Autograph Recap San Diego Padres and New York Mets 8/15/13

Ever wonder how to get an autograph at Petco Park? Want to get autographs in San Diego? Here's as close as I'll ever directly tell anyone how to get an autograph at a MLB stadium. Yup that's how irritated I am at my recent trip down to San Diego and the way the graphing community down there was acting.

 I started the day meeting up with Al and Benson to head down to San Diego with the goal of getting Matt Harvey's autograph. That was mistake number one. We went to the game when Zack Wheeler was pitching, and David Wright doesn't travel with the team right now so there was only one guy we were really trying to get the autograph of. Always a recipe for disaster.

We parked and walked around the stadium trying to figure out the best spot for us to hang out to get incoming players. We picked the right spot if you can't tell by all the other graphers that showed up waiting for players to show up to the stadium. If you want to ask them any questions when you get there, don't bother.

It didn't matter though if players came by because the guys down here have no clue who anyone is. They'd flip through their phone while people walked by trying to look at rosters to figure out who the guy 2 feet away was. Repeatedly they would walk to someone with their books of cards ready only for the person to be either A) the wrong player or even more frequently B) a regular person walking down the street. I saw them go up to joe citizen 3 times ready to graph them.

While we watched Kyle and Matt showed up to join us so there was a healthy number of real graphers there to go to work. I was able to get this John Buck autographed 2012 Topps Heritage card to start the day. Al and I were the only ones to get him since the SD graphers had no idea why we were walking to  him.

After Buck Benson and I spotted Andrew Brown showing up to the stadium with a friend but we had nothing for him. Unfortunately the regular SD graphers were busy not paying attention and didn't even notice him despite having cards for him. They also didn't notice Ronny Cedeno walking through the group to get inside until Benson said something, but once again we didn't have anything we wanted signed by him.

A player showed up and we went closer to figure out who he was. We tried to take a glance at someone's book who was getting a card sign and AFTER he got the autograph he noticed us trying to figure out who it was and flipped his book around with his arm over it so we couldn't see. Really? You already got the autograph. Us getting a signature would have no impact on you whatsoever and in the end we didn't even have a card for the player. Why? Because it was Carlos Torres. Someone who is barely hanging around the majors which is why 5 serious graphers weren't able to figure out who he was. Nice etiquette and great pick up San Diego graphers. That's why I'm making this post.

Eric Young Jr. autographed this 2012 Topps after he showed up to the stadium. Cheers to him becoming the 2013 NL Stolen base leader.

Matt Harvey shot us down later in the day after we ran into him by the stadium while we were out going to get some food thinking he had already come in earlier in the day.

We went inside the park hoping to get him. After getting good positions above the Mets dugout Matt convinced Terry Collins to sign and our group racked him before the SD graphers were able to get one. I didn't have anything for him that I wanted signed so I called out to him since I didn't get an autograph if I could have a ball. He laughed and asked if I wanted them all but I said one would be fine and tossed me this Mets commemorative logo ball, in a good nature way saying he was done with favors for all 40,000 fans.

Harvey came in early from BP with a trainer looking irritated and didn't say anything when we asked if he could sign and we're thinking he tweaked something while running. The Mets ended and we went over to Padres side to get some more autographs since we had made the drive down and they sign down the line.

Rising star for the Padres 2nd/3rd baseman Jedd Gyorko autographed my program.

After Gyorko signed Casey Kelly came over and was signing but I already got his autograph at Padres Fanfest. Chase Headley autographed this 2012 Topps Heritage base card.

Since I had it even though I'll never finish I also had Chase Headley autograph this 2013 Topps Heritage insert.

And Yonder Alonso autographed this 2012 Topps Heritage base card with his terrible autograph in a black sharpie.

So after showing up to San Diego for the first time to graph I knocked out 6 autographs and a baseball. That's the closest I'll come to saying how to get an autograph at Petco park from visitors or from the Padres themselves. I If you want to get an autograph in San Diego didn't do all the work for you, but there's enough that you should be able to figure it out. In the words of Ron Burgundy, Stay classy San Diego.

RBI (170) Josh Hamilton SSP...

