Big Update from the Past Few Months

Rays @ Red Sox, 4/30

• Jonny Gomes- Improper Bostonian magazine cover (super glossy cover, sig didn't hold up well)
• Jackie Bradley Jr.- Red Sox logo card
• Joel Peralta- 12 Topps

 Reds @ Red Sox, 5/6

• Manny Parra- 12 Topps
• Marty Brennaman- Reds logo card w/ HOF inscription
• Walt Jocketty- Reds Heritage team card
• John Smoltz- 09 Topps
• Brandon Phillips- 13 Heritage, 08 Allen & Ginter
• Todd Frazier- 13 Topps Archives
• Johnny Cueto- 09 Topps

Reds @ Red Sox, 5/7

• Todd Frazier- 11 Topps gold
• Zack Cozart- 11 Topps
• Brandon Phillips- 09 Upper Deck, 07 Bowman Heritage

Tigers @ Red Sox, 5/18

• Brad Ausmus- 02 Topps
• Omar Vizquel- 09 Heritage
• Joe Nathan- 11 Topps
• Nick Castellanos- 14 Topps RC
• Joba Chamberlain- 08 Topps T205
• Drew Smyly- 12 Topps RC
• J.D. Martinez- 12 Bowman Chrome Xfractor
• Phil Coke- 13 Heritage
• Torii Hunter- 13 Heritage
• Max Scherzer- 08 A&G
• Ian Kinsler- 09 Topps

Blue Jays @ Red Sox, 5/20

• Brett Lawrie- 13 Heritage 

Indians @ Red Sox, 6/12

• Justin Masterson- 13 Topps
• Terry Francona- 08 Topps
  

 Twins @ Red Sox, 6/17

• Brian Dozier- 14 Topps
• Stephen King- handshake (wouldn't sign)

Orioles @ Red Sox, 7/4

For the second time this year, the game was called off while I was down at the stadium.  I waited around the players' parking lot for guys leaving.  Most of the Orioles didn't even make it to the park.

• Jake Peavy- 09 Topps
  

Championship Graphing- Shane Victorino!

After watching the Sox clinch across the street from Fenway on Wednesday night, and wandering the streets of Boston for Halloween last night, I was fortunate enough to have a day off of work to recover today.  I didn't get a chance to do any graphing during the playoff run, but I found out earlier today that Shane Victorino would be signing autographs at Macy's in downtown Boston.  The first 200 people that made a purchase of $35 or more would be allowed to get one item signed, but it had to be one of the items that you bought at the store.  They had nothing but hats and t-shirts, so I bought one of each and figured I'd just get the hat signed.  I knew going into it that it would be a longshot to get an outside item done, especially given the extensive list of rules they gave out at the event:

There were several people checking to make sure that the only item you had to get signed was either a hat or t-shirt.  I had brought my cards with me just in case.  They were taking any bags that you were carrying, so the only thing in your hands when you got to the table was the item you were getting signed.  I realized my only chance of getting a card signed was to hide it inside the hat and reveal it when I got up to the table.  Even then, I had my doubts that Victorino would do it.  I guess the championship has kept him in a pretty good mood, because he discreetly signed my card and gave a smile.  

• Shane Victorino- 09 Topps

Tigers @ Red Sox, 9/3- Best Day of the Year!

I usually like to compare autograph seeking to fishing; it's a lot of standing around and waiting, sometimes with little or nothing to show for it.  And then there are some days, like yesterday, that make it all worthwhile.  Yesterday was definitely a season highlight for me, for both autographs and a great game to watch between Scherzer and Lester.  There was definitely an element of October in the ballpark last night.

• Brandon Snyder- 11 Topps RC
• Andrew Miller- 07 Upper Deck RC
• Clay Buchholz- 10 Allen & Ginter
• Andy Dirks- 13 Topps Postseason Highlights
• Joaquin Benoit- 12 Topps
• Nick Castellanos- 10 Topps Tigers team card
• Torii Hunter- 09 Topps U&H
• Prince Fielder- 09 Topps U&H
• Justin Verlander- 09 Topps U&H

Diamondbacks @ Red Sox, 8/4

Not quite as successful as Saturday, but I tried for the Red Sox this time in hopes that Jake Peavy might sign up a storm like he did the previous day.  Unfortunately, getaway day always makes things more challenging.

Outside the stadium:

• Brock Holt- 13 Archives RC
• Heath Bell- 11 Topps Town, 12 Topps
• Josh Collmenter- Diamondbacks blank card
• Drake Britton- 100th anniversary Red Sox schedule
• Johnny Gomes- 12 Topps
• Mike Carp- 09 Heritage RC

Diamondbacks @ Red Sox, 8/3

Saturday turned out to be a great day for graphing as I hit my season high for autographs in a day.  I spent about 10 hours around and inside the park, and ended up with 15 signed cards.

Outside:

• Alan Trammel- 09 Heritage 
• Steve Sax- 90 Topps (weird oversized card)
• Eric Chavez- 09 Toppps
• Heath Bell- 11 Topps diamond, 12 Topps Archives
• Cliff Pennington- 09 Topps
• Ryan Dempster- 13 Heritage
• Brandon McCarthy- 07 Topps
• Cody Ross- 13 Heritage
• Tony Sipp- 11 Topps

Inside:

•  A.J. Pollock- 12 Topps RC
• Wil Nieves- 09 Upper Deck
• J.J. Putz- 13 Heritage
• Cody Ross- 13 Topps
• Kirk Gibson- 07 UD Masterpieces

Rays @ Red Sox, 7/23

It was a great day inside the stadium after hours of torrential downpours and flash flooding.

