My Graphing Thread

[otis]

NBA All-Star Weekend going on in NYC and they have things going on this week. They have a couple fanfests going on in Manhattan and Brooklyn, 20 bucks and 10 bucks respectively. But the ticket is for a certain session, and they might have a few different sessions throughout the day. For these few days they're gonna have a bunch of players appearing at the sessions in Manhattan but there might not be enough time to get who you want within the session. And they're having signings at other places, Modell's etc but they are listed as no outside items permitted. So I went to Brooklyn for the 5:30-9:30 sessions to see Gary Payton and Detlef Schrempf last night. I assumed some kind of a signing and maybe they'd participate in a couple other things. Well there was no signing, and they were only there from 6:45 to around 7:45. I participated in a shooting stars contest and later was able to get them both.

Schrempf 8x10
Payton 8x10

I got there an hour before the session started just in case there actually would be a crowd but turns out that wasn't necessary. I was in the right spot to get them as they were on their way out. Not many people tried getting them, nobody really brought items to get signed. I might've been one of a only a couple trying to get Detlef and I was able to get Gary the 2nd time around. I don't think I'm gonna be doing any other graphing. Maybe Sunday if there is a great lineup of players in Manhattan for one session, that's about it. Also tonight I'm attending the Rising Stars Challenge with some friends. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Well today I went for the Phoenix...err I mean...Arizona Coyotes (still getting used to that). Did alright.

David Moss 1/1
Lauri Korpikoski 1/1
Goalie coach Sean Burke 2/2 (Accidentally handed him my black sharpie...)
Mike Smith 1/2
Ekman-Larsson 8x10
Yandle 2/2

Couldn't get a few others, like coach Tippett, Erat & Vermette. Doan was running late and didn't sign. Not sure what's next. Raptors come in Saturday and Warriors and Hornets next week. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

I went after the Warriors today. It sucked. About 40 people there at most, 20-25 when most of the team boarded.

Coach Jarron Collins
David Lee 8x10
Coach Steve Kerr 8x10 (Signed it on his shoes...)

Curry only signed a few and Klay I think 1. Horrible. Gonna try for the Hornets Weds, might goto the game also. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Well I went after the Hornets yesterday and also went to the game. It was supposed to shower in the afternoon but luckily there was nothing. First at the hotel:

Added coach Steve Clifford, Bismack Biyombo, Al Jefferson, Jeffery Taylor, Stephenson, Mo Williams, Kidd-Gilchrist, Jason Maxiell, Brian Roberts & Kemba on Hornets team 8x10
Dell Curry 8x10
Jefferson 8x10
Taylor & Walker also each on a card

I should've gotten Curry to sign it in blue. Was a little slow and missed getting a couple guys. Zeller & Ewing (of course) only ones to not sign.

During shootaround:

Biyombo 1/1
Jefferson 1/1
Kidd-Gilchrist 2/2
Roberts 2/2
Noah Vonleh on Hornets team 8x10

Once again wasn't able to get Zeller, Ewing also never signed. For those of you that don't know, Ewing is one of those guys that never really signs, you can pretty much count on it. Mark Price also never signed, couldn't get him after shootaround or even at halftime. Apparently he's also not nice about signing, I should've asked around. Maxiell also didn't sign for me and Kemba, Mo & Henderson ran in. Only guys on the roster I couldn't get were Troy Daniels, PJ Hairston, Henderson, Marvin Williams & Zeller. Hornets killed the Nets, especially in the 1st quarter. And after the game I wasn't able to get anything some of the players threw into the section. Next time I have to try to get the Nets after the game. But I did great overall, 21 graphs in total. We'll have to see what's next. Suns, Pacers & Jazz come in over the weekend but I probably won't go after them. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

I ended up going after the Florida Panthers today. Could've done better, could've done worse. Should've done this last year, printed something for their 20th year.

