Thursday, May 31, 2012

Spring Training TTM: Garrett Olson

  • Garrett Olson 2/2- Garrett signed 09 Topps and 09 Heritage cards from Buffalo, where he is currently pitching for the AAA affiliate of the Mets.  He included a bible verse on each card  as well.  Sent 2/17 (104 days)

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Tigers @ Red Sox, 5/29


I had a ticket to last night's game and was very excited to see Verlander pitch in person.  He had an uncharacteristically bad start, but it was nice to see the home crowd actually get excited for the Sox.  The past four games I had been to this season, the Red Sox had lost every single one.  After getting autographs, I lucked out and was able to stay in the front row behind 3rd base, across the aisle from Jenny Dell.  Still no luck getting my Fielder picture signed, but I was happy to get Cabrera.

If the Cabrera card looks familiar, it's because I had the same one signed last year.  I tried sending it to Carlos Guillen to get signed through a Tigers charity foundation, but he retired and I never saw the card again.  Hopefully I'll get a chance to see him somewhere down the line so I can finish it off.  The first copy of the card I had signed, the national anthem was about to begin, so Miguel pretty much just initialed the card.  I got a nice, full signature this time around.

  • Miguel Cabrera- 09 Topps
  • Jhonny Peralta- 09 Topps, 12 Topps Gold Rush
  • Phil Coke- 09 Topps RC

Monday, May 28, 2012

Tigers @ Red Sox, 5/28

The crowned Prince came to town today, accompanied by about 25 of his faithful graphing subjects.  Unfortunately, his chariot was late arriving to the coliseum, so there were no autographs to be had.

Despite no autographs from Fielder or Cabrera, I still had a solid day.  I knocked out two different Gerald Laird cards for my set, who was sporting the gimongous World Series ring he won with the Cardinals last season.




  • Joaquin Benoit- 11 Topps
  • Duane Below- 11 Bowman Chrome RC
  • Doug Fister- 11 Topps
  • Alex Avila- 12 Gypsy Queen
  • Rick Porcello- 09 Topps U&H
  • Max Scherzer- 09 Allen & Ginter
  • Gerald Laird- 09 Topps X2




Saturday, May 26, 2012

Rays @ Red Sox, 5/26


Great day today.  David Price didn't sign since he was pitching, but just about everyone except him and Upton signed coming in.

Outside the stadium:





  • James Shields- 12 Gypsy Queen
  • Cesar Gimenez- 11 Topps x2 (For trade)
  • Joe Maddon- 08 Topps
  • J.P. Howell- 09 Upper Deck
  • Wade Davis- 10 Topps RC (For trade), 10 Topps 206 RC
  • Jeremy Hellickson- 12 Topps Opening Day, 11 Topps Diamond Duos (w/ Greg Maddux- probably won't get that card done!)
  • Ben Zobrist- 11 Allen & Ginter, 11 Topps Heritage, 12 Topps Archives
  • Alex Cobb- 08 Bowman Chrome

Monday, May 14, 2012

Spring Training TTM: Zach Britton

  • Zach Britton 2/2- Zach signed his 11 Topps RC and 12 Topsp Gold Futures insert, and put his return address on the envelope.  Sent 3/6 (68 days)

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Indians @ Red Sox, 5/13

So for the third time of a four-game series, I went for the Indians outside before the game.  I didn't achieve my ultimate goal of finally getting Derek Lowe, but I was happy to get Damon again.

  • Jeanmar Gomez- 11 Topps
  • Jose Lopez- 09 Topps
  • Johnny Damon- 11 Gypsy Queen

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Indians @ Red Sox, 5/12

Outside the stadium:


  • Chris Perez- 09 Upper Deck, 11 Topps (For Trade)
  • Jack Hannahan- 09 Topps
  • Travis Hafner- 08 Allen & Ginter South Dakota state insert
  • Justin Masterson- 09 Topps (For Trade)
  • Ubaldo Jimenez- 11 Gypsy Queen, 11 Topps

Friday, May 11, 2012

Indians @ Red Sox, 5/10



I bought a ticket to last night's game during the day yesterday, with the sole intention of getting a few autographs.  I only got a few, but it was worth the trip.

  • Josh Tomlin- 11 Topps
  • Shin Soo Choo- 09 Topps
  • Johnny Damon- 08 Allen & Ginter, 11 Topps Chrome Crystal Atomic Refractor

Sunday, May 6, 2012

O's @ Red Sox, 5/5

After watching a 17 inning disappointment on TV today, I figured it was time to give an update on the previous day's endeavors.  I arrived late at Fenway yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to see many guys coming into the stadium, but I still did pretty well overall.



Outside:
  • Bill Lee- 2 ticket stubs from last year featuring his likeness
  • Troy Patton- 08 Topps RC
 
Inside:
  • Bobby Valentine- Boston Globe newspaper
  • Peter Gammons- 11 Allen & Ginter
  • Felix Doubront- 10 Bowman Platinum RC
  • Brady Anderson- 97 Bowman, picture with
  • Luis Exposito- 10 Bowman Chrome- After being released by the Sox and picked up by the O's a few weeks ago, he looked at the card and said "You gotta burn that sh*t man".
  • Adam Jones- 08 Allen & Ginter, 11 Gypsy Queen

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Spring Training (2011) TTM: Mike Rivera


  • Mike Rivera 2/2-  Mike signed his cards from the 09 Topps U&H and 09 Upper Deck sets in ballpoint pen.  It's pretty hard to see the signatures since he pushed so hard into the cards.  The only other card I have from my set that's signed in ballpoint is Jonathan Papelbon, but you can at least see most of the signature on that one.  Apparently, Mike signed with the Red Sox a few weeks ago after starting the season with the Long Island Ducks.  Sent 2/14 (444 days)

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Spring Training TTM: Mark Teahen

  • Mark Teahen 2/2- Mark signed cards from the 08 Allen & Ginter and 09 Topps sets from the Nationals' AAA affiliate in Syracuse, NY.  Sent 3/9 (53 days)

Athletics @ Red Sox, 5/1

Started off the new month with a cold and rainy night at Fenway.  The results were less than stellar for both graphing and the game itself.  I got 3 cards signed, and each one has its own unique flaws.  Still, it was nice that a few guys stopped to sign despite the drizzle and fog covering the area at the time.

  • Tyson Ross- 11 Topps, Shaky sig, card moved while he was signing it
  • Jordan Norberto- 10 Topps, Water droplets on the sig
  • Brian Fuentes- 09 Topps, The whole signature started to fade thanks to the damp air