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

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

3 Returns: Miguel Cabrera, Ron Washington, Garret Anderson

• Miguel Cabrera 1/1- This was the first time I've paid for an autograph in about 10 years, but at $10 per card, I couldn't resist. The Detroit Tigers Foundation is partnering with several players on the team to sign autographs through the mail for charity, and it even comes with a certificate of authenticity from the team. I'm still waiting for one to come back from Magglio. Sent 5/17 (19 days)

• Garrett Anderson 1/1- Always automatic through the mail, I got around to sending out his '09 Topps card and received it back quickly from the Dodgers. Sent 5/26 (15 days)

• Ron Washington 3/2- The Rangers manager signed his cards from the '08 and '09 Topps sets, as well as one of the protective index cards I included with my letter. Another quick turnaround, and my 50th TTM return of the year! Sent 5/26 (15 days)