Recent Trends in TTM: May 2010

News

I’ve been mailing out hardcore this season, something I haven’t done outside of spring training.

The big surprise is a Carlos Beltran return; a poster on Sports Collectors received a 2007 Allen and Ginter back from the Mets Spring Training Facility in Port St. Lucie. I haven’t seen a Beltran return in the last few years, since I’ve started TTM, so I’m pretty surprised. This might be a more risky mail out, because I don’t know if everyone is getting everything back.

Super-prospect Stephen Strasburg was signing before his promotion to Triple A; I’m waiting to see if he continue to signs. I sent a ball last week. Prior to the promotion, he was doing balls only and took 10-15 days to get back. I’d recommend trying.

Gordon Beckham has been signing pretty well, but people have been questioning the authenticity of the autograph. His signature has appeared to have changed this year, leading people to believe he’s using a ghost signer. Send at your own risk.

Former player Billy Ripken is signing care of his job at the MLB Network; there has been a rash of successes in the last few days. Beware, you might wait a while as he’s taking an average of 100 days. I wonder if he’d sign his Fleer card with the curse word on the bat?

Long Return of the Month: George Spencer, 1638 Days

Some current players receive back in the last few days on Sports Collectors:
Mike Leake, C/O Reds, 5 Days
Tyson Gillies, C/O Reading Phillies, 7 Days
Aaron Miller, C/O Inland Empire 66ers, 7 Days
Dustin Ackley, C/O West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 8 Days
Kyle Drabek, C/O New Hampshire Fishercats, 9 Days
Ian Snell, C/O Mariners, 9 Days
Casey Kelly, C/O Portland Sea Dogs, 10 Days
Joe Nathan, C/O Twins, 10 Days
Jon Rauch, C/O Twins, 10 Days
Matt LaPorta, C/O Indians, 15-17 Days
Austin Kearns, C/O Indians, 17 Days
Matt Capps, C/O Nationals, 18 Days
Ryan Franklin, C/O Cardinals, 26 Days
Ryan Rowland-Smith, C/O Mariners, 26 Days
Garrett Atkins, C/O Orioles, 27 Days
Mark Buehrle, C/O White Sox, 28 Days
Matt Wieters, C/O Orioles, 28 Days

Hall of Famers signing:
Whitey Herzog, C/O Home, 5 Days ($25 fee, but I’ve seen people get him for free)
Al Kaline, C/O Home, 6-8 Days (some report a fee up to $25, some were free)
Sparky Anderson, C/O Home, 8 Days (No fee)
Monte Irving, C/O Home, 8 Days ($20 fee)
Phil Niekro, C/O Home, 8 Days ($15 fee)
Bobby Doerr, C/O Home, 9 Days (No fee)
Ernie Banks, C/O Home, 15 Days ($15 fee, but that seems low)
Carlton Fisk, C/O Home, 17 Days ($40 fee)
Rich “Goose” Gossage, C/O Home, 34 Days ($15 fee, some have said they were free)

Note: I will not post addresses here. Join a recommended autograph forum to get this information. Recommended forums:
Sports Collector’s
Sweet Spot Sigs
The Bench