Another Huge Mail Day

Friday was the second huge day this week. If this keeps up I will be hitting my 50% goals for the set and overall collection right quick.

I received three TTM successes but the bulk of the cards I added were from two trades. Big thanks go out to Aaron and Jason for helping me out. Aaron and I have had parallel collections for some time, starting with Ripken, then Markakis and now Orioles autographs. He and I have helped each other numerous times and now that I have dismantled the Markakis collection I had another opportunity.

Tommy Davis 1991 Orioles Crown #97

Mr. Davis was a last minute addition to my trade with Aaron. He threw it in after our initial trade offer because he received a double, I'll take it.

Hank Foiles Index Card

The postcards I got in this trade are the first to go into the personal collection. Mr Foiles will not under any circumstance sign a 1991 Crown card because he never gave permission for his likeness to be used. I don't have much in the way of vintage so this will have to suffice, for now.

Bobby Grich 1991 Orioles Crown #165

Updating the collection with this success in just over a month. I'm sending a 1983 Fleer card I traded for last year. Just keep plugging away at the Crown collection, one card at a time.

Phil Huffman 1991 Orioles Crown #207

Huffman had an interesting major league career. He broke into the league with the Blue Jays in 1979 and pitched in 31 games going 6 and 18. His next stint came for the Orioles in 1985, lasting a mere two games. That was it for his big-league career, 6 wins, 18 losses, 1 shutout and an ERA over 6.

Connie Johnson Index Card (Deceased)

Mr. Johnson ended his pitching career with the Orioles from 1956-58. He was a good pitcher with an ERA hovering around 3, but the wins never accumulated. He recorded 22 complete games in three years here in Baltimore before his career ended. Mr. Johnson passed away on November 28, 2004 at the age of 82.

Jimmy Key 1988 Collector's Choice #42

Aaron and I had agreed to the trade before I received my Key TTM success last week. I really like his signature on this card and it should be easy to deal because he doesn't have a ton of stuff as an Oriole.

Fred Marsh Index Card (Deceased)

Mr. Marsh was one of the first requests I ever sent TTM, unfortunatley it was after he passed away in 2006. His wife however, sent me a letter in response explaining that he had passed and how fondly he remembered his time in baseball. This index card from Aaron is a great addition for me, and it comes with a nice little story.

Melvin Mora 2003 Topps Total #534

Sweet Swinging Melvin Mora has been a long time coming for me. I had passed up opportunities to trade for him in the past because of how easily accessable his autos are. I even sent to him this year for spring training after he signed with the Colorado Rockies. I am guessing I won't hear back from him this year, so it was about time he found a place in my collection.

Gary Roenicke 1991 Orioles Crown #392

Another addition from Aaron to replace a 1983 Fleer card I had.

Oscar Salazar 2008 Topps Update & Highlights #UH311

This was the second trade I received this week on a much smaller scale. I gave up a Larry Bigbie Topps Auto I had in reserve. Salazar was a position player from 2008-09 that was dealt to the Padres at the end of last season. There are not many cards featuring him as an Oriole so I had to jump on this one.

Mickey Scott 1991 Orioles Crown #410

This is one of the most interesting autographs I have received to date. He really doesn't leave a whole lot of empty room on the card. The signature itself is extremely clear and I am a big fan. Mr. Scott also completes my first nine pocket sheet of autographs. A total of ten straight players, it's a big achievement for me.

Nate Snell 2010 Orioles FanFest Postcard NNO

So I got this one from Aaron a little more than a month after I was supposed to get him at FanFest. Snell was a no-show in my line but signed elsewhere instead, so this card is reparations. I would have preferred the Crown card but will have to make a deal for that one later, I didnt want to turn down a player I needed.

Dave Trembley 2008 Topps Gold Foil #589

Even though Trembley never played for the O's I feel he and other managers are owed a place in my collection, so I traded for him.

Dick Williams 1991 Orioles Crown #486

I have steered clear of paying a lot of cash for autographs. I know it is inevitable but I have a limited budget so I hadnt sent to Mr. Williams and others yet. Aaron was nice enough to deal me this card for a 2007 SPX triple game used of Markakis, Roberts and Tejada.. This is a great Hall of Fame addition to my collection, thanks again.

Mark Williamson 1991 Orioles Crown #488

Williamson has been hit or miss for me. I had a success with him over a year ago, then last month received a RTS. I had to make the trade to finally get his Crown card into the collection.

Overall it was a great day. 15 autographs, 6 Crown cards, 2 deceased players, 1 HOFer, all cobine for one helluva day. Friday increased all of my collection statistics by over a full percent, making it my signle best day as of yet. Saturday didn't bring any successes so hopefully next week will start back up. Thanks for the read.