All-Time Top 10

I started this hobby early in 2016, and it's been about five years since then.  It's definitely time for an all-time Top Ten list to end year five.  This list includes two entries from each year except 2018 (3) and 2020 (1).  It includes four football, three basketball, one hockey, one golf, and one presidential return, although George H.W. Bush will have to represent baseball on this list since it has otherwise somehow been left out.  Here's hoping for a great 2021!  Happy New Year!

10: Jack Nicklaus (2018)
9: George H.W. Bush (2018)
8: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2016)
7: Shaquille O'Neal (2016)
6: Peyton Manning (2017)
5: Drew Brees (2018)
4: Phil Jackson (2020)
3: Joe Montana (2019)
2: Bill Belichick (2017)
1: Wayne Gretzky (2019)

Top 10 For 2020

Despite the Coronavirus pandemic (or perhaps in part because of it), I set a new personal record this year with 215 successes, bringing my all-time total over the last five years to 709!  This year's Top Ten list includes three basketball players (one of whom is better known from his coaching days), three baseball players, a hockey player, a race car driver, and two well-known personalities from the entertainment industry.  Somehow, football was shutout of this year's list.  As usual, there were some tough cuts, but 2020 was a solid TTM year.  Here's to 2021!  Also of note, in the photo, only the cards from the top row were acquired TTM, as you've probably assumed. The number one return from this year took its prominent place within this display.

10: Regis Philbin (Spent more time on TV than anyone ever, but unfortunately passed away in 2020)
9: Lin-Manuel Miranda (Best known as the writer and star of Hamilton, he and I share an alma mater)
8: Ryne Sandberg (In the Hall of Fame as one of the all-time greatest second basemen)
7: Robert Parish (This Hall of Famer still holds the record for the most games played in the NBA)
6: Brooks Robinson (In the Hall of Fame as one of the all-time greatest third basemen)
5: Richard Petty (One of the greatest NASCAR drivers of all-time and holds the record for most wins)
4: Bobby Witt Jr. (One of the best prospects in baseball)
3: Patrick Roy (An all-time great goalie who earned his spot in the Hall of Fame)
2: Bob Cousy (From the NBA's early days, he earned his place in the Hall of Fame as one of the greats)
1: Phil Jackson (This Hall of Famer won eleven rings as a head coach and two as a player)

Stan Humphries

Stan Humphries played in the NFL for eight seasons, leading the Chargers to the Super Bowl once.  He passed for 17,191 yards and 89 TDs during the regular season, adding seven regular season rushing TDs and six more passing TDs during the playoffs.  Thanks, Stan!

Mailed: 9-11-20
Received Back: 12-28-20
Turnaround Time: 108 Days

Paul DeJong

Paul DeJong has hit .251 with 77 Home Runs and 236 RBI during his first four seasons with the Cardinals.  He's made one All-Star team.  Thanks, Paul!

Mailed: 6-3-19
Received Back: 12-26-20
Turnaround Time: 572 Days

George Karl

Merry Christmas from George Karl, who signed in green!  George Karl coached during 27 NBA seasons, winning 1,175 regular season games and 80 postseason games.  He led the 1995-96 Seattle Supersonics to the NBA Finals where they lost to a legendary Chicago Bulls team.  He also averaged 6.5 points per game with the San Antonio Spurs during his five years playing in the NBA/ABA.  Thanks, George!

Mailed: 8-10-20
Received Back: 12-24-20
Turnaround Time: 136 Days

Patrick Roy

Patrick Roy is an NHL legend, both for the Canadiens and the Avalanche.  He won four Stanley Cups and made six All-Star teams during his 19 years in the NHL.  He racked up 289 wins, 13,876 saves, and a .904 save percentage during his Hall of Fame career.  Thanks, Patrick!

