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03-25-2009, 02:49 PM #1
Recently back in the hobby
When I was a kid back in the late 70's and early 80's I was a big TTM baseball collector. Had thought for many years that all those autos I had collected were lost to time since I had forgot about it for many years. Helping my parents clean out their home around the holidays when I came across a big box with stuff of mine when I was a kid. Imagine my delight when at the very bottom of the box I discovered hundreds of IC's and letters from many great players. See when I was a kid I used to ask for tips on how to play the game. I discovered letters from "Cool Papa" Bell on how to hit. Johnny Mize on how to practice. Ted Lyons on how to pitch. Roger Maris on how to look for the right pitch. Not to mention autos from these guys as well as Mays, Dimaggio, Paige, Koufax, Berra, Mantle, Williams, and just about every other HOFer alive at that time.
All that rekindled my desire to get back into the hobby. Upon searching the internet I stumbled across this sight. What a great resource and thoughtful site. Since then I have begun sending out TTM again with the addresses on this site and it has made me feel young again. I want to thank everyone responsible for this resource and look forward to sharing more successes with all of you.
Jeff
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03-25-2009, 03:04 PM #2
Good luck Jeff.......this is a great site indeed. I've been using this site since November and have sent out around 400 TTM requests now. I've had some great successes. I'm sure the not as many big stars sign today though like they did in the 70's and 80's. Thanks for sharing.....
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03-25-2009, 06:28 PM #3
Welcome to the site. I also got some of the players you mentioned in the 80s, when TTM wasn't as popular or such a "business". Depending on who you send to now, your success rates may vary from 50%-60%. Just a ballpark estimate. Of course if you send to only known good signers, your success rates will be a lot better. Not like the old days, but still a lot of fun!
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03-25-2009, 06:51 PM #4
Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to Sportscardforum.com. This is a great site. As others have mentioned this is a different beast now than it was when you started. eBay has created a lot of tension between players and collectors. However, as evidenced in another thread with the Ryan Braun video, there are still some all-stars who care about fans. You will also notice that some guys who might have signed for free years ago now charge for their autograph. Many just ask for a small donation of $5-10 while others ask for $25-50. Look around this site and get used to it, it can be a bit overwhelming at first with so many sections, addresses, and threads but it is well run and there are a lot of people willing to help you out. If you have questions don't be afraid to ask but your answer is probably already on the site.
Best of luck in your renewed hobby. I know that I would love to see pictures or scans of your collection. Some of those guys either don't sign now or have passed on and their autographs are like a white whale around here (Koufax, Bell, Maris), often heard of but rarely seen. Welcome and good luck!
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03-25-2009, 07:12 PM #5
yes, welcome to the site. You certainly have some great autos in the collection.
Other than sending TTM, you can also check out www.signingshotline.com there you can see what players are traveling around and signing autographs in your area. Its free but you dont get access to every signing, only some. I forget how much it costs, but well worth it if you have the patience to wait in line, or cant risk shipping that rare photo, etc. through the mail
Have fun (again) as I just started up as well. I used to send TTM when I was 11 and 12. That is about 20 yrs ago
Pete
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03-26-2009, 01:21 AM #6
Great to see that you found your way here. It is awesome to get another new TTM guy for our autograph community! I wish that I had been doing it back when you were as it is awesome to hear of some of the former signers that you had gotten! Believe me when I tell you that many of us would love to trade for some of those guys, if you have doubles. It seems that players signing habits always change over the years. I remember when Tony Gwynn and Ozzie Smith were good TTM guys now it is a lost cause. Best of luck with your new requests and please do post them in the success forums as we would all love to see who you are getting in. Thanks!
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