Spring Training Update: Six Returns!

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•  Logan Morrison 1/1 c/o Mariners, 8 days
• Josh Collmenter 1/1 c/o Diamondbacks, 17 days
• Trevor Rosenthal 2/2 c/o Cardinals, 17 days
• Jonathan Pettibone- 1/1 c/o Phillies, 20 days
• Brad Ausmus 1/1 c/o Tigers, 24 days
• Dale Sveum 1/1 c/o Royals, 7 days

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

10 TTM Returns for Opening Day!

I was gone for the holiday weekend, and I came back to a mailbox stuffed with envelopes.  While I'm sure some of these came on Friday and Saturday, I'm considering this the biggest return day I've had of all time.  Here's the breakdown of everything I received:

• Todd Frazier 1/1 c/o Reds, personalized, 14 days
• Jason Grilli 2/2 c/o Pirates, 12 days 
• Brett Anderson 3/3 c/o Athletics, 12 days 
• David Lough 1/1 c/o Royals, 25 days 
• Gavin Floyd 2/2 c/o White Sox, 14 days 
• Casper Wells 1/2 c/o Mariners, kept my 13 Heritage, 14 days 
• Craig Stammen 1/1 c/o Nationals, 39 days 
• Anthony Bass 2/2 c/o Padres, 8 days 
• Jason Motte 2/2 c/o Cardinals, 14 days 
• Micah Owings 2/2 c/o Nationals, personalized, 27 days

Royals @ Red Sox, 8/25

Catching up on some blogging with my third post of the day.  I went for the Royals after work on Saturday and had a nice, relaxing day.  They're an easy team to graph because they don't draw out the big crowds, and are usually pretty accommodating when it comes to signing.

• Alcides Escobar- 11 Topps
• Tim Collins- 11 Topps RC (For Trade)
• Louis Coleman- 11 Topps RC X2  (For Trade)
• Luke Hochevar- 12 Topps
• Aaron Crow- 12 Topps
• Jeff Francoeur- 12 Gypsy Queen Glove Stories, 12 Allen & Ginter
• Greg Holland- 12 Topps Heritage
• Eric Hosmer- 12 Topps Gold Futures
• Mike Moustakas- 12 Topps Gold Futures
• Rex Hudler- Blank card

Royals @ Red Sox, 7/27

Today didn't turn out quite as good as yesterday, but I still had a solid outing with the Kansas City Royals. Here's how I did:

• Aaron Crow- 10 Topps Royals team card
• Jeff Francis- 08 Allen & Ginter
• Brayan Pena- 09 Topps U&H
• Jeff Francoeur- 08 Allen & Ginter, 06 Bowman Chrome
• Tim Collins- 11 Topps RC (X2, one available for trade)
• Mike Aviles- 09 Topps, 09 Topps Heritage

My goal for this year has been to get to the 220-card mark for the 09 Topps (1/3 total of the set). Only 10 more to go this season!

Royals @ Red Sox, 7/26

I always look forward to small-market teams visiting Fenway, because they usually draw smaller crowds and the players are more willing to sign. Today went just as I expected, and despite arriving late after a few Royals had already gone in, it still turned out to be a great day. In addition to getting my first Adrian Gonzalez autograph, I also managed to get 5 cards for my 09 Topps set completed. I'll be back again for the full afternoon tomorrow to hopefully fill in who I missed today. Brayan Pena just seemed to scribble on each card he signed in order to hurry up and get inside. I didn't see anyone refuse to sign, and Jeff Franceour was particularly friendly.

• Matt Treanor- 09 Topps
• Luke Hochevar- 08 Goudey RC
  
• Melky Cabrera- 09 Topps
• Bruce Chen- 99 UD Encore
• Jeff Francoeur- 09 Topps, 09 Topps U&H
• Jeff Francis- 10 T206
• Alex Gordon- 09 Topps
  
• Brayan Pena- 10 Topps Royals team card
• Adrian Gonzalez- 09 Topps
  

TTM Return: Mike Moustakas

• Mike Moustakas 1/1- The Royals' most recent call-up signed a "Topps of the Class" insert from this year's Bowman set in just 10 days from his AAA team in Omaha. I'm glad I sent this out when I did, as Mike was called up and made his major league debut this past Friday. The signature bubbled a bit, but I'm still happy to get this one back with perfect timing. Sent 6/3 (10 days)
  

2 Spring Training Returns: Jeff Suppan & Tyler Greene

• Jeff Suppan 2/2- The pitcher, restaurateur, and TV actor signed 2009 and 2010 Topps cards from the Giant's spring training camp. Suppan is pitching for his 7th different team in 16 seasons in the majors. Sent 3/1 (20 days)

• Tyler Greene 2/2- Greene signed his rookie cards from the 09 Topps and Heritage sets from Cardinals spring training. Sent 2/16 (33 days)