Rich_M's TTM thread

[Rich_M]

I've been lurking on this section for quite some time, but never got around to making my own thread until now.

I first started sending TTM requests in 2002 when I started a Fleer Tradition baseball project as well as sending to select football and hockey guys. After doing that for a little over a year, I took a hiatus until 2011 when I started a 2011 Topps Heritage baseball project as well as a Topps rookie card project.

I've been sending out a request to everyone with a Topps rookie card since then (from 2011-2014) and also watched a few sites to see who was signing and just sent random 2013 Topps out. I then added a 1989 Topps project and 1991 Upper Deck side project, lol.

So I have all kinds of projects going and will probably never get close to completing any of them, but I'm having fun. As of today, I have sent out 130 requests to spring training this year and hope to update each day I receive something.

[Rich_M]

The first successes from my 2014 Spring Training requests returned over the weekend:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zps1a58a213.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zps1a58a213.jpg.html)

Cody Allen, c/o Indians spring training in 9 days
Matt Shoemaker , c/o Angels spring training in 8 days

[Rich_M]

Four returns Monday including a pretty nice one!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_0001_zpsdbc3d211.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_0001_zpsdbc3d211.jpg.html)

Yoervis Medina, c/o Mariners S/T in 11 days
Michael Wacha, c/o Cardinals S/T in 11 days
Blake Parker, c/o Cubs S/T in 10 days
Buddy Boshers, c/o Angels S/T in 10 days

[Rich_M]

Tuesday brought two more before I was shut out on Wednesday:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zps84770d60.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zps84770d60.jpg.html)

Andrew Werner, c/o A's S/T in 10 days
Robbie Erlin, c/o Padres S/T in 11 days

Pretty stoked about Erlin I think he might be a good one before all is said and done.

Spring Training 2014: 8 out of 130

[Rich_M]

Thursday brought one more success:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zps5c1b4b74.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zps5c1b4b74.jpg.html)

Danny Salazar, c/o Indians S/T in 15 days

Spring Training 2014: 9 out of 130

[ToppsCollector1]

Medina and Parker have some pretty good looking signatures

[Rich_M]

Three more returns came Friday, but I wasn't home to get them until late last night.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zpsc95cefc6.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zpsc95cefc6.jpg.html)

Sonny Gray, c/o A's S/T in 13 days
Jed Gyorko, c/o Padres S/T in 9 days
Phillippe Aumont, c/o Phillies S/T in 15 days

12 successes out of 130 Spring Training requests

[rukastar]

Very cool Sonny! I'm waiting on him myself :) :)

[groundhog]

Nice Wacha

[Rich_M]

Just one today. A little bummed because Monday is my best mail day this time of year and I have over 100 out there. Oh well.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zpsb21def25.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zpsb21def25.jpg.html)

Brandon Maurer, c/o Mariners S/T in 18 days

2014 Spring Training: 13/130

[GMAN613]

nice maurer

[Rich_M]

Tuesday brings one more success:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zpsfd04f08f.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zpsfd04f08f.jpg.html)

Chia-Jen Lo, c/o Astros S/T in 14 days


2014 Spring Training: 14/140 (yes I sent 10 more today)

[Rich_M]

My streak of one per day this week continues with:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zpsc7ac5fd1.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zpsc7ac5fd1.jpg.html)

Eric Young Jr., c/o Mets S/T in 9 days

2014 Spring Training: 15/145

[Rich_M]

Thursday is my biggest mail day of the spring so far as I received five successes:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zpsee2f99fa.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zpsee2f99fa.jpg.html)

Reymond Fuentes, c/o Padres S/T in 22 days
Tom Wilhelmesen, c/o Mariners S/T in 15 days
Johnny Hellweg, c/o Brewers S/T in 16 days
Brad Ziegler, c/o D-Backs S/T in 14 days
Preston Claiborne, c/o Yankees S/T in 19 days

2014 Spring Training: 20/145

[rukastar]

Epic returns! Fuentes, Hellweg, Claiborne, I would love to add all these!

[Rich_M]

My best mail day of this spring also matches my best ever with 7 returns.
Six came from spring training, while another came from a a home request.
Here are the spring training successes:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_0050_zpse43b3170.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_0050_zpse43b3170.jpg.html)

Tom Koehler, c/o Marlins S/T in 15 days
Dillon Gee, c/o Mets S/T in 11 days
Nate Jones, c/o White Sox S/T in 11 days
Conor Gillaspie, c/o White Sox in 11 days
J.B. Schuck, c/o Angels S/T in 15 days
Hector Santiago, c/o White Sox S/T in 9 days

And this return!!:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_0051_zps64b64b0c.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_0051_zps64b64b0c.jpg.html)

c/o home in about a month

2014 Spring Training: 26/145

[Rich_M]

After getting 12 back the last two days, I fell back to one on Saturday:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_0001_zpsabc51df2.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_0001_zpsabc51df2.jpg.html)

Ryan Wheeler, c/o Rockies S/T in 15 days

2014 Spring Training: 27/145

[dbacksfan4life]

Your doing pretty well! Nice successes!

[GMAN613]

I have 1/13 ST returns. Your doing good!!

