My Autograph Party Autographs

I've already described the day, so I'll just show the items I got signed here.  I really like the 2010 Topps Heritage set and tried to get as many of those as I could, which turned out to be three.

I got my first Carl Pavano and Trevor Plouffe autographs:

And I added another card to my Brendan Harris collection, this time a 2008 Allen & Ginter:

As well as a 2005 Bowman Heritage to my Kevin Slowey collection:

I had Danny Valencia sign a ball on the sweet spot.

Finally, since John Castino was signing with Harmon Killebrew (and I got an item signed by Killebrew for my son), I had Castino sign a ball for me.  He was kind enough to offer to add his Rookie of the Year inscription, which I gladly accepted.  I would say Mr. Castino was the friendliest of the day, right up there with Killebrew, and he thanked us for coming out and supporting the event.  Very nice.  I think this ball is the most pleasant surprise of the day, and I'm happy to have it in my collection.

Twins Autograph Party 2010 Wrap Up

Yesterday was a long day but my younger son and I had fun.  We got there plenty early, and had we been gambling men, we probably would have gotten Joe Mauer's autograph.  We saw a line that looked short enough to get through, but was obviously set up for a long line.  We knew it would be Mauer, Morneau or Thome.

But, we didn't want to take the risk so we decided to be first in line for an unknown group of players.  Being first in line was pretty fun for my son, and luckily Denard Span was at our station, who is my son's favorite player.  David already has autographs from him on a game used bat, mini helmet, an 8x10 picture, a baseball and a couple of baseball cards, so he got him to sign a mini bat.  Had he known we'd be seeing Span, he probably would have bought a cap for him to sign.  Also in that line were Pavano and Harris.  Since we were first in line, Harris asked me how long we'd been waiting.  He seemed surprised to hear that we'd been there three hours already.

David had Pavano and Harris sign cards.

At this point it was raining so we ducked into an opening into Target Field that they were using to allow people to use the restrooms.  We used this shelter to put our recently signed items away and get out the items for the next signing, which was Liriano, Steve Liddle and Danny Valencia.  David had Liriano sign a 2010 Topps Heritage (which got a little smudged), added Steve Liddle to his 2010 team ball, and had Valencia sign a ball, which he signed on the side panel (and it got a little smudged).

Again, we ducked into our shelter area to put these items away and get ready for the next station we wanted to target, which was Slowey, Young and Plouffe.  David had all three sign cards.  This line was a bit longer and took us about 30 minutes to get through.

Time was winding down a bit for the current players to sign, so we decided we'd head over to station #6 where Killebrew was scheduled to sign at 2:00.  We got in line and there weren't too many people in front of us, so we were confident we'd get through.  With about 15 minutes left, we realized that the line was very short for the current players at our station, which included Cuddyer, another of David's favorites.  So David ran up and got Cuddyer to sign a mini helmet, and added Scott Ullger and Alex Burnett to his team ball, while I held our place in line for Killebrew.

We managed to put these items away while standing in Killebrew's line, under our umbrella.  It started raining quite a bit harder at this point.  We waited a half hour until Killebrew started signing at 2:00.  At 2:20, our line had barely moved!  We were getting nervous that we might not make it through.  The rain obviously slowed things down as people couldn't get their pictures, baseballs, etc out and ready to be signed until they got under the tent, otherwise the rain would have gotten them wet.  Also, Mr. Killebrew is a notoriously slow signer.  He's very friendly and is careful to sign neatly.  John Castino was also signing with Killebrew.  Killebrew and Castino discussed the1956 Topps David was having Killebrew sign.  Killebrew seemed to enjoy seeing it.

At about 2:45, the ushers started counting people in line, presumably to cut off the line at some point.  They counted well beyond my son and I so we felt confident we'd make it.  The rain let up a bit, and the line seemed to speed up.  We got done with about 20 minutes left in the session.  My son and I got a bobblehead as well as the 1956 Topps signed for my other son.  Killebrew is his favorite player, and he couldn't make it because he was playing in a baseball tournament (in the rain).  He's a catcher, and by the end of the third game that day, he was sitting in several inches of water behind the plate.  We had to hose off his equipment when he got home.  Anyway, he was happy to get these items signed.

My younger son also had John Castino sign a mini bat for his brother.

It looked like we might have had a chance to get through Carew's line, but we were pretty tired and our feet were cold and wet, so we decided not to risk it.  It was a relief to sit down once we got on the train, then we headed to a restaurant for some pop and appetizers.

