8/16/08: Rochester Red Wings vs Syracuse Chiefs

Part two of today brings us to the after game attempts at autographs in Syracuse. This was the main event with anti-autograph pitcher Philip Humber being the guy I wanted to get. Well, for the first time in Syracuse, Humber picked up a pen. However, he only signed three or four things. Luckily, as I walk with him after his "my ride is waiting for me" excuse, he signed for me. (This excuse is lame, as he was driving himself and his wife or girlfriend). Biggest suckhole tonight was Kevin Mulvey. I grabbed what I had for him, as I didn't have time to look and see what I had. Turns out I had both of the cards that Mulvey signed. This is a good thing, as his signature looks like the number three on the ones he gave me. Apparently he was in a hurry...but I would think instead of three squiggles that look nothing like a signature, that he'd just say he'd get me tomorrow. Oh well.

Books:

Trevor Plouffe (Both)
Philip Humber (2006)

Cards:

Trevor Plouffe - 1
Tim Lahey - 1
Ricky Barrett - 1
Danny Graves - 2
Bobby Kielty - 1
Matt Macri - 1

8/16/08: Batavia Muckdogs vs Auburn Doubledays

This is the first stop of a double day (no pun intended) of baseball games. I started off going to Auburn, since it was baseball card night. The way Auburn sets it up is that you get a free team set when you enter, then the players sign at tables for about 25 minutes. They are in alphabetical order, but it can be a bit of a rush since there is no real "line" even though the majority start at the coaches and the beginning of the alphabet and try to get straight ahead until the end. I am happy to say I was able to get everyone to sign, including the trainer. That being said, I do not think I will include the trainer towards my numbers..no offense, lol. After that, I was able to get the only Batavia (short single A for the St Louis Cardinals) Muckdog that I needed. Overall a good deal!

Cards:

Batavia
Thomas Eager - 1

Auburn
Dennis Holmberg (Manager) - 1
Antonio Caceres (Pitching Coach) - 1
Charles Poe (Hitting Coach) - 1
Adam Amar - 1
Bobby Bell - 1
Joel Carreno - 1
Joel Collins - 1
Evan Crawford - 1
Justin Cryer - 1
Matthew Daly - 1
Jon Del Campo - 1
Chris Demons - 1
Danny Farquhar - 1
Chris Hopkins - 1
Chris House - 1
Charles Huggins - 1
Bryan Kervin - 1 (500th different autographed baseball card in 2008!!!)
Andrew Liebel - 1
Michael McDade - 1
Jay Monti - 1
Hunter Moody - 1
Bartolo Nicolas - 1
Castillo Perez - 1
Luis Rivera - 1
Jason Roenicke - 1
Mark Sobolewski - 1
Leance Soto - 1
Karim Turkamani - 1
Brian Van Kirk - 1
Carlos Vasquez - 1
Marcus Walden - 1
Josh Wells - 1
Matthew Wright - 1

Different Baseball Cards Signed This Year: 517

8/15/08: Pawtucket Red Sox vs Syracuse Chiefs

To say that today was the most surprising autograph day for me would be a huge understatement. Coming into today, with former Cy Young award winner Bartolo Colon rehabbing with Pawtucket, I was hopeful of getting Colon to sign one card for me. I figured that he would probably sneak out or not care to sign. Even up until the 6th or so inning I felt this way. I was not even close. After Colon pitched the 1st inning, he was pulled. Around the 4th or 5th inning I headed outside in hopes of catching Colon if he left early. At least three times the few of us outside saw him walk into the gated area only to turn around. Finally he walked out, but said "later" as he walked to his car. We assumed he was going to leave then, but a few autographers followed him to his car three parking spots in and stared at him. After about 30 minutes or so, we see movement as a couple of the guys went to his window, which had been rolled down. As we all start to make way we realize that Colon was actually signing from his car. I was thinking, "Awesome I'm going to get my one!" I was wrong. He signed everything handed to him! I had my original page of 8 different cards, which he signed. Then I realized I still had 7 other cards (5 different) in my bag, and seeing as how he had signed for others a few times (dealers included) I went back over and got those signed. In all I got 15/15, with 13 being different! (I gave one of the others to my girlfriend, while giving the other repeat to a nice autograph person we talk to who didn't happen to get outside when Colon was out). It amazes me that an ex-Cy Young Award winner can sign everything in front of him, but guys like Lance Broadway, Philip Humber, and John Van Benschoten can piss and moan about signing one per person.

