Now that the season has started, I wanted to take a look at how I did sending TTM requests to players/coaches at spring training. While one or two more may trickle in, I don't expect any more returns. In total, I sent out 22 requests, and received four back successfully. Not a great success rate. I did receive some notable players though, and a few that I sent out were long shots to begin with.
Successes:
Mariano Rivera - signed my 2011 Topps
Michael Dunn - signed my 2010 Topps
Mark McGwire - signed card
Mark Prior - two signed cards
Failures:
Phil Hughes
AJ Burnett
Johnny Damon
Jesus Montero
Graig Nettles
Tino Martinez
Javier Vazquez
David Wells
Jose Contreras
Glenallen Hill
Matt Latos
Kevin Russo
Joba Chamberlain
Ron Guidry
Curtis Granderson
Shelley Duncan
Vladimir Guerrero
Mariano Rivera (sent a second request when I thought my first was long gone)
I knew guys like Tino, Wells, and Nettles were long shots. I would have liked to see a few more successes, but overall, I am happy with the autos I did receive. TTM is a humbling hobby, and there truly are no guarantees.
I collected baseball cards from the late '80s through 2002. Then I went to college and when I came out, I was lost. There were too many brands, sets, choices, relics, autos, parallels, variations. It was a turn off. However, I slowly made my way back. So here is my attempt to venture back into the hobby. I'll buy a few packs of cards here and there, comment on some cards I have, send out some TTMs, and follow the progress of my Topps Yankees Project.
Showing posts with label Michael Dunn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Dunn. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Trade Review: No Relics Pulled (I have the same problem)
A few weeks back, Dustin from No Relics Pulled reached out about a trade. He collects a few different players/teams which makes him a very easy trading partner. He has a Johnny Damon PC, so he figured as a Yankee collector I might have some Damon dupes laying around. I wish I did! While looking through my collection, I was surprised by how few Damon cards I had at all, let alone dupes! In a recent trade, I had just received a Damon Bowman foil, and while I liked the card a lot, I figured someone who collects Damon would like it even more. So I sent that Dustin, along with a King Felix 2010 Bowman Chrome Refractor and a few Tigers I had laying around.
Dustin sent me a really nice assortment of Yanks, including a Robinson Cano 2011 Topps Purple Diamond card. This is my first of any of the Diamond cards - red, blue, or purple! It's a really cool card, and I believe it was exclusive to Toys R Us. He also sent me a Teixeria and Whitey Ford '09 Goodwin Champs, and a few other Yanks. I'm glad to get the 2010 Topps Michael Dunn RC again, as the only other one I had I used for TTM, although it did come back signed. The Swisher Upper Deck card is pretty cool as well, as this was after UD lost their license. They did a good job hiding the logos in this card, although overall it's something they struggled with. The Jeter and Mo checklist in the picture clearing shows the interlocking NY on their caps.
Dustin - thanks for the trade! Looking forward to trading again.
Dustin sent me a really nice assortment of Yanks, including a Robinson Cano 2011 Topps Purple Diamond card. This is my first of any of the Diamond cards - red, blue, or purple! It's a really cool card, and I believe it was exclusive to Toys R Us. He also sent me a Teixeria and Whitey Ford '09 Goodwin Champs, and a few other Yanks. I'm glad to get the 2010 Topps Michael Dunn RC again, as the only other one I had I used for TTM, although it did come back signed. The Swisher Upper Deck card is pretty cool as well, as this was after UD lost their license. They did a good job hiding the logos in this card, although overall it's something they struggled with. The Jeter and Mo checklist in the picture clearing shows the interlocking NY on their caps.
Dustin - thanks for the trade! Looking forward to trading again.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
TTM Success: 4 more on Saturday, including a HOF'er
After 5 TTM successes on Friday, I figured my mailbox would be a little lonelier on Saturday. I was right, but not by much. I had four plain white envelopes full of autograph goodness. Three were for my Topps Yankees project, and one of a HOF'er I couldn't pass up.
Lets start with the only person to answer the questions in my letter. Former Yankees catcher and college football star Jake Gibbs signed my 1969 and 1971 Topps cards. The 1969 is for my project, and I had a poor conditioned 1971 laying around, so I took a shot with that too. I asked Jake:
1. What is your best Yankee memory? Just playing in Yankee Stadium.
2. Who was your favorite teammate? Tom Tresh and Mel Stottlemyre
3. Do you ever wish you stuck with football? No
4. Do you like Ole Miss' new mascot? Not really. (haha!)
Next up are two more of the project. Mike Hegan signed my 1968 Topps. I did already have Bill Monbouquette for 1968, but I'll probably use the Hegan because it's signed in nicer Sharpie as opposed to ball point pen. Lefty reliever Michael Dunn signed my 2010 Topps, so that's my most recent until I can get a 2011 Topps signed. I sent this to Dunn at Marlins Spring Training, so its my first ST success this year. Finally, the HOF'er - Mr. Bobby Doerr. Anyone who is semi-serious about TTM knows that Doerr is the best signer out there. I didn't want to miss out on the chance to own this signature, so I picked up one card (most people send several) and sent it along, and he didn't disappoint. It's a good day any time you can add the autograph of a Hall of Famer to your collection.
That's it! I still have a few trades and purchases to review, so keep checking back! Enjoy the Oscars tonight. Or, if you're like me, enjoy the Knicks-Heat game!
Lets start with the only person to answer the questions in my letter. Former Yankees catcher and college football star Jake Gibbs signed my 1969 and 1971 Topps cards. The 1969 is for my project, and I had a poor conditioned 1971 laying around, so I took a shot with that too. I asked Jake:
1. What is your best Yankee memory? Just playing in Yankee Stadium.
2. Who was your favorite teammate? Tom Tresh and Mel Stottlemyre
3. Do you ever wish you stuck with football? No
4. Do you like Ole Miss' new mascot? Not really. (haha!)
Next up are two more of the project. Mike Hegan signed my 1968 Topps. I did already have Bill Monbouquette for 1968, but I'll probably use the Hegan because it's signed in nicer Sharpie as opposed to ball point pen. Lefty reliever Michael Dunn signed my 2010 Topps, so that's my most recent until I can get a 2011 Topps signed. I sent this to Dunn at Marlins Spring Training, so its my first ST success this year. Finally, the HOF'er - Mr. Bobby Doerr. Anyone who is semi-serious about TTM knows that Doerr is the best signer out there. I didn't want to miss out on the chance to own this signature, so I picked up one card (most people send several) and sent it along, and he didn't disappoint. It's a good day any time you can add the autograph of a Hall of Famer to your collection.
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