Mike Hartman

Sent: 1/6/11
Received: 1/31/11
Time: 25 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  Both signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
The last return of January was a mildly disappointing one from former Sabres enforcer Mike Hartman.  He did sign both of my cards in black ballpoint.  However, the 1990 Pro Set card came back with a crunched upper-left corner.  Even worse, the 1991 Score (for the set I'm working on) somehow had a thick crease right through the middle.  Not really sure what happened here.  If the post office bent the envelope, it would seem probable that both cards would have creases.  Oh well... it was a good January with 35 successful returns.  Onward to February (and Spring Training)!

Todd Krygier

Sent: 1/13/11
Received: 1/29/11
Time: 16 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
I continue to make my way through second requests to players I had success with before I started focusing on specific sets.  Former Whalers and Capitals winger Todd Krygier signed four cards for me back in June.  While I do feel a little guilty about going to the well twice with these guys, I think being straight with them, thanking them for their signatures on the first request, and explaining why I'm bothering them again has definitely helped.

Erik Rasmussen

Sent: 1/19/11
Received: 1/28/11
Time: 9 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:
If you've followed this blog on occasion, you may be aware of my attempt to complete a signed 1995-96 Gophers hockey team set.  One of my most-wanted cards in the set has been Erik Rasmussen, the power forward who went on to an NHL career with the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, and Los Angeles Kings.  I have tried a couple different possible addresses over the last year, and have struck out.  Thanks the Harvey Meiselman's brand new 2011 address list (orderable at sportsaddresslists.com and totally essential for those in this hobby), Mr. Rasmussen has finally been snagged!

Tony Twist

Sent: 1/5/11
Received: 1/28/11
Time: 23 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
One of the fiercest enforcers of the nineties, Tony Twist rose to prominence as Brett Hull's on-ice bodyguard in St. Louis.  In addition to signing this card, he signed my request letter "Thanks Dan, Your Friend, Tony Twist."  Awesome.  Good to know he's got my back!

Ken Hodge, Jr.

Sent: 1/13/11
Received: 1/28/11
Time: 15 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Canadian All-Rookie Team
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Canadian All-Rookie Team.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
I received a Hodge return back in June, but neither of his cards in the 1991 Score set (which I have since started collecting) were included in that one.  I sent him a brief letter, thanking him for the autographs I received then and explaining that I was only writing him again because I needed two cards for this project.  Honesty is the best policy, right?  That certainly applies to autograph collecting.  Thanks, Ken!

Trevor Crowe

Sent: 5/25/10
Received: 1/22/11
Time: 242 Days
Address: c/o Cleveland Indians
Item Sent: 2009 Topps Heritage
Item Received: 2009 Topps Heritage, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
After wrapping up his first full season in the big leagues, Cleveland's 2005 first round draft pick responded to my May autograph request and in the process obliterated my personal record for longest wait.  Checking in at 242 days, Mr. Crowe has put a safe distance between himself and the #2 spot on the list (currently held by Brian Barnes at 205 days).

Bill Campbell

Sent: 1/15/11
Received: 1/21/11
Time: 6 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1975 Topps, 1976 Topps
Item Received: 1975 Topps, 1976 Topps.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Signed DC has now been profiled a couple times by the excellent Baseball By the Letters blog, and I realized that a direct link from that - a baseball autograph site - leads to this, a site that has been dominated by hockey for the last couple of months.  It is hockey season, and the projects that I've been most diligent about recently have been some of my hockey sets, but I do feel it's time to get back to my TTM roots.  Namely, former Minnesota Twins.  I sent off a few Twins requests last week, and the first response from that batch comes from Bill Campbell.  "Soup" had an excellent fifteen year major league career that began with the Twins in 1973.  His final year with the Twins (1976) was incredible: 17 wins, 20 saves, and a 3.01 ERA in 167.2 innings and a league leading 78 games -- all in relief! 

Clint Malarchuk

Sent: 1/4/11
Received: 1/21/11
Time: 17 Days
Address: c/o Atlanta Thrashers
Item Sent: 1990-91 Score, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1990-91 Score, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
A talented goaltender for three different clubs in the '80s and early '90s, Malarchuk is unfortunately best known for nearly dying on ice when his throat was accidentally cut by a teammate's skate during a 1989 game.  It's a pretty gruesome sight that you can probably find on youtube, but it's not recommended for the faint of heart.  Malarchuk has made a nice second career for himself as a goaltending coach, currently working wonders with talented young Atlanta Thrashers star Ondrej Pavelec.

