GB Autographs is a blog written by one 'grapher from New England that shares stories about meeting athletes,celebrities, and politicians through the point of view of a collector.
Yesterday I woke up and when I went on social media I was surprised to see that former Patriots star and 3 time Super Bowl Champion, Troy Brown would be appearing at a nearby supermarket to sign autographs/take pictures for free. I don't get to 'graph football as much as I would like, so this was a good opportunity to meet a great former player.
Regular readers of my blog may notice that some of my best successes are from last minute decisions to 'graph an event, and I really wanted to take advantage of this opportunity.The event was scheduled to start at 12, and I arrived at 11. There were about 30 people in line, and there were to be 150 bracelets to be handed out, so I was in luck.
Troy showed up about 25-30 minutes late, but that was okay, and when I got up to him he was quiet, but nice.
I asked him to sign an extra and he said he couldn't, but I got a picture with him instead. I could have gotten back in line, but there were a lot of people in back of me, so I just decided to head out.
This was a very quick hit for a Patriots legend, and huge part of 3 super bowl wins.
During a recent conversation with a 'graphing friend, he told me that nearly every week during the football season there is a radio show in Massachusetts on which many Patriots players appear throughout the season. Luckily for me, my first time going was going to be a great episode, as Patriots star, LeGarrette Blount would be appearing on the show.
The event is billed as you can get the giveaway photo that the player signs during the show, but no outside items. Obviously I was still going to try because, well, I'm a 'grapher, and I love the chase.
Anyway, I got there pretty early because I had never been, and I ended up talking to a super nice gentleman who was setting up that happened to be an employee of the store the event was being held at. He ended up finding some photos from previous signings that were not given away, and he was nice enough to give the few of us there a copy. Before the show even started, I had gotten autographs of Ryan Allen and Michael Buchanon, which was super thoughtful of the guy.
A while later, the show got underway, and I was in the front row, so I thought I had a real shot to get LeGarrette to sign my Sports Illustrated and I was right. I was kind of worried however, because my friend had warned me that the guy who runs the show is pretty mean, and well to be frank on a power trip.
So the show ends, and I go right up to LeGarrette as a few others did(They all wanted photos), and he is all smiles. He's loving interacting with everyone which is awesome. I then hand him the Sports Illustrated and he literally had it in his hands with my marker, went to sign it, and the guy running the show ripped it away. I couldn't believe it. It's one thing if the player isn't having a good time and wants to leave, but LeGarrette truly seemed to be having a great time and wanted to take pictures/sign for whoever wanted something and this one guy on a power trip ruined it for everyone. He then rushed him to the back, 15 minutes before his time was even up, and later on someone found a selfie on the guy's facebook with LeGarrette, and he walked out with a stack of about 10 posters signed. Unbelievable.
It is worth noting that there were 30 people in attendance MAX.
I was a little upset that I didn't get my Sports Illustrated signed, but more so because of the way it went down than anything else.
A few Fridays ago was the annual Pawtucket Red Sox Christmas party and while they usually don't bring in very good players to interact with fans, this year was much different. For this year's party it was announced that Red Sox pitcher, Drake Britton, and newly appointed #1 overall Red Sox Prospect, Blake Swihart would be attending.
I had met Britton a number of times in the past, but had surprisingly never met Swihart. I say surprisingly, because usually by the time a Red Sox player has made it to the AAA level I have at least seen them at AA and sometimes even A. Nonetheless, I was excited for this opportunity.
The event was scheduled for 6 I believe, and I was working in Connecticut til around 5. This wasn't a big deal because it doesn't take too long to get to Pawtucket most times. Unfortunately, I hit rush hour traffic which delayed my arrival, but this wasn't a problem as both players were scheduled to be there until 8.
When I got to the stadium, I first walked into the team store where Blake was at a table greeting fans. He was really great, and signed everything I presented to him. I was really happy to have finally met this player with such a promising future.
After I was done talking to Blake, I walked to the Red Sox clubhouse where Drake was greeting people. He also signed whatever people had, and actually offered to sign the extra photo I had of him before I could even ask him.
This was a great, quick event, with some solid players and I really hope the Pawtucket Red Sox keep bringing players like this in to sign rather than any random players they can get a hold of.
Friday night was 96.5 TIC's annual All Star Christmas concert in Connecticut, which meant some of the biggest names in popular/lighter rock music such as Train,Daughtry, Ingrid Michaelson, Matt Nathanson + more would be around. The event was being held at a venue I have had success with in the past, so I thought it would definitely be a good idea to try to meet some of the bands.
I got to the venue really early, and after about 2 minutes of standing where I usually stand, the security guy kicked me out and said, "Since the parking lot isn't open yet, you can't come back until 5." I thought this was a load of bull $h!t because the parking lot was open, but I didn't argue in hopes of saving any chance I had of spending time there later. Anyway, I left and got some food and came back around 5 but it was clear that all of the bands were inside and the buses weren't even running, which made it even more clear that I would have to wait until later, so I just went inside and waited until the doors opened at 6.
Fast forward to after the show. I went straight outside, and Daughtry's buses were already gone, as were many of the others. The headliner was Train, so I knew I would at least have a shot at them.
After maybe a half hour, Pat Monahan walked out, and before anyone(there were like ten of us) even said anything, he waved and said he would be right back out. His manager told us he was just grabbing him another jacket, and as he said, 2 minutes later he emerged from the bus and came right over to me.
