7/31/09: Charlotte Knights vs Syracuse Chiefs

Final game of the series and for a good bit in Syracuse. Not a whole lot left to get, but I had decided I would try to get Van Benschoten. Yeah, swift move. I yelled his name three times while he was in the dugout. We assumed the first two times, since there was no reaction, that he could not hear due to the loud soundsystem in the stadium. Well, we realized we were wrong when he screams "WHAT" after my third call. Yup, still a prick. Surprisingly, however, after the game, someone got him to sign, so I was able to get my book. Well, he wasn't able to fit in the hotel van (weird on the final game of the series that they didn't have a bus to leave in), which helped me as someone else asked him to sign on his trip out for the second arrival of the van, and he signed what I had left. Yeah, the autograph means little to me except that I finally conquered the jerk. Also, we lucked out to realize that Justin Cassel, whom had been called up to Charlotte a few days before, was actually charting in the stands. We figured he'd be like most and just show up at their next stop.

I had hoped to get one more Elijah Dukes, as he was called up mid-game, but I was unable to get to him. Also, I missed an Aaron Poreda card, as by the time I heard he was traded, the hotel van was at the gates picking him and the others up, whom were traded. Bummer, but oh well.

Books:

Charlotte
John Van Benschoten (2006)
Tyler Flowers (2008, 2009)
Justin Cassel (2008)

Cards:

Charlotte
Daryle Ward - 2
John Van Benschoten - 3
Chris Chambliss (Manager) - 1

Syracuse
Ian Desmond - 1

Cards Today - 7, Overall - 550

7/30/09: Charlotte Knights vs Syracuse Chiefs

I waited for Charlotte pregame, while going to the Syracuse side afterwards. I was annoyed to find out that my old favorite (see early season 2008 post for sarcasm) John Van Benschoten had actually signed and did whole pages. Instead, I was able to finally get some Ross Detwiler cards. Oh darn. Add that sarcasm in again. By the time I made it to Charlotte side, I was also blown off by Tyler Flowers. I lucked out to get a couple pitchers right after the game from their side, though..on their way in from the bullpen after the completion of the game.

Books:

Charlotte
Jon Link (2009)
Jhonny Nunez (2008, 2009)

Cards:

Charlotte
Wilson Betemit - 4
Chris Chambliss (Manager) - 2

Syracuse
Elijah Dukes - 1
Ross Detwiler - 3
Horacio Ramirez - 1

Cards Today - 11, Overall - 543


Index Cards:

Syracuse
Yunior Novoa

7/29/09: Charlotte Knights vs Syracuse Chiefs

Awful day, full of rain. The only reason I really showed up was because Frank Howard was signing autographs. He was the 1960 National League Rookie of the Year, and led the American League in home runs for two seasons. Of course, as is the case with most Syracuse promotions, it was total chaos. I was, however, able to grab him before the assinine 1/2 hour before the game that they made him leave to throw a first pitch. Relatively stupid, but that's Syracuse management. Unfortunately, we also found out today that Corey Patterson took his release. A nice guy, he will be missed around the ballpark!

Cards:

Charlotte
Norris Hopper - 2
Chris Chambliss (Manager) - 2
Brent Lillibridge - 1

Syracuse
Elijah Dukes - 1

Misc
Frank Howard - 2

Cards Today - 8, Overall - 532

7/28/09: Charlotte Knights vs Syracuse Chiefs

This starts the first of a four game series between Syracuse and Charlotte (Chicago White Sox's Triple A affiliate). For this game, six NBA player were signing autographs. This was due to Syracuse University hosting SportscasterU, a program for these players to learn to work in the media, for when their careers were over. Not bad, as many didn't know about it, so I was able to get everything signed (thanks to Dave Ryan telling me to keep going thru the line!) We also got a printed sheet of paper with the pictures of all 6 guys on it, which I got signed too. Pretty good day, especially since pitching coach Richard Dotson was one of the nicer coaches I've met.

