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