Mailed: 6-25-20
Received Back: 12-24-20
Turnaround Time: 182 Days

Slim

I had to ask Robert Parish to sign one more time, on both his 1977-78 Topps Rookie Card and his 1986-87 Fleer card, from the iconic set.  He obliged.  He's better known by his nickname "The Chief" but was also called by the nickname "Slim".  Thanks again, Robert!

Mailed: 11-20-20
Received Back: 12-21-20
Turnaround Time: 31 Days

Jeremy Guthrie

 

Jeremy Guthrie won 91 games during his 13 MLB seasons.  Thanks, Jeremy!

Mailed: 11-28-20
Received Back: 12-19-20
Turnaround Time: 21 Days

A.C. Green

A.C. Green was basketball's iron man, playing in 1,192 consecutive games.  Over 16 seasons, he played in 1,278 games, averaging 9.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.  He won three NBA Championships with the Lakers and made one All-Star team.  Thanks, A.C.!

Mailed: 1-8-20
Received Back: 12-18-20
Turnaround Time: 345 Days

Cory Gearrin

Cory Gearrin has played in nine MLB seasons, predominantly as a relief pitcher.  He's compiled 13 wins and five saves.  He played part of the 2019 season with the New York Yankees.  It's always cool to see a 2011 Topps Update Diamond Anniversary card signed.  Thanks, Cory!

Mailed: 12-3-20
Received Back: 12-12-20
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Rollie Fingers

Rollie Fingers spent 17 seasons in MLB, winning 114 games and saving 341 games.  He finished his career with three World Series rings, an MVP award, a World Series MVP award, a Cy Young award, and a 2.90 ERA.  Fingers was a seven-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.  He also has a legendary mustache.  He signed his 1969 Topps Rookie Card for $15.  Thanks, Rollie!

Mailed: 11-28-20
Received Back: 12-11-20
Turnaround Time: 13 Days

Latavius Murray

Latavius Murray is in his seventh NFL season.  He's rushed for nearly 5,000 yards and has 1,250 receiving yards.  He's scored 43 rushing TDs and one receiving TD during the regular season, adding two rushing TDs in the playoffs.  Thanks, Latavius!

Mailed: 1-31-20
Received Back: 12-7-20
Turnaround Time: 311 Days

Jamal Anderson

Jamal Anderson made one Pro Bowl team during his eight years with the Falcons.  He rushed for 5,336 yards and 34 TDs, adding another 1,645 yards and 7 TDs through the air.  He added one regular season passing TD and three postseason TDs (two rushing, one receiving).  Thanks, Jamal!

Mailed: 7-1-20
Received Back: 12-7-20
Turnaround Time: 159 Days

Dennis Martinez

Dennis Martinez pitched in 23 MLB seasons, racking up 3999 2/3 innings pitched.  His career regular season record stands at 245-193 with a 3.70 ERA and 2,149 Strikeouts.  He went 2-2 in the playoffs.  He signed his 1977 Topps Rookie Card for $5.  Thanks, Dennis!

Mailed: 11-23-20
Received Back: 12-3-20
Turnaround Time: 10 Days

Ed Yarnall

Ed Yarnall made his only major league appearances during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, and both of those Yankee teams went on to win the World Series.  His MLB record stands at 1-0.  Thanks, Ed!

Mailed: 11-23-20
Received Back: 12-3-20
Turnaround Time: 10 Days

Edgar Yost

 

A signed 1979 Topps Ned Yost Rookie Card was worth the long wait, and it broke a long dry spell for me as well.  Thanks, Ned!

Mailed: 10-1-18
Received Back: 11-23-20
Turnaround Time: 794 Days

Bill Barber

A two-time Stanley Cup winner and three-time All-Star, Bill Barber scored 420 Goals and had 463 Assists during his twelve years with the Flyers.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Thanks, Bill!

Mailed: 8-10-20
Received Back: 11-6-20
Turnaround Time: 88 Days

Jesse Orosco

Jesse Orosco won 87 games and saved 144 games during his 24 MLB seasons.  He made two All-Star teams and won two World Series, one with the Mets and one with the Dodgers.  Thanks, Jesse!

