Carmen Fanzone TTM Return

Carmen Fanzone signed the 1971 - 1973 Topps Cubs team cards for me as well as his individual 1973 Topps card.  He also answered a couple questions in my letter and signed the note. 

Former-Twin Sal Butera Return

I received one return today to start off the week.  Former-Twin's catcher and 1987 World Series Champ Sal Butera signed his 1983, 1986, 1987 and 1989 Topps.

I ordered a bunch of mid-70's Topps cards over the weekend, focusing on the 75 set, so I'll have a bunch of cards to send out shortly to keep my returns coming in steadily.

Davey Johnson and Bob Ross Returns

I received two returns today.

Davey Johnson signed the 1970 Topps "Orioles Celebrate" card which unfortunately commemorates the Orioles sweeping the Twins.  He also signed his 1978 Topps for my set.  I had enclosed $10 with my request.

And Bob Ross signed his 1952 and 1954 Topps.  I already had these cards signed by him over the years, but really wanted to send out some vintage cards and Mr. Ross is a generous signer.  I had previously sent to him in 2016 and in 2005, so I haven't exactly been harassing him.  The 54 is also a nice upgrade to the one he signed in black back in 2005.

1958 Topps Jim Busby

I received a 1958 Topps signed by Jim Busby and authenticated by Beckett that I bought on eBay. 

I believe I have about 115 cards left in this set, including some team cards and multi-player cards, as well as the expensive ones like Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, and probably some lesser-known names that may have passed away shortly after these cards were released.

I don't expect to ever complete the set, but I'll add affordable cards when I can.  When I started on the set in 2003, I set a goal of having a card signed by every living player.  This was a joke a course, because I'd only need one card signed to meet the goal eventually.  I believe the only two living players that I don't currently have are Sandy Koufax and Willie Mays.  Mays appears on three cards.

Pete Cimino Return

Today I received a return from Pete Cimino, who was kind enough to sign his 1967 and 1968 Topps and also answered a question in my letter.

Mr. Cimino is on a 1966 Topps rookie card with Cesar Tovar which is surprisingly expensive, so I had to settle for his cards when he was on the Angels.

I sent out 10 requests today, all of which included at least one 1973 Topps.  Many of the free signers I still need for that set are on higher number cards which I don't currently have. 

Three Returns to Start the Week - Osteen, Wathan and Wood

I haven't sent out too many requests lately, but I still have plenty outstanding.  I received three ttm returns today.

Clause Osteen signed his 1970 and 1975 Topps for me.  I have 15 cards signed by Mr. Osteen, with no duplicates.  I'm pretty sure I don't have all of his cards yet, so maybe I'll send out to him again in the future.

A few posts ago I was complaining that I wasn't getting any returns that had been outstanding for a long time.  Today, I received a return from John Wathan, who signed his 1977, 1978 and 1979 Topps for me in about 11 months.  I'm happy to get these back and add another 78 Topps to my set.

Finally, Jake Wood signed his 1962 Topps which has the Topps All Star Rookie trophy on it.  I've sent to Mr. Wood in the past, most recently in 2014.  He used to sign for free, but now charges $10 per card.  It looks like he started charging sometime in 2017.  I probably wouldn't have spent the $10 for more of his cards, but I'm focusing on the Topps All Star Rookie trophy cards and am happy to add this one to my collection.  

I certainly don't blame players for charging to sign cards, especially when you see them for sale on eBay or elsewhere, but as a collector, I have to prioritize the money I spend on the hobby.

A Couple Miracle Mets and a Couple 1958 Topps

I received a couple ttm returns and a couple cards I purchased from Mickey's.

Wayne Garrett signed his 1971 and 1973 Topps as well as a 1969 Mets Ron Lewis postcard.

Rod Gaspar signed his 1971 Topps for me.

And I received 1958 Topps cards signed by Smoky Burgess and Harvey Haddix.  They aren't authenticated, but they look consistent with authenticated examples I saw on eBay. 

Topps Rookie Trophy, Topps Stand Up and a Certified Topps Purchase

On Tuesday I jinxed myself by mentioning a two-day streak, which cost me two days of no returns.

I received two TTM returns today.

Frank Linzy signed his 1966 Topps (with the Topps Rookie All Star trophy) and his 1972 Topps.

Bob Aspromonte signed his 1964 Topps Stand Up.  This makes 20 signed cards for this set.  

And I received an eBay purchase of a 2017 Topp Heritage certified card signed by Miguel Sano. 

Ellie Rodriguez and Al Worthington Returns

Two more returns to keep the consecutive day streak alive for the week, even though it's only at two.

Ellie Rodriguez signed his 1971 Topps from his home in Puerto Rico.  I included $5 with my request.

And former-Twin and generous signer Al Worthington signed my 1958 Topps.  As he usually does, he enclosed a few signed religious pamphlets and articles.  On at least one previous occasion, he sent back so many extras that he used his own return envelope and postage.

My first request to Mr. Worthington was about 18 years ago, which is true for many of the players that have cards in the 1958 Topps set.  I went after it hard when I first started this hobby, sending out nearly 500 requests in just six months.  I haven't come anywhere close to that rate since.

Elroy Face and Jake Gibbs Returns

I started the week with two nice returns. 

Elroy Face signed his 1953 Topps.  The sharpie is fading a bit, but it still looks okay.  I enclosed $5 with this request.

And Jake Gibbs signed his 1964, 1969 and 1971 Topps.  Tom Metcalf appears to be a good signer, so I'll send the 64 on to him next.

Three TTM Returns Including a Cople More Topps All Star Rookie Trophy Cards

I received three more ttm returns today.  These are all requests I've sent out in the last 4-5 weeks.  I haven't had a long-outstanding return come back for a while, but I've got a lot out there.

Looking at SCN, it looks like some players stopped signing in 2021.  Perhaps the volume became too much for them.

Jerry Bell signed his 1972 and 1974 Topps, along with the 1972 and 1973 Brewers team cards.  I think I mentioned his 1972 card when I got it back from Bob Reynolds.  Topps mixed up the photos of Bell and Porter, so Bell signs over his correct picture despite the name being incorrect.

Byron Browne signed his 1967 Topps card with the Topps All Star Rookie Trophy on it, as well as his 1971 Topps.  I had sent a request to him in 2021 which never came back, despite seeing other successes from him, so I sent out another request assuming mine got lost somewhere along the way.

Ron Swoboda signed his 1966 Topps with the All Star Rookie Trophy on it as well as his 1971 Topps for his $5 per card fee.

Amos Otis 1971 Topps

I added another signed 1971 Topps to my set today with a return from Amos Otis, who signed his card with a $5 fee.

I think this brings my total signed cards in this set to 366, not even half-way to the 752 total.  I'm pretty sure I've exhausted the free signers, so I'll probably slow down quite a bit on this set.

Ellis, Hrbek and Pascual

It has been quiet so far this week but today I received three returns. 

John Ellis signed his 1971 Topps for his $5 per card fee.  This is another Topps All-Star Rookie trophy card.  I think I have at least 20 now and could fill up a card display if I get around to it.  I'm not sure I have anywhere to hang it though!

Kent Hrbek also has a $5 per card fee, and he signed his 2021 Allen & Ginter card for me.

Finally, Camilo Pascual signed his 1966 Topps along with an Exhibit postcard for his $10 per card fee.