Scott Ullger

Sent: 6/7/12
Received: 6/14/12
Time: 7 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Twins
Item Sent: 1984 Donruss, 1984 Topps, 1986 ProCards Toledo Mud Hens, 1989 ProCards Visalia Oaks
Item Received: 1984 Donruss, 1984 Topps, 1986 ProCards Toledo Mud Hens, 1989 ProCards Visalia Oaks.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Scotty Ullger has how spent over 30 years in the Twins organization as a player, minor league manager, and major league coach.  Since the mid '90s he has served as a first base coach, third base coach, hitting coach, and bench coach for Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire, and is the go-to choice to manage the team whenever the umpires elect to let Gardy shower early.

1986 ProCards Project

Eddie Watt

Sent: 6/7/12
Received: 6/13/12
Time: 6 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1986 ProCards Tucson Toros
Item Received: 1986 ProCards Tucson Toros, signed in thin blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Iowa native Ed Watt was a key member of the bullpen on the great Baltimore Orioles pitching staffs of the late '60s and early '70s and a top fireman for their 1970 World Champion squad.  When his playing days ended, he embarked on a long minor league coaching career, including a stint as the pitching coach for the Tucson Toros in 1986.

1986 ProCards Project

Rocky Bridges

Sent: 6/6/12
Received: 6/12/12
Time: 6 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1986 ProCards Prince William Pirates
Item Received: 1986 ProCards Prince William Pirates, signed in thin blue Sharpie.

Notes:
My first return since officially starting the 1986 ProCards Project comes from '50s big league sparkplug and longtime minor league manager Rocky Bridges.  Rocky played in over 900 major league games and hit .247 with just 16 home runs.  He did, however, make the 1958 AL All Star Team while playing for the Washington Senators.

1986 ProCards Project

Rob Pearson

Sent: 11/12/11
Received: 6/11/12
Time: 212 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Canadian "Dynamic Duo"
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Canadian "Dynamic Duo."  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Rob Pearson was Eric Lindros' sidekick for the Oshawa Generals junior hockey team in 1990-91.  Lindros led the OHL that year with 149 points and Pearson added 118.  The "134" written in pucks on the photo is representative of their combined goal totals for the year -- 71 for Lindros and 63 for Pearson.  Rob was a first round pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs and had a stellar sophomore season in 1992-93 with 23 goals and 211 penalty minutes.  That would be his NHL peak, though, as he scored just 19 more goals over parts of the next four seasons.

Jim Clancy

Sent: 5/12/12
Received: 6/6/12
Time: 25 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1985 Fleer, 1985 Topps, 1988 Donruss Baseball's Best
Item Received: 1985 Fleer, 1985 Topps, 1988 Donruss Baseball's Best.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Jim Clancy picked up by the Blue Jays in their inaugural expansion draft and was an underrated workhorse from their inception through their contending years of the mid to late 1980s.  He was the last pitcher in major league history to have 40 stars in one season (during his lone All-Star year of 1982).  His final decision was a relief win in game three of the greatest World Series ever played (1991) for the Atlanta Braves, against the Minnesota Twins.

Craig Monroe

Sent: 5/25/12
Received: 6/2/12
Time: 8 Days
Address: c/o FSN Detroit
Item Sent: 2008 Topps Heritage
Item Received: 2008 Topps Heritage, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Craig Monroe suffered with some terrible Tigers teams at the beginning of the 2000s, but when they turned their fortunes around in 2006 he was at the forefront.  He had career highs of 28 home runs and 92 RBI during the regular season.  He turned it on even further with an incredible post-season that included five more homers as the Tigers advanced to the World Series.  He got off to a hugely disappointing start in 2007 and was traded to the Cubs for a bag of balls.

Monroe was a notorious Twins killer (.321 with 13 homers and 48 RBI in 80 career games against them), so the Twins brought him in the next year to help provide some right-handed outfield power following Torii Hunter's departure.  He did hit eight home runs in a part-time role, but struggled to keep his average above .200.

Andre Thornton

Sent: 5/1/12
Received: 6/2/12
Time: 32 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1985 Fleer, 1986 Fleer
Item Received: 1985 Fleer, 1986 Fleer.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Andre Thornton had big-time power and for years was the only legitimate threat in the Cleveland Indians lineup.  He was a two-time All-Star and a three-time 30 home run hitter for the Tribe and finished his 14 year big league career with 253 bombs.  He was elected to the Indians team Hall of Fame in 2007.