Mailed: 10-28-20
Received Back: 11-5-20
Turnaround Time: 8 Days

Craig Counsell

Craig Counsell hit .255 across 16 MLB seasons.  He won a World Series with the Marlins in 1997 and a World Series with the Diamondbacks in 2001, winning the NLCS MVP Award en route to that year's Championship.  He's led the Brewers to 434 regular season victories and six postseason wins during his six years as the team's Manager, including postseason visits in each of the last three years.  Thanks, Craig!

Mailed: 1-31-20
Received Back: 11-5-20
Turnaround Time: 279 Days

Todd Jones

Todd Jones saved 319 games and won 58 games during his 16 MLB seasons.  He made one All-Star team.  Thanks, Todd!

Mailed: 5-15-20
Received Back: 11-5-20
Turnaround Time: 174 Days

Kevin Thompson

 

Kevin Thompson played in MLB for parts of two seasons, and his one Major League home run came in 2006 for the Yankees.  Thanks, Kevin!

Mailed: 10-10-20
Received Back: 10-31-20
Turnaround Time: 21 Days

Bobby Witt Jr.

 

Bobby Witt Jr. is one of MLB's top prospects.  He's currently in the Royals organization.  His father was a long-time MLB pitcher.  This is an incredible return!  Thanks, Bobby, and best of luck in the future--Can't wait to see you in the big show!

Mailed: 10-10-20
Received Back: 10-30-20
Turnaround Time: 20 Days

Bryan Wallace Berard

 

Bryan Berard came through signing two rookie cards, one of which misspelled his name "Brian".  This completes a rare case of back-to-back hockey returns!  Thanks, Bryan!

Mailed: 6-8-20
Received Back: 10-29-20
Turnaround Time: 143 Days

Monthly Failure Report: October 2020

No Response from October 2019:
Todd Zeile
Troy Tulowitzki

Olaf Kolzig

 

Olaf Kolzig won 301 games and made one All-Star team during his 17 NHL seasons.  Thanks, Olie!

Mailed: 10-10-20
Received Back: 10-26-20
Turnaround Time: 16 Days

William Elliott

 

Bill Elliott had 45 NASCAR wins, including two Daytona 500 victories.  Thanks, Bill!

Mailed: 5-27-20
Received Back: 10-26-20
Turnaround Time: 152 Days

Kenny Stills

 

Kenny Stills is in his eighth NFL season.  So far, he has 309 receptions for 4,837 yards and 37 TDs during his regular season career.  He has one playoff touchdown and a regular season passing touchdown as well.  Thanks, Kenny!

Mailed: 10-10-20
Received Back: 10-26-20
Turnaround Time: 16 Days

Chris Woodward

Chris Woodward played in twelve MLB seasons and has now managed for two seasons with the Texas Rangers.  Thanks, Chris!

Mailed: 7-12-19
Received Back: 10-23-20
Turnaround Time: 469 Days

Vance Aaron Law

Vance Law hit .256 with 442 RBI during his eleven MLB seasons.  He signed his 1981 Topps Rookie Card.  Thanks, Vance!

Mailed: 9-24-20
Received Back: 10-19-20
Turnaround Time: 25 Days

Guy Carbonneau

Guy Carbonneau won three Stanley Cups and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Across 19 NHL seasons, he scored 221 goals and assisted on 326 goals.  Thanks, Guy!

Mailed: 8-29-20
Received Back: 10-19-20
Turnaround Time: 51 Days

Mr. Benny

Eric Dickerson signed his 1984 Topps Rookie Card through the mail for $10.  Dickerson was one of the best Running Backs of all-time.  His 2,105 rushing yards during the 1984 season is still a single season record.  Thanks, Eric!

