Another TTM Success From Ryan Burr

Last year, I received a TTM success from Ryan Burr when I sent to him via the Visalia Rawhide.  He was then traded to the White Sox, and I saw that he would be with Winston-Salem this season.  He wasn't with Winston-Salem for long, but I was stuck with a bunch of extra cards that I had picked up for the games.  I decided to send them TTM to Birmingham, and was lucky enough to get them back signed.

Burr didn't actually play for Winston-Salem this season, but was on the roster to start the year, which is why I had sat a bunch of stuff on my dest for him.  He actually made the majors this year, which is pretty cool.

Burr (b. 1994) pays for the White Sox and has appeared in 7 games so far this season.  He is 0-0 with a 3.12 ERA.

I mailed to him on May 5 and got the cards back on Jue 21, for a 47-day TAT.

TTM Success - Dane Dunning

I missed graphing Dane Dunning early this season, then he was moved up to Double A Birmingham, so I ended up sending a few cards TTM for him to sign.  Luckily, I got them all back signed.  I had hoped to get a few cards signed in person this season, but he moved up so fast, I had to settle for these four.

I'd say that this 2016 Bowman Chrome draft day insert was the card I wanted most to get done, but really, the below team set cards were the ones I wanted the most.

The Carolina League Top Prospects sets came out at the tail end of the season last year, so I missed out on a bunch of players.  I had also bought the South Atlantic League set, since there were a few Delmarva guys in there.

Dunning (b. 1994) was originally drafted by the Nationals in the first round of the 2016 draft (29th overall) out of the University of Florida.  He was then traded to the White Sox as part of a deal for Adam Eaton.  So far, Dunning has a record of 17-13 with a 2.74 ERA and 300 strike outs.  He has reached Double A in only three seasons, and is poised to make the White Sox sooner rather than later.

I mailed to Dunning on May 5 via the Birmingham Barons and received the cards back on May 21, for a 16-day TAT.

Vacation Leftovers - Trip to Rickwood Field

So, my vacation is long over, but I still have a few things I can talk about, which is nice.  I wanted to show off some pictures I took when I visited Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama on my way back home.  I had met up with Mr. McNair's son, Eric, for lunch that afternoon, and he suggested I take Chris to see the oldest existing baseball field in the US, Rickwood Field.

Rickwood Field used to be the home of the Birmingham Barons and the Birmingham Black Barons (of the Negro Leagues).  The field is in the process of being renovated/restored, but we were able to take a self-guided tour.  I took a ton of pictures, so here they are!

Here is the view from outside the field.  We just kind of walked around here, then jumped in the car until someone stopped us and told us that the gate was open and we could take a self guided tour.

So, take a look at the prices posted.  I would love to get into a game for those prices.

Here is a view of the front of the stadium.  I think it looks amazing.  I love old buildings, so this was right up my alley.

If you click the above picture, you should be able to read all of the info from the historical marker in front of the field.  It will give you the information much better than I could.

I like to imagine the above picture as a scene right before a big game.  The red, white and blue buntings are hanging, ready for fans to pass under, wearing their sunday best, incluring dress hats.  What I wouldn't give to be able to hop into the DeLorean and take in a game from the 1930s.  I'd be delighted to dress up in a suit, tie and top hat and watch.  Maybe eat some cracker jacks while I was at it.  Come on, Doc Brown, some through on that time machine!

So, here are a few views from inside the park.  I hope you like them.

Check out the sweet scoreboard.  Also, it appears that the advertisements are authentic for the time period that they are aiming for in their restoration.  I always like looking at the old ads.  Really neat stuff.

Here is a shot of Chris sitting in the dugout.  It was awesome being in the same dugout as players from Hank Aaron to Reggie Jackson.

Ok, I don't think I'm alone, but I hope they leave the seats the way they are.  They look awesome.  This picture will be blown up and put on the man cave wall at some point.

The picture below is an example of me messing around with the features of my camera again.  I did a color filter, only emphasizing the red seats and left everything else in black and white.  This looks like something that would be an amazing backdrop for a desktop or something.  I really like it.

Chris was such a good sport on this trip.  Lots of time in the car, but he didn't complain once.  I was glad to share in this experience with him.  Hopefully he will remember it even long after I'm gone.

Here are a couple shots of Chris running the bases.  I, being the dork that I am, also scooped up a handful of dirt from the field and put it in a bag for me to take home.  I have no idea what I'm going to do with it, but I now have dirt from Doubleday Field in Cooperstown and Rickwood Field in Birmingham.  Kinda cool, I guess.

Here is a shot of what the field looked like back in it's heyday.  Oh, imagine being able to see a game during those times.  How awesome would that me?  I know I repeated myself, but oh well, it gets me excited.

So, I hope you all enjoyed my pictures from Rickwood Field, I thought it was a really cool place.