Monthly Failure Report: February 2018

Here's this month's failure list.  February is probably the month that will typically have the most of these.  I may not have gotten an autograph from Joe Gibbs, but his game plan for life is definitely a success: In a nutshell, follow Jesus.

Unsigned Returns:
Mark Price
Roger Craig
Joe Gibbs

Return to Sender:
Bud Harrelson
Ed Figueroa

No Response from February 2017:
Ben Zobrist
Calvin Johnson
Dez Bryant
Felix Hernandez
JJ Watt
Jose Abreu
Mookie Betts
Hank Steinbrenner
Luke Kuechly
Marshall Faulk
Antonio Brown
Randall Cobb
TY Hilton
Corey Kluber
Carlos Santana
Charles Woodson
Eduardo Nunez
Gary Sanchez
Jason Kipnis
Kemba Walker
Orlando Pace
Pablo Sandoval
Reggie Wayne
Richard Hamilton
Theo Epstein
Tim Raines
Yao Ming
Bob Gibson
Ivan Rodriguez
Jeff Bagwell
Lou Brock
Brett Hull
Eddie Murray
Michael Vick
Pedro Martinez
Russell Westbrook
Willie McCovey
Danny Woodhead
Hines Ward
Jon Kitna
AJ Cole
Dusty Baker

Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly had a very brief playing career, but he's best known for his time as Twins Manager.  He won two World Series titles in 16 years at the helm in Minnesota.  Thanks, Tom!

Mailed: 2-3-18
Received Back: 2-12-18
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Jeff Garcia

In 11 seasons in the NFL, Jeff Garcia made four Pro Bowls and passed for over 25,000 yards.  Thanks, Jeff!

Mailed: 1-26-18
Received Back: 2-12-18
Turnaround Time: 17 Days

Joe Theismann

In 12 seasons with the Redskins, Joe Theismann passed for over 25,000 yards, won a Super Bowl, and won the NFL MVP Award.  He signed the card I sent and passed along a letter about his charity as well.  Thanks, Joe!

Mailed: 1-26-18
Received Back: 2-12-18
Turnaround Time: 17 Days

Ron Gant

Ron Gant made two all-star teams, hit 321 home runs, knocked in 1,008 runs, and stole 243 bases during his 16-year career.  He is a one-time member of the 30/30 Club (30HR, 30SB), and he signed both cards I sent to him, in 705 fewer days than my previous post.  Thanks, Ron!

Mailed: 2-3-18
Received Back: 2-12-18
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Michael Wacha

It took as many days as Babe Ruth had regular season Home Runs, but I now have a beautiful Michael Wacha signature!  Wacha is a star pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.  Thanks, Michael!

Mailed: 2-29-16
Received Back: 2-12-18
Turnaround Time: 714 Days

Paul Hornung

Paul Hornung is a Hall of Halfback/Fullback who also occasionally played QB.  He won four NFL championships in the pre-Super Bowl era, as well as the first Super Bowl.  He was suspended for the entire 1963 season for gambling.  Incidentally, 1963 was Pete Rose's rookie season over in MLB, and Pete Rose still isn't in the Hall of Fame for some strange reason.  But I digress...  Hornung played for the Packers for all nine of his years in the league.  Thanks, Paul!

Mailed: 1-22-18
Received Back: 2-12-18
Turnaround Time: 21 Days

Mike Cameron

Here's the first success of a record mail day for me (nine successes, eleven signatures): Mike Cameron, who played in the league for 17 years with 8 different teams, making the all-star team once.  He was always a threat to hit a home run or steal a base.  Thanks, Mike!

Mailed: 2-3-18
Received Back: 2-12-18
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Steve Swisher

A one-time all-star for the Cubs, Steve Swisher is also known for fathering Nick Swisher!  He signed both of the cards I sent to him (1976 and 1978 Topps).  Thanks, Steve!

Mailed: 2-3-18
Received Back: 2-10-18
Turnaround Time: 7 Days

Shawne Merriman

Shawne Merriman had a brief NFL career, but he was arguably the most dominant defensive player in the league during his first three years.  He was nice enough to sign the card I sent him, and he also sent along a signed sticker, although I have no idea what that sticker is.  Thanks, Shawne!

Mailed: 1-29-18
Received Back: 2-10-18
Turnaround Time: 12 Days

Michael Cuddyer

In 15 years with the Twins, Rockies, and Mets, Michael Cuddyer won a batting title and made two all-star teams.  He also has a great signature.  Thanks, Michael!

Mailed: 1-22-18
Received Back: 2-8-18
Turnaround Time: 17 Days

Don Maynard

Don Maynard is a Hall-of-Famer who played in the league for 15 years, mostly with the Jets.  He won a Super Bowl, made four Pro Bowl teams, and racked up nearly 12,000 receiving yards.  This was my second time trying Maynard, and this time he signed the two cards I sent him for a $5 donation.  Thanks, Don!

Mailed: 1-29-18
Received Back: 2-8-18
Turnaround Time: 10 Days

Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn played in the league for 12 years, six each for the Bucs and Falcons.  He made three Pro Bowl teams and rushed for nearly 11,000 yards.  I sent him a $5 donation to his charity, and he was nice enough to sign the two rookie cards I sent with it.  Thanks, Warrick!

Mailed: 1-22-18
Received Back: 2-7-18
Turnaround Time: 16 Days

Adeiny Hechavarria

Hechavarria began his career with the Blue Jays, then went on to play with the Marlins for several years, and he is now with the Rays.  He's a solid shortstop in the league and should be entering the prime of his career over the next several years.  Thanks, Adeiny!

