What is the craziest thing you've had to do to get an autograph?
I've never really done anything overly extreme to obtain an autograph, I mean I waited over 4 hours in the cold to get Pedro Martinez. Some people would consider that, "crazy", but for most collectors it is probably well worth it to meet one of the best pitchers ever, and basically for free.
Here is a link to the day I met Pedro: Pedro Martinez
Other than that, I guess it was pretty hard for me to obtain my first Ryne Sandberg autograph, which took 4 or 5 games surprisingly. He is known as a really good signer, but I just could not get him until late last year.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Pawtucket Vs. Rochester 5/7/12
I went over to Pawtucket tonight as I didn't have a final today, and Daisuke was rehabbing. Daisuke looked pretty good, he had a lot of 3 ball counts, but got out of the majority of them.
Before the game, I got Mark Melancon for the first time inside, he is my 93rd Red Sox player:
I also was able to get Ben Revere, who made a name for himself on the Twins last season, especially for his defense:
I wasn't able to get Tom Brunansky which was disappointing, but no big deal as Rochester comes through a lot.
I was able to add two more players to my team ball, Alex Hassan, and John Hee:
Rochester's starting pitcher, Daryl Thompson stopped to sign for everyone:
Matt Rizzotti and J.R. Towles:
Tyler Robertson:
And finally, former Red Sox minor leaguer, Aaron Bates:
Total Autographs for 2012:206
Before the game, I got Mark Melancon for the first time inside, he is my 93rd Red Sox player:
I was able to add two more players to my team ball, Alex Hassan, and John Hee:
Sunday, May 6, 2012
New Britain Vs. Portland 5/6/2012
Today I went over to New Britain to graph Portland for the first time this season. Overall, the team was a really good signing one, and I got all of the best prospects. A lot of the guys I know and graph with from Pawtucket made the trip as well, so it made for a fun day.
Stolmy was really nice, I was glad to get this stuff done.
It is somewhat hazy to me which stuff I got outside, and which stuff I got inside, so I will just do each player randomly.
Another good Sox Prospect Kolbrin Vitek:
One more of the "top tier" guys from today was Jeremy Hazelbaker:
Yet another top 20 Sox prospect, Oscar Tejeda:
And finally, the best player I got today was Bryce Brentz:
I got most of the team, the rest of the guys included were:
Brock Huntzinger:
Reynaldo Rodriguez:
Derrik Gibson:
Zach Gentile:
Chris Balcom Miller, said, "Thanks for recognizing me." -Life in the minors must be rough like they say haha, no problem Chris!
Pete Hissey:
Ryan Dent:
Jayson Hernandez:
And last but not least, Chris Martin:
32 autos at this game
Total Autographs for 2012:197
When I got inside, the first player I got was once highly regarded pitching prospect Stolmy Pimentel. He signed 7 cards for me. After the game I also got him on an OLB:
It is somewhat hazy to me which stuff I got outside, and which stuff I got inside, so I will just do each player randomly.
Another good Sox Prospect Kolbrin Vitek:
Brock Huntzinger:
Total Autographs for 2012:197
Friday, May 4, 2012
Twitter Mailbag 5/4/12
"What made you decide to get into Autographs/memorabilia?"
This is a good question, and it all really started when I was pretty young. My dad always brought me to tons of baseball games when I was little, and like any kid, I wanted to get foul balls and stuff like that. I suppose after I started getting some baseballs, I wanted to get them signed(I'm sure my dad told me to), I can't actually remember getting my first autograph, but do remember my first baseball.
One of my absolute best childhood memories took place at Dodd Stadium, at the time they had switched over to being a Giants affiliate, and former Red Sox star Bob Stanley was the pitching coach. I had gotten to know him a little bit throughout the season, because we were going to probably at least 2-3 games per home stand and I always found cards for him to sign. On the last day of the season, the players on minor league teams usually throw hats/miscellaneous items into the stands. I was lucky enough to catch a player's hat, but then something unexpected happened.
Mr. Stanley came out of the dugout, scanned the crowd, then I realized he was motioning for me to go down to him by the side of the dugout. He said, "This is for you." And handed me his hat, which he had autographed. This is one of the first really cool things I remember getting, and it meant a lot to me.
Since then, I have obviously expanded my collection, a lot... haha, it's just something I have enjoyed since I was little. I see guys at games who are retired and still doing it, so I can only imagine what I will end up with when I am done.
This is a good question, and it all really started when I was pretty young. My dad always brought me to tons of baseball games when I was little, and like any kid, I wanted to get foul balls and stuff like that. I suppose after I started getting some baseballs, I wanted to get them signed(I'm sure my dad told me to), I can't actually remember getting my first autograph, but do remember my first baseball.
One of my absolute best childhood memories took place at Dodd Stadium, at the time they had switched over to being a Giants affiliate, and former Red Sox star Bob Stanley was the pitching coach. I had gotten to know him a little bit throughout the season, because we were going to probably at least 2-3 games per home stand and I always found cards for him to sign. On the last day of the season, the players on minor league teams usually throw hats/miscellaneous items into the stands. I was lucky enough to catch a player's hat, but then something unexpected happened.
