Throwback Thursday #2 Dustin Pedroia

Date:Summer 2006
Place:McCoy Stadium, Pawtucket, RI
Setting:Parking lot, after game

Whenever people ask me who my first autograph was, I usually tell them my Bob Stanley story because that is as far back as I can remember actually asking a specific person to sign something(I had gotten tons of autographs, but just as a child that didn't really know how to do it).

Anyways, it's summer 2006, after 7th grade(I think), and I had gone to McCoy for my first game there with some friends, because they used to give out ticket vouchers at school.

I remember really trying for Adam Stern that day, because he had made a stint with the Red Sox the previous season,  and as a kid that was really cool. Dustin was probably my next target, along with David Murphy.

Stern would go on to retirement a few years later, Murphy was traded to Texas and has become a solid role player, and of course Pedroia is the heart and soul of the Red Sox today.

I had gotten the team card set that day, so I got Dustin on that, along with a logo ball that as you can guess has diminished over time. The card is still in great shape however, and is one my my favorite all time pieces.

When you are 'graphing guys in the minor leagues, you can only hope that they really make it. Dustin sure made it and became, Rookie of the Year, MVP, a World Chamion, and has won several other awards.

(I will get a nicer image up tomorrow, since I am at school and only have images already saved to my system).

Providence Vs. Pittsburgh 1/22/13

Last night I went to the Dunk again to watch the Pittsburgh Panthers. Pitt has a few good players, such as Tray Woodall and Steven Adams.

The game was very good, and Providence tried to make a late comeback, but fell a little short.

After the game I went over to the ESPN table, because John Saunders was doing the game for them:

 

One of Pittsburgh's radio personalities, Dick Groat, was the 1960 National League MVP. I was happy to add him to my collection:

 

Local guy, Al Skinner, who played for UMass, and coached at Boston College was also on hand:

I was able to get 4 Tray Woodall autographs in total, 2 before & 2 after. He also took a picture with me, but it didn't come out clear:

 

Adams would only do 1 each for everyone, I can't imagine how he will act in a few years. He did take a picture with me though:

I WAS able to get head coach, Jamie Dixon, but not without some issues. He had said he would sign on the way back from his press conference, and I had been waiting, but he came out of nowhere so I had to grab the first marker I could find in my pocket which was a silver rather than a blue. After he grabbed the marker, he signed the Adams photo, I said," Oh." He proceeded to say, "Ahh you wanted this(and signed the ticket)." 

I got him last year anyway, so no big deal.

 

Total Autographs for 2013:26

Top Autographs for 2013:

1)Sonia Sotomayor 2)Jeff Bridges, 3)Chandler Jones,  4)Dick Groat 5)Michael Carter Williams,

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor 1/20/13

For a few weeks now, my girlfriend and I had planned to use our long weekend to meet Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor in New York City.

We got to Barnes & Noble Union Square at around 11:30 for the 2:30 signing. Even with showing up 3 hours early, we were probably ten rows back in the seats. The line would later on end up going all of the way from the 4th floor (where the signing was held) down to the first floor.

It is really interesting that Ms. Sotomayor held a signing today in New York, because she was scheduled to swear-in Vice President Joe Biden this morning. Special arrangements were made just so she could swear in Mr. Biden at 8 AM, and make it to New York City by 2:30.

Justice Sotomayor was right on time, and talked about her book for 20-25 minutes.

The staff was VERY strict about only books, they actually handed the books to her, and I have to admit it was literally impossible to get any outside items.

I was able however, to get a book that I bought on Amazon signed. Luckily they had stopped checking receipts in line by the point where we went up (you could only get books signed that you bought AT B&N).

Ms. Sotomayor was very personable, and even engaged us in conversation. When my girlfriend asked her about Joe Biden, she responded, "He's a charming gentleman."

All in all it was really cool to meet one of the most powerful people in the country, along with someone who is breaking barriers, and hopefully paving the path for more change.
In total we got 3 books signed, 1 for her, 2 for me (1 is for trade, but I will not respond to any price offers).

 

Total Autographs for 2013:16

Top Autographs for 2013:

1)Sonia Sotomayor 2)Jeff Bridges, 3)Chandler Jones, 4)Michael Carter Williams, 5)Don Orsillo,

Throwback Thursday #1 Rob & Chris Gronkowski

Since it's Thursday afternoon, and my classes are all done for the week, I decided to add another new feature to the blog, "Throwback Thursday!"

This page will focus on autographs I got before I started blogging.

I figured since the Patriots(although I hate them) are in the AFC Championship this weekend, that Rob Gronkowski would be a good person to start with for this.

Date:2/19/2011
Place: Crystal Mall, Waterford,CT
Setting: Paid signing


I had been excited for weeks to go to this, even though I had never paid for an autograph at the time. This was before Gronk had really blown up, so it was like $20 to get him. 2 of his brothers, Chris and Dan were also there. I had no interest in getting Dan, and I thought it would be cool to get Chris, but he kind of turned out as a bust as well.

Dan and Chris showed up first, almost an HOUR after the scheduled time, and Rob didn't show up for probably another half hour.

