Wednesday, October 16, 2013

TTM: Matt Emmons (Silver)

Matt Emmons - 64 - Silver

When Matt signed and returned his Olympic hopefuls card, he also signed the Silver version I had sent as well.

Thanks again Matt.



Tuesday, October 15, 2013

TTM: Matt Emmons

Matt Emmons - 64

On Saturday we received a return from Matt Emmons. He is a three time Olympic Medal winner. He took Gold home in 2004. Silver in 2008, and Bronze in 2012. Just prior to the 2004 Olympic trials, his gun was sabotaged by a screw driver, and he was forced to borrow his teammates rifle (Amber Darland). Using the borrowed rifle, he went on to win gold.


Thanks Matt.

Monday, October 14, 2013

TTM: Mariel Zagunis

Mariel Zagunis - 32

On Friday we received a return from Mariel Zagunis. Mariel is a two time gold medal winner, and three time Olympian. She took home Gold in Athens, and Beijing. In addition, she also took home a Bronze in Beijing for the team event. Her win in 2004 was the first Gold medal for an American in fencing since 1904.


Thanks Mariel.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

TTM: Paige McPherson

Paige McPherson - 98

Yesterday we received back a success from Paige McPherson. She sent back two beautifully signed cards, addressed to each of my boys. Even more amazing was she wrote back a thank you note, actually apologizing for the return being "late". It is so refreshing writting to these atheletes. They are so humble and gracious.

Paige won bronze in London, her first Olympics. Upsetting UK's Sarah Stevenson in the process.


Thanks Paige.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

TTM: Ricky Berens

Ricky Berens -29

Also on Saturday we received a successful return from Ricky Berens. He took home Gold in Beijing and a Gold and Silver combo in London. He with Lochte, Dwyer, a Phelps took home Gold in the 4x200 relay. He received the Silver in the 4x100.


Thanks Ricky.

Monday, September 23, 2013

TTM: Gwen Jorgensen

Gwen Jorgensen - 68

Saturday we received two returns. The first that came back was from Gwen Jorgensen. She made the London Olympics, her first, but a due to a flat tire she ended up placing 38th.


Thanks Gwen.

Monday, September 16, 2013

TTM: Anna Tunnicliffe (Bronze)

Anna Tunnicliffe - 58 - Bronze

When Anna signed and returned her Olympic hopefuls card, she also signed the Bronze version I had sent as well

Thanks again Anna.



Sunday, September 15, 2013

TTM: Anna Tunnicliffe

Anna Tunnicliffe - 58

On Tuesday we received one success. Anna Tunnicliffe won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008, she competed in London but failed to add to her totals.


Thanks Anna.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

TTM: Alex Meyer

Alex Meyer - 99

On Monday another success arrived, this time it was Alex Meyer. Alex Meyer won the 2010 World championship in 25k open water swimming. He finished 10th in the open water 10k in London.

Thanks Alex.

Friday, September 13, 2013

TTM: Missy Franklin (Bronze)

Missy Franklin - 59 - Bronze

When Missy signed and returned her Olympic hopefuls card, she also signed the Bronze version I had sent as well

Thanks again Missy.



Thursday, September 12, 2013

TTM: Seimone Augustus (Bronze)

Seimone Augustus - 91 - Bronze

When Seimone signed and returned her Olympic hopefuls card, she also signed the Bronze version I had sent as well

Thanks again Seimone.



Wednesday, September 11, 2013

TTM: Missy Franklin

Missy Franklin - 59

The last return Sunday was from Missy Franklin. This one I was really excited to get back. Missy is such a charming young athlete that was very easy to start following. Other than the four gold medals and the bronze she won in London, the first thing I think about when I think of Missy is the Call me maybe video.


Thanks Missy.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

TTM: Seimone Augustus

Seimone Augustus - 91

The second return we got back on Friday was from Seimone Augustus. Seimone is a two time gold medal winner, winning in Beijing and London. She also plays for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA and has been there since 2006

Thanks Seimone.