Seeing how Bartolo and Jeff Weaver treated fans this year has been amazing, and it definitely helps wipe out the frustrations of the other jerks and reminds me of why I enjoy this hobby!

Cards:

Bartolo Colon - 13
George Kottaras - 1
Kyle Snyder - 1
Joe Thurston - 1
Hunter Jones - 1
Eric Hull - 1
Devern Hansack - 1
Jon Switzer - 2
Keith Ginter - 3

Different Baseball Cards Signed This Year: 483

8/14/08: Pawtucket Red Sox vs Syracuse Chiefs

Rehab was the word of the day for this game. Supposed to be around were Jeremy Accardo, Brian Tallet for Toronto and Bartolo Colon for Boston. Colon was no where to be seen, but as is always great at the stadium, the barricades were in place. Apparently, with the problems that occurred with Buchholz was here, management assumed that the same would occur for the many Pawtucket players who in normal situations would barely get told hi. So, the majority including me, went to the Syracuse side after the game. This was my only autograph attempts, as I didn't bother going to the game until midway through. I was happy to get the Pawtucket Bowden who was charting, while missing Edgar Martinez for the probably 10th time since I started trying to get him. I will say, Jeremy Accardo was the best rehab signer I have seen or even heard stories about. He signed everything I had, which was 7 cards and my prospect book! Insane. Rumor has it Colon may be pitching tomorrow, so I am sure the Pawtucket side will be mobbed...

Books:

Pawtucket
Michael Bowden (Both)
Syracuse
Jeremy Accardo (2006)

Cards:

Syracuse
Brian Tallet - 2
Jeremy Accardo - 7
Travis Snider - 2
Russ Adams - 1
Brett Cecil - 1
Pawtucket
David Pauley - 1

8/13/08: Brooklyn Cyclones vs Auburn Doubledays

Not too bad of a day to grab some autographs. Brooklyn is the Short Season Single A affiliate of the New York Mets and had two first round draft picks from this year's draft. Unfortunately, I was only able to get one of the two, as Reese Havens was decently accessible, while Ike Davis wasn't. Surprisingly, I had heard the opposite, with Davis being a supposed much better signer than Havens. Of course, as we learn, it all depends on the day and luck to get guys. I only tried pregame, with the exception of getting one guy from the stands after the game. I was happy to see one of the few pitchers to come down to the dugout for the game was Steven Clyne, who was the only player I needed to get from my book.

Books:

Steven Clyne (2008)

Misc:

Index Card
Reese Havens - Inscribed "2008 1st Rd Pick"

Brooklyn Logo Page (16)
Coaches (1)
Hector Berrios

Pitchers (4)
Bradley Holt
Jeffrey Kaplan
Christopher Schwinden
Tim Stronach

Catchers (2)
Jordan Abruzzo
Cesar Cordido

Infield (7)
Eric Campbell
Reese Havens
Jose Jimenez
Joshua Satin
Matt Smith
Seth Williams
J.R. Voyles

Outfield (2)
Kirk Nieuwenhuis
Sean Ratliff

8/7/08: Charlotte Knights vs Syracuse Chiefs

After an hour and half rain delay, this game finally occurred. I had given up on even going to the game, but the weather seemed like it would hold off, so I showed up late. Lance Broadway blew everyone off again, which was not shocking. He definitely moves into the top 5 pieces of work we have seen this year. Besides him, I had very little and probably should have gone to the Syracuse side, since Travis Snider joined the team...but I figure he will be here the rest of the year. Go figure, the next day (as I am writing this pretty much 24 hours later, since I didn't feel like doing this when we got home at midnight), Shannon Stewart and Vernon Wells joined Syracuse on rehab assignments. By the time Syracuse comes home in 5 days, I doubt either will still be rehabbing. Not a shocker..

