My first year doing TTM
 

I decided to try doing some TTM this year for the first time, as I've watched people post theirs for years and always been a little bit jealous. I started in Spring Training, and sent probably 50 to the team's spring facilities. Then after the season started, I sent another 75 or so to the stadiums. I tried to pick a good mix of stars, rookies, and common players that I liked. I purposefully used more current cards instead of sending rookie cards that may look like I was planning to resell. For some, I simply sent what I had on hand and with others, I chose a card that I really liked the photo on.

Just a couple of weeks after sending the initial batch off, I got my first return.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...114F6D9BD7.jpg

Thanks, Adrian! Although I kind of wish it hadn't come so soon because it set a precedent that did NOT come to pass.

Over the next few weeks, I get a couple of different things. Some printed photos (with preprinted sig) from Red Sox players, and my cards sent back with requests for donations to the team's charities from a few others. I passed on most of these but did send in a donation and got a signed Miguel Cabrera card back a few weeks later.

In the past couple of months, the only thing I've gotten is a letter from Vin Scully that basically said "Thanks, but no autos. Sorry."

Then today I got one back that I always assumed I would. I am a season ticket holder for the Rockies Low-A affiliate here in NC and met Corey a few times when he played here. The kid is a class act and if he could stay healthy, could really be a star.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...849C68FA9C.jpg

I'll update the thread over the coming months if I get any off season returns. Wish me luck!

As a person who does TTM, always happy to read about what people get back in the mail. A site name StarTiger is the best. Good luck as it makes getting the mail fun!

Just to build on the last poster, this is more of a vintage autograph forum. You may want to try SCN or sportsgraphing for information and/or feedback.

Good luck Jarrod.Look forward to seeing your successes!

Good luck and thanks for posting. Just recently started TTM back up as well

Good luck with TTM! I'm pretty much done with it now that all the old timers (1930s-early 1950s) are either dead or in my collection, but I had a lot of fun. I echo what has been said about SCN. SCF was also a good one I used a lot, and Baseball-Fever used to be good, but it's pretty much dead now.

Thanks, guys. I'll definitely take your suggestions. I've gotten autos from a couple of old timers before TTM but this is my first time for active players.

sportscardforum has a great ttm manager that shows what all people are getting back. its a good source to see who is signing what currently.

the manager
http://www.sportscardforum.com/ttm.php


recent successes
http://www.sportscardforum.com/ttm.php?do=listr&sp=2

One new reply today. The third pick of the 2013 draft, Jon Gray. Jon skipped Low-A ball so I didn't get to see him pitch in my town where the Rockies Low-A team plays. This one was sent to AZ during Spring Training.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...67D8C2C399.jpg

Thanks for those links, lots of great info there!

I only got one return in 2016 (aside from my Kershaw cards sent back unsigned) and it was this Drew Stubbs.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...0C0D785988.jpg

Then in the mailbox today was this CC Sabathia that I sent back in '15. Nice surprise.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...F84F3C66ED.jpg

I'm getting ready to send a bunch off to spring training soon.

Do players really still do TTM these days? I used to do TTM back in the early '80s (with fairly good results) but I just thought players would generally stop doing that nowadays.

I've found that most of the modern "star" players don't sign TTM, as I'm sure they're inundated. Until last year, I heard Clayton Kershaw was still good to sign. But I would guess I've gotten back about 3% of what I sent. It's still fun though, so I'm going to continue for awhile.

Kershaw still signs?! I've been dying to find an opportunity to get him to sign a few things. I doubt I'd have any luck with Kershaw though. If anybody knows of any public signings that Kershaw does, please PM me! Thanks.

I think he finally decided to stop. I had the two cards I sent him in '16 returned, in my SASE, unsigned. No request for money, just unsigned. Bummer.

I agree with Jarrod,it's tough to get active players to sign.The best time to send is during spring training.As for Kershaw,I sent a ball in '15,and got it back last April.I think he gets so many requests,he just can't sign them all.