Jim Leyland

Sent: 6/2/10
Received: 9/30/10
Time: 120 Days
Address: c/o Detroit Tigers
Item Sent: 2009 Topps Update & Highlights "Classic Combos" (w/ Tony LaRussa), 2010 Topps Heritage Item Received: 2010 Topps Heritage, signed in black Sharpie.  2009 Topps Update & Highlights (returned unsigned).

Notes:
I'm very happy to get Mr. Leyland's signature.  If he was only willing to sign one card, I'm glad that he chose the Heritage card.  I included the "Classic Combos" card, which also features Tony LaRussa, for the purpose of trying to get it signed by both of them in the event that Leyland signed it first.  Oh well... I'll be fine sending Mr. LaRussa one of his own cards, too.

Carl Erskine

Sent: 5/4/10
Received: 9/29/10
Time: 148 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1988 Pacific Legends
Item Received: 1988 Pacific Legends, 2008 Donruss Threads.  Both signed in thin blue Sharpie.

Notes:
I have to admit I was getting a little nervous about my Carl Erskine request.  He's one of the greatest signers in the entire TTM hobby.  As automatic as it gets.  For over four months - an almost unheard of wait by his standards - it definitely seemed like mine was a goner.  But, as I'm learning all the time, patience is a virtue for an autograph collector and you should never write anything off in this hobby.  The wait was more than worth it, as Mr. Erskine added a second card, both of them signed gorgeously in thin blue Sharpie.  Thanks, Oisk!

Errol Mann

Sent: 5/13/10
Received: 9/27/10
Time: 137 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1979 Topps
Item Received: 1979 Topps, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Breckenridge, Minnesota native Errol Mann spent a decade kicking in the NFL, mostly for the Detroit Lions.  He wrapped up his career with two and a half seasons in Oakland, leading the league in scoring in 1977.

Guy LaFleur

Sent: 8/27/10
Received: 9/24/10
Time: 28 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984-85 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian Tribute (1-3)
Item Received: 1984-85 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian Tribute (1-3).  All signed in blue Sharpie

Notes:
One of the greatest players in NHL history.  As the offensive star on the Montreal Canadiens dynasty of the '70s, Lafleur won five Stanley Cups, two Hart Trophies, and three scoring titles.  He retired in 1984, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1988, and came back to the NHL that same year.  He retired for good in 1991, and Score honored him with this three card tribute set in its 1991-92 hockey set.  Since I'm working on two signed hockey sets (1984 Topps and 1991 Score Canadian), I needed three of Guy's cards for my sets.  Mission accomplished!

Joe Inglett

Sent: 7/16/10
Received: 9/24/10
Time: 70 Days
Address: c/o Milwaukee Brewers
Item Sent: 2006 Bowman Heritage
Item Received: 2006 Bowman Heritage, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Of all the Heritage cards, the '06 Bowmans are among my favorites.  They look really fantastic with a nice Sharpie signature, and I do think I'll be trying to add more to my collection.  Thanks, Voodoo Joe!

Nyjer Morgan

Sent: 4/19/10
Received: 9/24/10
Time: 158 Days
Address: c/o Washington Nationals
Item Sent: 2009 Topps Heritage
Item Received: 2009 Topps Heritage, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Nyjer Morgan ain't so bad!  Before his meltdowns late this season (throwing a baseball at belligerent opposing fans, going out of his way to run over defenseless opposing catchers, charging the mound and getting his ass kicked by opposing pitchers, taunting opposing crowds), Nyjer seemed like a pretty affable guy.  More Orlando Hudson, less Milton Bradley.  Maybe he's misunderstood.  Maybe he's sick of losing.  Maybe the roots lie deeper.  I do wish him the best, and I thank him for signing this very cool card.  Best of luck, Nyjer!

Garrett Jones

Sent: 4/13/10
Received: 9/21/10
Time: 161 Days
Address: c/o Pittsburgh Pirates
Item Sent: 2009 Topps Heritage
Item Received: 2009 Topps Heritage, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Last year, Garrett Jones looked like the "one who got away" to Twins fans -- the second coming of David Ortiz -- as he clubbed seven home runs in his first 12 games, and finished with 21 in a half-season for the Pirates.  Well, this year, it looks like he is who we thought he was.  Maybe a bit better.  He has undeniable power, and knows his way around a hot streak, but he does appear to be more of a platoon/DH type.  It's still nice to see success coming to him.  It never really seemed like the Twins were serious about giving him a shot in the big leagues.  This card looks awesome, too!

