March 18 TTM

Today in the mail I received a few great TTM autographs from two players: two from Justin Masterson and one from Pat Neshek.

Justin Masterson was my first ever TTM success, and has never let me down since. I am now 6/6 with TTM autographs from Masterson since last August. This is the quickest turnaround that I have had with Masterson thus far, taking less than two weeks from when I sent them out to when I received them.

A lot of baseball insiders think that Masterson could have a breakout season for Cleveland in 2010. This will be his first season where he will begin the season as a regular starter, slated to be #3 in the Indians rotation. However, taking into consideration that Jake Westbrook missed all of last season with an injury and Fausto Carmona has been inconsistent in recent season, Masterson could very well be the best and most reliable arm in Cleveland this season. Send him your cards now and beat the rush!

Next, Pat Neshek. Pat is interesting because, in addition to being a very reliable TTM signer and having a cool autograph, he is also an autograph collector and has his own website, On The Road With Pat Neshek, dedicated to his collection and his career. I highly reccomend checking out his site, and sending him some cards.

I'll keep you posted as I get more autographs in the future.

First TTM Successes of the Year

Good news to report, I have received by first through the mail autographs of the year and they are from two of my favorite young pitchers.

I didn't start trying to get autographs through the mail until last season, when I sent out a 2009 Topps Allen & Ginter to Justin Masterson and got it back in about a month. Then, I sent him a 2008 Tristar Projections, and got it back in about a month again. Well, this spring I went back to a sure thing and sent him a 2009 Topps T-206 and here is the payoff...

I got this card back in about 2 1/2-3 weeks. A very nice signature with his trademark PHIL 4:13 below his autograph. Justin is an up-and-coming pitcher for Cleveland after being traded for Victor Martinez last July at the trade deadline and a great signer. I currently have his 2005 Bowman Draft Pick and 2008 Topps in the mail, I'll let you know when/if I get them back.

Next, I got back a signed 2009 Bowman RC from another one of my favorite young pitchers: Michael Bowden. Ranked as Boston's #2 overall prospect by Baseball America before last season, Bowden had an up-and-down season last year, but looks poised for a breakout 2010 season. While playing for Pawtucket last season, Bowden was an autograph-signing machine. He is a great guy and I was very happy to get this card from him.

I sent out this card on the same day that I sent the Masterson card out and got it back on the same day. Pretty cool coincidence, I think. As you can see, Michael personalized the autograph for me, which is kind of cool because he has never done that when I have gotten him in person, and added his Boston number, 64.

That's all for now, but I'll keep you posted on more of my TTM and in-person autograph successes throughout the season.