My Graphing Thread

[otis]

Well today was an interesting day. Yankees have a series against Philly and someone was making an appearance downtown that I've never been able to get. Keith Hernandez. Was only able to get him on one of my own items. I also got the photo they provided.

Said to him "Hey pretty boy", to those who get the Seinfeld reference lol. After that went on my way for the Phillies. Didn't really miss anything as barely anyone signed, other than couple coaches. Later on, I got a little surprise. Back in November 2013 when I went for the T'Wolves, a grapher I know volunteered to get my Kevin Martin 8x10 signed since I had to leave early. That photo has had a trail of bad luck. The previous year I was the only person to not be able to get him because he claimed he signed for me earlier. If I'm not mistaken, he was the only guy not to get him when he tried getting it signed for me. He finally got it signed for me a little over a year ago and when we've ran into each other he never had it on him. So I finally got the photo back after over 1 1/2 years lol. Ok...so back to the Phillies.

Ben Revere 2/2
Aaron Harang 1/2
Howard SS ROMLB (Finally!)
Papelbon 8x10

Quality over quantity day, but wow I didn't expect to get Howard and hoped Papelbon would sign. I actually bought a ball this morning in case Sandberg signed rather than Howard, but because of what time that Hernandez signing was, I'd probably be too late for Ryne. I also wasn't able to get Matt Stairs, couple kids were in the way and didn't come back for me. Have to see what's next. Very small chance I goto a Jackals game Tues or Weds night. Gotta see if a certain someone travels. Frank White is a coach for KC. Also small chance I go for Reds Friday. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Well I went for the Reds back on Friday, bad day. At least I didn't spend much time there.

Anthony DeSclafani on 2014 Marlins 8x10
Coach Jay Bell 2/2

About 15 people there. I got there fairly late, which is pretty on time for Cincy. I was only late for coach Billy Hatcher. I missed coach Jim Riggleman. Cueto didn't sign at first but then later did for 3 guys that followed him for a block. Another reason I came that day was to see a replica of the Seinfeld apartment but there was a wait of like 3 hours after I was done with Cincy...Not sure what's next. Chance I go for Mets/Cubs on Weds. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Yesterday I went to my first Brooklyn Cyclones game, they are a low level affiliate of the Mets. It was the 2nd annual Salute To Seinfeld night and they were giving away Little Jerry bobbleheads. It's a rooster but I don't recall the episode well. Nice area, first time I've been to Coney Island. Only a couple guys I had stuff for: Cyclones coach Edgardo Alfonzo, Williamsport manager Pat Borders and a friend of mine gave me a card of coach Les Lancaster.

Before the game:

Lancaster 1/1
Borders 1/2
Alfonzo SS ROMLB

There had to be around 10 graphers there, didn't think Borders would be 1-per.

After the game went by the players exit, didn't plan on doing that. At least 30 people there...wow.

Alfonzo 2/2
Borders 1/2, 1/1

Lol...Borders was still doing 1-pers. People went to get him again a 2nd time. I just asked him if he could sign my last one because I don't know if I'd ever see him again. (Sappy, I know lol) Have to see what's next, A's have a series this week and might goto a Jackals game these next few days. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Well tonight I went to a Jackals/Boulders game. Was Sam Adams mug giveaway and $1 drinks night.

Bobby Jones 2/2

Should've gone blue on both, or at least brought my gold instead. Game was in a rain delay right at the bottom of the 5th and Jackals led 2-1. Game was called 45 min later. Up next...have to see if I do anything with the upcoming Mets/D'Backs series or Jackals this weekend. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Few hours ago I went for autos after the Jackals/Miners game. Few guys I was after, also noticed pitching coach Reggie Harris was no longer listed...

Cory Morales on ball (he hit the foul ball from the previous Miners game)
Abercrombie 3/3, pic of us & 2 cards

I missed manager Steve Shirley, might've left when I got Morales. And I asked Abercrombie about Reggie Harris, he's gone. Said he left a week ago. When I had the pic of Abercrombie & I, I asked him to also say Go Marlins! and when he handed it back to me he said he didn't want to put that because he didn't like his time there. I asked him, "Please, for a Marlins fan?" and he said "Ok how about I put Go Miami?" Cool with me lol. Not sure what's next. Jose Canseco doing a signing in a few days, have to see if I'll be able to do that. Mariners come to town later next week and try to go to Jackals game in couple weeks. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Went to Jackals/Fargo-Moorhead game back on Tuesday.

