Classic TTM Success: Andy Pettitte

I started collecting MLB autographs through the mail in 2010. I posted my stories on a content mill that is now shutting down. So in order to keep a record of my successes, it is time to move them to my blog. Here is what I published on Oct. 15, 2012.

It is thrilling to report a through the mail autograph success from New York Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte.

The three-time All-Star has seen post-season action 14-times during his 17-year career and is currently a member of the Yankee squad battling the Detroit Tigers for the right to play in the 2012 World Series.

Being a longtime Atlanta Braves fan and an-anti-Yankee fan, I used to find it hard to appreciate Pettitte.

He was a member of the 1996 Yankee squad that defeated the Braves in the World Series.

In 1999, Pettitte and the Yankees beat the Braves a second time in the World Series.

In 2005, Pettitte and the Houston Astros  defeated the Braves in the National League Division Series. The Astros went on the beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS but lost to the Chicago White Sox in the World Series.

In recent years I learned to soften my dislike of the Yankees and their core players of Pettitte, Roger Clemens, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada  and Mariano Rivera, and Pettitte became one of my top fantasy players.

Pettitte is the first TTM success I have had from the Yankee's address.

In my opinion Pettitte has to be called a class act. Any player that will take the time to answer fan mail while his team is competing in the playoffs must truly care about the fans.

So hats off to Pettitte.

Bowling Large Wooden Keepsake Box
by SMRJigsawPuzzles

Classic TTM Success: Bert Blyleven

I started collecting MLB autographs through the mail in 2010. I posted my stories on a content mill that is now shutting down. So in order to keep a record of my successes, it is time to move them to my blog. Here is what I published on Oct. 12, 2012.

Major League Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bert Blyleven will sign baseball cards through the mail and other items for a small fee with a portion of the proceeds going to the National Parkinson Foundation Minnesota.

Blyleven explains on his website that he got involved with the charity after Parkinson's affected his father.

Blyleven played 22 years in the majors, pitching for Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, PittsburghPirates, Cleveland Indians, and California Angels.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

He recorded 3,701 strike outs and 287 wins.

If you are seeking a major league autograph and desire to donate to a good cause, Blyleven's autograph may be a good choice.

Squirrel Postage Stamp
by SMRJigsawPuzzles

Classic TTM Success: Eddie Perez

I started collecting MLB autographs through the mail in 2010. I posted my stories on a content mill that is now shutting down. So in order to keep a record of my successes, it is time to move them to my blog. Here is what I published on Oct. 12, 2012.

Former Atlanta Braves catcher Eddie Perez has responded to a through the mail autograph request in just 536 days.

I sent the card to the Atlanta Braves address in April of 2011 and received the card on Oct.12, 2012.

The slow response sends hope that some of the other requests that I sent off nearly two years ago may return.

Before receiving Perez's signature, former Houston Astro Craig Reynolds had been the slowest to respond with a 303 day wait.

Perez was the backup catcher to Javy Lopez and later became the personal catcher for Greg Maddux.

He currently is a bullpen coach for the Braves.

My First and Second List of TTM Failures

I started collecting MLB autographs through the mail in 2010. I posted my stories on a content mill that is now shutting down. So in order to keep a record of my successes, it is time to move them to my blog. Here is what I published on Oct. 9, 2012.

Classic TTM Success: Ron Blomberg

I started collecting MLB autographs through the mail in 2010. I posted my stories on a content mill that is now shutting down. So in order to keep a record of my successes, it is time to move them to my blog. Here is what I published on Sept. 12, 2012.

Former New York Yankee Ron Blomberg

 responds to through the mail autograph requests for a small fee.

Blomberg, known as Boomer, is noted as the first designated hitter in Major League Baseball and will sign a baseball card for $5.

I'm not sure but I believe the money is considered as a donation to the Isreal Cancer Research Fund.

Blomberg began his career with the Yankees in 1969.

After missing the 1977 season with a knee injury he joined the

Chicago White Sox. in 1978 for his final season.

He finished his career with 52 homer runs

He began a writing career in 2006 and published a biography and is reportedly working on a cookbook.

Classic TTM Success: Fernando Valenzuela

I started collecting MLB autographs through the mail in 2010. I posted my stories on a content mill that is now shutting down. So in order to keep a record of my successes, it is time to move them to my blog. Here is what I published on Spet. 8, 2012.

Former Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela has responded to a through the mail autograph request in just 15 days.

The Dodger star of the 80s made his debut in 1980 and helped the Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees  in the 1981 World Series.

Valenzuela and the Dodgers returned to the playoffs in 1983 and 1985 only to be defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies  and St. Louis Cardinals.

In 1996 Valenzuela joined the San Diego Padres  and went to the National League Division Series.

The Padres were defeated by the Cardinals.

I remember when Valenzuela was the talk of baseball his rookie season.

In 1982 I purchased a pack of Fleer Baseball cards and pulled card number 636, the Valenzuela Strike Out King Card.

I thought I would be rich one day. Today, the card can be purchased on the Internet for $2.95.

Never the less, when I started this hobby, I doubted I could get a Valenzuela autograph, but I saw on fanmail.biz that Valenzuela was signing and took a chance, mailed the Dodgers, and received a great autograph.

Classic TTM Success: Cris Carpenter

Fireworks Postage Stamps
by SMRJigsawPuzzles

I started collecting MLB autographs through the mail in 2010. I posted my stories on a content mill that is now shutting down. So in order to keep a record of my successes, it is time to move them to my blog. Here is what I published on March 14, 2011.

Former St. Louis  pitcher Cris Carpenter and current Gainesville High School social studies teacher has responded to a through the mail autograph request in nine days.

Carpenter pitched for the Cardinals 1988 through 1992 before going on to pitch for the Flordia Marlins, Texas Rangers  and Milwaukee Brewers.

Carpenter is often confused with the current Cardinal pitcher Chris Carpenter  who joined the team in 2003 and is signed through 2013.

There is also a Chris Carpenter who debuted with the Chicago Cubs  and now pitches with the Boston Red Sox.

The Cris Carpenter, who signed my 1992 Topps card, had an eight year career in the majors.

He pitched in 291 games, striking out 252 and completing one game.

Carpenter made 30 plate appearances and managed eight hits and two runs scored.

Although his career numbers may not be memorable, the fact that he is signing cards through the mail is making many fans happy.