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.

Randy Niemann

Sent: 5/26/11
Received: 6/27/11
Time: 32 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1986 Topps Traded, 1987 Donruss Opening Day Twins Logo, 1987 ProCards Portland Beavers, 1987 Topps
Item Received: 1986 Topps Traded, 1987 Donruss Opening Day Twins Logo, 1987 ProCards Portland Beavers, 1987 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Journeyman lefty Randy Niemann appeared in 31 games for the World Champion New York Mets in 1986, but was not on the post-season roster.  In 1987, he signed as a minor league free agent with the Minnesota Twins.  He appeared in eight games for the Twins that June, picking up a win along the way.  He obviously was not a part of the Twins' post-season roster in their World Champion season, either, but the 1987 Donruss Opening Day logo card you see here represents my quest to build an "ultimate" 1987 Donruss Twins team set.

Rick Anderson

Sent: 4/19/10
Received: 5/13/10
Time: 24 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Twins
Item Sent: 1987 Topps, 1989 Score
Item Received: 1987 Topps, 1989 Score.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
The longtime Twins pitching coach is my first return from Target Field!  Anderson is now in his ninth season with the Twins.  Is there a better pitching coach in the game, this side of Dave Duncan?

Chip Hale

Sent: 4/14/10
Received: 5/8/10
Time: 24 Days
Address: c/o New York Mets
Item Sent: 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers, 1989 Topps Major League Debut, 1990 Score
Item Received: 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers, 1989 Topps Major League Debut, 1990 Score.  All signed in red Sharpie.

Notes:
Former Twins utilityman and pinch-hitting specialist Chip Hale has been managing in the minor leagues for years and is now the third base coach for the New York Mets.  He signed three cards, including the 1989 ProCards Portland card -- the fourth one I've received as I attempt to collect a signed team set.