Collecting Auto's Through the Mail

I have been asked several times how I go about getting all of the autographs through the mail that I do.  It is easy to do if you have a few minutes, 2 stamps (I use the Forever Stamps) two different size envelopes and a card or two.

First, hand-write a letter to the player of your choice.  You might want to do some research into a person's signing habits.  For example, some players do NOT sign through the mail (TTM) at all.  Others, even Hall of Famers do.  There are forums on the internet, such as Sportscardforum.com that is free and has some addresses and recent successes.  Just head to "Autograph Central" on there and you won't be disappointed.

The letter does not need to be long.  Two quick paragraphs are all you need.  Be polite, be quick, be courteous.  ALWAYS say please and thank you.

Add your card or cards.  NEVER expect a player to supply the card for you.  In some cases they will send you their card and return your cards unsigned.  This happens.  

Add a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE).  NEVER expect a player to supply postage or to write your address on an envelope.  Your SASE should be smaller than your main envelope.  I use 3 5/8" x 6 1/2" envelopes with the pull and seal.  Some player don't want to lick envelopes if they don't have to.  The envelope I use to send everything is the #10 envelope, or 4 1/8" x 9 1/2" envelopes.

Ok, so now you have your letter, your card, your SASE, and your envelope all made out.  Double check to make sure you have the cards, postage and everything in order.  Dump them in the main envelope, put in mailbox and wait.  

The wait times for a return can range from less than a week to a little over a year.  For novices I recommend sending to a stadium while that team is playing.  For example, send to baseball players in summer, football players in fall, and basketball and hockey in winter.  There are several sets, especially for baseball that are conducive to getting autographs.  Topps makes a couple of sets such as their Heritage, Total, and Allen & Ginter sets.  Many collectors like the look of an autograph on the Allen & Ginters.  IT is a personal taste thing.  A cheap alternative is the Topps Total.  They are relatively inexpensive when compared to other cards, made of a good cardstock, and have a lot of players in each set.  If you do get a glossy card, such as a base card from Upper Deck don't worry.  Just rub it down with an eraser.  Use one of those mechanical ones they sell in the pencil section of a drug store.  They work great.  Rub vigorously and you will notice the gloss just go away but the integrity of the photo will not be compromised.  

Protecting your collection once you get it started is also very important.  A binder and protective sheets works very well and is what I use.  I have my collection in alphabetical order but you can do it by team or sport, whatever your heart desires.  

So you're thinking, good players don't sign TTM.  Why should I try?  Well, I have gotten quite a few Hall of Famers back.  Terry Bradshaw, Hank Aaron, Lawrence Taylor, Bob Feller (Required $10), Joba Chamberlain, Harry Carson, Antonio Pierce, Brandon Jacobs, Rodney Hampton, Robin Roberts, Bobby Shantz, Mark Grace, Sparky Anderson, John Wooden, Bobby Bonilla, Jim Thome, Jim McMahon, Gary Zimmerman, Dean Palmer, Richard Petty, Boomer Esiason, Joe Theismann, Dan Fouts, Fran Tarkenton, Tony LaRussa, Hank Blalock, Al Kaline ($5), Joe Dumars, Jason Giambi, Wade Boggs, Andy Pettitte, Greg Maddux, and Bob Griese are just a few of the guys I have gotten back.  I have gotten almost 500 returns in a little over a year.  Everyday I get mail and see a SASE in the pile it makes my day.  You never know who its going to be.  

If you are interested and I have not answered your questions here feel free to either email me or leave a comment, I'll get back to you.  Hopefully, you'll give it a try.  You can even ask me if a certain player signs and I'll let you know to the best of my ability.  Happy hunting and may your mailboxes be full.

Around the Leagues

Is there any reason to watch golf now that Tiger Woods isn't going to be playing in any major tournaments?  I won't be tuning in so let me know how it goes.

LaTroy "Home Run" Hawkins still has a job.  My God, this is getting ridiculous.  Why can't GM Brian Cashman just admit he made a mistake on Hawkins like every other reliever he has acquired via free agency or trade.  Face it Cashman, between Farnsworth and Hawkins, Cashman's mistakes are killing the Yankees.  I know there the Yankees can get better production out of some of their AAA players.  It also looks like Cashman is finally owning up to those mistakes as David Robertson was recently called up.  Robertson has been absolutely amazing in the minors.  Hopefully, those stats translate.

I just witnessed Jose Reyes do one of the most childish things I have ever seen.  On a routine play, Reyes fielded the ball cleanly and fired to first.  The throw was a little wide to the right of the bag, drawing Carlos Delgado off the bag.  Delgado, then missed the ball as he tried to tag Melky Cabrera before the ball was in his glove.  The ball rolled into the dugout and Cabrera went to second.  Reyes then threw his glove down on the ground with such force that his sunglasses also went flying.  The error was on Delgado and here is Reyes showing up one of his teammates.  Good job, Reyes.  And you wonder why the Mets seem to be playing under their level?  Maybe Willie Randolph was lucky getting fired when he did.  Maybe Delgado will break Reyes in two as the kid deserves.  Time to grow up Reyes.  Maybe the Mets should finally admit the kid isn't a team player and trade him to rebuild a farm system that looks like 1980's George Steinbrenner got a hold of it.  The Mets will never win with a kid like that.

What are the Rangers doing with Sean Avery, Brendan Shanahan, and Jaromir Jagr?  Why are these guys not re-signed?  What is Glen Sather waiting for?  Sean Avery has been a charge to the Rangers, on both ends of the ice.  The treatment he has received from the Rangers has been awful and almost criminal.  

The fact that Jagr is not re-signed is also a mystery.  Jagr has been a model citizen since coming to this team, doing everything asked of him.  He is deserving of a contract and respect from the Rangers.  If the Blueshirts wait much longer he will be gone.  It feels like Sather is pushing these guys out the door.  The only problem is, there is nothing he can bring in the door that equals these guys.  Oh, and if things aren't bad enough, Martin Straka just jumped ship and returned to his native Czech Republic to play.  Think he knows something?

A message to Jeremy Shockey:  Shut up and play.  I am sick of your whining.  You want to be traded because you don't like the way the Giants treated you?  Are you kidding me?  I thought you were a man.  I thought you were a leader on this team?  Guess not, huh?  You are showing you are not about the team but rather about you and only you.  The Giants don't need that attitude.  Eli proved he can play very well without you.  If only you could just shut up, do your job, stop yelling every time you don't get a pass thrown your way, and hold onto a pass when it is thrown your way, then the Giants could have one of the best passing attacks in the game.  But you, Mr. Shockey, don't care about that.  Grow up or get out.

I love how all of a sudden Danny Ainge is getting all the credit for this Boston Celtics revival.  Like it takes a genius to know Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are great players!  Give credit where it is due, to the players and Doc Rivers.

I loved how Knick fans booed their team selecting Danillo Gallinari.  I could almost feel the collective groan.  I bet the only thing they could think of was Frederic Weis.  Only time will tell if they're right.

Good job by the Nets on draft day.  They dump Richard Jefferson's contract on the Bucks for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons.  Yi was a disappointment for the Bucks, a team he didn't want to play for from day 1.  Yi should give the Nets some boost in the frontcourt.  Trading Jefferson, one of the better players to ever put on a Nets uniform, sets the Nets up for 2010 cap room, something the crosstown Knicks can only dream about.  You know who becomes a free agent in 2010?  LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Josh Howard all can opt out of their contracts.  Think the Nets are setting themselves up for a run at one or two of these guys?  How does Chris Bosh and LeBron James sound in Brooklyn?  Kudos to the Nets for at least trying.