TTM This Week: 50 Years of Collecting Basketball Autographs, Hall of Fame Additions

TTMCast this Week

On this Saturday’s show (September 30) basketball historian, collector, and Consignment Director for Robert Edward Auctions, Tim Gallagher, will be joining me to talk about his over 50-year passion in collecting autographs. Tim shares stories of getting Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and other NBA greats signatures while they were in college. Tim recently sold off some of his collection and we talk about his difficult decision to part with some of his treasures.

Also on this Saturday’s show, Les Wolff will be receiving listeners submission providing a ballpark value and his opinion on the authenticity of their autographs. You still have time to submit your collectibles for Les’ review. Please email us a few pictures of your items along with a brief description ([email protected]) before Thursday September 28 to be included in this week’s show.

On this Wednesday’s TTMCast 1-on-1, Co-Founder and CEO of CollX Ted Mann joins me to update us on a new feature that allows users the ability to click on a link and learn the history of the player featured on any card. CollX is a free app available to be downloaded from the Apple app store and Google Play. The AI feature is currently offered to those using the CollX Plus app.

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

TTM This Week

TTM successes often arrive in bunches and this week was perhaps one of the least fruitful weeks for returns I have encountered in many years. I just had two returns this week, so I decided to share a couple of autographs I received using other methods. I did send out 15 more hockey requests from the 1978 Topps set and hope my mailbox will be jam-packed with successes in the coming week.

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

Here are my two TTM successes this week plus a few more additions to my collection:

Eric Dickerson

One of football’s legendary running backs, Dickerson had a remarkable college career at SMU, then played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Rams, Colts, Raiders and Falcons from 1983-1993. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999 after rushing for 13,259 yards and scoring 90 touchdowns. Dickerson played in six Pro Bowls and led the NFL in rushing yards four times.

In recent years Dickerson has been an outstanding reliable signer through the mail. He signed his 1986 Topp card for me in less than 10 days. He does require a $10 fee per signature.

Marty Lyons

My second TTM success of the week from Marty Lyons, who played his entire career with the Jets from 1979-1990. He played in 147 games and had 43 sacks during his career. He was a member of “NY Sack Exchange” which included Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Abdul Salaam, and Lyons. Lyons was the Jets’ first round selection, 14^th overall, in the 1979 Draft out of Alabama.

Lyons has been a consistent signer through the mail since he retired. He signed his 1986 and 1987 Topps cards in less than 10 days.

Nellie Fox

Fox played second base for the Philadelphia A’s, Chicago White Sox and Houston Colt 45’s/Astros from 1947-1965. He passed away on December 1, 1975 at the age of 47 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997.

I am currently working on collecting the 1958 Topps All Star cards in autographed form. There 21 in this subset, which were included as part of the final series of 1958 Topps cards and were the first All-Star cards produced by Topps. I recently purchased this one on eBay and now need just three more for a set—but they’ll be pricey: Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays.

Brock Holt

I was able to have former Boston Red Sox All Star Brock Holt sign his 2018 Topps Heritage and 2020 Topps cards during his recent appearance at Fenway Park’s Autogrph Alley.

Holt does not sign via the mail so this was a good opportunity to snag a couple of cards.

Scott Rolen

I am grateful to one of my listeners for sending me this autographed Scott Rolen card in the mail this past weekend. I mentioned I was missing a Rolen autograph in my collection on my show a few weeks ago and he was went of his way to send me this card. This 2022 Topps Chrome Black baseball card will take a cherished place in my collection.