Like I said, Rob hadn't blown up yet, and he was giving out great signatures:

 

Chris Gronkowski:

 

 Rob at the table, with Chris in the corner of the photo:

Providence Vs. Syracuse Part 2: 1/9/13

As you read last night, you saw that I had a few surprises last night, but what I really went to the game for was to meet the Syracuse players.

I had planned to make it to the hotel, but the timing just didn't work out. My friends told me that Boeheim signed at the hotel, so I was a little disappointed, but no big deal.

For only graphing at the game I did pretty well, and got everything I brought done.

Brandon Triche SI(the bottom is cut off to not display my address):

 

 Assist King and projected NBA Draft lottery pick, Michael Carter Williams(Got 1 before/1 after):

Dajuan Coleman:

 

Here is a link to my last Syracuse game:Uconn Vs. Syracuse College Gameday

Total Autographs for 2013:13

Top Autographs for 2013:  1)Jeff Bridges, 2)Chandler Jones, 3)Michael Carter Williams, 4)Don Orsillo, 5)Brandon Triche

Providence Vs. Syracuse Part 1: Patriots DE Chandler Jones & Voice of the Red Sox Don Orsillo 1/9/13

As many of you know, tonight I went to the Providence Vs. Syracuse game, but due to some nice surprises, I decided to split the night into two separate entries.


Before the game started, some other graphers and I noticed that Chandler Jones of the Patriots was in the front row. We tried to call him over, and that failed. With about a minute left in the game, we saw him enter the tunnel and we were able to find him in the convention center.

Troy Brown was also with him, but Troy wouldn't sign for anyone

After the game, I noticed that Red Sox commentator Don Orsillo was at the game to do the broadcast, so I was able to get him as well. He was extremely nice.

 

Total Autographs for 2013:9

Top Autographs for 2013: 1)Jeff Bridges, 2)Chandler Jones, 3)Don Orsillo, 4)Bernie Glassman, 5)Kahlil Dukes

Academy Award Winner Jeff Bridges & Co-Author Bernie Glassman in NYC 1/8/13

Yesterday I had plans to take a trip with my girlfriend to New York City, and we decided a few days before leaving to see if any book signings were happening.

It turned out that Oscar winning actor, Jeff Bridges was going to be in Union Square promoting his new book.

The signing was scheduled for 7:00 PM, and I called the store(Barnes & Noble), probably around 3 something, and was told that there were already "quite a few" people in line. So we get there and there are probably 10 people in front of us. Apparently whoever answered the phone didn't really check, but either way we got there around 4:30, and TONS of people showed up after us.

The talk they gave was pretty funny, Bernie Glassman was more high than Willie Nelson and didn't seem to be coherent, but he was very funny.

The actual signing was like trying to penetrate Fort Knox. It was very well organized, but the publishers were CRAZY about no outside items. 

When I got up to the table, after Jeff signed my book, I said, "Sir, I'm a big fan can you please sign my photo too?"

His response was awesome, "Yeah just hide it from that lady, she's kind of crazy about this stuff."

She then saw the photo, and stuffed it into MY bag. Jeff proceeded to sign the photo while inside of my bag.

I will remember this sequence of events forever.

I feel like if the publisher is allowing people to get up to 6 books signed, then I should be able to get ONE photo. And I did :)

I captured a video of him getting on stage, it is from an iphone so quality is bad, just figured I would share:

                                       

Total Autographs for 2013:7

Top Autographs for 2013:1)Jeff Bridges 2)Bernie Glassman 3)Kahlil Dukes

Twitter Mailbag Edition 7

After a long hiatus, twitter mailbag is back.

I asked my followers on twitter to submit questions, for a new entry, and I received a good one.

"Do you have a list of prospective targets this year?"


This is kind of funny, because I have been thinking about posting something like an "ultimate wish list", but that would have been much longer term.

For 2013, I have a few things in mind:

1)Load up on Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. autos before a)they become unfriendly b)get traded or c)get called up.

2)Start trying for politicians. I really wish I would have tried to get some during last year's primaries, but I can start with New England Governors possibly.

3)Go to more book signings. I have a huge surprise for Tuesday 1/8 possibly.

4)Other random celebrities. I will be trying my best to get the bands Daughtry, 3 Doors down, and Maroon 5 in the coming months(none of which will be easy because of the venue)

5)Start doing some NFL graphing next fall.


I know I didn't give many specifics, but it is always hard to say until the year gets going. I will DEFINITELY be doing the Travelers Pro Am again since that was a huge success, and I may try NASCAR in New Hampshire.

Thanks for the question!

USC Commit, Kahlil Dukes 1/2/13

Happy New Year everyone, and if you haven't noticed, gbautographs.blogspot.com is now simply gbautographs.com, which is pretty exciting.

Last night my old high school had their new gym opening, and the 5th ranked team in Connecticut, Capital Prep, was in town. Capital's leader, and scorer, Kahlil Dukes is headed to USC next fall, so I figured I might as well grab an autograph or two before he heads west.

If anyone remembers, Capital was Andre Drummond's first high school, where he played for 2 years before transferring to St. Thomas Moore.

Kahlil had a nice feature in the same ESPN HS magazine that his good friend, and current Providence College guard, Kris Dunn was on the cover of.

Kahlil was nice, and took the time on his way out of the school to sign for me:

 

Total  Autographs for 2013:2

Top Autographs for 2013: 1)Kahlil Dukes