A pretty exhausting day, not quite as exhausting as TwinsFest, but the rain added some additional stress and discomfort.  I enjoyed spending the day with my younger son, which we don't get the chance to do very often.

Later today or this week I'll post the items that I got signed.

All Done

We got through Killebrew's line with about 20 minutes left. We're on the train back home, hoping to dry off and get something to eat.

The Rain Has Stopped

At least for now. Killebrew just started signing but the line has hardly budged.

Waiting for Killebrew

We just got through the line with Slowey, Plouffe and Young. Now we're waiting for Killebrew. He starts signing at 2:00.

We're about 50 people back, so getting Killebrew shouldn't be a problem.

John Castino is also signing with him.

Waiting for Delmon

Rain!

About 15 minutes before the signings were to start, the rain began. Not too heavy, but heavy enough to make it very difficult to keep our baseballs, pictured and cards dry. They have tents set up for the players, but they're small and only a few people fit under them.

So far, we got Span, Harris and Pavano. Then Steve Liddle, Danny Valencia and Liriano. Now we're in line for Slowey, Young and Plouffe.

1 hour to go

The current players start signing in one hour. After this line, we plan on going to station 5 with Liriano and Danny Valencia as well as Steve Liddle. Then if there's time, we'll try Cuddyer, or whatever one we think we can get through. For the retired players, we plan on trying to get Killebrew on a couple of things for my older son, who is playing in a tournament and can't be here.

Trying to stay warm

My son bought some hot chocolate to try to stay warm.

We lucked out

We now have the schedule. We picked a pretty decent line. Carl Pavano, Denard Span, and Brendan Harris. Now we just have a three hour wait!

The schedule must be out

People are running past our station. They must have found out where the players are signing and had made an unfortunate guess as to which line to get in. No one is running to our line though!

Twins Autograph Party

We have arrived at the Twins Autograph Party. There are a few stations with REALLY long lines and several stations with nobody in them. We chose to be first in line at one of the smaller stations. Hopefully we'll get a couple guys like Baker and Punto, and then have time for one or two more lines. It's a little cold, about 58 degrees. Cloudy and threatening to rain.

A Few '58's For My Son's Collection

My son has received a few 1958 Topps back for his set recently.

Yesterday he received two cards from Frank Malzone, both his normal card as well as his All Star card.

Today, he received a card back from Gus Zernial, which he sent out nearly three months ago.

A Couple Of Cards For My Sets

On Tuesday, I received a card I sent in to another Chris Potter signing.  Chris had arranged a signing with Jim Maloney, who signed a 1965 Topps for my set.  I think this brings my total to 348 signed cards for that year.

Today I received a card that I had sent in to a J. Paul Sports signing.  This signing had a lot of players from the 1960 Pirates team.  I sent in a 1958 Topps to be signed by Don Gross.  It has been a while since I added another card to this set.  This is number 346 for my set.  I was surprised to realize that I have more in my '65 set than my '58 set, since I've been working on the '58's much longer.

Ray Herbert Return

Another return today.  Ray Herbert signed his 1955 and 1959 Topps for me in 10 days.

I don't have any recent requests out that I'm expecting back, and don't expect any time to send any for quite a while.  Beginning June 1st, we have one or two baseball games every day for 28 days straight, including tournaments on weekends.  The only days we might not have any games would be on Sundays if my sons don't do well in their tournaments.

Al Rosen Return

Last week I mailed out a couple of requests.  Today I got one back.

Al Rosen signed his 1956 Topps for me in 8 days.

After buying four tickets to the Twins Autograph Party, I found out that Killebrew won't be signing jerseys.  That was the main goal for me and my older son.  Also, since buying the tickets, my older son's baseball team signed up for another tournament that is the same weekend.  I'm not sure what I'll do yet.  Maybe my younger son and I will go even though he didn't really want to.  Maybe I'll be there by myself.  I'm not sure yet what I'll do with the other tickets.

Jason Kubel Signing

Today my wife of 15 years and I celebrated our anniversary by driving an hour to the Best Buy in Maplewood for a Jason Kubel autograph signing at noon. Well, it really wasn't a celebration, but I took a day of vacation so we could spend the day together and she agreed to spend it this way. We also snuck in some shopping, a little of which was for her, and we had lunch together, so it was nice. At least for me.

Anyway, we got to Best Buy at about 11:25 for the noon signing. There were already quite a few people in line, and by the time he started signing, the line wrapped all the way around the store and out the door! It was a single file line, so it wasn't really as long as it looked, but I was amazed that so many people were there on a weekday.