Monday, September 9, 2013

TTM: Jordyn Wieber

Jordyn Wieber - 78

On Friday we got back three successful returns. The first of which was from Jordyn Wieber. Jordyn won gold in London competing in the team event for Gymnastics. She placed fourth overall individually. After the Olympics she noted she was competing on a fractured right leg.  

Thanks Jordyn.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

TTM: Nathan Adrian (Bronze)

Nathan Adrian - 87 - Bronze

When Nathan signed and returned his Olympic hopefuls card, he also signed the Bronze version I had sent as well

Thanks again Nathan.



Saturday, September 7, 2013

TTM: Nathan Adrian

Nathan Adrian - 87

Wednesday we got a return from Nathan Adrian. Nathan earned gold Beijing while being on the 4x100 freestyle relay team. In London Nathan brought home two more gold medals and a silver. He also holds the US record for 50 and 100 meter freestyle. 

Thanks Nathan.

Friday, September 6, 2013

TTM: Kelley O'Hara

Kelley O'Hara - 61

Tuesday the successful returns continue with this return from Kelley O'Hara. First thing I wanted to mention, is Topps didn't do a lot of these athletes any favors when it comes to flattering photos. This photo of Kelley is an example of that. Kelley won gold in London with Team USA. She previously had played for Standford University before playing professionally for FC Gold Pride, Boston Breakers, and currently Sky Blue FC.

Thanks Kelley.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

TTM: Tatyana McFadden (Bronze)

Tatyana McFadden - 18 - Bronze

When Tatyana signed and returned her Olympic hopefuls card, she also signed the Bronze version I had sent as well

Thanks again Tatyana.



Wednesday, September 4, 2013

TTM: Todd Rogers

Todd Rogers - 24

The second return from Saturday was from Todd Rogers. Todd Rogers paired with Phil Dalhausser in three Olympic games, winning Gold in Beijing. They failed to defend their gold in London however, eliminated in the round of 16.

Thanks Todd.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

TTM: Tatyana McFadden

Tatyana McFadden - 18

On Saturday two more successes came in the Mail, the first being Tatyana McFadden. Tatyana was born in Russia paralyzed below the waist. She was abandoned at an orphanage that couldn't afford a wheelchair for her. She was adopted by an American single mother at 6 and raised in Baltimore. She is a ten time medalist, including 3 gold medals in London.

Thanks Tatyana.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

TTM: Abby Wambach (Gold)

Abby Wambach - 93 - Gold

This post is delayed, sorry it got pushed out by the returns on Thursday. When Abby signed and returned her Olympic hopefuls card, she also signed the Gold version I had sent as well. This is the first signed Gold card I have gotten. I still like the silver a little better, but it is really nice to have the more rare gold card.

Thanks again Abby.



Saturday, August 31, 2013

TTM: Conor Dwyer

Conor Dwyer - 28

The other return I got back on Thursday was from Conor. I actually got three envelopes in the mail, because I had mistakenly sent to Mr Dwyer twice. Conor one Gold in London, he was a member of the 4x200 meter free style relay.

Thanks Conor.

Friday, August 30, 2013

TTM: Tucker Dupree

Tucker Dupree -36

Yesterday I got two successful returns, the first of which was from Tucker Dupree. I enjoy discovering the back stories behind the Paraolympic athletes. It is always amazing to see what they have overcome to compete at the top levels of their games. Mr. Dupree started to lose his vision at age 17 from Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). He eventually lost 70% - 80% of his vision in both eyes. In London Tucker took home 2 Silver and a Bronze medal.

Thanks Tucker.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

TTM: Kari LaRaine Miller

Kari LaRaine Miller - 54

Another return came in yesterday, from Kari Miller. Kari competes in sitting volleyball and is a 2 time silver medalist. She served our country, and was preparing for officer school when a drunk driver hit her car. The driver of the car she was traveling in was killed, and Kari lost both her legs. Kari was active in sports before the accident, and continued after. First competing in wheelchair basketball, and then discovering sitting volleyball. She competed in Beijing and London winning Silver both times.

