Missing To Many Games

I am ashamed to say I have missed around 22 games this year. I have only been to about 14. Its been tough. I was really looking forward to this season. Spring Training was AWESOME.  My work encourages me to go. Sometimes I have meetings or presentations or I have a project i need to work on and work is my number 1 priority.  I also had my wisdom teeth and missed a few games.  A few times i was to gosh darn tired.

Anyways, i miss hanging out with my baseball friends from Sean, Chris, Dawn, David, and others (you know who you are).  

Of course you will see me at the Jays games in August and September. I am planning on going to one Rays game next week and at least one (hopefully 2) games next weekend with Oakland visiting.

 Getting autographs in DC is no fun, its very hard to get autographs their since they put up the netting. Very much an un-fan-friendly park.

 I am excited about going to two new stadiums in August.  Pittsburgh and Cleveland.  August 9th-13th.

 Anyways, thanks for reading my blog.  And if you would like to post a comment or have a questions, please let me know!  Hope that you have found my previous posts interesting and helpful.

 Many Nats players are really nice.  But, with police escorts leaving, they are not letting the players stop. A few players have wanted to stop and police and security say no. That is NOT OK. 

 Well, thanks for reading my rant.

 Mike "bobblehead guy"

Wednesday, May 2nd Dbacks at Nats

I arrived with Brandon around 6:30 ish....we had amazing seats in Sec 110, Row C...thanks Brandon for taking me!  Great view, right there at field level. It was bitterly cold and I did NOT have a sweatshirt or jacket (just a spring jacket). Harper hit 2 doubles, so close to being home runs. Ian Desmond hit a walk off 2 run home run with 2 outs. that was AWESOME!!

 I stayed after and there were a lot of people (for the Nats) nearly 20 outside trying to get autographs. The fans out there were very nice. I gave some of them tips and helped recognize the players for them (though i had a little trouble as it was so dark, and my eyes were kind of blury for some reason).  But i really enjoyed talking to the fans out there. I was glad i could help out in a small way, by giving my staedtler pens for them to use or telling them the basics (calling the player by their first name and saying please, then thank you).

Not many players signed, it was cold, it was late (10:10pm when game ended, roughly).  I talked to Gio Gonzalez, he is one of top 3 nicest players i have ever met (not on the Blue Jays). Along with Matt Capps and Dallas Braden.  He remembers me, i don't need his autograph, just chatted with him. I am rooting for this guy every-time he pitches!!!

 I did get Jordan Zimmermann on a program from 3 years ago,

 I did get Jayson Werth on a jersey ginter and mini-ginter. That is 3 of 4 times i have stayed after this year that he has stopped. I wish i got his bobblehead, i would have been able to get it signed!  Never thought i would get his autograph. I don't have anything left for him to sign. 

I also was able to get the 19 year old phenom Bryce Harper on his sports illustrated cover from 3 years ago.

I also received Ian Desmond on the game ticket (wanted to ask  him to inscribe walk-off home run) but never ask players for inscriptions, don't know what i am afraid of. At that point there were only 4 of us left. 

 I was so cold and finally left at 11:45pm.


GO Nats!!

Mike "Bobblehead Guy"

Wednesday, April 25th Jays at O's

I was so excited to see the Jays in person for the first time this season. I arrived around 2:45pm for the 7:05pm game (arrived nearly 2 hours later than i planned). Only a few Jays had actually walked in.  The visiting players are now allowed down the tunnel in a town car and of course the bus had a bunch of players.  This is unfortunate as before they were not allowed down in cars, only the bus and therefore you could get a bunch of players if you recognized them in their street clothes.

So, with arriving so late and the players needing to be in no later than 4pm, I decided to go to Potbelly's and rest/go thru my Jays items and write out my lists of what I need and my goals for the game.