Cards:

Jason Tyner - 2
Jerry Owens - 2

Different Baseball Cards Signed This Year: 445

8/6/08: Charlotte Knights vs Syracuse Chiefs

Another game that was pretty pointless to show up to pregame. I went to the Syracuse side and only got the easily accessible Jesse Litsch. After the game, I went to the Syracuse side for awhile. I went to the Charlotte side to find out that the guys I needed had left, with the exception of Sauerbeck and Broadway. As we stand their, Broadway comes from the same place as yesterday and rushes to the van. What a piece of work. That being said, at least he isn't a total prick about it (ie Van Benschoten), but still...what would it hurt to just do one per person...even personalizing. I purchased a few cards before the game, and unfortunately a few were Jason Tyner, who seems less willing to sign with this team (I believe his third different he has come to Syracuse with this year).

Books:

Syracuse-
Ricky Romero (2008) - My 100th signature in the book!

Cards:

Charlotte-
Scott Sauerbeck - 1

Syracuse-
Chris George - 2
Brian Wolfe - 1
Ricky Romero - 2
Jesse Litsch - 2

8/5/08: Charlotte Knights vs Syracuse Chiefs

Not a whole lot of great developments today. The only thing we realized is that Lance Broadway will find any means necessary to sneak into the transport van without having to sign an autograph. This time, he came from what I like to call the Mientkiewicz Way. That would be leaving from the Chiefs office area next to the main entrance to the stadium. What a joke. Got shutout before the game on the Charlotte side. Went to the Syracuse side a bit after the game, then finished up on the Charlotte side. I was able to get ex-Syracuse Chief and current Toronto pitching rover Dane Johnson to sign after the game, as he was in the stands. Fun to get that 1996 Syracuse Chiefs card I found in my room signed..lol

Books:

Charlotte-
Clayton Richard (2006)

Syracuse-
Ricky Romero (2006)

Cards:

Charlotte-
Mike MacDougal - 3
Jerry Owens - 1
Fernando Cortez - 1

Syracuse-
Dane Johnson (Toronto Roving Pitching Instructor) - 1
Curtis Thigpen - 1

8/4/08: Charlotte Knights vs Syracuse Chiefs

Our last "new" team comes to Syracuse, as the Chicago White Sox's affiliate Charlotte Knights are here. The rest of the season will be teams that we have seen this year. It looked exciting for a bit, as both Joe Crede and Jose Contreras are on rehab assignments, but both players are MIA. Things went decent before the game and pretty good after, with the exception being the end. No one saw Lance Broadway leave and as of the time I left, there were still a few people (ie. a dealer and his "kids") waiting. I will be interested to find out what happened tomorrow. I'm not sure how much I can get tomorrow (Tuesday) as I have to work at 11pm, meaning not much I can do after. Also was a bit mad as I realized I never grabbed a few of the cards (a bunch of Mike MacDougals) that I wanted to bring with me. MacDougal was decent signing tonight, so I am sure I could have taken care of them... Also, former NFL player Chris Gedney was signing autographs at the game. I got him on an SU schedule poster, but did not realize he was going to be there, so I did not get my two cards of him signed :(

Books:

Charlie Haeger (Both)
Carlos Torres (2006)
Chris Getz (Both)
Jack Egbert (2008)

Cards:

Charlie Haeger - 1
Scott Sauerbeck - 1
Jerry Owens - 1
Tomo Ohka - 2
Mike MacDougal - 1
Jason Tyner - 1
Jason Childers - 1
Jesse Litsch - 1
Paul Phillips - 1
Brad Eldred - 2
Richard Dotson (Pitching Coach) - 1

