TTM autograph received: Carl Erskine

This was my last success of 2021 and it came from the one time Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher and TTM signing great - I sent an autograph request to him back in 2018, but found a random card in a dime box at the monthly card show I go to and took a chance in sending out a repeat request with [$10] as a donation / fee.

Jackie Robinson commemorative postcard

I don't remember when I got this odd-sized card but it was probably handed out at a MLB game to honor Robinson's MLB debut - as much as I know only the player for being a pioneer for African-American integration into the major leagues, I think digging deeper makes his life experiences relevant in 21st century America.

The 30-Day Baseball Card Challenge - Day 30

"Your favorite card in your collection."

2000 Upper Deck SPX Sandy Koufax #SK - SP Chirography autograph.

Even though it's nearly 20 years old, this certified autograph doesn't really give off the 'classic card' vibe - it's a modern card picturing an old-timer long after his career was finished.

I don't know if I have a special attachment to the card, but I picked up years ago, realizing the legacy of the player pictured - as a legendary Hall of Fame player and franchise icon.

The card is squirreled away and it's sticking around as the centerpiece of my collection- for as long as I'm interested in collecting baseball cards.

2013 Topps commemorative rookie patch relic maildays

I guess I'm officially trying to complete the 25-card insert set, though I'm not really much of a set collector - I'm staying away from blaster boxes while trying to cherry pick the singles I need from eBay.

Featured autograph - Duke Snider

Duke Snider's passing on Sunday may mean more to old-school baseball fans and in particular, those who grew up with the Brooklyn Dodgers - however he was a Hall of Fame legend who seemed to enjoy a reputation for being a gracious signer in-person or through the mail.

With regards to autographs, this story captures just about everything I know and perhaps want to say about Snider and signing autographs - perhaps good and bad.

As far as I was concerned, I never met him in-person and Snider used to refused or 'RTS' mail sent to his listed address - when I started to write him in the early 2000s.

In my experience, I remember having to mark the envelope, 'donation enclosed' to get any sort of positive response - things got better however and for a period of time the successes from Snider in the middle of the 2000s came flooding in.

Most seem to enclose any small fee sent to him, though other times I've read he signed TTM with no donation enclosed - one of the cards I was able to get signed TTM is shown in appreciation of the several times I was able to get something back from him during the past 10 years.

May Mr. Snider rest in peace.