Closing the Year with Jaime Navarro

Although primarily a starter, Jaime Navarro closed out 16 games during his MLB career, earning two saves.  To close out 2025, the final post of the year features his signed 1990 Leaf Rookie Card.  Thanks, Jaime!

Mailed: 1-21-25
Received Back: 12-30-25
Turnaround Time: 343 Days

Andy Fox

Andy Fox hit 30 Home Runs and stole 74 bases during his nine MLB seasons.  He earned a World Series ring with the 1996 Yankees.  Thanks, Andy!

Mailed: 12-15-25
Received Back: 12-30-25
Turnaround Time: 15 Days

All-Time Top 10: 10-Year Edition

I started this hobby ten years ago, and I've been able to acquire so many amazing autographs during that time.  Eight of the all-time top ten remain from when I did this five years ago, with four of them in the same spots.  I've even managed to find success with half of this list more than once, getting returns from two of its members thrice.  All ten years are represented within this list, and while I definitely get more baseball autographs than anything else, this list somehow includes only one baseball player, the late former United States President George H.W. Bush, who played for Yale University, but is better known for his accomplishments outside of the diamond.  The list includes four football entries, two from the basketball world, the greatest hockey player of all-time, arguably the greatest golfer of all-time, and controversially the greatest cyclist of all-time.  Here's hoping for more great additions to my collection over many more years to come!

10: George H.W. Bush (2018)
9: Lance Armstrong (2023, 2025)
8: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2016)
7: Bill Belichick (2017, 2020, 2025)
6: Phil Jackson (2020)
5: Drew Brees (2018, 2022)
4: Peyton Manning (2017, 2019, 2021)
3: Joe Montana (2019)
2: Tiger Woods (2022)
1: Wayne Gretzky (2019, 2024)

Top 10 For 2025

I sent out a lot of requests this year, ending up with 237 successful returns, which is my most in any of the ten years I've done this.  This includes double digits every month and two more returns that I've yet to post this year, and it brings my all-time total over the last ten years to 1489!  As in past years, I'm not putting anyone on the list who has been on it before, otherwise this list would look drastically different.  That being said, this year's Top Ten list includes three basketball returns after the sport got shut out in the last three years, although one of those (Danny Ainge) can also be considered baseball, but we already have four others on it classified as baseball returns anyway, plus one football and two from the non-sport Entertainment (TV/Movies) world, both of whom are women.  Looking forward to 2026!  Happy New Year!
10: Danny Ainge (One-time All-Star and two-time NBA Champ who also spent three seasons in MLB)
9: Tony Dungy (Hall of Famer and one-time Super Bowl champ also played three seasons in NFL)
8: Vanna White (It's hard to believe she's been Wheel of Fortune co-host for 43 years)
7: Bert Blyleven (Hall of Famer and two-time World Series Champion won 287 regular season games)
6: Tommy John (Somehow not a Hall of Famer, he won 288 regular season games, most post-surgery)
5: Jim Calhoun (Hall of Famer best known for leading the UConn Huskies to 3 NCAA Championships )
4: Jennifer Lawrence (Well-known actress and star of Hunger Games, among other things)
3: Alonzo Mourning (Hall of Famer, one-time NBA Champ, averaged 17.1 points, 8.5 boards, 2.8 blocks)
2: Wade Boggs (Hall of Famer, one-time World Series Champ, 5x batting champ, 3,010 career hits)
1: Carlton Fisk (Worth $100 in cancer charity donations for two signed RCs of this legendary HOFer)

Monthly Failure Report: December 2025

No Response From December 2024:

Mark DeRosa

Garrett Richards

Tommy Maddox

Al Yankovic

Allen Watson

Danielle Fishel

Jahmyr Gibbs

Pamela Anderson 

Tom Kelly Rookies

Here's a nice return from a potential future Hall of Famer, Tom Kelly, who signed two copies of his 1987 Topps Tiffany Rookie Card.  Thanks, Tom!

Mailed: 12-11-25
Received Back: 12-24-25
Turnaround Time: 13 Days

A Kurt Warner Christmas

A great return from Hall of Famer Kurt Warner arrived today, on Festivus, to kickoff the Christmas Holidays!  Thanks again, Kurt!

Mailed: 12-3-25
Received Back: 12-23-25
Turnaround Time: 20 Days

Tommy DeVito

Now with the Patriots, Tommy DeVito played his first two seasons for the Giants, throwing for 1,358 yards and 8 TDs.  He also ran the ball in once for a score.  Thanks, Tommy!

Mailed: 11-20-25
Received Back: 12-20-25
Turnaround Time: 30 Days

Mr. Bobby Richardson

Here's another great return from the legendary Bobby Richardson.  Thanks again, Bobby!

Mailed: 12-3-25
Received Back: 12-19-25
Turnaround Time: 16 Days

Glendon Rusch

Glendon Rusch won 67 games and saved four games during his twelve MLB seasons, playing for six different teams.  Thanks, Glendon!

Mailed: 12-4-25
Received Back: 12-16-25
Turnaround Time: 12 Days

The Commander

I acquired another 1972 Topps Carlton Fisk Rookie Card, so I donated $50 to The Cancer Support Center for him to sign it.  I certainly think it was well worth it.  Thanks again, Carlton!

Mailed: 11-15-25
Received Back: 12-12-25
Turnaround Time: 27 Days

Dave Stewart

Dave Stewart won 168 regular season games during his 16 MLB seasons, once making the All-Star team and thrice winning the World Series.  He also amassed a World Series MVP award and two ALCS MVP Awards.  He signed his 1982 Topps Rookie Card for $5.  Thanks, Dave!

Mailed: 12-4-25
Received Back: 12-12-25
Turnaround Time: 8 Days

Neil Vincent Lomax

Here's a great return from former NFL QB Neil Lomax, who signed two cards, including his rookie, and an index card, on which he left a favorite verse and a nice note affirming that Jesus is Lord.  Thanks, Neil!

Mailed: 10-8-25
Received Back: 12-9-25
Turnaround Time: 62 Days

Lance Edward Armstrong

Here's one of the best returns of the year!  Cycling Legend Lance Armstrong signed two Rookie Cards and a Sports Illustrated for Kids Card.  Thanks, Lance!

Mailed: 7-15-25
Received Back: 12-9-25
Turnaround Time: 147 Days

Roger Wehrli

Here's a great return from Hall of Famer Roger Wehrli, who signed his 1971 Topps Rookie Card for $10.  He made seven Pro Bowl teams during his 14 years in the league, tallying 40 regular season Interceptions and three total Touchdowns.  Thanks, Roger!

Mailed: 11-21-25
Received Back: 12-8-25
Turnaround Time: 17 Days