Misc:
SU football poster signed by Chris Gedney

7/31/08: S/WB Yankees vs Syracuse Chiefs

Not a bad game for autographs, with it being by far the lowest turnout for a Yankees game this season. It was nice to get a few pregame without a huge feeling of being shoved from behind...although it was still crowded. After the game was decent, as it was only one deep along the guardrails (still think this is stupid..no other team needs this). I was happy to get Ian Kennedy to sweet spot a game used International League ball after the game, as he was charting. Overall, not bad game.

Books:

Mark Melancon (2008)

Cards:

Juan Miranda - 1
Brian Bruney - 1
Ben Broussard - 1
Bernie Castro - 2
Chris Stewart - 1
Cody Ransom - 1
J.D. Closser - 1

Misc:

International League Ball
Ian Kennedy SS


Different Baseball Cards Signed This Year: 413

7/30/08: S/WB Yankees vs Syracuse Chiefs

I didn't bother going to the game until around the 8th inning, as this series does not excite me. You have a Syracuse team that is no longer in a playoff hunt, which in itself is annoying at some of the effort issues. But when you add that to the fact that there are an extra thousand or so Yankee fans, with at least 100 being obnoxious, it is not worth dealing with most of the time. In fact, I will miss the series finale on Friday as I figured picking up extra hours at work would be a better usage of my time. This means tomorrow (Thursday) will be my last game of the series. This means that I will probably have my least successful series in a long time, but its a Yankees team so it was expected. After the game tonight, the gates were up again, but luckily I chose the right spot for the few that did sign. And by few, I mean very few.

Books:

Chris Britton (2006)
Ian Kennedy (2008)

Cards:

Chris Britton - 2
Ian Kennedy - 1

7/29/08: S/WB Yankees vs Syracuse Chiefs

On a day where Ron Guidry was signing for free, Ian Kennedy was starting pitcher, and the opener to a Yankees series, it was pretty easy to decide to go to the Chiefs side pregame. It also helped that I had a ticket to get Guidry to sign before most of the public, but I was still too late to get a shot at the Yankees side pregame. Things didn't go too bad pregame. The best part was the fact that all 4 pitchers charting were willing to sign easily. I was able to get Kei Igawa, Chase Wright, Jesse Litsch, and Brett Cecil there. Kind of funny that less than a week ago, only Kei was in Triple A. What a difference a few months makes with him, too. Last time he charted, he was mobbed. This time, I was one of only a handful who asked him. After the game was awful. Barricades were put up, and I was having a hard time telling faces on the Yankees side.

Books:

Syracuse
Brian Jeroloman (2008)
Brett Cecil (2008)

Cards:

Syracuse
Brett Cecil - 1
Jesse Litsch - 6
Russ Adams - 2
Michael MacDonald - 1
Buck Coats - 1
Pedro Lopez - 1
Robinzon Diaz - 2

Scranton/WB
Kei Igawa - 1
Alberto Gonzalez - 2
Eric Duncan - 1
Chase Wright - 2

Misc Card
Ron Guidry - 1

7/28/08: Connecticut Defenders vs Binghamton Mets

Another nice trip to Binghamton, with an early arrival for batting practice. I still have not gotten a vibe towards getting Binghamton Mets players during BP, but I was able to get a bunch that I needed from the Connecticut Defenders (Double A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants). Unfortunately, with the game being a doubleheader and BP being normal time, I arrived back at the game after dinner around 10 minutes before first pitch and only got one guy. Between games, I was able to shore off a few more Connecticut players, which was my main goal since they are the only San Fran affiliate we see. I may have to make one more trip to Binghamton, as I picked up the team set there today (from a $20 gift certificate we won at the last B-Mets game!)

