ballcards08@gmail.com

News:

August 15, 2010

Been making quite a few changes to the website and you can check those out my pulling down the menus up top. I have sent 40+ requests in the mail this month and now my mailbox is blowing up so check out the Through The Mail pages to see the new additions. I tend to add scans to the website the day I get them in the mail. More blog posts coming soon. I intend on adding to the blog on a more regular basis now. More details on why coming soon.


July 26, 2010

Holy smokes, I have internet access again.
Hold tight. Updates happening today, and throughout the week.
BIG UPDATE: I moved to Washington, DC two months ago and finally have internet access plus a scanner.


December 31, 2009

Hello all! Even though you haven't seen many changes to this main page, I've been busy updating the pages of the website consistantly throughout the month of December. Make sure to check the Through The Mail page to see the 40+ scans I've added this month. I've also been working heavely on updating my checklists so I can have a better idea of what cards I need to finish sets.

Hope everyone has a safe night. Happy New Year's! - Kurt


November 20, 2009


I absolutely love the Topps Magic set and as a result have created a custom 50-card Topps Magic set to get signed and to share with other TTM autograph collectors. The original set from Topps in 1951 showcased the best college football players at that time. The release of the 2009 set from Topps is a very nice set too, as they included a nice collection of current NFL players in their college uniforms. There are a couple all-time college greats in that set including vintage poses of Jim Brown, Bo Jackson and Eric Dickerson, but it stops there. My set takes that idea even further.

This set is an attempt at a more comprehensive showcase of some of the great college players that have been overlooked with the new football card releases. Though similar to the card companies I had some selection criteria:

1. Player must currently be a reliable signer TTM according to Sportscollectors.net
2. They had to be good in college, not necessarily good NFL players -notice most of these players are in the CFHOF

If there is enough interest in this set, I will consider producing a Series 2 of college legends. I currently have another chunk of cards in the making, focusing on more coaches and obscure current NFL players who don’t have any (or maybe one) major card release.

A couple side notes about this set:
1. Most of the photos used for this set were originally black and white
2. 8 Heisman Trophy winners
3. 32 College Football Hall of Fame members (logo on card too)
4. There is nothing on the back of the cards. Maybe for series 2. What do you think?

I am offering a limited number of 50-card sets at $25 delivered. Individual cards are $0.50 each and you’ll get a price break with quantity.

Set checklist and images are below. Click players' names to leran more about them.
Please let me know if you have any questions. ballcards08@gmail.com
Thanks!

