TTM autograph received: Glenn Hubbard

The former MLB infielder signed my 1984 Fleer in about three weeks - supposedly Hubbard didn't sign the cult favorite card for the longest time, but loosened his stance over the years.

Though Hubbard wasn't on my 'here and now' list of possible TTM subjects to write to - I'm always looking for 'inspiration' and got it when I saw a collector [on an autograph forum I belong to] post his Hubbard success [with his copy of the 1984 Fleer signed].

I may have at least 3 or 4 more unsigned cards of Hubbard - but the 1984 Fleer was my No. 1 priority, so it was the one sent out.

TTM autograph received: Steve Lubratich

The longtime minor league infielder and one time Angel from the 1980s signed two cards in about a couple of weeks - however, the 1984 Fleer I’ve had in-hand for the last 5 or 6 years got smeared in the penny sleeve.

Fortunately the 1988 ProCards Spokane Indians #1928 [mall set card with Lubratich posing with a cardboard cutout of Whitney Houston] - looks it was able to make it back with no blemishes and will be the one used for my Angels all-time autograph collection.

TTM autographs received: Dave Schmidt

Schmidt was an effective big league reliever, doing some double duty in the starting rotation for several seasons, starting 49 games for the Baltimore Orioles from 1987-1989 - he signed my cards in blue Sharpie in about three weeks, including a 1984 Fleer card I actually sought out and picked up earlier in the year.

Autograph request through the mail received: Bill Buckner

Bill Buckner c/o home - signed two cards in blue ink and one of the penny sleeves used to hold the cards I sent him.

Despite my worry about sending $10 to Buckner in order to sign my cards, this autograph request was otherwise successful - particularly when I had to get my penny sleeve signed for my set.

Right now, I think I'm looking to put together autograph requests I'm sending out to spring training sites - I'm hoping to get an initial 20 out this week and maybe an additional 20-30 the following week, just so the requests are 'out there' with a chance I might actually get something in the mail box.

Autograph request sent - Bill Buckner

Perhaps consider these as a 'preview' of things I'm probably going to blog about, but when I finally got hold of a loose $10 I deemed I could spend - I finally decided to fire off an autograph request to Bill Buckner c/o his home address, hoping he will sign the 1970 Topps rookie card and a 1984 Fleer I enclosed.

Usually when someone requests a fee to sign something through the mail, though not really as part of a bigger, organized signing - perhaps there is a risk even though I assume some care will be taken as far as the cards being autographed and returned safely in the self-addressed stamped envelope I enclosed.

I was looking forward to perhaps meandering to my local retail Target store to pick off a couple of $4.99 Value Packs / rack of 2011 Topps - though I'm trying to not be a lemming, especially when I know I'll end up busting some 2011 Topps one way or the other.

Besides, the novelty of new base Topps wears off [for me] pretty quickly - when these cards will be everywhere.