Baseball Hall of Fame TTM Project

Cooptown · October 5, 2009 9:35AM

20 years ago my father and I attended the 50th anniversary of the Baseball Hall of Fame. I bought this program then, and a couple of months later I had Bob Feller sign it at a local show.

The program then sat in my parent's closet for the next 20 or so years when I found it recently. I always knew I had it, but I thought what am I going to do with this program that is signed by Bob Feller?

Then I thought about turning it into a TTM project. I first sent it out to Bobby Doerr, turnaround in less than a week:

Next I sent it out to Lee MacPhail, who had it for about a month and I started to get a bit nervous:

After that it was Monte Irvin, with $20 fee, and took about a week:

Next, I got it back from Al Kaline ($20 fee) that took a little less than two weeks:

Was kind of torn on how he signed it. Gave a nice, big, bold signature but the way he signed it kind of took away space from other players down the road.

Next, it went out to Red Schoendienst with $10 fee. Took about a week:

Currently it is out to Duke Snider (been about a week) and when that comes back, its going to Robin Roberts. After that, not sure the order, but Finger, Perry, Jenkins, Gossage and Williams immediately come to mind. Each signature that comes back makes me more nervous about sending it out, but I have been good about getting it right back in the mail as soon as it comes back. Only sits at my house overnight one night.

VitoCo1972 · October 5, 2009 9:40AM

Some of those guys will charge - Fingers, Gossage, Jenkins. Surprised Schoendienst signed.

Dboneesq · October 5, 2009 9:42AM

GREAT project! Keep the pictures coming!

Cooptown · October 5, 2009 10:01AM

<< Some of those guys will charge - Fingers, Gossage, Jenkins. Surprised Schoendienst signed. >>

Actually, I only send it to guys who DO charge. I figured if I am paying them, I should be getting it back (knock on wood).

I've read a ton of denials from Schoendienst....I must be lucky as I have never been turned down by him. I've probably gotten him three times just this summer. I always slip him a $10, and on the envelope I write "Re: Donation to Foundation".

Cooptown · October 5, 2009 10:03AM

<< GREAT project! Keep the pictures coming! >>

Doug-Just read your signature. Sorry to hear about your wife and your daughter. My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago this month (Breast Cancer Awareness month) and my father was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in May. I read it somewhere, and it has always stuck with me. The minute someone you love is diagnosed with cancer, your life is literally turned upside down.

Dboneesq · October 5, 2009 10:16AM

Thanks very much. Your sister and dad will be in my prayers!

Cooptown · April 16, 2010 12:13AM

Just an update on this project. I purchased this program when my father and I went to the 50th anniversary of the Hall of Fame 21 years ago. My father was very ill this past fall, and passed away in December. I put the program on the backburner until just recently. Sent to Sparky Anderson last Friday (included a donation, but he returned it) and got it back in 6 days.

Already in the mail to Whitey Ford with donation this morning.

Cooptown · January 28, 2011 12:56AM

It's been awhile since I updated this thread. Last spring I added Ford and Gossage. I was going to send it out to Fingers, but it just never happened. Then it was one of those projects that got tucked away.

Tommy Lasorda is doing a rare appearance with MAB this spring, and for $100 I want to add him to this piece. Before I do that, I wanted to knock off some of the cheaper, quick turnaround time guys. Added Niekro this past week with a 9 day turnaround, and it's in the mail to Herzog as we speak. Hopefully a quick turnaround time with him and then I am thinking Fingers and Gillick before I sent it in to MAB. Once Lasorda is added, I am going to be very nervous about putting it in the mail. Honestly, I am pretty nervous about putting it in the mail now.

divecchia · January 28, 2011 1:13AM

Great project Cooptown, it's coming along nicely...

Keep it up...Donato

leathtech · January 28, 2011 1:14AM

I would stop putting it in the mail... that is a great item and not only does it have real money tied into it now but also personal memories from your dad.

If you have not done so I would recommend joining sportscollectors.net - members offer private signings normally at reduced rates. Since most members are fellow collectors they do a great job making sure stuff gets done right. Most of the private signings get done @ MAB or other big named shows – it works out well since you don’t have to pay some of the silly fees MAB charges.

