When Justin Morneau played for the Twins, he had a coat drive to acquire coats for the people of the Twin Cities who could not afford one. If you donated x coats you would get a ticket for an autograph. Even when he was traded to other teams, he kept his family in MN and continued the coat drive. Now that he is retired he STILL has the coat drive each year. What an amazing, giving person! This year Louie Varland, fresh off of a World Series appearance, joined Justin at the signing event. I was able to acquire a pair of tickets to the signing so Amy and I headed to Fan HQ for the autographs. Justin and Louie were awesome. Very friendly and it made it a wonderful event. I was able to get a 2023 Allen & Ginter #327 and a Topps Now 04.13.2025 #68 signed by Justin and Amy bought a couple 8×10 photos of Louie, one with a Twins uniform and one from the World Series with the Blue Jays, and we got those signed. Afterwards we enjoyed lunch at Big Bowl right next to where the signing was. What a fun day!
Category: Topps Twins Project
Rolls Royce
Today’s mail brought a couple really cool items for the collection. First, Royce Lewis signed four Topps Now cards that I sent to the ballpark back in August. Those cards are:
2023 Topps Now 05.29.2023 #359
2023 Topps Now 10.03.2023 #959
2023 Topps Now 10.11.2023 #995
2024 Topps Now 06.21.2024 #326
I also received a pair of the oversized Major League (the movie) cards that I picked up at the 2014 All Star Fanfest signed by Chelsie Ross. Chelsie played Eddie Harris and included each inscription I requested. On his card, #MLC-EH, he signed it with Eddie Harris and “You tryin’ to say Jesus Christ can’t hit a curveball?”. On the Jobu card, #MLC-JB, he signed it with Eddie Harris as well and included “Yo bartender. Jobu needs a refill.” and “Up your butt Jobu!” Those are three of the top quotes from the Major League movie!
A Team HR Record!
Back on 09.29.2019, the Twins were in Kansas City to face the Royals. The Twins had already broken the all time team home run record that was set by the Yankees the year before but there were four teams who had a shot at setting a new record going into the final series of the season. The Twins ended up coming out on top at the end of the season with a new MLB record 307 home runs (this record was tied by the Braves in 2023). Jason Castro hit HR #307 on 09.29.2019. Josh M (ridiculousxdream on SCN) announced a signing with Castro just about a year ago so I sent in a pair of cards for it. The signing went down but Jason dropped the FedEx package in the USPS system and it never arrived at its destination. After going back and forth with the company Josh was working with, they agreed to have Jason resign the items if they were resent. I took this opportunity to send in my ticket to the 09.29.2019 Twins at Royals ticket and I am glad I did. Jason signed it with his name, “MLB Team HR Record” and “Team HR #307”. It looks magnificent! He also signed my 2019 Topps #406 and my 08.09.2019 Topps Now card #661. These items were worth the wait and I appreciate Josh’s efforts to eventually make the signing happen. And, kudos to the USPS for delivering my package on Columbus Day!
Houston, We Do Not Have A Problem!
I received my final package of items from this past season today. Mike E (from Facebook) sent me three items that he got signed in Iowa or games related. I got:
Marek Houston OMLB with “1st Round 2025” (he was the Twins first round pick in the draft)
DeShawn Keirsey 2025 Topps #605
Jordan Balazovic 2024 Topps Heritage #680
Great stuff to close out the season!