5/31/08: Norfolk Tides vs Syracuse Chiefs

Didn't make it to the game, but figured I would take a shot at some autographs, since I figured a lot of players hadn't left yet. I went to the Syracuse side, figuring most of them would file out a little later than the visiting team. It was relatively successful. I ended up returning to the visiting side, also grabbing a couple from the last load leaving (most visiting teams use hotel shuttle to leave the stadium).

Books:

Syracuse-
Brian Wolfe (2008)

Cards:

Syracuse-
Russ Adams - 1
Pedro Lopez - 1
David Purcey - 3
Danny Sandoval - 1
Adam Lind - 1
Marcos Cabral - 1 (Was given a card by another person waiting for autographs..way cool)

Norfolk -
Bob McCrory - 1
Chris Heintz - 1

Total Cards This Year: 123

5/30/08: Norfolk Tides vs Syracuse Chiefs

Tonight brought the beginning of the only home series against Baltimore's Triple-A affiliate from Norfolk. A very, very good signing bunch, as I got everyone from my books to sign today (with the exception of a guy on the DL whom I don't think made the trip). I was happy to find out that Fernando Cabrera was on a rehab assignment, too.

Books:

Fernando Cabrera (2006)
Radhames Liz (Both)
Jim Miller (2006)
Hayden Penn (2006)
Mike Costanzo (Both)
Brandon Fahey (2006)
Scott Moore (Both)
Adam Stern (2006)
Bob McCrory (2008)

Cards:

Brandon Fahey - 1
Chris Roberson - 5 (Including my 100th of the year)
Tike Redman - 2
Fernando Cabrera - 1
Luis Terrero - 1
Jon Leicester - 2
Ben Davis - 1
Hayden Penn - 3
Esteban Yan - 1

Total Cards This Year: 113

5/20/08: Rochester Red Wings vs Syracuse Chiefs

This was a day game, which is always good since I don't have to worry about rushing home after. The bus for Rochester was actually stuck at the stadium for an extra hour or hour and a half due to Denard Span injuring his finger. They had to wait for him to return to the stadium. Overall things went well. I missed out on Brian Duensing, who was signing but I didn't really notice in time. Philip Humber is a bummer though. From what I gathered, he did not sign a single autograph during the whole series and was pretty much a jerk some days. Francisco Liriano was nice. He was my 100th signature in my 2006 book, which was pretty cool! I ended up going to the Syracuse side, only getting Brandon League in my prospect book.

Books:

Rochester-
Tim Lahey (Both)
Francisco Liriano (2006) (100th in 2006 book)
Julio DePaula (2008)

Syracuse-
Brandon League (2006)

Cards:

Ryan Jorgensen - 1
Danny Graves - 1
Kevin Mulvey - 2
Heath Totten - 1
Julio DePaula - 1
Francisco Liriano - 2

Cards This Year: 96

5/17/08: Rochester Red Wings vs Syracuse Chiefs

A bit of rain on and off made the game run long, so didn't bother trying to get anyone after the game. Other than that, it was pretty good as I got basically every Rochester (Minnesota's AAA team) fielder that I needed.

Books:

Matt Macri (2006)
Jason Pridie (Both)
Kevin Mulvey (2008)
Denard Span (2008)

Cards:

Chris Basak - 1
Garrett Jones - 1
Tommy Watkins - 1
Brian Buscher - 1

(Ironically all of the cards I got signed were '52 Topps style)

Total Cards This Year: 88

5/13/08: New Britain Rock Cats vs Binghamton Mets

Took a trip to Binghamton to catch Double-A game between the Mets farm club and the Twins farm club. I always like going to different stadiums, so figured why not, plus we don't get to see the Triple-A Mets, so it's good autograph opportunities. What was fun about Binghamton is that you are allowed to watch fielding drills and Home BP before they clear out the stadium before game time. The away team was more approachable during this period, so all the New Britain guys I got were during this period. I had tickets in the front row on the Mets side, so pretty much anything I got from them was right before first pitch. Did pretty well. Salomon Manriquez was great when he signed my book. He read the whole paragraph about him, and then came over after to ask if I knew where I could by the 2006 book because apparently he liked the fact that he was a ranked prospect! I tell you, the books often keep players around you longer, especially with "lower" ranked prospects.

Books:

New Britain-
Ryan Mullins (2008)
Oswaldo Sosa (2008)
Anthony Swarzak (Both)

Binghamton-
Dan Murphy (2008)
Jose Coronado (2006)
Fernando Martinez (2008)
Mike Carp (2008)
Salomon Manriquez (2006)
Nick Evans (2008)
Eddie Kunz (2008)

Cards:

New Britain-
Yohan Pinto - 1
Floyd Rayford (Hitting Coach) - 1

Binghamton-
Eude Brito - 2
Ricky Bones (Pitching Coach) - 1

5/8/08: Buffalo Bisons vs Syracuse Chiefs

Great weather, but a longer game..luckily the majority were good. Both games I went to in this series, Josh Barfield signed maybe 3 autographs and snubbed the rest, while Danny Sandoval walked by everyone. Besides that, the rest were pretty good. Was also able to get a home run ball hit by Jason Cooper, which I had him sign after the game. Pretty sweet.

Balls:

Jason Cooper Home Run Ball

Books:

Edward Mujica (2006)
Michael Aubrey (2008)
Brad Snyder (Both)
Reid Santos (2008)
Jordan Brown (2008) - Cool because he is on the DL but was still around and friendly.

Cards:

Michael Aubrey - 1
Jason Tynder - 1
Jeremy Sowers -1
Edward Mujica - 1

Total Cards - 79

2006 Book - 93/900
2008 Book - 31/900

5/5/08: Buffalo Bisons vs Syracuse Chiefs

Finally got a nice clear day, without being rushed. Pregame wasn't very impressive, as has been the case all year. Unfortunately, most of the players were rushed after the game (including Josh Barfield) so they came out in bunches and didn't want to stop too much.

Books:

Adam Miller (Both)
Jeremy Sowers (2006)
Michael Aubrey (2006)
Wyatt Toregas (2008)

Cards:

Andy Gonzalez - 1
Scott Elarton - 1
Scott Radinsky (Pitching Coach) - 2
Jason Tyner - 1

Total - 75

5/2/08: Pawtucket Red Sox vs Syracuse Chiefs

Only showed up for the first inning of the game, as the Crunch was on TV. Was able to get a couple..mostly because Chiefs pitcher Bill Murphy was signing in the stadium store:

Cards:

Keith Ginter - 1
Bill Murphy (Syracuse) - 2
Kyle Snyder - 1 (Got him when I stopped by after the game)

Total cards this year in baseball: 70

5/1/08: Pawtucket Red Sox vs Syracuse Chiefs

Rainy night, was able to get a couple pregame. No chance to get anyone after game

Books:

Chris Carter (Both)

Cards:

Keith Ginter - 1
Jeff Bailey - 1
Joe Thurston - 1
Rich Sauveur (Pitching Coach) - 1