• Sam Fuld- 11 Topps
• Fernando Rodney- 13 Heritage
• Wil Myers- blank card
• Matt Joyce- 11 Topps
• Ben Zobrist- 13 Topps, 13 Topps Archives
• Evan Longoria- 09 Topps U&H

Angels @ Red Sox, 6/9

After getting shutout inside the stadium last night, I tried pre-game this morning with limited success.

• Garrett Richards- 13 Heritage
• Ernesto Frieri- 13 Heritage

Phillies @ Red Sox, 5/27

After an unexpectedly cold spring, Mother Nature flipped the switch on Memorial Day and gave us some great weather for graphing.  I came into the day with low expectations, but it turned out to be my best day of the year, especially for my set.  Papelbon made a nice milestone for the 09 collection, as he is the 100th card I've completed from the Updates & Highlights set.

• Michael Young- 09 Topps U&H
• John Mayberry- 09 Topps U&H
• Laynce Nix- 09 Topps U&H
• Carlos Ruiz- 09 Topps
• Ben Revere- 13 Heritage, 12 Allen & Ginter
• Mike Adams- 09 Upper Deck
• Ryan Howard- 09 Topps
• Jonathan Papelbon- 09 Topps U&H

Indians @ Red Sox, 5/26

The rain continued this morning, but stopped just long enough for me to get a few players coming in.

• Rich Hill- 09 Topps U&H
• Michael Bourn- 12 Allen & Ginter, 13 Heritage
• Mike Aviles- 08 Topps RC, 10 Topps
• Jason Kipnis- 13 Heritage
• Scott Kazmir- 09 Topps base, 09 Topps combo (already signed by David Price)

Indians @ Red Sox, 5/24

It was a dreary night for baseball, but I managed to get a couple autos before the game started with an hour rain delay.

• Jason Giambi- 09 Topps
• Dennis Eckersley- 10 Topps World Series History

Twins @ Red Sox, 5/7

I didn't have any luck with the Twins last night, but I was able to get a few autographs over by the NESN television booth on Yawkey Way.

• Ben Cherington- 2012 Red Sox pocket schedule
• Tim Wakefield- 09 Topps U&H

Astros @ Red Sox, 4/28

A beautiful Sunday afternoon for autographs and baseball:

• Doug Brocail- 10 Upper Deck Houston stadium card
• Brad Peacock- 12 Topps gold
• Erik Bedard- 09 Topps
• Travis Blackley- custom Astros card
• Chris Carter- 11 Topps Heritage

Spring Training TTM: Koji Uehara

• Koji Uehara 2/2- My favorite addition to the Sox bullpen this season signed cards from the 11 Topps and 10 Upper Deck sets.  I'm hoping to get the combo card signed by Adam Jones later this year.  Sent 3/7 (49 days)

I'm having issues uploading pictures to blogger right now, but I'm hoping a few system updates should get things back to normal sometime soon.

Athletics @ Red Sox, 4/22

Inside the stadium:

• John Jaso- 13 Topps Heritage
• Chris Young- 09 Topps

Royals @ Red Sox, 4/21

Trying to get back to normal around here, I headed down to Fenway early as the Royals arrived for the day-night doubleheader.  I got the same amount of autographs today as I had in my previous four trips to the park combined, so it was a great improvement over the last few outings.

• James Shields- 08 Allen & Ginter
• Greg Holland- 12 Topps
• Billy Butler- 09 Topps
• Wade Davis- 12 Allen & Ginter
• Ned Yost- 13 Topps Heritage
• Eric Hosmer- 12 Allen & Ginter

Rays @ Red Sox, 4/15

I woke up incredibly early and arrived at the ballpark around 7:00.  I was surprised to see a few collectors already waiting when I arrived, as the previous two years I've been the only one there.  I was only able to stay for about 45 minutes, but I was lucky enough to get the day's starting pitcher before I had to leave.

• Jeremy Hellickson- 12 Allen & Ginter

After leaving the Fenway area early Monday morning for work, I could have never imagined the events that would unfold over the following five days.  It's been a long week, but I'm grateful that I had to work that day, and I'm also grateful that my wife left the Copley area about an hour before everything happened.  

Rays @ Red Sox, 4/13

I was supposed to go to the game last night, but it was rained out.  I woke up early this morning to get to Fenway for the Rays.  It was painfully chilly, and now as I write this, the sun is coming out.  My slow start for the season continued today.

• Jamie Wright- 12 Topps
• Tom Verducci- blank card

Orioles @ Red Sox, 4/10

For my first game of the season, I thought I'd give the home team a shot, considering how many times I've graphed the Orioles over the past few years.  I didn't have much luck, missing Dustin Pedroia by a few fans and missing Tim Wakefield at the NESN booth in the process.  To make matters worse, I stuck around for the whole game after a rain delay, only to watch Joel Hanrahan surrender 5 runs in the ninth and blow the game.  I only managed to get one card signed by the dugout:

• David Ross- 08 Topps

I was supposed to go to tonight's game, but it's been postponed due to the weather.  Not a good start to the graphing season, but hopefully it can't get much worse!

Rays @ Red Sox, 9/25

My last time graphing this season went well.  I went to the game on Tuesday specifically for Evan Longoria, and he didn't disappoint, showing up at his usual spot at the usual time right before the game started.  As an added bonus, it was a reunion night for the 04 World Series team.  I didn't get any of the older guys' autographs, but it was nice to see everybody riding around on the duck boats inside the stadium.  In addition to getting a pair of autographs from Longoria, I was able to get a picture with him before the game.

• Sean Rodriguez- 11 Topps
• Alex Cobb- 11 Topps RC
• Matt Joyce- 09 Topps, 12 Topps Heritage
• Luke Scott- 09 Topps Heritage
• Andrew Miller- 09 Topps (for trade)
• Evan Longoria- 09 Topps (Rookie of the Year), 09 Topps (w/ David Price)