Napkin Doon is still out there...somewhere

Don't let him fool you. Napkin Doon is still out there. Lurking. Watching. Waiting. Creeping.

Just before I moved, Napkin Doon sent me a big old package of cards. He had the option of waiting until I was at my new address, but chose to send to my old one so I would have more things to pack. That's just how his sick mind works.

However, he did send me a very generous stack of cards, highlighted by the omnipresent Rance Mulliniks. I know you've all been Bipped, but being Ranced is equally effective.

Napkin was also kind enough to send a card for my son's binder:

Just kidding.

And I don't have much to say about this that is PG. Troy popping a nut.

While the above cards are certainly desirable, Nap did in fact send some less valuable stuff that made me equally happy, including this 1963 Topps Whitey Ford. I love vintage Whitey!

Any vintage card with Mickey Mantle on it is welcome. This poor kid only had a Ralph Houk and Mike Cueller according to the checklist. I think Mantle was mocking him with a sly look of disdain.

More vintage, including this sweet Virgil Trucks and a Thurman Munson that was was definitely some kid's #walletcard.

Oh wait, that's better!

In terms of the non-vintage, Nap found a pretty sweet Tino bat for me. I can't believe he played for the Devil Rays.

Pitchers batting is so stupid. It looks like Pettitte was getting ready for his three year cameo in the NL with this uninspiring swing versus the Mets at Shea.

Finally, some Big Mikes, and a Jeff Weaver shiny gold card. Weaver was pretty horrendous with the Yankees, but damn this card looks like it would fall out of a Wonka Bar.

 

Napkin Doon, thanks for the package. We miss you around here. Come back.

RIP Virgil "Fire" Trucks

I can't say much that hasn't been said already, but I'd like to pay my respect to Virgil Trucks. As a TTMer, he was probably the most generous signer out there. He signed everything, and always sent a card of his own. More remarkable, he sent personal responses, which shows that he took time to read each letter.

I had two separate TTM successes with Trucks. The first, he signed my 1959 Topps, which now lives in my Topps Yankees Project. The second one was last year. I picked up a cheap, beat up 1953 Topps. I sent that to him, as well as a letter telling him about the recent birth of my son, and he included a signed card for him, as well.

Class act until the very last day.

TTM Success: Virgil Trucks

My TTM successes as of late have been few and far between. Part of it is a lack of time to write letters and pull cards to send to players, both past and present. However, I’ve still sent out a small number, maybe one per week, over the last few months.

The latest success comes from Mr. Virgil Trucks. It’s not a surprise success, as I think he has a 100% success rate and is known as probably the most generous signers out there. I bought a poorly conditioned 1953 Topps that I hoped to have signed. I also sent him a nice letter, letting him know where I’m from and ask if he knew about the baseball history from my hometown. I told him about my son and my collecting goals.

Mr. Trucks was nice enough to sign my ’53 Topps, and he also included a signed and personalized card for my son. Additionally, he sent me a kind letter and mentioned that he knew all about baseball in my hometown, that he has been there, and knew of many great players who have played there. For someone in his mid-90s, the guy is sharp.

I thank Mr. Trucks for being such an asset to the hobby.

1953 Topps Virgil Trucks

I picked up this wrinkly old 1953 Topps Virgil Trucks for $1 on eBay. I love all 1953 Topps, and I’ll probably ship this off to Mr. Trucks in hopes that he’ll sign it. I know that some people aren’t fond of getting vintage cards signed, but I’m not one of them. This card is already torn to shreds, so a little ink won’t hurt it too much more. I’ll certainly do a post if this card does in fact return with a signature.