Brian Propp

Sent: 5/23/12
Received: 6/1/12
Time: 9 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: Minnesota North Stars logo puck, 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee, 1987-88 Topps, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1992-93 Pinnacle, 1992-93 Topps
Item Received: Minnesota North Stars logo puck, Philadelphia Flyers logo puck, 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee, 1987-88 Topps, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1992-93 Pinnacle, 1992-93 Topps, Philadelphia Flyers photo, Hartford Whalers photo.  North Stars puck signed in silver Deco paint pen.  Cards and Flyers puck signed in blue Sharpie.  Photos signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Collectors have varied opinions on how many items is too many to send in an autograph request, so I'll preface this incredible return from Brian Propp by stating that after interviewing him for my Minnesota North Stars blog I asked for permission to send a puck and a few cards.  He gave me the thumbs up to send anything.  In addition to signing all of my stuff, he added his own Philadelphia Flyers logo puck and two photos.  Very cool return.  (Be sure to read the interview!)

Craig Counsell

Sent: 4/7/12
Received: 6/1/12
Time: 55 Days
Address: c/o Milwaukee Brewers
Item Sent: 2009 Topps Heritage, 2011 Topps Update
Item Received: 2009 Topps Heritage, 2011 Topps Update.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Counsell announced his retirement this past winter after one of the more unlikely 16 year careers in recent memory.  An old school great glove/weak bat infielder, he came up big when the spotlight was the brightest.  A winner wherever he went, Counsell was a key player on two World Series champions.  He scored the Series-winning run as a rookie for the 1997 Florida Marlins.  Four years later he was the NLCS MVP for the Arizona Diamondbacks en route to their title.  Despite his biggest success coming in those two eyesore uniforms, I'm happy with my card selections here (both as a Milwaukee Brewer).  The 2009 Topps Heritage, utilizing the horizontal 1960 Topps design, is one of my favorites in the Heritage series.  The 2011 Topps card is just a great shot at Target Field in a border battle against my beloved Twins.

R.A. Dickey

Sent: 2/21/12
Received: 5/29/12
Time: 98 Days
Address: c/o New York Mets Spring Training
Item Sent: 2010 Topps Twins Team Card, 2011 Topps Heritage
Item Received: 2011 Topps Heritage, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Who would have thought that "the one who got away" from the Twins might have been R.A. Dickey?  Since getting released by the Twins during the 2009 season, he has been the most dependable starter for the New York Mets.  He's been better than dependable, actually.  He has been outstanding.  Now in his third season for the Metropolitans, he's having an All-Star caliber year.  I'm thrilled to get this back, but am a bit disappointed that he didn't return the other card I sent.  Dickey never had a card as a member of the Twins.  The only card he appeared on in a Twins uniform is the 2010 Topps Twins team card, which pictures him in the background while Joe Mauer and Ron Gardenhire celebrate a Twins victory in the foreground.

Shane Robinson

Sent: 5/3/12
Received: 5/29/12
Time: 26 Days
Address: c/o St. Louis Cardinals
Item Sent: 2009 Topps Heritage
Item Received: 2009 Topps Heritage, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
A former top prospect who has been plagued by injury over the last two seasons, Shane Robinson is finally healthy and is getting his first regular exposure to the major leagues.  While he's been a bit slow with the bat, he has played a sparkling center field while subbing for the injured Jon Jay and seems to have a nice role as a reserve outfielder and pinch-runner for the always solid Cardinals.

Bryn Smith

Sent: 5/11/12
Received: 5/26/12
Time: 15 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1985 Fleer, 1990 Score, 1991 Topps
Item Received: 1985 Fleer, 1990 Score, 1991 Topps.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Bryn Smith was a crafty pitcher with great control and a greater beard.  He's one of the last guys who I remember being known for throwing a palmball as a changeup.  Not only are there great blue Sharpie signatures on these cards, but when I flipped the 1991 Topps card over I learned that he is "a huge fan of the rock band Rush and followed them on their 1984 tour."  And now that trivial knowledge is filed in my brain for eternity, probably replacing something insignificant like one of my credit card numbers.

Gary Matthews

Sent: 4/27/12
Received: 5/21/12
Time: 24 Days
Address: c/o Philadelphia Phillies
Item Sent: 1978 Topps, 1981 Topps Traded, 1985 Fleer
Item Received: 1978 Topps, 1985 Fleer.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
"Sarge" was the 1973 NL Rookie of the Year while playing for the San Francisco Giants.  He was an All-Star in 1979 for the Atlanta Braves.  And his monster performance for the Phillies in the 1983 NLCS earned him the series MVP award.  But to me, he's a Cub.  He was a huge addition to the Cubbies lineup in 1984, and perhaps an even bigger addition to their clubhouse culture. 

Paul Broten

Sent: 1/6/12
Received: 5/19/12
Time: 134 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990-91 Score Traded, 1992-93 Ultra, 1993-94 Upper Deck, 1994-95 Upper Deck
Item Received: 1990-91 Score Traded, 1992-93 Ultra, 1993-94 Upper Deck, 1994-95 Upper Deck.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
The youngest of the three Broten brothers, Paul followed in the footsteps of Neal and Aaron from Roseau High School to the University of Minnesota to the NHL.  He didn't put up the gaudy scoring totals of his older brothers, and his pro career didn't last quite as long, but he did find a niche as a high-energy battler for the early '90s New York Rangers teams.  Paul was also the only Broten who didn't get a chance to lace up the skates for the Minnesota North Stars.  He was a year too late as he joined Neal on the newly relocated Dallas Stars in the fall of 1993.

