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. 

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!

Lonnie Smith

Sent: 7/13/10
Received: 7/26/10
Time: 13 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984 Topps, 1990 Donruss NL's Best, 1992 Score 1991 World Series
Item Received: 1984 Topps, 1990 Donruss NL's Best, 1992 Score 1991 World Series.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Lonnie Smith was one of the most fascinating and underrated players of the '80s.  He won three World Series with three different teams from 1980-1985 ('80 Phillies, '82 Cardinals, '85 Royals).  He almost lost his career to drug abuse.  He contemplated murdering Royals GM John Schuerholz, who he thought was blackballing him from the league.  He resurrected his career with the Atlanta Braves, where he played in two more World Series (losing in 1991 and 1992) -- ironically under Schuerholz, then the GM in Atlanta.  He was both a hero and goat for the Braves in the '91 World Series, homering in three straight games, but also committing a costly baserunning gaffe, which may have cost the Braves the title.  (They, of course, lost to my Twins in the greatest World Series ever played.)  All the while, he's been a huge friend to the hobby, having cultivated a reputation as one of the most generous and reliable TTM signers in all of baseball.  Thanks, Mr. Smith!

Brooks Conrad

Sent: 5/22/10
Received: 7/10/10
Time: 49 Days
Address: c/o Atlanta Braves
Item Sent: 2008 Bowman Gold
Item Received: 2008 Bowman Gold, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Conrad has always showcased solid pop in the minors, and after years of toiling in the Astros and A's systems, he finally seems to be getting a shot as a super utility player for the Braves.