2017 Spring Training TTM Hopefuls

Here is my sent list so far this year. I've attacked spring training hard. A LOT of these are long shots and two of them I sent with a "donation." I sent a ball to Joba Chamberlain that he handed to me at old Yankee Stadium in it's last year. Its been 20 days and nothing yet. Not even RTS so that's a good sign. I'm excited to see who breaks the ice and returns first. I think its funny when you see who people send to and wonder why the hell they choose the people they do. I know I have some head-scratchers. I will try to explain the connections as they come back.


SENT 02/01/2017
1.    Wade Boggs Baseball HOFer $
2.    Dean Cain Celebrity Baseball Card
3.    Jaromir Jagr Hockey Panthers
4.    Andre Drummond Basketball Pistons
5.    Tim Hardaway Basketball Pistons

SENT 02/12/2017
1.    Rick Nash Hockey New York Rangers

SENT 02/14/2017
1.    Shane Greene Tigers
2.    James McCann Tigers
3.    Adam Wainwright Cardinals
4.    Lloyd McClendon Tigers
5.    Grayson Greiner Tigers
6.    Steven Moya Tigers
7.    Brad Ausmus Tigers
8.    Victor Martinez Tigers
9.    Justin Verlander Tigers
10.    Tyler Collins Tigers
11.    Nick Castellanos Tigers
12.    Daniel Norris Tigers
13.    JaCoby Jones Tigers
14.    Matt Boyd Tigers
15.    Omar Vizquel Tigers
16.    Miguel Cabrera Tigers
17.    Kris Bryant Cubs
18.    Charlie Blackmon Rockies
19.    Ned Yost Royals
20.    Ian Kinsler Tigers
21.    Edwin Jackson Padres
22.    Justin Upton Tigers
23.    Jordan Zimmermann Tigers
24.    Dusty Baker Nationals
25.    JD Martinez Tigers
26.    Clayton Kershaw Dodgers
27.    Cameron Maybin Angels
28.    Jon Lester Cubs
29.    Mark Trumbo Orioles
30.    Kyle Ryan Tigers
31.    Ichiro Suzuki Marlins
32.    Austin Jackson Indians
33.    Evan Longoria Rays
34.    Fransisco Liriano Blue Jays
35.    Rajai Davis A's
36.    Billy Butler Yankees
37.    Jake McGee Rockies
38.    Omar Infante Tigers
39.    Mike Gerber Tigers
40.    Logan Kensing Tigers
41.    Josh Hamilton Rangers
42.    Alex Avila Tigers
43.    Curtis Granderson Mets
44.    Jarrod Saltalamacchia Blue Jays
45.    Rick Porcello Red Sox
46.    Joe Mauer Twins
47.    Miguel Sano Twins
48.    Joba Chamberlain Brewers BALL

SENT 2/15/17
1.    Edward Mujica Tigers
2.    Angel Nesbitt Tigers
3.    Jeremy Hellickson Phillies
4.    Sonny Gray Athletics
5.    Yu Darvish Rangers
6.    Drew Pomeranz Red Sox
7.    Matt Moore Giants
8.    Zack Greinke Diamondbacks
9.    Jose Berrios Twins
10.    Lucas Giolito White Sox
11.    Jairo Labourt Tigers
12.    Al Kaline Tigers HOFer $

SENT 2/17/17
1.    Alex Bregman Astros
2.    Joc Pederson Dodgers
3.    Terry Francona Indians
4.    Phil Hughes Twins
5.    Kole Calhoun Angels
6.    Delino Deshields Jr. Rangers

SENT 2/18/17
1.    John Hicks Tigers

SENT 2/19/17
1.    Elvis Andrus Rangers
2.    Don Kelly Tigers
3.    Shin Soo Choo Rangers
4.    Ryan Braun Brewers

BACK BY NO DEMAND

Five Year Hiatus OVER

I've been a bit busy creating a family the last five years so I took a break from autos. Recently, I've decided to get back to it. Everybody needs a hobby. Up top is a Michael Fulmer 5X7 I had signed at a local signing. I bought a bunch of these 5X7 cards online and hope to start getting them auto'ed they look so much cooler than regular cards.

Here are 4 other autos I've gotten recently. All in person autos but one:

I attended Tigerfest for the first time in 3 years this year and its nothing compared to what it used to be. I used to meet and get autos from 10-15 players and lines were 2 hours. This year I took my brother and feel bad he had to suffer through it. We stood in line for 3 hours to get Mike Pelfrey's auto and then 4 hours for Buck Farmer. Don't get me wrong; I love the autos I got and am so grateful the Tigers put on the event but it seems like they sell 10,000 more tickets to the thing now making it so packed you can't move. Also, in years past I NEVER stood in line to get a single autograph. Usually there were 2-4 signers at the table. I don't know what caused the changes that made the event take a terrible turn but it needs to be worked out. I would rather pay $500 for a ticket to assure I'd get to meet at least half the team and only 1,000 people were in attendance than pay $30 and spend my day standing around for little reward. The Tigerfest FAIL was a big reason I decided to get back into TTM autos. The younger Tigers coming up are looking good and I have a big wishlist of autos from them so since I only got Buck from my list done at Tigerfest I decided I'll send for the rest.

Anyway, the Marcel Dionne I bought online as we share the last name I should own this card. The Buck Farmer is amazing looking. He said he had never seen the Allen and Ginter X card before. The Pelfrey card I had to trade a Fulmer RC for in line before getting it signed as I couldn't find any Pelfrey cards before the event in my collection. The Kevin Van Dam was one of the coolest moments of my life. I went to a fishing show just to see him and maybe get him to sign this card. I walked around peeking behind the scenes for hours trying to spot him. Suddenly I saw a small crowd forming and him in the middle. As soon as some kids got their picture snapped I dove in and handed him the card and a blue sharpie. He had a black one already open and asked what color I wanted. I've idolized this dude forever so I just stared and drooled and don't even remember if I answered him.

Sweet Lou!

I finally got one of my '78 Detroit Tiger rookie cards signed. Lou Whitaker was signing at a mall and my finacee was awesome enough to go while I was at work. Now I need to track down Morris, Parrish and Tram.