Boston Vs. Tampa Bay 4/29/14

There are cold New England nights, and then there was last night. I got to Fenway an hour before gates opened, and it was already about 45 degrees. During the game weather.com pegged the temerature with wind chill around 34 degrees, but it felt even colder.

There was a chance of rain before the game, so I knew there was a very low chance of batting practice, which meant a very high chance of me getting shut out. 

When I walked in, I saw Tom Caron walking through the concourse towards Yawkey Way. I said hi, but we were both in a rush, so I didn't ask for anything.

The grounds crew workers were already taking down the batting cage, so indeed there would be no batting practice. Luckily for me, there were a number of players on the field  either throwing(pitchers) or practicing fielding baseballs off of the green monster.

I quickly recognized Grant Balfour walking in, and he stopped to take a photo with some Rays fans, so I went over, and had him sign a team baseball.

I ran back over to my spot, because fellow pitcher Josh Leuke was about to finish throwing, and he came over and signed when I asked. I think I was the only one who got him, and 1/2 to get Balfour to sign. There were probably only 6 players total on the field, and I had gotten one of the most notable out of that group in Balfour, so my next target was Sean Rodriguez, the best player left on the field. I called to him when he was coming in(at this point I was down the left field line) but I didn't think he could hear me. I decided to run down to the home plate side of the dugout which takes about 45 seconds, mind you, and I somehow got through everyone, and ended up at the spot I got Darvish and Washington a few weeks back. Sean ended up signing 2 autographs right there. 1 for a person as I was making my way down, and I made it to the front just in time for him to motion to me to throw my baseball down.

I was expecting a shutout, and I ended up getting 3 guys in 10 minutes, so I'll take that any day of the week.

Sean Rodriguez:

Grant Balfour:

Josh Leuke:

Total Autographs For 2014: 88

Pawtucket Vs. Buffalo(Blue Jays) 4/21/14(Shane Victorino, Munenori Kawasaki)

Well, it was one of those weird nights that I talk about once in a great while. I kind of knew Will Middlebrooks and Shane Victorino would both be rehabbing in Pawtucket tonight, but was verified of this at about 11:00 a.m. Unfortunately, I had a meeting at school, so I probably was going to miss this chance, but I kind of didn't mind anyway, because the meeting was really important, and Shane Victorino never, ever signs, even if there's a fire(sorry, Step Brothers reference). Also, I have met Middlebrooks countless times.

Regardless, my meeting finished, I texted my dad saying that those guys would be in Pawtucket, and he basically told me that he'd go. So on very short notice, I drove home, threw some baseballs in my bag, and drove over to McCoy. We got there maybe 3 minutes before first pitch, which if you know anything about me, is very, very different from my normal routine(I tend to show up AT LEAST 1.5 hours early).

So anyway, the game goes fairly quickly, Middlebrooks was pulled early, Victorino soon after. Slightly to my surprise, both players' vehicles were still in the caged lot(which is off limits). I had failed there before with John Lackey, and more recently David Ortiz, but the past is the past,and although whoever was going to stop would have to roll down their window, I thought at the very least I would get another Middlebrooks 'graph.

When Middlebrooks left, the crowd was probably 15 strong. He drove right by us. Everyone left at that point besides another guy, my father, and myself. I really didn't want to go home empty handed, so I ever so slightly contemplated just going around the corner to try for Munenori Kawasaki, but even though Shane is a really, really tough autograph, I just couldn't pass up a 2 on 1 opportunity.

When Shane exited the building, I called over to him, "Shane can you please sign? There are only two of us." At that point I had forgotten I had given my dad a baseball in case Middlebrooks had stopped. I received no answer from Shane, but when the gate opened, he stopped right in front of the 3 of us. At first he took the other guy's baseball, which was a team ball. The kid pointed out where he wanted Shane to sign it, but Shane said, "Okay now you're getting too picky. I'm sick of this shit. " He handed the kid back his ball unsigned. Quickly, I handed him my baseball, he asked me my name, and sweet spotted it. I was in shock that I had just met Shane Victorino. To my surprise, my dad jumped in right behind me and got a baseball signed as well. As I said, I had forgotten I had even given him the baseball, so it was really cool that I came out of the situation with 2.

After I met Shane, I went over to the visitors' exit, and within 2 minutes, I met Munenori Kawasaki, who is a very funny guy.

It's the nights like these that keep me going in this hobby, and sometimes the surprises bring the best memories.

Shane Victorino:

Munenori Kawasaki:

Total Autographs for 2014: 85

New Britain Vs. Portland 4/17/14(Henry Owens, Mookie Betts)

Yesterday was my first time seeing Portland this season, and just like over the past few years, they had a number of great prospects on their roster.

My main targets for the day were #1 Pitching prospect for the Red Sox, Henry Owens, #5 prospect Blake Swihart, and #6 prospect, Mookie Betts.

When I was pulling into the stadium, I saw the team bus leaving, so I knew chances were that I missed at least one of those guys. That in prior years wouldn't have mattered in New Britain because the stadium used to always be open, but apparently the new ownership changed that policy. I ended up missing Swihart because of this (I couldn't stay for the game).

There ended up being two more bus trips. Off of the first bus that I was there for, came Henry Owens, who was nicer than I could have ever expected. There were probably 8 or so people waiting for him, and he signed ANYTHING people had. He was signing for at least 3-4 minutes outside.

I ended up getting 2 baseballs, 4 photos, and a card signed:

Off of the next bus was Mookie Betts. Unfortunately he will probably be traded at some point, because although he can hit just as well as anyone in the system, the Red Sox kind of have second base covered for a while.

The only other player I got for Portland was Henry Ramos:

While I was waiting for those buses, I started a New Britain team ball for the year.

