Revisting my first TTM Success ever

I recently recovered a box of my old cards, and I was thrilled to find my first two TTM successes ever in there. These happened back in 1995, while I was in 5^th grade.

I’m sure I read about through the mail autograph (TTM) collecting in one of the monthly card magazines, either Beckett or Tuff Stuff. I read them a lot as a kid. Once in a while there would be a quick feature on guys who sign or how to obtain autographs by writing to a player. I was intrigued, so I sent a few cards away.

I had no clue what I was doing. I know for a fact that I did not send a SASE. I’m sure I just wrote my name and address at the bottom of a letter, thinking the player would have no issue with writing out an envelope and sending my card back to me. Yet, somehow these two did return to me. I’m sure that wouldn’t fly in today’s world.

The first success was from Vinny Del Negro, then of the Spurs. I have no clue why I sent to him. He signed my 1994-95 Fleer card in pen. This set was pretty cool though. I like the foil pain splash behind the name.

The second success was from LaPhonso Ellis of the Nuggets. I’m also positive I received some Nuggets stickers with the card, which was cool. It must’ve been obvious I was a kid. '93-'94 Upper Deck was pretty sweet too. Just basic, but nice.

I feel lucky to still have these. I’ve gotten hundreds of successes on and off and since then, and this started it all. You know what they say: you never forget your first…

More Canseco? More Canseco.

I had fun posting about Jose Canseco cards last week. Yes, he barely played for the Yanks. Yes, his career is tainted due to admitted PED usage. But growing up, he was a big name with big power and was fun to watch. Any at bat could have led to a massive homer. So when the Yankees added him to their roster in 2000, it was awesome to see Jose Canseco put on the Pinstripes, even for just a short time. He even got an AB in the World Series as a pinch hitter.

After showing off two cards of his I found, I did a little searching and was surprised by how many sets he actually appeared in as a Yankee. On COMC alone, I count 23 different cards of him as a Yankee. Crazy! I want them all.

Well, I found this guy for a good price, so I had to. Fun fact, this set is the first Tino bat relic I ever owned as well. I thought the piece of bat was kind of cool too. I'm not sure what the dark stain is on the upper left. Then, there is some dark shading on the right. Interesting.

Now, I guess I am on a chase for Jose Canseco Yankee cards. I didn’t intend on this to be a mini PC, but I think it could be fun. I’m not going to go nuts, but maybe I’ll throw in a couple every time I make a COMC order.

The Monday blues

Have we all used this title for showing off a "blue" card on a Monday? I think we have.

Regardless, I picked up this sweet 2012 Bowman Draft Blue Refractor auto of my main man Ty Hensley. It's one of the few autos of his I didn't have in my collection. That's pretty much what it comes down to now in terms of Hensleys I need...low-numbered autographed parallel.

I don't really actively search for these. Usually sellers see "1st round pick of Yankees" and decide to price these cards out of the stratosphere. However, I do keep an eBay followed search going, and when they are priced low, I almost always come away with them. So that's what I do. No rush, just pick 'em up as I go.

So while I've got the Monday blues being back at work (I swear I just left on Friday night), the Ty Hensley refractor auto blues keep me in a better mood.

A visit to the Dermis-tologist

When the NY Post uses that headline in four or five years when Dermis Garcia makes his Yankees debut, remember you heard it here first.

Anyhow, Garcia was part of the Yanks big international haul in 2014, signing for a bit over $3 million. That's a big number for someone who is barely old enough to drive a car. He's a bat first prospect with the potential to hit for power. He had a rough showing the the Rookie Gulf Coast League, but he was only 17, so take those results with a grain of salt.

Hopefully he developed quite a bit last year and will show some vast improvement at the ripe old age of 18 this year.

I wanted to grab an auto of his for a while, and I made a low offer on an "or best offer" that the seller surprisingly took. I was ready to haggle a bit more but didn't have to. Cool! Hopefully I grabbed this one before his prices skyrocket due to success.

SuperTraders #10: Waiting Til Next Year

First off, P-Town Tom had a major score at estate sale recently. He was the only person there for three hours, which meant he basically had his own card show. I’m not sure if the cards he sent me in this #SuperTraders package were from that, and if not, I hope he finds it in him to set aside some mid 90s Yanks for me! And a very happy 5^th blogging anniversary to Tom. Go check out his contest!

This package had a little of everything, and Tom even mentioned “sorry for the junk wax.” While Tom may see junk wax, I see TTM requests!

Tom led off with some autos – both certified and either IP or TTM. I will say that I’ve almost bought this Edwar Ramirez auto several times, but never pulled the trigger. Turns out I didn’t need to! Those Jose Gil minor league auto is pretty cool too!

There was a whole bunch of 1975 SSPC cards as well. At the top was a player named Otoniel Velez. Won’t lie, I’ve never heard of him, which makes me like the card that much more!

These are simply awesome! The McDowell is easily my favorite.

Tom definitely busted some Stars & Stripes, as he sent me a nice chunk of James Kaprielian and Robert Refsnyer cards. I can’t get enough Kaprielians…he looks like the real deal. Just struck out 9 in his first start of the year in Tampa. Something tells me Trenton is in his near future. The Refsnyder Diamond King is pretty cool too.

 

Tom, congrats on a great 5 years! Thanks for the package!

SuperTraders #9: A Cracked Bat

I recently got a PBE (plain brown envelope) from Julie over at A Cracked Bat, and it was packed with some pretty awesome cards, including the lovely one above.

I know Julie definitely pays attention to my PCs, as she sent me some sweet Phil Rizzuto cards. I needed three of the four, and it put my over 60 unique Rizzutos in my small Scooter PC.

A couple of more guys I collect in Tino and Betances.

This was my first chance at seeing 2016 Spring Fever. I’m a little confused by the design. First off, it feels less premium than the last few years. No shine or anything, which isn’t mandatory, but the card also feels a bit flimsier than the past few years. Additionally, nothing about the design yells “spring training" or "time for baseball!" The design of the last few years were full of palm trees, cactus, and bright, warm colors. This feels a bit cold and…is that snow in the lower left? The orbs aren't really very spring-like either. I’m all for a set like this, and I really liked the designs of years past, but this came up a little short. Still, I really enjoy receiving these in trade packages because I don’t have any other means to track these down.

Collector’s Choice SE really brings me back. It wasn’t much different than the flagship set except for the foil logos. I also feel like this might have come out first in 1995, but don’t quote me on that. All I know is Collector’s Choice was a staple for me growing up.

More 2016 Donruss. I’m impressed by how many bloggers seemed to bust Donruss ins some capacity. I really like the Rated Rookie cards this year. It’s a clean design that looks good.

And speaking of rookies, here’s a really nice Refractor of Yankees 2015 first rounder Kyle Holder. Known as a defensive wiz, Holder actually had three errors in last night’s game in Charleston. Not sure what happened there.

Julie, Tigers are headed your way soon. Thanks so much for a great PBE. Do you think “PBE” will catch on?