Dboneesq · January 28, 2011 1:18AM

Coop ... Nice to see you have a dozen sigs already Good luck with the rest.

More importantly, my condolences on your father's passing.

How is your sister feeling?

Ironmanfan · January 28, 2011 1:20AM

I suppose it's too late now, but I would have limited the signatures to guys who were inducted from 1989 back & find another piece from 1990 to present

Cooptown · January 28, 2011 4:16AM

Thanks for the compliments and suggestions, guys. I really appreciate it.

@Dboneesq-My sister is doing great! She has to take one pill a day for the next five years, and occasional trips to her oncologist, but other than that, she's fine. Can I ask how your daughter and wife are?

Dboneesq · January 28, 2011 5:17AM

<< Thanks for the compliments and suggestions, guys. I really appreciate it.

@Dboneesq-My sister is doing great! She has to take one pill a day for the next five years, and occasional trips to her oncologist, but other than that, she's fine. Can I ask how your daughter and wife are? >>

Coop - Daughter is doing FANTASTIC! Cancer free over 5.5 years! She is 11 years old, "A" student and a Brown Belt in Mixed Martial Arts. My wife is Cancer free for over 2 years. She also has to take that one pill daily for 5 years. She never complains, although I know that the pill makes her bones ache from head to toe 24/7. But all is looking good! Thanks for asking!

baseballfan · January 28, 2011 10:15PM

great looking piece!!!

congrats, i would be scared to put it in the mail as well, good luck can't wait to see the next additions

Cooptown · January 30, 2011 11:39PM

<< 

<< Thanks for the compliments and suggestions, guys. I really appreciate it.

@Dboneesq-My sister is doing great! She has to take one pill a day for the next five years, and occasional trips to her oncologist, but other than that, she's fine. Can I ask how your daughter and wife are? >>

Coop - Daughter is doing FANTASTIC! Cancer free over 5.5 years! She is 11 years old, "A" student and a Brown Belt in Mixed Martial Arts. My wife is Cancer free for over 2 years. She also has to take that one pill daily for 5 years. She never complains, although I know that the pill makes her bones ache from head to toe 24/7. But all is looking good! Thanks for asking! >>

That's great to hear! Congratulations! I think of asking you when I see you post, just never got around to it.

Cooptown · July 11, 2011 4:21AM

Want to hear a TTM nightmare of a story that turns out ok? I put this in the mail to Whitey Herzog at the end of January with a donation. Waited. And waited. And waited some more. Saw successes coming back on SCN, but nothing in my mailbox. Actually thought about sending Herzog a letter, with a picture of the program and a donation asking for it back. Wasnt sure what to do, but definitely chalked it up to being lost!!!!!

When all hope is gone, a package turns up in my mailbox. Just looking at the package I knew it was my program. I race over and find that it was actually sent back to me, as postage was due when it got mailed to Whitey and he didnt pay for it (rightfully so!). The weird thing is that I used one of those automated postal machines, so there was postage on the envelope. I was just happy to have the thing back!

I added a toughie in Tommy Lasorda in May at MAB's show.

Was able to get Ryne Sandberg for free in my hometown when he visiting with Lehigh Valley:

It's now in the mail (you read that right) to the Bob Feller Museum for their signing with Doug Harvey during HOF weekend. Some may think I am nuts putting it back in the mail, but I've decided to only do mail in signings with reputable companies (MAB, Bob Feller Museum, TriStar, etc) to keep working on it. No more just sending it to random players with some cash enclosed. The only public signings near me are Cooperstown (which I cant make this year) and I am like an addict who needs a fix; just once a year isnt going to work for me.

YogiBerraFan · July 11, 2011 4:41AM

Awesome project! I wish you much success with your future signers.

Dboneesq · July 11, 2011 5:15AM

Coop ... glad to hear that you got it back ... must have sucked thinking that you lost it.

PS I hope your sister is still feeling well.

baseballfan · July 11, 2011 5:40AM

coming along nicely coop

good luck

bigjed · July 11, 2011 6:33AM

Nolan Ryan, Yogi Berra, and Stan Musial's people are all pretty responsible with TTM. There are also some pretty responsible guys on SCN who do signings with Hall of Famers.