Ray Miller

Sent: 5/11/12
Received: 5/18/12
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1986 Topps, 1986 Twins Team Issue
Item Received: 1986 Topps, 1986 Twins Team Issue, Baltimore Orioles postcard.  All signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
Ray Miller has an interesting place in Twins history.  I'm not sure how many of today's Twins fans can name the man who was skipper before Tom Kelly, or can recall a time when the team went outside the organization to find a manager.  The Twins surprised a lot of people by contending late into the 1984 season and finishing the year at .500.  Hopes were high in 1985, but they struggled badly out of the gates.  Manager Billy Gardner was fired and Miller was brought in.  Miller had been one of the top pitching coaches in the game while with the Baltimore Orioles and he did reasonably well with the Twins over the rest of the 1985 season.  Great pitching coaches do not necessarily make great managers, though.  The Twins scuffled through another disappointing year in 1986.  Near the end of the season, Miller was fired after just over a year on the job.  Third base coach Kelly was promoted and a year later the Twins were celebrating their first World Series title.  Miller would spend several more years as a pitching coach for the Pirates and, later on, back with the Orioles.

In addition to signing my cards, Mr. Miller added an Orioles postcard.  On the back of that, he thanked me for my letter and for being a fan.

Mike Marshall

Sent: 5/1/12
Received: 5/18/12
Time: 17 Days
Address: c/o San Rafael Pacifics
Item Sent: 1982 Donruss, 1982 Topps, 1985 Fleer
Item Received: 1982 Donruss, 1982 Topps, 1985 Fleer.  All signed in black gel pen.

Notes:
While the Dodgers were winning the 1981 World Series, their most-prized prospect was tearing up AAA pitching.  Mike Marshall had a historic year for Albuquerque that season, hitting .373 with 34 home runs, 137 RBI, and 21 stolen bases.  Without a job opening on the defending champs, he started 1982 in the minors and proceeded to hit .388 over 66 games.  He was soon in the big leagues for good.  The hulking right fielder showed flashes of superstar ability both on and off the field (he was an item with Belinda Carlisle), but he was never able to fully harness his raw power at the plate.  He only hit the 20 home run plateau three times in his 11 year career, peaking with 28.

Keith Moreland

Sent: 4/26/12
Received: 5/11/12
Time: 15 Days
Address: c/o Chicago Cubs
Item Sent: 1985 Fleer, 1987 Topps
Item Received: 1985 Fleer, 1987 Topps.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
The Cubbies brought Keith Moreland over from Philadelphia in 1982 and it didn't take long for the converted catcher to establish himself as their regular right fielder.  The portly line-drive hitter became a fan favorite and averaged about 15 home runs a year as a fixture in the middle of the Cubs' lineup.  His finest year was 1985, when he hit .307 with 14 homers, a career high 106 RBI, and 12 stolen bases (a career high by far).  In 1987 the Cubs signed future Hall of Famer Andre Dawson to play right field and shifted Moreland to third base.  He responded with a career high 27 bombs (though, in fairness, a lot of ballplayers had career high home run totals in '87).  Unfortunately, he couldn't quite keep his homer total above his error total.  His 28 miscues at the league.  Moreland wasn't cut out for third and Dawson wasn't going anywhere coming off an MVP season, so the Cubbies traded Moreland to the Padres in the offseason.  His power disappeared in San Diego as he slugged a paltry .331 over 562 plate appearances.  He split the next year between Baltimore and Detroit and, just like that, his career was over.  The story has a happy ending, though.  Moreland returned to Wrigleyville last year as the Cubs radio analyst.

Richard Dotson

Sent: 5/1/12
Received: 5/11/12
Time: 10 Days
Address: c/o Charlotte Knights
Item Sent: 1985 Fleer, 1985 Topps, 1988 Topps
Item Received: 1985 Fleer, 1985 Topps, 1988 Topps.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
After a steady start to his big league career, Richard Dotson put it all together in his fourth season.  He went 22-7 for the 1983 White Sox, helping to lead them to the AL West title -- their first post-season appearance in 24 years.  He pitched similarly well in 1984, appearing in the All-Star Game and posting a 3.59 ERA, though his record fell to 14-15.  The back-to-back workhorse season of over 240 innings took a toll on his arm.  He missed most of 1985 and wasn't quite the same when he returned.  He's now the pitching coach for the White Sox AAA affiliate in Charlotte.

