TTM This Week: Selling a Lifelong Collection; Autograph Assessments; Fenway Fun; TTM Successes

TTMCast/1 on 1 Shows this Week

On the TTM Cast this week, collector Gordon Wilcher joins me to discuss his difficult decision to start selling off his 45-year collection. We have recently been discussing this phase of collecting. Gordon made the leap and has decided to sell off a collection of autographs and cards that he started in the 1970s. This is something we as collectors all must face, and it’s interesting to speak to a passionate collector who has just started the process.

Hobby pro Les Wolff took time this week to offer opinions and appraisals on a large range of items sent in by listeners. He looks at a Babe Ruth cut autograph, a Willie Mays signed ball, a 1970 era signed Red Sox ball, a home plate signed by over 70 Hall of Famers and a whole lot more on this week’s show.

This Wednesday, on TTMCast 1-on-1, Gil Hodges Jr. talks about his dad’s election to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Gil Hodges Sr. joined the Marines during WWII and with Memorial Day just around the corner it was nice to pay tribute to him for making the sacrifice. Gil Jr also talks about his dad’s days as a member of the Boys of Summer and shares a fun story about the 1969 NY Mets.

*Gil Hodges Jr. at his home in Florida.*

A listen from Australia wrote in and shared a few TTM stories. He was also kind enough to send me this autographed post card of Australia cricket legend Don Bradman, who is Australia’s most famous sports celebrity.

He was active from 1927-1949 and passed away in 2001. He batted 99.94 runs per game. By comparison, the next best is around 60 runs. In baseball terms that’s like getting a hit in every game you played in.

*Two legends meet. Bradman met Babe Ruth at Yankee Stadium in 1932.*

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

Autograph Returns

It was a fun week to be a baseball fan and autograph collector. On Tuesday I went to Fenway Park to watch J-Rod and the Mariners take on the Red Sox. My wife purchased a 15-game season ticket package, and my seats are pretty good. They are in the first row directly behind the tarp is short right field. We were there just ahead of the Fenway Card Show, which was held at the stadium this past weekend while the Sox were out of town.

*1st row at Fenway for the Red Sox vs. Mariners.*

The Red Sox have one of the best souvenir stores in baseball with baseball card packs and sets among the offerings.

Before the games they often bring in alumni to sign autographs and talk with the fans. On the day we were at the ballpark, pitchers Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd and Rich Gale were there.

*Rich Gale was on hand to sign autographs.*

Both former players signed a free card for me and stopped to take a picture. Both have nice, legible autographs, which is even better.

*“Oil Can” is always ready to have some fun.*

TTM Successes this Week

I had a few baseball TTM returns and a duplicate hockey return:

Jude Drouin

I received another return from 1970s NHL center Jude Drouin this week. Drouin spent most of his career with the Minnesota North Stars and New York Islanders. In addition to the 1976 and 1977 Topps cards, he included some nice signed photos as well. I must have sent my first request last year and accidentally sent a second one out a few weeks ago.

I’m going to give these two autographs away to two of our readers. Just send me an email at [email protected] with your mailing address put “Jude Drouin” in the subject line and I’ll give these away next week.

Ernie Whitt

In 15 seasons as catcher for the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Braves and Orioles from 1976-1991 Whitt hit 134 home runs and drove in 534 runs. He was an All-Star in 1985 while with Toronto. He homered for his first major league off Jim Colborn of the Brewers.

Whitt wrote a book about his time in baseball titled Catch: A Major League Life. Whitt is a fantastic signer through the mail and this interaction was a great example.

He signed his 1986 and 1987 Topps cards in less than two weeks.

Gene Walter

Walter was a very effective lefty relief pitcher for the Padres, Mets and Mariners from 1985-1988. Some might remember the day in 1988 when he tied an American League record for most balks in a game with four.

He signed his 1987 Topps card in a few weeks.

Matt Strahm

Matt Strahm continues to make a name for himself on and off the field. In 2023 he joined the Philadelphia Phillies and has been an effective starter for them. Prior to this season, he pitched out of the bullpen for Boston, San Diego, and Kansas City.

Matt is a passionate card and autograph collector as well. He is host for the popular syndicated television show The Card Life which has entered its second season of production.

Matt signed his 2022 Topps update card which I sent to him care of the show.

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.