Top 10 For 2021

 

It was a slower than usual year this year, as I barely sent any requests out from June onward, but I did manage another 85 successful returns, bringing my all-time total over the last six years to 794!  This year's Top Ten list includes four spots for basketball, two for football, two for hockey, one for golf, and one that can either be filed as politics or baseball.  Looking forward to 2022!  Happy New Year!
10: Rudy Giuliani (Former NYC Mayor and Yankees Superfan)
9: Pete Carroll (Future HOFer and current Seahawks Coach)
8: Bobby Knight (Legendary basketball Coach)
7: Artis Gilmore (HOFer and Bulls great)
6: Annika Sorenstam (One of the greatest female golfers of all-time)
5: Scotty Bowman (One of the greatest hockey Coaches of all-time)
4: T.J. Watt (One of the best defensive players in the NFL)
3: Jerry Reinsdorf (Presided over the 1990s Bulls Dynasty)
2: Vince Carter (Future basketball HOFer)
1: Eric Lindros (Hockey HOFer)

Monthly Failure Report: December 2021

No Response from December 2020:

Eric Karros
Ramiro Mendoza
Ron Villone
George Foster

Juan Pierre

A World Series Champion in 2003 with the Marlins, Juan Pierre finished his 14-year MLB career with a .295 batting average and 614 stolen bases.  He played in 162 games for five straight seasons at one point.  He signed his 2000 Topps Chrome Traded Rookie Card for me and added a scripture verse.  Thanks, Juan!

Mailed: 12-8-21
Received Back: 12-29-21
Turnaround Time: 21 Days

Rudy Giuliani

This one was worth the long wait.  Rudy Giuliani transformed New York City during his tenure as Mayor, helping clean up the city and bring down crime rates.  He led the city through the 9-11 terrorist attack and its aftermath.  He was America's mayor and fixture behind home plate at Yankee Stadium.  Giuliani later ran for President and ended up serving in the Trump administration.  This is a pretty awesome return.  Thanks, Rudy!

Mailed: 1-31-20
Received Back: 12-28-21
Turnaround Time: 697 Days

Maury Wills

 

Maury Wills won three World Series and made seven All-Star teams during his 14-year MLB career.  He won an MVP and two Gold Gloves, and he stole 586 bases.  Thanks, Maury!

Mailed: 12-8-21
Received Back: 12-27-21
Turnaround Time: 19 Days

Leroy Kelly

Leroy Kelly rushed for 7,274 yards and 74 Touchdowns during his ten years with the Browns.  He caught 13 TD passes and threw for two more, returning three punts for TDs as well.  He also scored three postseason TDs (2 rushing, 1 receiving).  A Hall of Famer, Leroy won an NFL Championship and was named to six Pro Bowl teams.  Thanks, Leroy!

Mailed: 12-8-21
Received Back: 12-22-21
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

Bobby Richardson Again

Bobby Richardson is one of the best.  It's been a nearly three years since I last wrote to him, and this time I sent him a beat up old 1965 Topps card to sign.  He also signed the index card and signed and wrote a note for me on the back of a tract he sent, which tells about him leading Mickey Mantle to Christ very late in The Mick's life.  Just awesome all-around.  Thanks again, Bobby!

Mailed: 12-8-21
Received Back: 12-20-21
Turnaround Time: 12 Days

Monthly Failure Report: November 2021

No Response from November 2020:

Jimmy Smith
Zack Moss

James McCann

James McCann has hit 75 Home Runs, driven in 298, and batted .246 during his first eight MLB seasons.  He's been named to one All-Star team and is the current Mets Catcher.  Thanks, James!

Mailed: 6-17-20
Received Back: 11-26-21
Turnaround Time: 527 Days

Adam Lind

Adam Lind hit 200 home runs across twelve MLB seasons, winning a Silver Slugger Award in 2009 when he hit .305 with 35 home runs and 114 RBI for the Blue Jays.  Thanks, Adam!

Mailed: 4-9-20
Received Back: 11-1-21
Turnaround Time: 571 Days

Monthly Failure Report: October 2021

No Response from October 2020:

Matt Cassel
Braylon Edwards
Chris Thompson
Eric Moulds
Jorge Soler
Keith Hernandez
Lonnie Chisenhall
Terry McLaurin

Dre Bly

Dre Bly won a Super Bowl and was named to two Pro Bowls during his eleven years in the NFL.  He scored a total of eight touchdowns (on five interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one punt return).  Thanks, Dre!

Mailed: 8-18-21
Received Back: 10-4-21
Turnaround Time: 47 Days

Denny McLain

Denny McLain won a World Series, an MVP, and two Cy Young Awards.  He was named an All-Star twice.  The last man to win 30 games in a season, McLain won 31 games for the Tigers in 1968.  His career record stands at 131-91.  Thanks, Denny!

