Lucky 7: The Seventh TTM Success this Year

Today I had a rough day at the office so to speak. The website I have been developing to act as a company portal launched today after about nine months of development. We had a soft launch less than a week ago, but apparently the "clients" that were supposed to be testing it didn't. Today about 2/3's of the functionality failed.

I left work to come home and help put the kids to bed and now I am back at the office putting out fires.

In steps Webb, the man isn't the one you call to put out fires, he makes sure they don't happen. In this instance he made my day 100% better by returning his card after an almost a 200 day wait. When I got home and saw the envelope I thought it was a spring training return. Nope. Just a Webb Gem. (sorry I had to do it)

Thanks Brandon.

The Sixth TTM Success this Year

My life hasn't slowed down this year. I appologize for the lack of posts, and for the custom blog card projects stall. The custom cards will get back on track as soon as things calm down.


My first spring training response was from Mr. Sizemore. I haven't seen him that much, but from what I have seen, I like this kid. He only increases in my book as he not only signed the card I sent him, he added a card for my youngest son. Another Professional baseball player that shows that class is still prevalent in to sport.

Thanks Grady.

Not a good month

Let me clarify a little bit. Not a good month for this blog. As I mentioned in my last post, my attention has been diverted from this blog for other important things. TTM's have also not been a screaming success. I had my hopes pretty high with my large batch of requests I sent out for spring training but here is what I have received. (Not that I am entitled or anything, please don't get the wrong idea).

My John Elway attempt came back undeliverable. The request was sent to the Pro Football hall of fame, and apparently the address they have on file for Mr. Elway is out dated.

Next, My attempted to Bill Parcells came back. I got a nice letter from the Dolphins apologizing for the fact that their players and coaches are too busy. They sent my son a sticker and a mini banner. Not to shabby, but disappointing nonetheless.

Then came the Alex Rodriguez responce. OK, to clarify, I didn't expect much from ARod. Nothing against the man, but I can imagine that even if he attempted to sign TTM, he would be swamped for a while. I got a responce from Studio Fan Mail from Los Angeles. The sent my card back, and a postcard-ish photo with a pre-fabricated signature. Again, it is a nice gesture, and I am sure it cost him a good deal to make sure that all his letters are responded to. My Ginter collection doesn't grow though, so my greedy disappointment continues.


Finally, I recieved a responce from Curtis Granderson. His response was very similar to Alex Rodriguez. He sent back a post card-ish photo, but this one is hand signed. And he returned my card unsigned.


After recieving this latest blow to my collection attempt (again and it is a wonderful gesture from Granderson, just doesn't help my collection goals), I went on Ebay and bought my first addition to my collection.

Late posting of some Wicked Beardy mail goodies

I feel like I am constantly apologizing. Well I am at it again. A while back I received two packages in one day. One from the Bearded one, and the other was from the Wicked Marlin's fan.

For the last two weeks (if not more) I have been doing some freelance work in the evenings. Not complaining, but with a Full time job, Being a father of two, and then putting in over 80 hours into the freelance project hasn't left much time for the 'ol blogger (not to mention sleep). Anyway, I am finally getting around to posting this "Thank you". Oh, and guys...If i credit the wrong guy for an individual card, I am sorry up front. (Dang, another apology.)

Beardy.

Stephen Drew - 2007 Ultimate Collection - 4 - #309/450

This card is simply beautiful. For those of you who, like me, have not seen this set before, that foil vertical strip is sunken in the card. When I got this card I left it on my desk and kept looking at it from all angles while I was working on my project. Just a very nice looking card.

The Bearded one also increased my 2008 Ginter collection. Some very welcomed additions below.

Man Walks on the Moon - 2008 Allen & Ginter - World's Greatest Victories - WGV4

Cinderella - 2008 Allen & Ginter - World's Greatest Victories - WGV20

Thanks Beardy, Sorry for the tardiness.

Wicked

The Wicked One set a stuffed padded envelope full of Cardboard goodness.

