Pawtucket Vs. Norfolk(Orioles) (Kevin Gausman, X. Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley +PawSox Autograph Night) 8/1/13

Always a mess. That's what I told one of the head front office people right before the autograph signing started last night. Once a year, the PawSox hold an on field autograph night, where MOST of the players come out to the field and sign for fans. Unfortunately, like 2 of my other experiences at the event, it was moved to the concourse due to inclement weather. Luckily by now, I kind of know how to work the lines, to maximize my output. With that said, this was BY FAR my worst experience at the event.

Here is my entry from last year:
2012 Autograph Night

Here is what was wrong with it.

1)The geniuses in power at McCoy felt the need to split the lines, so you had to choose between half of the players. The right side was Amazingly better than the left side(Xander,Webster,Middlebrooks Vs. really only Bradley on the other side). If you wanted the other side, you had to reenter the line at the beginning.

2)As always, fans were allowed to skip tables(each table has an individual line), however, they put Jackie Bradley at the very first table which jammed up the line so badly, that often none of the other tables had more than 5 people waiting.

One funny experience though, was when I was in the Bradley line. A husband and wife were right in back of me, and here is the dialogue,"

Wife: "Are you SURE this is the Bradley line?"
Husband: "I don't know, I have no idea what he looks like."
Wife: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? YOU WERE LYING TO ME THE WHOLE TIME?"

I quietly assured her that it was indeed the Bradley line before they went at it any more.

Anyways, before the event even started, I 'graphed both teams outside and did well.

PawSox:

I could not believe Xander Bogaerts signed outside, considering that the event was later that day. He was avoiding my photo Sunday, but signed it yesterday:

Brandon Workman, who recently has pitched really well for Boston, was sent down yesterday morning, and I got him when he was bringing all of his Boston bags in. He became the 112th Red Sox player I have met:

Alex Wilson also showed up from Boston. He is in Pawtucket to rehab:

To stay with the same theme, Brayan Villarreal showed up from Toledo. He came over in the Peavy trade:

Justin Henry also signed my team ball:

I also was able to get Chris Carpenter:

Norfolk:

The Orioles top prospect, Kevin Gausman was in town, so he was the main target. He was extemely nice, and signed anything you had, took pictures with fans, and talked with them as well.

The only other guy I got off the bus, was former Red Sox World Series Champion, Manny Delcarmen. He was nice as always:

Here is what I managed to get at the event.

I was able to get 2 more Bogaerts autographs. This was really good because he will be getting called up soon. I had someone get me the second in exchange for getting them in 15 minutes early with the season ticket holder pass.

I waited until the end to get Jackie Bradley Jr. because like I said, his line was obnoxious, and I missed him when I got in early.

Will Middlebrooks was VERY nice as always, and for whatever reason, he just wasn't limiting. I got 3 cards signed:

Ronald Bermudez was with Bogaerts:

It was nice to meet Allen Webster again. He was very nice in a sit down setting:

I got the always pleasant(yeah, right) Gary Disarcina:

Charlie Haeger was giving an absolute crap autograph compared to his usual one:

I also was able to get Mark Hamilton again( Justin who reads the blog, The Haeger and Hamilton are yours.):

Clayton Mortensen was asking why everyone wanted to switch to blue. Umm, it looks nicer, and doesn't bubble?:

I added Anthony Carter to my team ball:

I did okay. Not even close to other years, but better than some probably. I feel bad for people who have no idea that you can skip the lines. It was really stupid for the staff to put Bradley and Bogaerts at the front. Many fans who just wanted an autograph in general, and didn't care who went home empty handed.

Total Autographs for 2013: 759

New Britain(Twins) Vs. Akron(Indians) (Prospect Mania: Miguel Sano & Francisco Lindor) 7/31/13

I had originally planned to go to Pawtucket tonight, but I woke up and realized that they had a day game so that was not happening. I knew baseball's #5 overall prospect, Fransisco Lindor of the Indians was in New Britain facing baseball's #3 overall prospect, Miguel Sano, so that was a great second option.

I wasn't able to make it for the buses, or even half of batting practice, but still got there decently early. I walked into the stadium, and WITHIN 30 SECONDS I had met Fransisco Lindor. He was walking into the dugout right when I got down. I was extremely lucky. My luck would not fade. I saw Miguel Sano walking towards the home dugout, ran over, and within 90 seconds, again this is no exaggeration, I had obtained autographs of 2 of the top 5 prospects in all of baseball.

My first Lindor:

Miguel Sano:

My dad got a Lindor for me soon after:

I was able to add another Lindor a little before the game:

I was able to nab another Sano when he came out to warm up:

Trevor May was in the dugout, and was nice enough to come out just for me:

After the game I was able to get Jesus Aguilar(Outside):

Jake Lowery:

After the game outside, we were each able to get a final Lindor, which was an awesome way to end the day:

Here is a short video of him signing:

Total Autographs For 2013: 731

Boston Vs. Tampa Bay (RSW/GBFB Cash/Can Drive) 7/29/13

Last night was the first time I went to a Red Sox game at Fenway park in 6 or 7 years. My friends had an extra ticket, and while I knew it wouldn't really be an ideal 'graphing night, I figured I would give it a shot.