Cooptown · August 7, 2011 11:29PM

Got Harvey back from the Bob Feller Museum's signing with him in Cooperstown over Induction Weekend.

Doug-How is your daughter and wife feeling these days?

Cooptown · October 6, 2011 10:53PM

Got Brock back from a private signing on SCN. Turned out great. Most likely going out soon to a signing with Gary Carter if I can get it there in time.

RMac · October 6, 2011 11:28PM

Awesome piece! It'll look great matted and framed when it's done.

1acid · October 6, 2011 11:46PM

Amazing!!! BEautifull stuff

peace

YogiBerraFan · October 6, 2011 11:48PM

It is great to see this is still going

Dboneesq · October 7, 2011 1:09AM

Coop - Looking AWESOME! My girls are doing very well thank you. And your sis?

jswieton · October 7, 2011 1:24AM

Coop, that is a great looking project keep up the good work.

Cooptown · November 21, 2011 11:31PM

Got Gary Carter back recently. He was supposed to appear at JP's in October, but had to cancel. JP's took the items they received for mail order down to Florida to have them signed. Turned out nicely.

BaltimoreYankee · November 21, 2011 11:40PM

Please be gentle on the noob: What does TTM mean?

Dboneesq · November 21, 2011 11:51PM

<< Please be gentle on the noob: What does TTM mean? >>

Thru The Mail

mccardguy1 · November 21, 2011 11:52PM

<< Please be gentle on the noob: What does TTM mean? >>

Through the mail.....as in autographs sent through the mail!

Dboneesq · November 21, 2011 11:52PM

Coop ... very very nice. PLEASE STOP SENDING THAT PROGRAM TTM. Too many nice sigs on it!!!!

How is your sister doing? I hope well.

BaltimoreYankee · November 22, 2011 12:04AM

Ah....thanks. Back in the mid-80's (my collecting heyday), I was an avid reader of Sports Collector's Digest. Dave Miedema used to have a column called Up Autograph Alley. He would list the reliable TTM (see, I catch on quickly) signers. I got tons of autographs that way.

Cooptown · November 22, 2011 1:01AM

Thanks for all of the responses. I really need to stop putting it in the mail....but sometimes (like in the case of adding Carter), I just cant help it! The only shows near me are Cooperstown once a summer.

Doug-Thanks for your question. My sister actually had a recurrence of breast cancer this late spring/early summer. Another surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. She finished all of her treatments in late October, and things are looking good! Thanks for asking! How is your family?

Cooptown · November 7, 2015 6:03AM

Added Gaylord Perry to the program today. He didnt say anything about it when he signed, but it was funny as he motioned to sign it, but then stopped and looked at all the signatures on it, then signed it.

BeRoyalKC · November 7, 2015 6:30AM

Very cool but I too feel nervous for you. At some point I think you will have to do like you did with Lasorda and just do it at shows. Risk vs reward. Is the great feeling getting it back in the mail with another signature worth how you would feel if it never came back. I'm rooting for it to always get it back. Keep the pictures and story coming.

Cooptown · November 7, 2015 6:33AM

There was about a four year gap in posts because I just really can't put it in the mail anymore. Even for paid signings.

Dboneesq · November 7, 2015 6:36AM

Coop - Long time no post! OK, you are up to 18 autos ... like I said before and like others have said since ... STOP SENDING IT TTM!!! IT'S TOO NICE TO TAKE THAT CHANCE!!!!!

How is your sister doing? All is going well here health wise with my wife and daughter.

EDITED TO ADD: We must have been writing at the same time ... glad to see you are no longer sending it thru the mail.

baseballfan · November 9, 2015 12:41AM

great piece congrats its coming along.

Cooptown · January 21, 2016 9:52AM

Thanks for the comments, guys.

Doug, great to hear that your wife and daughter are doing well! My sister is doing great; so nice of you to ask and remember. I don't post a lot anymore. Full time job and im currently writing my dissertation for my doctorate, which is basically another full time job. Hope to be done in May!

Baseball Hall of Fame TTM Project

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