5/12/2012 Pawtucket Vs. Columbus

Today I went over to Pawtucket to do Pre game for the first time this season, and I was quickly reminded how much more stuff I can get signed before the game rather than after. I ended up with 31 items, which is a solid day in my book.

Columbus was THE worst signing team I have ever seen come through, not one guy signed off the first bus. On the second bus I was able to get:
Ezequiel Carrera,
Scott Barnes,
Chris Seddon

I also was able to get hitting coach, Phil Clark, who played 3 games for the Red Sox at the end of his career:

The last guy I got was Matt Laporta:

 As I said, they were extremellllly weak signing wise, good thing Pawtucket was very good.

When I arrived at the park, I noticed a really nice SUV that was clearly a player, pulling in at the same time. We both parked and Justin Thomas, who was just designated for assignment by Boston, got out of the SUV. I started talking to him, as I was the only one there at that point, and he said he would sign for me once he was finished moving boxes in and out of the clubhouse.

When I finally got him, there were a number of people there, and he signed for everyone. I found this really classy, as this is a guy who has no idea where he will be living, never mind playing tomorrow.

He signed two things for me, my media guide, and a team ball which will be pictured later:

 Next up was hitting coach, Gerald Perry who had a long career in the Majors, I was astonished when he signed 6 cards for me, because in the past he has not been friendly at times:

 I got Clayton Mortenson on this nice commemorative SI, I still can't believe he got sent down, I don't care how many options he has, he was pitching lights out every day, and should still be in Boston:

I had some Brandon Duckworth cards leftover from last year so I got those done as well, he always signs 2, so I still have more to go:

I was able to get Garrett Mock for the first time today, but not without some awkwardness. "Garrett can you please sign? ... "I'm not Garrett, I'm Ryan Lavarnway." Everyone just gave him a weird look after his dumb comment, and he signed for everyone anyway:

I got a number of other guys for the first time as well, including Ross Ohlendorf:

Doug Mathis:

 Josh Kroeger:

Justin Germano:

There were a number of guys that I have met before, but got them today as well. Those guys were:
Will Inman:

Alex Hassan:

Tony Pena Jr.(Who hardly ever stops to sign):

Pitching Coach, Rich Saveur:

And now for my updated team ball. Today alone I added:
2nd to bottom:Mauro Gomez
Bottom:Tony Pena Jr.

2nd to bottom:Che-Hsaun Lin
Bottom:Mike Rivera

4th to bottom:Justin Thomas
3rd to bottom(very tiny):Junichi Tazawa
2nd to bottom:Nate Spears
Bottom:Alex Wilson(He was nice today..... armageddon?!?)

To end, I just want to say that since returning from the majors, Ryan Lavarnway has made a complete 180. He was INCREDIBLY nice last season, a great kid. Now he has an attitude, and is apparently, "running late" 5 hours before games. He is a jerk now, which I could have never imagined coming from him.

Other than Ryan, Mark Melancon and Jose Iglesias also denied.

Overall though, it was a fun day, and I got a lot of new players. Hope you enjoyed reading it!

31 Autographs at this game
Total Autographs for 2012:237