Trent Yawney

Sent: 1/3/11
Received: 1/21/11
Time: 18 Days
Address: c/o San Jose Sharks
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Trent Yawney was a solid defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames before getting into coaching.  He was the Blackhawks head coach for a little more than a year, but it was a little too soon to reap the rewards of all the young talent that would eventually win the 2010 Stanley Cup.  He is currently an assistant for the San Jose Sharks.

Todd Richards

Sent: 10/29/10
Received: 1/20/11
Time: 83 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Wild
Item Sent: 1991-92 Upper Deck, 1992-93 Topps
Item Received: 1991-92 Upper Deck, 1992-93 Topps.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Todd Richards is not the best NHL player that my high school (Robbinsdale Armstrong in Plymouth, Minnesota) produced -- that would be Jordan Leopold -- but he is the first Falcons alumni to become a head coach!  He enjoyed a fine high school career under the tutelage of the legendary Bruce Johnson (longtime Armstrong hockey coach and the father of one of my closest friends), and went on to serve as captain for the University of Minnesota.  He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens and had a couple NHL cups of coffee with the Hartford Whalers during a long pro career (mostly spent in the AHL and IHL).  Prior to the 2009-10 season, he was introduced as the second head coach in Minnesota Wild history.

Saku Koivu

Sent: 12/30/10
Received: 1/19/11
Time: 20 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
When the long-time Montreal Canadiens captain became a free agent following the 2008-09 season, Wild fans were clamoring for him.  It would only make sense for Saku to join his younger brother Mikko in St. Paul.  Alas, Saku ain't gettin' any younger and he still wants a Cup.  I guess he figured the Anaheim Ducks offered more of an opportunity.  Hard to disagree.

Tom Lysiak

Sent: 1/3/11
Received: 1/19/11
Time: 16 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1979-80 Topps, 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee Sticker, 1984-85 Topps
Item Received: 1979-80 Topps, 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee Sticker, 1984-85 Topps.  All signed in black gel pen.

Notes:
Lysiak's career was pretty evenly split between the Atlanta Flames and Chicago Blackhawks.  He was a fine scorer, totaling 843 career points in 919 games.  He is the Atlanta Flames' all-time leader in assists and points.

Rickey Jackson

Sent: 1/8/11
Received: 1/18/11
Time: 10 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984 Topps, 1989 Score
Item Received: 1984 Topps, 1989 Score.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
One of my all-time favorite football players, Rickey Jackson was likely the best overall player in Saints history until Drew Brees came along.  A perennial Pro Bowl player from the time he entered the NFL in 1981, Jackson and the Saints suffered through some lean years at the beginning of his career.  By the late 1980s, though, he was joined by fellow All-Pros Sam Mills, Vaughan Johnson, and Pat Swilling to form the "Dome Patrol" - perhaps the greatest four-linebacker unit in NFL history.  After thirteen years in N'awlins, Jackson wrapped up his career by winning a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers.

Valeri Kamensky

Sent: 1/8/11
Received: 1/18/11
Time: 10 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 O-Pee-Chee, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded, 1991-92 Upper Deck
Item Received: 1991-92 O-Pee-Chee, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded, 1991-92 Upper Deck.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Valeri Kamensky was one of the great players in the world in the '80s and '90s.  He debuted with the Soviet League in 1983 at the age of 17, and was the captain of the Soviet Union's legendary Central Red Army team in 1991 when he came to the NHL.  He played four seasons in Quebec City with the Nordiques before moving with the team to Colorado in 1995.  He scored a career high 85 points for the 1996 Stanley Cup winning Avalanche team.

Valtteri Filppula

Sent: 11/23/10
Received: 1/18/11
Time: 56 Days
Address: c/o Detroit Red Wings
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Valtteri Filppula has spent the last few years as a key third-line center on the Red Wings.  Don't be midled by that statement, though -- his talent would warrant first or second line status on most teams in the league.  For a team who has embraced and found incredible European players for as long as anyone, it's kind of amazing that Filppula was the first Finn to put on the Red Wings sweater.

Paul Gillis

Sent: 1/5/11
Received: 1/18/11
Time: 13 Days
Address: c/o Odessa Jackalopes
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Paul Gillis was a gritty defensive forward for 11 NHL season, mostly with the Quebec Nordiques.  He has been the head coach of the CHL's Odessa Jackalopes for the last four seasons.  Sadly, the USPS decided to throw a couple of creases into Mr. Gillis' cards.