Jeff Arney

Sent: 7/13/10
Received: 9/20/10
Time: 69 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1983 Fritsch Visalia Oaks
Item Received: 1983 Fritsch Visalia Oaks, signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
The 17th addition to my 1983 Visalia set is pitcher Jeff Arney.  He only appeared in six games for the 1983 Oaks, in his third and final year in the Twins organization (he finished the year at AA Orlando).  He then spent two years in Cleveland's system, posting ERAs of 1.86 at Class A Waterloo in 1984 and 2.18 at Class AA Waterbury in 1985, but was out of baseball after that.  I wonder what happened there.  Anyhow, thanks for the signature, Jeff!

Craig Henderson

Sent: 6/16/10
Received: 9/20/10
Time: 96 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1983 Fritsch Visalia Oaks
Item Received: 1983 Fritsch Visalia Oaks, signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
The 16th addition to my 1983 Visalia set is Craig Henderson, a left-handed pitcher who spent six seasons in the Twins organization before finishing his career with one year in the organization of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers.

Bill Davis

Sent: 9/11/10
Received: 9/18/10
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1966 Topps
Item Received: 1966 Topps, signed in blue ballpoint.

Notes:
Bill Davis was a hulking 6'7" first baseman, born in Graceville, Minnesota.  He graduated from Richfield High School and the University of Minnesota before signing with the Cleveland Indians in 1964.  He played in 33 games for the Tribe from 1965-1966 and got into 31 more for the 1969 San Diego Padres, and is a fantastic addition to my collection of Minnesota-born players.  (A fun note, the request traveled all of 2.1 miles from my house to his, according to Google maps.)

Jack McMahon

Sent: 7/28/10
Received: 9/17/10
Time: 51 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1983 Fritsch Visalia Oaks
Item Received: 1983 Fritsch Visalia Oaks, signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
This is great. Back in July, I mentioned that Bob DeCosta had told me my request inspired him to track down his old buddy Jack McMahon. He did, and forwarded Jack's address to me.

Along with the card, Mr. McMahon included a two-page hand-written letter. It started off, "Hi Dan, Thanks for the nice letter, and for helping my old roommate Bob DeCosta to get in touch with me. Bob and I only live 1 1/2 hours away from each other and plan to meet up soon." How cool is that?

He also writes about what a great guy Kirby Puckett was and mentions that Kirby used to call him "the greatest white basketball player" he ever played with. Also mentioned that his dad is Don McMahon, who played in the majors for 17 years and coached with the Twins in 1976, which I did not know.  I had heard the name Don McMahon before (he started off his career with back-to-back World Series appearances for the Milwaukee Braves and also pitched in the '68 Series for the Tigers), but didn't make the connection that they were related.

Anyway, awesome success here.  Thanks to both Jack McMahon and Bob DeCosta!

Randy St. Claire

Sent: 4/14/10
Received: 9/17/10
Time: 156 Days
Address: c/o Florida Marlins
Item Sent: 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers
Item Received: 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Randy St. Claire spent the largest chunk of his journeyman career with the Montreal Expos, but appeared in 14 games for the disappointing 1989 Twins.  He spent six and a half years as the pitching coach for the Expos/Washington Nationals and is now in his first year in that position for the Marlins.  This is the first addition in quite a while to the 1989 Portland team set that I started working on shortly before focusing on the 1983 Visalia set.  Mr. St. Claire also becomes my new "longest wait for success" record holder, clocking in at 156 days!

Bill Hands

Sent: 8/13/10
Received: 9/17/10
Time: 35 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1974 Topps
Item Received: 1974 Topps, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Bill Hands was a 20 game winning, 300 inning pitcher for the Cubs in 1969, and a workhorse for them before coming over to the Twins in 1973.  He only spent two nondescript seasons at the Met, but makes for another fine addition to my all-time Twins collection.

