Classic TTM Success: Zane Smith

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 Dec. 3, 2012.

Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Zane Smith is a quick through the mail autograph responder and a true fan of the fans.

I sent Smith a baseball card to an address in Atlanta, Georgia with a note stating that I loved him as an Atlanta Brave, but was only able to find a Montreal Expo card to send.

In 11 days I received my Expos card and a Braves card of Smith signed. In my opinion, that's a true fan of fans.

Smith began his career with the Braves in 1984.

He also played for the Expos, Pittsburgh  Pirates, and Boston Red Soxs.

He finished his 13-year-career with 100 wins and 1,011 strikeouts.

He made it to the National League Championship Series two times with the Pirates and the American League Championship Series with the Red Sox.

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MY TTM Failures Part 3

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 Nov. 27, 2012.

The hobby of collecting baseball card autographs through the mail is filled with ups and downs with the downs being when a card does not come back.

Some of the players I have sent cards to and received no response from are: Former Cincinnati Red Eric Davis.

I sent Davis a card on Oct. 4, 2010 to a charity address in Los Angeles, California.

The name of the organization is Hitting From the Heart.

I sent the request their after seeing success posted on www.fanmail.biz.

Well after two years I think its safe to assume my request is a failure.

A check of sportscardforum.com shows no success for anyone at any address, so it seems TTM autograph collectors should not waste their stamps on Eric Davis.

Randy Milligan is also a no response. The former major leaguer is a scout with the Baltimore Orioles which is where I sent the card on Oct. 25, 2010. Over two years and counting and no response. Two people have recorded attempts at his home address. One reports success and one reports failure. Probably not worth a second try.

Former Kansas City Royal Danny Tartabull is also on my failure list.

I mailed Tartabull on Nov. 2, 2010 at an address in California and no response is the result.

However, the address I got must have been bad because there is a lot of success recorded at another California address.

So Tartabull is going on the try again list.

Former St. Louis  Cardinal Joe Magrane is a no response at this time.

I sent a card to Magrane on Nov. 8, 2010 and so far no response. There is no success posted for Magrane so no second try will be attempted.

It saddens me when I get no response from the Atlanta Braves, but no response is the result of a request sent to Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell.

I mailed a card to McDowell on Nov. 8, 2010, so far nothing. However maybe my card got lost in the mail, because many success are recorded for McDowell so a second try is warranted.

Rick Aguilera is also on my failure list. I mailed a card to a Cailfornia address on Nov. 8, 2010 and no response is the result. There is no success posted for Aguilera so no second try here.

The cards that do not come back via return to sender, it does make one wonder what becomes of them. Do the players keep them or are they lost in the mail? I guess only the cards know the answers.

Classic TTM Success: Alejandro Pena

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 Nov. 23, 2012.

Former Atlanta Brave and Los Angeles Dodger Alejandro Pena is the latest former major leaguer I have received an autograph through the mail from.

In addition to the Braves and Dodgers, Pena also pitched for the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Soxs, and the Florida Marlins.

Pena began his career with the Dodgers in 1981 and ended his career with the Marlins in 1996.

Pena made it to the World Series three times earning one ring with the Dodgers and one ring with the Braves.

In 1991, Pena and Braves pitchers Kent Mercker and Mark Wohlers combined to throw a no hitter against the San Diego Padres.

The achievement is marked on baseball card featuring all three pitchers.

Today, Pena is the pitching coach for the Dodgers's Dominican summer league team.

Classic TTM Success: Glenn Hubbard

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 Nov. 19, 2012.

Former Atlanta Braves

econd baseman Glenn Hubbard is my latest through the mail autograph success.

Hubbard is one of my all-time favorite Braves.

I sent Hubbard two cards, one of him in Braves blue with former Braves shortstop Rafael Ramirez and one of him in Oakland As green.

Its only the second time I have sent more than card at a time, as I do not want to come across as pushy.

The former all-star second baseman played with the Braves back in the days with Dale Murphy and Bob Horner.

In 1982, Hubbard and the Braves made it to the playoffs only to lose to the St. Louis Cardinals.

In 1989 Hubbard made it to the World Series with the Oakland As, but was not able to win a ring as the As lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In 1999 the Braves hired Hubbard as first base coach. That job ended in 2010.

To baseball collectors, Hubbard is known for his 1984 Fleer card in which he his holding a large snake.

Many online articles can be found calling the card one of the best and one of the worst cards in card history.

Maybe I should have sent Hubbard that card and asked why he is holding the snake.

Glenn if you see this article, thank you for the autographs and send me a message explaining the snake card please.

Classic TTM Success: Brett Saberhagen

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 Nov. 8, 2012.

Former Kansas City Royal pitcher Bret Saberhagen will sign an autograph via mail request in return for a donation to his charitable organization called Make A Difference Foundation, which benefits children with diabetes and debilitating disease.

Saberhagen debut with the Royals in 1984.

He went on to play for the New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, and the Boston Red Soxs.

Saberhagen made it to the playoffs with the Royals, Rockies and Red Soxs, winning a World Series with the Royals in 1985. He was also named MVP of the series.

I sent Saberhagen a $5 donation and waited 78 days to get a response.

For TTM collectors Saberhagen's autograph is an easy one to obtain.

Classic TTM Success: Barry Lyons

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 Nov. 7, 2012.

Former New York Met's catcher Barry Lyons has responded to a through the mail autograph request in just 13 days.

Lyons debut with the Mets in 1986 and spent most of his days with the Mets as the back up catcher to the late MLB All-Star catcher Gary Carter.

Lyons also played with the Los Angeles Dodgers. California Angels, and Chicago White Sox.

Lyons was one of a group of Mets that received a belated World Series ring following the Mets 1986 victory.

Today Lyons resides in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he rode out Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

According to the Barry Lyons Wikipedia page, Lyons and his family lost their home and many things including his World Series ring.

Today, it is reported that Lyons is active in the community and with the ongoing rebuilding process and is pushing for the construction of a minor league baseball stadium.

Classic TTM Success: Carlton Fisk, Maybe Arrested While Mailing My Card

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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 Oct. 25, 2012.

It seems Major League Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk responded to my through the mail autograph request, and mailed my signed baseball card the same day he was found unconscious behind the wheel of his vehicle with an open bottle of vodka in a New Lennox, Ill, corn field.

USA Today reported the following out of the affidavit. 

Police report paramedics were called to the scene and Fisk was awakened. 

Fisk, agreed to go to the hospital but refused a blood alcohol test.

His car was impounded.

"Around 7:20 Monday night, (Oct. 22) we received a couple of calls about a vehicle in a field," Deputy Chief Bob Pawlisz told ESPNChicago.com . "When officers went over there, they found Mr. Fisk unconscious behind the wheel. He was transported to the local hospital and charged with a lane violation, driving under the influence and illegal transportation of alcohol. An open container of alcohol was found in the vehicle."

Fisk posted bond and was released after he was issued a citation. He is scheduled to appear in the Will County Courthouse on Nov. 29.

To get Fisk's autograph, a $40 donation is required which is given to the Cancer Support Center.

I choose to believe that my $40 went to the cancer support group and was not used to purchase the bottle of vodka.

The fact that my card is post marked the same day this incident occurred causes my imagination to run wild.

Did he sign a handful of cards, go drop them in a mailbox and then head to the liquor store?

Or did he sign cards while drinking then head to the mailbox?

Was my card signed by an intoxicated Carlton Fisk?