The game last night was the one rescheduled from last week due to rain, which also happened to be night 2 of the Red Sox wives/ Greater Boston Food Bank cash/can drive. This event gives fans the opportunity to donate $10, and receive an autographed photo of a Red Sox player. David Ortiz did not participate this year, and they were out of Pedroia and Ellsbury from the other day, but I was able to get the always pleasant(LOL), Shane Victorino, and Mike Napoli. I was happy to get these two because they are solid players, and were not in my collection before.

I did try to do the Rays side before the game, but after BP it started to rain, pretty much up until the first pitch.

Game wise, David Price pitched like the ace he is, and the game was blown by the home plate umpire in the bottom of the 8th.

The two autographs will not be added to my '2013 Total' because they were not obtained in person.

Pawtucket Vs. Lehigh Valley (Phillies) 7/28/13

Another Sunday, another 'graphing day in Pawtucket. A very hot day actually, and one that had some high and low spots.

One of the bigger high spots was meeting former White Sox great, and World Series Champion, Jose Contreras. The Red Sox recently signed him to a minor league deal.

He was also nice enough to take a photo with me, which I had to crop badly because New England's favorite security guard HAD to photo bomb me. I was honestly fuming for a good ten minutes. And he knew it. I told him I really appreciated him ruining the picture.

Another high spot of the day was meeting one of my favorite players, Will Middlebrooks again. He is always so nice, and I was able to get 2 more photos signed. If the Red Sox make a trade in the next few days, this may become the last time I met him.

I was also able to meet former Red Sox (2003), Brandon Lyon. I didn't have anything so I put him on a photo sheet, but my friend hooked me up with a photo which was nice:

I also met Red Sox #4 Prospect, Rubby De La Rosa again:

The always interesting, Alfredo Aceves:

Some of the other regulars signed as well.

Mitch Maier:

Ryan Rowland-Smith:

Chris Carpenter:

I was able to get Alex Hassan on 2 cards for someone that sent them to me to finish:

I then went inside and was able to get Red Sox #5 Prospect, Allen Webster who has pitched a few games for the Red Sox this season:

Clayton Mortensen, who has been really tough outside compared to last year. Just kind of arrogant really. Smirking when people ask and he says, "Sorry guys." Every single time.

Phillies:

Phillippe Aumont:

Mike MacDougal(Outisde Post-Game)

I also did a team ball with a ball I got inside:

Cody Asche:

Tyler Cloyd

Zach Miner

Adam Morgan

Mike MacDougal

Tyson Gillies

Phillippe Aumont

Justin Friend

Freddy Galvis:

Xander Bogaerts only signed a few, and was avoiding photos. Jackie Bradley completely denied.

I'll be at Fenway tomorrow night. I'll be sure to post if I get lucky and end up with something!

Total Autographs for 2013: 717

7/24/13 Part 2: CT Tigers Vs. Staten Island (Yankees)

After I left New Britain yesterday, I went home to pick up my dad, and immediately went down to Norwich to catch my second game of the day. We got there when the gates were opening, and I saw that the team sets were out so I picked up one of those.

Joe Flattery was signing in the team store, so I got him on a team sheet since he was not included in the set. He was very nice, and seemed shy. That isn't very uncommon in this league, since a lot of the kids are experiencing their first weeks in professional baseball. Going on with this note, it was such a huge difference even in my experience yesterday, although it has already become a very obvious thing, that the player interactions differ greatly from Short-season A ball to AA, and AAA.

The main target for the day was the Yankees' first round pick, Eric Jagielo. He was a really nice kid, and was drafted in June out of Notre Dame.

I got a few random Yankees on a team sheet, but other than Jagielo, I didn't have a ton of interest in that side.

Andury Acevedo

Giovanny Gallegos

Kale Sumner

Yeicok Calderon

As always, I added a few Jonathon Crawford autos to the collection. If you are new to the blog, Crawford was the Tigers' 2013 1st round pick.

He was charting, which made things easy:

Before the game, I was able to put a dent in the team set. I probably would have gotten more, but Miss USA who apparently is from Connecticut was there, and the players were all hanging out with her.

Jonathon Crawford

Brett Harrison

Javier Azcona

Scott Sitz

Raph Rhymes

Ben Verlander

Tyler Gibson

Hunter Scantling

Patrick Leyland

Mark Johnson

Mike Rabelo

Tanner Bailey

I had a bunch of Mike Rabelo cards left over from last season, so I had him finish those up. Mike had a big league career with a number of teams, and is now the hitting coach for the Tigers:

Total Autographs at this game: 30

Total Autographs on 7/24: 82

Total Autographs for 2013: 684