TOP 5 TTM OF 2011: #3

Number 3 TTM of 2011 is courtesy of Scott Service. This was sent to the Texas Rangers, where he served as Senior Director of Player Development for the Texas Rangers. He has now moved on to the Angels, where he is now the Assistant General Manager, Scouting & Player Development. I targeted Scott for several reasons: he's a former catcher, former Cub, and he played his college ball at Creighton University in Omaha. I used to live in Omaha, and followed Creighton athletics, and I still do.

TOP 5 TTM OF 2011: #4

Scott Cousins is my #4 TTM of 2011. Why? Well, I am a Marlins fan, and have been since their inception. Plus, if you've read this blog, you know I love those Heritage cards, esp. the 2011 set. I think Mr. Cousins has a neat autograph, as well. Unfortunately for Scott, he had a run-in with Buster Posey, and we all know what happened next. This TTM was received before the incident.

TOP 5 TTM OF 2011: #5

I saw this on another blog, and thought it was an awesome idea!

Number 5 of 2011 is John Alt. This was sent to his home address. This TTM was so important because he is a former Kansas City Chief and Iowa Hawkeye...two of my favs!!!

Cubs Destination Vacation

We had the opportunity to go to Boston to see the Cubs play the Red Sox in May via Cubs Destination Vacations. It was a wonderful time! We got a VIP tour of Fenway Park and a meet and greet with Sean Marshall! He was awesome! He signed autographs and answered some questions for the fans. On top of that, we got tickets to the Saturday night and Sunday night games at Fenway. Here are some photos:


Inside the Green Monster:


The Red Sox 2 World Series Trophies:


Sean Marshall autograph:

Another MLB coach!

I was so excited to see some mail last week from Rafael Belliard. He was a coach with the Detroit Tigers last season!

Rafael Belliard
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Detroit Tigers
104 days

Personalized auto back!

I thought this one was long gone, but I was wrong! I received Tim Blecher, pitching coach of the Indians in the mail this week! He only signed one card, but stamped the back of the envelope!

I also updated my person TTM stats at the bottom of the blog!!

Tim Belcher
Signed 1/2
Sent c/o Cleveland Indians
194 days

Probably my lone Dec. mail!!!

FINALLY! A TTM!!! I was pretty sure the mail would slow down after the AFL, but I never imagined HOW slow it would become!!! Anyway, I big one back this week. Josh Hamilton!!! I had read that he usually waits until after the season to sign, and I can only imagine why...he probably gets a million letters and requests every season. I am glad that he took the time to ready my letter and sign my card!

Josh Hamilton
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Texas Rangers
257 days

Dry Spell!!!

Yikes!!! No mail in weeks! :(

Another signed Pro Debut back!

I was super excited to get Christian Bethancourt back!! I love the card, and he was doing well in the AFL! I didn't think I would see it back!

Christian Bethancourt
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Surprise Saguaros
27 days

More mail from the AFL!!

AFL cards back this week: Adam Moore and Tim Wheeler. I love the Bowman cards and the Topps Pro Debut!!!

 Also received mail from Curtis Granderson this week, however, both my cards came back unsigned.

Adam Moore
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Peoria Javelinas
9 days

Tim Wheeler
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Salt River Rafters
8 days


Eddie Zosky also in the mail this week. He was a former 1st round draft pick of the Blue Jays!

Eddie Zosky
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
9 days

Another return from last year!

First up today, Juan Pierre. I had heard he was a good signer, and he didn't disappoint! The signature is a little smuged from all the gloss!

Juan Pierre
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Chicago White Sox
71 days


Howard Johnson! One of my favorite Mets!! This was a request I sent out last year, and I was thrilled to see it today! I don't know how many days its been, I wasn't keeping that info last year. I love getting a surprise like this in the mail!!!

Howard Johson
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o New York Mets
?? days

Finally, a steady flow of mail, again!

First up, Shane Andrews. He was a first round draft pick of the Expos, and he spend a little time with the Cubs.

Shane Andrews
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
7 days


Next up, Ryan Wheeler, Diamondbacks prospect who is currently playing in the AFL. I love these Topps Pro Debut cards. They are nice!!

Ryan Wheeler
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Salt River Rafters
9 days

More heritage cards back!

Today, I got a letter back from Aaron Laffey. He signed (2) 2009 Heritage cards, one a team card. I personally like the 2011 Heritage better, but its always nice to see something a little different!

Aaron Laffey
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
16 days

My first card from the AFL!

My first card back from the 6 I sent to the Arizona Fall League! Thanks Scooter Gennett!! The card came back with a small bend in it ( you can see it on the right upper 1/3 of the card). :(
I still enjoy the mail back, though!

Scooter Gennett
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Peoria Javelinas
6 days

First post in a long time

I realized I haven't posted in a while, however, that's because I hadn't gotten anything back! :(
Anyway, I received one this week...Jim Walewander. I wanted Jim's autograph because he played his collegiate ball at Iowa State University. I also sent out autograph requests to the Arizona Fall League this week. I was unsure about sending them, but I had saw on another blog that they did it and got mail back. Let's hope I get some mail back, too!!!

Jim Walewander
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
28 days

A good week of mail, part 2

Mike Huff signatures in the mail this week. He was another player who I read signs cards.

Mike Huff
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
15 days


Paul Byrd is known as one of the greatest guys in baseball. Nice signature back from him this week!!

Paul Byrd
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Home address
27 days

A good week of mail!!!

