February 2016 Failure List

The list of "timed-out" players I wrote to in February 2016 that I haven't heard back from yet.  This will probably be my all-time biggest "timed-out" list for a single month, as I sent out 95 requests that month.  February is a great month to send out requests, with Spring Training starting and often at least a handful of very snowy days in New England:
Barry Zito, Don Sutton, Frank Thomas, Jim Palmer, Joe Dumars, John Smoltz, Philip Rivers, Roberto Alomar, Tedy Bruschi, David Wright, Edgar Martinez, Randy Johnson, Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Bobby Cox, Grant Hill, Lawrence Taylor, Penny Hardaway, Stephen Curry, Adam Wainwright, Alonzo Mourning, Austin Romine, Bartolo Colon, Clayton Kershaw, Dallas Keuchel, Evan Gattis, Gary Sanchez, James Worthy, Jered Weaver, John Stockton, Lance McCullers, Masahiro Tanaka, Paul Pierce, Andy Pettitte, Mark McGwire, Oscar Gamble, Reggie Jackson, Robin Ventura, Barry Bonds, Didi Gregorius, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Mason Williams, R.A. Dickey, Ryan Braun, Devon Travis, Omar Vizquel, Alex Rodriguez, Daniel Murphy, Horace Grant, Drew Brees, Tony Perez, Anthony Rizzo, Brandon Phillips, Chris Colabello, Dee Gordon, Joe Mauer, Jose Altuve, Kolten Wong, and Matt Holliday.

John Wetteland

The MVP of the 1996 World Series, back when he was the closer and Mariano Rivera was the set-up man.  He added a favorite verse on there too.  Thanks, brother!
Mailed: 4-29-16
Received Back: 2-27-17
Turnaround Time: 305 Days

Ron Cey

Here's a guy who made the All-Star team six years in a row during the 1970s and was named a co-MVP of the 1981 World Series.  Thanks, Ron!
Mailed: 2-13-17
Received Back: 2-25-17
Turnaround Time: 12 Days

Tony La Russa Take Two

He signed for me last year, and he signed for me again this year.  Unfortunately, the card got creased on the way back.  Nonetheless, it's a great Hall-of-Fame autograph!  Thanks again, Tony!
Mailed: 2-08-17
Received Back: 2-24-17
Turnaround Time: 16 Days

Greg Louganis

This guy won a lot of medals.  I felt like I needed to diversify my collection of Hall of Fame autographs with an inductee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.  Also, I need to start doing ab workouts again.  Thanks, Greg!
Mailed: 2-13-17
Received Back: 2-24-17
Turnaround Time: 11 Days

Wade Boggs

I tried Wade once before without success, but found out upon some light research that he's more likely to sign if you throw in five bucks.  So for the first time, I sent a $5 bill along with the autograph request and told him to buy a beer with it.  I mean, it's Wade Boggs!  He's a Hall-of-Famer, a World Series Champion, a former Yankee, AND a legendary beer drinker.  Who can forget the iconic moment where he got on the horse with the policeman after the Yankees won it all in 1996?  Thanks, Wade!
Mailed: 1-25-17
Received Back: 2-21-17
Turnaround Time: 27 Days

Rebecca Lobo

She's a legend here in Connecticut and a member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.  Thanks, Rebecca!
Mailed: 2-8-17
Received Back: 2-21-17
Turnaround Time: 13 Days

Buck Showalter

He was the Yankees Manager right before Joe Torre.  He managed the team from 1992 through the 1995 season.  In 1996, the Yankees won the World Series.  He managed the Diamondbacks from 1998 through the 2000 season.  In 2001, the Diamondbacks won the World Series.  He currently manages the Baltimore Orioles.  Thanks, Buck!
Mailed: 2-10-17
Received Back: 2-21-17
Turnaround Time: 11 Days

Jim Leyritz

It's always good to get an autograph from a clutch Yankees hitter!  Thanks, Jim!
Mailed: 2-08-17
Received Back: 2-18-17
Turnaround Time: 10 Days

Richard Petty

I don't watch a ton of racing personally, but I enjoy it a few times a year, and I know the names of some of the all-time greats.  Richard Petty is an all-time great in the Racing Hall of Fame.  He also has a Hall of Fame response time on signing apparently, and he even signed in silver to match the card.  Thanks, Richard!

Mailed: 2-06-17
Received Back: 2-13-17
Turnaround Time: 7 Days

Bill Parcells

Probably the second best NFL Head Coach named Bill of all-time!  Thanks, Coach Parcells!

Mailed: 2-04-17
Received Back: 2-13-17
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Josh Hamilton

There's a rumor that Josh Hamilton signs through the mail for his fans once a year as a thank you gift to us around Christmas.  Josh's story is inspirational: from top prospect, to drug abuser, to out of baseball, to finding Jesus, and eventually coming back to make the Major Leagues as a Superstar and AL MVP!  My favorite Josh Hamilton memory is the Home Run Derby at the old Yankee Stadium.  He was hitting balls where I had never seen them go before.  I wish him the best as he tries to work his way back to the Majors this season from injury and personal struggles.  Thank YOU, brother!

Mailed: 2-18-16
Received Back: 2-11-17
Turnaround Time: 359 Days

Don Baylor

Superstar and 1979 AL MVP Don Baylor!  He played for the Yankees for three years in the 80s.  Thanks, Don!

Mailed: 2-01-16
Received Back: 2-10-17
Turnaround Time: 375 Days

Two More Go Foul

Latest rejections from the diamond: Greg Maddux and Tim McCarver.
But Spring Training is just around the corner!