Inside I was able to get Omar Vizquel down the 3rd base line, he was just sitting on the wall.  This was the first time I had received this future hall of famer's autograph.  I also was able to get Kelly Johnson on 3 jersey cards by the dugout (between home plate and dugout) and coach Farrell.  Edwin Encarnacion signed a jersey card there for me too.  I missed Eric Thames as it was crowded, despite being one of the first ones in the stadium, i was three rows and 5 deep.

 The Jays lost....Drabek pitched well though (despite allowing 2 homers, only allowed i think 5 hits).

 After the game only a couple players came out. I was able to get Henderson Alvarez on a jersey card and then Evan Crawford who was just called up. I finally left after over an hour and a half of waiting. Bautista came out and said he would sign tomorrow. I could not go, so i will have to wait another day to get Bautista on my 16 x20 or the jersey cards i have of him.

 I did meet some guys that are working with Bautista on a project and they took my name and phone number after talking about baseball and how i became a jays fan. they found it interesting and said i could possibly be a part of this project.  how exciting!!

 Until next time.....

Michael "Bobblehead guy"

Saturday, April 21st Marlins at Nats

Before the game, inside, I got Heath Ball on a ginter card. My only Marlins player in 2 days. They are a very tough team to get signed. I could have also had Logan Morrison on a ginter card, but i made a ROOKIE mistake...i gave him Chris Coghlan's cards...don't know how/why i did that...he said, I am not Chris...i was like i know...damn...pissed off at myself)....get it together, Mike!!!

After the game (which the Nats one in 11, thanks to Ian Desmond's sac fly, he also hit a monster home run in this game which that Nats won 3-2 in 10).

Ok...the most amazing in terms of names today for autographs. There we about 15 people here....and you won't believe this list....i was and still am in utter SHOCK....disbelief....amazement!

Stephen Strasburg SIGNED and I got him on the Sports Illustrated!!! i told him while in line great start today and also asked how his arm is doing.  I then asked if he could sign it to Mike, but he said he doesn't do inscriptions, and i said ok, its for me thats why (see as people who know me know, i ask all players to sign to mike on 8x10's or SI's etc.) cause i DO NOT sell anything.  And, he then signed the SI and then asked my name and added To Mike...a few people said the signature was the best one....I think so too!!!  Thanks Stephen, you made my day, my week!...still smiling!!!

Not done yet....

Got on an 8x10 RYAN ZIMMERMAN....and then i had a photo from 3 years ago with him and Mike Hinckley and he signed it to Mike!!!

Also got....

Jayson Werth - Team ball
Rick Ankiel - Team ball (but didn't come in part of it because pen died)
Jordan Zimmermann - Team ball
Craig Stammen - Team ball
Mark DeRosa - card
Ian Desmond - signed all 4 of my remaining cards!!!

This was AWESOME!!!!!!!!  So happy!

I told Rick Ankiel he has the best arm of any center fielder or outfielder. that nobody will run on him.  He said "damn right i do". he was so funny.  he was great! 

So, how was my day?....The best!!

GO NATS!!!

12-4, First place in the NL East. 

Mike "Bobblehead guy"

Friday, April 20th Marlins at Nats

Detwiler pitched 6 strong innings and then a great job by the relievers, though HRod was a little shaky in the 9th.  Detwiler with the Win! Nats win 2-0.  Quick game, only i think 8 hits combined? Ankiel with 3 hits (Home Run, single and a double).

After the game I got the following players

Edwin Jackson - Team Ball
Ross Detwiler - Team Ball
Ian Desmond - Team Ball
Mark DeRosa - Team Ball
HRod - Team Ball
Drew Storen - Team Ball
Tyler Clippard - Team Ball
Chad Tracy - card
Tom Gorzelany - card


Detwiler again a very nice guy. Told him what a great job pitching!  Glad to have him in the rotation. Asked DeRosa how the house hunting is going and he found a place and had no boxes in his back seat!  I asked Storen how his arm is and talked about Matt Capps.

The Nats are great!  Watch out National League, I know its early....but dare I say...Playoffs in Washington??!!

