TTM Success: Jerry Reed, Roberto Hernandez and Ed Hearn

Autographs from former Major League Baseball pitchers Jerry Reed and Roberto Hernandez and former catcher Ed Hearn helped ring in the new year.

Reed began his career with the Philadelphia Philles in 1981.

He went on to play for the Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners  and Boston Red Sox.

It took some Internet research to track down his address as it was not posted on any autograph site that I could find. But with time I found it and 29 days after mailing a request I have an autograph.

He finished his career in 1990 with a 20-19 record and 18 saves. Today Reed is a real estate agent in Florida.

The Hernandez autograph arrived 10 days after I sent a request and the same day as Reed's. Ironically, both envelopes are postmarked Saint Petersburg, Fl. on Dec. 27.

The pair live in different cities but must be close by one another.

Hernandez, a two-time All Star, began his career in 1991 with the Chicago White Sox and went on to play with the San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, Phillies, New York Mets, Pittsburgh  Pirates, Cleveland Indians, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

He pitched in the American League Championship game in 1993 and two National League Division Series and one National League Championship Series.

Another milestone in his career came on Aug. 16, 2008 when he appeared in his 1,000 game against the Houston Astros, becoming the 11th MLB pitcher to accomplish the feat.

Like Reed, I had to search to track down an address for Hearn.

But I did it and after 95 days, Hearn is an autograph success.

Hearn played for the Mets in 1986 and was traded to the Royals in 1987 as part of the David Cone trade. Injuries shortened his career with the Royals in 1988.

He spent time with the Indians in 1991 but was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a disease that National Basketball Association (NBA) star Alonzo Mourning, also reportedly suffers from.

Since baseball, Hearn has been treated for cancer two times, undergone three kidney transplants and requires mechanical assistance to breath while sleeping.

Hearn has taken the curve balls that life has thrown him and hit homeruns.

The New York Times refers to him as a "Hall Of Famer in Life."

He works as a motivational speaker and has authored a book, "Conquering Life's Curves."