Joe Staley 3/3
Brandon Mann 2/2

Start of the game was delayed, hell of an offensive game. Left in maybe the 7th, first inning and a half took like an hour. Don't know what's next, probably go to Jackals game next week and maybe even Brooklyn Cyclones. Also chance I go after the Padres. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Well I went to a Brooklyn Cyclones/Hudson Valley Renegades game Weds night and then decided to go to Jackals/Wichita Wingnuts game last night. The only reason I went to the Cyclones game is for a Juan Lagares bobblehead giveaway. Unfortunately I got there pretty late, just as it started. I got lucky and ended up finding a couple boxes under some seats after the game. Game ended a bit early so I waited a little for the only guy I had stuff for.

Edgardo Alfonzo 2/2

Now for the Jackals game. Ended up going at the last minute with the forecast clearing. Few guys I was after. Nate Robertson is also an owner but doesn't travel.

David Espinosa 1/1
Manager Kevin Hooper 1/1
Luis Hernandez 4/4

As you can see in the pic, Luis Montanez is paired with Espinosa on the card. I asked him about Montanez because before the season started, he was listed on the roster. David told me his wife got unexpectedly pregnant and he retired. Kevin Hooper was awesome and showed a couple guys the card and Luis did the same. Unfortunately I think the gold sig card got smeared when someone mishandled them.

Not sure what's next. Was planning on finally graphing the Mets today but that didn't work out. Chance I graph the Blue Jays next week, maybe even Red Sox. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Well I've done a little graphing this past week. I forgot to mention that on the Jackals game I went to on the 30th, NJ Devils great Bruce Driver appeared. Luckily they supplied a 4x6 card with his career stats on the back. I also got a Devils lanyard. So anyway, first I went after the Blue Jays last Friday. It really went horribly. Turns out Toronto is now another team that doesn't sign at the hotel. I was lucky to get one person.

Munenori Kawasaki 8x10

It was a pic of me and him from 2 years ago. He only signed for this kid and me. Didn't switch sharpies and signed it sideways, didn't even get a chance to ask him to personalize. His fun personality wasn't there like last time.

Tuesday I went to a Jackals game against the Trois-Rivieres Aigles. Few guys I had stuff for.

Philippe Valiquette 2/2
Pedro Lopez 4/4
Manager Pete LaForest 2/2

LaForest was great, talked to him for a few minutes until it started to pour. I also caught a foul ball in the game. The next day I went to a Brooklyn Cyclones game against the State College Spikes. It was 90s Nickelodeon Night. They were giving away a mini replica of the Aggro Crag from Nick Guts (only reason I went) and the players wore jerseys with the Guts design. Other than that, it was more of a 90s night than a 90s Nick night. Thought there would be mentions of shows like Legends of the Hidden Temple, Ren & Stimpy etc. None of the fan games even had to do with any shows, just 90s in general. Anyway I got there early enough and was able to get somebody.

Coach Edgardo Alfonzo 2/2

He showed the Angels card to one of his players, showing him his form. Later I might post a pic of the Aggro Crag. Don't know what's next. Maybe I'll go after the Twins next week and maybe my last Jackals game as well. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

So today I wound up doing the Minnesota Twins. First time graphing them since going to a game back in 2006. Things could've gone better.

Torii Hunter 8x10
Coach Neil Allen 2/2
Mike Pelfrey on 2011 Mets 8x10 & card
Broadcaster Dan Gladden 1/2

Around 15 people there I'd say. Only others to sign were Ervin Santana (late for him) and I think Glen Perkins. Had a chance to finally get Mauer but I blew it. I went with a friend to get water and in those 5-10 minutes, he came out and signed for everyone...later on he was entering a car in a side entrance and said he just couldn't sign for the 3 of us. Couldn't convince him. Crappy day. Nice I finally got Torii on a photo, but he's not challenging to get. All 3 times he came out he signed for everyone. Up next, maybe a Jackals game over the weekend. Maybe Astros next week. Thanks for reading.