Mailed: 9-24-20
Received Back: 10-17-20
Turnaround Time: 23 Days

Jim Beattie

Jim Beattie won 52 games during his nine-year MLB career, which began with the 1978 World Series Champion New York Yankees.  Thanks, Jim!

Mailed: 10-10-20
Received Back: 10-16-20
Turnaround Time: 6 Days

Donald Sutton

This guy was really Sutton on the mound.  One of the greatest pitchers of all-time, Don Sutton signed his 1966 Topps Rookie Card through the mail for $5!  It may be in rough condition, but I love my collection of signed Hall of Fame and Superstar Rookie Cards.  Thanks, Don!

Mailed: 9-24-20
Received Back: 10-16-20
Turnaround Time: 22 Days

Sonny Jackson

Sonny Jackson hit .251 with 162 RBI and 126 Stolen Bases during his twelve MLB seasons.  He finished second in the 1966 NL Rookie of the Year voting.  Thanks, Sonny!

Mailed: 9-24-20
Received Back: 10-13-20
Turnaround Time: 19 Days

Doug Collins

Doug Collins made four All-Star teams during his eight years with the 76ers, in which he averaged 17.9 points per game.  He then won 442 regular season games and 23 playoff games during eleven seasons as a Head Coach.  He coached Michael Jordan and the Bulls for three years during the late 1980s.  Thanks, Doug!

Mailed: 6-29-20
Received Back: 10-10-20
Turnaround Time: 103 Days

Dagoberto Campaneris Blanco

Bert Campaneris completes the duo for a Bert & Ernie day!  The six-time All-Star and three-time World Series Champion signed a great pair of cards here: His 1965 Topps Rookie Card, where he is pictured as a member of the Kansas City A's, and his 1984 Topps card, showing him in his final season (1983), his sole season with the Yankees.  Thanks, Bert!

Mailed: 8-10-20
Received Back: 10-9-20
Turnaround Time: 60 Days

Swervin' Irvan

Ernie Irvan apparently signed one of these with a bleeding marker that was nearly dead, but then found a new sharpie to use.  With his 1988 Maxx Rookie Card included here, I'll take it.  Thanks, Ernie!

Mailed: 7-3-20
Received Back: 10-9-20
Turnaround Time: 98 Days

James Alvin Palmer

I bought this 1966 Topps Jim Palmer Rookie Card with the sole purpose of getting it signed.  It's not in good condition, but $10 later, it's a vintage signed Hall of Fame Rookie Card nonetheless.  This is the second time he's signed his Rookie Card for me, but I grew tired of the giant crease through the first one, which is an eyesore that this one does not have.  Thanks again, Jim!

Mailed: 9-24-20
Received Back: 10-8-20
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

Mel Renfro

Mel Renfro won two Super Bowls and made ten Pro Bowl teams during his 14 years with the Cowboys.  He intercepted 52 passes during the regular season and four in the playoffs.  He scored six total touchdowns and earned a spot in the Hall of Fame.  He signs through the mail for $10.  Thanks, Mel!

Mailed: 9-24-20
Received Back: 10-3-20
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Monthly Failure Report: September 2020

No Response from September 2019:
Jeff Fassero
Jeff Francoeur
Tony Womack
Jack Sikma
Alvin Kamara
Evan Engram
Jared Allen
LeRoy Butler
Ryan Leaf
Bill Clinton

Heath Shuler

Heath Shuler spent four seasons in the NFL, throwing for 3,691 yards and 15 touchdowns.  He also ran for a touchdown.  He later spent six years in Congress as a Representative for his district in North Carolina.  He was a Blue Dog Democrat who challenged Nancy Pelosi.  Thanks, Heath!

Mailed: 7-2-20
Received Back: 9-26-20
Turnaround Time: 86 Days

Rich Harden

Rich Harden won 59 games with a 3.76 ERA during nine MLB seasons.  Apparently, his middle name is Richard.  He shares a first and last name with NBA Superstar James Harden, as his 2002 Topps Rookie Card shows.  Thanks, Rich!