Bennie Richie

Sent: 8/31/10
Received: 9/13/10
Time: 13 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1983 Fritsch Visalia Oaks
Item Received: 1983 Fritsch Visalia Oaks, signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
I figured Bennie Richie to be one of the more difficult challenged in my quest to complete my signed 1983 Visalia team set.  I had completely run out of leads on him when I shared my collection with fellow members of the SportsCollectors.net community.  I received a tip from another member on there and gave it a shot.  Less than two weeks later, Mr. Richie signed and returned the card.  It was unfortunately a bit creased in the mail, but I'll take it!  Thank you, Mr. Richie.

Tim Teufel

Sent: 8/23/10
Received: 9/13/10
Time: 21 Days
Address: c/o Binghamton Mets
Item Sent: 1984 Donruss, 1984 Fleer, 1985 Topps
Item Received: 1984 Donruss, 1984 Fleer, 1985 Topps.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
I loved Tim Teufel in 1984.  As I've documented several times on this blog, that was the year I truly fell in love with the Twins, as they contented in the weak AL Western Division all season long.  Teufel was the rookie second baseman, who took over early in the season for the injured John Castino.  He clubbed 14 home runs and finished fourth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting (right behind teammate Kirby Puckett).  After two seasons as the Twins' regular second baseman he was dealt to the Mets for three prospects who never panned out.  I still maintain that this was one of the their worst trades of the '80s.  He platooned with Wally Backman for the '86 Mets and hit .444 in the World Series that year.  He's been back with the Mets organization for a few years now, and just wrapped up his first season as the manager of their AA Binghamton club.

Luis Gomez

Sent: 7/21/10
Received: 9/11/10
Time: 52 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1977 Topps, 1981 Topps, 1982 Topps
Item Received: 1977 Topps, 1981 Topps, 1982 Topps.  All signed in thin blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Not only did the former light-hitting Twins infielder sign three cards, he also tried converting me to Mormonism.  I'm good with the cards, Mr. Gomez, but thanks!

Steve Bozek

Sent: 8/4/10
Received: 9/11/10
Time: 38 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
"Boom Boom" spent 11 years in the NHL with five different teams - most notably the L.A. Kings and Vancouver Canucks.  He's also a key to my collecting the 1991 Score Canadian and 1991 Score Traded sets, as he appears on three cards between them.  Here they are, all signed in Sharpie.  Thanks, Steve!

Darin Kimble

Sent: 8/19/10
Received: 9/11/10
Time: 23 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Kimble was a pretty badass goon for the Blues, as well as the Nordiques, Bruins, and Blackhawks.  He racked up over 1,000 career penalty minutes in just over 300 career games... which pretty much tells you all you need to know.

Jay Moser

Sent: 8/27/10
Received: 9/10/10
Time: 14 Days
Address: Work
Item Sent: 1995-96 Minnesota Gophers Hockey Team Issue
Item Received: 1995-96 Minnesota Gophers Hockey Team Issue, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Jay Moser started his college career at St. Cloud State before transferring to Minnesota for his final two seasons.  He currently works for Select Mortgage in Hudson, Wisconsin (where this request was sent) and coaches hockey for his high school alma mater at Park-Cottage Grove.

Dave Larson

Sent: 8/31/10
Received: 9/8/10
Time: 8 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1995-96 Minnesota Gophers Hockey Team Issue
Item Received: 1995-96 Minnesota Gophers Hockey Team Issue, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
There are literally hundreds of guys named Dave Larson across the upper Midwest.  So how do you narrow it down to find the right guy?  Well, thankfully I had a tip from one of this Dave Larson's former Gopher hockey teammates.  About a week later, I have another addition to my '95 Gophers team set.  Thanks, Dave!

Perry Berezan

Sent: 8/23/10
Received: 9/7/10
Time: 15 Days
Address: Work
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 Score, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded, 1991-92 Stadium Club
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 Score, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded, 1991-92 Stadium Club.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Former North Star Perry Berezan is best-known for a goal he "scored" while with the Calgary Flames.  When Edmonton defenseman Steve Smith accidentally put the puck in his own net to clinch the 1986 Smythe Division Finals series for Calgary, Berezan was given credit for the goal.  He spent two seasons as a solid defensive forward for the North Stars before heading to San Jose in the 1991 expansion draft.  Sending five cards is pushing it for me -- I don't like to send more than three or four -- but I couldn't help myself here.  Thanks for being so generous, Mr. Berezan.