Legends
Baker, Terry – Oregon State University, '62 Heisman Trophy & CFHOF
Beban, Gary – UCLA, 1967 Heisman Trophy & CFHOF
Bellino, Joe – Naval Academy, '60 Heisman Trophy & CFHOF
Boscoe, Robbie – BYU, '84 National Champion QB
Brown, Tom – University of Minnesota, '60 Outland Trophy & CFHOF
Carmichael, Al – USC & Santa Ana Jr. College, All-American
Caroline, J.C. – University of Illinois, CFHOF
Dale, Carroll – Virginia Tech University, CFHOF
Dykes, Hart Lee – Oklahoma State University, All-American
Fischer, Bill “Moose” – Notre Dame University, '48 Outland Trophy & CFHOF
Fitzgerald, Pat – Northwestern University, CFHOF
Gain, Bob – University of Kentucky, '50 Outland Trophy, CFHOF
Huff, Ken – University of North Carolina, All-American
Jordan, Lee Roy – University of Alabama, CFHOF
Kanell, Danny – Florida State University
Kell, Chip – University of Tennessee, CFHOF
LeVias, Jerry – Southern Methodist University, CFHOF
Little, Floyd – Syracuse University, CFHOF
Long, Chuck – University of Iowa, CFHOF
Lowe, Woodrow – University of Alabama, CFHOF
Lujack, Johnny – University of Notre Dame, '47 Heisman Trophy & CFHOF
Lynch, Jim –University of Notre Dame, CFHOF
McMichael, Steve – University of Texas-Austin, All_American
Montler, Mike – University of Colorado, All-American
Musso, Johnny – University of Alabama, CFHOF
Newton, Bob – University of Nebraska, All-American
Phipps, Mike – Purdue Univerity, CFHOF
Rhome, Jerry – University of Tulsa, CFHOF
Rocker, Tracy – Auburn University, 1988 Outland Trophy & CFHOF
Roland, Johnny – University of Missouri, CFHOF
Romig, Joe – University of Colorado, CFHOF
Rozier, Mike – University of Nebraska, 1983 Heisman Trophy & CFHOF
Savitsky, George – University of Pennsylvania, CFHOF
Scarbath, Jack - University of Maryland, CFHOF
Sims, Billy – University of Oklahoma, '78 Heisman Trophy & CFHOF
Stanfill, Bill – University of Georgia, '68 Outland Trophy & CFHOF
Stillwagon, Jim – Ohio State University, 1970 Outland Trophy & CFHOF
Swilling, Pat – Georgia Tech University, All-American
Taliaferro, George – Indiana University, CFHOF
Trippi, Charley – University of Georgia, CFHOF
Tucker, Arnold – West Point Academy, CFHOF
Walker, Herschel – University of Georgia, '82 Heisman Trophy, CFHOF
Wooten, John – University of Colorado, All-American
Wuerffel, Danny – University of Florida, '96 Heisman Trophy
Zeier, Eric – University of Georgia, All-American

Coaches
Brown, Mack – University of Texas
Carr, Lloyd – University of Michigan
Gagliardi, John – St. Johns University, CFHOF
Neuheisel, Rick - UCLA
Stoops, Bob – Oklahoma University

September 28, 2009

Nothing much going on right now though I wanted to pop in and say hello. I have a couple big announcements coming up, but until then you'll have to wait. In the meantime, check out this guy's vintage TTM blog which has plenty of eye candy to keep you distracted until I post again on here. I'm really diggin' the vintage stuff and that's where I'll be focusing a big chunk of my TTM efforts... I have about 5 vingtage requests out right now with about 20 more to be sent out by the end of the week...all baseball.

Check out these neat '56 Topps Ted Marchibroda cards I got back in the mail last week. If you have a different Marchibroda to trade, send me an email. Also, below are some signed cards from this year's #2 draft pick Jason Smith. Received c/o the Rams. My first and probably last training camp success this year.




September 9, 2009

Just wanted to bring your attention to this awesome ebay auction going on right now for a partially signed 1951 Bowman set. The auction ends Saturday at noon and should command some high prices considering there are plenty of deceased guys up for sale. The Casey Stengel looks cool. And while I'm on the topic of selling, I have about 1,000 signed cards for sale as I'm trying to raise some quick Paypal funds. Click the following links for signed baseball, football, basketball and golf cards.

Stay tuned for another website update later this week as I'll have some special news to share. In the meantime, take a look at my for sale lists and take them off my hands for a cheap price. Make an offer! Thanks for looking.


August 1 , 2009

Spent the entire day at Crooked Stick going after the Senior PGA players. Did pretty well considering I've never gone after golfers before this week. I think it helps that golfers in general are a nice group of guys to autograph, but it did take some work and patience. Landed 76 signed cards making my 2 day total at 120. Not sure if I will be going back tomorrow as I feel pretty good with what I got. Here are the numbers:

Dennis Watson 4/4-1/1, Craig Stadler 4/6-1/1, Dan Forsman 6/6, Tom Watson 1/1 (ticket), Andy Bean 5/5, Chip Beck 5/5, Russ Cochran 5/5, John Cook 8/8, Robin Freman 4/4, Bob Gilder 6/6, Bernard Langer 2/7, Larry Mize 1/6, Gil Morfgan 1/6, Mark O'Meara 1/1-2/4, Don Pooley 4/4, Mike Reid 4/4, Jeff Sluman 6/6, Dave Stockton 4/4, Bob Tway 1/2, Bobby Wadkins 1/2, Jay Haas 1/1, Hale Irwin 1/1

July 29 , 2009



I just got back from my first experience of getting autographs at the golf course. The 2009 US Senior Open is in Indianapolis this year and I landed a week-long pass to the event for WAY under face value. If I go just two days I will have gotten my money's worth.