Tom Kurvers

Sent: 1/3/11
Received: 1/15/11
Time: 12 Days
Address: c/o Tampa Bay Lightning
Item Sent: 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded
Item Received: 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Minneapolis native Tom Kurvers won the 1984 Hobey Baker award as a senior at Minnesota-Duluth (the second Minnesotan to win the award, following Neal Broten) and followed that with a solid 11-year pro career.  He was an excellent offensive defenseman, with 421 points in 659 NHL games, but couldn't defend worth a lick.  He is currently Steve Yzerman's assistant general manager in Tampa Bay.

Riley Cote

Sent: 1/7/11
Received: 1/15/11
Time: 8 Days
Address: c/o Adirondack Phantoms
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Riley Cote became a fan favorite as a brutal enforcer for the Flyers in 2007.  After two full seasons (of 202 and 174 penalty minutes, respectively, and one total goal), he dressed for only 15 games in 2009-10.  He abruptly retired this past off-season at the age of 28, and accepted an assistant coaching position with the Adirondack Phantoms (the Flyers' AHL affiliate).  He's my first success from a player who shares my surname!

Pierre Larouche

Sent: 1/7/11
Received: 1/15/11
Time: 8 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1979-80 Topps, 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee, 1984-85 Topps
Item Received: 1979-80 Topps, 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee, 1984-85 Topps.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
An incredibly talented scorer, Larouche posted 53 goals and 58 assists in his second NHL season for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1975-76.  At the time, he was the youngest player in league history to hit the 50 goal and 100 point milestones.  (A few years later, some kid in Edmonton bested him.  Name of Gretz-something.)  He reached the 50 goal mark again with Montreal in 1979-80, becoming the first player to score 50 with two different franchises.  Throw in the 48 he scored with the Rangers in 1983-84, and you still have the only player in league history to have a 45 goal season with three different clubs.

Paul Fenton

Sent: 1/7/11
Received: 1/15/11
Time: 8 Days
Address: c/o Nashville Predators
Item Sent: 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Topps
Item Received: 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Former journeyman Paul Fenton (who played for six NHL teams over his eight year career) has found incredible stability in Nashville.  He was hired as the Predators director of player personnel 13 years ago and was promoted to assistant general manager four years ago.  Despite those smaller titles, he has actually been in charge of player acquisition the whole time, and has currently assembled a crop of defensemen and goaltenders who can skate with anyone.  With a couple more impact forwards, the Predators are serious Cup contenders.

Scott Hartnell

Sent: 12/4/10
Received: 1/14/11
Time: 41 Days
Address: c/o Flyers SkateZone
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
I don't know that you can call yourself a true hockey fan if you don't love a player like Scott Hartnell.  He is one of the most genuine characters in the last pro sports league of genuine characters, and I have to think that plays well in the City of Brotherly Love.  A throwback to the Broad Street Bullies, Hartnell averages about 25 goals and 150 penalty minutes per year.  He has sported a ridiculous bushy red 'fro.  He is clutch, coming up huge last year during the Flyers' improbable run to the Stanley Cup Finals.  But my favorite Scott Hartnell moment is this (courtesy of Wikipedia):  

A previous Penguins related incident showcased Hartnell's good nature in an interaction with a Penguins fan taunting him with an orange wig and Flyers #19 jersey bearing the name "Fartsmell" in a game played in Pittsburgh on March 22, 2009. Hartnell autographed that jersey (signing it "To my biggest fan!! Your bud Scott Fartsmell 19") as well as giving his game-used stick to that fan.

Gotta love a player with that kind of sense of humor. 

Joe Pavelski

Sent: 11/20/10
Received: 1/13/11
Time: 54 Days
Address: c/o San Jose Sharks
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee, 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee, 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro.  Both signed in thin blue Sharpie.

Notes:
From Plover, Wisconsin, Joe Pavelski has been an underrated secondary scorer on the Sharks for the last couple of years.  Overshadowed by big-name teammates like Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley, and Dan Boyle, Pavelski finally made a name for himself during Team USA's Silver Medal run at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.  His key assist set up the game-tying goal with 24 seconds remaining in the Gold Medal game against Canada.  I generally don't care for rooting for Wisconsin Badgers, but it's hard to not love Joe.

Jeff Chychrun

Sent: 1/5/11
Received: 1/13/11
Time: 8 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  Both signed and personalized in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Jeff Chychrun was one of the more feared enforcers in the NHL for a couple of seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers in the late '80s.  He began his Flyers career with seasons of 245 and 250 penalty minutes respectively.  After that, he had brief stints in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh (where he won the Stanley Cup in 1992) and Edmonton (only two games for the Oilers) before he was out of the league for good.