Thanks Kari

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

TTM: Abby Wambach

Abby Wambach - 93

Yesterday we received a TTM success from Abby Wambach. Abby is a two time gold medal winner, 2012 FIFA World player of the year, and she is a five time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the year.

Such an amazing return from an accomplished athlete. We love our Olympic athletes, and continue to be excited with this project.

Thanks Abby

Friday, August 23, 2013

TTM: Garrett Weber-Gale (Silver)

Garrett Weber-Gale - 77 - Silver

When Garrett signed and returned his Olympic hopefuls card, he also signed the Silver version I had sent as well. I really like the silver versions. I wish I had more to send out.

Thanks again Garrett.



TTM: Garrett Weber-Gale

Garrett Weber-Gale - 77

Received a return from Garret Weber-Gale yesterday. Garrett was a member of the Olympic relay team in Beijing, winning two gold medals. Unfortunately he did not qualify for the London games.

One of the more interesting things about Garrett is that he is a "Foodie".

In his youth, Weber-Gale spent so much time in the pool that he never learned so much as how to fry an egg. “Everything would be done for me,” he recalls. “That was nice, but when I got out of college, I had to learn to cook for myself. It was a BIG problem. I moved out of the dorm and was diagnosed with high blood pressure—which is much more common among elite athletes than you would think.” - edibleaustin.com
 Garrett founded his website, athleticfoodie.com to help bring Health food and fitness to people

Thanks Garrett

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

TTM: Kayla Harrison (Bronze)

Kayla Harrison - 13 - Bronze

When Kayla signed and returned her Olympic hopefuls card, she also signed the Bronze version I had sent as well

Thanks again Kayla.



Monday, August 19, 2013

TTM: Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison - 13


Another Olympic return, this time from Kayla Harrison. This return arrived on Thursday. Kayla is the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in Judo, and currently ranked number one in the world.

Thanks Kayla



Thursday, August 15, 2013

TTM: Hunter Kemper

Hunter Kemper - 81


This card comes in from Hunter Kemper, 4 time Olympic Athlete and 7 time US Elite National Champion. I love the his answer to the question of who he gives credit to (from his website) : "God for giving me my talents, my wife Val for her daily support, my parents for their continual love and encouragement, and to my boys who could care less if I win or lose. "

Thanks Hunter



Wednesday, August 14, 2013

TTM: Jessica Long

Jessica Long -65


On Monday we received two more TTM Successes. The first being Jessica Long. Ms. Long is highly decorated. She has competed in the Paralympic games in Athens, Beijing, and London, winning 12 Gold, 3 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals. This is all by the age of 21. Not to mention the fact that she has to overcome obstacles that make it hard for me to even imagine how she does it. At 18 months she had her lower legs amputated due to being born with out ankles, heels and calf bones. I feel guilty even mentioning her disability, because I don't want to make it sound like it discounts her achievements. It is an enhancement on her achievement. I enriches the achievement.

This is one of the reasons why I love the Olympics. The athletes more often than not are what we expect in our athletes. Inspirations, rolemodels, and examples of over coming odds. Looking at Jessica Long, I have to ask myself...

"What's your excuse?"

Thanks Jessica



Tuesday, August 13, 2013

TTM: Misty May-Treanor (Games of the XXX Olympiad)

Misty May-Treanor -OLY4


With the base card, Misty sent back the insert card back signed as well. This one is personalized for my oldest son. I love this insert for autographs, but visually I would have liked to see the signature over the blue image. Glad to have this card signed, I am not going to complain about placement.

Thanks Again Misty



TTM: Misty May-Treanor

Misty May-Treanor - 40


Last Friday, we received back a success from Misty May-Treanor. She sent back two cards, the first being her base card personalized for my youngest son Benni. The first attempt to her came back because of a bad address, so this one took a little longer than it could have.

Thanks Misty

TTM: Susan Francia (Bronze)

Susan Francia - 57 - Bronze

When Susan signed and returned her Olympic hopefuls card, she also signed the Bronze version I had sent as well

Thanks again Susan.