Mailed: 1-22-18
Received Back: 2-5-18
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

Lee Roy Jordan

Lee Roy Jordan played Linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys for 14 years, making five Pro Bowl teams and winning a Super Bowl.  He's one of the team's all-time great Defensive players.  Thanks, Lee Roy!

Mailed: 1-8-18
Received Back: 2-5-18
Turnaround Time: 28 Days

Jerry Sloan

Jerry Sloan was an all-star player, mostly for the Chicago Bulls, and a great coach, mostly for the Utah Jazz.  He's also a member of the National Basketball Hall of Fame.  Interestingly, he took the Jazz to two NBA Finals, both of which they lost to the Bulls.  Thanks, Jerry!

Mailed: 1-26-18
Received Back: 2-5-18
Turnaround Time: 10 Days

Bill Bates

Bill Bates was a Cowboys DB for 15 years, winning three Super Bowls and making one Pro Bowl team.  He was a Cowboy before and during the great 90s dynasty.  Thanks, Bill!

Mailed: 1-22-18
Received Back: 2-5-18
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

Whitey Herzog

This one cost $5, but wow does Whitey have a great signature, especially for a man of his age.  Herzog is a Hall-of-Fame Manager and was at them helm of the Cardinals during their 1982 World Series Championship year.  He's shown here on his 1985 Topps card.  Thanks, Whitey!

Mailed: 1-22-18
Received Back: 2-2-18
Turnaround Time: 11 Days

Rick Cerone

Rick Cerone was a big league Catcher for eight different teams over 18 years in the league, including seven years with the Yankees in three different stints.  His best season came in 1980, and he's shown here on his 1981 Topps card.  Thanks, Rick!

Mailed: 1-26-18
Received Back: 2-2-18
Turnaround Time: 7 Days

Rick Mirer

Rick Mirer was a highly-touted prospect who spent his first four years in the league with the Seahawks, and then his next and final four years in the league with four different teams.  He's still a well-recognized name who passed for over 11,000 yards in his career.  He's signed his 1993 Upper Deck Rookie Card here.  Thanks, Rick!

Mailed: 1-8-18
Received Back: 2-2-18
Turnaround Time: 25 Days

Juan Gonzalez

Juan Gonzalez won two AL MVP awards and led the league in Home Runs twice during his 17-year career, largely with the Texas Rangers.  He was one of the best players of the 1990s.  He's pictured here on his 1990 Bowman and 1990 Topps Rookie Cards, which he was nice enough to sign for me.  Thanks, Juan!

Mailed: 1-22-18
Received Back: 2-2-18
Turnaround Time: 11 Days

John Flaherty

Two Yankees Catchers in one day!  Technically two guys who caught for the Red Sox as well...  John Flaherty played for five teams during his MLB career, capping it off with three years in the Bronx.  He also got the game-winning hit in Jeter's full speed into-the-stands catch game, a game dubbed by Yankees Broadcaster Michael Kay as "one of the greatest games you will ever see!"  Thanks, John!

Mailed: 1-22-18
Received Back: 2-1-18
Turnaround Time: 10 Days

Mike Stanley

Mike Stanley was an All-Star Catcher for the Yankees.  He also played for the Rangers, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and A's.  Interestingly, during the 1995 season, Stanley was the primary Catcher for the Yankees, Jim Leyritz was the backup Catcher, and the only other man to catch for them that year was Jorge Posada, who made his first appearance behind the plate for one game.  Thanks, Mike!

Mailed: 1-5-18
Received Back: 2-1-18
Turnaround Time: 27 Days

Bobby Shantz

Bobby Shantz was a three-time All-Star who played for seven different teams, including eight years with the Philadelphia A's, where he won the league MVP award in 1952, and four with the Yankees, where he led the league in ERA in 1957.  I sent Shantz the card shown on the right, where he's pictured with three other players from his era, and he was nice enough to sign that and include another card that he signed and inscribed!  Showing no signs of slowing down at 92 years old, his turnaround time was five days.  Above and beyond anything I could have expected, and a very nice addition to my collection.  Thanks, Bobby!

Mailed: 1-26-18
Received Back: 1-31-18
Turnaround Time: 5 Days

Lenny Wilkens

Another Basketball Hall-of-Famer to add to the collection!  Lenny Wilkens was a star player, and then a great coach.  He was also a coach on the best team ever assembled, the 1992 Dream Team.  He signed his Team USA card beautifully here and also sent along a card of his charity.  Thanks, Lenny!

Mailed: 1-22-18
Received Back: 1-30-18
Turnaround Time: 8 Days

Billy Beane

Before he was the subject of Moneyball and a General Manager who revolutionized the game, Oakland GM Billy Beane was a highly-touted prospect for the New York Mets.  He's pictured here on his 1986 Donruss Rookie Card, just before the Mets traded him to the Twins in January of that year.  Thanks, Billy!

Mailed: 1-16-18
Received Back: 1-30-18
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

Hersey Hawkins

Hersey Hawkins was an All-Star early in his career and went on to have a successful 13-year career for four different teams, including the entirety of the 1990s, which, as we all know, was the best time for the NBA.  He played for the Bulls for a year during the era of Michael Jordan's second retirement.  Thanks, Hersey!

Mailed: 1-22-18
Received Back: 1-29-18
Turnaround Time: 7 Days

Curtis Granderson

The Grandy Man!  Curtis Granderson began his career with the Tigers and then went on to a four-year stint with the Yankees in which he hit over 40 home runs in back-to-back years.  He led the AL in Runs and RBI in 2011.  He moved across town to the Mets for another four years, but was then traded to the Dodgers to finish 2017.  He recently signed with the Blue Jays.  I sent him a card during Spring Training last year, but he sent it back with a signed photo instead.  Thanks, Curtis!

Mailed: 2-13-17
Received Back: 1-27-18
Turnaround Time: 348 Days