Garnet Exelby

Sent: 1/5/11
Received: 1/12/11
Time: 7 Days
Address: c/o Rockford IceHogs
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Okay, this is a little silly.  Garnet Exelby was a solid but unspectacular physical defenseman for the Atlanta Thrashers for the last few years, and is now playing for the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL (the Chicago Blackhawks' top minor league affiliate).  However, he is a savior for my 2010-11 Minnesota Wild team in NHL 11 on the PS3.  After making a couple of deals prior to starting my franchise, I was a little light on the blue line.  I signed Exelby in free agency and he has been a stabilizing presence in my fake world.  Fittingly, the return is as silly as my reason for sending, with Garnet writing "DAN, Dream Big!" in huge letters.  Pretty awesome.

David Booth

Sent: 10/27/10
Received: 1/12/11
Time: 77 Days
Address: c/o Florida Panthers
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
I hope this is real!  Booth is one of the more talented young American forwards in the NHL.  His 2009-10 season was lost to concussions, but he has come back strong this year.  I hate to say it, but I am a little skeptical of this autograph.  I noticed it was postmarked from Michigan (he is a Detroit native) on January 5.  Booth's Panthers were at home in Miami on January 5.  Prior to that, they were at Carolina.  Furthering suspicions, I peeked at other Booth signatures on the internet.  It's not ridicilously far off in style, but I didn't see any other examples where the last name was essentially a "B" with a long tail.  The Panthers did have four consecutive days off over Christmas, so I suppose it's possible that he went home for the holidays, signed his mail, and his parents just now got around to dropping it in the mailbox.  But it's also possible that a relative or friend is signing for him.  I hope I'm wrong!

John Swain

Sent: 12/21/10
Received: 1/12/11
Time: 22 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984 Topps
Item Received: 1984 Topps, signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
A few weeks back, during the Vikings big 50th anniversary celebration, I went on a spree of writing to some players of my youth.  John Swain was a cornerback for the Purple for four years in the '80s.  He finished his career with stints in Miami and Pittsburgh, but like so many Vikings of his day he remained a Minnesota resident.  He is currently the football coach for Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis.

Brian Barnes

Sent: 6/19/10
Received: 1/10/11
Time: 205 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991 Score, 1991 Stadium Club, 1992 Score
Item Received: 1991 Score, 1991 Stadium Club, 1992 Score.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
We have a new champion!  At 205 days, former Expos phenom Brian Barnes has surpassed Fernando Arroyo (by four days) and now owns the distinction of being my slowest successful return!  I stocked up on Brian Barnes rookie cards when I was about thirteen years old.  I thought he really had a chance to be special.  I was thirteen, though.  What did I know?  Well, I knew that the diminutive lefty had a flawless track record heading into his rookie season in 1991.  Witness: NCAA strikeouts leader at Clemson in 1988; a 0.83 ERA, 87 strikeouts over 65 innings, and three shutouts in ten starts, spread out over three levels in his first season of pro ball (1989); 13-7 record, 2.77 ERA, 213 strikeouts in 201 innings at AA Jacksonville in his first full season in the minors in 1990; and, finally, a 2.89 ERA over a four-start cup of coffee in Montreal at the end of 1990, including a complete game three-hitter against the Phillies for his first big league win.  Needless to say, Mr. Barnes didn't pan out in the long run.  For a few months in late 1990 and early 1991, though, I thought I was on to something.

Jerry Burns

Sent: 12/30/10
Received: 1/8/11
Time: 9 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990 Pro Set, 1991 Pro Line, 1991 Pro Set
Item Received: 1990 Pro Set, 1991 Pro Line, 1991 Pro Set.  All signed in purple Sharpie.

Notes:
Burnsie!  They don't make 'em like him anymore.  He was Bud Grant's offensive coordinator from 1968 through 1985.  When Grant retired following the 1983 season, Burnsie was bypassed for the head coaching gig.  Ex-Marine and former wide receivers coach Les Steckel was a colossal disaster in his only season at the controls of the Vikings.  After a 3-13 season in 1984, Grant returned for one more year.  In 1986, the Vikings got it right.  Burnsie got his shot.  Two years later, his upstart wild card team was a dropped Darrin Nelson touchdown catch away from the Super Bowl.  The Vikings were competitive but maddeningly inconsistent during the Burns years (1986-1991).  One thing that never wavered, however, was the quotable Jerry Burns.  He wore his heart on his sleeve like few NFL coaches since.  And he had no editor.  Despite all of his coaching success, he may be best remembered for his 1989 post-game meltdown, defending clueless offensive coordinator Bob Schnelker.  (Here is a link to the video.  It's a must-watch.)

