TTMCast this Week
On this week’s TTMCast, collector Aubrey Turner talks about her new found passion for collecting autographs. We are also joined by regular show contributor Clemente Lisi who reviews recent Upper Deck hockey releases and looks at the WBC and how it has affected some players’ values.
On this Wednesday’s TTMCast 1-on-1 show, former NHL goalie Don Edwards comes for a chat about his career and more.
You can listen to all our podcasts at ttmcast.podbean.com.
TTM Successes this Week
An unexpected surprise from a longtime player and coach in the NBA who pointed out something interesting on the card I sent him and another unexpected surprise from a Pro Football Hall of Famer made for an interesting week.
Here’s a look at what was in the mailbox.
Bob Weiss
Weiss scored almost 6,000 points during his career in the NBA as guard for Philadelphia, Seattle, Milwaukee, Chicago, Buffalo, and Washington from 1965-1977. He was a member of the World Champion 76ers in 1967 and was a member of the expansion Seattle Super Sonics.
After his playing day Weiss would move on to coach for many years including head coaching stints in San Antonio, Atlanta, LA Clippers, and Seattle winning 223 games.
Bob actually called me to point out the Hall of Famer Bill Bradley is pictured in the background of his 1974 Topps card, which he signed for me along with his 1990 NBA Hoops card.
Jack Marin
Marin was selected by the Baltimore Bullets with the 5th overall pick in the 1966 NBA draft out of Duke. He was a 2x All Star 13 year NBA career. In addition to Baltimore he played for Houston, Chicago and Buffalo from 1966-1977.
He played in the 1971-72 and 1972-73 All Star Games. He was traded from Baltimore to Houston in 1972 for Elvin Hayes.
Marin signed his 1974 Topps card for me in about two weeks.
Clem Haskins
Haskins was the third overall pick in the 1967 NBA draft out of Western Kentucky by the Chicago Bulls. He played point guard for Chicago, Phoenix, and Washington from 1967-1976. He scored 8,743 points and dished out 2,382 assists during his NBA career. Knee injuries forced him to retire early. He was a very successful college head coach leading Western Kentucky to two NCAA appearances in the 1980s.
He signed his 1974 Topps card for me in a little more than a week.
Gary Melchionni
The former Duke Blue Devil played three seasons as point guard for the Phoenix Suns from 1973-75. After playing he returned to Duke where he earned his Law degree.
If you look closely at Melchionni’s 1974-75 card, you’ll notice he shared the card with three Hall of Famers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dave Cowens and JoJo White. He also appeared on card #21 of the 1975-76 set.
Barry Sanders
I met up with former Lions great Barry Sanders at the National in Atlantic City this past summer and he was kind enough to stop and take a picture with me while I was recuperating from a foot injury. Sanders is notorious in the hobby for sending back a stamped autograph but I took a shot a couple of months ago and mailed this picture to him at his fan mail address in Las Vegas and was rewarded. I’m guessing maybe the personal nature of this one helped.
Barry’s eyes are unfortunately closed but I’m thrilled to add this to my collection and will be hanging it in a place of honor in my office.
Don Newhauser
Newhauser was one of a spring on promising pitching prospects in the 70’s for the Boston Red Sox who never quite panned out. He made 11 major league appearances for Boston in 1973 and 1974, all in relief. He posted a 4-3 record and struck out 37 batters for the Sox. He also spent time in the Pirates minor league system appearing in 321 minor league games in parts of ten season. In his MLB debut he stuck out the first batter he faced on June 15, 1972, at Fenway Park vs Kansas City.
He signed his 1974 Topps card in pen in about a week.
Billy Butler
Butler hit 147 home runs and batted .290 during his major league career with KC, Oakland, and the Yankee from 2007-2016. He was a 2012 All Star and won a Silver Slugger the same year. He singled in his first MLB at bat on May 1st, 2007.
He signed his 2005 Topps card in about two weeks.
Mike Dunne
Dunne was a member of the 1984 US Olympic baseball team and pitched for Pittsburgh, Seattle, San Diego and Chicago White Sox from 1987-1992. His best year was his rookie season with the Pirates when he went 13-6 with a 3.03 ERA. Injuries hampered his career and never regained the form of his roomie season.
He signed his 1988 Topps card featuring the Topps Rookie Cup in about two weeks.
Ernie Hicke
Hicke played left wing for Oakland, Atlanta, the NY Islanders, Minnesota and and LA from 1963-78. He scored 132 goals and added 140 assists during his career. His best season was 1976-77 when he netted 30 goals as a member of the North Stars.
He signed his 1976-77 card in less than a week.
Bernie Wolfe
Wolfe played goalie for the Washington Capitals from 1974-79. In 120 games for the newly formed Caps he compiled a 20-61-21 record. He recorded one shutout during his career.
He wrote a book called How to Watch Ice Hockey in 1982 with journalist Mitch Henkin.
His 1977-78 Topps card initially #138 was not a picture of him but of Al MacAdam and was later corrected in subsequent printings. The error card holds more value than the corrected version. He signed his 1978-79 Topps card in about two weeks.
Garry Howatt
Howatt played left wing for the Islanders, Whalers, and Devils from 1972-1984. He was a member of the first Islander team as well as two Stanley Cup winners (1980 and 1981). He scored 112 goals in 720 NHL games. He also amassed 1,836 penalty minutes during his career.
Howatt has epilepsy and has been recognized as the National Epileptic Foundation Man of the Year in 1974.
He signed and personalized his 1977-78 Topps in about three weeks.
Here are a few others who are currently signing for free. I have had success with all of them in the past:
Eric Montross – Center Celtics, Mavericks, Nets, 76ers, Pistons, Raptors
Billy Kilmer – Quarterback Washington, Saints, 49ers
Tom Jackson – Linebacker Denver Broncos
Gary Disarcina – Shortstop California Angels
Dan Fouts – Quarterback San Diego Chargers
Bob Griese – Quarterback Miami Dolphins
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.