Mr. Stanley came out of the dugout, scanned the crowd, then I realized he was motioning for me to go down to him by the side of the dugout. He said, "This is for you." And handed me his hat, which he had autographed. This is one of the first really cool things I remember getting, and it meant a lot to me.
Since then, I have obviously expanded my collection, a lot... haha, it's just something I have enjoyed since I was little. I see guys at games who are retired and still doing it, so I can only imagine what I will end up with when I am done.
Monday, April 30, 2012
April Recap! Top 'graphs of month 1
It is very hard to believe that baseball has been being played for over a month now, and even harder to believe that this past month was my best baseball month ever. I got some really quality autographs, and I had the best 4 day stretch in the hobby I have ever had at one point during the month.
In case you missed it, I met 2 hall of famers, first Ryne Sandberg, and later on Paul Molitor:
I met current Red Sox starting pitchers, Jon Lester(for the first time), as well as Felix Doubront:
I even met 2 other former major leaguers, Wally Backman, and Bob Tewksbury:
A top prospect who is absolutely raking in AAA:
In case you missed it, I met 2 hall of famers, first Ryne Sandberg, and later on Paul Molitor:
And a veteran fighting for a roster spot(Aaron Cook):
Overall, it was my best baseball graphing month ever, and I certainly hoping that May will somehow top it.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Twitter Mailbag 4/28/12
What is the oddest thing you've ever gotten signed and oddest you've seen signed?
I usually don't get "odd" things signed, at least in my opinion. Sometimes if I don't have a card for a guy I will get him on a ticket stub, but I find that fairly normal. Sometimes I do a team sheet, if I really don't have anything. But really, I don't get odd stuff signed.
Regarding the second part of the question, I have seen pretty much everything. People getting scrap paper signed, napkins, etc. I can't think of anything too obscure that I've seen, I mean I've seen a few women ask to get certain body parts signed, but that's just a typical pink hat I suppose.
Other than that, I really haven't seen anything overly odd.
Keep the questions coming!
I usually don't get "odd" things signed, at least in my opinion. Sometimes if I don't have a card for a guy I will get him on a ticket stub, but I find that fairly normal. Sometimes I do a team sheet, if I really don't have anything. But really, I don't get odd stuff signed.
Regarding the second part of the question, I have seen pretty much everything. People getting scrap paper signed, napkins, etc. I can't think of anything too obscure that I've seen, I mean I've seen a few women ask to get certain body parts signed, but that's just a typical pink hat I suppose.
Other than that, I really haven't seen anything overly odd.
Keep the questions coming!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Twitter Mailbag 4/26/12
Who would you say has ever been the rudest to you while trying to get their autograph?
When I saw this question, I cracked a smile because I knew exactly where I would go with this. As a collector, you have to get used to players/celebrities saying no, but on one occasion a player was overly rude about it.
That player?
Lars Anderson.
I have forgotten bits and pieces of the conversation, but the dialogue went something like this.
Another Collector: "Lars can you please sign?"
Lars: "How many have I signed for you?"
He then went on and signed it angrily.
(Lars then turns to me)
"What about you? How many have I signed for you?"
Me:"Just a couple."
Lars: "How would you guys feel if I came into your work and asked you for more than one autograph?" He then continues on this rant for a period of time.
He the turns to this mentally disabled gentleman and gives him attitude(not knowing he was mentally disabled).
When the gentleman went to respond, Lars realized what he had done, and the look on his face was priceless. He deserved the embarrassment.
Lars has always had quite the attitude, so I wasn't surprised that all of this occured, but I guess karma hit him when the last part happened. He still has an attitude, and he is one player I don't exactly wish the best for. In the past I have asked him things as simple as signing in blue and he threw the black marker down.
Other than Lars, I haven't really had rude encounters with players, just some attitudes. Thanks for the question!
When I saw this question, I cracked a smile because I knew exactly where I would go with this. As a collector, you have to get used to players/celebrities saying no, but on one occasion a player was overly rude about it.
That player?
Lars Anderson.
I have forgotten bits and pieces of the conversation, but the dialogue went something like this.
Another Collector: "Lars can you please sign?"
Lars: "How many have I signed for you?"
He then went on and signed it angrily.
(Lars then turns to me)
"What about you? How many have I signed for you?"
Me:"Just a couple."
Lars: "How would you guys feel if I came into your work and asked you for more than one autograph?" He then continues on this rant for a period of time.
He the turns to this mentally disabled gentleman and gives him attitude(not knowing he was mentally disabled).
When the gentleman went to respond, Lars realized what he had done, and the look on his face was priceless. He deserved the embarrassment.
Lars has always had quite the attitude, so I wasn't surprised that all of this occured, but I guess karma hit him when the last part happened. He still has an attitude, and he is one player I don't exactly wish the best for. In the past I have asked him things as simple as signing in blue and he threw the black marker down.
Other than Lars, I haven't really had rude encounters with players, just some attitudes. Thanks for the question!
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