Rays Fan Fest 2011

This event is run off of logistics that worked when it was an event that drew 50% of the people it draws now. If you're aware of that fact, and don't go in expecting to clean house on all the star players, you can use it as a nifty little tool to get the guys who are tough to get otherwise. I had early access, I enjoyed all of the advertisers booths within about a half an hour, and then secured my spot in the Longoria line. I sat with my fiance on the new astro turf from about 9:30 until noon when the signing was scheduled. I am happy to say I timed my "enjoying the booths" alotment just right, as I was within the last 20 to get Evan, at 12:55, 5 minutes before he stopped. After that I was able to quickly jump ship to the Sam Fuld line and get him on my team USA game used card.

After that, the event turned into a disaster. A wreck on the interstate held up the entire lineup of hour 2 signers making their way from morning workouts in Port Charlotte to FanFest in St. Pete. I really only came for Longoria, and Fuld was a bonus, so I'm not complaning. I left after that first hour a relatively happy camper. I'm not sure what happened once everyone was able to make it, I imagine they just hung around and doubled up with the hour 3 signers. It wan't anybody I needed or couldn't get with ease at the complex so no worries on my part.

Big East/Big Ten Baseball Tournament

Arrived at Al Lang field to find the Louisville game that was supposed to start at 4 was pushed back due to a late finish of an earlier game. I looked up in the stands once I got to the park, and saw the Louisville squad indulging in an order of ChicFilA sandwiches that had just arrived. Singling out Ryan Wright (possible first round pick, Team USA set) was pretty easy since the players were wearing warmups that had their number on them. He was sitting away from the bulk of the team with his family, and I swooped in for the kill. He pounded out 4/4, and was nice to talk to for a bit.

After that, it was on to Dunedin. I'm lucky I was able to leave a bit early since some construction slowed the trip.

I got there and the game ahead of UConn was in the 8th inning. I caught the end of it, and started my hunt for George Springer and Matt Barnes. I assumed Matt Barnes would be the starter so I went right for Springer. He came on the field, was walking around doing nothing, and I asked if he could sign. He looked at me and said can I do it after the game? I wasn't planning on staying since I had a 2 hour trip home, but I shrugged it off and figured I could break him down in the hour that was left until game time. Eventually, after he had all of the walking around doing nothing he could handle, he walked up to me and said "you wanna just do it now" so of course, I whipped out the clipboard. I had 3 of his base set Team USA card, and one jersey card insert from the same set. Same setup Ryan Wright had just knocked out for me an hour ago. He looked at them, and I kid you not, said "which one." I was so dumbfounded that I just got one per'd by a college kid that I had nothing to say, so I just said whichever you want. He hit a set card. I honestly wasn't expecting to have any problem with this kid, though I wish I was prepared for that. I would've coaxed it out of him even if he left hating me had I been expecting that, but seriously? A college kid without the Strasburg-style hype going one per? Is that a first? If that wasn't bad enough, he must have had sweaty hands or something because a card that I took an eraser to at home and did the last minute finger rub on at the game bubbled.

After that letdown, I was having a hard time finding Matt Barnes. The pitcher warming up was a tall kid with an underarmour on, no number on the back, so I figured that was him. He never came close to me, and I wasn't going to wait around for the entire game with a long car ride looming just to get one per'd by a second college kid and have it bubble (can you tell Springer left me sour?)

Thats when a nice guy with a UConn windbreaker on came up and asked me if I was having any luck. I said yeah I got George Springer to sign one (I wasn't going to bash Springer in case this guy was his dad, it was primarily family in the stands) He asked me if I had any Matt Barnes cards, and I said I sure did but I hadn't seen him yet. The guy chuckled and said "he was just standing right next to you!" Dumbfounded for the second time that night, the guy said follow me and I did. He brought me behind home plate to a tall kid in plainclothes, the same kid who was standing right next to me a minute ago, and said "Matt, this guy would like your autograph" Matt obliged, knocked out my two jersey cards and a setter, because thats all I showed him. He probably would have done my two other set cards but I wasn't going to show him dupes in case thats what ticked Springer off, and I did't want a repeat. He was real nice, talked highly of his team USA experience, asked me where I wanted him to sign on the cards, and we shook hands and I was out. I never caught the guy in the windbreakers name, but he sure did make my night.