Today I made it there around 430 - which is late for a practice day but Istill managed to get 29 cards + 1 Masters scorecard signed. Here are the numbers for those of you who I am helping out:

Olin Browne 2/2, Ed Humenik 3/3, Tom Kite 1/1, Kenny Knox 7/7, Tom Lehman 1/4-1/1, Loren Roberts 1/5, Scott Simpson 6/6, Joey Sindelair 4/4, Ian Woosman 1/1-2/2-1/1

I should be there all day Saturday and for the end of Sunday's events. Even though I was there for a short period of time, I really enjoyed myself. Crooked Stick is a nice place.

I'm getting ready for the football season this year so I haven't been on here much but I will be updating some more things, including new TTM scans, updated Multi-Player page and a page dedicated to the illustrated Lou Whitaker book that I have completed - here's a sneak peek. (BTW: That's who the little baseball player is in the upper right-hand corner of this page.) Soon you'll be able to purcahse one by following that link. There will only be 30 copies available - signed a dated by me too!

Check back Saturday evening for updates on the US Senior Open autographs.

July 7 , 2009

I've been away on vacation but I'm here to stay for the remainder of the summer. I just added about 50 new cards to my Through The Mail page. I also have some other stuff in the works. Soon you'll be able to click on the Lou Whitaker image to the right of this text. Also, getting ready for the 2009 NFL season - which is a huge task. Lastly, CanYouSign is embarking on a huge project and as a result will have a stronger web presence.. Will keep you posted. In the meantime, happy graphing.

May 19, 2009

I'm back! Actually, I didnt go anywhere. I've been consistently updating the website with new scans of TTM successes along with the progress I've made on my various sets. I just haven't been updating this main page fopr the past couple months though I will get back to doing that on a more frequent basis considering the AAA season is among us. And speaking of sets, I've offically given up on the 2005-06 Topps '52 Style Basketball set. But don't be sad, I was able to help out a fellow collector get even closer to finishing that set. I gave him cards he needed to get closer to finishing the set and he is now down to 18 remaining cards and that is absolutely unheard of when it comes to modern basketabll sets. I have yet to see one finished. If he can pull it off, I will feel good knowing that I contributed to his completion of the set.

In other news, I"ve been busy sending autograph requests in the mail to retired baseball and football players. I even got my first hockey success back: hall of famer Bob Pulford. Check out my "Through The Mail" page to see who I've gotten recently.

The AAA baseball season is underway and I've been able to make it to a few post-game autograph
opportuities. But nothing compared to last year - I've got a lot of stuff going on now. I went after Scranton 2 games, Syracuse 1 game. The numbers arent super great :

Scranton:
Shelley Duncan 1/3, Casey Fossum 2/2, Kei Igawa 2/2, Aaron Ledesma 4/4, Juan Miranda 1/3, Chris Stewart 5/5-4/4, Brett Tomko 2/3-2/2, Butch Wynegar 4/4-2/2, Scott Aldred 1/1, Brnt Cox 3/5, Eric Duncan 4/4, Austin Jackson 1/1 Ball-2/2, Justin Leione 6/6, John Rodriguez 2/2

Syracuse:
Colin Balester 8/8, Jason Bergmann 3/3, Tyler Clippard 3/3, Kory Casto 1/1, Darnell Coles 7/7, Ryan Langerhans 5/5, JD Martin 2/2, Mike O'Connor 3/4, Corey Patterson 1/1, Justin Maxwell 1/1


February 10 , 2009

I've slowed down going after basketball teams at the hotels and arena. Been having a lot of fun sending cards in the mail to get signed by players who played in the pros before I was born. Follow the links below to see who I have gotten recently. Soon I will be sending out some magazines and books to get signed.

