My TTM Baseball Autographs and more

Sunday, December 29, 2013

A Long Wait for Henry Cotto TTM

It took almost a year but Henry Cotto’s through the mail autograph has arrived.

Doug Jones Responds to TTMs and Praises The Lord

UPDATE: Jones died on Nov. 22, 2021 from COVID complications.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Doug Jones responded to my through the mail request in five months.

Ken Gerhart Returning TTMs

Former Baltimore Oriole Ken Gerhart is pleasing baseball fans by returning through the mail autograph requests.

Frank Tanana, Signing Cards and Sharing God's Word

Frank Tanana returned my two through the mail autograph requests and added a card from Pro Athletes Outreach. Each card is signed and refers to a Bible verse.

Some Players Haven't Responded

It is time to sadly report more no responders from my attempts made in 2012.

On July 30, I mailed Pokey Reese and Mark Wohlers.

Shawn Boskie is responding to through the mail autograph requests and adding a card to their collection.

My encounters with Larry Stewart, John Melanchon and Dakota Boyette

I interviewed a country music star, biblical archaeologist and bowled with a future PBA star in one week.

This week I had the opportunity to interview Restless Heart lead singer Larry Stewart and Biblical Archaeologist John Melanchon. That was followed by watching, who I believe will be a future star of the Pro Bowler's Association, Dakota Boyette.

Stewart and his band, Restless Heart are coming to town to promote their first Christmas album and are celebrating their 30th anniversary in country music. Their hits include "I'll Still Be Loving You" which Stewart said was a popular song at weddings. "I have fans tell me all the time that song played at our wedding," he said.

Stewart said the band is thrilled to have finally cut their first Christmas album. "We worked it on here and there and finally decided to finish it this year," he said. "We were sweating and singing Christmas songs in August," he said.

Stewart said he is from Paducah, Kentucky and that many tell him they have never heard of it. I was able to tell him I have been there. This will be the band's first visit to this part of Oklahoma. "Three of the guys are from Oklahoma so we are looking forward to getting there," he said. Stewart said he his proud that the original members of the band are still together and that they have new projects in the works for 2014. To see a list of tour dates for Restless Heart, log on to http://www.restlessheartband.com/

The day after interviewing Stewart, I switched gears and met Biblical Archaeologist John Melanchon.

Melanchon has been discovering items from the earth's history since the 1950s. His collection is displayed at The Antiquity Encounter Museum located in Texas Baptist Institute in Henderson.

A mummified cat estimated to be 4,000 years old is one of his pieces. Melanchon said digging for treasurers is his hobby. "I'm just a preacher with a hobby that has outgrown the house," he said. Melachon said he is providing evidence of what used to be and to strengthen the faith of those who believe. "I'm not promoting me," he said. "If you forget me you don't lose a lot. If you forget Jesus, you lose a lot."

He will be journeying across the globe in December in search of more items. He says he would like to stay home and fish but that is not what God wants for him. "There is a place for everyone in God's world, mine is digging," he said.

The week was capped off at my Tuesday night bowling league, where Tabor College Blue Jay Bowling Team member Dakota Boyette made his Astro League debut.

We knew nothing about Boyette but after watching him, I knew he wasn't just at the bowling alley for a night out. His first game was all strikes except the second frame, where he scored a spare. His second game had some errors but he still managed a 253. His third game was perfect until the second frame of the tenth when he missed the 10 pin. He wound up with a 823 series and broke Ponca Bowl's bowling alley's 816 record which had stood for 21 years.

Turns out Boyette is one of the 2013 PBA Teen Masters. He said he has bowled two 300 games. I say it is a safe bet he will have more of them.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Floyd Bannister Returns TTM in 19 Days

Like Oddibe McDowell, Floyd Bannister took only 19 days to return a through the mail autograph request.

Oddibe McDowell, a TTM Success

It took a short 19 days for Oddibe McDowell to sign three cards through the mail for me.

McDowell played for the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves.

Quick Response from Former Pirate Johnny Ray

Former Pittsburgh Pirate and California Angel Johnny Ray is signing autographs through the mail.

Four TTMS in the mailbox today

Today was a very good day at the mail box as three autographed baseball cards arrived that have been awol for quite sometime.

Bill Wegman and Jeff King Respond to TTM requests

This week in the mail box I found autographs from former Milwaukee Brewer pitcher Bill Wegman and former Pittsburgh Pirate Jeff King.

Autographs from O'Flaherty and Matt Young arrive

This week I got a quick response and a surprise response after a long wait.

UPDATE: (RIP Greg Booker) Booker and Foley autographs arrive

This week, Greg Booker and Tom Foley autographs arrived in the mail box.