Thursday, August 8, 2013

TTM: Susan Francia

Susan Francia - 57

The latest return comes from two time gold medal winner Susan Francia. Susan wrote a really nice letter back to us, expressing her thanks for our support and sent back encouraging words. I love how down to earth the Olympians always seem to be. Go team USA.

Thanks Susan



Wednesday, July 31, 2013

2014 Topps Olympic Hopefuls - Sneak Peak


2014 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team & Hopefuls

This is not a scoop and probably not the first place you have seen this information, but I wanted to mention it because if fits in with this blog. I am excited about this set because I loved the summer set, and the Winter Olympics is my favorite of the two. I will be sending these cards out in TTM attempts when they come out.

Lindsey Vonn - Autographed Base 

The base autographs will again be sticker autos. Nothing really different. I know the overall opinion of sticker vs on card autos, but I may be in the minority. I don't really mind, although I am not really looking for them. Autograph parallels will again have Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Rainbow.

J.R. Celski - Base 

David Wise - Base 

The base card design is a bit more dramatic than the 2012 set. I like the designs, but I think I prefer the Summer sets designs. Maybe it will grow on me. I believe they will continue to include Bronze, Silver and Gold parallels.

 Mike Eruzione - Champions on card Auto

They stayed close to the base designs for the Champion on card autographs for this set. I like this design over the 2012 Champion cards, by a wide margin. 

Champion list:
  • Bonnie Blair
  • Dick Button
  • Mike Eruzione
  • Jim Craig
  • Dan Jansen
  • Kristi Yamaguchi
  • Scott Hamilton
  • Brian Boitano
  • Picabo Street
  • Peggy Fleming
  • Nancy Kerrigan
 
Gracie Gold - U.S. Olympic Team Patch

There will be two different patch cards, the official USOC Team Patch, and the 2014 USOC Team Patch (above). All athletes in the base set will have both patch cards. In addition to the patch card, each athlete will also have a Pin card.
 
Steven Holcomb - Relic Card 

Another improvement on the 2012 set, is the relics. I prefer this design over the 2012 relics.  Each relic will have a Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold Rainbow parallel.

Other inserts are: Games of the XXII Winter Olympiad, Venues of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and Olympic Heritage

The set is due out in November and most of the online stores are already taking pre-orders.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

TTM: Nick Symmonds

Nick Symmonds - 5

The last return from this weekend came in from Nick Symmonds. More specifically, from his mother. She sent back a nice letter, he left a number of signed cards for her to respond with while he was over seas. From his website, it appears the 'over seas' she is refering too, is the Monaco Diamond League in which he is competing in the Men's 800.

Thanks Nick



Monday, July 29, 2013

TTM: Diana Lopez

Diana Lopez - 6

This weekend I received three Olympic TTM returns. When I got home from work on Friday, Ariel Hsing's TTM was awaiting me. On Saturday I received two more. The first came from Diana Lopez.

Diana and two brothers, Mark and Steve, are all Taekwondo Olympic Athletes. Steve actually has a card in this set, and competed in London as well. Diana's run in the London Olympics didn't end in a medal, as she fell in a 1-0 overtime bout with two-time world champion Hou Yuzhuo of China. (ESPN)

Glad to get Diana's card back.

Thanks Diana



TTM: Ariel Hsing (Silver)

Ariel Hsing - 75 - Silver

When Ariel signed and returned her Olympic hopefuls card, she also signed the Silver version I had sent as well. I am keeping this a separate post for organizational reasons.

Thanks again Ariel.



Friday, July 26, 2013

TTM: Ariel Hsing

Ariel Hsing - 75

The second return for the 2012 Olympic set is Ariel Hsing. Ms. Hsing played, what she considered her best performances at the London Olympics. Losing to the eventual Gold medal winner. She was kind enough to send a kind thank you letter with the our TTM return.

Thanks Ariel



Tuesday, July 23, 2013

TTM: Dotsie Bausch

Dotsie Bausch - 41

The first return for the 2012 Olympic set is Dotsie Bausch. Ms. Bausch took silver in London, and won numerous world championships. Great return.

Thanks Dotsie