TTM This Week: Reed Larson Chat, Hoop HOFer Signs the Holder, Autograph Returns

TTMCast this Week

NHL great Reed Larson and his co-author Jeff Olson join the show to talk about his new book The Shot: The Reed Larson Hockey Story. Larson played 14-seasons in the NHL including with the Red Wings, Bruins and Oilers. He scored 222 goals and had the hardest shot in the NHL. Larson shares some of his training methods, talks about some of his favorite teammates and opponents and we even talk some collecting and TTM.

We are giving away copies of his new book to two of our listeners. Send an email ([email protected]) with your mailing address for a chance to win. Winners will be announced on my show on Saturday.

Regular show contributor and hobby veteran Les Wolff comes on to share some stories of his recent in-person autograph events and looks at the recent loss of Aaron Rodgers by his New York Jets.

On this Wednesday’s TTMCast 1-on-1 Wade Boggs collector and Red Sox fan Allan Lewis and I swap some fun stories, including his quest to finish the 1962 Topps baseball set.

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

TTM This Week

It’s been kind of a quiet week on the collecting front, but I did attend the Red Sox vs Yankees on Tuesday night and came away with a few cool collectables. Former Red Sox All-Star Brock Holt was signing autographs in Autograph Alley, and I was lucky enough to add an autographed photo, signed baseball and four signed Topps cards. I was fortunate to land a lineup card and plan to take it to Florida this spring with the hopes of adding some signatures during Spring Training.

*Red Sox vs Yankees scorecard September 12th 2023 (Yankees won the game 4-1).*

*Brock Holt appeared for an autograph session at Fenway Park.*

TTM Successes this Week

I had a noticeably slow week regarding returns. Basketball Hall of Fame Dave Bing kind of returned a singed photo of the two of us–well, sort of–and I received a nice hockey return that had been out for almost a year, along with a few vintage cards. Let’s have a look:

Dave Bing

I met the Basketball Hall of Famer last March at the Naples All-Star event in Naples, Florida. Bing was a true gentleman spending time with me, signing my basketball and my cards. At the event he was kind enough to take the above picture with me. I finally got around to sending the image to him for an autograph. Ten days later photo was back in my home. Only one problem–he signed the plastic sleeve that I used to protect the image during mailing. Oops! This has happened to me a few times during my TTM days. You really can’t tell so I guess I just frame it as is. Still nice to have and you really can’t tell, can you?

Paul Gardner

Gardner played ten seasons in the NHL at Center for the Rockies, Maple Leafs, Penguins, Capitals, and Sabres. Gardner scored 201 goals and added 201 assists in 447 games. He had five season of scoring over 30 goals and scored 61 goals for Rochester of the AHL in 1985-86. After he retired, he coached in various minor leagues as well as internationally in Russia and Germany.

He signed his 1977-78 and 1978-79 Topps cards in about a year. This is one of the few Colorado Rockies autographed cards I have.

Gary Dunn

Dunn played defensive tackle for the Steelers from 1976-1987 after his selection by Pittsburgh in the sixth round of the 1976 NFL draft out of Miami. He won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and was named second-team All-Pro in 1984. Dunn tallied 18 sacks in 146 NFL games.

Dunn signed his 1983 Topps card in about four weeks.

Steve Zabel

The versatile Zabel played 124 games during his ten year NFL career as linebacker for the Eagles, Patriots and Colts from 1970-1979. He was the sixth overall pick by the Eagles in the 1970 NFL draft. He also played tight end for the Eagles in 1970 and 1971 catching 10 balls for 123 yards and three touchdowns. He was named to the Patriots 1970s All-Decade Team.

He signed his 1973 Topps card in about a month.

Jeff Sellers

Sellers joins a list of highly rated Red Sox pitchers who never quite made it. In four season in the majors Sellers won 13 games and struck out 226 batters from 1985-1988. He pitched seven complete games and tossed two shutouts. He tossed 7-1/3 no hit innings vs Cleveland in 1988 before losing the no-no and the game, 1-0 on Luis Medina’s home run.

Sellers signed his 1988 Score card in a few weeks.

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.