Brett Hull

Sent: 4/15/10
Received: 4/30/10
Time: 15 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Upper Deck Hockey Heroes #3 (UMD Bulldogs uniform)
Item Received: 1991-92 Upper Deck Hockey Heroes #3, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Like Bobby Clarke, Brett Hull is a Hall of Fame hockey legend who is uncommonly generous through the mail.  This was always my favorite Hull card.  I remember pulling it out of a pack in 1991 and being in awe of seeing a UMD jersey on a major company hockey card.

Lenny Green

Sent: 4/19/10
Received: 4/30/10
Time: 11 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1961 Topps
Item Received: 1961 Topps, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
My Twins autograph collection is pretty solid in terms of '80s and early '90s players, thanks mostly to my childhood collecting.  I don't have much in the way of '60s and '70s players, though, so this is a pretty cool return.

Greg Gagne

Sent: 4/13/10
Received: 4/29/10
Time: 16 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984 Donruss, 1987 Donruss Opening Day, 1992 Topps
Item Received: 1984 Donruss, 1987 Donruss Opening Day, 1992 Topps.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Arguably the best shortstop in Twins history, Gagne was essential to both the 1987 and 1991 Twins Championships.  Later this summer, he is set to be the newest inductee into the Twins Hall of Fame.  Great return!

Mark Davidson

Sent: 4/15/10
Received: 4/29/10
Time: 14 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers, 1989 Upper Deck
Item Received: 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers, signed in blue Sharpie.  1989 Upper Deck signed in blue Sharpie and personalized, "Dan- A Great Fan."

Notes:
"Country" Davidson was a reserve outfielder on the 1987 Twins World Series championship team.  He established himself as a top prospect in the barren Twins minor league system of the mid-to-late eighties with a huge year at Double A Orlando in 1985 (.302, 25 HR, 106 RBI).  Those numbers never translated to big league success, as he spent three years with the Twins and a couple more with the Houston Astros as a weak-hitting, defensive-replacement type.

Mike Cubbage

Sent: 4/12/10
Received: 4/27/10
Time: 15 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1977 Topps, 1981 Donruss, 1981 Topps
Item Received: 1977 Topps, 1981 Donruss, 1981 Topps.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Cubbage played third base and first base for the Twins in the late '70s and spent many years coaching in the big leagues (most notably as a third base coach for the Mets).  I love the '77 card, with the shades.  It almost makes me want to try collecting an autographed '77 team set, to represent the year I was born, but I fear the Lyman Bostock (among others) will be nearly impossible to find.

Ken Schrom

Sent: 4/10/10
Received: 4/26/10
Time: 16 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984 Fleer
Item Received: 1984 Fleer, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Elegant signature from the one-time Twins ace.  He added a nice thank you note on the envelope.  Class act!

Bobby Clarke

Sent: 4/15/10
Received: 4/24/10
Time: 9 Days
Address: c/o Philadelphia Flyers
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set Career Point Leader, 1990-91 Pro Set Hall of Famer
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set Career Point Leader, 1990-91 Pro Set Hall of Famer.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
When some Hall of Fame legends ignore fan mail altogether or charge ridiculous fees for their signatures, it's always refreshing to see an icon who continues to sign so generously and quickly.  Bobby Clarke, with his signature toothless grin, was one of the toughest and best all around players of his era while leading the Philadelphia Flyers in the '70s.  Minnesotans also remember him as the GM of the 1991 North Stars Stanley Cup Finalist team.  You really can't beat a nine-day turnaround for signatures of an all-time great!

Erik Lis

Sent: 4/10/10
Received: 4/24/10
Time: 14 Days
Address: c/o Rochester Red Wings
Item Sent: 2007 Bowman Prospects
Item Received: 2007 Bowman Prospects, signed in blue Sharpie

Notes:
Lis has had a slow but steady rise through the Twins system since being drafted in 2005.  Though he has never been regarded as a top prospect, he's been a pretty consistent run producer at each stop.  I always root for guys like that.  Thanks, Erik!  I hope to see you in the big leagues someday.