Mailed: 3-26-21
Received Back: 10-4-21
Turnaround Time: 192 Days

Monthly Failure Report: September 2021

No Response from September 2020:

Cliff Levingston
Herschel Walker

Billy Ray Sims

I found a Billy Sims 1981 Topps Rookie Card at my local card shop, and he was nice enough to sign it for me.  Thanks, Billy!

Mailed: 8-9-21
Received Back: 9-13-21
Turnaround Time: 35 Days

 

Monthly Failure Report: August 2021

No Response from August 2020:

Juan Gonzalez
Anna Kournikova
Eric Milton
Lance Moore
Mark Gastineau

Gustave Frerotte

I asked Gus Frerotte to sign a rookie card from the 1994 Bowman Set, and the former Redskins QB did so.  Thanks again, Gus!

Mailed: 2-9-21
Received Back: 8-16-21
Turnaround Time: 188 Days

Monthly Failure Report: July 2021

I haven't sent out any new requests in a long time, but plan to start doing so again soon, so no successes this month, but here's the obligatory list of failures.

No Response from July 2020:

Roberto Luongo
Shea Weber
Brock Osweiler
Doug Flutie
Ozzie Smith
Rusty Wallace
Al Leiter

Monthly Failure Report: June 2021

No Response from June 2020:

Alfonso Soriano
Jake Westbrook
Michael Waltrip
Darin Erstad
Jeff Conine
Jermaine Dye
Shawn Green
Ken Schrader
Deshaun Watson
Nancy Kerrigan

Unsigned Returns from June 2021:

Bobby Bonilla

Eric Lindros

Eric Lindros put together a 13-year NHL career that landed him in the Hall of Fame.  He scored 290 goals and assisted on 369 goals.  Thanks, Eric!

Mailed: 5-28-20
Received Back: 6-26-21
Turnaround Time: 394 Days

Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy has coached his teams to 131 regular season and 10 playoff wins, including a Super Bowl Championship for the Green Bay Packers.  He's going into his second season as Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys.  He was nice enough to send me a magazine along with a signed photo.  Go Cowboys!  Thanks, Mike!

Mailed: 10-10-20
Received Back: 6-21-21
Turnaround Time: 254 Days

Carlos May

 

A two-time All-Star, Carlos May hit .274 with 90 Home Runs and 536 RBI during ten seasons with the White Sox, Yankees, and Angels.  Thanks, Carlos!

Mailed: 2-4-21
Received Back: 6-12-21
Turnaround Time: 128 Days

Charlie Whitehurst

Charlie Whitehurst played during eight NFL seasons, largely as a backup quarterback.  He threw for 2,463 yards and eleven TDs.  He also ran for two TD scores.  Thanks, Charlie!

Mailed: 4-24-21
Received Back: 6-1-21
Turnaround Time: 38 Days

Monthly Failure Report: May 2021

No Response from May 2020:

Chris Dudley
Cris Dishman
Dre' Bly
Gil Meche
Nick Castellanos
Chris Gwynn
Jarrod Parker
Jason Schmidt
Bret Boone
Rob Thomas
Neil Walker
Kyle Higashioka
Stephen Strasburg
Brian Dozier
Keith Byars
Brandon Weeden

Pete Carroll

Pete Carroll is a future Hall of Fame Football Coach with a Super Bowl win and two College National Championships under his belt.  He's led his NFL teams to 145 regular season wins and 11 postseason wins, plus he garnered 83 NCAA wins with USC.  He has been Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks since 2010.  This one was worth the wait.  Thanks, Pete!

Mailed: 2-24-20
Received Back: 5-14-21
Turnaround Time: 445 Days

John Paxson

John Paxson won three NBA Championships with the Bulls during his eleven seasons in the league.  He made several clutch shots in the Playoffs, perhaps most famously the winning shot in Game Six of the 1993 NBA Finals.  Thanks, John!

Mailed: 4-29-21
Received Back: 5-11-21
Turnaround Time: 12 Days

Erik Hanson

Erik Hanson won 89 games and made one All-Star team during his eleven MLB seasons.  Thanks, Erik!

Mailed: 12-8-20
Received Back: 5-10-21
Turnaround Time: 153 Days

Jimmy Means

Jimmy Means is a former NASCAR Driver and current advisor and team owner.  Thanks, Jimmy!

Mailed: 4-5-21
Received Back: 5-10-21
Turnaround Time: 35 Days

Neil Lomax

Neil Lomax made two Pro Bowls during his eight years with the Cardinals.  He threw for 22,771 yards and 136 TDs during the regular season, adding ten rushing TDs.  Thanks, Neil!

