Ichiro

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

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!!!