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"