Category: Topps Twins Project

A Grate(rol) Mail Day!

Today’s mail brought in items from a couple recent private signings. I sent in a few items for a Brusdar Graterol signing shortly after the World Series. It was supposed to be in Los Angeles shortly after the season started. But, with COVID worries and Graterol going back and forth to the minors (rehab?) it was delayed until a couple weeks ago. Oneway77JC did a great job with my items. For the Graterol signing I picked up:
2 Debut tickets with “MLB Debut” and PSA Witness
2 Baseballs with PSA Witness
2020 Topps Heritage #74
2020 Gypsy Queen #246

The other item I received today was a Fernando Rodney debut ticket stub. Rodney made his debut against the Twins at the Metrodome when he played for the Tigers. I had a pair of tickets and got one signed at Twinsfest one year but he did not inscribe it with “ML Debut” even though it was asked. 5 Tool Signings had a signing with him and I sent in the other ticket. He signed it and did inscribe “ML Debut” (funny what a few extra bucks will get a person!). In fact, I received a message from the person conducting the signing with him that he thought that ticket was pretty cool.

The Puck Stops Here

Today I received a 1992 Topps #575 card of Kirby Puckett signed in blue. I already had one signed in the collection but this card is a stunner and and upgrade to the one I have. Lee Sadowski used to be a sports card dealer in MN back in the day and listed this card as one he got signed at Twinsfest years ago. I am excited to add this to my collection!

Hey Andy!

Rick Anderson was the pitching coach for the Twins for a number of seasons under Ron Gardenhire. He also appears on Carl Pavano’s 2012 Topps #164 card along with Drew Butera. I had a card signed by all three guys but it was in black and more importantly the autograph was scratched up from the mail. I started over with it and got Drew on it a while ago. I sent it to Rick and received it today signed just as I requested. Rick just joined PastPros so I sent it in right away. They did a great job with all the items I sent via them!

Skee-daddle

Today was the reunion of the 1991 World Champion Twins team at Target Field. They had a really cool pregame event with all the players who came back for it. While reading about the event a few days ago, I found that the guest DJ would be DJSkee. I do not know much about the deejay scene but I did recognize the name as he was the person who designed the Byron Buxton Topps Project 70 card of which I had a pair of. I thought I would prep one and bring it along to the game just in case I went by there and he was available to sign it. He did not let me down. Before the game he was deejaying in the Plaza and I waited until he had a moment. When he looked up and showed him the card and mimicked him signing and he waved me to the booth. He was really neat! He asked my name and signed the card “Thx 4 the love!” I thanked him and he gestured appreciation of me (!) and I went on my way. I was surprised at what a cool experience it was! My night got off to a great start and the Twins clobbered the Rays to finish it! Cami and I had a blast!
When I got home I found that I received a ticket I had sent in for a Jason Bartlett signing. Seton Younggren had a private signing event and I had a second ticket for the game Jason hit his first home run so I sent it in. Jason and Seton did not disappoint! Seton even went so far as to send me a photo of Jason signing my ticket! It looks great and I am excited to have it in the collection!