TTM This Week: Auction Talk; World Cup and Latest Autograph Returns

TTMCast this Week – November 20

There’s a big auction underway at Memory Lane right now—one that includes a huge number of vintage cards. Company President JP Cohen joins me on the TTM Cast this week to talk about the group of 15 high-grade Mantles, Goudey Hall of Famers and other lots in the catalog. We also talk about his recent offer of $2 million for Aaron Judge’s 62^nd home run ball and the state of the hobby.

Author and soccer expert Clementi Lisi comes on first to give us his views on some early World Cup matches, his take on the 2022 Panini Prizm World Cup product and some other soccer cards he likes.

TTM Successes this Week

I received more returns from cards I picked up at a recent show including baseball stars of the 1960s and 1970s. This week I also saw three returns from 1976 expansion Seattle Seahawks.

Here’s a look at what was in the mailbox:

Merv Rettenmund

Fans of 1970s baseball will remember that Merv Rettenmund could hit. He was an outfielder for Baltimore, Cincinnati, San Diego and the Angles from 1968-1980. He won championships with Baltimore (1970) and Cincinnati (1975). He hit a home run in Game 5 of the 1970 series for the Orioles. In 13 season he played in over 1,000 games and batted .271 for his career.

He signed his 1972 Topps card for me in about two weeks.

Ken Singleton

Singleton was an outfielder for the Mets, Expos and Orioles during his 15-year career. He played in three All-Star games and won a championship with the Orioles in 1983. Singleton racked up over 2,000 hits and smashed 246 home runs during is career. He finished second to Don Baylor in 1979 MVP voting when he hit 35 home runs and tallied 111 RBIs. He went on to a broadcasting career after his playing days.

He signed his 1972 Topps card for me in about two weeks.

Camilo Pascual

Camilo Pascual won 174 games and struck out over 2,000 batters in 18 MLB season with the Senators, Twins, Red, Dodgers and Indians from 1954-1971. He was a seven time All-Star and lead the AL in Ks three times. He still holds the opening day strikeout record fanning 15 Red Sox in 1960 as a member of the Twins. He was a 20-game winner in two seasons. He’s a member of the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame and Twins Hall of Fame.

He signed his 1965 Topps card for me in less than two weeks.

Ken Aspromonte

Aspromonte played seven seasons in the big leagues from 1957-1963, primarily as a second baseman. He was left unprotected in the 1960 expansion draft by Cleveland and was selected by the Los Angeles Angels where he was the starting second baseman for their first ever game on April 11, 1961. He would go on to manage in Cleveland from 1972-74. His older brother Bob also played in the majors.

He signed his 1961 Topps card for me in about ten days.

Danny Cater

Cater was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Sparky Lyle in 1972 in what Red Sox fans will call one of the worst trades in franchise history. Cater played for six teams during his career from 1964-1975 including the Phillies, Chicago White Sox, A’s, Yankees, Red Sox, and Cardinals. He finished second to Carl Yastrzemski in the 1968 American League batting race, hitting .290 in the “Year of the Pitcher.”

He signed his 1970 Topps card for me in less than two weeks.

Wilbur Wood

Wood was an inning eater during his 17-year MLB career with Boston, Pittsburgh, and the White Sox. As a knuckle ball throwing pitcher, he won 164 games. Eppf was a three time All-Star and lead the AL in wins in 1972 and 1973. He was AL Pitcher of the Year in 1972 and won 20 games for four straight years. His career was derailed in 1976 when he took a line drive off the knee shattering his kneecap in a game against the Detroit Tigers.

He signed the 1972 leader card for me in less than a week. Wood does not charge but he does personalize items sent to him.

Art Kusnyer

Art Kusner caught Nolan Ryan’s second career no-hitter on July 15, 1973. He played for four teams from 1970-1978 including the White Sox, Angels, Brewers, and Royals. He won two World Series championships as a coach, one with Oakland in 1989 and one with the White Sox in 2005.

He signed his 1972 Topps rookie card which he shares with Billy Parker and Tom Silverio. He returned it me in about 10 days.

Lyle Blackwood

Blackwood formed half of the “Killer B’s: with his brother Glenn when they were with the Miami Dolphins in the 1980s. Blackwood was a member of the expansion Seattle Seahawks and played for the Colts as well.

He signed his 1976 Topps card and also sent me a 1978 Topps card in about a week.

Ron Howard

Howard played two seasons with Dallas before joining the Seahawks in 1976 as a member of their first roster. He played 65 NFL games and grabbed 72 catches during his career. In 1976 he had 37 receptions for 422 for the expansion Seahawks. He played in Super Bowl X as a member of the Cowboys. Howard would retire in 1979 after playing two games with the Buffalo Bills.

He signed his 1976 Topps card for me in about two weeks.

Bob Penchion

Another member of the expansion Seattle Seahawks, began career in 1972 with the Bills after he was drafted by Buffalo in 1975 in the fifth round out of Alcon A&M. He played two seasons with Buffalo and one with San Francisco before joining the Seahawks in ‘76.

He signed his 1976 Topps card for me in about two weeks.

Here are some others who are currently signing for free. I have had success with all of them in the past: