TTM This Week: Spring Training Autographs

TTMCast this Week

This week’s TTMCast podcast featured TTM collector Adam Robert from Pennsylvania. Adam is working on the completion of over a dozen fully signed older Topps sets and through a lot of determination and postage has over half of each completed so far. He shares some of his successes and TTM tips. In addition, hobby veteran Les Wolff answers some listener questions and addresses some hot hobby issues.

On this week’s past week’s TTMCast 1-On-1 show, 1974 ABA Rookie of the Year and NBA veteran Swen Nater joins me to talk about his basketball career including his college days with legendary coach John Wooden, signing cards through the mail and things he collected from his playing days.

This Wednesday Ezra Levine President of Collectable.com will be coming on the talk about their new BWIC auction program, the Mint Collective at the end of March in Las Vegas and other topics.

Go to: ttmast.com or ttmcast.podbean.com to listen to this week’s shows.

TTM This Week

Before a I review my weekly returns, I’ll give you a quick summary of my trip to Fort Myers, FL for Spring Training. I visited both the Red Sox and Twins and had quite a lot of success getting autographs

*Red Sox spring training workout in Fort Myers*

I attended two workouts for each team as well as the Red Sox open house event at Jet Blue Park. There is no cost to attend practices and parking is free.

Here are a few tips to help you should you decide to go:

Call the day before to confirm workout times as they can vary from day to day. The second day at Twins camp, things got started at 11 AM. The prior day it started at 9 AM. Make sure you know what time the workout starts and when it’s scheduled to end.
Be prepared. Bring cards, pictures, balls, Sharpies, pens, sunscreen, water. Have your cards in a binder and make sure they are easily accessible.
Be patient and polite. Remember the players are working and tend to sign at the end of their practice time.
Red Sox practice fields are spread out across a large complex. There are three or four ideal places to catch players. The staff is usually helpful with questions.

*Autograph seeking is a rite of Spring Training with fans of the team and collectors in general making the rounds and hoping to snare players in what’s usually a fairly relaxed atmosphere.*

*On the Green Monster at Red Sox Open House with Jarren Duran*

*Grabbing a photo and autograph from Christian Arroyo*

*Jose Miranda signing at Twins Spring Training*

*A few signed cards including Pedro Martinez*

Lampila Family update

You may recall previous stories about the Lampila family, which lost their home, including their baseball collections, to a hurricane last year. With the help of the collecting community, we were able to send them over 18,000 cards and lots memorabilia to help get them back on their feet.

My wife and I had the chance to finally meet them in person last week. We had breakfast and spent the next morning with them at Red Sox Spring Training getting autographs.

*Kinzley, dad Jeff, Finn Lampila and Jeff Baker*

The kids, Finn and Kinzley, are finally back at their school and are doing great. The family is still living in a trailer on the property but work has begun to repair the damages to their house. They have even begun work fixing their pool.

They are so grateful for all the help they have received from collectors all over the country. The kids and their dad Jeff are hoping to attend Miami Marlins Opening Day.

TTM Successes this Week

My mailbox was full when I returned from Florida earlier in the week. I had 19 returns encompassing players from all four major sports. Returns ranged from cards I sent out last week to cards that have been out for more than a year.

Here are a few of TTM successes:

Lenny Wilkens

A Hall of Fame player and coach, Wilkins spent decades in basketball, first as a player from 1960-1975 and then as a coach with six different teams. He was a 9X NBA All-Star, won the 1971 All-Star game MVP, led the NBA is assists in 1970 and won an NBA Championship in 1979 as coach with the Seattle Supersonics. He also was the league’s Coach of the Year in 1994.

Wilkens has been a fantastic signer through the mail. He autographed my 1990 NBA cards in about a week.

Terry Steinbach

“Steiny” was a 3x All-Star catcher while playing for the Oakland A’s from 1986-1996. He finished his career with his hometown Minnesota Twins from 1997-1999. He slugged 162 homers during his career, including one of Greg Swindell in his first major league at bat. He also caught two no-hitters during his career, Dave Stewart in 1990 and Eric Milton in 1999.

He signed his 1990 Topps card and 1998 Metal Universe cards for me in about 10 days.

Bill Hajt

Hajt spent his entire NHL career as a defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres from 1972-1987. He scored 42 goalsand tallied 202 assists for the Sabres.

He signed his 1976-77 and 1979-80 Topps cards for me in about 10 days.

Gerald Carter

Carter was a 9^th round selection by the Buccaneers in the 1980 NFL draft out of Texas A&M. He didn’t make the Bucs roster and hooked on with the Jets for the 1980 season. Carter then returned to Tampa Bay from 1981-1987. He totaled 3,443 yards and 17 touchdowns during his career.

He signed his 1985 and 1986 Topps cards for me in about three months.

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