autograph

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting/ Through The Mail

Finally…ICHIRO! MLB Autograph

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Ichiro Signs 8/11/2017 Miami Marlins Park!

If you read my previous post, you will see that obtaining an Ichiro autograph is a huge case of luck and being at the right place, at the right time, no doubt about that. I will explain that. First of all, I was able to get into the park at 4:30 as part of the Fish Family program that is run by the Miami Marlins. This puts you in the ball park about 1 hour before anyone even wants to be there. However, there was a huge traffic jam, and my entry into the park was delayed about 15 minutes. Next, the team decided to cancel batting practice that day, it happens from time to time.

When I say that, I was surprised to see that Ichiro who keeps a well extended work-out schedule came out to warm up even though no one else did on the Miami Marlins team. As he came out and warmed up, many of the 25 people or so who made  their way into the stadium on the left field side began to chant Ichiro, Ichiro, Ichiro…

This happens every time he comes out, with little or no guarantee that he would come over and sign. There is a small pattern however, that you can follow should he attempt to play another year with the Miami Marlins. He favors, the first back after a long road trip as a day to reward the loyal fans, with an autograph.

On this day, he did just that. After warming up for about 15-20 minutes, he came over and obliged the loyal fans that cheer him on and call on him. Luckily, and I mean very, very luckily, I was one of the chosen ones on this day, and this picture above is it. Now when he begins to sign, he grabs a sharpie from someone and usually everyone will get his autograph with the sharpie. A few people told me afterwards, “aw man, he ruined your baseball!” Let me say it like this, I will take his autograph, anyday, anytime, and with any medium, point blank!!! He is basically giving you a $100.00 gift anytime he dons his graph on your item. Now I am not a seller, so I will tell it like this…Ichiro thank you so very much for the time, and the graph!!!

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting/ Through The Mail

Hunter Pence – Autograph Spotlight

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Hunter Pence – Autographed MLB Baseball

Miami Marlins Park, SF Giants Vs. Miami Marlins August 15, 2017. If you collect memorabilia, and autographs or both long enough you will see just about everything, and I have been doing it for about 37 years now. So you can be sure of that!

So while you try to get Bruce Bochy and he brushes you off like yesterday’s lint on a cheap suit. Or perhaps, you try to get Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and he signs for you and takes 5 minutes out of his routine to have a conversation with you about him being the manager of the year and totally feeling embarrassed because he is humble, these are all possibilities. Like I said you do this long enough and you see it all.

There is always something to learn from an autograph hunt, or hound. Sometimes they are positively beautiful, positive and uber cool. Other times not so much. I mean let’s be real, it’s not an obligation of theirs, but when you consider how much money we spend on tickets, over-priced hot dogs, and pizzas to keep these professional athletes employed, I think they can make more of an effort. I know that autographs are like that itch that just won’t go away no matter what cream you put on it, but let us be real, it is a huge part of the game. In addition, it is the number one thing a player can do to truly become an Ambassador of the game, and we will take them all great, super, and average.

Let us take Hunter Pence, the subject of this post. Hunter Pence did something that in all my years of hunting for autographs, I have yet to see any other do. He arrived on the team bus, was called out for a few moments by a few fans, and he dropped his bags to the floor and walked down the ramp to sign. He signed for everyone, and left no one out.

He only walked away, when no one else wanted an autograph. Wow!!! That is the way this is supposed to work. Not all of them, and not each and everyday. However, one of the games in a series, make it count, make it special. On August 15, 2017, I am so pleased that Hunter Pence did just that. Thanks from all of us that received.

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting

Miami Marlins Stadium – ICHIRO

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ICHIRO – Spotlight 

One of the true emotional conquest of any autograph seeker is to obtain that elusive autograph of a legend in his own time. Many athletes do not know when to call it quits, but sometimes you see an athlete out there that you just have not been able to land an autograph of and you wish the day never comes when he/she leaves without giving you that brush with greatness. Thanks to the baseball gods, for me it came on Friday August 11, 2017.

If you ever landed or came close to landing Ichiro’s autograph, I don’t have to tell you that it is total mayhem. If you are a big guy like me, your chances of obtaining the graph are good, if you are a small scrawny guy or gal, beware cause this is an autograph that will get you hurt. I think I received a few contusions myself, but the awesome feeling you get when you do land the autograph is worth the punches and late night cramps from the stretch you gave your body to position that ball in front of everyone else’s.

This pic taken by MLB Miami Marlins baseball, my hand is all you can see here, but my positioning was such that he worked his way back to me, and until the very end, I never knew I was in the mix. I ended up being the last autograph he signed that day. My wife asked me three days later why I was still smiling, I didn’t even answer her, I just thought to myself…If you only knew how close I was to not getting that elusive Ichiro autograph that day. The day unfolded very unfavorable for me to even have a chance to land the autograph, but I will save that story for the next post, and yes the picture of my Ichiro autograph!!!

 

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting/ Through The Mail

Tino Martinez – 4 Time World Series Champ

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NY Yankees 4 Time Champ – Tino Martinez

The World Baseball Classic has given us Floridians many opportunities to gather some of the best autographs available to anyone with the inclusion of the following teams battling for a title….Colombia, Canada, USA, and Dominican Republic. Team USA won, but we were able to get a glimpse of these other teams, and enjoy a few days, and some autograph hounding!

Many players obliged, and some didn’t. So you know if you seek autographs you take the good with the bad. Not too bad, a nice autograph of Tino Martinez, 4 time NY Yankees World Series Champ!

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting

Jim Leyland Team USA Champions

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Jim Leyland Team USA Manager

One of the highlights for my family and I this World Baseball Classic season, was meeting the manager of team USA. Jim Leyland was nice enough to sign this autograph for my kids and I. He was his usual grumpy self, but we watched Jim Leyland down here in Miami when he was the manager of the Marlins and led them to their first World Series Championship of the franchise, and we got to love Jim and his ways. Regardless, of his grumpy appearance, he was very nice and is very approachable. So if you want to add his autograph to your collection of autographed baseballs, I give Jim Leyland a thumbs up for the chance to meet him and talk to him. Congratulations on the victory Jim!!!

Autograph/ Jack Nicholson/ Through The Mail

Celebrity Autographs Through The Mail

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Newest addition to my #ttm family of autographs. This Jack Nicholson autograph is one that I have been waiting on for about 7 months. Hollywood Legend autographs are always neat to get through the mail. One of the best things to do using the good old snail mail. Always a special treat to receive something in the mail. Autograph requests have been a hobby of mine for about 44 years now, and it never gets old to interact with people through the mail.

A special thanks to Jack Nicholson for taking the time to interact with his fans, truly one of the most memorable actors of any generation. Thanks for the autograph!