Spring Training Autograph Returns

With the book on Spring Training long closed, and the window for receiving back cards effectively shut, it's time to look at how I fared for my first spring TTMing.  

I've never submitted cards during Spring Training.  After winning the Mariners for a 2018 Topps Series 1 case break, I wanted to put those doubles (and triples) to good use.  I sent a card to every Mariner featured in Series 1, outside of Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz, for a total of 7 TTM requests.

When Tweeting about my plans I remarked that I would be happy with even just one return.  

thanks! I'll be happy with even 1

— The Cardboard Flame (@RTCF_Blog) February 14, 2018

So how did I do?

I received exactly one return.

Taylor Motter signed his card with Cano.  He was even kind enough to sign it on his side of the card.  Would I love to get Cano to sign his side? Absolutely.  Will that ever happen? Probably not.

I also took the time to send out some requests to Mr. Automatic Pat Neshek.  Neshek regularly tweets out his current address for TTM requests and I had been meaning to get some cards out to him.

My favorite set of the new millennium is 2008 Topps.  This card was a must send to Neshek.  

2015 Topps is another one of my recent favorites and this presented an opportunity for my first horizontal TTM return.  

Not the most plentiful Spring Training for me but some solid additions nonetheless.  If I do this next year I'll do some better advance planning and increase my TTM request range.  

I'll Take TTM Success for $200, Alex

A few months ago I slowly dipped my toes into the world of TTMing.  I sent out two cards both to non-athletes.  This was my way of seeing if I wanted to do more of it.  Today I received my first success and now I look forward to sending out more requests.

2007 Topps Allen & Ginter

It's Ken Jennings! Notable Jeopardy champion and local celebrity.  According to the back of the card, he won over $2.5 million during his unprecedented run.  He was also later beaten by a robot but that was not really his fault.

The blue looks great on the Allen and Ginter card.  The autograph is slightly smudged as it was likely put into a penny sleeve right after being signed.  I think I included the sleeve so that one is on me.  Can't expect them to wait for the pen to dry.  Next time I won't included any sleeves.

This was not my first time obtaining Mr. Jennings' autograph.  I attended a book reading of his about 5 years where I had him sign a copy of Maphead.  I am indeed a maphead.  I could seriously spend hours reading maps.

It takes some work to send out TTM requests but the payoff is worth it.  I'll try to get some requests out for Spring Training and hope for the best!

Autograph from a Veteran

Today I received my first through the mail autograph from an unexpected signer.  I saw a post a few weeks ago that Burke Waldron signed quickly for autograph requests. However, Mr. Waldron is not an athlete.  No, he is 92-year-old World War II veteran who threw out a first pitch at a Seattle Mariners game last year.  He was lucky enough to be featured on a First Pitch insert for the 2016 Topps Update series.

I sent Mr. Waldron a copy of his card, along with a small note saying he looked like he had a lot of fun. He went above and beyond signing the card with an nice inscription.

His first pitch is truely worth watching.  Despite being 92, he had the hustle and zing of someone half his age.

He was also kind enough to send along a note:

Dear Tyler,

Yes, the most exciting day of my life--40,000 fans cheering & yelling. Even better than my skydive at age 90.

There [is] another video out there of my dancing on Waikiki Beaching during 78th anniversary of Pearl Harbor--to the Lt. Dan Band. Gary Sinise put on that concert, and it was fun dancing with all the girls.

Gary served us dinner on our flight over and back. What a BLAST!

Sincerely,
Burke

That does sound like a blast! I would love to find that video he mentions.  And let it be said that for his age, his penmanship is excellent.  Far better than mine currently!

This was a very fun TTM request that will be hard to top.