Jimmy Hayes on team 8x10
Brian Campbell on team 8x10
Jagr 8x10 (finally)
Brad Boyes on team 8x10 & card
Dan Ellis on team 8x10 & card
Jussi Jokinen 1/2
Jonathan Huberdeau on team 8x10

Around 25 people there at most. Missed Barkov, Bjugstad & Dave Bolland. Also missed getting broadcaster Denis Potvin. Should've printed...Shawn Thornton, Upshall & Ekblad didn't sign for me. Hotel security made it tough for a little. So glad I was finally able to get Jagr. When he came out he walked out and didn't sign, maybe a dozen of us followed him. Walked about a block to the bus, put his stuff inside and signed 1 a piece for us. Also said if anyone tries for a 2nd, he would stop signing. At least that time I failed getting Jagr couple years ago as a Bruin won't haunt me anymore. Up next, Wolves & Bucks come to town Thurs & Fri. Will go for one at least. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Today I went for the Milwaukee Bucks. Wizards were also in town but Bucks were my priority. Did pretty good.

Coach Greg Foster 2/2
Carter-Williams 8x10
Antetokounmpo 8x10
Coach Kidd 8x10
John Henson 2/2
Jared Dudley 2/2
Zaza Pachulia 2/2
Miles Plumlee 1/1
Mayo 8x10

Only like maybe 6 people at most. After Kidd signed, just 2 of us. Unfortunately Kidd ran with someone's silver. Jerryd Bayless was the only one not to sign for me and Ersan Ilyasova didn't hear me (maybe...lol). Have to see what's next. Basketball is finishing up next week & Mets have series with the Phillies & Marlins. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Yesterday I went after the Marlins and Penguins. Would've been better off doing just the Marlins.

Tom Koehler, Steve Cishek, manager Redmond, Urena, Dunn, Hechavarria, Yelich, Sam Dyson, Dee Gordon, Brignac, Realmuto & David Phelps on this year's team 8x10
Added Cishek & Dunn to 2012 team 8x10
Added coach Lenny Harris to 2003 team 8x10
Got Harris & Gordon on a card

Stanton signed a couple and Haren & Ozuna were a few that wouldn't do it. Probably missed a couple others. Too bad I didn't check out the Penguins when it was slow for the Marlins, was better than gametime. Got nobody. When Crosby came out, most of the people ran around the bus for him and hotel security jumped to action...I've never seen hotel or team security react this way. A kid got half a signature before the guy was trying to get a hold of him and pull him away, tearing his shirt a bit. Another kid was slammed into a car, another guy was threatened. I didn't see most of this, because I didn't get over there right away until I heard it all go down. Ridiculous. Later on Mario Lemieux was walking down the street but wouldn't sign for anyone. Next sure what's next for me, could be in a couple weeks. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Before I mention the autos I got today, first a little pack break. Few days ago paid a visit to the card shop for a couple DIY boxes. Decided to pick up a pack. 96/97 Bowman Hockey

Greg Leeb, Martin Menard, Jonathan Sim, Daniel Corso, John Tripp, Derek Morris, Scott Barney (prospects), Alexandre Mathieu (prospects)

Today met a couple of NY Giants. Rushed over there after my Little League game. Waited about an hour.

Rashad Jennings 8x10
Larry Donnell 8x10

Also got em to sign one each of the provided 8x10 for a friend.

Pointed for Larry to sign on his leg, oh well lol. Up next there's a chance I do the Cardinals Tuesday. Thanks for reading.

 

[redwing40]

Amazing Stuff!

 

[otis]

Thanks. Well yesterday I went after the Royals and Phillies, more for KC. Did fine, got one I hoped for.

Hitting coach Dale Sveum 2/2
Greg Holland 1/1
Alcides Escobar 1/2
Jeremy Guthrie 1/1
Salvador Perez 8x10
Omar Infante 1/2

Missed Wade Davis, Gordon, Madson & Vargas. Cain, Kendrys Morales & Chris Young were a few to not sign. Was hoping my Cuban flag would've encouraged Morales to sign...pshh. Only the 2nd guy to not sign the flag (Jose Iglesias). I went over to catch some of the later Phillies...only saw a few guys.

Broadcaster Ben Davis 2/2

Only about 4 of us there. Ryan Howard wouldn't sign. Only other I saw was GM Ruben Amaro Jr. and of course I didn't bother getting my cards for him...lol.

Not sure what's next, might go to minor league game in a few days. Also Marlins come in this weekend so we'll see what happens. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

I went to a minor league game Saturday night, NJ Jackals vs Rockland Boulders. Only one guy I needed.