Brandon Waring & Cole Johnson:

Kennys Vargas & Nate Hanson:

Tony Thomas, Daniel Ortiz, &Ryan O' Rourke:

Total Autographs at this game:19

Total Autographs for 2014: 82

Pawtucket Vs. Syracuse 4/9/14

After the Red Sox game the night prior(Boston Vs. Texas 4/8/14), I knew I'd be going to Pawtucket with my friend the next day because I only had one class in the morning. I picked him up and headed up right after my class for the 12:00 game. We got there pretty late for pre game, but I figured since there was a game the night before, some guys might be running late which was somewhat true. In the back, the first player I saw was former Red Sox fan favorite, Manny Delcarmen. He was nice as always, and since I had never had him sign a ball for my Red Sox collection, I did so. He added the World Series Champs inscription when I asked.

The only other player we saw outside was Brandon Workman who showed up from Boston(he was sent down after his fantastic performance in the game the night before) but denied the 3 of us waiting. 

The rest of the day was very good. I actually ended up meeting 6 guys who received a World Series ring from the 2013 campaign.

Since it was a day game, the pitchers were working out on the field, so I was able to get Brandon Workman to sign in there. I will show the autograph later on, since it is on a team ball with former Red Sox players.

That was it for pre-game 'graphing, but afterwards I was able to meet nearly every player on Pawtucket's team, since it was getaway day, which meant that they would all be getting on a bus.

Also on the team ball with Workman are Drake Britton,Brandon Snyder, Ryan Lavarnway, Rubby De La Rosa,Alex Wilson, and Rich Hill. Hill was on the Red Sox from 2010-2012. The rest were on the team at least in 2013.

Britton and Snyder:

Workman, Wilson, and Hill:

Lavarnway:

De La Rosa:

I was able to get a game used ball during the game, and I had Red Sox #4 prospect, Garin Cecchini sign it afterwards. He also signed my media guide:

I was also able to add a number of other players to the 2014 media guide.

Chris Resop:

Anthony Ranaudo:

Mike McCoy:

Jeremy Kehrt:

Chris Hernandez:

I tried to meet the always tough, Brian Goodwin afterwards, but he ignored me as I expected. I was the only person who knew who he was.

Total autographs at this game:15

Total autographs for 2014:63

Boston Vs. Texas 4/8/14

Tuesday night brought many firsts for me. My first time driving into Boston, my first multiple autograph game at Fenway, and my first success there in probably 7 or 8 years(I just haven't been many times, and when I have, I haven't 'graphed).

I brought my sister and her boyfriend for some company, and we got to Fenway probably 10 minutes before the gates opened, and there was already a small crowd at the Lansdowne Street entrance, but nothing too major. When the gates opened, we parted ways and I headed straight for the Texas dugout, since batting practice was getting underway.

There are basically 2 decent spots inside Fenway to get autographs. The first is down the foul lines, and the second is right behind either dugout. I was one of the first fans down to the dugout, so I took the space right over the opening where the players go in and out.

There wasn't much action for me for maybe a half hour. Guys were just ignoring me or saying, "Not right now." But then in the time span of 5-10 minutes my luck greatly shifted.

Ron Washington was walking over, and stopped to sign for the fans with the special on field batting practice passes. Right after them, I called down to him, and he motioned for me to throw him my baseball! I was pretty excited as Mr. Washington is one of the best managers in baseball.

Shortly after that, Tanner Scheppers stopped to sign for me as well. Normally I wouldn't get someone like him to sign a ball, but it was all I had, and I was happy that he stopped:

What happened next was one of the best things that has ever happened to me autograph wise. I saw Yu Darvish, the Rangers best pitcher, and one of the most exciting, and best pitchers in baseball for that matter, walking towards the dugout. Literally nobody was calling him over, and when he got close, I called him,and although he is known to be a pretty decent signer, I was still shocked when he held up his hand for me to throw him the ball. I was so pumped that I got him, and in his previous start he had became the fastest pitcher in MLB history to record  500 strikeouts.

Unsurprisingly, I wasn't able to meet any Red Sox, but I was pretty happy with what I came away with, and I will most likely be going up more in the near future.

As an aside, my ticket was only 7 dollars! The seats were in back of the visiting bullpen. You can't beat a game at Fenway, and meeting an MLB superstar for just $7.

Total Autographs for 2014:48

Pawtucket Vs. Lehigh Valley(Phillies) Opening Night 4/3/14 (Maikel Franco, Steve Horgan)

It's so nice to have baseball back again, and even though I didn't have much time at all for 'graphing at Thursday's game I was able to go to Pawtucket's home opener and get a few items done. On my way to the stadium, I was on Instagram and saw that Red Sox legend, Jason Varitek was on the field during Pawtcket's batting practice. Unfortunately the stadium only opens up 90 minutes before the games, and I knew Pawtucket would probably be off the field by the time I got inside, and I was right.

As always, I was there in time to see the visiting team's batting practice, in this case the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs, who started the season with the Phillies #1 overall prospect, Maikel Franco.

There were maybe 10+ people waiting for Franco to come off of the field after batting practice, and he signed for all of us. I believe I was 3rd to get him.

I knew I wouldn't be able to stay after the game so he would be the only player I got an autograph from that night, however I came prepared, since Boston Bullpen Cop, Steve Horgan would be in attendance to throw out the first pitch. Most people will remember why he is famous, but for those who don't, here is a reminder:

Steve was really nice, and kind of quiet but signed anything people had, and took photos. I really give him credit because even on his way into the stadium, and just walking around, SO many people stopped him, and he was very nice to all of them. If any Sox fans are interested, I can let a few go:

Total Autographs for 2014:45