Ed Budde - Len Dawson's longtime ball snapper; 5/5 in one week
Ray Wersching - Kicker and 2 time Super Bowl champ for the 49ers; 5/5 in 12 days
Tom Brunansky - One of the best signers in the mail; 4/4 in 26 days - he's currently a high school coach
Les Miles - BCS winning head coach. 2 Allen & Ginters in 8 days. Super quick.
Tom Skladany - Former All-Pro punter for the Lions; 5/5 in 6 days!
Johnny Lattner - 1953 Heisman winner is a reliable signer in the mail; 3/3 in 6 days

January 28, 2009

Have I ever mentioned on here how I hate 15 year-old wannabe autograph dealers? Obnoxious terds who are absolutely the worst dealers I've ever encountered. Not only have they cost me some autographs, but they don't realize how they've jeopardized their own operation. It's been pretty busy lately wih the Rockets, Bobcats, and Bucks this past week. Heat and Knicks up soon.




Rockets
I usually do pretty bad with this team and this year wasn't much of an improvment. Did get 2 set cards done out of the 8 that I need:

Luis Scola 1/1-1/1, Ron Artest 1/1, Chuck Hayes 1/2, Matt Bullard 6/6-3/3, Von Wafer 1/1, Jack Sikma 2/2, Brent Barry 1/1, Dikembe Mutombo 1/1, Carl Landry 1/1, Luther Head 1/1

Bobcats
Sean May 3/5, Scott May 1/3, Emeka Okafor 1/1, Adam Morrison 1/2-1/1, DJ Augustin 1/1, DeSagana Diop 1/1, LaSalle Thompson 5/5, Shannon Brown 1/4, Alexis Ajinca 1/1, Sean Singletary 1/3-1/1

Bucks
Scott Skiles 1/3, Joe Wolf 5/5, Ramon Sessions 2/2, Andrew Bogut 1/1, Richard Jefferson 1/1

Plus, I'll start listing and uploading scans of my Through The Mail successes here. You can find all of those scans on the Through The Mail page. There I will have a visual running tally of what I'm getting in the mail. On occasion I'll add somes cans to the main page too, so here is a brief view of what I've gotten:

Tom Woodeshick - former Eagles running back; 3/3 in 16 days
Geoff Petrie - 1971 NBA R.O.Y., now exec. with Kings; 1/2 in 17 days
Chirs Ford - former Celtics and Pistons player and coach 4/4 in 10 days - sweet big 1976 Topps cards
Mike Holmes - 70's 49ers player; 1/2 in 7 days. Was also an All-Star in the CFL
Gail Cogdill - 1960 NFL Rookie of the Year. Played on the Lions when they were good. 2/2


January 12 , 2009



Managed to get 31 cards signed when the Kings came to town last week. Best I've done this season. Too bad they don't have anyone really interesting on the team. Pistons and Raptors are in town this week.

Currrently I'm working on stuff for the upcoming NFL Combine that takes place here in Indy. I'll post some information later this month with regards to items I can take for 50/50's etc..


January 5 , 2009





Lately I've been re-working my website.....deleting some sets that are no longer worth my while, adding a new basketball set and a few Through The Mail scans. Also, just been cleaning stuff up and general maintanence.

Since my last post, I've gone after the Detroit Lions, Sacramento Kings, New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. I'll have some scans from the Kings for my next post plus several more TTM scans. I've got about 40 requests floating out there right now. I'm getting back about 5 a week. It's been a lot of fun getting back into sending autograph requests in the mail.