Scott Servais is another one of my returns from my coach/front office/broadcaster mailings. He is currently serving as Senior Director of Player Development for the Texas Rangers. I also targeted him because he was a former catcher!!

Scott Servais
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Texas Rangers
100 days


Terry Puhl was one I also got back this week. I had read that he was a good signer, and he didn't disappoint! I love the 1986 Topps and the auto on it!!

Terry Puhl
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
53 days


Tim Wallach was the second coach/front office/broadcaster mailing I got back this week! I always loved the Expos uni's!!! Tim is currently the 3rd base coach for the Dodgers.

Tim Wallach
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Los Angles Dodgers
147 days

Some mail this week...

First up, Paul Wilson. I got this card out of the random pack I bought while at Fenway Park.

Paul Wilson
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Home address
123 days


Next up, Joel Hanrahan. He's originally from Iowa, so that's why I went after his signature. Nice looking card, signature, and nice season for the Pirates!

Joel Hanrahan
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Pittsburgh Pirates
27 days


Last, but not least, Gary DiSarcina. He's currently in the front office for the LA Angels. This is another one back from my target of trying to collect a coach/manager/front office/broadcaster from each team. I still have 24 I'm waiting on. I'm at 24% so far.

This weeks goodies...

First up, Zane Smith. I had heard he was a great signer, so I took the chance and sent 3 cards. They all came back signed and he's got a great signature! Zane was a mainstay in the Braves rotation in the 1980's.


Zane Smith
Signed 3/3
Sent c/o Home Address
7 days








Another person whom I heard was a great signer was Roberto Hernandez. Best known for his relief work with the White Sox.

Roberto Hernandez
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home Address
8 days





Last, but not least, Drew Henson. Drew was a football and baseball player. Drew played QB at Michigan (BOO!). He played in the Yankees system, mostly, and only played a handful of games with the big club. After baseball, he was a QB for the Cowboys, Vikings, and Lions.

Drew Henson
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Home address
12 days

More mail this week!!!

First up, Dustin Hermanson. Great looking card and signature. Won a World Series in 2005 with the White Sox! This card actually was accidentally delivered to someone else down the street, however, they were kind enough to mail it to me!!

Dustin Hermanson
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Home Address
49 days

Next up, is Mr. Gutierrez. Nice looking signature here! And, another Heritage card, too! Man, I love those Heritage cards!! Franklin was one of the bright spots in Seattle this year.

Franklin Gutierrez
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Seattle Mariners
16 days


One of two back this week from my goal of getting signatures from at least one coach/broadcaster/front office person from every team. Chris works in the front office with the Padres!

Chris Gwynn
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o San Diego Padres
7 days


Last, but not least, Mark Salas. The second this week towards my goal. Mark is currently the bullpen catcher for the White Sox.

Mark Salas
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Chicago White Sox
13 days

My very first Nationals autograph back!

I received these back from John Tudor yesterday. Nice looking autograph. John was a mainstay in the Cardinals rotation for many years.

John Tudor
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
20 days


I am trying to collect many different autographs. The first group, is to collect an autograph of every team. I finally have my first Nationals autograph courtesy of stud Jordan Zimmerman. Secondly, I love these Heritage cards; I really do! So, I have decided to collect autographs on them. I love the fact that there is no gloss! All you have to do is drop it in the envelope and send it off for an autograph!!

Jordan Zimmerman
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Washington Nationals
20 days

Weekend mail

When I was in Boston for the Cubs/Red Sox series, I bought a pack of cards that were random for $2.00. I have decided to collect as many autographs out of that pack as I could. I have been limited in my success; I have sent out 11, and have only received 2 back. My second player back is Jerry Don Gleaton, former Royal, which I am also collecting.

Jerry Don Gleaton
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
14 days


My second graph back this weekend, courtesy of Scott Hattieberg, who is featured in the new movie, Moneyball. Here's the link: http://moneyball-movie.com/
I have also been trying to collect autographs from every MLB teams coaches/front office/broadcasters. I sent out the rest of my mail today, before the end of the season. Hopefully, I will have some success. Anyway, Scott is currently in the Oakland A's front office.

Scott Hattieberg
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Oakland A's
18 days

Minor league mail!!

Two more this week! I went after Blake Forsythe because he's a catcher and a Mets minor leaguer. Next was Tyreace House because he's currently playing for Burlington. Yah!!!

Blake Forsythe
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Savannah Sand Gnats
15 days



Tyreace House
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Burlington Bees
66 days

The mail is starting to trickle back in at a faster pace!

I'm so excited to see some regular mail again! Awesome signatures back these last couple of days! Thanks to Iowa Cub coach Von Joshua, former Met Tim Teufel, Newest White Sox Jason Frasor, and minor league coach Ted Power!

Von Joshua
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Iowa Cubs
8 days


Tim Teufel
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Buffalo Bison
7 days


Jason Frasor
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Chicago White Sox
9 days


Ted Power
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Louisville Bats
8 days

Yeah mail!!!!

Mail has been getting slower, but I've gotten some back this last week. Andy Benes, one of my favorite players, came this week. The signature is different than the one I got many years ago; its not as nice and crisp now, but that's ok. Bob Boone also came back yesterday, and his signature is awesome!!! Former Royal!!! Finally, Willie Blair; mail from the minors. Thank you!!

Andy Benes
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Home address
13 days


Bob Boone
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Washington Nationals
21 days


Willie Blair
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Fort Wayne Tin Caps
63 days