January 15-16, 2026, Trip To RedsFest

The baseball offseason is a long one.  I'm at the point where I really want to go out and do some graphing, so when my buddy, Aidan, mentioned to me that I ought to make a trip up to Cincinnati for RedsFest, I was intrigued.  I planned the trip for over a month, and looped Jesse in on it, since he is a huge Reds fan.  I treated him to the trip as part of his Christmas gift. It was a gift to me, as well, because I enjoy his company, and that would be a long ride to take on by myself. 

Jesse and I started the trip Wednesday night, driving across the state from Greenville to my parents' farm in Yadkinville.  We got up Thurdasy morning, visited with my mom (and sister, Elly), then grandma (and Uncle Joe; Jesse loves Uncle Joe) for a bit, then headed to the card shop.  I wanted to see if I could get some 2025 Bowman Draft (not at $725/box).  They did let me take the leftover base, which helped me add a few cards to the Reds box. 

We got into Cincinnati around 7pm and had dinner.  I was glad that I over-prepared ahead of time and didn't have to prep or add anything to my book, other than the couoke of Draft cards I got earlier in the day. We could relax in the hotel and rest up for a full day of graphing. 

Jesse and I met up with Aidan Friday morning and graphed outside the hotel near the convention center.  There were a ton of other graphers there, and it was really cold. Still, we were able to get a couple guys to stop and sign, which took the edge off of the huge lot of stuff I brought to get signed. 

RedsFest was very similar to Orioles FanFest, except that the autograph sessions are free to the first 225 folks to get in line, and you don't know who's going to be in each session until 30 minutes before the session starts.  You sign up for the text alerts and have a fighting chance to get in a line in time.  I'll say, we didn't miss getting autographs in any time slot. I was able to double up during most slots, as well, which was great.  The only session we tried to get into but skipped was one on Saturday that included Matt McLain, but we saw the mob of people heading in there, so we skipped it.

I also was cut off by the Reds employee for the line to meet Bronson Arroyo.  I went around the area and stood by the barrier until a guy that was working for Arroyo (he was selling copies of his LPs and CDs at the show). The guy took my card and had Arroyo sign it, a 2010 Topps Walmart black parallel.  Arroyo turned around and told me "that's a weird card man".  I agreed, then asked him what his favorite Pearl Jam song is.  He started by saying "all of them" then pivoted and told me "Black is always a transcendent experience", which was cool as hell.

Aside from the Bowman Draft cards I picked up as we were leaving Winston-Salem, I had prepped and brought 706 cards with me to split between me, Jesse, Aidan, Aidan's brother Riley and Aidan's friend Marcus.  I just happened to pull a few Pierce Johnson cards and prepped them, just in case he showed up.  He was a signing the week before the event, and he did show up.

Devin Mesoraco was one of the guys we got outside of the hotel Friday morning. He signed everything we had.  I even found the smeared 2012 Heritage on the ground after everyone else left, so it went into my slider box.

Every player we met was really nice.  A couple folks on Instagram commented that I was lucky to get a couple of the guys, so it seems that RedsFest does facilitate getting autos from some guys a little better.

For most of the players, I put out no more than 4 cards, with the majority of them being 3 on a page.  The only guys who limited were Graham Ashcraft (1), Tony Santillan (1), JJ Bleday (2), JJ Hoover (2) and Tucker Barnhart (1).

I actually didn't keep the Tucker Barnhart that I got done.  He signed a 2023 Topps Heritage that is going to Max for his Cubs collection. I also got Barnhart's 2022 Topps signed by his little boy who was coloring the table with a Sharpie as hus dad was signing. I asked him if he wanted to sign a card, and I think that made his day.

Aidan's buddy Marcus slipped a custom card of "Big Sugar" Zach Maxwell into my book when I wasn't looking.  I was glad to get it signed, and it drew a response from Maxwell. That was really nice of Marcus.

Finally, the last auto of the show was this custom of my buddy, Aidan.  He and I have graphed together quite a bit over the last year, and I am happy that we have hit it off.  He is a pitcher for Wake Tech, and hopes to get picked up by a 4-year university after this season.  I hope he does, as well.

I'm glad I was able to take Jesse with me, and make this part of his Christmas gift.  I know he had an amazing time (he met TJ Friedl, and found a pair of game used cleats from Blake Dunn's first MLB home run game). We are already talking about going back up to Cincinnati soon.