Books:

Charlotte
Adam Russell (2006, 2008, 2009)
Josh Kroeger (2006)
Lucas Harrell (2008)
Aaron Poreda (2008, 2009)
Ehren Wassermann (2008)
Carlos Torres (2009)
Cole Armstrong (2009)
Brent Lillibridge (2009)

Cards:

Charlotte
Keith Ginter - 1
Michael Restovich - 2
Kelvin Jimenez - 1
Chris Chambliss (Manager) - 1
Norris Hopper - 3
Wilson Betemit - 2
Richard Dotson (Pitching Coach) - 9
Derek Rodriguez - 1
Ehren Wassermann - 1
Gary Ward (Hitting Coach) - 1
Daryle Ward - 2

Baseball Cards Today - 24, Overall - 524


NBA Cards:
Donyell Marshall - 3
Anthony Parker - 1
Tony Battie - 3
Brevin Knight - 4

Overall NBA Cards - 11


NBA Signed Player Sheet
Anthony Parker
Brevin Knight
Donyell Marshall
Malik Rose
Mike James
Tony Battie

7/27/09: Louisville Bats vs Syracuse Chiefs

Final game of the series. I went as far as to get a few index cards signed of some of the nice Cincinnati prospects, just because I had so little I needed signed. I did, however, get my 500th different card signed for the year. That honor goes to Kip Wells. And it took some persuading. I had one card left and I asked him to sign it since I figured I wouldn't ever see him here again. His response was either a diss to Louisville or Syracuse, as he said. "I hope not either, at least not with this team." Ouch. At least he was nice to me, felt better than the way he acted when he played here! Also, Devon White was here again doing his job for the Nationals.

Cards:

Louisville
Corky Miller - 2
Ted Power (Pitching Coach) - 1
Kip Wells - 4 (Including 500th different autographed card of season!)

Misc
Devon White - 2 (Washington Nationals Rover)

Cards Today - 9, Overall - 500


Index Cards:

Louisville
Drew Stubbs
Chris Valaika

7/26/09: Louisville Bats vs Syracuse Chiefs

Another iffy day. Didn't get a whole lot of anything done, but I didn't have much either. Killed off the rest of my books, which was great. The really cool thing is that I got Drew Sutton. Sutton had been sent down when the series began. He just showed up this day and by the next game was called up. So he was only there for one whole game, so it was a nice signature to get!

Books:

Louisville
Danny Dorn (2008, 2009)
Ramon Ramirez (2009)
Drew Sutton (2009)

Cards:

Louisville
Kip Wells - 3
Ted Power (Pitching Coach) - 2

Cards Today - 5, Overall - 491

7/25/09: Louisville Bats vs Syracuse Chiefs

An awful weather day. Just as the game ended, the rain decided to come. Luckily, since the security cronies weren't around, the few of us around were able to stay undercover, which was also extremely helpful on killing off the majority of Louisville items I needed. I was even able to get to the Syracuse side before Dukes and Patterson left, which was even better! Glad I got Manuel and Roenicke as they were called up before the next day's game!

Books:

Louisville
Travis Wood (2006, 2008)
Zach Stewart (2009)
Josh Roenicke (2008, 2009)
Sam Lecure (2006, 2008)
Matt Maloney (2009)
Daryl Thompson (2006, 2009)
Robert Manuel (2009)
Pedro Viola (2008, 2009)

Cards:

Louisville
Kip Wells - 2
Justin Lehr - 4
Ted Power (Pitching Coach) - 3
Corky Miller - 2
Drew Stubbs - 1

Syracuse
Corey Patterson - 1
Elijah Dukes - 1

Cards Today - 14, Overall - 486

7/24/09: Louisville Bats vs Syracuse Chiefs

Home for a couple of four game series on this homestand of teams we haven't seen. We start off with the Louisville Bats (Triple A affiliate for the Cincinnati Reds). Pregame wasn't too great, but I was able to get some in my books from Louisville. Since none of the regulars who might have known the Bats were there, I decided to go for Syracuse after the game. Not too bad, but overall it wasn't a great first day.