Books:

Pablo Sandoval (2006) - 150th signature in that book
David Maroul (2006)
Ben Copeland (Both)
Eddy Martinez-Esteve (2006)
Kelvin Pichardo (2008)
Ben Snyder (2008)

Cards:

Binghamton
Eddie Kunz - 2

Connecticut
Pablo Sandoval - 1
Ben Copeland - 1
Nate Bump -1
Eddy Martinez-Esteve -1
Bob Stanley (Pitching Coach) - 1

7/25/08: Williamsport Crosscutters vs Auburn Doubledays

Free general admission seats for everyone convinced me to go to this game. I came with my handy logo page, as I only had two players from Williamsport (Short Season A for Philadelphia Phillies) in my book and only two cards (both of one of the players from the book). I only tried for signatures before the game, as we are still unsure of the best place to go after the game, after Auburn worker threw a fit because we (the whole 3 of us there) were in the way of them taking trash out (which we were no where near but I digress). Oh well, I guess if I was as ugly as that kid and had a job taking out trash, I'd be bitter at life, too.

Books:

D'Arby Myers (2008)
Travis d'Arnaud (2008)

Cards:

Travis d'Arnaud - 2

Misc:
Williamsport Logo Page (12)

Pitchers (4)
Freddy Ballestas
Justin De Fratus
Jacob Diekman
Robert Roth

Infielders (4)
Bryan Frew
Jeremy Hamilton
Troy Hanzawa
Daniel Hargrave

Outfielders (4)
Tim Binkoski
Brandon Haislet
Doug Morales
Steve Susdorf

7/20/08: Durham Bulls vs Syracuse Chiefs

Didn't bother going to the game due to work, but I did show up after the game, figuring that it'd be worth a shot at finishing up some. I found it funny watching Dan Johnson's progression during the week. He went from barely signing, to signing and barely grunting a "your welcome", to actually being a bit chatty the last day. Also, it's nice to see that Fernando Perez actually has a signature. Pregame on the first day, he signed 3 squiggles on my 2006 book, this time its a real signature in the 2008....oook.

Books:

Wade Davis (Both)
Fernando Perez (2008)

Cards:

Dan Johnson - 2
Gary Gaetti - 2
Joel Guzman - 1

7/19/08: Durham Bulls vs Syracuse Chiefs

Another night that went pretty well. I am still lacking a Fernando Perez in a book as well as Wade Davis in both, though. Neither of them were around pregame, and I didn't notice either as they exited. I realized Davis went by as he hopped into a car, which sucked. Other than that, only a last card or two of guys I have already gotten, so if I miss them there is no big deal. The only one I really hope to get is Joel Guzman, as the card he keeps skipping over is the Topps 52, which are the best to get signed. Manager Charlie Montoyo was fun after the game, as he was shocked to have anyone ask for him to sign. He was surprised I was not rushing Gaetti like the rest.

On a good note, pitching coach and ex-major leaguer Xavier Hernandez gave me the lineup card after the game, which was pretty sweet.

Books:

Calvin Medlock (2006)

Cards:

Justin Ruggiano - 2
Juan Salas - 2
Dan Johnson - 1
Jeff Niemann - 3
Gary Gaetti (Coach) - 4
Charlie Montoyo (Manager) - 2

Different Baseball Cards Signed This Year: 367

7/18/08: Durham Bulls vs Syracuse Chiefs

Another late inning Syracuse collapse left the Durham players in decent moods again. I have to say that I think Xavier Hernandez is the nicest ex-major leaguer coaching in the International League. He has been personable every day I've seen him and pretty much will sign what you have. Even Gary Gaetti came out pregame, even though he looked me up and down a few times before signing..the Matt DeSalvo treatment, which was odd. Was lucky to get a lot of my Jeff Niemann's signed as he was charting, and I was even one of the few to get Dan Johnson after the game.

