TTM This Week: Chat with Baseball Hall of Fame President; 1987 Topps Returns

TTMCast this Week

National Baseball Hall of Fame President Josh Rawitch joins us on this week’s show. He talks about signing sessions with Hall of Famers, acquiring memorabilia from milestones, how much memorabilia that’s in the Hall’s collection that’s actually on display, new interactive features for visitors, the baseball card exhibit, Shoebox Treasures and his favorite part of working at the Hall.

“You just recognize how much this place means to people,” he told us. “It’s incredible to see and it happens every day, how much this place means to people. It’s incredible to see and hit happens every single day. You see people walking around, talking to their parents and grandparents about why this sport means so much to them. And we get to preserve it. Every day we get to do something people are going to remember for the rest of their life.”

The interview begins at about the 39 minute mark:

Hobby veteran Les Wolff takes some time this week to give his option on collectibles submitted by our listeners. He reviews Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Hank Greenberg signed items.

On this Wednesday’s TTMCast 1-on-1, Sports Collectors Daily Editor Rich Mueller joins me to discuss recent hobby news including the Fantastic/Panini battles and more.

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

TTM Successes this Week

This week’s returns include a bunch of 1987 Topps baseball returns, some from players who mostly had brief careers but still happily sign their cards from the much loved card set. There were also a few more Boston Bruins on 1988-89 O-Pee-Chee cards.

Johnny Grubb

Grubb played outfield and first base for San Diego, Cleveland, Texas and Detriot from 1972-1987. He was a member of the 1974 NL All-Star team while with San Diego. Grubb was a member of the 1984 World Series champion Tigers. He posted a career batting average of .278 and hit 99 homerun during his career.

He signed his 1986 and 1987 Topps cards in a few weeks.

Reggie Williams

Williams played outfield for parts of four seasons with the Dodgers and Indians from 1985-1988. His most productive season was 1986 when he played in 128 games for the Dodgers. For the last two years he has been head coach of the Alcorn State baseball team.

He signed his 1987 Topps card in about 10 days.

Mike Loynd

Loynd won 20 games for Florida State in 1986 and was the Golden Spike winner for best college baseball player in the nation. He won his first start in the majors, winning a 6-3 duel against Phil Niekro. He won one more game in 1986 but he pitched out of the bullpen in 1987 and he never made it back to the majors. After getting traded to the Astros in 1988 he pitched exclusively in the minors for the Astros, Bluejays, Cardinals and Braves.

He signed his n1987 Topps card in about two weeks.

Billy Jo Robidoux

Robidoux player first base and outfielder for the Brewers, White Sox and Red Sox for parts of the 1985-1990 seasons. He was named Texas League Most Valuable Player in 1985. His minor league success didn’t tranlate to MLB success as he hit .209 with five home runs during his MLB career.

Robidoux signed his 1987 Topps card in about a week.

T.R. Bryden

Bryden played one season in the majors, winning two games, and striking out 25 batters for the California Angels.

He signed his 1987 Topps card in about a week.

Steve Fireovid

Fireovid pitcher for parts of six seasons with the Padres, Phillies, White Sox, Mariners, and Rangers between 1981 and 1992. He compiled a 3-1 record, striking out 27 batters while pitching primarily out of the bullpen.

He signed his 1987 Topps card in about two weeks.

Scott Fletcher

Fletcher played infield for the Cubs, White Sox, Rangers, Brewers, Red Sox, and Tigers from 1981-1995. Fletcher played in 1,612 games and amassed 1,376 hits during his career. He hit .300 for Texas in 1987.

He signed his 1986 and 1987 Topps cards in about three weeks.

Lee Guetterman

Guetterman pitched for the Mariners, Yankees, Mets, and Cardinals from 1984-1996. He appeared in 425 games. In 1990 he led the Yankees with 11 wins despite never starting a game.

He signed his 1987 Topps card in about 10 days.

Ken Linseman

Affectionately known as “The Rat,” Linseman played center for the Flyers, Bruins, Oilers, and Maple Leafs from 1977-1992. He won the Stanley Cup with Edmonton in 1984. He scored 256 goals in 860 NHL games. Linseman was a clutch player having scored 43 goals in 113 playoff games.

He signed his 1979-80 Topps card and 1988-89 O-Pee-Chee card in about four weeks.

Allen Pedersen

Pedersen played defense for the Bruins, North Stars and Whales from 1985-1995. The 6’ 5” Pedersen was known for blocking shots and playing defense. In 428 NHL games he scored only 5 goals and scored zero points in 64 career playoff games.

He signed his 1988-89 O-Pee-Chee card in about four weeks.

Reed Larson

Larson was known to have one of the hardest shots when he played defense for the Red Wings, Bruins, Oilers, Islanders, North Stars and Sabres from 1976-1990. He is a member of the US Hockey Hall of Fame. He scored 222 goals in 904 NHL games. He appeared in three NHL All-Star games while he was a member of the Red Wings. He was the first America born defenseman to score 200 goals.

Larson signed his 1988-89 O-Pee-Chee card in about four weeks.

There was a nice first person story by Russell LIssau in the Arlington (IL) Daily Herald about collecting baseball autographs through the mail. You can read it here and a follow up here.

Several TTM web sites including, SportsCardForum.com and SportsCollectors.net, offer player addresses.