As NFL training camps open, this week’s TTM Cast featured plenty of football talk. Former Packers quarterback Scott Hunter joins me to reminisce about his time in the NFL which included being drafted by the Pack and winning the 1972 NFC Central Division.
Hunter also played in Buffalo, and Atlanta and then became a popular television sports anchor in Alabama, where he had played college ball under Bear Bryant.
Hunter is a regular signer of autographs through the mail and we talk about some of things he collected during his playing days.
Freelance writer Greg Bates stops on by and we chat about the Aaron Rodgers trade and his time in Green Bay. We also discuss some of Greg’s recent hobby related articles, preview the National and he tells us what he’s looking for at this week’s show.
On this Wednesday’s TTMCast 1-on-1, Ezra Levine joins me to discuss his new position at Mascot. Levine was CEO at Collectables.com, the fractional investment company before joining Mascot, an inventroy management tool for collectors also allows them to sell via multiple channels.
You can listen to all our podcasts at ttmcast.podbean.com.
TTM Successes this Week
This week’s returns included some more 1973 Topps football cards, a hockey return and a few baseball returns.
Vance Johnson
Johnson played wide receiver for Denver for nine seasons from 1985-1995 after being selected by the Broncos in the 2nd round of the 1985 draft out of Arizona. He would total 415 catches for 5,695 yards and 37 touchdowns during his career. He played in three Super Bowls with Dener in the 80s. In Super Bowl XXI he caught five balls for 121 yards and a touchdown.
Johnson penned his very attractive signature on his 1986 Topps card but it did take about six months.
Max Montoya
The 6’ 5” 295 lbs, Montoya was a force on the offensive line for the Bengals and Raiders from 1979-1994. He played in 223 games during his career and was selected to the Pro Bowl multiple times. He played in two Super Bowls with the Bengals.
He signed his 1983 and 1984 Topps cards in about three months.
Jon Morris
Morris was a 6x AFL All-Star for the Patriots from 1964-1974 as center. He played three additional seasons with Detroit from 1975-1977 and finished his career with Chicago in 1978. He was an All-America at Holy Cross and was selected in both the NFL (Green Bay) and AFL (Patriots) drafts in 1964. He was named Patriots Rookie of the Year in 1964. He was the first Patriot selected for the AFC Pro Bowl in 1970.
After retiring he worked as color commentator on Patriots radio broadcasts from 1979-1987. In 2011 he was elected to the Patriots Hall of Fame.
He signed his 1973 Topps card in about a month.
Halvor Hagen
Born in Norway, Hagen was selected in the third round of the 1969 NFL Draft out of Weber State. He played 70 games on the offensive and defensive lines for Dallas, New England, and Buffalo from 1969-1975.
Hagen signed and returned in 1973 Topps card in about a month.
Pat Hughes
Pat Hughes played on the only Boston University team to play in a Bowl. He was selected in the 9th round by the New York Giants in the 1970 NFL Draft. He played linebacker for the Giants from 1970-1976 and was traded to New Orleans where he played from 1977-1979. He would play 141 games in his NFL career and intercept 15 passes.
He signed his 1973 Topps card in about three weeks, adding an inscription.
Kenneth Sims
Sims was the first pick in the 1982 NFL draft out of Texas in the 1982 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He played eight seasons with the Patriots from 1982-1989 and was a member of the 1985 AFC champions. The Patriots passed up Chip Banks, Jim McMahon, Mike Munchak and Marcus Allen to select Sims who has a solid but not stellar career with the Pats. He played 74 games and had 17 sacks with New England. His career was plagued by injuries and drug related problems.
He signed his 1983 Topps card in about two weeks.
Jeff Sellers
Sellers compiled a 13-22 record with the Red Sox from 1985-1988. He pitched seven complete games and two shutouts during his career. He struck out ten Indian batters in his final MLB appearance in 1988. He suffered through numerous injuries after 1988 playing in the Reds, Yankees, Rangers, and Rockies minor league system before retiring in 1994.
He signed his 1988 Topps card in about a month.
Mike Birkbeck
Birbeck compiled a 12-19 record pitching for the Brewers and Mets from 1986-1995. He started 51 games and struck out 149 batters. His career ended in Japan when he suffered a broken fibula on a comebacker from Shane Mack while pitching for the Yokohama BayStars. He joined Kent State as pitching coach in 1997 and went on to become University’s head baseball coach.
He signed his 1989 Donruss and 1987 Topps cards in about three weeks.
Craig Ramsay
Durable Craig Ramsey was a left winger for the Buffalo Sabres from 1971-1985. He played in 776 consecutive games for Buffalo. He scored 252 goals and added 420 assists during his career, recording eight consecutive 20-goal seasons.
He coached for Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Atlanta Thrashers after retiring.
He signed his 1976 and 1977 Topps cards in about three weeks.
Several TTM web sites including, SportsCardForum.com and SportsCollectors.net offer player addresses.
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.
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