A Finished Multi-Signed Card and Finally, Jim Kaat

Yesterday I received a return from Dick Stigman, which completes my 1962 Topps Tribe Hill Trio card including Barry Latman and Jim Perry. The card got pretty scuffed during the trip to Perry and back, but it still looks okay. My older son has this card and is thinking about starting it. Anyone else thinking about it should send to Latman first, as he is the toughest of the three to get. Stigman and Perry are excellent signers through the mail.

I also FINALLY got back my Jim Kaat bobblehead from the MLBPAA signing that was supposed to take place in March. I received it back, but it was unsigned, so I had to send it in again for another event last weekend. I am still missing my 1965 Topps Tommy John card from that event. I'm not sure what will happen with that. I have had pretty decent luck with these signings in the past, even though return times were slow. After this fiasco, I'll have to carefully consider whether or not to send another item to their events.

This completes my 1965 Twins bobblehead set as I now have Kaat, Killebrew, Oliva, Quilici, Grant, Perry and Pascual. The set has a total of ten, but three of the players are no longer with us including Battey, Allison and Versalles.

Ozzie Smith Back Today

Today I got back two cards I sent to an AtommicSports signing for Ozzie Smith.

Of course, I got the 2008 Goudey signed, and also decided to have him sign his rookie card, a 1979 Topps. Check out the sideburns!


I'll have to take another look at the Goudey checklist to see who else I want to get. I passed on a Mike Schmidt signing at $50. I doubt I'll find it much cheaper, but I thought I had better uses for $50 at the time.

The only paid signing items I have left outstanding are the Jim Kaat bobblehead and 1965 Topps of Tommy John and Ryne Duren from the MLBPAA signing in March.

It's becoming clear that I will have very little time to send out requests based on my evening schedule with my kids. My goal of 365 mail requests this year is looking like it's going to be very tough.

Some Returns Today

I finally got some returns today.

Roy Smalley Sr. signed his 1954 Topps and the 1985 Topps Father/Son card already signed by Jr. He also included a piece of paper with his picture and years he played on which he thanked me and signed his name.

I also got back the ball signed by Wade Boggs that I sent in to an MLBPAA charity event back in March. I'm still waiting for the Jim Kaat bobblehead and Tommy John and Ryne Duren 1965 Topps cards that I sent in.

Veterans Committee Fails To Elect Anyone

Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat failed to get elected to the Hall of Fame today. In fact, so did everyone else. For the fourth straight time, the Veterans Committee failed to elect anyone into the Hall of Fame today from the post-1942 era. Too bad. Ron Santo? Luis Tiant? C'mon, these guys belong in there.

The committee did elect Joe Gordon from the pre-1943 category. Good for him. Not exactly a household name these days, but his stats are impressive.

I received a few successes in the mail today:

Al Rosen signed a really cool card from 1961 commemorating his MVP award in 1952. I have similar cards out to Dick Groat and Bobby Shantz.



Milt Pappas signed a 1960 Topps and 1960 Topps "Young Hill Stars".


Frank Kostro, former Minnesota Twin, signed his 1965 and 1969 Topps cards for me.


Today I mailed out a ball and 1976 Topps rookie card for a Dennis Eckersley signing later this month.