Clippers:
Marcus Camby 2/4, Paul Davis 2/4, Mike Dunleavy Sr. 1/4, Jason Hart 2/2, Steve Novak 1/1, Zach Randolph 1/1, Al Thornton 1/3, Roy Rogers 1/1 (coach), Baron Davis 1/1 (Look how bad it is!)

Lions - my last football in-person for the season:
Daniel Bullocks 1/4, Darnell Bing 1/4, Ikaika Alma-Francis 4/4, Jordan Dizon 3/4, Andre Fluellen 2/2, Shawn Jefferson 1/6, Drew Henson 1/2, Ramzee Robinson 4/4, Drew Stanton 2/4, Dexter Wynn 1/1, John Standeford 1/1, Stuart Schweigert 1/1, Calvin Johnson 2/2, Dwight Smith 1/1, Langston Moore 1/1



December 8, 2008

Added some TTM scans - see top left of this page for the "TTM Scans" page. Curious that almost every player signs in black! Mostly 2008 rookies in this batch: Jacob Tamme 2/2, Roy Hall 1/1, DaJuan Morgan 1/2, Kevin O'Connell 2/2 and Harry Douglas 2/2, Alex Brink 1/2

Will add more scans to the TTM page next week. Look for more regular updates with that page along with scans of various other things being added to the site. So check back jack! New stuff!

November 24, 2008



Just finished this Sporting News. All done in person over the past 9 months. Norv Turner, Tom Coughlin, Wade Phillips and Tony Dungy.

Basketball autograph season is officially here and already has been a greater success than the current NFL season. The Texans were in town last weekend and it was horrible. The Texans are a great signing team, it's just the hotel that every team has decided to stay at (including the Texans) has become a huge pain in the butt. 37 cards signed in total but only from 9 different players.

I've gone after the Mavericks, Sixers, Hawks and Magic. It's getting to the point now with these NBA guys that I'm only trying to get specific cards done and not too concerned with quantity of cards or even players.

Mavericks: Dirk 1/1, Kidd 1/1, Jason Terry 1/1, Shawne Williams 1/1, Rayshawn Terry 2/2
Sixers: Thaddeus Young 2/2, Elton Brand 1/1
Hawks: Bibby 1/1, Joe Johnson 2/2, Maurice Evans, Tyrone Hill 1/6
Magic: Dwight Howard 1/2, Michael Pietrus 1/1, Richie Adubato 4/4, Rashard Lewis 1/1

Tyrone Hill, one of the ugliest guys to ever play the game turns out to have one of the worst looking graphs too. I'm guessing he's a consistent one-per considering I was 1/6 with him. Was hoping for better success with him.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with my NBA numbers considering I haven't put a whole lot of time into graphing those guys. I've been spending a lot of my extra time sending out through the mail (TTM) requests. You'll see 2 new scans on my TTM page. I currently have 15 requests floating out there and I'll have another 10 going out this week. This is actually the most intense amount of mail requests I have ever done. Mostly because I've had the luxury of great in-person access so I didn't spend much time sending out in the mail. But it looks like things have changed permanently here in Indianapolis and I'll have to start looking at other avenues to obtaiin certain guys. We'll see how it goes. I've sent mostly to current NFL guys, non-star types. Keep checking the TTM page to see what I'm getting back.

Texans: Jacoby Jones 1/2, Duane Brown 1/1, Dunta Robinson 3/4, Fred Bennett 1/3, David Anderson 3/3, Kevin Walter 12/12, Chaun Thompson 2/2, Steve Tasker 8/8, Andre Ware 6/6






October 25, 2008

Here are a few scans from the Jags. Also went after the Baltimore when they were in town. Got two guys from the Ravens....horrible. This whole autograph in-person deal is really not going well anymore here in Indy. Just so much crap....hotel security, dumb graphers, players with huge egos and not to mention the RCA Dome is no longer in use. That just kills this whole experience for me. I'll still plug away though, just not putting in as much effort as I have in the past.