Luc Robitaille

Sent: 8/5/10
Received: 9/7/10
Time: 33 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Canadian "Dream Team"
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Canadian "Dream Team."  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Much more than Wayne Gretzky's L.A. wingman, Luc Robitaille was one of the most prolific left wings in NHL history.  Like so many hockey Hall of Famers, he is also a great signer.  Thanks, Luc!

Pat Elynuik

Sent: 8/23/10
Received: 9/7/10
Time: 15 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Canadian "The Franchise"
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Canadian "The Franchise."  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Pat Elynuik is my first-ever international TTM success (opened just seconds before Perry Berezan)!  Yes, thanks to the website of the Canadian Post Office, U.S. residents can purchase Canadian stamps, complete with free shipping.  I ordered two strips of $1 Canadian stamps for the S.A.S.E.s, picked up the same amount of American 75 cent stamps for the request envelopes, and got busy.  Elynuik was a solid sniper for the Winnipeg Jets teams of the late '80s and early '90s.  He wasn't a star, but you didn't have to be a star to be "The Franchise" in Winnipeg in the post-Dale Hawerchuk, pre-Selanne & Tkachuk years.

Pat Summerall

Sent: 8/27/10
Received: 9/2/10
Time: 6 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1981 TCMA
Item Received: 1981 TCMA, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Pat Summerall was one of the great voices of my childhood.  Some of my earliest football memories were narrated by Summerall and John Madden during NFC match-ups on CBS in the early '80s.  Though the duo was paired for over 20 years, and became somewhat obnoxious to me as I entered adulthood (at least Madden did), I can't help but hear Summerall's drawl every time I see pictures or football cards of the Redskins, 49ers, and Cowboys teams circa 1982.  He's a legend.  Thank you, Mr. Summerall.

Norm MacIver

Sent: 8/23/10
Received: 9/2/10
Time: 10 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Thunder Bay, Ontario native and University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs great Norm MacIver had a solid 15-year career as an NHL journeyman.  Of note: he was the leading scorer on the inaugural Ottawa Senators team in 1992-93, and he scored the last goal in Winnipeg Jets history in 1996.

Doug Woog

Sent: 8/26/10
Received: 9/1/10
Time: 6 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1995-96 Minnesota Gophers Hockey Team Issue
Item Received: 1995-96 Minnesota Gophers Hockey Team Issue, signed in thin black Sharpie.

Notes:
Doug Woog is a bona fide Minnesota hockey legend.  He coached the Gopher hockey team from 1985 to 1999, with teams made up entirely of Minnesota players.  He never did win a national championship, but his resume includes several WCHA titles, trips to the NCAA tournament in nearly every year of his career, and almost 400 wins in his 14 seasons at the helm.  This set that I'm working on would not be complete without Doug Woog.

Dan Woog

Sent: 8/27/10
Received: 9/1/10
Time: 5 Days
Address: Work
Item Sent: 1995-96 Minnesota Gophers Hockey Team Issue
Item Received: 1995-96 Minnesota Gophers Hockey Team Issue, signed in thin blue Sharpie.

Notes:
The son of legendary Gophers coach Doug Woog, Dan Woog was an excellent defensive forward for the U of M in the '90s.  He e-mailed me back a couple days ago to inform me that his card was in the mail.  He has been coaching and helping to run the Doug Woog Hockey Camp for the last several years.  He also was kind enough to give me an address lead on one of his former teammates.  Thanks for helping out, Dan!

Bryan Erickson

Sent: 8/25/10
Received: 9/1/10
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1991-92 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Roseau native and Gopher great Bryan Erickson was an NHL journeyman for the better part of a decade, with his best years coming with the Los Angeles Kings.  I sent him the one card of his that I had (the 1991-92 Score, for my set).  He signed that and added a 1991 Pro Set card.  Great, generous return... thanks, Butsy!