Jim Johnson

Sent: 3/21/12
Received: 5/10/12
Time: 50 Days
Address: c/o Washington Capitals
Item Sent: 1991-92 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Topps
Item Received: 1991-92 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
New Hope, Minnesota native Jim Johnson came home to the North Stars (along with fellow Minnesota-born blueliner Chris Dahlquist) in a trade with Pittsburgh during the 1990-91 season.  Of course those two teams would meet in the Stanley Cup Finals that year.  Johnson picked up 10 points in 44 games during the regular season for the North Stars, then played in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games during the Stars' Cinderalla run to the Finals.  He remained with the Stars through the move to Dallas.  Since retiring, he has made the rounds as an NHL assistant coach.  This year he was added to the Capitals staff during their mid-season coaching shakeup.  He helped reinvent the Caps from the high scoring juggernaut they had been in previous years into a more defensive, well-rounded team.  Interim head coach Dale Hunter decided not to stick around after this year's playoffs, leaving that status of the rest of the staff in limbo, but I feel like Johnson had a positive enough impact in D.C. to be retained for next year.

Don Robinson

Sent: 5/3/12
Received: 5/10/12
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1981 Topps, 1983 Topps, 1985 Fleer, 1992 Topps
Item Received: 1981 Topps, 1983 Topps, 1985 Fleer, 1992 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
A burly righty who was nicknamed "Caveman" (for obvious physical reasons), Don Robinson was a valuable swingman for the Pirates and Giants throughout the '80s.  He began his career as a starter in Pittsburgh before injuries forced a move to the bullpen.  After some nice years in the Pirates pen, he reestablished himself as a dependable starter in San Francisco.  He was also a fantastic hitter, so I'm glad one of the cards I sent him depicted him with a bat in his hand.

Quincy Lewis

Sent: 3/15/12
Received: 5/9/12
Time: 55 Days
Address: c/o FOX Sports North
Item Sent: 1999-00 Press Pass, 1999-00 SP, 2000-01 Topps Heritage
Item Received: 1999-00 Press Pass, 1999-00 SP, 2000-01 Topps Heritage.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Quincy Lewis was the last great Gopher of the Clem Haskins era.  As a sophomore, he was a stud sixth man on the 1997 Gophers Final Four team.  Two years later, as a senior, he led the Big Ten in scoring.  He was a first round draft pick of the Utah Jazz but had trouble cracking their veteran lineup.  After three seasons in Utah, he came back to Minnesota to sign with the Timberwolves.  He suited up 14 times for the Wolves in 2003 before moving on to play profesionally in Europe and Asia for the rest of the decade.  "Q" returned to the Minnesota basketball scene last year as a studio analyst for FOX Sports North.

Orlando Cabrera

Sent: 8/30/10
Received: 5/7/12
Time: 616 Days
Address: c/o Cincinnati Reds
Item Sent: 2010 Topps
Item Received: 2010 Topps, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
New record!  At 616 days, the recently retired Orlando Cabrera is now my longest wait for a successful request.

Although his best years were behind him, he was energized by his late-season trade to the Twins in 2009.  In turn, he helped spark the improbable run toward that year's classic Game 163 and the AL Central title.

This request was sent to the Reds while he was helping to lead Cincy to their own division title that season.  He moved on to Cleveland and San Francisco last year, but somehow still had my request lying around when he caught up on his old mail.  Awesome return!

George Flower

Sent: 4/17/12
Received: 5/7/12
Time: 20 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1986 ProCards West Palm Beach Expos
Item Received: 1986 ProCards West Palm Beach Expos, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:

Former Expos prospect George Flower is my latest example of how fulfilling this hobby can be when writing to old minor league ballplayers.

A few days after receiving my letter, Mr. Flower sent me an e-mail answering a bunch of my questions and relaying some great stories (such as Andre Dawson and Tim Raines giving a young Randy Johnson $100 to let himself be attacked by fire ants.  I had asked George if he had any idea back in A-ball that Johnson would become one of the great pitchers in baseball history.  He responded, "Most of us never thought he would make it.  For 2 years, I watched him walk 9 and strike the next 9 guys out." 

He also mentioned playing for Felipe Alou and with Larry Walker.  (Of Walker: "I realized I wasn't going to the show when I hit behind him in BP.") Shortly after the e-mail exchange, George Flower's 1986 ProCards card showed up in my mailbox, beautifully signed in black Sharpie.

Jude Drouin

Sent: 1/13/12
Received: 5/4/12
Time: 112 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee, 1973-74 Topps, 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee
Item Received: 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee, 1973-74 Topps, 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee.  All signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
The North Stars acquired Jude Drouin from Montreal prior to the 1970-71 season.  The young playmaker had no place in the Habs' crowded lineup and was deemed expendable.  In Minnesota, however, he instantly became one of the first stars in North Stars history.  He spent four and a half seasons in Bloomington, putting up 262 points during that time, and he is still a fan favorite among old time North Stars fans.

