TTM This Week: Autograph Chat and Reviewing Returns

TTMCast this Week – July 17^th show

You may have read about Waiting for a Sign, Volume 2, the new book by lifelong autograph collector and current PSA authenticator Kevin Keating. He joins the show this week to discuss the book and swap some fun and interesting autograph stories.

In addition, autograph collector Dave Snyder joins me for another edition of Collectors Corner. Dave is attempting to get an autograph of every person who has ever played a game for the Buffalo Sabres and he shares some of his tips and tricks. You can listen to the show below.

Next week, former New York Jets quarterback Al Woodall joins me to talk about backing up Joe Namath and being part of those Jet teams of the early to mid-70’s.

TTM Successes

This week I look back at a few returns I’ve gotten from recent Baseball Hall of Famers over the years and highlight some more recent football and baseball returns.

I’ve sent out 25 new requests over the last week so hopefully the mailbox will be full soon.

Most athlete mailing addresses are available on several TTM related web sites including SportsCardForum.com and SportsCollectors.net.

Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat

Baseball Hall of Fame induction is right around-the-corner and I thought I’d share a few TTM returns I received from this year’s class.

Tony Oliva was an outstanding hitter for the Minnesota Twins in the 60’s and 70’s. He has always been a great TTMer. He signed and personalized my 1973 Topps cards for me several months ago. I’m not sure if his signing habits have changed since he was elected to the Hall.

Jim Kaat played 25 years in the majors in a career that spanned four decades. He was known for his outstanding fielding winning 16 consecutive Gold Gloves. He won 283 games during his career including three 20-win seasons. A few years ago, I sent this 1978 Topps card to Jim along with a $10 donation which he uses Little Leagues in Zeeland, Michigan and Florida.

Kaat’s signing habits have changed in recent years. He now charges $25 and will only sign cards.

Don Trull

Don Trull was a star at Baylor who went on to play quarterback for the Houston Oilers from 1963-66 and 1967-1969 and the Boston Patriots in 1967. He also played in the Canadian Football League with Edmonton and the World Football League with Houston/Texans/Shreveport Steamers in 1974 and 1975. He played in seven games for the Patriots in 1967, starting three.

In 2013 he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Trull signed his 1968 Topps card which features him as a member of the Boston Patriots despite being picture in an Oiler jersey. It took about a month from the time I sent it.

Ike Harris

Harris started his professional career in the World Football League as a member of the Southern California Sun in 1974. He would join the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975 where he played for three seasons and then moved on to New Orleans in 1978 where he played four seasons with the Saints before retiring in 1981. He caught over 200 balls for over 3,000 yards during his seven-year career. His most productive season was 1980 with the Saints when he had 37 catches for 692 years and six scores.

He signed his 1980 Topps card for me in about three weeks.

Phil Villapiano

Villapiano was a four-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Oakland Raiders from 1971-79. He was a member of the Super Bowl championship team in 1976. The Bowling Green State standout finished his career with Buffalo, playing three seasons with them from 1980-83.

He signed his 1980 Topps card for me in less than two weeks.

Jerry Dipoto

Current President of Baseball Operations for the Settle Mariners, Dipoto was an effective right-handed relief pitcher for Cleveland, New York Mets and Colorado Rockies from 1993-2000. “Trader Jerry” has enjoyed a long front office career, serving as a general manager for the Diamondbacks and Angels before arriving in Seattle.

I took a chance and sent his 1999 Topps card to him during the season and was pleased to get a return in less than two weeks.

Jeff Reed

My second Colorado Rockie return for the weeks was from catcher Jeff Reed, who played 17 seasons in the majors from 1984-2000 catching for the Reds, Twins, Rockies, Giants, Cubs and Expos. He played in over 1,200 games and slugged 61 home runs during his career. He won a World Series as a member of the Reds in 1990. Reed was the 12^th overall pick in the 1980 draft by the Twins.

He signed his 1999 Topps card for me in about ten days.

Jack Thompson

“The Throwin Samoan” out of Washington State, Jack Thompson was selected as the third overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1979 draft. Thompson started only five games for the Bengals during his four seasons with them from 1979-1982. He had his best season in 1983 with Tampa Bay, passing for 2,906 yards and 18 touchdowns. He would be replaced by Steve DeBerg as starter with the Bucs the following year and would retire after the 1984 season.

Thompson signed his 1980 Topps card for me in just two weeks.

Here are a few others who are currently signing for free, including 1952 American League MVP Bobby Shantz who is 96 and still makes the occasional autograph appearance.

Rick Middleton – New York Ranger and Boston Bruins Great
Bobby Shantz – Pitcher Kansas City A’s and New York Yankees in the 1950s & 60s
Steve Busby – Kansas City Royal Pitcher in the 70’s, threw two no-hitters
Rick Mirer – Quarterback with Notre Dame and Seattle Seahawks

Have a TTM success story you would like to share with me? Let me know at [email protected]. If I use it in my column, I’ll send you a prize.