Mailed: 3-5-20
Received Back: 9-25-20
Turnaround Time: 204 Days

Aaron Laffey

Aaron Laffey won 26 games and saved one during his eight MLB seasons.  He spent part of the 2011 season with the Yankees.  Thanks, Aaron!

Mailed: 8-10-20
Received Back: 9-22-20
Turnaround Time: 43 Days

Robert Cousy

Bob Cousy played in the NBA for 14 seasons, 13 of which were with the Celtics.  He helped Boston win six NBA Championships, making the All-Star team in each of his 13 seasons with the team.  He won an MVP Award and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.  He averaged 18.4 points, 7.5 assists, and and 5.2 rebounds per game during his career in the regular season, as well as 18.5 points, 8.6 assists, and 5 rebounds per game during his playoff career.  Thanks, Bob!

Mailed: 9-11-20
Received Back: 9-19-20
Turnaround Time: 8 Days

Dmitri Khristich

Dmitri Khristich played in the NHL for twelve seasons, scoring 140 goals and assisting on 160 goals.  Thanks, Dmitri!

Mailed: 9-11-20
Received Back: 9-18-20
Turnaround Time: 7 Days

Haywood Jeffires

Haywood Jeffires caught 535 balls for 6,334 yards and 50 touchdowns during his ten NFL seasons.  He was named to three Pro Bowl teams.  Thanks, Haywood!

Mailed: 9-11-20
Received Back: 9-18-20
Turnaround Time: 7 Days

Robert Lilly

Bob Lilly is one of the greatest defensive forces of all-time.  He made eleven Pro Bowl teams in his 14 seasons with the Cowboys.  He won a Super Bowl, scored four touchdowns, and earned a spot in the Hall of Fame.  Thanks, Bob!

Mailed: 9-11-20
Received Back: 9-18-20
Turnaround Time: 7 Days

Dave Robinson

Dave Robinson played in the NFL for twelve seasons.  He won three NFL Championships, two Super Bowls, and was named to three Pro Bowl teams.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame and signed a stamp and index card for $5.  Thanks, Dave!

Mailed: 9-11-20
Received Back: 9-18-20
Turnaround Time: 7 Days

Bryant Stith

Bryant Stith averaged 10.1 points and one steal per game during his ten NBA seasons.  Thanks, Bryant!

Mailed: 7-20-20
Received Back: 9-18-20
Turnaround Time: 60 Days

John Friesz

John Friesz spent ten seasons in the NFL and threw for 8,699 yards and 45 Touchdowns.  In his final season, with the Patriots in 2000, he was the backup QB behind Drew Bledsoe and ahead of Tom Brady.  The 1990 Score Rookie Card I sent him apparently got bent along the way.  He was nice enough to write a brief note letting me know that, sign it anyway, and add another signed 1990 Score Rookie Card in great condition.  Awesome.  Thanks, John!

Mailed: 8-24-20
Received Back: 9-15-20
Turnaround Time: 22 Days

Tippy Martinez

Tippy Martinez won 55 games and saved 115 games during his 14 MLB seasons, two and a half of which were with the Yankees.  He finished his career with a 3.45 ERA and worked almost exclusively as a reliever.  He had two World Series saves for the Orioles during their 1983 Championship season, which was also his lone All-Star campaign.  He signed his 1976 Topps Rookie Card.  Thanks, Tippy!

Mailed: 9-1-20
Received Back: 9-15-20
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

Ryno

I recently added another Ryne Sandberg 1983 Topps Rookie Card to my collection, so I decided to add another autographed Ryne Sandberg 1983 Topps Rookie Card to my collection instead.  I've sent to him several times over the past several years, so I sent him $10 this time instead of his usual $5 fee.  Thanks again, Ryne!

Mailed: 8-31-20
Received Back: 9-14-20
Turnaround Time: 14 Days