In all, I got the following autographs: Today's graphing recap of RedsFest: Julian Aguiar x 2, Graham Ashcraft x 1, Benson Barnhart x 1, Tucker Barnhart x 1, JJ Bleday x 2, Keith Brown x 2, Danny Graves x 3, JJ Hoover x 2, Zach Maxwell x 3, Luis Mey x 3, Dave Miley x 1, Tony Santillan x 1, Jose Trevino x 1, Aidan Warnock x 1, Bronson Arroyo x 1, Leonardo Balcazar x 1, Skeeter Barnes x 2, Tyler Callihan x 3, Blake Dunn x 5, Alfredo Duno x 1, Luke Hayden x 2, Luke Holman x 1, Pierce Johnson x 3, Carlos Jorge x 3, Tyson Lewis x 3, Devin Mesoraco x 8, Sam Moll x 4, Mason Morris x 4, JP Ortiz x 3, Connor Phillips x 3, Hector Rodriguez x 2, Ben Rortvedt x 2 and Chris Welsh x 1 (76 total autographs).

TTM Success - Chris George

Here is a random Topps card pulled from my box that I got signed TTM by Chris George.

George (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2001 to 2004 for the Royals.  He had a record of 14-20 with 99 strike outs and a 6.48 ERA.

I mailed to George on September 6, 2023, and got the card back on June 5, 2025, for a 638-day TAT.

TTM Success - Mike Crudale

Here is a random 2003 Topps that came back signed TTM from Mike Crudale.  

Crudale (b. 1977) played in the majors from 2002 to 2003 for the Cardinals and Brewers.  He had a record of 3-1 with 60 strike outs and a 2.09 ERA.  His career MLB numbers look great, but following the 2003 season, he ended up with the Pirates and Giants organizations.  He pitched in both organizations in 2004 to a record of 1-1 with a 7.52 ERA.  After that season, he bounced around the independent league and foreign ball.

I mailed to Crudale on March 3 and got the card back on May 8 for a 66-day TAT.

TTM Success - Lenny DiNardo

My friend Michael hosted a private signing with former pitcher, Lenny DiNardo recently.  I sent a couple cards that I had and Michael threw in the above Upper Deck Team USA.  This was a really nice card that I definitely wouldn't have been able to pull from the boxes.

I'm pretty sure both of these were mine, though.  Left is a 2002 Topps and right is a 2008 Topps.

DiNardo (b. 1979) played in the majors from 2004 to 2009 for the Red Sox, A's and Royals.  He had a record of 10-18, 132 strike outs and a 5.36 ERA.

I mailed to the signing on February 22 and got the cards back on April 5 for a 42-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Eddie Taubensee

Here are some cards that I pulled out of the late 90s/early 2000s boxes from the old LCS and sent off TTM.  Eddie Taubemsee signed all three cards.  The above 2000 Upper Deck is a really nice card.

I also got a 1998 Bowman and a 2002 Topps signed. The Bowman is a foil Hometown Heroes card.

I mailed to Taubensee on January 18 and got the cards back on February 1 for a 14-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Julio Zuleta

Take a look at that auto.  Julio Zuleta has a great signature.  I saw that he was signing TTM, so I sent three cards. Only two came back, but that's ok.  Above is a 2000 Topps Gallery.

I also got a 2002 Topps signed.  He inscribed both cards to me, but that doesn't take anything away.

Zuleta (b. 1975) played in the majors from 2000 to 2001 for the Cubs.  He had 43 hits, 9 home runs and a .247 batting average.

I mailed to Zuleta on January 13 and got the cards back on January 25 for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Jose Cruz Jr

Some really nice cards came back signed TTM from Jose Cruz, Jr.  I had met him last summer in Erie when he was up for Trei Cruz's birthday; I wish I had known so I could have cleaned out my collection.  Thankfully, I found a LCS close to Erie and I picked up some cards to get signed IP.  Still, I had a bunch of his stuff in my boxes, so i sent to him TTM via Rice University.  The above 1999 UD SP Authentic is a reappy sharp card that I was happy to get back signed.

I also had a cool 1999 Pacific Private Stock (above left) that looks good in the album.  I topped it off with two Topps cards, a 2001 and a 2002.  All of the cards look great.

Cruz (b. 1974) played in the majors from 1997 to 2008 for the Mariners, Blue Jays, Giants, Devil Rays, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres and Astros.  He had 1,167 hits, 204 home runs and a .247 batting average.  He finished second in the 1997 AL Rookie of the Year voting (behind Nomaaahhhh).  He won a Gold Glove Award in 2003.

