Just a Little About My Collection

Now that the blog's traffic has  really picking up over the past few months, I'd like to talk about my collection a little more. As many of you may know, I have collected baseball autographs since I started the hobby, but have recently started to graph basketball as well. If I have one main project I am working on, I would say that it would be my "Red Sox Signed Baseball Collection". I believe I currently have 54 or so signed baseballs of guys who have played for the Sox. The rest of my collection contains over 100 more signed baseballs, highlighted by the likes of Ryne Sandberg, Rod Carew, Frank Howard, and Al Kaline.

For basketball, I mainly collect Uconn players' signatures, but have also recently started Providence College, and certain players/coaches on visiting teams that come through.

During baseball season, I offer 50/50s for mainly the Pawtucket Red Sox. I also offer them for Uconn basketball, but I am currently at capacity for Uconn's top players such as Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb.

People often ask me what I do with my collection. I am open to trading, but I don't very often, and  98% of the time won't sell my autographs, unless it is for a friend, in which case I would probably give it to them anyway. I have always felt that if I sold my autographs, even the extras I obtain, that this would become more of a job rather than a hobby, and something I love to do. I can count on one hand the amount of autographs I have sold, and I prefer to keep it that way.

I enjoy helping other people out with their collections, so if anybody ever wants to 50/50 a player or team, feel free to let me know, and I will see what I can do.

I am creeping up on 1000 views, which is somewhat of a milestone for me. I plan to stick with writing on here for a long time, so keep the views coming. Thanks for reading this everyone, and I can't wait to write more!

Next Event: Wednesday January 18th, Uconn Vs. Cincinnati
Total Autographs for 2012: 26

1/13/12 Part 2- Pawtucket Red Sox Hot Stove Party

Went over to Pawtucket tonight for their annual Hot Stove Party. Not as many fans as in years past because it was the first time it was on a Friday rather than Saturday. It was not very well organized, but this wasn't a big issue because lines were short for the most part.


The best player there was pitching prospect Alex Wilson, I got him on 2 baseballs and on the handout:

Massachusetts native and outfield prospect Alex Hassan was also at the event:

Luis Exposito was there as well, and gave his best autographs that I've seen in 3 years:

Veteran Brandon Duckworth is back for his second year in the Sox System:

And finally, manager Arnie Beyeler, who kept cracking fat jokes about himself:

 

Overall, I did well at the event, I got most of my 50/50 stuff done, and hope to do even more when the season gets going.

My next event is the Uconn Vs. Cincinnati game on Wednesday.

Total autographs for 2012: 26

1/13/12 Part 1- Uconn

Went over to windy Storrs earlier this afternoon to get the Huskies as they were leaving for South Bend, Indiana. It was worth the trip because I FINALLY was able to get Ryan Boatright, and he was actually very nice, and talked a little bit:

I also got Tyler Olander on this newspaper I had been holding on to:

And finally, Alex Oriahki:

 Andre Drummond turned us down today. Yes you read that correctly. All I have to say to that is really???

Shabbazz Napier also turned me down, just shook his head no. He is king a$$hole of Uconn.
Lamb acknowledged me and gave me the "Yeah 1 minute." But he never came over.

I will have another post tonight from the Pawtucket Hot Stove party.


Total autographs for 2012- 10

Providence Vs. Louisville 1/10/12

My first autographs of 2012 came tonight in Providence. Going into the game I thought Providence would "keep it close", but they ended up beating Louisville by about 30 points. I was really surprised, as Louisville has been ranked as high as 4th in the nation this year.

I had a conversation with head coach, Ed Cooley, before the game and told him, "Good Luck." He responded, "Oh we will need it.".....So much for needing it!

First, I got coach Ed Cooley, and he is easily the nicest person I have ever met in sports. He asked if I wanted him to put my name on it, which normally wouldn't be a good thing, but I was planning on keeping the photo anyway, and he was really cool:

I was also able to get one of PC's best players, Vincent Council, before the game:

I waited after the game, and was able to get a few more guys, all were very nice:
LaDontae Henton:

Lee Goldsbrough:

Chris Carter, who went to high school at Shepherd Hill, which is 20 minutes from me:

I saved this for the end, but my dad and I had arrived to the game really early because it was my first game there, and his first in years. We ended up talking to an older man who hasn't missed a single game since I believe '56 or '57. He was full of stories, and eventually pointed out former Providence College star, and NBA player, Joe Hassett to me.

I didn't end up getting any Louisville autos unfortunately. Deion Branch was also at the game, but I didn't try for him. Kind of regret that now, but overall an okay night.

I also got a picture with Vincent Council, but it is blurry.