September 16, 2008

Scans from the past 3 weeks. Colts, Bengals and Bears. I'm really busy right now with moving to a new place in Indianapolis so I don't have as much time as I'd like to add some information here.








September 4, 2008

My last baseball post for tthe 2008 season and my first football post of the year! First off, anyone who I did 50/50's with this year, you should be receiving your packages no later than September 12th. Most have been sent and the only ones remaining are the larger packages. I got all of the smaller 50/50's sent out first as they were easier to handle and get out the door. I do have some signed cards that I know are not mine and I have no record of who's they are. If you don't receive your stuff by the middle of September, please get in contact with me. Don't worry, I'm not stealing your stuff!

The last two series were against the Durhan Bulls and Louisville Bats. I really sucked it up with the Bats and finishing up with the local Indianapolis Indians as I was just BURNT OUT on going to the ball park. With 80+ games, I made it to the ballpark at least 70 times throughout the season. I just had enough by the time Lousville came around. Having an addictive personality does has its drawbacks.

Durhan was a fun team to go after considering David Price was a signing stud and it was just a nice distraction from the usual teams that were coming through. Toledo after a while gets boring to go after as they're roster changed very little throughout the season. So like I said, Price was a signing machine, usuaully signing 3-6 items per person. No one said no or sneaked out a different way. I ended up with 70 signed cards from Durham. As usual, Jeff Niemann was great though guys like Dan Johnson and Fernando Perez were one-per.

Louisville wasn't that exciting so I won't tell any stories. I got Drew Stubbs on a total of 8 cards over a 3 day span. Daryl Thompson was sent down for the last game and I didn't come prepared so I was kind of bummed out about that one.

Now to the football graphing season. Our first visitor was the Buffalo Bills for a pre-season game. Pretty excited to go after teams like this because crappier teams are usually great signers (see previous Chiefs posts). But wait, big bad news this year regarding football graphs. Previously at the RCA Dome, if you knew where you were going, there was this place you could go after the game to get visitors. Super top secret. That is no longer an option. The Colts have moved into the new - and kind of ugly - Lucas Oil Stadium across the street. With that said, our ability to graph any visiting team is limited to the hotel and mostly the day/night before the game.

Side note: the Colts are no longer accessible at their team hotel. They moved to Fort Knox practically. This year's graphing season has started off on the wrong foot




The Bills team in particular was great because there were quite a few set cards on this team I was going after (11 or so) and I managed to get 6 of them done, in addition to Lynch and Edwrads for my 2007 Rookie Poster. 13 down, 20 to go. I'm glad I got some of these set cards done now, because many of these guys were cut to trim down the Bills roster.....and why am I doing some of these sets? I like pain and suffering. In total, I got 55 cards signed from the Bills. And I almost forgot, I landed a Sterling Sharpe after he put out his cigarette!! Stats:

John McCargo 2/2
Chris Ellis 2/2 (Rookie)
Tim Massaquoi 1/1
Spencer Johnson 1/1
Trent Edwards 1/1 + Poster
John Wendling 1/1
Terrence McGee 5/5
Rian Lindell 4/4
JP Losman 1/4
Justin Jenkins 1/1
Patrick Estes 3/3
Dustin Fox 4/4
Ryan Denney 2/2
D. Dockery 3/3
Langston Walker 2/2
Kawika Mitchell 4/4
Ko Simpson 6/6 - 1/1
Dwayne Wright 2/2
Donte Whitner 2/2
Ashton Youboty 3/6
Angelo Cromwell 4/4
Leodis McKelvin 1/1
Others:
Sterling Sharpe 1/1
Marlin Jackson 3/3

For my next post, I'll load some info about going after the San Francisco and Cincinnati Bengals. Plus an unofficial study on who was a good or bad signer for the Indianapolis Indians.