I mailed to Cruz on December 27 and got the cards back on January 16 for a 20-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Royce Huffman

A 2002 Topps was added to the autograph album when this card came back signed TTM from Royce Huffman.  

Hoffman (b. 1977) was a 12th round pick by the Astros in the 1999 June Amateur Draft out of TCU.  He played in the minors from 1999 to 2009 in the Astros, Padres, White Sox and Rangers systems. He reached AAA.  He had 1,388 hits, 75 home runs and a .294 batting average. 

I mailed to Huffman on December 2 and got the card back on December 24 for a 22-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Nick Bierbrodt

These two cards that I got back signed TTM from Nick Bierbrodt turned out pretty well.  I liked the above 2001 Upper Deck; it came from a box I got from a card show with Ryan.

This 2002 Topps was also decent.  The corners got a little beat up, but I'm still happy it came back signed. 

Bierbrodt (b. 1978) played in the majors in 2001, 2003 and 2004 for the Diamondbacks, Devil Rays, Indians and Rangers. He had a record of 6-9 with 112 strike outs and a 6.66 ERA.  In 2002, Bierbrodt was shot three times in the chest and arm in Charleston, SC.  He missed the entire 2002 season while recovering from his injuries.

I mailed to Bierbrodt on March 13 and got the cards back on November 7 for a 239-day TAT.

TTM Success - Steve Sparks

My Steve Sparks cards that I had held with the intention to send them TTM sat for quite some time.   I'm not sure why I waited for what appears to have been years to send these off.  The above 1996 Topps is a great shot.  I wanted to add this card to the album for a while.  Im.glad I got off my butt and sent it out.

I also sent a 2002 Topps Finest, 2001 Fleer Platinum RC, 2002 Topps and 2003 Topps.  Sparks has a great signature and it shows on each card. 

Sparks (b. 1965) played in the majors in 1995, 1996 and from 1998 to 2004 for the Brewers, Angels, Tigers, A's and Diamondbacks.  He had a record of 59-76 with 658 strike outs and a 4.88 ERA.

I mailed to Sparks on September 11 and got the cards back on November 2, for a 52-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Tom Kelly

Another batch of signed cards came in signed from former Twins manager, Tom Kelly.  I had seen these cards in a couple passes through my boxes and wanted to add them to the autograph album. 

The cards I sent were a 2002 and 1989 Topps.  They both turned out great, and I'm glad I got them out of the boxes.

I mailed to Kelly on March 6 and got the cards back today (March 18), for a 12-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Eric Gagne

He could have gone down in history as one of the greatest closers ever, but a link to HGH did that in.  Still, Eric Gagne had a run as the dominant reliever in the game.  I saw that he was signing TTM, so I sent off some early-2000s Topps cards and got them back signed.  The above 2004 Topps turned out well.

I also got this 2001 Topps and this 2002 Topps signed.  It is hard to see the signatures on them, but they are definitely signed.

Gagne (b. 1976) played in the majors from 1999 to 2008 for the Dodgers, Rangers, Red Sox and Brewers.  He had a record of 33-26 with 718 strike outs and a 3.47 ERA.  He tied the then NL record for saves with 55 in 2003.  Between August 6, 2002, and July 5, 2004, he set a major league record for converting 84 saves in a row. He was an All Star in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He won the World Series with the Red Sox in 2007.  He was the 2003 NL Cy Young Award winner.  His best MVP finish was 6th (also 2003).

I mailed to Gagne on October 3 and got the cards back on November 9, for a 37-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Mark Grudzielanek

Here are some nice cards that I got back signed from Mark Grudzielanek.  I had held into his stuff for a long time, waiting for him to pick up signing again.  He was coaching somewhere nearby for a while, so it was either try to get him in person or wait for him to sign TTM.  The above 1997 Topps Chrome turned our great.  I don't have many 97 chromes, so this was a great addition to the album.

I also got a 1997 Donruss Studio, 2001 Heritage and 2003 Topps signed. 

Grudzielanek (b. 1970) played in the majors from 1995 to 2008 and 2010 for the Expos, Dodgers, Cubs, Cardinals, Royals and Indians.  He had 2,040 hits, 90 home runs and a .289 batting average. He led the league in doubles with 54 in 1997.  He was an All Star in 1996; he finished 27th in the NL MVP race in 2003, and won a Gold Glove Award in 2006.

I mailed to Grudzielanek on September 28 and got the cards back on October 21, for a 23-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Brent Butler

Here are several cards I got out of my old Bowman box, as well as a 2002 Topps (above) that all got signed TTM by Brent Butler.