Pirate City 2-18-11

Had a decent day at Pirate city. They were wearing some crazy yellow uniforms, pretty cool though and I wish I had brought the camera to snap a few shots.

I did fairly well inside, as within 15 minutes of my late arrival I had my 1978 Clint Hurdle Sports Illustrated signed as well as my McCutchen 8x10.

The SI is a little rough but hell it's 11 years older than me and it was a 99 cent ebay pickup. Clint sure doesn't look like he used to... As for McCutchen, in my opinion he is one of the best signers in baseball. I've never had a problem getting him to sign, and he knocked out 6 for the kid in front of me this day.

It got kind of stagnant for a while, I got a few guys as they took water breaks if I was the only one around. Then it was sort of a mad dash to the clubhouse after the position players were done practicing. (nearly 100% had reported, and apparently they had physicals) I did manage probably 5 or 6 guys in this scramble though. After that, since the pitchers had long since wrapped it up for the day, I was on my way to the parking lot.

Met a few nice people out there, and had some good success. Just about everyone stopped, Paul Maholm was the only person out of the three or so who didn't stop that any of us had even recognized. On to the scans...

Wrapped up my time at Pirate City by getting Jameson Taillon as he walked out of the parking lot, he is there with a group of about 10 minor league guys who were practicing on the field closest to the clubhouse.

I left Bradenton at 2:45 with aspirations of making it to Al Lang field by 3:30 for Ryan Wright on the Louisville squad, and then from there Dunedin Stadium for both of UConns potential top ten picks.

Rays Pitchers and Catchers Report 2-16-11

Had a good time at my Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays complex today. I feel somewhat obliged to put the devil in, as I am one of the 13 or 14 fans who was around in the days of Bobby Seay, Victor Zambrano (the ace), Carl Crawford the prospect, Nick Bierbradt (who was actually at the Orioles complex yesterday) Damian Rolls, Ben Grieve and the like. Looking back on those teams, it's hard not to be excited about this year even with the overwhelming media lull about how they won't be able to compete.

Anyways, onto the ink. A few position players reported early, they were pretty easy to get besides Upton when they finished working on the field by the cages. Then as per Rays complex norm, after fielding drills wrapped up every pitcher came over to do conditioning drills after changing into their conditioning clothes. This is the ticket for autographs at this place. The complex is laid out so the players have a spot they need to pass between the fields and the clubhouse that fans have access to. Stand there and you will get whoever you can recognize in their workout clothes.

Not pictured are a few more 8x10's I got, Price photofile, Jennings photofile, Jaso picture I took from last year, and Shoppach picture I took from last year

Not a bad day at all, I would have gotten Shields if I wanted him but I was getting other lesser named guys while he was signing, I have more Shields autographs than I can shake a stick at. So lets recap, had I tried for Shields I would have the entire pitching rotation plus some bullpen arms a few catchers and a few solid position players. Not bad for the first official day of camp.

Orioles Camp 2-15-2011

First autographing of 2011, it was nice to let the ink flow. I was extremely non-decisive this morning after getting off work. I was driving in circles trying to pick between the Orioles or the Rays, I chose Orioles, with plans to do the Rays tommorrow. I had decent results, nothing inside as per Ed Smith practice complex norm, with everything happening in the parking lot.

I had a good deal of help recognizing guys. Missed a few, but that happens. Rick Vandenhurk has a very similar frame and drives a similar style and color vehicle to that of Matt Weiters. Luckily though, he stops and tells you he isn't Matt Weiters but he is in fact Rick Vandenhurk.

Not bad for a non decisive morning. It was nice to hear fungo bats and catchers mitts for the first time since October.