Ron Hansen Return

One return today:  Ron Hansen signed his 1972 Topps for me in just 7 days.

Not much else to report.  I haven't had time or cards to send out lately so I expect things will slow down quite a bit.  My 11 year old son, the pitcher, has tendonitis so he's most likely done pitching this year.  Physical Therapy starts Friday.  He might play some first base, possibly second base or just hit.  He has been hitting well this year, but 11 years old is pretty young to be a DH.  My older son's game was rained out tonight.

Snyder, Rivera and Carbo

Three returns today.  Two of which I sent just 7 days ago, and one I sent April 11th.  Bernie Carbo signed his 1972 Topps that I sent in April.  I had also enclose a 1978 Topps, but didn't get that one back.  Luckily, I got the card from the set I'm working on.

Jim Rivera signed his 1955 and 1956 Topps.

Finally, Russ Snyder signed his 1964 Topps.

I wish now that I had been sending 1964 Topps along with all the 19654 Topps I've sent out.  I really like the simple design of the card and the pictures are pretty good for autographs.

Jerry Kenney TTM Success

One return today.  Jerry Kenney signed his 1972 and 1973 Topps for me,

I sent out about 10 more requests today.  Mostly older stuff from the 50's, not any 1972 Topps.  I also received a lot of 188 signed Twins card that I bought from an SCN member on Ebay.  Yep, 188 signed cards.  A few from the '60's, then some '80's, '90's and 2000's.  I'll take what I want, then have an auction with my boys for the rest.  I give them a number of "points" they can bid with, then they use those points to bid against each other for the cards.  It's fun.

Ken Boswell and Mike Paul

I expected a full mailbox today, but I guess I'll have to be happy with two returns.

Ken Boswell signed a couple of 1972 Topps.

Mike Paul signed a 1971, 1972, and 1973 Topps.

 

I sent out 17 requests a week ago Monday and have only gotten a few back.  I expected a couple of days with 5 or 6 returns.  Maybe tomorrow.

Eddie Fisher and Jose Cruz

Finally a couple of returns.  Jose Cruz signed three cards for me:  1972, 1973 and 1978 Topps.

Eddie Fisher signed his 1972 and 1973 Topps for my collection.

Yesterday I received 20 signed 1972 Topps and 7 signed 1951 Bowmans that I bought from Mickey's on eBay.  I'll post those later. 

Tonight I'm helping out at my younger son's baseball practice, which luckily is indoors.  Unfortunately, my older son is outdoors at his practice right now.  It's about 45 degrees and windy here in Minnesota.

Progress Update on 2011 Collecting Goals

No returns in today's mail.  So I thought I'd update my progress on my 2011 collecting goals.

1. Send out 250 requests through the mail - As of today (including the 17 I sent out in today's mail) I have sent out 97 requests this year.  I'm well on my way to reaching my goal of 250, but the summer gets pretty busy so I'll have to be careful to keep it up.
2. Reach 300 signed 1972 Topps cards - As I've mentioned earlier, this set is turning out to be tougher than I first anticipated. I currently have 212 signed (not including 8 duplicates).  I have about 20-25 out in the mail, and I bought 20 more from Mickey's over the weekend.  I think 300 is still realistic by the end of the year.
3. Add 5 more signed bobbleheads to my 1987 Twins bobblehead collection.  So far I've added 4: George Frazier, Dan Schatzeder, Keith Atherton and Jeff Reardon.  I'm hopeful I can add at least one more by the end of the year.
4. Finish the 11 possible John Wheeldon portraits (out of 12) - I recently got back Luis Tiant on his portrait, and received one back signed from Chico Cardenas in February.  I need George Mitterwald, Harmon Killebrew, Ron Perranoski and Rich Reese.  The only one not signing through the mail is Killebrew, who is battling cancer.

I think I've done pretty well on my goals since we're only into April, but I'll have to keep up on my collection as it will be September before I know it!

Reggie Cleveland Return

One return today.  Reggie Cleveland signed his 1972 and 1978 Topps for my collection.  He charges $1 per card.

I have a few cards out to some paid signings that should be coming back in the next few weeks.  I also hope to get a dozen or so mail requests out this weekend.

Don Carrithers and Gary Sutherland Returns

I pleasant surprise for a normally-slow Tuesday: two returns today.

Gary Sutherland, who had returned my cards unsigned late last year, signed a 1971 and 1972 Topps.

Don Carrithers signed a 1972, 1973 and 1978 Topps and also briefly answered my question about his career after his playing days.

 

Yesterday I received the 1972 Topps I bought on SportLots.  Maybe I'll have some time this weekend to send some out.  My boys' baseball seasons are starting up with lots of practices, so I'll be busier in the evenings now.

Another Terrible Tuesday

I have a lot of requests out but didn't get a single return today.  I did get three returns yesterday that I didn't have time to post about.

Larry Brown signed his 1972 Topps which I sent out last November.

Jose Cardenal signed his traded card.  This is one of the high number cards I bought at the last TCSCC show.

Dick Green also signed his high number card from the 1972 set, as well as cards from 1971 and 1973.

Mike Ryan Return

It's been pretty slow lately, despite the fact that I have quite a few requests out in the mail.  Thursdays are usually good days, but today I just got one return back.

Mike Ryan signed his 1972 Topps for me.  I included $5 with my request.

TTM and Private Signing Returns - Rocky Colavito and More

Today I got two returns from mail-in signings via Chris Potter Sports.  Rock y Colavito signed his 1965 Topps and Roger Hambright finished off my 1972 Topps Yankees Rookies card.

I also got a few through the mail returns.  Yesterday I received a 1971 and 1972 Topps signed by Bernie Allen.

Today, I received Dave Leonhard on a 1971 Topps.  He didn't return my 1972 Topps (that's twice this week that's happened to me!).

Also today, I received a 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1978 Topps signed by Darold Knowles.

Lots of Returns to Catch Up On

Yesterday and today I received a lot of returns.  Over President's Day weekend, I sent out 27 requests and they're starting to roll in.

Yesterday I received five successes and one failure. Reggie Cleveland returned my cards with a price list.  He charges just $1 per card.  I will re-send my request.

Richie Scheinblum signed a 1971, and 1973 Topps.  He didn't return my 1972 Topps.

Wayne Garrett signed a 1971, 1972 and 1978 Topps.

 

Lew Krausse signed a 1971 and 1972 Topps for me.

Ron Stone also signed a 1971 and 1972 Topps.

Finally, Ed Herrmann signed four cards: a 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1978 Topps.

 

Today I received five returns.  Fred Gladding signed a 1971, 1972 and 1973 Topps.

 

Gary Peters signed a 1971 and 1972 Topps.

Bob Montgomery signed 1972, 1973 and 1978 Topps.

 

Amos Otis signed a 1972, 1973 and 1978 Topps.  I included $10 with my request.

 

J.C. Martin signed a 1972 Topps.

Not bad, nine 1972 Topps for my set and 25 cards overall in two days.  I hope to pick up some more 1972 cards at a show this Saturday and send out a few more requests early next week.