My first year doing TTM

[scmavl]

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.



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.



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

[LCBaseballCollector]

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!

[tazdmb]

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.

[39special]

Good luck Jarrod.Look forward to seeing your successes!

[sbfinley]

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

[egri]

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.

[scmavl]

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.

[TAVG]

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

[scmavl]

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.

[scmavl]

Originally Posted by TAVG

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

Thanks for those links, lots of great info there!

[scmavl]

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



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



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

[djson1]

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.

[scmavl]

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.

[djson1]

Originally Posted by scmavl

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.

[scmavl]

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.

[39special]

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.