Any luck with big names for Mail in Autos?

[Chicubsfan]

Hi guys,
I'm a major fan of the major players like Trout, Harper, Kershaw among others. I also am an orioles fan.

I don't really sell that much and these would be for my personal collection, not resale. I was wondering if you all have any luck sending to the super-stars of the MLB teams and actually having luck with getting back autographs from them? I really want to get autographs from the top names but often the cards are too expensive. I've also dwelled into creating my own cards so autographs through the mail could make creating them much cheaper.

I'm curious to hear the community's thoughts and success stories with getting autographs from players in MLB through the mail and especially the big name players.

Also, what works for swaying them to sign? I've read that letters personalized are the way to go.

Look forward to hearing all of your responses!

-A young collector in college

[RelicCollector]

Clayton Kershaw signs.

[WIsportsfan19]

Keyshaw is usually a lock for TTM. Haven't heard of any successes with any of those guys listed, but have seen a few from Guys like Abreu and Puig.

I'd say one card and a personalized, hand written letter is a good start.

[Orange October]

It takes like 6 months or so for Kershaw, but you will get it back signed. I usually send 1-3 cards and a hand written letter. If they're from a Spanish speaking country (especially if they are a prospect or have not been in America long) I also send a letter in Spanish. Kershaw is 1 per, just a heads up.


More importantly

LETS GO ORIOLES!!!!!!!!!


As far as players currently on the Orioles, I've gotten Flaherty, Brad Brach, Miguel Gonzalez, and Caleb Joseph via the regular stadium address (333 West Camden). I've seen some from Chen, but I've tried for him like three times now lol. Maybe someday.

A good amount of O's prospects sign although it doesn't seem like Hunter Harvey does

[nmculbreth]

To get a gauge on whether or not a player signs TTM, check out: SCF Through The Mail Manager (http://www.sportscardforum.com/ttm.php?do=listp&pl=21590&sp=2)

Generally speaking your success rate is going to be much higher with prospects than current major leaguers, particularly if you're looking for big names. Kershaw, Hamilton and Zobrist are known to be good TTM signers. Jordan Zimmermann has historically been another really good signer, though I haven't any returns this year so perhaps his signing habits have changed. Colorado and Detroit both run programs where you can get TTM signatures for donations to their charities, some of the prices are a high but they also include some pretty big names (Cabrera, Price, Cespedes, Kinsler, Tulowitki, Gonzalez, Morneau) that probably wouldn't be obtainable otherwise.

[Patsfan]

I type all my letters and have never had a problem. I just think its easier to read and as long as you can distinguish each letter so it doesn't look like a form letter you send out you should be ok. The last paragraph of all my letters are thanking them for taking the time to read my letter because I'm sure there very busy and must get a lot of requests.

Here are some of the returns Ive gotten:

Baseball:
Wade Boggs
Dale Murphy
Billy Hatcher

Football:
Troy Brown
Roger Craig
Dick Butkus
Willie McGinest

Basketball:
John Wall
Oscar Robertson
Shaq
Bob Knight
Tom Izzo
Rick Pitino

Golf:
Jack Nicklaus
Lee Trevino

[Orange October]

I got Adrian Beltre back last week. Seems like a good time to send to him.

For notable retired players (some of these require donations), I've gotten Jamie Moyer, Al Kaline ($10), Bob Friend, Jim Bunning, Frank Howard, Don Larsen, Roy Sievers, Wally Moon, Mike Mussina, Joe Carter, Will Clark, Bobby Doerr, Wade Boggs, Elroy Face, Ken Singleton, Paul Konerko, Frank Viola, Rich "Goose" Gossage, Bobby Richardson, Tony LaRussa, Whitey Herzog, Del Crandall, Jim Bouton, Rollie Fingers, Mickey Lolich, Ryne Sandberg (will send back a signed photo, but its actually signed and not a pre-print)

Other notable current players that sign: Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Carrasco, Kole Calhoun, Evan Gattis, Greg Holland, Adrian Beltre

There's other lesser notable major leaguers that sign along with a ton of retired players. Prospects are usually the best to send to. It seems like just about everyone signs while they're in the minor leagues. Good luck!


Also got an awesome 8x10 back from Bill Belichick instead of the crappy cards I sent. He even wrote "SB 36, 38, 39, 49 Champions"

[PackIsBack]

Mike McCarthy and Bart Starr sign

If you mail $20 to Starr's charity for his son who passed away, he will send you an autographed photo

McCarthy I just addressed to the Packers and he returned my football autographed.

I pay both shipping to and from with a return envelope inside the original envelope.

[groundhog]

I have gotten Kershaw and Bryant TTM