7/9/09: Rochester Red Wings vs Syracuse Chiefs

My last game of this 4 game series, as I was stuck working the first and last of it. Due to the lack of position players that I needed from Rochester, I ended up going for Syracuse before and after the game. Things went decent. I was also able to get Humber on a card for the first time, since he was charting again. Got ignored by scout and ex-major leaguer Dave Hollins. Also fun to see Mike Morse consistently avoiding the fans, while having Mike Vento pick him up at the office doors. Impressive...

Books:

Syracuse
Elijah Dukes (2006)
Shairon Martis (2006)

Cards:

Rochester
Philip Humber - 1

Syracuse
Darnell Coles (Hitting Coach) - 1
Zack Segovia - 4
Brad Eldred - 1 (Pirates Team Photo Card)
Dave Williams - 2
Corey Patterson - 2
Horacio Ramirez - 4
Mike Vento - 1
Elijah Dukes - 1

Cards Today = 17, Overall = 440

7/8/09: Rochester Red Wings vs Syracuse Chiefs

First return to Syracuse by Rochester (Minnesota AAA affiliate) since the opening two games. A totally different team than the beginning of the season. Overall, not a bad team pregame, but they were iffy after the game, like most teams have been. Was able to get my Humber, as he was charting. He's actually at least a little bit more accessable than last year, but still not very personable. Also, Devon White was in the stands (apparently he was there the two games before, however I had to work). He wasn't exactly nice, but I got one of my cards signed.

Books:

Rochester
Danny Valencia (2008, 2009)
Rob Delaney (2009)
Philip Humber (2009)
Steven Tolleson (2009)

Cards:

Rochester
Steve Tolleson - 1
Trevor Plouffe - 1
Brock Peterson - 1
Justin Huber - 2 (Including game used card)
Sean Henn - 5

Misc:
Devon White (Washington Roving Instructor) - 1

Cards Today = 11, Overall = 423

7/5/09: Lehigh Valley Ironpigs vs Syracuse Chiefs

My last game of this series. I killed off a bit pregame, thanks to pitchers coming off the field late on the Lehigh Valley side. I then saw Elijah Dukes signing on the Syracuse side and just lucked out to be the last person he signed for. I waited late and was happy to get most of my Kyle Kendrick cards signed. Not a bad day in the end.

Books:

Lehigh Valley
Pat Overholt (2009)

Cards:

Syracuse
Elijah Dukes - 2

Lehigh Valley
Kyle Kendrick - 5
Gustavo Chacin - 2 (400th card signed)
David Newhan - 3
Andrew Carpenter - 1
Paul Hoover - 1

Cards Today = 14, Overall = 412

7/4/09: Lehigh Valley Ironpigs vs Syracuse Chiefs

The start of a three game series with the Phillies' AAA affiliate from Lehigh Valley. Not a whole lot to really go for, though a few guys were new, like Miguel Cairo. Gustavo Chacin, was as "pleasant" as normal, but at least he picked up a pen for once. I lucked out at Shairon Martis was put in the souvenir store to sign autographs..his first day in Syracuse.

Books:

Lehigh Valley
Lou Marson (2008, 2009)
Steven Register (2008)

Syracuse
Shairon Martis (2008, 2009)

Cards:

Lehigh Valley
Gustavo Chacin - 2
Carlos Carrasco - 1
Miguel Cairo - 1
Terry Tiffee - 2
Mike Spidale - 1
Jake Woods - 2

Cards Today = 9, Overall = 398

6/27/09: State College Spikes vs Auburn Doubledays

Since it was a freebie night and there wasn't much to do, we decided to take our first trip to Auburn this year. I needed a few guys on each team, so I figured why not. State College (Pittsburgh's New York/Penn League affiliate) was facing Auburn (Toronto's affiliate). I decided to go for the logo sheet again this year, as well as my Auburn player profile program insert. So basically, the same plan as last year. Not too bad, as I got everyone I needed except one guy got called up that morning, that I needed in my book. I was happy to get one of Pittsburgh's 1st round picks from this year (49th pick in sandwich part of the round) Victor Black. Overall, good and fun outing!

Books:

State College
Justin Byler (2008)
Nelson Pereira (2009)

Auburn
Eric Eiland (2008, 2009)
Markus Brisker (2009)

Cards:

Auburn
Eric Eiland - 1

Cards Today - 1, Overall - 389


State College Spikes Logo Sheet (22 Overall - 20 Players, 2 Coaches signed)
#25 - Steven Suarez (Coach)
#11 - Brock Holt
#29 - Jason Erickson (Top of Page)
#8 - Victor Black
#15 - David Rubinstein
#29 - Maurice Bankston (Left of Logo)
#13 - Carlos Silva
#57 - Aaron Baker
#39 - Pat Irvine
#18 - Nelson Pereira
#10 - Alan Knotts
#38 - Michael Felix (Below Logo, could look like 39)
#7 - Butch Biela (No Number, Right of Logo)
#19 - Kyle Saukko
#32 - Kyle Morgan
No Number Gary Robinson (Manager) (Bottom Left, Looks like 12/13 but is no #)
#3 - Craig Parry
#47 - Ty Summerlin
#53 - Jose Hernandez
#22 - Justin Byler
#23 - Matt Payne
No Number Phillip Irwin (Bottom Right)