Richie Hebner

Sent: 4/25/12
Received: 5/4/12
Time: 9 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984 Topps, 1985 Fleer, 1985 Topps
Item Received: 1984 Topps, 1985 Fleer, 1985 Topps.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
A star third baseman throughout the '70s for the Pittsburgh Pirates (including the 1971 World Series championship team), Richie Hebner spent the last two seasons of his long career as a pinch-hitter and backup corner infielder for the 1984 and 1985 Chicago Cubs.  Of course, that's right in my wheelhouse.  Much of my love for baseball stemmed from watching those Cubs teams on WGN, so most of my memories of this Pirates great are instead as a grizzled veteran on the Cubbies.

Craig Simpson

Sent: 11/14/11
Received: 5/2/12
Time: 170 Days
Address: c/o CBC TV
Item Sent: 1987-88 Topps, 1990 Michigan State Collegiate Collection, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1987-88 Topps, 1990 Michigan State Collegiate Collection, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
The best years of Craig Simpson's career came in Edmonton.  He won two Stanley Cups with the Oilers (1988 and 1990) and truly appeared to be on his way toward becoming the Edmonton dynasty's next superstar.  He was a 50 goal scorer during his first season with the Oilers (actually he scored 43 with the Oilers after scoring 13 with the Penguins earlier in the year, giving him 56 total on the season).  His greatest hockey have have been played in the 1990 Stanley Cup Playoffs, however.  He perfectly played the role of Mark Messier's sidekick, tallying 31 points in 22 playoff games as the Oilers captured the franchise's only post-Gretzky Cup.  After two injury plagued years in Buffalo, Simpson was forced into early retirement, prematurely ending a special career.  He's had a second career as a broadcaster and has been one of the signature voices of Hockey Night in Canada for many years.

Tom Brunansky

Sent: 4/18/12
Received: 4/30/12
Time: 12 Days
Address: c/o Rochester Red Wings
Item Sent: 1982 TCMA Spokane Indians, 1982 Topps Traded, 1985 Fleer
Item Received: 1982 TCMA Spokane Indians, 1982 Topps Traded, 1985 Fleer.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
The cards for this request were chosen with a purpose.  Tom Brunansky, one of my true childhood heroes, is as automatic as it gets when it comes to signing through the mail, but I was still reluctant to send his minor league card the first time I wrote to him.  I was also kicking myself for not sending his 1982 Topps Traded rookie card.  With my decision to start collecting the 1985 Fleer set, I thought it would be nice to send those three cards together and knock out three major pieces in my Bruno collection.  Success!

Steve Nicosia

Sent: 4/16/12
Received: 4/30/12
Time: 14 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1982 Topps, 1985 Fleer, 1985 Topps, 1985 Topps Traded
Item Received: 1985 Fleer, 1985 Topps.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Steve Nicosia had a fine rookie season as a platoon catcher on the 1979 "We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates championship squad.  He was a fine defensive catcher, but he couldn't maintain the offensive production of his rookie year and two years later he lost any chance at the starting job when the Pirates called up Tony Pena.  Nicosia did have one more good year left in his bat.  He hit .303 in a part-time role for the 1984 Giants.  He scuffled again while splitting 1985 between the Expos and Blue Jays and would not return to the majors.

Nick Foligno

Sent: 3/16/12
Received: 4/28/12
Time: 43 Days
Address: c/o Ottawa Senators
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Nick Foligno just wrapped up his fourth full season for the surprising Ottawa Senators, and it was a bit of a breakthrough for the former first round pick.  He brought his game to a new level of physicality, more than doubling his previous career high with 124 penalty minutes.  The added intensity helped his offense, too, as he posted career highs of 32 assists and 47 points.

Tomas Holmstrom

Sent: 10/17/11
Received: 4/26/12
Time: 192 Days
Address: c/o Detroit Red Wings
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2010-11 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2010-11 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary.  Both signed in thin blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Tomas Holmstrom is a very good hockey player who has become a legend in Detroit thanks to his longevity and the team's prosperity.  In his 15 NHL seasons (all with the Red Wings), he has won the Stanley Cup four times.  He's now 39 years old and while his production has started to decline, he's still very capable of scoring 15-20 goals over a full season.  And he's always been a playoff stud.

Jimmy Key

Sent: 4/18/12
Received: 4/26/12
Time: 8 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1985 Fleer
Item Received: 1985 Fleer, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
I don't particularly enjoy double-dipping and sending second or third requests to a player who I've already successfully received a TTM autograph from, but when one starts a new project as I have, it becomes necessity.  Jimmy Key has a great signature and is a near-automatic signer, though he does have a policy of only signing one item per request.  After getting him on a 1987 Topps card a little more than a year ago, I have now added him to my new 1985 Fleer set.

Brian Dayett

Sent: 4/18/12
Received: 4/26/12
Time: 8 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1985 Fleer, 1985 Fleer Update
Item Received: 1985 Fleer, 1985 Fleer Update.  Both signed and personalized in thin blue Sharpie.