Books:

Louisville
Wes Bankston (2006)
Chris Valaika (2008, 2009)
Drew Stubbs (2008, 2009)
Chris Heisey (2009)

Syracuse
Ross Detwiler (2008, 2009)
Ian Desmond (2006, 2008, 2009)

Cards:

Syracuse
Elijah Dukes - 1
Corey Patterson - 1

Cards Today -2, Overall - 472

7/23/09: Williamsport Crosscutters vs Auburn Doubledays

On a whim, we went to the game between Auburn and Williamsport (Short Season A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies). Ex-Yankee Bobby Meacham is a coach with Williamsport and was wicked cool. Definitely a class act. Overall, not a bad team..though my logo sheet didn't get much done!

Books:

Williamsport
Zach Collier (2009)
Anthony Hewitt (2009)

Cards:

Williamsport
Bobby Meacham - (Hitting Coach) 4
Zach Collier - 1
Tom Filer (Pitching Coach) - 1

Cards Today - 6, Overall - 470


Williamsport Logo Sheet (7 Total: 6 Players, 1 Coach)
#28 - Sean Grieve
#47 - Nicholas Hernandez
#45 - Siulman Lebron
#35 - Jonathan Pettibone
#9 - Sebastian Valle
#24 - Jeremy Barnes
Manager (No #) - Chris Truby

7/20/09: Connecticut Defenders vs Binghamton Mets

My first and possibly only trip to Binghamton, this year. I love it there. As I've noted before, you can kill off so much during BP, it's insane. I had to make sure I made it to see Connecticut (Eastern League AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants). They were so great that I finished every single thing except one Baumgarner card, which I didn't both trying to get the rest of the day. What a great group of prospects. Baumgarner is only 19 and looks like he will be an ace sooner rather than later. He was really nice, too. I got some of Binghamton (Mets AA affiliate), but they always seem tough for me. I lucked out that Kirt Manwaring, the Giants' spring training catcher instructor/east coach type rover, not only showed up, but was the first one there before BP. Then, their coach was the 2nd to show up..not arriving on the bus because he was visiting with family. Definitely helped production, since I had a lot of them and we had them alone!

Books:

Connecticut
Tim Alderson (2008, 2009)
Madison Baumgarner (2008, 2009)
Mike McBryde (2008, 2009)
Henry Sosa (2008, 2009)
Jackson Williams (2008, 2009)
Dan Griffin (2006)
Brent Pill (2008)
Waldis Joaquin (2006, 2008, 2009)

Binghamton
Emmanuel Garcia (2006, 2008)
Michael Antonini (2008, 2009)
Josh Thole (2009)
Ike Davis (2009)
Mike Nickeas (2006)
Brad Holt (2009)

Cards:

Connecticut
Steve Decker (Manager) - 10
Kirt Manwaring (Roving Instructor) - 4
Henry Sosa - 3
Madison Baumgarner - 2
Ross Grimsley (Pitching Coach) - 1
Jackson Williams - 2

Binghamton
Ike Davis - 1

Cards Today: 23 , Overall: 464

7/14/09: Oneonta Tigers vs Auburn Doubledays

Another freebie night, so I figured I'd go out during the long stretch of no Syracuse games. This was Detroit's NY-Penn League affiliate. Unfortunately, I found 4 more cards of the hitting coach after the game, so I only got the one I had with me. Nice group of guys. Luckily grabbed the guy I needed in my book in the stands, as he was charting. Auburn is not an easy place to grab a visiting pitcher, unless he is charting!

Books:

Oneonta
Jeff Gerbe (2008)

Cards:

Oneonta
Luis Quinones (Hitting Coach) - 1

Cards Today: 1, Overall: 441



Oneonta Tigers Logo Sheet (16 Overall - 15 Players, 1 Coach):
#1 - Christopher Sedon
#23 - Jeff Gerbe
#17 - Rawley Bishop
#15 - Matthew Mansilla
#29 - Adam Wilk
#22 - Jimmy Gulliver
#24 - Michael Rockett
#57 - Luis Sanz (Left of Tigers, Looks like #32)
#44 - Alexis Espinoza
#13 - Eric Roof
#20 - Keith Hernandez
#7 - Carmelo Jaime
#40 - Jamie Johnson
#18 - John Murrian
#9 - Wade Gaynor
#28 - Howie Bushong (Manager)