Monthly Failure Report: March 2018

Here's this month's failure list.  Based on the letter above, I'll try Giannis and Khris again at the start of next season.

Unsigned Returns:
Khris Middleton
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Return to Sender:
Bobby Hull

No Response from March 2017:
Cam Newton
Matthew Stafford
Mike Pagliarulo
Rolando McClain
Terrelle Pryor
Chris Webber
Karl Malone
Ken Griffey, Jr.
Kevin Garnett
Larry Bird
Brock Holt
Jesse Orosco
J.P. Crawford
Jake Arrieta
Jeff Gordon
Nolan Arenado
Miguel Sano

Lenny Moore

Hall-of-Famer Lenny Moore had an illustrious 12-year career with the Baltimore Colts, winning two NFL Championships and making seven Pro Bowl teams.  He rushed for over 5000 yards and 63 touchdowns, and he racked up over 6000 receiving yards, catching 48 touchdowns.  That's 111 TDs in 12 years!  Not bad.  Somehow I didn't have a card of his so I sent him a Pro Football Hall of Fame card to sign, along with a $5 bill.  He signed that and gave me a signed card with him actually on it as well, along with a nice note.  Really awesome.  Thanks, Lenny!

Mailed: 3-5-18
Received Back: 3-16-18
Turnaround Time: 11 Days

Tony Times Two

I had to get my yearly allotment of three-time World Series Champion and Hall-of-Famer Tony La Russa, so I sent him two cards: one for each of the two different teams he led to the promised land.  La Russa is currently working in the Red Sox front office.  Thanks, Tony!

Mailed: 2-24-18
Received Back: 3-16-18
Turnaround Time: 20 Days

Jim Perry

Jim Perry, brother of Hall-of-Famer Gaylord Perry, was a Cy Young Award-Winning Pitcher, making three all-star teams during his 17-year MLB career, during which he played for four different teams. Perry also made three all-star teams.  Thanks, Jim!

Mailed: 3-2-18
Received Back: 3-16-18
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

Rod Smith

Rod Smith won two Super Bowls and compiled over 11,000 receiving yards and 68 TD receptions over his 12-year career as a Denver Bronco.  He's one of the greatest receivers in team history.  Thanks, Rod!

Mailed: 2-12-18
Received Back: 3-16-18
Turnaround Time: 32 Days

Greg Gagne

A two-time World Series Champion, Greg Gagne was a solid Shortstop for the Twins, Royals, and Dodgers for 15 years in the 80s and 90s.  He signed all three cards I sent him.  Thanks, Greg!

Mailed: 3-5-18
Received Back: 3-14-18
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Pokey Reese

A member of the 2004 Red Sox Championship team, Calvin "Pokey" Reese earned two Gold Gloves and stole 25 or more bases four times with the Reds.  He signed all four rookie cards I sent him and was not pokey in doing so.  Thanks, Pokey!

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

Eric Young Jr.

Eric Young Jr. thrice topped 30 Stolen Bases in a year.  He managed one at bat with the 2016 Yankees and played for the Angles in 2017, though he may not make the team in 2018.  He's young enough where he's likely to get another big league opportunity relatively soon.  Thanks, Eric!

Mailed: 3-2-18
Received Back: 3-10-18
Turnaround Time: 8 Days

Matt Williams

Matt Williams made five all-star teams and garnered four Gold Gloves across his 17 years in the big leagues.  He was part of the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks Championship team and finished his playing career with 378 HR and 1218 RBI.  Afterwards, he won a Manager of the Year award.  He signed both cards I sent him.  Thanks, Matt!

Mailed: 2-26-18
Received Back: 3-10-18
Turnaround Time: 12 Days

Bobby Richardson

This is one of my favorites so far!  Bobby Richardson made the all-star team eight times in his twelve years as the Yankee Second Baseman.  He won three World Series, was the World Series MVP in a year the Yankees lost the World Series, and earned five Gold Gloves.  He's also well-known as the man who led Mickey Mantle to Christ before his death.  I wrote Richardson a nice letter and asked if he could sign both of the cards I sent him and add a favorite verse, which he did.  He also sent along a tract card with what I believe is a facsimile signature, but he personalized it to me and underlined a verse on the back.  These have become treasured parts of my collection!  Thanks, Bobby!

Mailed: 2-23-18
Received Back: 3-9-18
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

Nick Solak

I didn't have a Nick Solak card, so I sent him one of these.  Nick was with the Yankees until a recent trade sent him to the Rays, but he's still a highly-regarded prospect.  Thanks, Nick!

Mailed: 1-22-18
Received Back: 3-8-18
Turnaround Time: 45 Days

Raisel Iglesias

Raisel Iglesias became one of the league's top closers with the Reds last year.  He should have many years ahead of him as a solid relief pitcher.  Thanks, Raisel!

Mailed: 2-26-18
Received Back: 3-6-18
Turnaround Time: 8 Days

Dan Majerle

"Thunder Dan" was a three-time all-star with the Phoenix Suns during the 90s.  In a 14-year NBA career that also included time with the Heat and Cavaliers, Majerle averaged 11.4 points per game.  Thanks, Dan!

Mailed: 2-12-18
Received Back: 3-6-18
Turnaround Time: 22 Days

Royce Lewis

Royce Lewis was the first overall pick of the 2017 MLB Draft, by the Minnesota Twins.  He's only 18, but potentially has an all-star future.  I didn't have a card of him yet, so I sent him this to sign.  Thanks, Royce!