Notes:
While beginning to send out requests for my new 1985 Fleer set project, I've started off by writing to a bunch of former Cubs.  I loved those mid to late '80s Cubs teams.  Don't get me wrong, the Twins were always number one in my heart, but I grew up on WGN afternoon broadcasts with Harry Caray and Steve Stone.  Harry had a way of turning Wrigley Field into the greatest place in the world, and the lovable cast on the field only helped.

Brian Dayett wasn't one of the Cubs stars.  He was a role player who had some impressive minor league seasons, but he never did win a regular big league role.  I do remember his first home run in a Cubs uniform, though.  It was a pinch hit grand slam, which to that point was one of the coolest things I had ever seen on a baseball diamond.

Ron Cey

Sent: 4/18/12
Received: 4/25/12
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984 Topps, 1985 Fleer
Item Received: 1984 Topps, 1985 Fleer.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
As if I don't have enough collections to work on already, I just decided I wanted to go for the 1985 Fleer set.  I just decided it was silly for me to be working on multiple hockey sets and not a single full baseball set.  I chose this because I've always thought it was a cool, underrated design, and because I already have one of the biggest toughies in the Kirby Puckett rookie.  So, the mailing has started.  One of my first requests was my second letter to one of the hobby's great TTM signers, Ron Cey.  "The Penguin" was one of my first returns when I started this hobby and blog two years ago, and he came through again with two more beautiful signatures.

Brant Alyea

Sent: 4/13/12
Received: 4/23/12
Time: 10 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1971 Topps, 1972 Topps
Item Received: 1971 Topps, 1972 Topps.  Both signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
One of the great one-year wonders in Twins history, Alyea platooned with Jim Holt in left field for the Twins 1970 AL West Championship club.  In only 290 plate appearances, he hit .291 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI, putting up an OPS of nearly .900.  He dropped off severely in 1971 (.177 with only two homers in 188 plate appearances).  He split 1972 between the Cardinals and A's and didn't play in the majors again after that.

Jim Craig

Sent: 4/4/12
Received: 4/23/12
Time: 19 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: Minnesota North Stars logo puck
Item Received: Minnesota North Stars logo puck, signed in silver Sharpie.

Notes:
In strictly North Stars terms, this is a pretty obscure autograph.  Still, it's one of the coolest early additions to my collection of North Stars pucks.  Jim Craig is, of course, an Olympic legend.  He was the goaltender who beat the Soviets.  As the netminder of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team, he became an American legend.  His immortal Olympic performance did not translate to NHL success.  He appeared in 30 NHL games for three different teams from 1980-1984.  The final three were with the North Stars during the 1983-84 season (he went 1-1-0 with a 4.91 Goals Against Average).

Paul Sorrento

Sent: 4/14/12
Received: 4/21/12
Time: 7 Days
Address: c/o Inland Empire 66ers
Item Sent: 1989 ProCards Orlando Twins, 1990 Score
Item Received: 1989 ProCards Orlando Twins, 1990 Score.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Some players simply don't like receiving fan mail at their home.  Take Chili Davis.  I think he was a decent TTM signer throughout his career.  At least I remember getting him through the Twins when I was a kid.  But he built up a solid reputation as a non-signer following his retirement.  That suddenly changed last year when he accepted a position as the hitting coach for the Pawtucket Red Sox.  Suddenly Chili was a signer again, as long as his mail was sent to his team. 

It looks like the same thing is happening this year with another former Twins slugger.  Paul Sorrento, who was a power hitting prospect trapped behind Kent Hrbek and the aforementioned Chili Davis on the Twins depth chart, won the World Series as a rookie bench bat in 1991.  Traded to the Indians the next year, he put together a solid career as a part of some of the best offenses of the '90s in Cleveland and Seattle.  His TTM return rate, as reported on SCN, was hovering somewhere around 10% at this time last year.

This spring, he started a new gig as the hitting coach for the Inland Empire 66ers in the Angels' organization.  I noticed a success posted on SCN, so I immediately wrote.  A week later, and I had these two beautifully signed cards.  Through the first month of the season, it looks like Sorrento has turned into an automatic autograph... as long as you send to the team.

Rick Vaive

Sent: 4/5/12
Received: 4/21/12
Time: 16 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984-85 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1984-85 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
It's hard to believe, but the Toronto Maple Leafs - founded in 1917 - did not have a 50-goal scorer until 1981-82.  Rick Vaive lit the lamp 54 times that season.  He scored 51 the following year and 52 more the year after that.  Vaive wrapped up his outstanding career in 1992 with a final tally of 441 goals in 876 games, making him one of the more underrated snipers of his era.