Mike "Bobblehead guy"

Sunday, April 15th Reds at Nats

A tough extra inning loss, put an end to a 5 game winning streak for the Nats.  Of course, this was the first game I saw the Nats play this year.  Detwiler pitched well (except for the 1st inning where he let up a home run to Ludwick). Glad that he is in the starting rotation though, he is a solid starter.

After the game, I stayed and was pleasantly surprised.  There were about 10 people who stayed for autographs after the 11 inning loss and it being a Sunday, i was hope just for a few Nats to start off my year.  But, they were unbelievable today! 

18 players for the Nats (that is right....18) stopped and signed. I was able to get 17 of them (EJax) Edwin Jackson didn't sign for everyone as there were cars behind him.  But, I am sure I will get him another time.

I did get the following:

Ryan Mattheus - Team Ball
Steve Lombardozzi - Team Ball
Chad Tracy - Team Ball
Roger Bernadina - Team Ball
Sean Burnett - Team Ball
Xavier Nady - card
Jesus Flores - card
Adam LaRoche - card
Jordan Zimmermann - card
Gio Gonzalez - card and team ball
Ross Detwiler - 3 cards
Rick Ankiel - 2 cards
Mark DeRosa - card
Danny Espinosa - bobblehead and team ball
Ian Desmond - bobblehead and card
Craig Stammen - 8x10
Jayson Werth - 8x10

This was the first time i ever got Werth or Ankiel.  Was also the first for Lombardozzi, Mattheus, Tracy, Nady, DeRosa.

I was the only one that recognized Lombardozzi.  I talked to Roger that his catch last year, still the best EVER that i have seen in person.  Talked to Gio about Braden. Gio is a CLASSY, CLASSY, CLASSY guy. I will always root for him to do well. Very fan friendly.  Detwiler was very nice.  Ankiel (just David and I got him as other fans were getting Detwiler and Mattheus).  I talked to DeRosa, asked how he is liking DC...he pointed to his back seat and his boxes, still hasn't found a place.  Espinosa and Desmond--they are a great combination--both will be all star's.  Stammen put, to Mike on photo!  Jayson Werth too!

Yay!  What a day!

Mike "bobblehead guy"

Orioles Home Opener - April 6th, 2012

The 2012 MLB Regular Season is here!!!

 I drove up with my good friend Brandon and his son. I was not feeling well and was grateful that he gave me a ride (thanks BRANDON!!)

I have a new section and seat...I am now in Section 45, Row 2, Seat 7....for a 29 game plan.  I was looking forward to meeting the season ticket holders that would be sitting around me (as the first few rows are season ticket holders). And, the couple sitting next to me were extremely friendly and baseball fanatics...i chatted with them the entire game.  That's what I like, to meet other fans.

 I enjoyed the game....Markakis hit a homer and a triple (should have been an inside the park home run, but he did not run it out as he thought the left fielder was going to catch it).  Also, Arrieta pitched very well!   Jamey Carroll on the Twins made some nice defensive plays and Josh Willingham through out (I think Markakis) at home. He also hit a home run in the 9th (which i did not see, as I left at the end of the 8th to go to Potbelly's).

After the game, I got Matt Capps on 3 4x6 photos that were given to me by Dawn (another fan) back in 2010. It was Capps last game actually with the Nats.  Matt remembered me, he said I looked familiar, but was confused as I had an O's jacket and hat....i told him I was only wearing this because it was opening day. I am a Nats fan (couldn't tell him I was a Jays fan too)....i only wear O's gear for the home opener. But, we chatted about Drew Storen and the Nats while he signed all 3 photos and I told him that I was still very upset about that trade. (which i am--Mike Rizzo!!).

So, I came to the game hoping to get any of the three following players (Matt Capps, Josh Willingham or Ryan Doumit).  And i got Capps!!!

 My next O's game--April 25th vs the Jays!! ....unless I go back this weekend.

 Can't wait to see the Jays though!!!

 Michael "Bobblehead Guy"