Total autographs for 2012: 6
My goal for this year is to get 500-600 graphs, in 2011 I got over 380. My next definite event is Uconn next Thursday.

Best In Person Autographs of 2011

Well, as the year comes to an end, so does my year of graphing. This year was unique because on top of graphing baseball, I did basketball and a bit of football as well. Like last year on my old site, I decided to make a countdown of my top 5 autographs of the year. This year brought some of my best autographs in a long time so here are my top 5 out of the 382 I got:

#5 Andre Drummond F & Jeremy Lamb G University of Connecticut basketball.

I decided to pair these two guys together because well, they are going somewhere. They are currently projected to go 1 & 2 in the NBA Draft next year, and be impact players. If you know what you're doing, it is easy to get these guys, and it was a nice first experience graphing basketball.

#4 Rob Gronkowski TE New England Patriots.

This choice was simple. Gronk completely went off this year and set the new record for touchdown receptions by a tight end in a single season. There is nothing but success ahead of him. Too bad he isn't on my Jets.

#3 Jim Calhoun, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer

Right now, Calhoun is in season #26 at Uconn, and he is simply a legend. He is classy as can be, and always stops to sign when asked. It is always nice to get a hall of famer, especially one who has done so much for New England's premier college basketball team for almost 3 decades.

#2 Pedro Martinez

This name speaks for itself. Ranked the 13th best pitcher of all time, Pedro will be a first ballot hall of famer when the time comes. This was the longest I ever waited in one day to get an autograph, probably about 4-5 hours. Definitely worth it, for a true Red Sox legend.

 #1 Ryne Sandberg, National Baseball Hall of Famer

Oh, Mr. Sandberg. Yes Pedro was probably a better player, but it was my season long journey to get this legend that puts him at #1. 3 games I went to throughout the season when Lehigh Valley was in town, and I was unsuccessful. Miraculously, Pawtucket ended up hosting them in the playoffs, and I was finally able to get him after many failures. This is definitely the hardest I've ever tried to get an autograph and on the 4th try, it payed off. Sure, he ran with a blue sharpie, but I am not about to complain after I finally got him.

Uconn Vs. Harvard 12/8/11

Well at different points tonight, my night went many ways. First, during the game, the fans in my section were really going at it with some rowdy Harvard fans, so that was exciting and fun. Harvard stayed in the game for a while, but ended up being no match for Uconn.

My graphing tonight started out very slow, and I eventually got Michael Bradley first. He literally has the smallest autograph I have ever seen:

Next was my disaster of the night.

I was kind of mad because I had gone to Target and they did not have SRX markers, so I had to settle for a sharpie paint pen. Normally I wouldn't have touched one, but it was my only option for this game. Anyways I made a complete bonehead move and forgot that I had to prep it, before I went up to Jim Calhoun, so he signed my magazine, but nothing came out of the marker, so I walked away disappointed and will have to get it next time.

After that, my night went pretty well. I got former Duke star and current Harvard head coach Tommy Amaker. The auto looks much better out of the flash:

Alex Oriahki was up next:

I once again got Jeremy Lamb again, on 2 magazines, and 2 11x14's that came out amazing:

 

 

 Finally the man of the night, who had 2 of the top 10 plays on Sportscenter, Mr. Andre Drummond:

I got one more Drummond that is not pictured.

Other than the Calhoun incident, I had a great night. I'm sorry for my 50/50 clients who wanted their items strictly in silver, but as I said, I could not get an SRX, and my paint pen crapped out on me. The items all came out great even in blue. I was lucky enough to get the silver to work on the Lambs before it died.


On one more final note, I have been getting more and more views with every entry I publish. Thank you for all of you who are reading, and don't be afraid to leave comments. As of right now, I don't know when my next event will be, but hopefully soon!

12/3/11 PawSox Christmas Party and Pedro Martinez Signing

This morning I started my day off by going to the PawSox Christmas Party. It was a nice little event, Nate Spears and Brandon Duckworth were there to sign:
I got 3 of these:

And got each to sign their page in a media guide:

Then My main goal of the day, Pedro Martinez up in Bedford Mass. This was a toy drive; basically you had to donate 2 toys, and you got an autograph. Great deal.Ended up only being like a 1:10 drive, so not bad. Got there at 2:00 for the 5:00 Signing. I ended up getting him at 6:00. My dad got him as well.

SS HOFROMLB With CY Inscription:

(Help) SS ROMLB With World Series Champs Inscription

These came out p.e.r.f.e.c.t. I am very happy with how the day went. He really took his time with  each autograph. Here is a picture of Pedro:

Next Up:Uconn Vs. Harvard on Thursday