Tom Gilbert

Sent: 2/10/12
Received: 4/17/12
Time: 67 Days
Address: c/o Edmonton Oilers
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2011-12 O-Pee-Chee
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2011-12 O-Pee-Chee.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
This one seemed like a completely lost cause, due to unfortunate timing.  17 days after mailing my request to Edmonton, the Oilers traded the Bloomington, Minnesota native back home to the Wild.  I gave it a couple days, on the off chance Mr. Gilbert may have placed it in a Canadian mailbox on his way out of town, but when nothing showed up I figured I would just try him again next season.  So it's with great surprise (and curiosity) that this arrived, postmarked from St. Paul, but with Canadian postage.  Hey, I'm not complaining!

Jared Burton

Sent: 4/6/12
Received: 4/17/12
Time: 11 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Twins
Item Sent: 2007 Topps '52
Item Received: 2007 Topps '52, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Jared Burton is the biggest reclamation project in the Twins' revamped 2012 bullpen.  He had some success in Cincinnati a few years ago and even flashed glimpses of being a potential closer.  Then injuries derailed his career.  Healthy again, he has landed in Minnesota with a chance to become the primary right-handed setup man.  He's been effective so far.  Who knows?  Maybe he still has a chance to become a big league closer.

Jamie Moyer

Sent: 4/6/12
Received: 4/16/12
Time: 10 Days
Address: c/o Colorado Rockies
Item Sent: 1986 ProCards Pittsfield Cubs
Item Received: 1986 ProCards Pittsfield Cubs, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Jamie Moyer is back in the big leagues at the age of 49.  A non-roster invitee to spring training by the Colorado Rockies this year, after missing all of last season following Tommy John surgery, Moyer won the fifth and final spot in the Rockies rotation.  If he picks up a win, he will become the oldest pitcher in major league history to do so.  If he's remotely effective this year, he'll probably get a shot with somebody next season to pitch at the age of 50.  Unbelievable.  I've had this Pittsfield Cubs card of him since shortly after it was issued 26 years ago, which was the same season I watched him pitch as a Chicago Cubs rookie on WGN telecasts.  Baseball won't be the same when and if Jamie Moyer ever retires!

Steve Janaszak

Sent: 4/2/12
Received: 4/9/12
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: Minnesota North Stars logo puck
Item Received: Minnesota North Stars logo puck, signed in silver Sharpie.

Notes:
My first attempt at sending a hockey puck through the mail is a resounding success!  At the first ever Minnesota North Stars Alumni Reunion in March, I started a brand new collection.  I had individual North Stars logo pucks signed by everybody in attendance.  My puck collection went from zero to 29 in one day. 

Steve Janaszak was one of the first ex-North Stars I wanted to try through the mail.  He is a reliable TTM signer, but I had never tried him before as he doesn't have any cards (or, to my knowledge, any photos) appearing in a Stars sweater.  After all, he only played one game in net for the North Stars.

Still, he's a Minnesota hockey legend.  He helped lead the Gophers to the 1979 NCAA Championship.  Following that, he earned a spot on the 1980 US Olympic Team.  As Jim Craig's backup, he was the only member of the Miracle On Ice team who didn't see ice time during the Olympics.  His entire NHL career consisted of three games: the one with the North Stars in 1980 and two with the Colorado Rockies in 1981-82.

He signed the puck in the silver Sharpie I provided, and was kind enough to return the Sharpie with the puck.  Hopefully most future TTM puck signers follow suit!

Jason Blake

Sent: 11/19/11
Received: 4/2/12
Time: 135 Days
Address: c/o Anaheim Ducks
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2010-11 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2010-11 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Ducks wing Jason Blake has overcome an awful lot over the course of a brilliant career.  The Moorhead, Minnesota native has been an NCAA Champion, NHL All-Star, a 40 goal scorer, and a US Olympian.  He was the recipient of the Bill Masterton Award in 2008 after continuing to play while undergoing treatment for leukemia.  He entered this past season with 473 career points, appearing to be a cinch to surpass the 500 point milestone for his career.  Unfortunately, he suffered a severe cut from a skate above his wrist in October.  By the time his tendon had healed, he missed about three months of the season.  His strong play over the regular season's final weeks bodes well for a return to form next season, even as he approaches age 40.

Lester Straker

Sent: 3/21/12
Received: 3/29/12
Time: 8 Days
Address: c/o Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training
Item Sent: 1987 Topps Traded, 1988 Topps, 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers
Item Received: 1987 Topps Traded, 1988 Topps, 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Les Straker was a 28 year old minor league free agent who became the default #3 starter on the 1987 World Series champion Minnesota Twins.  Although his career resume pales in comparison to the Twins top two starters that season (World Series MVP and Cy Young winner Frank Viola and Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven), Straker started two games in that World Series.  In one of the great forgotten performances in Twins history, he shut out the Cardinals for six innings in game three before being lifted for a pinch-hitter with a 1-0 lead.  Juan Berenguer came in, promptly gave up three runs, costing Straker a World Series victory.