Everything, except for the 2002 Topps, came out of the old box of Bowman and minor leaguers from the former LCS.  Butler has a great autograph, and everything turned out nicely.

I like getting these old Bowmans signed, since most of those guys have moved on.  It would be nice if I could catch a few of them at some games and really knock those boxes down.

Butler (b. 1978) is from Laurinburg, NC, a place that I have done a lot of work in.  He played in the majors from 2001 to 2003 for the Rockies.  He had 137 hits, 11 home runs and a .248 batting average.

I mailed to Butler on January 13 and got the cards back on February 8, for a 2-day TAT.

A Ton of Autographs From Drake

This post may seem like a card/scan dump.  I regret that I didn't break my friend, Drake's shipments up and post them when they came in.  I know Drake was disappointed that I waited to scan and post everything that he has sent me this past year.  I got busy trying to catch up on TTMs and then in-season graphing, I let his stack of cards get super huge.

Still, I finally sat down to scan everything, and even though my scanned froze several times, I finally got through it.

Drake has taken a ton of cards for 50/50s from me over the last two seasons.  He sees some teams in Florida and also Illinois.  He also has been able to see some players on rehab assignments in Florida, and I believe he also went to Tampa for a Rays game.  He was going to get Randy Arozarena and Wander Franco for me, but I don't think he was able to.  I am really happy with the Josh Lowes he got signed.  He has my 2020 Topps Heritage Minors blue parallel still, and that should be coming in the mail soon.

It was really hard sorting the stiff he had sent into some kind of pattern that would make it easy to post and discuss, so I decided to try to put stuff together that was similar, even though they may not all be the same teams.  Drake knocked out a bunch of Bowman products for me.  Several minor leaguers I may not have been able to see, he got them.

That's what appeals to me the most about doing 50/50s with folks.  They take cards from me of guys I wouldn't normally see, and I get them guys that I see.  We swap, and everyone is happy.  It also helps me clear space in my Bowman boxes for new product, and keeps teams that I never see from just sitting there collecting dust.

I especially like knocking out 2021 Heritage Minors cards.  I'm not working on the set, by any means, I just like the colorful cards and I also like reducing the stack that I have here at the house.

Drake took a couple Jordan Walkers from me that helped reduce the leftovers I had from my trip out west.  Maybe next season, he and I can get together and graph.  I'd enjoy it.

Drake also has helped me clear out some extras that I have here at the house.  He loves doing "blind trades" where he is happy taking any set number of cards and exchanging them card for card.  He doesn't mind obscure players or team personnel, so I try to send him some stuff he wouldn't normally see.  He does the same for me.

This has put several random team set cards in my album, and since I enjoy the randomness of my album pages, the cards fit right into my theme.

Here are some older Heritage and Heritage Minors cards that Drake has sent me.  I feel like Heritage and Heritage Minors are nice cards to get signed.  I also appreciate that they don't have to be prepped.

The Bowman cards Drake sent go back to the early 2010s.  I have some from those years, but seeing guys who were in those sets are getting tougher and tougher to see.  I have to go to places like AAA to see some of those guys, or wait until they become coaches.

I wonder just how man extra autographs Drake must have, since he sent me a ton.

He also included some older Topps cards that I can use to check off of my Topps ledger for some of those early 2000s sets.

This Tirso Ornelas was one of those 2017 Bowman Chrome minis.  I have seen them around, but never pulled any.  I have a few of them from some former Wood Ducks.

So, Drake really hooked me up with a bunch of stuff.  I hate that it took me so long to scan and post them, but they're finally here, and also have finally been added to my autograph album.

Thank you so much, Drake, for all of the cards, and also for taking all of the 50/50s the past two seasons.

TTM Success - Matt Clement

These cards stayed out in the mail for quite a long time, but I finally received a TTM success from Matt Clement.  I had some older Bowmans and a couple early 2000s Topps cards for Clement, and they turned out nicely.

The 1997 Bowman (above, left) turned out well; I was glad to get one of those out, as I don't have very many of them signed.  They seem to live in my boxes and it was good to get at least one of them into my album.  I also like the early 1st Bowman logo.

Clement (b. 1974) played in the majors from 1998 to 2006 for the Padres, Marlins, Cubs and Red Sox.  He had a record of 87-86 with 1,217 strike outs and a 4.47 ERA.  He was an All Star in 2005.

I mailed to Clement on February 11, 2019 and got the cards back on April 14, 2022, for a 1,158-day TAT.