Books:

Mitch Talbot (Both)
Elliot Johnson (2006)
Ben Hendrickson (2006)
Jeff Niemann (Both)

Cards:

Chris Richard - 1 (Numbered to 50 insert)
Juan Salas - 1
Justin Ruggiano - 1
Gary Gaetti - 4
Joel Guzman - 1
Jeff Niemann - 2
Dan Johnson - 1

7/17/08: Durham Bulls vs Syracuse Chiefs

Finally another home game, and this time I got my first shot in either book at the Tampa Bay organization's AAA affiliate. Didn't do too bad, but unfortunately missed out barely on Dan Johnson and Jeff Niemann. Luckily, I still have three days left.

Books:

Chris Mason (Both)
Juan Salas (Both)
Joel Guzman (Both)
Justin Ruggiano (2008)
Fernando Perez (2006)
John Jaso (Both)
Reid Brignac (Both)

Cards:

Ben Hendrickson - 2
Gary Gaetti (Coach) - 3
Scott Dohmann - 2
Joel Guzman - 1
Reid Brignac - 1
Juan Salas - 1 (Nice game used card)
Xavier Hernandez (Coach) - 4
Andy Cannizaro - 2
Elliot Johnson - 1
Nathan Haynes - 1
Kurt Birkins - 1

7/12/08: Lowell Spinners vs Auburn Doubledays

Since I had very little that I needed for the Syracuse/Lehigh Valley series, I decided to go to Auburn to catch the first game of their 3 game series with Lowell (Boston's short season A affiliate). Not having much for them besides 2 prospect book players, I brought a piece of photo paper with the Lowell logo on it for the players to sign. It was also military jersey night, where you could win a jersey for $1. You picked from boxes to put your raffle tickets into depending on the player you wanted. I ended up spending $7 total, one in 7 different player's boxes and won Mike McDade's jersey. Unfortuately, the jersey was soaked from sweat and even though the place he signed was dry, it somehow smeared on the way home. Yes, you got the jersey off their back and then they signed it. Not a bad thing if you have a pitcher or coach, but when you have the biggest guy on the team who had been running hard all night, it's gonna be soaked. It still looks decent, so I'm not that upset about it. Ironically, McDade was also the only Auburn player I needed a card signed for, so I got that as well. Lowell's manager Gary Disarcina was talking all of pregame and I missed him after the game, my only disappointment of the night.


Books:

Will Middlebrooks (2008)
Ryan Dent (2008)

Cards:

Auburn
Mike McDade - 1

Lowell
Tom Goodwin (Coach) - 3

Misc:

Jersey
Mike McDade

Lowell Logo Page (24 signed)

Pitchers (8)
Daniel Buller
Yeiper Castillo
Stephen Fife
Seth Garrison
Mitchell Herold
Brock Huntzinger
Michael Lee
Hunter Strickland

Catchers (3)
Matthew Cooney
Tim Federowicz
Rafael Gil

Infielders (7)
Darren Blocker
Deshaun Brooks
Ricardo Burgos
Ryan Dent
Zach Gentile
Jonathan Hee
Will Middlebrooks

Outfielders (6)
Ronald Bermudez
Rafael Cabreja
Mitch Dening
Carlos Fernandez-Oliva
Kade Keowen
Luis Sumoza

7/11/08: Lehigh Valley IronPigs vs Syracuse Chiefs

Arrived about a 1/2 hour before the game, and I was literally down to the Syracuse side seconds before Kevin Melillo stopped signing. Luckily, he did 1 of my 3 cards, as I have heard he is disastrous to get after the game. I was then able to get to the other side and complete all but my Kris Benson cards. Since the game went into extra innings, and since I only needed Benson, I did not stay after for autographs. I was very disappointed to find out after the game before this, that Kevin Mench was recalled from Syracuse, which meant I ended up empty handed on autographs from him.

Cards:

Syracuse
Kevin Melillo - 1

Lehigh Valley
Jon Knott - 2
Joe Bisenius - 3