TTM This Week: Baseball Exec Collects Mickey...Rivers; Weekly Autograph Returns

TTMCast this Week

On this week’s TTMCast podcast “Collectors Corner” segment we’re joined by Shawn Smith, an avid collector of Mickey Rivers cards and memorabilia. Smith, who recently was named General Manager of Fenway Park South in Fort Myers, FL by the Boston Red Sox, has over 500 related Rivers items in his collection. We talk about the origins of his friendship with the former big league outfielder, how he acquired some of his unique items and we also chat about his new position with the Red Sox.

We also catch up with Hobby Veteran Les Wolff and get his take on Aaron Rodgers joining the New York Jets.

On this Wednesday’s TTMCast 1-on-1 show, we’re joined by Ted Mann, CEO and co-founder of the Collx.app.

You can listen to all our podcasts at ttmcast.podbean.com.

TTM Successes this Week

Back from a few days in Florida and my mailbox was jammed. There was a nice mix of former pros from the 1970s and 1980s in baseball, basketball, hockey and football. Some were recent requests but it was nice to see some return that have been out for a while.

Dave Kingman

There are few players who hit the ball longer and higher in the 70’s and 80’s than Dave Kingman, who belted 442 homers for seven different teams from 1971-1986. He was a 3x All-Star and 2x NL Home Run leader. His best seasons were with the Mets in 1975 and 1976 and Cubs in 1979 and 1980. Kingman his 16 grand slams during his career.

Here’s a cool piece of trivia: “Kong” was the first player to hit over 400 home runs who wasn’t elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

He has been a consistent signer through the mail over the years and signed his 1982 Topps card in about four weeks.

Tippy Martinez

Martinez won 55 games for the Yankees, Orioles and Twins from 1974-1988, winning a World Series with Baltimore in 1983. He saved 115 games and struck out 632 batters during his career. He once picked off three runners at first base in the same inning.

Martinez has been a great signer via the mail. He signed his 1986 and 1987 Topps cards in about two weeks.

Johnny Ray

Ray played second base for the Pirates and Angels from 1981-1990. He was an All-Star in 1988 as a member of the Angels and won a Silver Slugger in 1983 with Pittsburgh. Ray was a switch hitter who batted .290 during his ten-year career.

He signed his 1986 and 1987 Topps cards in a little more than a week.

Jim Marshall

Marshall was a standout defensive end, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings where he was a member of the team’s famous “Purple People Eaters.”

Extremely durable, Marshall played 270 consecutive games with the Vikings, a record for most consecutive games played with one team. He totaled 130.5 sacks during his career.

He’s also known for his infamous 1964 “wrong way run” when he recovered a fumble and returned it 66 yards the wrong way into his own end zone. The resulted in a safety for the 49ers.

His No. 70 was retired by the Vikings and was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004 but did not gain election.

He ssigned his 1975 and 1979 Topps cards in about six months.

Uwe Von Schamann

I have a soft spot for NFL kickers. They always seem to have great in-action cards and are usually great signers through the mail. German born Von Schamann spent his entire pro career with Miami, kicking for the Dolphins from 1979-1984, scoring 540 points during his career.

He was a standout at Oklahoma and was named the Big 8 conference’s “all-time kicker” several years asgo.

He signed his 1983 Topps card in about two weeks.

Rickey Young

Young spent nine seasons in the NFL, including three with the Chargers and six with the Vikings from 1975-1983. He played in 131 games, never missing a game during his career. He ran for 3,666 yards and scored 23 rushing touchdowns and 16 receiving scores. He was a college teammate of Walter Payton at Jackson State University.

He signed his 1983 Topps card in about 10 days.

Curt Bennett

Bennett played center for the St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, and Atlanta Flames from 1970-1982. He played in 580 NHL games and scored 334 points during his career. He was a 2x All Star with Atlanta and was the first American to score 30 goals during the 1974-75 season.

Today he lives in Maui where he designs waterfalls and water features.

He signed three cards for me and add “aloha” to his inscription– a first for me.

Steve Alford

Current head basketball coach of the Nevada Wolf Pack, Alford stared at Indiana before playing for both Dallas and Golden State in the NBA. Alford won an NCAA Championship with Indiana in 1987 and played in the NBA from 1987-1991.

I sent two cards to Alford care off Nevada and he signed his 1990 NBA Hoops and Upper Decks cards in a few weeks, adding personalization and a Bible verse to each. His signature is among the best you’ll find.

Paul Pressey

Pressey was a 2x NBA All-Defensive First Teamer for the Bucks from 1982-1990 and finished his career with San Antonio and Golden State before retiring in 1993. He scored 7,664 points and grabbed 2,798 rebounds during his career. He has served as an assistant coach for seven different teams since he retired.

Pressey signed his 1990 NBA Hoops cards and 1991 Fleer card in about a week.

Gary Sargent

Sargent was a stay-at-home defenseman, playing 402 games for the LA Kings and Minnesota North Stars from 1974-1983. He was chosen to play in the 1980 All Star game but missed the game because of injuries. He scored 61 goals and chipped in with 161 assists during his career.

He signed three cards for me and included his own post card in less than two weeks.

Here are a few more others who are currently signing for free. I have had success with all of them in the past: