Monthly Failure Report: March 2019

No response from March 2018:
Andrew Miller
Greg Holland
Travis Shaw
Troy Percival
Jose Canseco
Tino Martinez
Cris Collinsworth
Juan Samuel

Unsigned Return:
Tony Pena

Little Willie

Willie Randolph was a .276 hitter during his 18-year MLB career, making the All-Star team six times.  Though his career began with the Pirates in 1975, he was a member of two Championship teams in the Bronx.  He later managed the Mets for three and a half years, taking the team to the playoffs once.  Thanks, Willie!

Mailed: 2-22-19
Received Back: 3-28-19
Turnaround Time: 34 Days

Tim Biakabutuka

Tim Biakabutuka ran for over 2,500 yards in his six years with the Panthers.  He ran for 14 TDs and caught three TD passes during his NFL career.  Thanks, Tim!

Mailed: 2-20-19
Received Back: 3-25-19
Turnaround Time: 33 Days

Mike Matheny

A four-time Gold Glove winner during his 13-year MLB career, Mike Matheny also managed the Cardinals to a Pennant in 2013.  Thanks, Mike!

Mailed: 2-13-19
Received Back: 3-23-19
Turnaround Time: 38 Days

Shawon Dunston

Shawon Dunston made the All-Star team twice during his 18-year MLB career.  Thanks, Shawon!

Mailed: 9-24-18
Received Back: 3-18-19
Turnaround Time: 175 Days

Ty Blach

Ty Blach has 15 wins for the Giants so far, as his career is just getting started.  I love it when players sign with a Bible verse as well.  Thanks, Ty!

Mailed: 2-11-19
Received Back: 3-18-19
Turnaround Time: 35 Days

Jeremy Bonderman

Jeremy Bonderman won 69 games over nine seasons in MLB.  Thanks, Jeremy!

Mailed: 2-21-19
Received Back: 3-18-19
Turnaround Time: 25 Days

Ann Meyers Drysdale

Ann Meyers Drysdale is the only woman to have signed a contract to play for an NBA team (Indiana Pacers), though she did not make the final squad or ultimately play in the NBA.  She was a standout basketball player for many years and is a Hall of Famer.  She was married to Baseball Hall of Famer Don Drysdale until his death in 1993.  Thanks, Ann!

Mailed: 2-4-19
Received Back: 3-15-19
Turnaround Time: 39 Days

Brett Hull

Brett Hull scored 527 goals and had 409 assists during his 19-year NHL career.  He won two Stanley Cups and a spot in the Hall of Fame.  Thanks, Brett!

Mailed: 2-11-19
Received Back: 3-15-19
Turnaround Time: 32 Days

Todd Walker

Todd Walker hit .289 during his twelve years in MLB, playing mostly at second base.  Thanks, Todd!

Mailed: 2-20-19
Received Back: 3-14-19
Turnaround Time: 22 Days

Chuck Schilling

Before Curt, there was Chuck Schilling. who played for the Red Sox from 1961-1965.  He did not win a World Series.  Thanks, Chuck!

Mailed: 3-5-19
Received Back: 3-14-19
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Jim Kaat

Longtime broadcaster Jim Kaat played for five teams during his 25 years in MLB, winning 283 games, 16 Gold Gloves, and a World Series Championship.  He was named to three All-Star teams and finished his career with a 3.45 ERA.  I personally believe that he should be in the Hall of Fame.  He signed his 1960 Topps Rookie for me, as well as his 1980 Topps card, where he is shown pitching for the Yankees.  He let me know that the $5 per autograph I donated went to support youth baseball.  A class act.  Thanks, Jim!

Mailed: 3-5-19
Received Back: 3-12-19
Turnaround Time: 7 Days

One More Eli

A return from Eli Manning is always pretty great.  Thanks, Eli!

Mailed: 11-16-18
Received Back: 3-11-19
Turnaround Time: 115 Days

Robert Richardson

Bobby Richardson led Mickey Mantle to Christ late in the Yankee legend's life.  Richardson himself was a Yankee legend, making eight All-Star teams (in seven different years), winning five Gold Gloves, and winning three World Series Championships.  He signed both cards I sent him (1964 and 1965 Topps) with inscriptions, and he sent his gospel tract about leading Mantle to Christ.  Thanks, Bobby!

Mailed: 2-19-19
Received Back: 3-9-19
Turnaround Time: 18 Days

Jed Lowrie

In his eleventh MLB season, Jed Lowrie made his first All-Star team in 2018.  That earned him a two-year deal with the New York Mets for 2019 and 2020.  Thanks, Jed!

Mailed: 2-13-19
Received Back: 3-8-19
Turnaround Time: 23 Days

Leonard Wilkens

Lenny Wilkens is in the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and coach.  He is also a member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame.  Thanks, Lenny!

Mailed: 2-21-19
Received Back: 3-7-19
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

Tony La Russa Rookie

I've acquired a handful of autographs on vintage rookie cards of Hall Of Famers lately, and this is the most recent one that I was really happy to receive back.  Thanks, Tony!

Mailed: 11-16-18
Received Back: 3-6-19
Turnaround Time: 110 Days

Charlie Maxwell

Charlie Maxwell hit 148 Home Runs and had 532 RBI during his 14-year MLB career.  He was twice named an All-Star as a member of the Tigers.  This marks my first (and probably my only) signed card from the iconic 1952 Topps set.  It was well worth a $5 donation.  Thanks, Charlie!

Mailed: 2-20-19
Received Back: 3-5-19
Turnaround Time: 13 Days

Commisioner Manfred

MLB Commsioner Rob Manfred will send you an Rawlings Official Major League Baseball signed by him upon request.  This is pretty awesome.  He even did it for me when I also suggested in my letter that he should end the lifetime MLB ban for Pete Rose.  Thanks, Rob!

Mailed: 2-19-19
Received Back: 3-5-19
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

The Germanator

Dirk Nowitzki has averaged over 20 points per game during his 21 seasons with the Mavericks.  He has scored over 31,000 points during his career, good for seventh all-time, and he has a good chance to pass Wilt Chamberlain for sixth place all-time before the end of the year.  Thanks, Dirk!

Mailed: 12-13-18
Received Back: 3-2-19
Turnaround Time: 79 Days

Luis Tiant

Luis Tiant won 229 games during his 19-year MLB career.  He made three All-Star teams and had a 3.30 career ERA.  He signed his 1965 Topps Rookie Card via PastPros for $12 (including handling fee).  Thanks, Luis!

Mailed: 2-11-19
Received Back: 3-2-19
Turnaround Time: 19 Days

Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert has been the star Center for the Utah Jazz for six seasons, averaging 10.8 points per game, 10.4 rebounds per game, and 2.2 blocks per game.  He has a terrible autograph, but I'm still quite happy to get cards signed by a current NBA star.  Thanks, Rudy!
Mailed: 2-11-19
Received Back: 3-1-19
Turnaround Time: 18 Days

Kevin Romine

Kevin Romine spent seven seasons with the Red Sox and fathered current Major Leaguers Andrew Romine (Phillies) and Austin Romine (Yankees).  Thanks, Kevin!

Mailed: 2-20-19
Received Back: 3-1-19
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Little Al

I wanted to get a few more vintage cards signed by 1967 AL All-Star Al Downing.  Thanks, Al!

Mailed: 2-19-19
Received Back: 3-1-19
Turnaround Time: 10 Days

Mike Huckabee

Mike Huckabee never played for or coached any major sports teams, but we may as well throw politics into the mix these days.  I like Mike.  Thanks, Mike!

Mailed: 2-19-19
Received Back: 3-1-19
Turnaround Time: 10 Days

Eric Dickerson

Eric Dickerson rushed for 13,259 yards and 90 Touchdowns during his eleven-year career.  He added six receiving TDs and a passing TD as well.  Dickerson made six Pro Bowl teams and landed himself a spot in the National Football Hall of Fame.  He rushed for an amazing 2,105 yards during the 1984 season, and signed his 1984 Topps Rookie Year Instant Replay Card for $5 here.  Thanks, Eric!

Mailed: 1-14-19
Received Back: 2-28-19
Turnaround Time: 45 Days

David Cone

A perfect return!  David Cone won five World Series, made five All-Star teams, and won a Cy Young award during his 17-year MLB career.  The most famous of his 194 regular season wins was, of course, the perfect game he pitched on Yogi Berra Day at Yankee Stadium in 1999.  He was nice enough to make a "one-time exception" and sign both his 1987 Donruss Rookie Card and a card depicting him being carried off the field after the final out of his perfect game.  Thanks, David!

Mailed: 1-18-19
Received Back: 2-27-19
Turnaround Time: 40 Days

HLo

Hector Lopez hit .333 with a Home Run and 7 RBI during the 1961 World Series, the first of two straight World Series rings for him and the Yankees.  He signed his 1964 Topps card here.  Thanks, Hector!

Mailed: 2-19-19
Received Back: 2-26-19
Turnaround Time: 7 Days

Mr. Hoover

Brooks Robinson won an incredible 16 straight Gold Gloves.  In his 23 years with the Orioles, he hit 268 Home Runs and had 1367 RBI.  He signs through the mail for $5.  Legendary.  Thanks, Brooks!

Mailed: 2-16-19
Received Back: 2-25-19
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Aaron Small

Aaron Small pitched for six teams during his nine MLB seasons, the highlight of which was his 10-0 campaign for the 2005 Yankees.  This was a no small return from Aaron, as I got his signature on a Yankees card, a rookie card, and an index card reminding me that Jesus loves me.  Thanks, Aaron!

Mailed: 1-14-19
Received Back: 2-23-19
Turnaround Time: 40 Days