The first time through the line my wife and I each had him sign a black Rawlings Big Stick bat for our sons. They were surprised and happy to get them when they got home from school.

After we got through the line, I thought we'd probably have time to get through again and sure enough, we got through the line by about 12:50, about 10 minutes before the signing ended. I had him sign a 2009 Metrodome Commemorative ball, partly because I still have about a dozen left, and also because my favorite memory of seeing a game live at the Dome was when he capped off hitting for the cycle and completed a huge comeback by hitting a grand slam against the Angels last April.

My wife had him sign a 2010 Topps Heritage for me.

By that time, there were only a few people in back of us, but I decided not to be greedy and we headed off for lunch.

Albie Pearson

Today I received a 1965 Topps signed by Albie Pearson.  I sent this in to a private signing held by Chris Potter (http://www.chrispottersports.com).

I've sent in several items to Chris, including Jim Perry and Jim Maloney (which I should get back pretty soon).

Catching Up

I haven't got a lot to share, but I have a few things to catch up on.

First, a while ago my son got back a Carlos Gomez picture signed during Spring Training that the guys at GateX autographs took care of for us.  I had also sent in one for myself, but they weren't able to get that one signed.  Gomez's signature is horrible, like most current players, and he signed it in about the worst spot possible, because it's dark.  Oh well.  The picture itself is really cool.

Today I ordered our tickets for the Twins Autograph Party on June 12th.  $43 each, with "convenience fees".  Ouch.  Johnny and I want to get Killebrew to sign our throwback jerseys, which will be $20 cheaper than TwinsFest.  Johnny also wants to get Killebrew to sign the picture of Killebrew with Hank Aaron, on which he spent his life savings getting Aaron's autograph.  I also have a picture I want signed, as well as a Wheeldon print, but Johnny also wants a bobblehead signed.  My younger son and wife will help get a couple of these other items signed.

Lastly, I wanted to mentioned that Hall of Famer Robin Roberts passed away on May 6th.  I have several autographs from Roberts that I've received through the mail over the last seven years that I've been collecting.  He signed for a small donation for B.A.T. (Baseball Assistance Team).  It's guys like Roberts that I've really enjoyed learning about and writing to for autographs.  I find it much harder to get interested in the guys from the 70's and later, so I find myself becoming a little less interested in the hobby as each old timer passes away.  Eventually I'll probably just collect current Twins players.

I have been very busy lately with my sons' traveling baseball schedules and weekend tournaments, as well as traveling for work so I have not sent out any requests.  I may get a few minutes to send out 2 or 3 today before we head out to my son's baseball game this afternoon.

My First Trip to Target Field

On Wednesday of last week I took a half-day of vacation and headed out to Target Field to watch the Twins beat the Tigers.  A colleague of mine has a pair of season tickets and was called out of town, so he gave them to me and another colleague of mine.  Thanks again Jeff!

The weather was cold and rainy so I was a little worried about how comfortable it would be.  It was also very windy.  We parked at the Fort Snelling Park & Ride and rode the Light Rail to the field.  This was also my first ride on the Light Rail.  It was okay, but VERY crowded.

To my surprise, the game was packed.  Announced as a sellout, it was hard to walk around the concourse due to all the people, and the lines of people waiting to buy food.  The gate we entered was on the other side of the field from where are seats were, so it took us a bit of time to make our way to our seats.  Before heading down to our seats, we grabbed a hot dog and drink.  Nothing fancy, just the plain hot dog and chips.  I didn't take the opportunity to look at all the different food options or sample any.  I did notice the walleye fingers and fries, which I might try next time (for $9.50).

Our seats were in section 104, beyond first base, about a third of the way down the outfield line.  They were great seats.  The best thing is that they were actually positioned facing the infield, so you don't have to sit with your head turned to the side to see the infield, like you had to at the Dome.  We seemed to be somewhat protected from the wind and I was pretty comfortable, although I had dressed for the occasion.

The scoreboard/video screen is amazing!  It's like a giant HD TV.

My favorite part of the stadium is the big neon sign out in center field with "Paul" and Minnie".  I'm glad they included a retro feel to the park, which is also evident by the banners along the fences outside that have giant reprints of Twins baseball cards on them.

My younger son went to last night's game against the Orioles and ran into Tony Oliva on the concourse.  He and his friend got their picture taken with him.  They were pretty excited.

My wife and other son have yet to visit the new field.  We'll do our best to get them there later this year.