Mailed: 2-20-18
Received Back: 3-3-18
Turnaround Time: 11 Days

Steve Balboni

Steve Balboni began his MLB career with the Yankees in the early 80s before heading to Kansas City for several years and a World Series Championship.  He then came back to the Yankees for a few years.  He hit .600 over five at-bats for the Rangers in 1993.  During the 1985 Championship season, he stole a base once for the Royals.  Better known as a power hitter, he also hit 36 Home Runs that year and finished his career with 181 Home Runs.  Thanks, Steve!

Mailed: 12-28-17
Received Back: 3-3-18
Turnaround Time: 65 Days

Hector Lopez

Hector Lopez won two World Series during his 12-year career, 8 years of which were spent with the New York Yankees.  He signed both cards I sent him here.  I'm thinking of starting a project and sending the 1962 World Series card to one or two other living members of that team.  Thanks, Hector!

Mailed: 2-24-18
Received Back: 3-2-18
Turnaround Time: 6 Days

Bill Bradley

A two-time NBA champ and Hall-of-Famer, the former Knick is better known as former Senator Bill Bradley!  This is a really awesome return.  Thanks, Senator!

Mailed: 1-16-18
Received Back: 3-1-18
Turnaround Time: 44 Days

Alex Gonzalez

Alex Gonzalez made the all-star team once and won the World Series once during a successful 16-year MLB career.  He signed both cards I sent him, including his 1997 Bowman Chrome rookie card.  Thanks, Alex!

Mailed: 2-14-18
Received Back: 2-27-18
Turnaround Time: 13 Days

Jackie Smith

Jackie Smith is a Hall-of-Fame Tight End who played for the Cardinals and Cowboys.  He scored 40 TDs and compiled nearly 8,000 receiving yards during the 60s and 70s.  I couldn't find a card of his in my collection though, so he signed this for me.  Thanks, Jackie!

Mailed: 7-17-17
Received Back: 2-27-18
Turnaround Time: 225 Days

Jon Lieber

Jon Lieber played for 14 years in the majors, making the all-star team once with the Cubs.  I remember him most for his one year on the Yankees, where he worked very quickly and with pinpoint control.  Thanks, Jon!

Mailed: 2-14-18
Received Back: 2-23-18
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Larry Walker

I get that he played in Colorado for a large portion of his career, but I still believe that Larry Walker should be a Hall-of-Famer one day.  The 1997 NL MVP, Walker won three batting titles and seven gold gloves, and he was named to five all-star teams.  He finished his career with a .313 Batting Average, .400 On-Base Percentage, 383 Home Runs, 1311 RBI, and 230 Stolen Bases.  He signed his 1990 Leaf Rookie Card for me here.  Thanks, Larry!

Mailed: 2-6-18
Received Back: 2-23-18
Turnaround Time: 17 Days

Famous Blue Index Card

I saw on the forum of a Baseball Autograph TTM Facebook group that I recently joined that a few people had gotten Fred Lynn to sign actual baseball cards, so I tried him again, but once again got back the famous/infamous signed blue index card.  Not that I'm complaining.  It's still pretty cool, he certainly doesn't have to send me anything, and he has a great signature.  Thanks again, Fred!

Mailed: 2-14-18
Received Back: 2-23-18
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Mike Bibby

Mike Bibby averaged 14.7 points per game and 5.5 assists per game over 14 years in the NBA.  He was always a threat from behind the arc.  Surprisingly, he never made an all-star team.  He was nice enough to sign both cards I sent to him.  Thanks, Mike!

Mailed: 2-3-18
Received Back: 2-20-18
Turnaround Time: 17 Days

Ryno Rookie

I had to send one more to Ryno, and it was well worth the $5.  He signed his 1983 Topps Rookie Card!  This was an awesome return.  Some of you may have noticed I've been getting a lot more returns lately, and a much higher success rate.  Plus I know which players charge a small fee.  The only secret is that I've joined SCF (sportscardforum.com), which is free and gives you access to a huge database of addresses and success rates of players from all sports.  Thanks, Ryne!

Mailed: 2-7-18
Received Back: 2-17-18
Turnaround Time: 10 Days

Al Downing

Al Downing won 123 games over his 17-year career, including 72 in his nine years with the Yankees.  He made the all-star team once.  I told him about the time I met Clete Boyer in Cooperstown and he wrote me back a nice note about Clete and signed the card I sent him as well (I didn't have one of him on the Yankees, or even one without a crease, unfortunately).  Thanks, Al!

Mailed: 2-5-18
Received Back: 2-16-18
Turnaround Time: 11 Days

Jerry Kenney

Jerry Kenney was a third baseman, shortstop, and centerfielder who played for the Yankees in the late 60s and early 70s.  He's pictured here on his 1970 Topps card.  Thanks, Jerry!

Mailed: 2-7-18
Received Back: 2-15-18
Turnaround Time: 8 Days

Drew Brees

I think this one is my favorite return of the year so far!  Drew Brees is one of the top few QBs in NFL history.  He's won a Super Bowl and passed for over 70,000 yards, which is third most all-time.  He'll eclipse Peyton Manning's record for passing yards this year if he remains healthy.  He's also tied with Tom Brady for the third most TD passes of all-time, and could make a run at that Manning record before he retires as well.  This is awesome!  Thank, you so much, Drew!!!

Mailed: 1-22-18
Received Back: 2-14-18
Turnaround Time: 23 Days

John Schuerholz

John Schuerholz was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame last year after a very successful career as General Manager of the Royals and Braves, as well as President of the Braves.  He built World Championship teams in both Kansas City and Atlanta, and presided over the long run of Atlanta dominance in the NL East.  Thanks, John!

Mailed: 1-2-18
Received Back: 2-12-18
Turnaround Time: 41 Days

Dan Issel

Dan Issel made seven all-star teams and won an ABA Championship during his Hall-of-Fame career, which he split between the NBA and ABA during the 1970s and 1980s.  Thanks, Dan!

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