Classic TTM Success Randy Bush Responds, Many do not

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 1, 2013.

Former Minnesota Twin Randy Bush responded to my through the mail baseball card autograph request in 31 days.
Bush's Major League Baseball career started with the Twins in 1982 and ended with the Twins in 1993. 

Bush earned two World Series with the Twins when they defeated the St. Louis Cardinals  in 1987 and the Atlanta Braves in 1991.
Bush was an outfielder, pinch hitter and designated hitter.  

He belted 96 home runs during his career. 

Today Bush works in the front office of the Chicago Cubs. 

More failures part 4

My quest to acquire baseball autographs continues with successes and failures.

Some of the players on the failure list are:
Nick Esasky - I mailed a baseball card to the former Cincinnati Red on Nov. 8, 2010 to an address with success noted in Georgia. Notations made on www.sportscardforum show the last recorded success was on Jan. 3, 2011. After that looks like after that Esasky's ink dried up. 

Kevin Seitzer - I mailed the former Kansas City Royal on Nov. 8, 2010 to Mac-N-Seitz Baseball in Kansas City with no success to report.
Dave Burba - Burba pitched for many teams including the San Francisco Giants. I mailed Burba a card on Nov. 8, 2010 to an address in Arizona with no success. Since then Burba has taken a job with the Tri-City Dust Devils and fans are reporting success. Could be worth a second try.
Charlie Hayes - Hayes is another former San Francisco Giant that does not respond to through the mail autograph requests. I sent him a card on Nov. 14, 2010 with no success to report. 

Tommy Gregg - Gregg a former Atlanta Brave apparently does not sign baseball cards through the mail. I sent Gregg a card on Dec. 1, 2010 to the Omaha Royals where he is employed and have no success to report and none recorded on www.sportscardforum.
Junior Ortiz - Ortiz is a former catcher for the New York Mets  and a no go on through the mail autograph requests. I mailed Ortiz a card to an address in Pennsylvania on Dec. 1, 2010 with no success. 

Mariano Duncan - Duncan is a former Los Angeles Dodger who now works with the Chicago Cubs. Autograph sucess is recorded for Duncan at the Dodger address. I mailed Duncan a card at the Dodger address on Dec. 8, 2010 with no luck. There is success recorded for Duncan at the Tennessee Smokies. Duncan could be worth another try at the Chicago Cubs address.
These are just a few of my TTM failures. Hopefully there won't be many more to report.

Classic TTM Success: Shawn Hillegas

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 Feb. 27, 2013.

Former Chicago White Sox  pitcher Shawn Hillegas is the latest retired player to respond to my through the mail auttograph request. 

Hillegas began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers  in 1987.

He went to the White Sox's in 1988, the Cleveland Indians in 1991, New York Yankees in 1992 and the Oakland As where he finished his career in 1993. 

Hillegas never made it to the playoffs.  

He made his MLB debut by replacing an injured Jack Mc Dowell. 

He played his final game with the As on July, 17, 1993. 

Hillegas responded to my request in 29 days and his signature is very defined. 

Classic TTM Success: Don August

  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 Feb. 13, 2013.

Former Milwaukee Brewer pitcher Don August responded to my through the mail autograph request and answered a question I asked.

August pitched for the Brewers from 1988-91.

In his rookie year, August went 13-7 with a 3.09 ERA.

He never made it to the playoffs but is noted as the winning pitcher in the inaugural game at the Sky dome.

In my autograph request I asked him if he ever gets tired of fan mail.

August's reply is "Its OK. I don't mind. Its been over 20 years since I played in the MLB and I still get cards to sign. It's amazing! DA.

Today August is a teacher at a middle school in Wisconsin.

Classic TTM Success: Mark Thurmond and NFL's Robb Thomas

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 Feb. 9, 2013.

Katy, TX— Former Major League pitcher Mark Thurmond responded to my through the mail autograph request in just six days, tying Vance Law, Ricky Jordan, Bruce Benedict, Rusty Greer, and Steve Garvey for the second quickest response time behind, Willie Wilson's five days.

Thurmond pitched for the San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore  Orioles and the San Francisco Giants.

He went to the World Series in 1984 with the Padres. He pitched in two games but only managed 5.1 innings as the Chicago White Sox  beat the Padres for the ring.

He returned to the post season in 1987 with the Tigers but the Minnesota Twins won the right to move on to the series.

Today Thurmond lives in Texas and works for the family insurance company.

In addition to his signature Thurmond adds a Bible verse to his signed cards. It is Romans 1:16 " For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

Bend, OR —  

Former National Football League wide receiver Robb Thomas is my first through the mail autograph success. 

Thomas began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1989 and also played with the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

His father, Aaron Thomas was also a NFL wide receiver, playing with the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants  from 1961-70.

Thomas signed a 1997 Pacific card for me with I believe a ball-point pen. It took 37 days to get a response from Thomas.

Not a bad wait.

Fireworks Tote Bag
by SMRJigsawPuzzles

Classic TTM Success: Mike Maddux

Lake Meade National Park Post Card
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 Feb. 8, 2013.

Arlington, Texas — Texas Ranger pitching coach Mike Maddux responds to through the mail autograph requests. 

During his playing career, Maddux pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Pittsburgh  Pirates, Boston Red Soxs, Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos, and the Houston Astros.

He made it to the post season one time with the Boston Red Soxs in 1995 but never got to pitch as the Cleveland Indians  won the divison series.

During his time in the National League, he got six hits at the plate.
Maddux's little brother, Greg is a Cy Young Award winner and also works for the Rangers.I sent my request to the Texas Rangers' address and it took 33 days to get my autograph back. 

