TTMCast this Week – July 9
This week’s show features TTM collector Kurt Humberson from West Virginia. Kurt is a set builder and a proficient TTMer and we spoke with him about his passion for collecting cards and autographs.
We also chatted with show regular Clemente Lisi about our plans for The National in Chicago and we look at some new soccer collectibles released by Panini this week.
On this Wednesday’s TTMCast 1-on-1, Heritage Auctions VP Derek Grady stops by to review Heritage’s current auction, their plans for The National and we take a closer look at some recent hobby news.
You can listen to all our podcasts at ttmcast.podbean.com.
TTM Successes this Week
My mailbox was packed this week with returns from five Baseball Hall of Famers and Philadelphia Phillies greats. I also had several 1973 Topps football returns which I’ll feature in next week’s article.
Several TTM web sites including, SportsCardForum.com and SportsCollectors.net.
Reggie Jackson
Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson was one of the most prolific power hitters of the 70’s and 80s. Jackson’s power was on display in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series vs the Los Angles Dodgers. After hitting three home runs in three at bats in the Series clinching Game 6, Jackson went out and bought a new Rolls Royce and proceeded to drive in across the country to California the next day.
Jackson would hit 563 home runs for Oakland, The Yankees, Orioles and Angles from 1967-1987, leading the AL 4 times. In addition, he smashed 18 postseason homers, including 5 in 1977.
Jackson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993 appearing on 93.65% of the ballots the first year he was eligible.
Jackson signs items though his California based “Mr. October” Foundation with a donation. He signed his 1977 and 1978 Topps cards in about a month.
Brooks Robinson
Robinson played his entire career in Baltimore from 1955-1977 where he earned the nickname “The Human Vacuum Cleaner”. He was a 15-time All Star and won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves. Robinson was a pretty good hitter as well totaling 268 homers and finishing with a .267 batting average. He won two World Series in 1966 and 1970 and was a first ballot Hall of Famer, appearing on almost 92% of the ballots.
Always a great signer and once a regular on the signing circuit, he signed his 1976 Topps and 2021 Topps Insert cards in about a month.
Robinson requests a $10 donation per autograph.
Harold Baines
Baines played outfielder and designated hitter for five AL teams from 1980-2001. He had three different stints with the White Sox and also played for the Rangers, A’s, Orioles and Indians. He was a 6X All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1989.
Baines was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019 when he appeared on 75% of the ballots.
He signed his 1983 and 1985 Topps cards in about a month. He requires $10 per autograph.
Fergie Jenkins
From 1965-1983 Jenkins won 284 games pitching for the Phillies, Cubs, Rangers and Red Sox. He stuckout 3,192 batters and won the 1971 NL Cy Young Award as a member of the Cubs.
He was the first Canadian born player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 when he appeared on 75.4% of the ballot on his third attempt.
He signed his 1978 and 1984 Topps cards in about a month. Jenkins is a terrific signer throught the mail but does require $40 per signature.
Rich “Goose” Gossage
Gossage was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008 when he appeared on 85.8% of the ballots the ninth year he was eligible. He was a 9x All-Star and 3x AL Save leader pitching for eight different teams from 1972-1994. He finished his career with 310 saves and struck out 1,502 batters. He recorded the final out to clinch a division, league, or World Series title seven times.
Gossage has been consistently signing through the mail since he retired. He signed his 1981 Donruss and 1988 Topps cards in about a month.
He requests a $10 per autograph.
Bob Boone
Boone was a 4x All-Star catcher during in Major League career from 1972-1990 with the Phillies, Angles, and Royals. He won seven Gold Gloves and hit 105 home runs during his career. He caught Mike Witt’s perfect game on September 30, 1984. He played in 2,264 games and totaled 1,838 hits. Boone signed 3 cards for me including his 1981 Topps Coca-Cola card in about two weeks.
Boone signs for free.
Larry Bowa
Bowa was the heart of the Phillies teams of the 70’s when played shortstop where he won two Gold Gloves and was a 5x All-Star. He finished his career with the cubs and Mets then went on to a successful career coaching five different teams from 1989-2017. Bowa has been a fantastic autograph signer through the mail signing his 1978 Topps and 1981 Topps Coca-Cola cards in a few weeks.
Bowa also signs for free.
I attended the Red Sox vs Rangers game on Wednesday last week and 1967 Cy Young Award winner Jim Lonborg was in the Red Sox team store signing autographs. I spent a few minutes with him and got this 5 x 7 picture signed by him.
If you’d like to win this photo, send me your name and mailing address to [email protected]. I’ll announce the winner on Saturday’s podcast.
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.
Related Stories:
TTM This Week: Show Previews, Hall of Fame Autograph Bargain
TTM This Week: Graphing in Canada; Rick Dempsey Chat; Autograph Returns
TTM This Week: National Talk; Next Gem; a Mailbox Full of Hall of Famer Autographs
TTM This Week: Chat with Baseball Hall of Fame President; 1987 Topps Returns
TTM This Week: 1970s NFL Talk, Hockey and The Week’s Autograph Returns
TTM This Week: Standing on a Corner in Phoenix, Arizona (Part 1)
TTM This Week: Grapher DIY, Returns, and Baseball Must-Sends
TTM This Week: Back on the Air, Lefty, and Collecting the Negro Leagues
