Today I received a three packages with one from MLBPA, one from a retired umpire, and one surprise from a friend who got some stuff signed at Royals Fanfest. The first was for exchanging the sub-par Joey Gallo from my purchase from the MLBPA. I sent it back, plus a few bucks, for: CJ Cron, Justin Morneau and Hunter Harvey. The Morneau ball has 33 on it and would you believe I have just about every version except with 33 until now. I have a couple with his middle name (Ernest), 27, MVP and not one, until now, with 33.
Another package was the second Sports Illustrated I sent to Mike Reilly after he ok’d sending it after the first one. I am pretty excited to have two of those issues completed with two hall of famers and the umpire! The surprise package came from my friend Kent B (doggle3 on SCN). Kent got me three Sports Illustrated magazines signed at Royals Fanfest and sent me two of them (the third he is going to try to get Hunter Pence on it in spring training). The two he sent me were Eric Hosmer on the 10.13.2014 issue and the other was Greg Holland on the 10.27.2014 issue. They look AWESOME!
I also received a dozen baseballs I ordered. I usually get 4-6 dozen per purchase but I was waiting for the new Rob Manfred version to come out. They are not out yet but I was out of baseballs and it is spring training time so I had to get something! Today was a nice mail day!
Category: TTM
Jonesin’ For The King
Today I received two packages and am pretty excited. The first was a Randy Jones Sports Illustrated I sent to him a week and a half or so ago. I already had one but came across a mint newsstand issue and thought I would send it to him. He has been a little harder to obtain the last few years. He signed it with “1976 N.L. Cy Young” too! The other package is an awesome surprise from my buddy Greg (justgreg on SCN). Greg sent me a beautiful autographed baseball of King Felix… Felix Hernandez. Greg has gotten me a bunch of stuff from the Seattle Mariners and this has to be tops! Thanks pal!
Rickey and Hal
Today I received two packages. The first one was the magazine I have been working on lately which Hal Smith signed it. For some reason I missed $0.65 postage on the package and he graciously added it. Even though I sent him a donation, I am going to mail him $1 for covering me tomorrow. It is going to be off to be signed by Bill Mazeroski next and it will be complete.
The other package was a baseball and a HOF postcard signed by Rickey Henderson. Tom O (orr23mj on SCN) had some left over items he had signed by Rickey and sold them at prices I could not pass up. I received each today and they look awesome.
An Umpire and a Commissioner
Today was a nice mail day with two packages showing up. The first one was a return from Mike Reilly. I had sent the October 26, 1992 issue of Sports Illustrated already signed by Roberto Alomar and John Smoltz to him a couple weeks ago and watched it go through the USPS system. I was a little nervous as I saw it being bounced from post office to post office and then to Florida. I should have known the post office would take care of business! In my note, I told him I had another issue signed by both players but in blue Sharpie (the one I sent was in black) and if he did not mind if I could send that one too. Not only did he say yes but he told me his winter address in Florida. Nice guy!
The other package was a complete surprise. A month ago I sent a request to Rob Manfred asking for a pair of his business cards signed. In my note, I mentioned as soon as I could get some baseballs with his signature on them (instead of Bud Selig), I would send him one to sign. To my surprise, he sent me one! Not only did MLB pick up the cost of the baseball but also the cost of shipping! That was pretty cool and a real nice surprise. I bet I have one of the first of his model baseballs he signed!
All in all it was a great day!