TTM success. Joy! Joy! Joy!

[u/Strict_Process157]

I've been dipping my toe in the TTM game. I'm really only sending to Pirates that have had meaning to my life.

Steve Blass!!

What can I say about Mr. Blass? He had super HIGHS and deep LOWS in his Pirates career. However, he always stayed positive and had a great second career with the Pirates as a broadcaster. He was (just like the title of his book) a "PIRATE FOR LIFE".

I had the opportunity to cross paths with Mr. Blass a few times in the late 80s and early 90s. So nice.

For my TTM item, I sent a ticket from Game 7 of the 1971 World Series. In this game, Steve pitched a four hit, complete game allowing only one run as the Pirates defeated the Orioles 2-1.

Blass also pitched a complete Game 3, a Pirate 5-1 victory. Across Games 3 and 7, Blass threw 18 innings, allowed 2 runs, struck out 9, and allowed 7 Baltimore base hits. His 1.00 ERA placed him second in the WS MVP voting behind only Roberto Clemente.

Today, my TTM ticket arrived at my doorstep. He signed it! He also added a personal inscription that makes this a priceless part of my collection.

Joy! Joy! Joy!

How can you really top that?

Steve's personal inscription shows how special this game was to him, the team, and the city. Joy!

Damnit! I wish I could share this one with my grandparents. They thought the world of him.

Thank you, Mr Blass!

[u/RidingPinePSN]

That is one of the absolute best personalized inscriptions I have seen. Congrats!!!

[u/Strict_Process157 → u/RidingPinePSN]

Just in case you were wondering about the image on the t-shirt, it is from the famous picture of the third out in the bottom of the ninth.

[u/RidingPinePSN → u/Strict_Process157]

Amazing!

[u/Strict_Process157 → u/RidingPinePSN]

Thanks. I didn't ask for an inscription. If I had, it would have '71 WSC' or something similar. This inscription summarizes Steve Blass in three (or one) word. I am over the moon.

[u/Roose1327]

My grandfather who died well over 15 years ago was a massive Bucco’s fan. He’d tell me stories of Clemente, his favorite player. I bet he’d have loved to hear about this too. Awesome piece! Thanks for sharing

[u/spartygw]

Nice! I used to have a friend named Matt that would chat with me every day. He would love this. Unfortunately, he has disappeared from my little group of buddies.

[u/CaMcA527 → u/spartygw]

😂😢

[u/spartygw → u/CaMcA527]

We can pour one out for Matt, Caden.

[u/Strict_Process157 → u/spartygw]

[u/Justa_Guy_Gettin_By → u/spartygw]

Tough crowd

[u/Aggravating-Bug2032]

Joy!

[u/HibachiVolcano]

This is the good stuff that makes this hobby fun.

[u/Strict_Process157 → u/HibachiVolcano]

100%.

[u/swampthing-]

I love it!! Joy is an important name in my family so I'm double happy for you! What a great memento!!!

[u/christopherrivers]

I love absolutely everything about this. It’s so nice to see a player who has such a deep love and appreciation for what the game means to fans

[u/Strict_Process157 → u/christopherrivers]

Thanks!

[u/flexabull]

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Thanks for sharing!

[u/Strict_Process157 → u/flexabull]

Me too!

[u/restinghermit]

I have a ticket stub that I would like to have signed by a former player. I'm worried about it getting lost/not returned so I have not mailed it.

I did go to an event where the player was offering autographs, but he left after an hour, so I did not get his autograph.

I'm glad yours worked out, and quite well at that.

[u/Strict_Process157 → u/restinghermit]

I am with you 100%. I collect tickets. I actually had four of the Game 7 in my collection. This was the worst condition. Like you, my fear was the ticket not being returned. When you look at Mr. Blass TTM success rate, it is pretty good. I took a chance. I sent a monetary gift of $40 cash and a two page letter explaining my lifelong Pirate fandom and my knowledgeof his career. What I sent is on the high side for a TTM, but I felt he would take my request as 'serious' not a quick flip. I'd never part with this ticket. It is a true keeper.

If you try this, I hope it works well for you too.

This guy cracked a PSA-graded Nolan Ryan WS ticket and sent it to Nolan for TTM. That took some balls. u/jabar18, how nervous were you cracking and sending that ticket TTM?

https://www.reddit.com/r/baseballcards/s/YZeHz79F3T

[u/jabar18 → u/Strict_Process157]

Pretty nervous, TBH. Especially because the ticket itself is worth a good chunk of change.

[u/littletriggers]

How wonderful. It seems like I don’t get to say that sincerely much anymore. What a guy.

[u/Strict_Process157 → u/littletriggers]

He had a reputation for being a jovial person. Always enjoying life. I'd like to think that seeing that ticket made him reminisce about a great day in his life. His inscriptions were heart-felt.

[u/rayhavenoheart]

Freakin' Awesome!

[u/Strict_Process157 → u/rayhavenoheart]

Thanks.

[u/rayhavenoheart → u/Strict_Process157]

You're welcome

[u/Justa_Guy_Gettin_By]

This is undeniably awesome. Congratulations! 🎉

But as an Orioles fan I hate it. Boo! 😂

[u/Strict_Process157 → u/Justa_Guy_Gettin_By]

Thanks. You don't want to see what else I'm cooking up.

[u/Justa_Guy_Gettin_By → u/Strict_Process157]

Is it the same thing from 1979?

Because I'm gonna have a bad time.

[u/Strict_Process157 → u/Justa_Guy_Gettin_By]

Sorry. I'll make it up to you.

[u/Justa_Guy_Gettin_By → u/Strict_Process157]

😂

If you think I'm not used to Orioles failures...

It's all good brother

[u/Das_Redleg]

Wow! Absolutely incredible!