[Rich_M]

Two success on Monday:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMGcopy_zps62462e73.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMGcopy_zps62462e73.jpg.html)

Logan Morrison c/o Mariners in 20 days
Don Kelly, c/o Tigers in 19 days

2014 Spring Training: 29/145

[Rich_M]

Tuesday brings three more spring training successes:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zps44ccd03c.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zps44ccd03c.jpg.html)

Kyle Farnsworth, c/o Mets S/T in 14 days
Josh Rutledge, c/o Rockies S/T in 6 days
Steven Lerud, c/o Braves in 21 days

2014 Spring Training: 32/145

[Rich_M]

After my first dead mailday in a couple weeks yesterday. I had five waiting for me today:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zpsdccd4d8c.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zpsdccd4d8c.jpg.html)

Adam Warren, c/o Yankees S/T in 26 days
Nyjer Morgan, c/o Indians S/T in 9 days
Kyle McPherson, c/o Pirates S/T inn 29 days
Justin Grimm, C/O Cubs S/T in 27 days
Randy Choate, c/o Cardinals S/T in 16 days

2014 Spring Training: 37/145 (I'm now over 25% for the spring)

[Rich_M]

A couple of slow days. Just got one Friday and none on Saturday:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_0209_zpsc0d28957.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_0209_zpsc0d28957.jpg.html)

Chris Iannetta, c/o Angels S/T in 9 days

2014 Spring Training: 38/145

[Rich_M]

Three on Monday:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_0002_zpsc258b4d8.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_0002_zpsc258b4d8.jpg.html)

A.J. Griffin, c/o A's S/T in 12 days
Brad Miller, c/o Mariners S/T in 27 days
Jason Kubel, c/o Twins S/T in 12 days

2014 Spring Training: 41/145

[danmecum51]

Sent out a ton of spring training requests I see . Nice returns. Even though the success rate isn't super high so far, how many hobby boxes could you spend $145 on and get 41 autos? :). Nice thread. Enjoy seeing them

[Rich_M]

Haven't updated for the last week or so as the successes are becoming sporadic. But since March 23, I have received the following:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_0001_zps4dfc0be6.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_0001_zps4dfc0be6.jpg.html)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zps1e414025.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zps1e414025.jpg.html)

Chris Colabello, c/o Twins S/T in 24 days
Travis Ishikawa, c/o Pirates S/T in 24 days
Josh Harrison, c/o Pirates S/T in 25 days
Vance Worley, c/o Twins S/T in 33 days
Jonathan Pettibone, c/o Phillies S/T in 46 days
Brock Peterson, c/o Nationals S/T in 42 days
Danny Duffy, c/o Royals S/T in 28 days
Dylan Axelrod, c/o White Sox S/T in 28 days
Billy Hatcher, c/o Red S/T in 23 days

2014 Spring Training:54/145

[Rich_M]

After my 2014 spring training returns slowED down, I quit updating this thread and didn't send anything else out even though I planned too. I did get another 20-25 returns over the last summer and into the fall.

I only sent 32 out to spring training so far, and might send one more batch of 10-12. Just been too busy.

Anyway, had my first return Friday and another today:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_0011_zpsawegbpmd.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_0011_zpsawegbpmd.jpg.html)

Eddie Butler, c/o Rockies Spring Training in 14 days
Roenis Elias, c/o Mariners Spring Training in 13 days

[SL Grapher]

Nice Roenis! He's very nice about signing.

[Rich_M]

Another poor job of updating. These came early last week:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_0087_zps2w2iekcz.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_0087_zps2w2iekcz.jpg.html)

I already got Turner and Nolasco a few years ago, but am trying to do the 2013 Topps set, so needed them again. As for Jeanmar, I couldn't get him as a Pirate, but sent to him this spring at Phillies S/T and got him.

[Rich_M]

Here's a batch from late last week and early this week:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zpsgvxyhot6.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zpsgvxyhot6.jpg.html)

That's 9 of 32 this spring training so far

[Rich_M]

Tis the season to pull this thread out of hibernation.

Found the time to send 80 requests to spring training the last few days of February. Was away at a wrestling tournament this weekend and returned to find my first eight returns:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zpstqsbakxi.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zpstqsbakxi.jpg.html)

[Rich_M]

Here are Monday's returns. I didn't get anything today...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_0016_zpsj621t6se.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_0016_zpsj621t6se.jpg.html)

[Rich_M]

Four more over the last two days brings my spring training total to 16 out of 87 requests.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_0001_zpsk0jl4zgh.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_0001_zpsk0jl4zgh.jpg.html)

[dbacksfan4life]

Nice returns recently!

Are you still working on the 2013 set?

[Rich_M]

Nice returns recently!

Are you still working on the 2013 set?

I am concentrating on getting the Topps rookie cards done from 2014-15-16, but am also still trying to do the 2013 set.

[Rich_M]

Three more Monday brings the spring training total to 19.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_zpshchfcdmu.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_zpshchfcdmu.jpg.html)

First time I've had a player right a note on the card I sent. He definitely read my letter since he mentioned 'gift' on the card. That means he knows I am putting together a signed rookie card project for my son's time capsule to be opened on his 18th birthday.

Since his birth year (2007), I have been trying to get as many base Topps rookie cards signed from series 1, 2 and update. Have received a lot of returns, but still need a pile. I know I'll never get a complete "set" but I'll sure try to get as many as I can.

[Rich_M]

Two returns yesterday and one today takes my spring training total to 22

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/candlesbykate/IMG_0017_zps9omsoti9.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/candlesbykate/media/IMG_0017_zps9omsoti9.jpg.html)

[awz50]

Such a cool return with the note on the card.

[Packerfan25]

Got in any ttms recently?

[OutlawStar]

That's a sick script from Hale. Awesome.