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

Spring Training TTM: Ryan Madson

• Ryan Madson 3/1- The new addition to the Angels' bullpen signed an 09 Topps card, as well as the two index cards I included in the envelope.  Sent 3/8 (29 days)

TTM Return: Josh Hamilton

• Josh Hamilton 1/1- What better way to celebrate the 400th post on this blog than a return from this year's biggest free agent signing, Josh Hamilton.  The new Angels outfielder posted this picture on his twitter the other day, saying that "Christmas is coming!".  He signed a card from the 09 Topps U&H set that I sent out right before the playoffs began.  I've never been able to get an auto from Josh in person, but I've had quite a few TTM returns from him over the past few years.  Sent 9/29 (79 days)

Angels @ Red Sox, 8/23

I thought I might get shut out for only the second time this season, but luckily I was able to get Torii Hunter at the last second before the game started.  I was only able to do pre-game inside the stadium, but Trout only signed 2 or 3 and Pujols only signed for people on the field.  Glad to get another card done for my set though, I still have quite a few I need to get done for the Angels.

On an unfortunate note, this also happened to be the last game in a Red Sox uniform for Adrian Gonzalez.  I also saw Youkilis in his final Red Sox appearance earlier this season.  I can't wait for this baseball season to end and hockey season to begin, it's going to be a rough winter if there's a lockout.

• Torii Hunter- 09 Topps

Angels @ Red Sox, 8/21

I stayed on the Red Sox side of the stadium today in hopes of getting some former Sox players or Bruins making appearances for the Jimmy Fund telethon.  I was also hoping to get a few Angels in the process, but I'll have another shot at them on Thursday when I go to the game.

• Vernon Wells- 09 Topps
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 04 Bowman Heritage RC
• Chris Iannetta- 10 T206
• Ryan Sweeney- 11 Topps
• Andrew Miller- 10 Upper Deck, 08 Topps (For Trade)
• Pedro Ciriaco- 11 Topps RC (For Trade)
• Bill Lee- Red Sox mini helmet
• Shawn Thornton- Bruins backpack (forgot my pucks)

Angels @ Red Sox, 5/4

Last night was perhaps the most unique baseball game I've been to, and I didn't even stay for the entire game. The rain delay started at the top of the 5th inning. Ervin Santana had already thrown 4 hitless innings, so I didn't want to leave early in case he had the chance to continue pitching something momentous.

During the 2 1/2 hour rain delay, I got to see the final period of the Bruins game on the nice new HD board out in center field. I had a $12 bleacher ticket, but spent the entire game 3 rows from the field on the 3rd base line because of the constant rain. Once the delay finally let up, the atmosphere was transformed into a late-night minor league game.

Less than 5,000 fans left in the park. Every taunt and jeer could be heard in the stands and on the field. Everyone was offered a complimentary Dunkin Donuts' coffee or hot chocolate. The clock struck midnight. Was I really still at Fenway Park?

It was a pretty surreal experience.

I had to leave in the top of the 7th to catch the last train home, and by the time I got home the game was in the bottom of the 9th. I stayed up to watch all the way to the 13th inning, barely able to keep my eyes open. They showed shots of the crowd and I saw the girl that had been sitting next to me the entire time, at 2:30 AM, still watching the game as intently as she was seven hours prior.

Since it was raining when I got to the stadium, everyone took BP inside, so autographs were tough. I did see Torii Hunter sign a few near the dugout after the rain delay was over, but I couldn't get down there in time. I managed to get two rookie cards done, however.

• Mark Trumbo- 2011 Topps, got this one near the visiting team's door underneath the grandstand on the third base side.

• Peter Bourjos- 2010 Topps, got him to sign one near the dugout as the rain started to pick up again, so the signature bubbled quite a bit.