It's always nice when you're able to get a former AL MVP's autograph and it's awesome that Josh Hamilton is such a consistent signer for the fans at home. 

I know there will be some people irritated that I had Josh Hamilton autograph this card since it's a 2012 Topps Heritage short print with black and white image swap to make it a ssp that I technically ruined by having Josh sign it. Oh well. I think it looks cool signed.

RBI (169) Ryan Dempster...

In the 3rd round of the 1995 MLB Draft pitcher Ryan Dempster was drafted by the Texas Rangers. He was traded to the Florida Marlins and debuted in 1998. He's played for the Florida Marlins, Reds, was a longtime fixture for the Chicago Cubs, Rangers and currently the Boston Red Sox. His career has had him bounce between the bullpen and rotation. He's had some strong successes in both roles being a 2-time All-Star, crossing 125 Wins and most impressively crossing the 2,000 Strikeout mark.

I was able to get this Ryan Dempster autographed 2012 Topps Heritage card before a game when he came into town the Red Sox to play at Angel Stadium during the 2013 season. He was really nice and took the time to knock out autographs for all the fans waiting before going inside the stadium. If I had realized he was going to cross the 2,000 Strikeout mark I would have dropped a ball on him but I'm glad I was able to get the card done at least.

RPS (7) Drew League Playoffs 8/10/13

I finally decided to go into LA to go check out the legendary Drew League. David and Benson have been telling me about how cool its been this year and with the playoffs here I decided to end my summer with some fun getting autographs at the Drew League.

If you plan on going to the Drew League you need to get there early, it gets packed quickly and once they're filled they're filled and you can't get in. I opted around that since this was my finial summer autograph adventure so I decided to donate to the Drew League foundation and secured myself an assigned seat courtside for the day. Beyond graphing I was really looking forward to catching some playoff basketball with top amateurs, European league players and NBA pros. The way I looked at it, when else would I ever be able to sit court side next to some of these players.

The first game I caught had Baron Davis on the court having a good time.

After his game I was able to get this Baron Davis autographed 8x10 photo from his time with the Golden State Warriors.

After he signed Baron was super cool taking photos and saying hi to everyone as he hung out to watch some of the other games. He even took a camera himself to record some of the games and interviewed some of the other NBA players who showed up. Tayshaun Prince showed up to just watch a few games and I got a photo with him, but he didn't seem very happy about it. I didn't have an 8x10 but Brandon Jennings showed up to play and led his team to a win. Then Davis went and interviewed Kenyon Martin who showed up to watch former teammate NickYoung's MHP play.

Young and teammate Gilbert Arenas almost beat LAUNFD but Areanas missed a game tying free throw in the final seconds to give the ball back to LAUNFD for them to score on the final possession. Arenas disappeared after the game but I was able to get Nick Young to autograph this 8x10 photo of him laying down a dunk for the Wizards in front of Ron Artest.

After getting Nick Young's autograph I got a delicious grilled beef hot dog and some Drew Aide on David's recommendation. One word. Delicious. Brandon Jennings even got in line to get the same thing.

There were some good games throughout the day but the main event was the Money Gang's playoff game. The Game shot me down when I tried to get his attention after MHP's game and he was just walking around the gym and talked to actor Omar Miller who showed up to watch. Ron Artest aka Metta World Peace showed up to play for Money Gang but bolted through the gym with security. The top surprise though was James Harden showing up to play.

Harden, Artest and Game tried to get it done but they weren't able to pull off a win despite Harden having a chance at two quarter ending baskets. I was however able to get this James Harden autographed 8x10 photograph from his time with Team USA.

Big thanks to David for the tip that Harden won't sign anything from his time with the Thunder since that's what I probably would have printed. When I asked Harden to sign he looked at me then leaned in to check what photograph I had of him then nodded and reached out to take the photo and sharpie. I'm really happy to put a James Harden autograph in my NBA collection and he's definitely the best player in it by far.

Going to the Drew League playoffs was definitely an awesome way to end my summer and it's something I'm really glad I did. I wasn't able to get everyone but getting Nick Young, Baron Davis and James Harden autographs at the Drew League were worth it besides being able to watch some great basketball.

RBI (168) Elvis, The King...