Keith Brown

Sent: 12/27/10
Received: 1/8/11
Time: 12 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984-85 Topps, 1985-86 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1984-85 Topps, 1985-86 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Keith Brown was a steady stay-at-home defenseman for a dozen seasons in Chicago.  He was a thorn in the side of my beloved Minnesota North Stars while with the Blackhawks.  He finished his career with the expansion Florida Panthers.  He apparently is very down with Jesus.

Tom Chorske

Sent: 1/3/11
Received: 1/7/11
Time: 4 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded, 1991-92 Upper Deck
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded, 1991-92 Upper Deck.  All signed in thin black Sharpie.

Notes:
Tom Chorske was the first winner of Minnesota's Mr. Hockey award (given to the top high school player in the state) in 1985.  He starred for the Gophers after that, then spent a dozen seasons as a role player in the NHL.  He is currently a FSN studio analyst for Gophers and Wild hockey games.

Al MacInnis

Sent: 12/27/10
Received: 1/6/11
Time: 10 Days
Address: c/o St. Louis Blues
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Canadian "Season Leaders," 1991-92 Score Canadian "The Franchise"
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Canadian "Season Leaders," 1991-92 Score Canadian "The Franchise."  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Al MacInnis, one of the greatest defensemen of my lifetime, has a reputation for being one of the great TTM signers in hockey.  I'm not sure what took me so long to send to him.  I guess I figured he'd always be there.  Can't argue with results, though.  I'm three cards closer to my 1991 Score set thanks to his Hall of Fame signature.

Tommy Hannon

Sent: 12/21/10
Received: 1/6/11
Time: 16 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1985 Topps
Item Received: 1985 Topps, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Tommy Hannon was the Vikings third round pick in 1977.  He moved into the starting lineup the following season and remained there as the Vikings strong safety until 1984.  The great Joey Browner stepped into his spot the next year and Hannon was quickly a forgotten man.  That's kind of a shame.  Hannon was a good player, but he was no Browner.

Mike Ramsey

Sent: 12/30/10
Received: 1/4/11
Time: 5 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984-85 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1984-85 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
The second time was a charm with Minnesota hockey legend Mike Ramsey.  I sent to him in April, care of the Wild.  Still haven't heard back from that one.  It was near the end of their season and I had no way of knowing that his decade-long run as an assistant coach would be coming to an end.  No matter.  That was before I decided to focus on the 1984 Topps and 1991 Score sets anyway.  I decided to try again, this time to his home address.  Success!

Steve Nelson

Sent: 12/27/10
Received: 1/3/11
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1983 Topps, 1985 Topps, 1986 Topps
Item Received: 1981 Topps, 1983 Topps, 1985 Topps, 1986 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Steve Nelson is one of the greatest NFL players ever produced by the state of Minnesota.  Born in Farmington, he went to high school at Anoka and played collegiately for North Dakota State.  His entire 14-year pro career was spent with the Patriots.  One of the best inside linebackers of the '70s and '80s, he was a three-time Pro Bowl honoree and his number 57 is retired by New England.  I sent him three cards.  He signed all of them and added a 1981 Topps card.  Awesome return from a home-state legend!

Jerry Lomastro

Sent: 10/18/10
Received: 1/3/11
Time: 77 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1986 ProCards Toledo Mud Hens, 1987 TCMA Rochester Red Wings
Item Received: 1986 ProCards Toledo Mud Hens, 1987 TCMA Rochester Red Wings.  Both signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
This return from former Twins minor league player Jerry Lomastro certainly makes for an odd start to the new year.  While I'm always happy to get a return and definitely don't mean to complain about getting a free autograph (or two), it's a shame when an inferior pen is used.  The one used by Jerry appears to be somewhere between a ballpoint and felt-tip pen and, as you can see, the smudging is pretty terrible.  Mr. Lomastro also wrote a brief note at the bottom of my request letter, thanking me for writing.  He then goes on to write, "I guess if I could of [sic] done a few things different I do believe Minn. would have been my final destination.  Life goes on."  I'm not totally sure what he's getting at.  I think he's trying to say he wishes he would have advanced further with the Twins, but it seems to read a little on the spooky side.