SDre31's TTM Success Thread

[SDre31]

I received this return about two weeks ago from Roberto Hernandez. Although he's probably best known for his days as a closer with the White Sox, I sent to him because he was a key member of the Mets bullpen in 2005 and 2006.

Roberto Hernandez
Address: See TTM Database
Sent: 2/23/13
Received: 3/7/13

[SDre31]

Wednesday's mail brought two returns.

The first is a Spring Training return from Xavier Nady. He's bounced around throughout his career, but I sent to him because he was a member of the 2006 Mets. He was their starting right fielder that season, but when setup man Duaner Sanchez got hurt in the middle of the season, the Mets traded Nady to the Pirates for Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez.

Xavier Nady
c/o Royals Spring Training
Sent: 2/19/13
Received: 3/20/13




The second return is a fast from Ken Singleton, a three time All-Star and World Series champion from his days with the Baltimore Orioles. Today, he is an announcer with the Yankees.

Ken Singleton
Address: See TTM Database
Sent: 3/12/13
Received: 3/20/13

[SDre31]

This was another quick return, this time from Jimmy Key. Key was a four time All-Star and two time World Series champion during his career with the Blue Jays, Yankees, and Orioles. He was the winning pitcher in the clinching games of both the 1992 and 1996 World Series.

Jimmy Key
Address: See TTM Database
Sent: 3/12/13
Received: 3/21/13

[SDre31]

Here's a Spring Training return from Mike Baxter, a Mets backup outfielder. He is best known to Mets fans for sacrificing his body to preserve Johan Santana's no-hitter last June - the first no-hitter in franchise history. He slammed into the left field wall to make a catch, displacing his shoulder and forcing him onto the DL for two months. He also grew up a Mets fan since he was born and raised in Queens, the borough of New York in which the Mets play.

Mike Baxter
c/o Mets Spring Training
Sent: 2/19/13
Received: 3/29/13

[SDre31]

Another Spring Training return trickled in last week. It was from Brett Cecil of the Toronto Blue Jays. I was really happy to get this one back since I sent to him last season but did not receive a response. His signature came out great on this card.

Brett Cecil
c/o Blue Jays Spring Training
Sent: 2/11/13
Received: 4/12/13

[SDre31]

My latest return was from Steve Trachsel, a starter with the Mets from 2001-2006. He won 15 games in his final season with the Mets in 2006, tying him for the team lead with Tom Glavine.

Steve Trachsel
Address: See TTM Database
Sent: 2/23/13
Received: 4/18/13

[SDre31]

I had a great mail return day last week from two members of the 1969 World Series champion Mets. I sent them on the same day and received them on the same day as well.

The first return is from Bud Harrelson. He was the Mets shortstop from 1965-1977, earning one Gold Glove, two All-Star Game selections, and one World Series championship during that time. He was also the 3rd base coach for the 1986 World Series champion Mets and later replaced Davey Johnson as manager. He was kind enough to add two index cards to help protect the card in my SASE, the first time anyone has done that for me.

Bud Harrelson
Address: See TTM Database
Sent: 5/4/13
Received: 5/9/13




The second return is from Ed Kranepool, primarily a first baseman but also an outfielder for the Mets. An original Met, he played his entire eighteen year career with the team. During that time, he set a number of franchise records that still stand today, including games played and singles. David Wright broke his franchise record for hits last season.

Ed Kranepool
Address: See TTM Database
Sent: 5/4/13
Received: 5/9/13

[SDre31]

My latest return is an upgrade for my Brooklyn Cyclones project and is from Chris Schwinden. I first received a return from him in April 2012, but I never posted the result because I planned on upgrading the card. Although he had already signed his 2012 Topps card for me, I wanted to get his 2012 Topps Heritage card signed as well because it included his Brooklyn stats on the back. Ultimately, my original return looks better since I think he used a fine point rollerball pen on the Heritage card. I've posted both returns below.

Chris pitched parts of the 2011 and 2012 seasons with the Mets. After struggling with the Mets at the beginning of last season, he had a crazy few weeks. The Mets designated him for assignment on June 1, and he was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays on June 2. Toronto DFA’d him on June 5 and the Indians claimed him on June 6. Cleveland DFA’d him on June 28 and he was claimed by the Yankees on June 29. The Yankees DFA'd him on July 4 and the Mets reclaimed him on July 5. He is currently pitching for the Mets Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas.

Chris Schwinden
c/o Mets Spring Training
Sent: 3/17/12
Received: 4/2/12




c/o Las Vegas 51s
Sent: 5/4/13
Received: 5/13/13



Cyclones Career
Year: 2008 (New York-Penn League All-Star selection)
Games: 14
Pitching Line (W-L, ERA): 4-1, 2.01

[SDre31]

In a break from the norm, here's a basketball return. It's from Charles Oakley, a forward with the Knicks from 1988-1998. He is still revered by Knicks fans for being the toughest guy on the successful 90's teams. He was their enforcer, and primarily known for his defense and rebounding. Along with Patrick Ewing, he helped make up a formidable front line.

Charles Oakley
Address: See TTM Database
Sent: 5/7/13
Received: 5/20/13

[SDre31]

My next return is probably my favorite return besides my Mariano Rivera one from Spring Training 2012, but this time it's not so much the caliber of the player as it is how far he went out of his way to ensure that I'd be happy with the return.

The return was from Lenny DiNardo and is part of my Brooklyn Cyclones project. An original Cyclone and the first to win a World Series (with the 2004 Red Sox), it seemed like Lenny was out of baseball in 2012 when I started this project. I looked him up again in 2013 and in a strange coincidence, on the night I searched for him, I saw that he had just thrown a no-hitter for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League. I sent him a 2005 Topps Total card that featured him and John Halama.

When I received my SASE in the mail, I was shocked by what was written on the back of it. Along the bottom of the envelope were the words "Mr. Halama signed too - Len." Sure enough, when I opened the envelope, the card was not only signed by Lenny DiNardo, but also by John Halama, the pitching coach of the York Revolution. I checked Barnstormers's schedule, and they played the Revolution the weekend before I received the return. In other words, Lenny DiNardo signed my card, realized that he could get John Halama to sign it as well, brought my card over to his former Red Sox teammate to sign, and then took the time to write me a note. This is easily the coolest thing a player has done for me, and he's made a fan for life.

Lenny DiNardo
c/o Lancaster Barnstormers
Sent: 5/11/13
Received: 5/24/13



Cyclones Career
Year: 2001
Games: 9
Pitching Line (W-L, ERA): 1-2, 2.00