TTM This Week: Barefoot Kicker, TTM Returns, International Postage

Former NFL kicker Rich Karlis joined us on the TTMCast podcast this week. The last of the bare footed kickers played for the Broncos, Vikings and Lions during his career. We also take a closer look at his controversial game-winning overtime field goal to beat the Cleveland Browns in the 1986 AFC Championship Game.

We also get his take on collecting, autographs and handling autograph requests through the mail.

In addition, longtime autograph collector/dealer Les Wolff comes on for his bi-weekly segment to talk about important steps to take to protect and displaying collections.

Next week Marketing Director at Panini America Jeff Hoferer will be on to discuss the state of the hobby and what’s currently happening at the company.

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

Our radio show, Sports Collectors Club heard on over 100 stations across the SportsMap Radio Network in now on Saturdays from 10-11am (Eastern) and repeated on Sundays from 7-8am (Eastern).

TTM Successes this week

Please note: Most athlete’s mailing addresses are available on several TTM related web sites including SportsCardForum.com and SportsCollectors.net.

Joe Carter

Carter hit 396 home runs for the Cubs, Indians, Padres, Blue Jays, Orioles and Giants during his major league career from 1983-1988. His most important homer, of course, was the World Series game winner for Blue Jays vs the Phillies in 1993. With the Jays trailing by a run, Carter smashed a two-run dinger of Mitch Williams of the Phillies to win the game and the series for the Jays. He was a five-time All-Star and also won a World Series with the Jays in ’92.

Joe has been a steady signed through the mail, but I’ve had a bit of trouble getting him. This was my third attempt. Carter charges $10 per autograph. He signed his 1990 and 1996 Topps cards for me in about a month.

Bob Montgomery

Montgomery served as backup catcher for the Boston Red Sox from 1970 through 1979. He was Carlton Fisk’s backup during most of his career but got to see a lot of action as Fisk had a tendency to land on the IL during his playing days. Montgomery played on the AL Championship Red Sox team in 1975 and the hard luck 1978 Sox team that lost a tie-breaking playoff game to the New York Yankees.

Montgomery was the last hitter to hit without a batting helmet when he played his last game on September 9, 1979. After playing, he spent 14 years from 1982-1995 as color commentator for the Red Sox on television.

He signed “Monty Montgomery” on his 1976 and 1980 Topps cards and returned them to me in less than a week.

Gary Fencik

Fencik was an All-Pro strong safety with the Chicago Bears for 11 seasons. He played from 1976-87 and was a member of the Super Bowl champion Bears team in 1985.

He signed his 1980 Topps card and returned it to me in three weeks.

William Andrews

Andrews starred at running back for the Atlanta Falcon from 1979 to 1986. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and ran over 1,000 yard in four of his first five seasons. He missed two full seasons as the result of severe knee injury and came back in 1986 to play tight end for 15 games for the Falcons. He rushed for 214 yards in his final season. He was awarded the George S Halas Courage Award in 1987 because of his comeback. His number 31 was retired by the Falcons in 2004.

Andrews is a great TTMer and he signed his 1980 Topps card for me in less than two weeks.

Joel Finch

No all rookies “future stars” hit it big. Joel Finch appeared in just 15 games for the Red Sox in 1979 losing three without earning a win and never returned to the majors. He spent eight seasons in Boston’s minor league system. He won 15 games for AA Bristol Red Sox in 1977 and finished his professional playing days with AAA Pawtucket in 1981 at the age of 24.

He signed his 1980 rookie card already signed by Chuck Rainey for me in a few weeks. Now off it goes to former Red Sox catching prospect Mike O’Berry to hopefully complete the tri-card as my quest to acquire a complete, autographed set continues.

Tommy Herr

Herr played 2^nd base for the Cardinals, Twins, Phillies, Giants and Mets from 1979 to 1991. He was an All-Star in 1985 and a member of the World Champion Cardinals in 1982. In 1988, he join the Twins in a trade with the Cardinals for outfielder Tom Brunansky.

Herr signed his 1989 Upper Deck card for me in a few weeks.

Jim Zorn

A lefty quarterback for the Seahawks, Packers, and Buccaneers from 1976-1987, Zorn made up a high-powered combination with Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent while with the Seahawks in the mid-70’s. He earned All-Pro recognition in 1978. Zorn was relegated to back up to Dave Krieg midway through the 1983 season and finished his playing career as a backup for the Packers and Bucs. He then went on to a long coaching career.

He signed his 1980 Topps card for me in four weeks, adding a Bible verse.

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

Tom Rathman – San Francisco 49ers running back
Marty Lyons – Member of the famous N.Y. Jets “Sack Exchange”
Lenny Wilkens – Basketball Hall of Famer
Bob Veale – Pirates and Red Sox Pitcher in the 60’s and early 70’s
Jim Beattie – New York Yankee and Seattle Mariner pitcher

Have a TTM success story you would like to share with me? Please, send it me at [email protected]. If I use it in my column, I’ll send you a prize (see my contact info below).

TTM Tip of the Week

Courtesy of my podcast co-host Drew Pelto, we give you some helpful tips on how to send autograph requests outside the country.

Outgoing:

USPS (United States Postal Service) international mail services go to more than 180 countries, including Great Britain, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Australia. Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International, and Priority Mail International services include international tracking and some insurance are offered by our postal service.

For envelopes that weight less than a pound, we suggest using First-Class Mail International. Canada and Mexico are the least expensive countries to mail to.

You can find international mail rates here.

You can purchase international stamps directly from the USPS. Individual stamps cost $1.30.

Return mail

For your return self-addressed stamped envelope SASE, you’ll need to purchase that country’s stamps to return it to you in the United States.

Canada – You can purchase Canadian stamps directly from the Canada Post Office at www.canadapost.ca.

Mexico, Japan, Great Britain, and most other counties – You can purchase stamps online on Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and the USPS.

Check with your local post office for proper postage to outgoing and return mail based on weight.