The Webby's

Brandon Webb - 2009 Topps Ticket to Stardom - Big Ticket - BT13

Brandon Webb - 2009 Topps Ticket to Stardom Perforated - 129

Brandon Webb - 2008 Upper Deck Sweet Spot - 15

Brandon Webb - 2009 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary Memorabilia - MLBBW

This card came with a short note, "Case Hit". Thank you! I will gladly accept any Diamondbacks Case hits.

The Patriotic cards

I had seen the following cards on www.checkoutmycards.com, but I didn't see they had chrome versions. These are fantastic! Thank you.

Richard Stockton - 2006 Topps Chrome Declaration of Independence - RST

John Langdon - 2006 Topps Chrome United States Constitution - JL

More Diamondbacks

Justin Upton - Topps 2010 - 145

Dan Haren -2009 SP Authentic - 82

Don Haren - 2009 Topps Ticket to Stardom - 132

Luis Gonzalez Goodness

Arizona Diamondbacks - 2009 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary - 1535

This is the funniest Luis Gonzalez card I have seen yet. The card has nothing to do with the "Big Unit". The card is however about Luis Gonzalez's game winning hit in the 2001 World Series. Sure, the image does show the trophy that hit ended up winning for the Diamondbacks, but you think Upper Deck had a better photo to use.

Luis Gonzalez - 2004 Fleer Showcase Grace - 20

Luis Gonzalez - 2003 Topps Tribute Contemporary - 37

Will Clark

Will Clark - 1986 Topps Traded - 24T

Again, sorry for the delay.

The cards just keep getting older

I first must start off by apologizing. I never indended to post about every card I get from Topps Million card giveaway, but recently the cards have been so cool.

I have been buying packs way too much this year, one reason is that I actually want to complete the set, and the second reason is because I am addicted to this giveaway. So on the way to work I stopped by Target and picked up two more packs, inside one of them was a code card. It turned out to be this:


The first thing that catches my eye and imidiatly puts me in a good mood is that the card is from 1967. The card is 43 years old. The next thing I do is Google Mr. Cuellar. This just keeps the mood high.

According to the infallable Wikipedia:

He played for 5 teams from 1959 - 1977
(Reds, Cardinals, Astros, Orioles, and Angels)

He was a four time all-star (1967, 1970, 1971, 1974)

He was the AL Cy Young winner in 1969

He won a World Series ring in 1970

He also gave up Harmon Killebrew's 500th career home run.

Topps has got me hooked

More Topps Million Card Loot

I finally got cards that I am really happy with. No its not Mantle or Mays. It's not Bench or Rose. It is not even Will Clark or Matt Williams. It the year that is exciting, well for me at any rate. I now "own" two of the oldest cards I can ever lay claim to. It may not seem like a big deal to many collectors that may have cards this old scatter throughout their collection, but to me it makes me happy. As a collector that is what matters.



I am not saying they are the greatest pulls ever, but having only 3 cards older than 1988 in my collection prior to this, it makes me very happy.

Thanks Topps!

More TTM Success from Mr. Neshek

I sent Pat Neshek another package of cards. I was emboldened by his simple coolness to fans, and that he doesn't seem to mind multiple requests. I sent him Eight cards, two duplicates for him to keep and the rest to sign (Including the mini above). He signed all of them. check out the images here.

He also filled out a small questionnaire:

1. What is it like on the receiving end of a TTM request? Can you give an idea of the volume?

P.N. - "It's about 3-5 letters a day right now ... It goes up a tad during the season. I don't mind"

2. What is your favorite card featuring you?

P.N. - "My 2002 Elizabethton Twins Card. (My) 1st card."

3. In your personal experience with other players, who do you admire the most in regards to being "a good guy" - with fans, with other players, and just in general?

P.N. - "I think guys like Thome and Moyer have been great, being stars and sign a lot"

4. What are your favorite autographs that you have collected?

P.N. - "My H.O.F. baseball collection"

Pat is such a great guy, I hope he has a great comeback season this year.

Thanks Pat.