No not that Elvis. Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus.

Andrus was signed as an amateur free agent by the Atlanta Braves and was a key cog in the Mark Texiera trade that has paid huge dividends for the Rangers organization. Resulting in a franchise shortstop, two All Star pitchers (Matt Harrison and Neftali Feliz), and a catcher who is finally catching on with the Red Sox (Saltalamacchia) it's been one of the greatest trades in the franchise as it resulted in consecutive American League Championships. The 2-time All-Star has signed a huge multi-year extension to stay with the Rangers. He's already stolen more than 150 career bases and knocked 700 hits despite only being 24. It'll be interesting to see where his career numbers end up finishing since he broke into the MLB at age 20 and has years to go.

I was able to get this Elvis Andrus autographed baseball at Angel Stadium when the Rangers came to play during the 2013 season. I was excited to see Elvis nod when I asked if he'd sign especially when I saw him nod when I asked him to sweetspot the ball. I was less excited when I got the ball back and saw he gave me a super short version of his signature. If he didn't include his jersey number I'm not sure anyone would have any sort of idea who signed the ball.

RBI (167) AJ Pierzynski...

Every time AJ Pierzynski comes to town he is met with a constant stream of boos when he's announced in the line up or comes up to bat. Most Angel fans don't actually remember the controversy that led to the booing but just join in because their "supposed to" dislike him. It breaks down to a controversial 2Out 3rd strike in the 2005 ALCS that should have sent the game to extra innings and instead allowed a runner on base for the White Sox to win the game. The White Sox went on to win the series and win the World Series that year.

Taken by the Minnesota Twins in the 3rd round of the 1994 MLB draft, AJ's been a consistent contributor for the teams he's been the backstop for. Since debuting in 1998 he's caught for the Twins, Giants, White Sox and Rangers. AJ has been a 2-time All Star, Silver Slugger and was a key cog for the White Sox 2005 World Series Championship. He's knocked in more than 700 RBI's, crossed 150 Home Runs and 1700 hits. Impressively he's been on the receiving end of Mark Buerhle's no-hitter and caught Phillip Humber's Perfect Game.

I got this AJ Pierzynski autographed baseball when the Rangers came to Angel Stadium during the 2013 season.

RBI (166) The Tanner Scheppers Incident...

It's not often that I'm negative about someone on this blog but I have to say I wasn't too happy to learn about an incident that occurred during the 2013 season.

Texas Rangers pitcher Tanner Scheppers was involved in an incident while on a road trip in Cleveland that resulted in him coming to the stadium during the series with a black eye. When asked he reported he had been sucker punched while out on a food run from the team hotel. He is quoted as saying Cleveland P.D. told him "...it happens a lot actually..." and didn't expect the culprits to ever be found.

In actuality after further investigation by the police of local Cleveland media Scheppers was out at a bar with Joe Nathan and AJ Pierzynski and began verbally instigating a group of bar patrons. Around 2:30 am Scheppers exited the bar and quickly lost a bar fight that he reportedly had plenty of opportunities to avoid.

Amazing.

I've posted autographs of celebrities I've run into while out and about while in Anaheim or Los Angeles so it's not surprising that I've seen baseball players away from the stadium also at restaurants, bars and other events. More often than not they're just normal guys who happen to have higher credit card limits. Occasionally I've run into guys who aren't the most considerate fellow patrons, because they happen to have higher credit card limits and are used to getting their way. I don't normally post those stories because it just is what it is.

Scheppers went out and instigated a fight that he apparently lost and lost very quickly. He then slandered the citizens of a city and made comments to the media that he expected the Cleveland police department to be complicit with. No. No, no, no.

Just because you're a baseball player doesn't mean you always get what you want or should get what you want. Expecting the incident to disappear and comments that made the national news circuit that disparaged the good people of Cleveland to have no follow up investigation is just silly.

You Tanner Scheppers got a black eye literally and figuratively in the press. You may throw a fastball, but you couldn't pull a fast one.

Chump.

Scheppers signed this 2010 Topps Pro Debut card for Matt of MC's Autographs and he was nice enough to pass along the autographed card to me since he was able to get a duplicate signed. Much appreciated.