How do you choose who to write to?

[EricDavis]

There are 3 places that I mainly get cards out of my collection to send out to players.

I have a binder which holds cards of 72 guys and that's where I put cards I want to send out. If the card is on the front page of the binder then it is a top priority cards. Cards basically have to work their way up from a box, to the binder, to the front page before they'll be sent out typically. I think it's pretty fun.

Also I have a box 1994 Topps Finest cards I sometimes pick out of.

Lastly if I want to write to a minor leaguer I don't have a card of, or a Cincinnati Red I make my own card and decide arbitrarily when to send those.

[BoSoxNation]

I try to send to people that are known to sign

[EricDavis]

That's definitely something I consider when putting guys in my binder or putting him on the front page.

[dmbfan]

Right now, I am sending to two groups of players:

1. Former Mets for my all-time Mets collection

2. Former Major Leaguers who are coaching in the Minors.

After I go through the Minor League coaches, I'll probably move on to the Major League coaches.

[EricDavis]

Have you sent to Charles Nagy yet?

[AutographCollector]

I am working on 2 projects right now.
1.) Minor league players
2.) Players that played in the 1960's. I 85% of the time take a guess on who signs. The other 15 % is spent here researching it.

[wake49]

I typically write to former Red Sox players and current players during ST. After ST is finished, I tend to only do IP autographs, either on the MLB or MiLB level. Also, I typically send two cards and an index card TTM, but with IP I usually only try for one. Players usually have much less time to sign, and I don't think it's fair to take a player's time with several cards when there are others trying to get an autograph, too.

[SDL]

I typically write to former Red Sox players and current players during ST. After ST is finished, I tend to only do IP autographs, either on the MLB or MiLB level. Also, I typically send two cards and an index card TTM, but with IP I usually only try for one. Players usually have much less time to sign, and I don't think it's fair to take a player's time with several cards when there are others trying to get an autograph, too.

I'm also a Sox fan...but also a baseball fan as well.

What I do is make blow-up 8x10 copies of cards..I either use some from my collection or I look at the auctions on Ebay, right-click and save, then put on a floppy disc and go to my local big-name office supply store (sorry...don't want to sound like I'm plugging them) and get them printed out. Or I will look for photos on-line from MiILB team sites or some MLB sites. I usually get players from the 60s, 70s and 80s who are now coaches in the farm system and I have to admit, the young players get a chuckle when they see what their coach/manager looked like when he was playing.

One player, who played for the USA at the 2005 World Cup in Holland asked me if I had another copy of the pic he signed. I told him to give me his e-mail and when I got home, I sent him a copy. One of my loves is the international game, so I'ev gotten action photos from the Olympics, World Cup and Intercontinetal cup signed by players during Spring Training. All were surprised that I found them...not so hard..the IBAF site has them :)

I think why players will sign them is that they realize that blow-up copies of cards anen't that high up on the "food chain" and that there are people like me who actually do this as a hobby..a pastime.

I've sent out some in the mail and have only failed to reiieve three I sent out to one player. I talk about my being a life-long Sox fan and I'll usually ask questions. So far, I've gotten one response to questions.

Still, it's fun to do and when I chat in person with the players from the 60s/70s/80s, it'skind of like a trip back in time...and like i said above, it's kind of fun to see the reaction of the minor league players when they see what their coach used to look like...

[kearns643]

My process is mostly random.

Like yesterday a friend in the hobby sent me over 2000 cards. Minor league cards from 90-92...Swell cards from the late eighties. And a bunch more. I will go through those and look for three each.. Then I send.

Sometimes I research to see what hobbists are getting back.

Like this site...

http://franklu38.tripod.com/id103.html

Use my collection as a reference...

http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=48833

I find it more difficult to research a player that you have cards for and send. Its easier the other way. Look to see what folks are getting back or have and then find cards.

[JPH712]

2. Former Major Leaguers who are coaching in the Minors.

After I go through the Minor League coaches, I'll probably move on to the Major League coaches.

Do you have a list of Former Major Leaguers who are coaching on the minors?

[dmbfan]

Do you have a list of Former Major Leaguers who are coaching on the minors?

Yes. It's a list that I put together during the offseason while teams were naming their minor league coaching staffs. I have most of the coaches, but not all. However, it's a pretty comprehensive list of about 450 coaches. If you would like, send me a PM with your email address and I will get it to you.

[Pods fan 22]

I just send to my favorite players, or prospect im high on, ect....

I also try to get as many white sox players as i can.

And if im on a realy bad streak, i look for players with a high success rate, pick them to send to them, so i can get at least someone back!

[dmbfan]

Have you sent to Charles Nagy yet?

I haven't tried him in c/o the minor league team he's coaching with yet. I have tried in c/o his home but haven't had any luck.

[bryanspellman]

I haven't tried him in c/o the minor league team he's coaching with yet. I have tried in c/o his home but haven't had any luck.

Wish I saw this earlier, I just sent to his home....

As for the original question it breaks down like this:

-Yankees, being Yankee fans

- Favorite players of mine/my son (and players on my Fantasy teams from years past, I like to thank them for giving me some good seasons)

- Cool cards. Looking back on some cards you see some funny or just plain cool cards. I send those and MENTION the card in the letter. That way I do not (hopefully) get the card switch that some players do and just replace the card I sent with one that has already been signed.