TTM Success: Marty Marion

I sent Marty Marion a TTM request on November 26th and I recieved a response back on December 2nd. I didn't have any cards of Marion so I sent him an index card and asked him to sign it and the inscription, 1944 NL MVP. He returned my index card unsigned, but included a card of his own signed and a postcard of him signed. Thanks Marty!

Marion spent his entire playing career in St. Louis. 1940 -1950 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals and then as a player-manager for the St. Louis Browns from 1952. He managed the Cardinals in 1951 and the Browns again in 1953, but did not play. He also managed the CHicago White Sox from 1954 - 1956.

Dubbed "The Octopus" by sportswriters because of his long arms at shortstop, Marion was an 8 time all-star and the 1944 National League Most Valuable Player. He also helped the Cardinals win 3 World Series titles (1942, 1944, and 1946).

TTM Success: Bill Virdon

I recently sent Bill Virdon a TTM autograph request. He responded in just over a week. Because I didn't have any cards for him to sign I sent a couple of index cards and asked for some inscriptions. He obliged and even sent back an autographed card of his own. Thanks Mr. Virdon!

Bill Virdon played in the Majors from 1955 - 1965 and then 6 games in 1968 (not sure why the gap). He won the 1955 National League Rookie of the Year Award as a St. Louis Cardinal but after a slow start to the 1956 season he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. An excellent defensive player, Virdon made several spectacular catches during the 1960 World Series and earned a Gold Glove award in 1962.

After his playing career ended, Virdon became a coach and then a manager. He managed the Pirates (1972-73), the Yankees (1974-75), the Astros (1975-82), and the Expos (1983-84). For his efforts Virdon won the American League Manager of the Year Award in 1974 and the National League Manager of the Year Award in 1980.

More recently Bill has spent time as a coach for the Pirates.

18 down, only 6 to go

I picked this up on eBay last week. I submitted a Best Offer and was thrilled to have it accepted. McGwire just doesn't have many bat cards out there and so I think I got a really good deal on this one. This is my 18th bat card of 500 Home Run Club members. I only need 6 more to get one of each member. I still need Ruth, Rodriguez, Killebrew, Palmeiro, Foxx, and McCovey.

2003 UD MVP Covering the Plate MARK McGWIRE Bat card

Barry Bonds 762

Hank Aaron 755

Babe Ruth 714

Willie Mays 660
Ken Griffey Jr. 630
Sammy Sosa 609
Frank Robinson 586
Mark McGwire 583
Alex Rodriguez 583
Harmon Killebrew 573
Rafael Palmeiro 569
Jim Thome 564
Reggie Jackson 563
Mike Schmidt 548
Manny Ramirez 546
Mickey Mantle 536
Jimmie Foxx 534
Willie McCovey 521
Frank Thomas 521
Ted Williams 521
Ernie Banks 512
Mel Ott 511
Gary Sheffield 509
Eddie Murray 504

Trade with Wicked Ortega

I got a package Thursday from Wicked Ortega of the blog My Past Time ......., I Love it! ! I know he is the 2009 Trader of the Year and all, but Wicked really outdid himself this time. He had claimed some Cracker Jack mini cards that I had put up for trade and we agreed on him sending me some D-Backs. He sent me a stack of D-Backs including a By The Letters Carlos Quentin Autograph. It's my first By The Letter Auto and my first Quentin Auto, so thank you so much Wicked! I'm on the look out for something that you might enjoy.

2010 Topps Chrome Edwin Jackson

2010 Topps Chrome Mark Reynolds

2005 Topps Cracker Jack Mini Shawn Green

2009 UD Goodwin Justin Upton

2010 Allen & Ginter This Day in History Justin Upton

2010 Allen & Ginter Adam LaRoche

2010 Allen & Ginter Brandon Allen RC

2007 SP Authentic By The Letter Carlos Quentin AUTO

TTM Success: Bobby Shantz

I sent Booby Shantz a TTM autograph request the day after Thanksgiving and 7 days later this showed up in my mailbox. I asked him to add "1952 AL MVP", if it wasn't too much trouble. I guess it wasn't because he also added "3" x All-Star, "3" World Series, "8" Gold Gloves, 1958 World Series Champs, and AL ERA Leader - 1957 Yankees. Thanks Bobby!

Contest over at Pack War

Click here to enter to win a John Wall sketch card over at the blog, Pack War.

TTM Success: Gonzo

I sent out seven TTM requests the day after Thanksgiving. I recieved this one back from Luis Gonzalez this past Tuesday, just 5 days later. Gonzo has always been one of my favorite D-Backs. I sent him 3 cards and told him to keep one for himself or his kids, which he did. He signed these two and sent them back. Thanks Gonzo!

*** I am falling behind on posts. I need to post a Wicked trade, an eBay pickup, and 4 more TTM successes, so look for those in the next few days.