an RTS from him in May, today I received a success from Gary Bell.

Mr. Bell has been a very generous signer over the years.  This was my fourth success from him since my first request back in 2007.

He signed his 1959 and 1960 Topps for me, as well as the 1961 and 1963 Indians team cards.

In May, I sent the request to his address in "Wikenburg", AZ.  That was what was listed on SCN.  After I received the RTS, I confirmed that the city actually has a "c" in it, so it's spelled, "Wickenburg".  I'm a little surprised that this misspelling would cause an RTS, and maybe it didn't.  There were a handful of other RTSs noted in his returns on SCN, and most people have listed the city as "Wikenburg" as their request address, but that doesn't mean that's what they actually wrote on the envelope.

Anyway, I'm happy to get this back.  I'm not sure if I'll send out the 1961 Indians team card again.  It's getting full and I'd hate to lose it after getting nine signatures on it.  The 1963 Indians team card only has five signatures so far, so it's got room for several more.