Ron Hansen, Bill Mazeroski and Joel Skinner TTM Returns - Randy Jones and David Festa Signing Returns

The week has been a bit slow, but I received some great returns today.

Ron Hansen signed his 1960 rookie card, copy number three or four of a 1961 Orioles team card, a 1962 Post and his 1971 Topps nicely in blue sharpie.  The team card was already signed by Jack Fisher, who signed it about a year ago at a mail-in signing.  I'm not sure what took me so long to send it out again.

Mr. Hansen is only 87 years old.  Young, compared to many of the other players I have sent to recently.

Signing-machine Bill Mazeroski signed my second Grand Slam print very nicely with the blue sharpie I included (or at least one that was still providing a strong signature).

I am loving these prints.  I have several more out ttm and to signings and hope to send out at least a couple more in tomorrow's mail.

He also signed his 1962 Post and 2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces.  I included $20 for the print, and $10 for each of the cards. 

I have been sending to Mazeroski at a pretty furious pace the last couple of years.  I have all of his regular Topps cards from 1957 to 1972, except his 1968 and 1969 Topps, which I bought but can't find right now.  Those aren't my favorite sets and don't usually send them out, but those are next on my list to send to him so I can have his complete Topps run.  

I also have a bunch of team cards, inserts, a Kahn's, some Ginters, etc.  53 signed cards in all.  I sent my first ttm to him in August of 2004, when he wasn't quite so automatic, all the way up through this return today.  I wonder if he recognizes my name on my sase's by now. :-)

Joel Skinner finished off my second copy of the 1985 Topps Father/Son card.  He also signed a few other late '80s cards for me nicely in blue sharpie.

Tom Orr got six Randy Jones cards signed for me.  This signing was a long time coming.  I can't remember exactly when it was originally supposed to occur, but I mailed my cards at the end of January.  I tried Mr. Jones ttm once, back in 2023 and didn't get a response.  He was pretty reliable just prior to that, and very spotty since.  So, when I saw this signing, I decided to just get all my set cards signed.

Finally, I received a David Festa 2025 Topps Heritage back from a Fan HQ signing.  With this return, they also returned my 2013 Topps Heritage Justin Morneau card.  The one I sent in for his signing got smudged, so they mailed Justin another one for me.  I have always been happy with Fan HQ signings.  I wish their store was closer to me, but it's about a 45-minute drive, so I rarely go there.  It's not on the way for my usual out of town drives either.

Jackie Brandt TTM Return and Cannizzaro Purchase

Just one ttm return today.  Jackie Brandt signed his 1960 Topps, a 61 and 62 Post, and a 1962 Orioles team card signed by several others.

I also purchased a 1961 Topps Chris Cannizzaro slabbed card from Mill Creek using my credit card points.  I don't add many cards to this set any more so it's nice to make a bit of progress. 

John Knox and Goose Gossage TTM Returns, Rod Carew Signing Return and a Bunch of Purchases

Today I received my first Grand Slam print back signed.  Goose Gossage did a nice job signing where I asked him to with the pen I enclosed.

John Knox signed a 1974 Topps to finish it off.  This is my second copy of this card, but on the first one, Andre Thornton's signature didn't come out very good.

I received three bobbleheads back from a Rod Carew signing.  I'm a little disappointed in the signatures as the two silver one smeared a bit.  I also had requested the authentication sticker be place on the bottom, but they put it on the back of the head instead (on all three).  I think Mr. Carew may just have too much trouble signing bobbleheads these days.

And I bought a bunch of Twins-signed cards, as well as three 1982 Topps to add to my set collection.

Joe Amalfitano, Jack Cullen and Jim Nettles TTM Returns

Yesterday I received three returns.

91-year-old Joe Amalfitano signed his 1955 Topps and Bowman cards, as well as his 1961 and 1965 Topps cards nicely in blue sharpie.  These are nice upgrades since he normally signs in ballpoint or fine black marker.  I didn't send a pen along, I guess I just got lucky.

Jack Cullen signed his 1963 Topps rookie card already signed by Harry Fanok, his 1966 Topps and the 1966 Yankees team card signed by Bobby Richardson and Ross Moschitto.  He charges $6 per card, but I didn't have any ones, so I just sent $20.

And Jim Nettles signed a 1971 Topps already signed by Pete Hamm, a card I never really thought I complete until Hamm started signing a short while ago.  He also signed his 1972 Topps as well as the 1972 and 1973 Twins team cards.

Cookie Rojas, Joe Margoneri and Chuck Essegian TTM Returns

I forgot to update my returns from Tuesday, and didn't receive any yesterday.

I had missed out on sending to Joe Margoneri up to this point because he only has a 1957 Topps and I usually don't send those out.  They are one of my least favorite cards because the colors are so horrible.  But I am happy to add 95-year-old Mr. Margoneri to my collection.

I sent Cookie Rojas (who is "only" 86) 8 cards and a blue Staedtler along with his fee and he signed them all very nicely.  These may be the nicest signatures I've received from him over the years.

And today I received a couple cards from 93-year-old Chuck Essegian.

I am sending out three requests with pens today, including Camilo Pascual, Bob Skinner and Ted Kazanski.  All three are over 90 years old.  I focus on these "vintage" players in my collection, and I can see the end of the road coming soon as we continue to lose some of these guys.