Hey, all. I finally had enough money (and enough expectation of future money) to head to Syracuse to catch a game. It was probably the hottest day of the year. But if I'm going to be suffering and sweltering, it may as well be in a ballpark.
Let's check the ole scorecard. The Bisons beat the home team easily 5-1. Let's give most of the credit to Jeurys Familia (a decent signer after the game), who went 6.1, giving up only five hits and one earned run. (5 K against 1 BB!) Jenrry Mejia pitched well in relief (2 scoreless innings) and Schwinden, the recent pickup, closed things out. Josh Rodriguez signed before the game and then he hit a 3 RBI home run. I am guessing there's a connection.
One of the things I like about being involved in the baseball card/autograph hobby is that the vast majority of folks are helpful and kind. A gentleman helped me identify players, which can be hard for me. (It's a good thing I'm not a cop.)
Here is what I got, thanks to my concentration on identifying folks and the help of others:
2009 Manny Acosta Upper Deck 527 IP Auto 7/7/2012 Braves
2011 Josh Rodriguez Topps Wal-Mart Black Border 563 RC IP Auto 7/7/2012 Pirates
2011 Josh Rodriguez Bowman Platinum 2 RC IP Auto 7/7/2012 Pirates
2011 Josh Satin Topps Pro Debut Single-A All Stars SA24 IP Auto 7/7/2012 Mets
2007 Oswaldo Navarro Topps Heritage 443 RC IP Auto 7/7/2012 Mariners
2007 Oswaldo Navarro Topps 282 RC IP Auto 7/7/2012 Mariners
2011 Brad Emaus Topps 427 RC IP Auto 7/7/2012 Mets
2011 Brad Emaus Bowman Platinum 5 RC IP Auto 7/7/2012 Mets
2011 Matt Den Dekker Topps Pro Debut 195 IP Auto 7/7/2012 Mets
I think the Bisons were a relatively accommodating team when it comes to autographs. Ramirez, Egbert, Hefner, Familia, Edgin, Fisher, Pascucci, Loewen and Fred Lewis get passing marks, but I just didn't get them for whatever reason. Either I didn't have their card or they just felt like getting onto the air-conditioned bus. The guys who signed for me were very cool, especially Navarro. (Oh, and "Satin" is pronounced like the fabric. I thought it might be sah-TEEN or something like that. I think Emaus is EE-muhss. I took German, so I couldn't help but wonder if it was like eh-MAY-oos.)
I also had a personal first. I always buy a scorecard, as I think scoring helps you get deeper into the game. For the first time, I bought one of the scorecards that were signed by a player as part of the Chiefs' promotions. Who signed my SuperCuts ad? Okay, I have to concentrate to type his name out: Austin Bibens-Dirkx. (What kind of name is that? I am guessing Martian.)
Where am I going next? I will be near Auburn, so I am hoping to take in a Doubledays (Single-A, Nationals) game.
Let's check the ole scorecard. The Bisons beat the home team easily 5-1. Let's give most of the credit to Jeurys Familia (a decent signer after the game), who went 6.1, giving up only five hits and one earned run. (5 K against 1 BB!) Jenrry Mejia pitched well in relief (2 scoreless innings) and Schwinden, the recent pickup, closed things out. Josh Rodriguez signed before the game and then he hit a 3 RBI home run. I am guessing there's a connection.
One of the things I like about being involved in the baseball card/autograph hobby is that the vast majority of folks are helpful and kind. A gentleman helped me identify players, which can be hard for me. (It's a good thing I'm not a cop.)
Here is what I got, thanks to my concentration on identifying folks and the help of others:
2009 Manny Acosta Upper Deck 527 IP Auto 7/7/2012 Braves
2011 Josh Rodriguez Topps Wal-Mart Black Border 563 RC IP Auto 7/7/2012 Pirates
2011 Josh Rodriguez Bowman Platinum 2 RC IP Auto 7/7/2012 Pirates
2011 Josh Satin Topps Pro Debut Single-A All Stars SA24 IP Auto 7/7/2012 Mets
2007 Oswaldo Navarro Topps Heritage 443 RC IP Auto 7/7/2012 Mariners
2007 Oswaldo Navarro Topps 282 RC IP Auto 7/7/2012 Mariners
2011 Brad Emaus Topps 427 RC IP Auto 7/7/2012 Mets
2011 Brad Emaus Bowman Platinum 5 RC IP Auto 7/7/2012 Mets
2011 Matt Den Dekker Topps Pro Debut 195 IP Auto 7/7/2012 Mets
I think the Bisons were a relatively accommodating team when it comes to autographs. Ramirez, Egbert, Hefner, Familia, Edgin, Fisher, Pascucci, Loewen and Fred Lewis get passing marks, but I just didn't get them for whatever reason. Either I didn't have their card or they just felt like getting onto the air-conditioned bus. The guys who signed for me were very cool, especially Navarro. (Oh, and "Satin" is pronounced like the fabric. I thought it might be sah-TEEN or something like that. I think Emaus is EE-muhss. I took German, so I couldn't help but wonder if it was like eh-MAY-oos.)
I also had a personal first. I always buy a scorecard, as I think scoring helps you get deeper into the game. For the first time, I bought one of the scorecards that were signed by a player as part of the Chiefs' promotions. Who signed my SuperCuts ad? Okay, I have to concentrate to type his name out: Austin Bibens-Dirkx. (What kind of name is that? I am guessing Martian.)
Where am I going next? I will be near Auburn, so I am hoping to take in a Doubledays (Single-A, Nationals) game.
