How many guys here still collect some TTM?

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by Ericc22

I love TTM as a Father-Son activity. I blogged about it here, if anyone is interested:

http://www.9goodones.com/2011/12/22/...ning-to-write/

The gist of the post is that TTM is such a rewarding activity for kids, that it actually teaches them to write. I couldn't bribe my kids to write a school assignment with a positive attitude. But they have never complained about writing for TTM.

And I agree, the best part are the surprises you get. Carl Erskine wrote my kids a very nice note. George Shuba included a book for them with a note. And Don Mueller, RIP, also sent back a note and a nice inscription on the ball.

I also use sportscollectors.net. It is very helpful for knowing who is worth trying for and who is not.

Would love any suggestions and tips!

Eric

Nice Eric! But where did your 11 and 12 year old kids get 1951 Topps cards from?! Nice blog, enjoyed reading it!

[CW]

I don't collect autos TTM, but I do check in on a thread across the street that shows how cool a TTM collection can be. Mike over on the CU forums chose an interesting theme, created some clean cards with old school logos, and amassed a very nice collection:
http://forums.collectors.com/message...hreadid=841685

(he might also be a good person to contact about addresses, etc.)

[mr2686]

Matt, I got both Bob Hale and Tex Clevenger, from the 61 Yankees, last year through the mail. Mr. Clevenger even sent additional cards back which was really cool. I've been using Sportscollectors.net to get addresses and hope to get some additonal requests sent out this month.

[RichardSimon]

My son and I started TTM over 20 years ago.
Those were the days when Joe DiMaggio, yes Joe DiMaggio, would sign one item TTM. But he would sign every month if you sent him another item.
We used to keep charts to see who were the quckest signers and the slowest.
Clint Hartung took one year.
Many HOFers took only a few days as did Bobby Thomson.
I can remember the joy of going to the mailbox every day to see who sent us back an autograph today. Great bonding experience with my son.
Now my son has a great job at ESPN and works closely with all the baseball people there. No autographs though .
It is a shame that this is what it has turned into:
"Just got an email from Steiner that indicates they now have a Barry Larkin exclusive."

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

My son and I started TTM over 20 years ago.
Those were the days when Joe DiMaggio, yes Joe DiMaggio, would sign one item TTM. But he would sign every month if you sent him another item.
We used to keep charts to see who were the quckest signers and the slowest.
Clint Hartung took one year.
Many HOFers took only a few days as did Bobby Thomson.
I can remember the joy of going to the mailbox every day to see who sent us back an autograph today. Great bonding experience with my son.
Now my son has a great job at ESPN and works closely with all the baseball people there. No autographs though .
It is a shame that this is what it has turned into:
"Just got an email from Steiner that indicates they now have a Barry Larkin exclusive."

I didn't know your son was old enough to have a job at ESPN.. Is your son Mark Simon?

[RichardSimon]

Yes my son is Mark Simon .
Have you read his work on the ESPN blog or listen to his podcast or you follow him on Twitter?

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

Yes my son is Mark Simon .
Have you read his work on the ESPN blog or do you know him?

I read the Schilling article today comparing him to Gibson. Small World!

[Ericc22]

Originally Posted by mschwade

Nice Eric! But where did your 11 and 12 year old kids get 1951 Topps cards from?! Nice blog, enjoyed reading it!

Thanks Matt! Yea, my kids are rather spoiled in that I still have my cards from when I was a kid.....

Eric Cohen
http://www.9goodones.com

[chaddurbin]

Great thread! Brings me back to the early 90's where I'd find team addresses in Beckett guides and send out cards ttm that way. I still have them Andy Benes Troy Aikman Raul Mondesi Brett Favre a bunch of Jagrs love going to mail box seeing if my sase returned to me

[chaddurbin]

giving this thread a bump as it gave me a great idea to start a TTM project for my 1989/90 topps and donruss cards...my first years collecting. going for guys i ripped packs trying to get (jefferies, alomar jr, avery, ventura, etc..) who were rookies back then and probably brief footnotes in baseball history but i enjoyed.

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by chaddurbin

giving this thread a bump as it gave me a great idea to start a TTM project for my 1989/90 topps and donruss cards...my first years collecting. going for guys i ripped packs trying to get (jefferies, alomar jr, avery, ventura, etc..) who were rookies back then and probably brief footnotes in baseball history but i enjoyed.

Good news is Ventura is a Manager now

[chaddurbin]

Originally Posted by mschwade

Good news is Ventura is a Manager now

yes! and alomar is a coach for cleveland. some of the tougher guys would be monty fariss billy bene ty griffin etc...also looking forward to jim abbott.

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by chaddurbin

yes! and alomar is a coach for cleveland. some of the tougher guys would be monty fariss billy bene ty griffin etc...also looking forward to jim abbott.

True story.. I saw Jim Abbott get a base-hit in a Spring Training game against the Florida Marlins. The standing ovation he got as he stood on first base was something I'll never forget.