On TTMCast This Week…
This week’s podcast is an especially fun walk down memory lane as we are joined by baseball legend Ted Giannoulas AKA The San Diego Chicken.
We speak with Ted about how a radio station promotional gig turned into a national phenomenon in the 1980s, his time on the 70’s TV series The Baseball Bunch and his love for signing autographs (he has a great signature as you can see).
Hobby veteran Les Wolff makes his regular appearance, discussing various topics including baseball players to watch for in 2023 and more.
This week I got a return from a Basketball Hall of Famer after more than a year. I also saw a few football returns from stars of the 80s and a nice return from an NHL All-Star.
Bob McAdoo
Basketball Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo could put the ball in the hoop. He scored over 18,700 points during his 14-year NBA career. He won 3-NBA scoring titles, was a 5X NBA All-Star, 2X NBA Champion, won league MVP in 1975 and Rookie of the Year in 1973. The North Carolina product played for the Buffalo Braves, Knicks, Celtics, Pistons, Nets, Lakers and 76ers from 1972-1986. He then spent seven seasons in Italy from 1986-1992 and served as assistant coach for the Miami Heat from 1995-2014, winning three NBA Championships with Miami.
This one took a while to find its way home but thankfully Bob did get around to honoring my request, signing his 1979-80 Topps card for me in more than a year and half.
Pete Chilcutt
Chilcutt was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 27th overall pick of the 1991 NBA draft out of North Carolina. He played for the Kings, Pistons, Rockets, Grizzlies, Jazz, Clippers and Cavs from 1991-2000 as power forward. He won an NBA Championship as a member of the Rockets in 1994-1995. After basketball he spent time as a sixth-grade math and science teacher in California.
He signed his 1993-94 Topps Heritage card for me in about two weeks.
Jerry Korab
“King Kong” Korab was a physical defenseman for the Black Hawks, Kings, Canucks, and Sabres from 1971-1985. He scored 114 goals and racked up 1,629 penalty minutes during his career. He played in the 1975 and 1976 NHL All-Star Games.
Korab was known as a flashy dresser and was named NHL’s “best dressed player” for three years in a row in the mid 70’s.
He signed an added his “King Kong” nickname to his 1979-80 Topps card in a few weeks.
Butch Woolfolk
Woolfolk was a star running back at Michigan and was selected by the Giants with the 18th pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft. He played for the Giants, Oilers and Lions from 1982-1988. In college he ran for 253 yards against Michigan State on October 10, 1981, and was MVP of the 1981 Rose Bowl. As a pro he had seven 100-yard games and tallied almost 5,000 all-purpose yards. He was 1982 NFC’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.
He been a great signer through the mail since retiring and signed my 1983 and 1984 Topps cards in less than 10 days.
Elois Grooms
Grooms was a defensive end out of Texas Tech and played for the Saints, St. Louis Cardinals, and Eagles from 1975-1987. He played in over 130 NFL games, recording 53 sacks and recovering nine fumbles. The back of his 1983 Topps card tells us he started 78 straight games with the Saints starting in 1977 and had 30 tackles, eight assists, a fumble recovery and 4-1/2 QB sacks for losses totaling 42 yards for the Cardinals in 1982.
He signed his 1983 Topps card for me in about two weeks.
Cedric Brown
Selected in the 12th round of the 1976 NFL draft by Oakland, Brown played 9 seasons in the NFL as safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played in 100 games intercepting 29 passes scoring two touchdowns during his career.
He signed his name and number in blue pen to his 1983 Topps card in about two weeks.
Most athlete mailing addresses are available on several TTM related web sites includingSportsCardForum.com andSportsCollectors.net.
Here are some others who are currently signing for free. I have had success with all of them in the past:
- Ed Kranepool – 1st baseman New York Mets
- Manny Fernandez – Defensive Lineman Miami Dolphins
- Tom Grieve – Outfielder Texas Rangers
- Rick Miller – Outfielder Red Sox and Angels
- Mark Grant – Pitcher San Diego Padres
- Franklin Stubbs – 1st baseman LA Dodgers, etc.
- Rich Hebner – 3rd baseman Pirates and Phillies
- Johnny Ray – 2nd baseman Pittsburgh Pirates
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.
Related Stories:
TTM This Week: World Cup Talk; Big Week of Autograph Returns
TTM This Week: Chat with 92-Year-Old Baseball Legend; Autograph Returns
TTM This Week: Celtics Collector, Hobby Talk, Happy Returns
TTM This Week: Fisk Supercollector; TTM Hockey Card Returns
TTM This Week: Autograph Reviews, Latest Returns
TTM This Week: Show Previews and Hockey Returns
TTM This Week: The Show Returns; Reliable Football Signers
TTM This Week: Football Hall of Famers in the Mailbox and How to TTM Larger Items