Auburn Players Profile Insert (4 Today, 4 Overall)
Evan Crawford
Scott Gracey
Jonathan Fernandez
Eric Eiland

6/26/09: Scranton/WB Yankees vs Syracuse Chiefs

The last game of the small 2 game series went relatively easily. Didn't stay for the game at all the day before, leaving after pregame autographs and coming back at the end, this time I stayed a few innings and came back in the final inning. Luckily found out the one Yankee I wanted (Sergio Mitre) was in the stands, along with Bob Boone again. So I basically went for the Chiefs before and after the game. Syracuse was boarding their bus after the game to travel right away, so they were pretty easy to get afterwards. Plus Scott Olsen was still around, though he was to be called up to start soon in a series, so it was clutch to get the rest of mine done. Also got Jason Bergmann, who has been up and down so much, you never know if and when the last time will be. I was also happy to get Corey Patterson to sign both of my game used cards that I received the day he was recalled.

Cards:

Scranton/WB
Sergio Mitre - 2


Syracuse
Corey Patterson - 2 (Both Game Used Cards!)
Logan Kensing - 1
Kory Casto - 1
Collin Balester - 1
Gustavo Molina - 1
Darnell Coles (Coach) - 2
Scott Olsen - 2
Pete Orr - 1
Jason Bergmann - 2

Misc
Bob Boone - 1

Cards Today = 16, Overall = 388

6/25/09: Scranton/WB Yankees vs Syracuse Chiefs

The second series for the Yankees against the Chiefs. This one was scheduled for two games, and I figure the first series was our best shot at guys. Xavier Nady rehabbed for Scranton, however, got re-injured and is out for the season. This was his only game he played. Luckily, even though he injured his signing elbow, he did sign after the game. I will assume he did this knowing that his season (and possibly next season) is over. Besides that, things weren't too bad for the first series after schools let out. I gotta figure the last series (in Sept) will be pure hell. One positive is that I only needed one person in my books and finished him quickly. Also, a huge shocker that Kevin Cash signed all 4 of my cards. Every other experience he has blown me off and all of the regulars were shocked because he will only do 1 per usually.

Books:

Scranton/WB
Colin Curtis (2008)

Cards:

Scranton/WB
Xavier Nady - 2
Chris Stewart - 1
Kei Igawa - 1
Justin Leone - 1
Kevin Cash - 4
John Rodriguez - 1

Syracuse
Ryan Langerhans - 1

Cards Today - 11, Overall - 372

6/22/09: Columbus Clippers vs Syracuse Chiefs

Finale of the home series against Columbus. More of the same, although, the team was a bit nicer on the last day. I was finally able to score my Matt LaPorta, but I missed Michael Brantley actually signing a few autographs, which sucks. In the stands again was Mitch Webster scouting (I was given a few more of him), as well as Bob Boone, who has a higher position with the Washington Nationals and is a former player and manager in the majors. It's nice to be able to snag random people in the stands!

Ticket Stub:

Wes Hodges - Columbus

Cards:

Columbus
Masahide Kobayashi - 1
Rob Mackowiak - 3
Chuck Lofgren - 2
Matt LaPorta - 1
Andy Marte - 2

Misc
Bob Boone (Nationals Front Office/ex-major leaguer) - 3
Mitch Webster (Scout/ ex-major leaguer) - 3

Cards Today - 15, Overall - 361

6/21/09: Columbus Clippers vs Syracuse Chiefs

After a rainout on Saturday, Syracuse and Columbus played a doubleheader today. Syracuse University basketball coach, Jim Boeheim, was signing autographs today. I was able to get him on a magazine cover and an old team photo I had (previously signed by John Wallace). The team was a bit better today, but big prospect Matt LaPorta was signing few and far between, still leaving me with none. Was successful with my books aside from LaPorta and Michael Brantley, whom would not even acknowledge people besides when his family showed up today. One positive was that early in the doubleheader we realized that there was an ex-major leaguer scouting. Everyone scattered to get their cards of him (Mitch Webster). Luckily, I was given a few extras.

Books:

Columbus
Chuck Lofgren (2006, 2008)
Tony Sipp (2006, 2008, 2009)
Masahide Kobayashi (2008)
Wes Hodges (2008, 2009)

Cards:

Columbus
George Lombard - 2
Scott Radinsky (Pitching Coach) - 2
Andy Marte - 4
Rob Mackowiak - 2
Masahide Kobayashi - 1

Misc
Mitch Webster (Scout) - 2

Cards Today - 13, Overall - 346


Misc:
Jim Boeheim Magazine Cover - 1
Jim Boeheim on Team Photo - 1

6/19/09: Columbus Clippers vs Syracuse Chiefs

First game of the lone series against Columbus (Triple A affiliate for the Cleveland Indians). Pregame wasn't bad, however postgame was a joke. Columbus literally walked out 15 men strong when the hotel van showed up. It was a total joke, and most of them were rude as hell. At least I killed off some before the game, or else I would have been close to shut out.

Books:

Columbus
Mickey Hall (2006)
Frank Herrmann (2008)
Jon Meloan (2009)
Jordan Brown (2009)

Cards:

Columbus
Michael Aubrey - 1
Zach Jackson - 1
Jack Cassel - 1
Torey Lovullo (Manager) - 2
Jonathan Nunnally (Coach) - 1
Tony Graffanino - 3
Ken Ray - 1
Vinnie Chulk - 3

Cards Today - 13, Overall - 333