Former Atlanta Brave Bob Horner is signing Through the Mail

I'm happy to add Bob Horner to my through the mail autograph collection,

One of my all time beloved Atlanta Braves, Bob Horner is siging cards through the mail for a $10 fee.

Greg A. Harris Returns Autographed Baseball Card

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Greg Harris took 83 days to return my 1991 Leaf card signed.

No success from July 16, 2012 Mail Outs

Mailing Dave Justice directly failed but paying a fee worked.

Some of the players still on my failure list are Scot Radinsky, Gerald Perry, David Justice, Rico Brogna, Sandy Alomar Jr., Ken Griffey Sr and Kirk Gibson.

Tom Brunansky Signs Two Cards

After a two week drought the autographs are starting to arrive again. Yesterday it was Mike Loynd today it was Tom Brunansky.

Mike Loynd Autographs Arrive

Two autographs came in the mail today from former Major League pitcher Mike Loynd ending a two week drought.

Mike Kingery Responds After 264 Days, Followed by Gubicza and Oberkfell Autographs

Mike Kingery, Ken Oberkfell and Mark Gubicza autographs arrived this week

Autographs from Mike Kingery, Mark Gubicza and Ken Oberkfell arrived in the mail this week.

Frank Viola Autograph Arrives Day Before My Mother's Death

A Frank Viola Autographed Baseball Card.

Former Major League Pitcher Frank Viola signed and returned my 1991 Leaf baseball card in 19 days.

The card arrived one day before my mother passed on Friday the 13th after a five year battle with ovarian cancer.

Bob Kipper returns TTM

Bob Kipper has a perfect TTM autograph response rate.

Former Minnesota Twins pitcher Bob Kipper to sign and return my through the mail request.

A good day at the mailbox, Rich Dotson, Jeff Reed and Wes Chamberlain

It was a good day at the mailbox.

New Richmond, OH — Rich Dotson, Wes Chamberlain and Jeff Reed autographs were in the mail today.

Jeff Fassero Returns TTM Request in 19 Days

Two signed Jeff Fassero cards.

Kodak, TN — Former Montreal Expo Jeff Fassero honored two of my through the mail autograph requests in 19 days.

Rangers' Rookie Rowen Sends Autograph

Ben Rowen could be my cousin.

ROUND ROCK, TEXAS — Ben Rowen is a minor leaguer in the Texas Rangers’ organization and who knows maybe my cousin.

Greg Olson and Mark Guthrie Autographs Arrive

Eden Prairie, MN — Autographed cards from former Atlanta Brave Greg Olson and former Minnesota Twin Mark Guthrie arrived in the mail box this week.

Ron Karkovice Signs in 22 Days

CAMDEN, NJ — Ron Karkovice continues to bank a 100 percent through the mail autograph success rate on http://www.sportscardforum.com/forum.php?referrerid=72224.

He returned my card from the Camden Riversharks address in 22 days.

Players on my TTM Failure List

With success comes failures, not every card sent off returns with a glowing signature.

Some of the players remaining on my failure list include Wade Boggs, Mark Gardner, Greg Walker, Gary Gaetti, Armando Benitz and Tim Hudson.

Darren Daulton Still Signing Despite Cancer

Darren Daulton took 10 days to sign a card submitted through the mail.

(Update Daulton died on Aug. 6, 2017)

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Long time Major League Baseball catcher Darren Daulton took 10 days to return my autograph.

Former Milwaukee Brewer Mark Knudson, A Quick TTM Signer

Mark Knudson returned two cards in 10 days.

NORTHGLENN, Colorado — Former Milwaukee Brewer pitcher Mark Knudson is a quick through the mail autograph success.

Autographs From Retired Greats including Reggie Jackson Arrive

I have to say I would do this again. The eight autographs I ordered from Creative Sports Enterprise (CSE) arrived this week. Johnny Bench, Bob Gibson (RIP), Reggie Jackson, Dave Justice, Tom Lasorda, (RIP) Tony Perez, Pete Rose and Ozzie Smith were among the many who signed the first weekend in August for Creative Sports.

Mark Davidson Signs in 7 Days

Mark Davidson returned my TTM request in seven days.

STATEVILL, NC — Former Minnesota Twin and Houston Astro Mark Davidson signed and returned two baseball cards in a total of seven days.

Former Texas Ranger Chris James Comes Through with TTM Autograph

Former Texas Ranger Chris James took a short 11 days
to return an autographed card.

NACOGDOCHES, TX — Former Texas Ranger Chris James took only 11 days to sign and return my Topps baseball card.

James began his big league career in 1986 with the Philadelphia Phillies.

He went on to play with the Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals and the Boston Red Sox. He never made it to the playoffs.

His brother is former New England Patriots running back Craig James.
Chris has a 100 percent response rate listed on http://www.sportscardforum.com/forum.php?referrerid=72224.