Josh Fogg and Marcel Lachemann

 I received two requests today, one vintage and one not so vintage, although I guess cards from the 2003 are older than I care to admit.

Marcel Lachemann signed his 1971 Topps as well as the 1987 Topps Angels Leaders card with Mike Witt and Bob Boone.  Boone is a pretty good signer, but Witt is not, so I doubt I'll get all three on this card.

Josh Fogg signed a few Topps Heritage cards for me in just over a week, including those from 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008.  I had previously sent his 2003 card to him which he signed and returned during the season back in July of 2003, back when I just started this hobby.

A Couple 1971 Topps Purchases

 Today I received a couple purchases from Cardboard Promotions via SCN to add to my 1971 Topps collection. 

They had signings with both Rico Petrocelli and Wilbur Wood last month and had some extras, including some 1971 Topps of each.

Frank Thomas (The Original One) Return

Today I received a return from Frank Thomas, who played for the Pirates in the 1950's.  He differentiates himself from the Hall of Fame-inducted Frank THomas by referring to himself as "The Original One."

Mr. Thomas signed his 1956 Topps and included a signed stat card for a $5 charitable donation.

Ed Acosta and Art Shamsky (After Almost 5 Years!)

 When I saw my Informed Delivery email this morning, I was surprised to see a return with a pretty old Forever Stamp on it.   I knew I was getting back an old request, but I didn't know if it would be signed or not.

It turns out it was Art Shamsky, who I sent a 1969 Mets postcard and 1972 Topps to back in September of 2015.  He signed the postcard, but not the 1972 Topps.

I looked back in SCN and it was sent in a period where he was signing regularly, which he hasn't been since 2017.  So, I'm not sure if he's getting back to signing some old requests, or if he signed this back in 2015 and somehow it was just delivered to me now.

Either way, I'm happy to get it back.

I also received a return from Ed Acosta, who signed his 1971 and 1972 Topps in a very quick 7 days.

Boots Day

One more return today.  Boots Day signed his 1971, 1972 and 1973 Topps for me.

I had previously purchased his 1972 Topps signed but decided I'd rather have one signed ttm.  I expect a trickle of returns to continue for a few days but hopefully it will pick up towards the end of next week.

Larry Harlow Return

It sure is slow, but today I received a return from Larry Harlow, who signed his 1978 and 1979 Topps that I sent him back in June.

This return makes 50 signed 1978 Topps for the year, fulfilling the goal I set.  I'm sure I'll be sending out more though.

Jeremy Bonderman

I received another, more modern return today.

Jeremy Bonderman signed his 2005 Topps Heritage for my collection.

Bonderman was quite the competitor during his playing days.  My family and I witnessed one of his dugout meltdowns at the expense of at least one Gatorade jug during a game against the Twins at the Metrodome.  After that, my sons and I referred to any angry outburst as "pulling a Bonderman".

Mike Cameron and Jim Kaat

I received two returns today after a few days of receiving none.  I checked out the requests I have out on SCN, and it looks like many of the players are either spotty signers or often take a while to send back, so it might be slow for a while.  I'll try to get out a few requests on Monday.

I have mainly been sending out cards from the 1970's, but sent out a handle of 2000's Topps Heritage cards.  Mike Cameron, signed his 2002, 2004 and 2009 cards for me.

I also received a couple cards back from Jim Kaat, who signed his 1971 and 1978 Topps cards for my set goals this year.

Three Returns Today

Some of my returns finally started showing up.  They really haven't been out that long, I'm just impatient.

Tommy Boggs signed his 1978 and 1979 Topps.

George Medich signed his 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979 Topps.

And Joe Sambito signed his 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980 Topps.

Ken Macha Return

I was expecting more returns this week, but at least I didn't get shut out.

Ken Macha signed his 1978 Topps as well as his 2004 Topps Heritage.

I like getting cards signed by guys who were both players and managers.  I think I have a few more of these types of requests out.

Gene Richards

The returns are trickling in, with one more arriving today.

Gene Richards signed his 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1985 Topps.

Sam Ewing Return

Sam Ewing signed his 1978 and 1979 Topps for me in two weeks.

Q2 2020 Goals Update

I'm a few days late on this, but it's time to check in on my goals now that the year is half over.

These numbers will be as of June 30th:

• Send out 200 requests. -  I've sent out 140 requests, so I'm well on my way to meeting this goal.  I didn't send out  quite as many in Q2 as I did in Q1, so I'll have to keep motivated.
• Add 50 signed cards to my 1971 Topps set. - I've added 51 so far, so this one is complete.
• Add 20 cards to my 1972 Topps set. - I've added 15 so far, so this one is going well.
• Add 50 cards to my 1978 Topps set - For some reason I didn't update this goal after Q1.  I have 39 signed so far and enough out in the mail to meet this goal.  This one will be easy to complete.
• Add five signed balls to my collection. - I've added 2, so this one is still achievable. But I didn't send any in Q2.  I'll have to make this one a priority in Q3.
• Add five signed magazines to my collection. - I haven't added any yet.  I sent one out to a private signing, but that's been postponed.  I also need to make this one a priority.
• Add two signed bobbleheads to my collection.  - I haven't added any, and am pretty reliant on some private signings to get scheduled for the small number of bobbleheads I need to get signed.  I'm not sure if this one will get done or not.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with my status this year.  With a little effort, I could send out more requests this year than I have since about 2011.

Wilbur Howard and Mike Willis Returns

Two returns today:

Wilbur Howard signed his 1976 and 1977 Topps in sharpie, and 1978 Topps in ballpoint.

And Mike Willis signed his 1978 and 1979 Topps.

I didn't get around to sending out many requests this past weekend, but I did send off one to Jim Kaat with a couple of cards.

Ty Cline and Gene Garber

It was nice to get a couple returns that have been out for a while today.  Not out a long time, but over a month.

Ty Cline signed his 1968 Topps, and well as a couple 1971 Topps highlighting the N.L. playoffs in 1970.

And Gene Garber signed his 1976, 1978, 1985 and 1987 Topps.

I haven't sent out many requests this last week.  It's really hot out, so maybe I'll hunker down inside and get a few done this weekend.