Mailed: 3-1-21
Received Back: 5-10-21
Turnaround Time: 70 Days

Dave Keon

Dave Keon won four Stanley Cups during his Hall of Fame NHL career.  He scored 365 goals and assisted on 493 goals during the regular season.  Thanks, Dave!

Mailed: 4-24-21
Received Back: 5-10-21
Turnaround Time: 16 Days

Ted Power

Ted Power compiled a 68-69 record over his 13-year MLB career, which he spent primarily as a relief pitcher.  He finished his career with a 4.00 ERA.  Thanks, Ted!

Mailed: 4-29-21
Received Back: 5-8-21
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Bobby Bowden

Bobby Bowden won two National Championships as the Head Coach of Florida State.  He earned a spot in the Hall of Fame.  Thanks, Bobby!

Mailed: 4-24-21
Received Back: 5-8-21
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

Derrike Cope

Derrike Cope's NASCAR career included winning the 1990 Dayton 500.  Thanks, Derrike!

Mailed: 4-5-21
Received Back: 5-7-21
Turnaround Time: 32 Days

Johnny Gaudreau

Johnny Gaudreau currently has 169 career goals and 315 career assists.  He is in the midst of his eighth NHL season, all of which have been with the Calgary Flames.  Thanks, Johnny!

Mailed: 6-29-20
Received Back: 5-5-21
Turnaround Time: 310 Days

Richard Childress

Richard Childress is a NASCAR owner and a former driver and member of the Board of Directors of the NRA.  Thanks, Richard!

Mailed: 4-5-21
Received Back: 5-4-21
Turnaround Time: 29 Days

Bob Shantz

Bobby Shantz was an MLB teammate of his brother Billy for a short time.  Thanks, Bobby!

Mailed: 4-29-21
Received Back: 5-3-21
Turnaround Time: 4 Days

Bobby Knight

Bobby Knight was a fiery coach for Indiana and Texas Tech.  He won three NCAA Division I Championships while coaching Indiana and earned a spot in the Hall of Fame.  Thanks, Bobby!

Mailed: 4-24-21
Received Back: 5-1-21
Turnaround Time: 7 Days

Larry Pearson

Larry Pearson won the Busch Series championship in both 1986 and 1987.  He won 15 NASCAR races.  Thanks, Larry!

Mailed: 4-5-21
Received Back: 4-30-21
Turnaround Time: 25 Days

Monthly Failure Report: April 2021

No Response from April 2020:

Mark Price
Buck Martinez
Antawn Jamison
Jay Fiedler
Matt DeSalvo
Shea Hillenbrand
Kia Nurse

Ken Bouchard

Ken Bouchard was the 1988 NASCAR Rookie of the Year.  His brother Ron was the 1981 Rookie of the Year.  Thanks, Ken!

Mailed: 4-5-21
Received Back: 4-22-21
Turnaround Time: 17 Days

Dick Duff

Dick Duff won six Stanley Cups and earned a spot in the Hall of Fame during his 18 NHL seasons.  He scored 174 goals and assisted on 168 goals.  Thanks, Dick!

Mailed: 4-9-21
Received Back: 4-21-21
Turnaround Time: 12 Days

Phil Barkdoll

Phil Barkdoll only raced at Daytona and Talladega during his NASCAR career.  Thanks, Phil!

Mailed: 4-5-21
Received Back: 4-19-21
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

 

Tom Brady Facsimile

Tom Brady is the greatest Quarterback of all-time.  He's won seven Super Bowls and has so far thrown for 581 TDs and nearly 80,000 yards during the regular season.  He's thrown for 12,449 yards and 83 TDs in postseason play.  He's also rushed for 25 regular season TDs and seven postseason TDs.  He's won three MVP awards and five Super Bowl MVP awards during his 21 NFL seasons, and he's still going.  It is 4-20, and you're probably smoking something if you think this is a real autograph.  That would be awesome, but unfortunately, this is not my greatest ATTM return of all-time.  At least the GOAT (or the Bucs) sent over a nice photo of TB12 with what appears to be a facsimile signature though.  Thanks, Tom!

Mailed: 3-1-21
Received Back: 4-19-21
Turnaround Time: 49 Days

Ken Ragan

Ken Ragan is the father of David Ragan who also raced in NASCAR himself.  Thanks, Ken!

Mailed: 4-5-21
Received Back: 4-19-21
Turnaround Time: 14 Days

Freeman McNeil

Freeman McNeil was part of three Pro Bowl teams during his twelve years with the Jets.  He ran for 8,074 yards and 38 TDs, adding 2,961 yards and 12 TDs on receptions.  He added three rushing TDs and one receiving TDs during the playoffs and also threw one TD pass in both the regular season and postseason play.  He signed his 1982 Topps Rookie Card.  Thanks, Freeman!