Greg Olson

Sent: 4/15/10
Received: 4/24/10
Time: 9 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers
Item Received: 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers, signed in blue Sharpie

Notes:
The second return for the signed 1989 Portland Beavers team set that I'm trying to complete is by catcher Greg Olson.  An unlikely All Star as a 30 year old rookie for the Atlanta Braves in 1990, he came back to his native Minnesota to face the Twins in the 1991 fall classic.  Prior to his stint with the Braves, he played college ball for the Gophers and had a cup of coffee in the big leagues with the Twins in 1989.

Robert Parish

Sent: 4/16/10
Received: 4/23/10
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1989-90 Fleer, 1990-91 Hoops
Item Received: 1989-90 Fleer signed in black Sharpie, 1990-91 Hoops signed in silver.

Notes:
Although I find today's NBA mostly unwatchable, I do have a big time soft spot for the league in the 1980s.  Although Danny Ainge was inexplicably my favorite (perhaps because he also played baseball, I guess), I loved the whole starting lineup of those Celtics teams.  This is a great, albeit curious return from "The Chief."  The '89 Fleer card is signed upside down... perhaps he was looking at the image on the card and not the cards border?  I have to give it to him, it looks pretty cool this way.  He then busted out the silver marker to sign the '90 Hoops card.  Thanks, Chief!

Gary Ward

Sent: 4/13/10
Received: 4/23/10
Time: 10 Days
Address: c/o Charlotte Knights
Item Sent: 1982 Fleer, 1984 Donruss
Item Received: 1982 Fleer, 1984 Donruss.  Both signed in blue Sharpie
Notes:
The former Twins slugger is the current hitting coach for the Charlotte Knights (Triple A affiliate of the hated White Sox).  Great signature!

Billy Gardner

Sent: 4/13/10
Received: 4/22/10
Time: 9 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1983 Topps, 1984 Topps
Item Received: 1983 Topps, 1984 Topps.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.  Also signed and returned the letter I sent.

Notes:
"Slick" was the first big league manager of Hrbek, Gaetti, Brunansky, Viola, Puckett, and all the other great Twins of the '80s.  If not for Ron Davis, maybe he doesn't get fired in 1985, maybe Tom Kelly doesn't get hired in 1986, and maybe the Twins never win a World Series.  Still, I'm pretty pumped to get this one back!

Bobby Mitchell

Sent: 4/13/10
Received: 4/22/10
Time: 9 Days
Address: c/o Salt Lake Bees
Item Sent: 1983 Topps, 1984 Fleer
Item Received: 1983 Topps, 1984 Fleer.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Mitchell was a member of the Twins' famed 1982 rookie class who didn't stick in the Majors, but he has had a long career in minor league coaching.  He currently manages the Angels' AAA affiliate Salt Lake Bees.

Glenn Adams

Sent: 4/13/10
Received: 4/22/10
Time: 9 Days
Address: c/o Erie SeaWolves
Item Sent: 1981 Fleer, 1981 Topps, 1982 Fleer
Item Received: 1981 Fleer, 1981 Topps, 1982 Fleer.  All signed in blue Sharpie (two were mildly smudged).

Notes:
Glenn Adams was a lefty-hitting platoon outfielder/DH for the Twins in the late '70s.  His biggest claim to fame is setting the Twins team record with 8 RBI in one game in 1977, just months before I was born.  He now coaches for the Erie SeaWolves, the AA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.  Thanks, Mr. Adams!

Jeff Reardon

Sent: 4/13/10
Received: 4/20/10
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1987 Topps Traded, 1988 Score, 1989 Upper Deck
Item Received: 1987 Topps Traded, 1988 Score, 1989 Upper Deck.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
This is my favorite return of the day.  On the mound, Reardon was "The Terminator."  Known for his thick, black bears and icy stare, he was one of the most intimidating closers of his era.  He was the key addition to the 1987 Twins World Series team and retired as MLB's all-time leader in saves (since passed by Lee Smith and Trevor Hoffman).  Around Christmas 2005, he was arrested for attempted armed robbery of a Florida jewelry store.  He didn't even have a gun.  He was on a mix of anti-depressants, all stemming from the fatal drug overdose of his second son the previous year.