I should mention that the same security guy that kicked me out earlier, ended up telling everyone to line up behind me since I had been there all day. I thought that was pretty nice, and it made me kind of glad that I didn't go off on him earlier.
Pat was very nice. Looking back, I wish I had the "Drops of Jupiter" or even "California 37" albums, but I had made a last minute decision to go, and only had Train's newest album. Nonetheless, I was thrilled to meet Pat, and he was great to everyone, signing and taking pictures.
Jimmy was obviously the other guy I wanted to meet, but the band's manager said he had ran out right after the show since he had his baby with him.
Overall, I couldn't complain about my results because I had left the venue having met one of the most popular and consistent bands of the last twenty years.
Another great year is in the books, which means it is time for the 4th annual GB Autographs Best of the Year Countdown!
In my opinion, I think this may be the strongest year overall for the blog ever, which is saying a lot because 2013 was amazing.
I can't wait to hear all of your feedback, and while I have stepped back a little since starting my new job/life happened, I really appreciate you all still coming back to read time and time again.
As always, this list is highly subjective, and is based on 2014 relevance of the person,quality of the person in their area of work, my liking of them, and my experience with them.
Rank|Name|Job|Place I Met Them
50. Manny Delcarmen,2007 World Series Champion w/ Red Sox, Pawtucket,RI
49. Steve Lyons, Former Red Sox/Current Analyst, Pawtucket,RI
48. Henry Owens, Red Sox Top Pitching Prospect, New Britain,CT
47.Officer Steve Horgan, 2013 World Series Icon, Pawtucket,RI
46. Luke Hancock, 2013 NCAA Final Four MVP, Storrs,CT
45. Montrezl Harrell, Star Louisville Player, Storrs,CT
44. Nick Ahmed, Arizona Diamondbacks, Wethersfield,CT
43. Evan Turner, Boston Celtics, Uncasville,CT
42.Boston Rob Mariano, SURVIVOR Redemption Island Winner,Uncasville,CT
41.Rick Reilly, Journalist,West Hartford,CT
40.Brandon Workman,Boston Red Sox, Pawtucket,RI
39.Sean Rodriguez, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston,MA
38.Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox, New Britain,CT
37.Grant Balfour, Tampa Bay Rays,Boston,MA
36.Maurice Clarett, Former All-American Running Back,Willimantic,CT
35.Munenori Kawasaki,Toronto Blue Jays, Pawtucket,RI
34.Bryce Cotton, Former Providence Friar, Providence,RI
33.Kevvin Ollie, Former NBA Player/Current UCONN Head Coach, Storrs,CT
32.Ricky Moore, Former UCONN Basketball Star, Storrs,CT
23. Photo With Daniel Nava, Boston Red Sox, Pawtucket,RI
22.Brock Holt, Boston Red Sox, Pawtucket,RI
21. Shabazz Napier,Miami Heat,Storrs,CT
20.Jared Sullinger,Boston Celtics,Uncasville,CT
19.Avery Bradley,Boston Celtics,Uncasville,CT
18.Jim Calhoun,Naismith Hall of Famer/Former UCONN Head Coach,Storrs,CT
17.Nick Cannon,TV Star(Wild 'n Out,America's Got Talent),Uncasville,CT
16. Photo With Jeff and Matt Hardy, Former WWE Stars, Waterbury,CT
15. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Former WWE Star, Waterbury,CT
14. Dick Vitale, Naismith Hall of Famer/ESPN Analyst, Storrs,CT
13. Rick Pitino, Naismith Hall of Famer/Louisville Head Coach, Storrs,CT
12. Photo With Matt Nathanson, Musician,Wallingford,CT
11.Walt Frazier,Naismith Hall of Famer,Uncasville,CT
10.Cedric the Entertainer,Actor/Comedian,Pawtucket,RI
9.Chris Tucker,Actor,Pawtucket,RI
8.Alex Morgan, United States Soccer Star, Hartford,CT
7. Photo With Ray Allen, NBA Legend & 3 point King, Storrs,CT
6.Madeleine Albright, Former Secretary of State, Willimantic,CT
5. Photo With Boyd Tinsley,Dave Matthews Band,Hartford,CT
-A member of one of my favorite bands of all time, Boyd has been in the spotlight for around 2 decades now, and when I met him was one of the most caring/appreciative musicians I have ever met.
4. Yu Darvish,Texas Rangers Star, Boston,MA
-My first big success in Boston. I am one of the biggest Red Sox fans out there, but I had never really made it up to many games until last year. Meeting Yu after batting practice certainly made me see the potential of 'graphing in Boston, and 2014 was just the tip of the iceberg.
3. Shane Victorino, 2013 Red Sox Hero, Pawtucket,RI
This was probably my most shocking success ever. Shane is notoriously known as one of the meanest guys in all of sports, but luck, and knowing where to be made for an early season success I will never forget.
2.Chris Christie,Governor of New Jersey,Groton,CT/Windsor Locks,CT
-I had been wanting to start getting more political autographs, and the way I succeeded with Chris Christie over two weeks in late October/early November made a strong case for me continuing as the 2016 election looms.
Let's hope CC runs a successful campaign in 2016!
1.Chris Daughtry,Daughtry,Wallingford,CT
I went into this night with the hopes of just having a good time at my favorite band's concert, and I left well after midnight having met one of the people who has been high on my list to meet for the longest time. I have been following Chris closely literally since the airing of his American Idol audition, and now 4 albums later, I am still a huge fan. This encounter meant so much to me, both as a fan and musician.
