Mr. Baseball

A few months ago, someone from a trading card site called "The Bench" (www.thebenchtrading.com) posted an autograph success from Mr. Baseball himself, Tom Selleck. Selleck has always been one of my favorite actors, dating back to the infamous Magnum PI days, so obtaining an autograph of his has always been one of my goals. Years ago on ebay, I bought a signed TV Guide page showing an ad for Magnum PI, but it was a pretty boring, black and white image. I saw someone had either made or found a Selleck card showing him in a Detroit Tigers uniform, with the 1968 Topps design, but I have never been able to locate the card myself. Perhaps it was a 1/1 custom job?

So, his appearance on a 1992 Upper Deck card (#SP4) was the best candidate to have signed, but how would that happen? I am not much of a TTM guy, although I should be. I love signed cards. Still, even with someone indicating a success TTM and an address to share, I still didn't get off my butt, find the SP4 card and mail it off. So, wouldn't you know it, but the same guy sent to Selleck again, this time a baseball. Once more, Mr. Selleck returned the item signed! That was it...I had to try.

I dug out the SP4 card from my old Frank Thomas collection and prepared it for mailing. Then I decided that I had a nice stack of 1982 Donruss Magnum PI extras just sitting around, so why not try to get a couple of those signed as well. After all, I was a fan of Selleck because of that show! I found a couple decent shots of him from the set and mailed my request off on November 30th and waited.

On monday, January 9th, I had a SASE waiting for me when I got home from work. Now remember, I am not much of a TTM guy, so I knew exactly who this one was from before I even opened it, but I was not sure if he had signed any of the cards, let alone all 3. I don't think I have ever been more excited for a TTM request as I tore open the envelope, giddy like a little girl! Waiting inside for me were 3 freshly signed cards in all their magnificent glory.

As a side note, the envelope was postmarked Honolulu, Hawaii, which is not where I sent the request. I know that he owned a home on Oahu, but he sold that some time back. Maybe he was vacationing there...who knows? It is reminiscent of the Magnum PI days though...