Mailed: 2-6-21
Received Back: 4-16-21
Turnaround Time: 69 Days

 

Frank DiPino

Frank DiPino won 35 games and saved 56 game during his twelve MLB seasons.  Thanks, Frank!

Mailed: 4-5-21
Received Back: 4-15-21
Turnaround Time: 10 Days

Eddie Bierschwale

Eddie Bierschwale is a former NASCAR driver who once had to fill in for Richard Petty during a race.  Thanks, Eddie!

Mailed: 4-5-21
Received Back: 4-15-21
Turnaround Time: 10 Days

 

Phil Parsons

Phil Parsons has driven, owned, and analyzed in the racing world.  He's the younger brother of legendary racer Ben Parsons.  Thanks, Phil!

Mailed: 4-5-21
Received Back: 4-12-21
Turnaround Time: 7 Days

Jim Boeheim

Jim Boeheim is a Basketball Hall of Famer.  He's led Syracuse to one NCAA Championship win and 982 wins overall (not including 101 wins vacated by the NCAA).  Thanks, Jim!

Mailed: 3-26-21
Received Back: 4-8-21
Turnaround Time: 13 Days

James Lonborg

Jim Lonborg won 157 games across his 15 MLB seasons, including 22 in 1967, the year in which he won the AL Cy Young Award, made the All-Star team, went to the World Series (where he won two games), and finished sixth in the AL MVP Voting.  He signed this 1966 Topps card for me.  Thanks, Jim!

Mailed: 3-26-21
Received Back: 3-31-21
Turnaround Time: 5 Days

Monthly Failure Report: March 2021

No Response from March 2020:

Willie Randolph
Andy Stankiewicz

Annika Sorenstam

Annika Sorenstam is one of the best female golfers in history.  She won 72 LPGA events, including ten Majors, earning a spot in the World Golf Hall of Fame.  Thanks, Annika!

Mailed: 2-9-21
Received Back: 3-29-21
Turnaround Time: 48 Days

Chad Curtis

Chad Curtis played in ten MLB seasons, winning two World Series with the Yankees (1998, 1999).  He hit 101 home runs and stole 212 bases.  He is perhaps best remembered for his two-HR game in Game 3 of the 1999 World Series, which included a walk-off home run and an abrupt interview with Jim Gray.  Thanks, Chad!

Mailed: 3-13-21
Received Back: 3-25-21
Turnaround Time: 12 Days

Chad Cordero

Chad Cordero played in MLB for seven seasons, making one All-Star team, when he saved 47 games for the Nationals in 2005.  He won 20 games and saved 128 games, sporting a career ERA of 2.89.  Thanks, Chad!

Mailed: 3-13-21
Received Back: 3-24-21
Turnaround Time: 11 Days

Marc Rzepczynski

Marc Rzepczynski played for seven teams across his ten MLB seasons, winning a World Series with the Cardinals in 2011.  He won 14 games and saved two while compiling a 3.89 career ERA.  Thanks, Marc!

Mailed: 3-1-21
Received Back: 3-22-21
Turnaround Time: 21 Days

Anthony Volpe

Anthony Volpe was drafted by the New York Yankees in the first round of the 2019 draft.  He hopes to make an impact in the Bronx in the near future.  Thanks, Anthony!

Mailed: 2-6-21
Received Back: 3-22-21
Turnaround Time: 44 Days

Nicholas Solak

Nick Solak has hit .277 with seven home runs, 40 RBI, and nine stolen bases during his first two MLB seasons.  Thanks, Nick!

Mailed: 2-9-21
Received Back: 3-22-21
Turnaround Time: 41 Days

Jimmy Horton

Jimmy Horton is a former NASCAR driver who is still a current dirt modified racer.  He signed two of his 1988 Maxx Rookie Cards.  Thanks, Jimmy!

Mailed: 3-13-21
Received Back: 3-22-21
Turnaround Time: 9 Days

Todd Zeile

Todd Zeile played in MLB for 16 seasons, batting .265 with 2,004 hits, 253 home runs, and 1,110 RBI.  He played for eleven different teams, including the Cardinals, Mets, and Yankees.  Thanks, Todd!

Mailed: 12-8-20
Received Back: 3-22-21
Turnaround Time: 104 Days

Bonnie Blair

One of the all-time great Olympians and speed skaters, Bonnie Blair won five gold medals and one bronze medal for the United States.  Not a bad return on Winter's final day.  Thanks, Bonnie!

Mailed: 2-16-21
Received Back: 3-19-21
Turnaround Time: 31 Days