Classic TTM Success: Buddy Black

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 Jan. 30, 2013.

Former Kansas City Royal pitcher Buddy Black has signed and returned my baseball card.

Black began his career with the Seattle Mariners in 1981. In 1982 he went to the Royals and pitched there until 1988 when he went to the Cleveland Indians.

He later pitched with the Toronto Blue Jays and the San Francisco Giants  before returning to the Indians for his final season in 1995.

Black made it to the post season two times with the Royals and was a part of the 1985 team that defeated the St. Louis Cardinals  in the World Series.
In 2000, Black was a pitching coach with the Los Angeles Angels.
In 2006, Black became the pitching coach for the San Diego Padres and won the Manager of The Year Award in 2010. He will return with the Padres this year.

Classic TTM Success: Dan Schatzeder

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 Jan. 25, 2013.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Dan Schatzeder has signed and returned my baseball card.

Schatzeder began his career with the Montreal Expos in 1977. He also played with the Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, New York  Mets  and the Kansas City Royals.

During his 15 year career he made it to the World Series one time with the 1987 Minnesota Twins.

He recorded one win against the St. Louis Cardinals as the Twins went on to win the series.

Schatzeder also gained reconition for his hitting as he batted .240 with five home runs and 29 runs batted in.

Today Schatzeder lives in Illinois and teaches physical fitness.

Calico Cat Wooden Box
by SMRJigsawPuzzles

Classic TTM Success: Pete Harnisch

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 Jan. 19, 2013.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Pete Harnisch is the first to respond to a through the mail autograph request in 2013.

Harnisch debute
d with the Baltimore Orioles in 1988. He went on to play for the Houston Astros, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers  and Cincinnati Reds.

He played in the 1991 All-Star game as an Astro.

He finished his career with 111 wins and 103 losses.

Harnisch retired from the game after sitting out the 2002 season with injuries.

This year will be his first year as the Los Angeles Angels  roving pitching instructor.

Classic TTM Success Joe Oliver

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. 24, 2012.

Joe Oliver, former Major League Baseball catcher, responds to through the mail autograph requests.

Oliver signed and return my 1990 Donruss baseball card from a Florida address in just 27 days.

Oliver debuted with the Cincinnati Reds in 1989. In 1995 Oliver played 97 games with the Milwaukee Brewers  before being sent back to the Reds in 1996. He later played with the Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox before retiring in 2001. Oliver was a member of the 1990 World Series  Champion Reds and made it the 2000 American League Championship Series with the Mariners. Today Oliver is a baseball coach at Bishop Moore Catholic High School.

Classic TTM Succes: Brian Holman

Squirrel License Plate
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 Dec. 24, 2012.

Brian Holman, former Seattle  Mariner responds to through the mail autograph requests in a short period of time. 

Holman pitched with the Montreal Expos and the Seattle Mariners.

He pitched in 109 games in his four-year career, winning 37 and losing 45.

Like him, Holman's father Brad Holman and stepfather Dick LeMay were both MLB pitchers.

Holman was traded to the Mariners in 1989 along with Randy Johnson.

On April 20, 1990, Oakland As Ken Phelps broke up Holman's perfect game bid.

Today Holman works for a financial, estate, tax, and investment consulting firm.

Holman also serves on the Board of Directors of Esperanza International.

The organization was founded in 1994 by former teammate Dave Valle and addresses the needs of impoverished women in the Dominican Republic .

Classic TTM Success: Bobby Witt, Ted Higuera, and Dale Murphy

Full Moon Can Cooler
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 Dec. 16, 2012.

Former Oklahoma Sooner and Major League Baseball pitcher Bobby Witt is the latest player to respond to a through the mail autograph request.

Witt began his professional career with the Texas Rangers. He also pitched for the Oakland As, Florida Marlins, St. Louis  Cardinals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cleveland Indians, Arizona Diamondbacks  before leaving the game in 2001.

He pitched in the playoffs three times and was part of the 2001 World Series Champion Diamondbacks roster. He finished his career with more losses then wins but is ranked 79th on the all time strikeout list with 1,955. Today, Witt lives in Texas and is a baseball player agent.

Former Milwaukee  Brewer Mexican Professional Hall of Fame member Ted Higuera is one of many athletes responding to fans through the mail autograph request.

Higuera spent his nine-year major league career with the Brewers.

He never swung at a pitch or played in a playoff game. The 1986 season was his best as he won 20 games and was named to the AL All Star team. He also ranked sixth in strikeouts that year with 207. Higuera's career was cut short by injuries. He missed the 1992 season with a tore rotator cuff ending his career with the Brewers. He attempted a comeback with the San Diego Padres but didn't make the team.
Today Higuera lives in Arizona.

Longtime Atlanta Brave Dale Murphy honored my through the mail autograph request by signing and returning two baseball cards.

Murphy played with the Braves from 1976 to 1989 before going to the Philadelphia Phillies  for three years and then to the Colorado Rockies  for his final year.

Murphy is a seven-time All-Star and a five-time Gold Glove winner. His No. 3 is retired in Atlanta and his true fans want to see him voted into the Hall of Fame this year.

NASCAR'S Mark Martin Responds to a TTM

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. 12, 2012.

Long time NASCAR driver Mark Martin is the first non-Major League Baseball player to respond to one of my through the mail autograph requests.

I sent Martin a card in October and 52 days later returned signed.

Martin is known as the old guy to some NASCAR fans.

He began his NASCAR career in 1981 and has yet to win a championship but has finished second five times.

This year Martin drove for Michael Waltrip Racing and finished 26th.

He has 40 career wins and 270 top-5 finishes.

In addition to racing cars, Martin sells cars. He owns two car lots in Arkansas.