Pitching coach Bobby M. Jones 2/2

Few graphers there also. Seeing by their cards, more players had cards then I thought. Also a little pack break. Last week a bought a few packs - couple baseball and a hockey. Nothing worth mentioning in the 93 Leaf other then a few great base. My 92/93 Score had rookies of Guerin & Brent Thompson & a Kevin Hatcher insert. 2015 Topps rack pack had Future Stars DeGrom, Abreu & Gattis. Got rookies of Rusney Castillo, Bryce Brentz & Bryan Mitchell. Griffey Jr, Votto, Springer & Maddux inserts. Also in an order I made on sportlots I got 9 bonus cards, all hockey. 6 of them RCs - Aaron Ward, Evgeny Davydov, Marty McInnis, Martin Lapointe, David Roberts & Daniel LaPerriere. One of them was a gold parallel, can't remember. Up next, chance I graph the Angels at the end of the week. Unsure if I can go to a Jackals game one of these next few days, few guys I have cards for. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Was gonna go to Jackals/Sussex County Miners game last night but was rained out. Already was a game at 11am next day so was made up as a doubleheader, went there for Game 2. Had stuff for a few guys.

Reggie Abercrombie 2/2
Ray Sadler 2/2

After the game:

Pitching coach Reggie Harris 2/2

Actually forgot to bring my card of manager Steve Shirley. Abercrombie was super nice, was asking some kids how their grades are in school. I gotta picture with him too. I also got a foul ball, that is when the crowd got down to under 100 lol. Not sure what's next, may do the Angels Friday and next week a Japanese team will have a series against the Jackals. And yes I went and got cards of a couple guys lol. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Well I went for the Nationals & Giants today. They happened to be staying at the same place. I expected the Giants to be lousy signers but DC was not too much better.

Manager Matt Williams SS ROMLB
Tim Hudson 8x10 (lol at where he signed it, signed in better spots for the people after me)
Nori Aoki 1/1
Denard Span 2/2

About as many as 15-20 people there. Only other Giants to sign were Joaquin Arias (who didn't sign for me) & Andrew Susac. For the Nats, I was in the wrong spot when Zimmerman signed and Zimmermann only signed one. Only other Nat to sign was Joe Ross. Thank God I was able to get Williams & Hudson but pretty bad totals for 2 teams. Up next trying to go to that game between the Jackals and the team from Japan, maybe Friday night. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Last night I went to a Jackals game against a Japanese team. They are the Shikoku Island All-Stars and this was their first game on their road trip against the teams in the Can-Am. I did a little research early in the month to try to find if a roster had been announced and there were a couple coaches that played professionally and got a couple cards of them. I didn't know what numbers they would be on this team so I just winged it. I saw one guy walking by and thought he may have been one of my guys. And yes it was Terushi Nakajima, thank God lol. He was so surprised to see I had a card, probably as surprised as I was that I spotted the right guy. So I had one more coach to go after. I talked with one of the American players on the team for a few minutes before the game. It was a pretty good game, Jackals won 3-0. The guy I talked to also pitched at the end. So after the game, the entire team walked up to the concourse to greet the fans as we left. Well I had a program for them to sign. But first I went after that other coach Hiroto Kato when he made it up. Also was surprised to see I had a couple cards.

Terushi Nakajima 1/1
Hiroto Kato 2/2 (Gave an English sig on the 2nd one)
Entire team on the program except for the trainer

These guys were fantastic, really was an honor to meet each of them. So all in all, 35 autographs for the day. Definitely didn't expect to get that many lol. So have to see what's next. Thought about going to the Mets game today because of seats being 66% off but there were no more field level seats, so looks like I'll be going to the game against the Blue Jays Monday. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Last night I went to the Jackals/Ottawa Champions game. Ottawa has a coach that played throughout the 60s and 70s, Hal Lanier.

Lanier 3/3
Alan DeRatt 1/1

There was another guy I had cards for, Andrew Werner, but I found out from the catcher that he couldn't make the trip. His passport was stolen out of his locker. Have to see what's next, Phillies & Reds come to town next week and NBA Draft is next week. Thanks for reading.