Welcome to my blog!!!

I have collected baseball cards and autographs over the years. I still have boxes full of cards (as well as newer cards) that are just sitting there. So, I have decided to see how many of them I can get autographed. I use through the mail as my preferred route for this adventure. I also have an account on Zistle and The Trading Card Database for trading purposes (stevienicks77).



Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Test driving 2012 Topps Archive

Before I indulge my opinion on the 2012 Topps Archive set, I did get a TTM back yesterday.  I completed another 1987 Topps off my list.  Doug is currently the pitching coach for the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks A team).

Doug Drabek
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Visalia Rawhide
34 days













Now, on to Topps Archive.  I like it.  I think its a neat set.  I like the fact there is no gloss on the cards, so they aren't so labor intensive to get the gloss off before sending them off for TTM!  Here are some of my favorite from the blaster box I bought:

Brett Lawrie
Darryl Strawberry
Mike Moustakas (one of my favorite players)
Eric Hosmer (probably my favorite player right now) - This card, out of all the cards in the packs, was damaged.  You probably can't tell from the scan, but it is bend and has dings on it.  Bad Topps, BAD!!!  Topps, its my favorite player!  :(
Gary Carter (one of my favorites)
Jack Clark - SP
George Brett - Gold Stamped Reprints Inserts
Chris Young - Gold card
Nolan Ryan

Finally, my fan favorite autograph I got was Carney Lansford.  He hasn't returned the cards I sent to him last year for TTM, so this will have to do.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Another 3 TTM day! And one Debbie Downer

Well, I feel very lucky about my TTM letters that I've gotten back lately...maybe I should go play some blackjack!

First up, Eric Sogard.  This is another spring training TTM. I went after Mr. Sogard because he plays with the A's, and they are one of my favorite teams, plus, I'm collecting 2011 Allen & Ginter autos.

Eric Sogard
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o A's ST
77 days













Next up, Jason Motte from the Cardinals.  I am trying to decide if I like the Gypsy Queen cards or not.  This is my first ever Gypsy Queen that I've gotten back from TTM.

Jason Motte
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o St. Louis Cardinals
11 days













Last TTM of the day is from Chris Speier.  He's currently the bench coach for the Reds.  I always liked him when he was a coach for the Cubs.

Chris Speier
Signed 3/3
Sent c/o Cincinnati Reds
11 days









One last letter I got the other day, was a letter back from Paul Assenmacher.  He returned my cards unsigned.  From the note that was in closed, "Due to the overwhelming amount of fan mail Mr. Assenmacher receives, he must charge for his autograph."  What?  There is an 'overwhelming' desire to have Paul Assenmacher's autograph.  I figured it was just me.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

3 in one day!!!

I was super excited to get 3 back in the mail yesterday!  Two of them were pretty quick turn around from last week.

First is Aaron Sele.  He is currently serving in the Dodgers front office as a Special Assistant for Baseball Operations and Player Development.  I always like it when a player personalizes a card!

Aaron Sele
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Los Angeles Dodgers
27 days













Next up is Glenn Hoffman.  He is the Padres 3rd base coach.  Now, if he could get his brother to return my TTM from 2010!!!

Glenn Hoffman
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o San Diego Padres
7 days













Finally, cards back from Rick Manning.  He's currently a broadcaster for the Indians.

Rick Manning
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
7 days

Sunday, May 20, 2012

My 100th post!!!

It seems like it's all or none in the TTM department lately.  I get 1 or 2 a day, then will have a cold streak for a week or two.

First up, Daniel Moskos.  I targeted him because he's one of the Pirates rookie pitchers.  He's now in the minors, but I think he'll be in Pittsburgh soon enough.

Daniel Moskos
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Pirates ST
81 days













Second one in from Spring Training is Rick Porcello.  However, no TTM for me, just my cards back and a letter requesting a donation to the Detroit Tigers Foundation.  Here is a link to the page:

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/community/foundation.jsp

This is actually a great link; you can look to see who charges and how much, so you won't waste the time to send to someone who may not sign for free!

Rick Porcello
Signed 0/2
Sent c/o Tigers ST
85 days

Finally, a NFL TTM back, courtesy of Kevin Butler.  I always like him because he was such a great kicker for the Bears for many years.

Kevin Butler
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
12 days

Thursday, May 10, 2012

I hate it when work gets in the way of blogging!

Lots of TTMs back to catch up on!  Here we go!

First one up is back from an MLB club, thanks to Juan Samuel.  He's currently the third base coach for the Phillies.  He was a pretty good second basemen when I was growing up.  Thanks Mr. Samuel!

Juan Samuel
Signed 3/3
Sent c/o Philadelphia Phillies
16 days









Next up, an MiLB back.  Bob Kipper serves as the pitching coach for the Portland Sea Dogs.  Thanks Mr. Kipper!

Bob Kipper
Signed 3/3
Sent c/o Portland Sea Dogs
9 days









Another MiLB coach back!  Greg Colbrunn serves as the hitting coach for the Charleston River Dogs!  Thanks Mr. Colbrunn!!!

Greg Colbrunn
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Charleston River Dogs
12 days


















Finally, one from the Cubs front office.  Randy Bush currently serves as the Cubs assistant GM.  Thanks Mr. Bush!!!

Randy Bush
Signed 3/3
Sent c/o Chicago Cubs
23 days