September 16, 2025, Graphing of the High Point Rockers

My last opportunity to graph this season came and went on Tuesday when I saw High Point for the last time.  I didn't even bother with trying to get the opposing team (Charleston) this time around.

The biggest reason I wanted to see High Point one more time was to see David Hess.  Hess, a former Oriole, is a two-time cancer survivor and all-around great guy.  I bought the above 2019 Topps Chrome orange refractor for the potential trip.  The card is numbered to 25.  He signed the card, along g with a 2019 Topps base card for my friend, Ryan.

Frank Viola was great, as usual.  I'm running out of different Viola cards to get signed.  I do still have a ton overall, though.

I was looking through boxes for some cards to send to Max, and found a bunch of Alex Dickerson 2011 Bowmans.  I got those done, along with a few others.

I got several High Point team set cards signed.  George Greer was surprised that I wanted his autograph, so he signed my team set card, told me to hold on and brought me the Cardinals card from the clubhouse.  I thought that was really cool.

The 2017 Bowman sky blue refractor of Luis Gonzales was found in a bargain bin at the National.  I got most of the cards I found there signed.  I enjoyed finding the various parallels at the show and getting them into the album. 

I went to the fame with my brother, Andy.  I miss how we went to Wood Ducks games back when he was here for college.  It was good to get together and spend some time with each other.

In all, I got the following autographs: Alex Dickerson x 9, Ryan Dull x 1, Luis Gonzalez x 2, George Greer x 2, David Hess x 2, Jamie Keefe x 1, Drew Mendoza x 2 and Frank Viola x 9 (28 autographs).

TTM Success - Bob Scanlan

Some mid-90s cards were added to the autograph album recently when I got these five cards back from Bob Scanlan.  I liked the above 1993 Leaf; I used to have a ton of these, but the all bricked due to the over-gloss on the cards.  I was glad to add a clean one to my album.

I also got a 1992 Topps, 1993 Topps, 1993 Fleer and 199 Donruss signed.

Scanlan (b. 1966) played in the majors from 1991 to 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2001 for the Cubs, Brewers, Tigers, Royals, Astros and Expos.  He had a record of 20-34 with 245 strike outs and a 4.63 ERA.

I mailed to Scanlan on December 2 and got the cards back on December 16, for a 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - Sam Militello

This TTM success from Sam Militello is highlighted by the awesome Carolina League all star card that I happened to find in one of the boxes from my former LCS. I was really happy to get this signed; I am also disappointed that there still is no Carolina League All Star game this season. I doubt they'll reinstate one; they haven't even put out a Carolina League top prospects set like other leagues have done. MLB taking over the minors still has me irritated.

Anyway, I had quite a few cards for Militello and I was able to send them off. They all turned out nicely.

Militello (b. 1969) played in the majors from 1992 to 1993 for the Yankees. He had a record of 4-4 with 47 strike outs and a 3.89 ERA. I mailed to Militello on March 28 and got the cards back on April 23, for a 26-day TAT. 

Another Instagram Trade With Bruce

I was contacted via text message recently by my friend, Bruce, whom I hadn't talked to in a while.  He had in his possession the above Jonah Hem 1/1 auto and was wondering if I would be interested.  Since I kind of PC Heim, I was absolutely interested, and we hammered out a deal in a matter of minutes.  We actually hammered out two deals because one of the key cards he wanted was misplaced (which I later found in the exact spot I had put it - long story), but once I got things set, we had a deal.

This Heim auto is definitely an awesome 1/1.  It comes from Panini Elite Extra Edition and is a die cut card with a sticker auto.  It looks really awesome.  I need to pick up a magnetic case for it soon.

Bruce included a bunch of Orioles cards and had a Cal Ripken that I had never seen before, so this will make a nice addition to my Cal PC.  This is from 2002 Donruss.

Speaking of Cal PC additions, Bruce included this graded 10 1993 Leaf Cal Ripken card.  Why anyone would grade one of these is beyond me.  I was talking over Skype with my buddy, Max, and his response was "Hey, I bet you that will be a unique piece in your PC...".  He is absolutely right!

Bruce also included a few 2014 Topps Chrome cards that I needed for my set which leaves me needing only 7 to finish it.

Thanks for the deal, Bruce!  I'm glad we were able to agree to a deal after all this time, and I hope there is a lot less time between now and our next deal.