Straker has been one of the more difficult autographs from the 1987 Twins team to obtain until recently.  He works as a Latin American pitching coordinator for the Phillies, spending much of his time in Central and South America.  The best time to get his signature through the Phillies is during spring training.  I finally remembered to write this year and was quickly rewarded.

Toby Petersen

Sent: 10/22/11
Received: 3/27/12
Time: 157 Days
Address: c/o Dallas Stars
Item Sent: 2008-09 Upper Deck, 2010-11 O-Pee-Chee Retro
Item Received: 2008-09 Upper Deck, 2010-11 O-Pee-Chee Retro.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Minnesota's own Toby Petersen had a long journey toward a regular role in the NHL.  Now in his thirties, he has finally found a home with the Dallas Stars.  For the last five seasons, the speedy, low-scoring forward has been a stable presence on the Stars' fourth line and penalty killing units.

Shjon Podein

Sent: 1/6/12
Received: 3/23/12
Time: 77 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1993-94 Stadium Club, 1994-95 Ultra, 2002-03 Upper Deck Vintage
Item Received: 1991-92 Upper Deck Czech, 2000-01 Upper Deck Vintage, 2001-02 Upper Deck Vintage.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Rochester, Minnesota native Shjon Podein played in the NHL for eleven seasons, winning a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001.  He was an excellent defensive forward, regularly ranked amongst the top penalty killers in the league.  He's now back in Minnesota, coaching the St. Louis Park High School hockey team.

Larry Melton

Sent: 3/16/12
Received: 3/22/12
Time: 6 Days
Address: Work
Item Sent: 1986 ProCards Prince William Pirates
Item Received: 1986 ProCards Prince William Pirates, signed in black gel pen.

Notes:
Larry Melton spent five years in the Pirates organization, reaching the AAA level before calling it a career.  As with many former minor league players that I've written, Mr. Melton included a wonderful full-page letter with his reply.  He is now a mortgage specialist in the Portland area, has a wife and two daughters, and stays involved in baseball by teaching private lessons in his spare time. 

As a side note, I love these 1986 ProCards team sets.  It was the first year I collected minor league cards, and it's such a simple, classic design.  I'm definitely going to try collecting more, from all teams.

Brad Bombardir

Sent: 1/6/12
Received: 3/22/12
Time: 76 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Wild
Item Sent: 1991-92 Upper Deck Czech, 2000-01 Upper Deck Vintage, 2001-02 Upper Deck Vintage
Item Received: 1991-92 Upper Deck Czech, 2000-01 Upper Deck Vintage, 2001-02 Upper Deck Vintage.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Brad Bombardir has done a little bit of everything for the Minnesota Wild since the franchise's formation.  He was part of the original expansion roster in 2000-01 and spent four years as a player in St. Paul as a steady defender and strong leader on the young Wild roster.  Shortly after his retirement, he took a position as a studio and in-arena analyst for Wild telecasts.  He then became the Wild's Director of Community Relations (a position he still holds), and in 2010 he was named Director of Player Development.  Along with these cards, Mr. Bombardir included a nice handwritten note on Wild stationary.

Guillaume Latendresse

Sent: 10/13/11
Received: 3/22/12
Time: 161 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Wild
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2010-11 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2010-11 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
The Minnesota Wild acquired Latendresse from the Montreal Canadiens in 2009 for Benoit Pouliot.  It was a classic challenge trade.  Both were high draft picks who had not lived up to expectations and had fallen out of favor with their original clubs.  The change of scenery immediately changed Gui's game.  He scored a team leading 25 goals in just 55 games for the Wild and seemed to have a spot locked up as a top-six forward for years to come.  In the two years since, though, injuries have limited him to a mere 27 games.  With a slew of prospects on the way and plenty of free agent cap space, there is no guarantee Latendresse will be back in St. Paul. 

John Turner

Sent: 1/3/11
Received: 3/21/12
Time: 443 Days
Address: Work
Item Sent: 1983 Vikings Police, 1984 Topps, 1986 Topps
Item Received: 1983 Vikings Police, 1984 Topps, 1986 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Turner spent nine of his ten NFL seasons with the Vikings and remains one of the their all-time leaders in interceptions.  After his career ended, he moved into coaching and then education.  He is currently an administrative assistant at Park Center High School in suburban Minneapolis.

Chuck Baker

Sent: 3/6/12
Received: 3/19/12
Time: 13 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1982 Fleer, 1982 Topps
Item Received: 1982 Fleer, 1982 Topps.  Both signed in thin blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Weak-hitting shortstop Chuck Baker's Twins career lasted for only 40 games in 1981.  In those 40 games, he only accrued 70 plate appearances as most of his work came as a defensive replacement.  He is definitely one of the more obscure Twins players of the 1980s, but he still managed to find his way into the 1982 Fleer and Topps sets, and those two cards were two of the very first Twins cards I ever owned.