The Terminator looked to be in good health and received huge ovations during the Twins 20th anniversary World Series reunion in 2007, and he has maintained his reputation as one of the more generous signers in baseball.

Along with beautifully signing all three cards I sent in blue Sharpie, he included a note politely asking for donations to his son's memorial foundation.  You may view the guestbook online here.

Jeff Reboulet

Sent: 4/12/10
Received: 4/20/10
Time: 8 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990 ProCards Orlando SunRays, 1991 Line Drive AAA
Item Received: 1990 ProCards Orlando SunRays, 1991 Line Drive AAA.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
It's a quick return by the former Twins utilityman.  At the risk of sounding ungrateful, I'm a little curious about the signatures.  Comparing them, it almost looks like they were signed by two different people.  The '91 Line Drive card is far less streamlined than the '90 ProCards.  Maybe he was signing while moving?  Maybe he had a bad marker?  Or maybe he signed one and had a small child sign the other?

Alan Cockrell

Sent: 4/13/10
Received: 4/20/10
Time: 7 Days
Address: c/o Seattle Mariners
Item Sent: 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers
Item Received: 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers.  Signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
This is the first success in a pet-project of this autograph collection.  I noticed that, while lacking starpower, my 1989 Portland Beavers team set (the Twins AAA affiliate at the time) was littered with players who had cups of coffee in the majors, leading to guys who are reasonably within contact (addresses of career minor leaguers can be tough to track down).  Alan Cockrell was the Colorado Rockies hitting coach when they went to the World Series in 2007, and now holds that position for the Seattle Mariners.  Thanks for the quick return, Mr. Cockrell!

Ron Cey

Sent: 4/13/10
Received: 4/20/10
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1978 Topps, 1985 Topps
Item Received: 1978 Topps, 1985 Topps.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
"The Penguin" is widely known as a generous TTM signer, so as a big fan of the mid-'80s Cubs teams, I thought I'd try him.  He didn't disappoint.  I know have a signed Dodgers card and a signed Cubs card of his in my collection, both signed elegantly in black Sharpie.  Thanks, Mr. Cey!

Phil Housley

Sent: 4/14/10
Received: 4/20/10
Time: 6 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990-91 Upper Deck French
Item Received: 2003-04 Upper Deck signed in blue Sharpie. (Returned my card unsigned.)

Notes:
I wonder if Mr. Housley houses his share of animosity toward the Winnipeg Jets.  I saw another report online claiming he signed all the cards someone sent of him in Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames uniforms, but returned the Jets card unsigned.  Since I have a perverse affection toward defunct teams, I naturally sent him a Jets card, which he returned unsigned, along with a signed 2003 card, in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform.  It doesn't bother me, I just find it curious.  Thank you for the autograph, Mr. Housley!

Randy Breuer

Sent: 4/12/10
Received: 4/16/10
Time: 4 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990-91 Hoops, 1991-92 Upper Deck
Item Received: 1990-91 Hoops, 1991-92 Upper Deck.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
It seems like the local guys are the way to go!  The Gopher legend, and former Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves center is my second response, and matched Curt Giles with a four-day return time.  Thanks, Randy!

Curt Giles

Sent: 4/10/10
Received: 4/14/10
Time: 4 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1985-86 7-Eleven
Item Received: 1985-86 7-Eleven signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
For my first through-the-mail (TTM) autograph requesting in about ten years - and first for this blog - I sent off eight letters on Friday, April 10.  I guess it makes sense that the earliest response comes from only about four miles from my house.

Curt Giles was a North Stars legend.  He was, bar none, the best hip-checking defenseman of his era in the NHL, and was the captain of the 1991 Stanley Cup Finalist team.  He has been the head coach at Edina High School for years, and just won another state championship last month.

Thanks, Curt!