What Supplies Do You Use?
Address Labels (Avery 5160 and 8460) 1" x 2 5/8"
You will need 4 per request, If you will not be hand writing your "To" and "From" addresses on both envelopes.
If you don't think you need four address labels, read this article on where lost mail ends up if it is not deliverable.
Outer Envelopes The envelope addressed to the player.
Staples Brand 6" x 9" Gummed Closure Envelopes (472852/19306)
Inner Envelopes The envelope addressed to you is the Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE), and should have the appropriate postage on it.
Staples Brand (Greeting Card Envelopes) 5-3/4" x 8-3/4" Pull & Seal (473955)
I personally use a large Ivory Envelope which stands out from the rest of the mail I receive, and my eyes still light up whenever I see one waiting for me!
Paper To write the request.
Staples Brand 8.5" x 11" 20 lb Multiuse Paper (135855)
Item To Be Signed The easiest item would be a trading card, but I will go into more detail on alternate items to send TTM.
Postage Stamps You will need two stamps.
I recommend using:
1 x $0.41 stamp (current postage rate) for the request to the player (Outer Envelope).
1 x Forever Stamp (current postage rate) for the return envelope (Inner Envelope).
The forever stamp is guaranteed even with future postage increases.
Who Should I Write To?
Many collectors will look to write to their favorite player(s), but after that where do you go?
One of the fun things collectors try are themed collections.
What exactly is a themed collection?
Simple... Anything you make it! That's what makes it fun.
Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Championship Coaches, Managers, and GMs
1981 World Series Los Angeles Dodgers vs New York Yankees
Heisman Trophy Winners
Father / Son Combos
Japanese Baseball Players
Baseball Movie Actors
NBA's 50 Greatest Players
Basketball Hall Of Famers
Football Hall Of Famers
First Round Draft Picks
Top Prospects
Living Members Of The Hall Of Fame
Triple Crown Winners
Cy Young Award Winners
All Star MVPs
World Series MVPs
Most Valuable Players (MVP) Award Winners
Rookie of the Year Award Winners
Baseball's 3000 Hit Club
Baseball's 500 HR Club
Baseball's 1500 RBI Club
Baseball's 500 Stolen Base Club
Baseball's 300 Win Club
Baseball's 3000 Strikeout Club
Baseball's All-Century Team
Baseball's Batting Champions
Baseball's No Hitters
Golden Spikes Award Winners
Where Do I Write To?
In today's "I Need Results Now" society, keep in mind that requests may come back in a few days, but may take as long as a few years, so try not to get discouraged.
Once you have selected a player or players that you would like to send autograph requests to, you will need to find an address to send the request to.
If the player you are intending to write to is an active player or coach, your best bet is to send the request to the team's address.
If the player you are intending to write to is a retired player or coach, there are various sources for autographs throughout the web, but by far the address list everyone swears by is Harvey Meiselman's SportsAddressLists.com.
The best online resource is definitely http://www.sportscollectors.net.
No matter where you obtain your address from, always do your homework.
This isn't an exact science, and data obtained can be innacurate, so I advise everyone to at least attempt to
verify the mailing addresses with any of the following services available via the internet.
Chances are if an address is vastly different from what you have found, it may be innacurate.
Address Verification Services
Google Powered Hipolitodesigns.com TTM Address Tool
US postal Service
National Address Server
Melissa Data
Mapping Applications
*Please respect the player's privacy and do not attempt to visit any addresses you obtain either through this site or any other site. Unless it's a Stadium Address, or public venue. The following links are only intended to verify the addresses you have found.
Google Maps
Mapquest
Yahoo Maps
What Should I Send?
Always include something for the player to sign. Don't expect them to look around for something to sign and send to you.
Make sure you don't send anything you can’t afford to lose, since different players have different Through The Mail practices and policies.
I usually enjoy going to a local card store or card show, and going through dime boxes and pulling out cards of players I would like to send autograph requests to, or take the time to make a custom item.
Due to the volume of mail popular players usually receive, they are less likely to sign your items through the mail.
Lesser stars or players who aren't established yet will most likely yield better results, as well as retired players and coaches who were former players.
What Should I Write?
Always be sure to send a positive and complimentary letter.
Retired players, will have a lot more time on their hands, so I would suggest writing a slightly longer letter, and possibly adding a questionnaire, with questions you intend to have the player answer.
Retired players are usually more receptive to someone expressing an interest in their playing career.
For current players DO NOT waste your time writing endless pages because the player simply will not have enough time to read it. Instead send a typed or handwritten letter that is short and to the point.
Try to avoid sending out repetitive "Form Letters" and put some time and effort into your requests, to increase your chances of success.
If the letter is of a personal nature, and player specific, they may determine that it is not from someone looking to add another signature to their collection.
Anatomy Of A TTM Request Letter
Address The Player By Last Name
Dear Mr. Player's Name,
Paragraph 1
Something about you.
Tell them why are you writing to them?
Paragraph 2
Mention something specific or personal about the player and/or his career and team.
Paragraph 3
Finishing statement thanking them for their time.
Sincerely,
Your Name
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NOTE: I usually include our return address in the letter's footer, just in case the request letter is seperated from the return envelope.
Be sure to include a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE).
Be sure to have the proper postage on your SASE.
Don't be greedy and send more than two items to be signed.
Should I Keep Track Of My Requests?
Make sure to keep track of your requests and successes if you intend to send lots of requests, and wish to one day share your results with the TTM community.
What Will I Receive?
With TTM successes the player will send back the item you sent to them back signed.
If you are lucky enough most players will send back additional items of their own.
Be sure to not ask the player to do so, since you may risk offending them, and not get anything signed back.
From time to time your may receive a Return To Sender (RTS), which is usually a result of a bad address, or a player who simply refused the mail.
My least favorite return is the dreaded SASE with my original item unsigned, and no note explaining why.
This is the ultimate rejection. At least if nothing is sent back, you still have hope, but in this case it's as if the player flat out rejected your request, and didn't feel you deserved a reason why.
Occasionaly you will receive a Preprinted photo with a reproduced signature accompanmied by a letter explaining why the player could not sign (usually do the volume of mail they receive).
You can easily tell the difference between a reproduced autograph, and an actual signed item.
By tilting the item and letting the overhead lights reflect off the surface, you clearly see the surface difference with a pen or sharpie, which is not the case with a pre-print.
One thing to look out for is a Autopen signature, which is actually signed by a machine using a template of the player's actual signature.
I have written a detailed article on the subject of Autopen Signatures on this site.
How Many Items Should I Send?
At most you should send 1-3 items. These items should each be unique, since duplicates may be seen as an attempt to resell the item(s) on eBay, as opposed to a sincere request from a fan.
Some collectors send a few extra cards and tell the player to keep a few for himself.
