1/22/12 "Red Sox Road Trip"

This weekend the Red Sox were sending  former and current players to various malls throughout New England. Originally I was going to go to Providence on Friday to get Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, and Mike Aviles, but those plans changed and I ended up going to Marlboro, which is just as close anyway.

The event was supposed to be Rich Gedman and Mike Aviles, but Gedman didn't show up. That wasn't a problem though because he is a very good signer, and I got him last year at a game.

The event was set up pretty poorly, but I was there early enough that it made no difference.

Aviles was really cool; He talked to the fans a lot, and even asked my dad what was wrong with his wrist, which is wrapped up. He just seemed to appreciate the fans, and enjoyed being there. He also commented on how much he liked the card I brought, and how Billy Butler is one of his best friends.

 

Once again, I'm not sure when my next event will be, but with the way my year is going probably not too long.

Total Autographs For 2012:44

1/18/12 Uconn Vs. Cincinnati

Well I suppose I will start out with the bad news. Kemba Walker was in attendance for the first time since the lockout ended, and I still hadn't gotten him. Ever. Long after the game, before most of the other graphers came back in, a girl and I had him 2 on 1. Guess who got him?

You guessed it, the girl. At least she had a Sports Illustrated, I would have been frustrated if she got him on a piece of paper.

When he was leaving, say 20 minutes later, I walked down the stairs in front of him, had him 1 on 1, and he said, "No, not signing tonight."

After that major disappointment, I was turned down by Jeremy Lamb 1 on one again. "Not tonight man."

I also did not get Andre Drummond, talked to his mother and she was trying to convince us to leave because he was sick. (He legitimately was.) So I didn't even bother testing it.

But before all of the disappointments I got the following players, as well as Head Coach Mick Cronin on this nice team 8x10. Yancy Gates kept commenting on how much he liked it.:

Cheikh Mbodj

Cashmere Wright

Dion Dixon

JaQuon Parker

Ge’Lawn Guyn

Octavius Ellis

Yancy Gates

Jeremiah Davis III

Justin Jackson

 For those of you who don't remember, Gates is the guy who did this:

Surprisingly, Gates was extremely chill, and also signed another 8x10 for me:

I got Roscoe Smith on a few items, including my championship Sports Illustrated, and I also got a picture with him:

This was also the first time ever in 9 Uconn games, that I have seen them lose.


I don't know when my next event is at the moment, but hopefully some point in the near future.
Total Autographs for 2012: 39

Just a Little About My Collection

Now that the blog's traffic has  really picking up over the past few months, I'd like to talk about my collection a little more. As many of you may know, I have collected baseball autographs since I started the hobby, but have recently started to graph basketball as well. If I have one main project I am working on, I would say that it would be my "Red Sox Signed Baseball Collection". I believe I currently have 54 or so signed baseballs of guys who have played for the Sox. The rest of my collection contains over 100 more signed baseballs, highlighted by the likes of Ryne Sandberg, Rod Carew, Frank Howard, and Al Kaline.

For basketball, I mainly collect Uconn players' signatures, but have also recently started Providence College, and certain players/coaches on visiting teams that come through.

During baseball season, I offer 50/50s for mainly the Pawtucket Red Sox. I also offer them for Uconn basketball, but I am currently at capacity for Uconn's top players such as Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb.

People often ask me what I do with my collection. I am open to trading, but I don't very often, and  98% of the time won't sell my autographs, unless it is for a friend, in which case I would probably give it to them anyway. I have always felt that if I sold my autographs, even the extras I obtain, that this would become more of a job rather than a hobby, and something I love to do. I can count on one hand the amount of autographs I have sold, and I prefer to keep it that way.

I enjoy helping other people out with their collections, so if anybody ever wants to 50/50 a player or team, feel free to let me know, and I will see what I can do.

I am creeping up on 1000 views, which is somewhat of a milestone for me. I plan to stick with writing on here for a long time, so keep the views coming. Thanks for reading this everyone, and I can't wait to write more!

Next Event: Wednesday January 18th, Uconn Vs. Cincinnati
Total Autographs for 2012: 26

1/13/12 Part 2- Pawtucket Red Sox Hot Stove Party

Went over to Pawtucket tonight for their annual Hot Stove Party. Not as many fans as in years past because it was the first time it was on a Friday rather than Saturday. It was not very well organized, but this wasn't a big issue because lines were short for the most part.


The best player there was pitching prospect Alex Wilson, I got him on 2 baseballs and on the handout:

Massachusetts native and outfield prospect Alex Hassan was also at the event:

Luis Exposito was there as well, and gave his best autographs that I've seen in 3 years:

Veteran Brandon Duckworth is back for his second year in the Sox System:

And finally, manager Arnie Beyeler, who kept cracking fat jokes about himself:

 

Overall, I did well at the event, I got most of my 50/50 stuff done, and hope to do even more when the season gets going.

My next event is the Uconn Vs. Cincinnati game on Wednesday.

Total autographs for 2012: 26

1/13/12 Part 1- Uconn

Went over to windy Storrs earlier this afternoon to get the Huskies as they were leaving for South Bend, Indiana. It was worth the trip because I FINALLY was able to get Ryan Boatright, and he was actually very nice, and talked a little bit:

I also got Tyler Olander on this newspaper I had been holding on to:

And finally, Alex Oriahki:

 Andre Drummond turned us down today. Yes you read that correctly. All I have to say to that is really???

Shabbazz Napier also turned me down, just shook his head no. He is king a$$hole of Uconn.
Lamb acknowledged me and gave me the "Yeah 1 minute." But he never came over.

I will have another post tonight from the Pawtucket Hot Stove party.


Total autographs for 2012- 10

Providence Vs. Louisville 1/10/12

My first autographs of 2012 came tonight in Providence. Going into the game I thought Providence would "keep it close", but they ended up beating Louisville by about 30 points. I was really surprised, as Louisville has been ranked as high as 4th in the nation this year.

I had a conversation with head coach, Ed Cooley, before the game and told him, "Good Luck." He responded, "Oh we will need it.".....So much for needing it!

First, I got coach Ed Cooley, and he is easily the nicest person I have ever met in sports. He asked if I wanted him to put my name on it, which normally wouldn't be a good thing, but I was planning on keeping the photo anyway, and he was really cool:

I was also able to get one of PC's best players, Vincent Council, before the game:

I waited after the game, and was able to get a few more guys, all were very nice:
LaDontae Henton:

Lee Goldsbrough:

Chris Carter, who went to high school at Shepherd Hill, which is 20 minutes from me:

I saved this for the end, but my dad and I had arrived to the game really early because it was my first game there, and his first in years. We ended up talking to an older man who hasn't missed a single game since I believe '56 or '57. He was full of stories, and eventually pointed out former Providence College star, and NBA player, Joe Hassett to me.

I didn't end up getting any Louisville autos unfortunately. Deion Branch was also at the game, but I didn't try for him. Kind of regret that now, but overall an okay night.

I also got a picture with Vincent Council, but it is blurry.

Total autographs for 2012: 6
My goal for this year is to get 500-600 graphs, in 2011 I got over 380. My next definite event is Uconn next Thursday.