TTM Terry Blocker

Here is a 1989 Score card of Terry Blocker that I received in the mail a few months ago. Terry was once a Mets first round pick (#4 overall in the 81 draft). He was eventually traded to the Braves where he saw his most career action but really had no success. A late attempt in his career at pitching saw him pitch 1 scoreless inning for the Braves. He was out of baseball by 1989.

TTM Success Mike Bielecki

Here are a few cards that I have received back in the mail from former Major Leaguer Mike Bielecki. Mike had a nice career pitching from 1984 - 1997 with the Pirates, Braves, Cubs, Indians, Braves, Angels, and Braves. His best season came in 1989 when he won 18 games with the Cubs. His best decision probably came in 1993 while with the Indians. He was invited to go on the boat trip with teammates Steve Olin, Tim Crews, and Bobby Ojeda. He declined. That day there was an accident that killed Olin and Crews, and nearly Ojeda.

These cards are his 1988 Topps and 1990 Fleer.

TTM - Andy Ashby

This is a card from Topps that I obtained in a trade with Joe. Not too much to say about Andy, he had a few very good seasons in which he was an All Star in 1998/1999. He went 17-9 and 14-10 respectively those years. Look at those numbers and Andy's career, you think nice seasons, good pitcher. Put those two seasons on the free agent market and you are looking at a guy like Carl Pavano looking for that big contract. Its amazing how things change in 10 years.

TTM - Scott Bailes

Today's card, like many of my cards came from a trade with friend, downstairs neighbor, co-worker Joe @ MLB Collector. This is a 92 Donruss card of Mr. Scott Bailes pictured as a CALIFORNIA angel (back before you needed to take a breath after you completed saying the full team name). Scott's career was for the most part not remarkable (by way of a normal player - I doubt there are any of us who don't feel just getting there is incredible). What I find most interesting about Scott is that he now calls games on the radio for the Cardinals AA team.



Personally, I love listening to former ballplayers (McCarver excluded) - this applies more so to on radio than TV. There is a sense of legitimacy to what they are saying. Who are your favorites to listen to?

TTM - Rafael Belliard

When I first started sending cards out in the mail early 2008, one of the first cards I got back was from Rafael Belliard. We all know the drill, all field no hit middle infielder. Dime a dozen in his era. The one thing I found interesting about this signature is that it looks like that english is second language as far as handwriting as well as speaking. I know I shouldnt talk since the few of you who have seen my hand writing can attest to its awfulness, but I truly feel that one thing an athlete must have is a kick ass auto. I do apprecaite getting this card back from Rafael, and Iprobably like it more than most because it looks like he signed it in 5th grade, but really - c'mon now.

Another TTM Success

Next up I have a card I received in a trade with my buddy Joe of Jay Bell. Jay had a nice career spending time with Cleavland, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Arizona, and ending his career with the Mets. I would imagine his personal career highlight was in 1993 when he broke Ozzie Smith's consecutive Gold Glove streak at 13 straight when he snagged the award. That same year which was his best he also took home the Silver Slugger Award. Jay was a 2 time All-Star and World Series Champion in 2001. The one thing I remember most about Jay was during the early 90's with the Pirates he lead the league in sacrifice bunts when setting the table for the likes of Barry Bonds and Andy Van Slyke.

TTM Success

Well, that's a bit of a lie - I had no success with this card - but my good buddy Joe came through for me when we were trading some duplicates. Today, I bring you Kevin Bass.

Kevin was a good major leaguer of whom my best memory of course is when he struck out to end game 6 of the 1986 NLCS against the Mets - This was the marathon game that ended after 16 innings.

TTM Success

Here is another success in my TTM autograph collections.

Today I bring you Keith Atherton. Keith was a good reliever for the A's, Twins, and Indians. I would guess that his career highlight was being a member of the 1987 World Series Champion Twins team.

TTM Sucesses

This is the first of many posts I hope to put up of my various successes of requesting players signatures through the mail.

Don was a relief pitcher in the late 70's and 80's who spend most of his career with the California Angels and the Baltimore Orioles - Since I wasnt collecting in the 70's since my folks had not yet done the nasty to make me, these are cards from my first heyday in collecting. Don's best season came in 1986 with the O's when he had 34 saves and a 2.98 ERA. Those numbers today would make for a very rich man. Oh well, I'm sure he did well for himself.