 

[redwing40]

Nice collection of IP's Congrats

 

[otis]

Well I went to a Jackals/Quebec Capitales game on Friday. Only had stuff for Karl Gelinas and Jackal Leandro Castro. Gelinas I've had trouble getting for the past few years. Either he didn't travel or was on the DL. Well guess what? Maybe a week before the series, he landed on the DL.

Castro 1/1

Yesterday I went after the Houston Astros. What a horrible day. I only got 1 person.

Hank Conger 1/1

What a waste of time. Only other people to sign were A.J. Hinch (didn't feel like chasing after him) & Jake Marisnick (didn't do it for everyone). Marisnick was the only one to come over to sign when boarding the bus. What a disappointment. Idk what's next, may do the Mets on Friday. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

I went for the Mets last Friday, ughh.

Manager Terry Collins on 2015 & 2014 team items
Coach Ricky Bones 2/2

Was little late for Rick Porcello & missed Cespedes.

 

[otis]

Couple updates from the past week.

Weds night I went to a playoff game between Jackals and Quebec, Jackals took the game.

Karl Gelinas 1/1

Finally able to get Gelinas. He was actually the league Pitcher of the Year. I also got a foul ball. Yesterday I went to a signing at a Stop and Shop for former Giant George Martin.

Awesome guy, pleasure to meet. Tomorrow I might do the Marlins and Tuesday might go to the game. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Went after the Marlins past couple days, finally had a couple nice days. Monday I went for them and it was a quantity over quality type of day, but still some quality.

Added McGehee, Carter Capps, Andre Rienzo, Cosart, Bryan Morris, Donovan Solano, manager Dan Jennings, Justin Nicolino, Jeff Mathis & A.J. Ramos to this year's 8x10
Dee Gordon 8x10
Cosart 1/1
Mike Dunn 2/2
Coach Brett Butler 2/2
Capps 1/1
Ramos on 2014 8x10
Stanton on 2012 8x10
Broadcaster Preston Wilson 1/2

20 on total for the day. One of my best baseball totals and in general as of late. I could've gotten even more if I remembered better who I needed on last year's item. Coach Lenny Harris didn't feel like signing for us, "I'll (or you'll) be here all week." Ozuna actually did end up signing one after being broken down in Spanish and Fernandez wouldn't sign but eventually did. 2 teens ran several blocks to finally get him. Few we couldn't recognize and didn't see Ichiro or Martin Prado. I almost was unable to get Stanton, him and Ramos both came out and I went after A.J. first. Luckily Stanton wasn't rushing much and was signing for all. Pretty remarkable that I've been able to get him 3 of my last 4 times at the hotel since last season. And I also finally got a pic with Hall of Fame broadcaster and fellow Cuban Felo Ramirez.

Tuesday I had tickets to the game and went after the Mets early. I decided to show up late, and good thing I did because barely anyone signed prior to getting there. Only got one person:

Curtis Granderson to 2015 8x10

I missed Parnell and I think Matz. First player for me this season, photo is looking pretty poor after 2 tries. Inside I did end up getting a few Marlins. Everyone around started a chant for Ichiro and boom, he eventually came over. He said "One per person and no eBay."

ICHIRO SP ROMLB
Scott McGough and Justin Bour on 2015 8x10

Questioned myself if I needed Bour on last year's also, turns out I did lol. But thank God Ichiro. A sharpie side panel but I'll take it, he ran with a sharpie. Very rarely do I manage to get 3 autos inside Citi. Not sure what's next for me. Chance that I go after Jessie Armstead at a signing Saturday like last week, except it's like an hour away. Next week maybe go for the Mets or Braves, no idea. Thanks for reading.

 

[otis]

Well I have updates from past couple days. Last night was the Devils' first preseason game so I decided to go after them postgame. Don't have an item for this season yet. Added few guys to other years.

Eric Gelinas to the 2013/14 8x10
Daneyko 1/1
Adam Larsson to 14/15 & 2013 8x10 (finally able to get him)
Tuomo Ruutu on 14/15 & card

Some others signed, couldn't figure out who but most likely didn't need them, most of the guys that will go back to the minors. Also this afternoon I went to see David Tyree at a Stop & Shop.

I have no idea what's happening next. Next weekend will try to go to a Mets game, maybe go down to Philly to see the Marlins. I don't know where I'll be for the finale though...thanks for reading.