TTM autographs received: Gene Richards

Former San Diego Padres outfielder Gene Richards signed my cards in about a month - maybe it was just natural for guys expected to hit the ball with some skill rather than brawn to choke up on the bat, but the way Richards' hands are positioned looks so exaggerated on the 1984 Donruss and also the 1983 Topps cards.

Digging around, a little bit of trivia is Richards wore jersey #19 for the Padres - a number in team history associated in perpetuity as legend Tony Gwynn's.

TTM autographs received: Don August

August signed my cards in about three weeks - he was the 17th overall pick in the 1984 MLB draft and spent four years in the Major Leagues as mostly a starting pitcher who finished with a W-L record of 34-30.

Diamond Giveaway trade - 1968 Topps Matty Alou #270

I thought the 1980 Topps Gary Carter I ended up trading for this 1968 Topps card of Matty Alou was a keeper - but I think I may have been compelled to trade after seeing 10-15 trade requests seemingly every time I log in.

Most on the Diamond Giveaway site want my Vladimir Guerrero and Jered Weaver Diamond Die-cut cards from my portfolio - though it seems like it is the only cards offered are from the junk wax era, so I try not to pay attention to it.

I also got two throw in cards of little consequence - a 1980 Topps Joe Wallis #562 and a 1985 Topps Danny Ozark [manager] #365.

My Topps Million Card Giveaway redemption - a 1985 Topps Bob Forsch

I finally was able to redeem my lone Topps Million Card Giveaway redemption card and landed this beaut - I think the redeemed redemption card is worth more [TMC-3, picturing a 1963 Topps Bob Gibson], than the 'original' Topps card of Forsch.

I think it is going to be a tough decision, whether or not I'll actually want the card in hand - hah!