April 18, 2026, Graphing of the Tides at Bulls

On Saturday, Jesse and I headed to Durham to graph the Norfolk Tides for the first time this season. I had hoped to get a couple Orioles who were on rehab assignments, but Jackson Holliday had been sent to Frederick to reset his rehab stint. The other person I was excited to try and get was Keegan Akin. 

Fast forward to outside after the game, Akin refused to sign saying "Inside only, sorry guys." That's fine that he wants to only sign inside, except he looked right at us beside the bullpen, INSIDE, and couldn't be bothered to come over and sign my one card. The same guy who told me at Orioles Fan Fest years ago that he was not happy to be there. Sorry to put you out, Keegan. Really. I'll never bother you again.

Now, had that been my only experience on Saturday, I might be a bit upset. Thankfully, we got to interact with several other Todes players, and got a bunch of stuff signed.

I was a bit embarrassed that I kept telling Jesse about the snow globe card of Jose Barrero; except that I realized a ways through the day that it is a crystal ball card. Not a snow globe. Oof. We'll, the card is signed and in my album. 

I got a couple nice Panini Enrique Bradfield, Jr. cards signed, which turned out great. I was also glad to get a Christian Encarnacion-Strand 2025 Topps done.

I finally was able to get Jackson Kowar to sign some cards that had been in the Box-of-Shame for a long time. I also love the Cade Povich Topps Now that I got signed. It looks awesome.

I finally got another Willy Vasquez signed for the album. He was a bit tough when he was with Bowling Green. Now he is in the Orioles system, and I cleared out a 2023 Topps Pro Debut. 

The card above that, though, is a 2021 Topps Heritage Astros Rookie Stars card that I got signed by Enoli Paredes. I had gotten him last year when he was with Gwinnett, but failed to pull everything that I had. I found my 2019 Carolina League All Star card in my box, and got it signed. 

We sat beside the bullpen and talked with Paredes for most of the game. He was really awesome. My experience with Akin later did nothing to ruin my night. Paredes was so cool. He also talked to a dad witg two kids near us, giving them advice and talking about life in the minors. There needs to be more guys like him.

In all, we got the following autographs: Silas Ardoin x 4, Jose Barrero x 3, Enrique Bradfield x 6, Christian Encarnacion-Strand x 2, Jud Fabian x 2, Maikol Hernandez x 4, Jackson Kowar x 7, Enoli Paredes x 6, Cade Povich x 2, Bryan Ramos x 2, Willy Vasquez x 1, Cooper Bowman x 2, Carlos Colmenarez x 2 and Logan Davidson x 2 (45 total autographs). 

September 13-14, 2025, Graphing of the Tides at Bulls

Graphing season is winding down.  My birthday week usually signals the end of the season is near, so I try to take some time off of work and cram a few games in.  I'll miss the final week of the mi or league season due to a conference, so I am working to get as much graphing in as I can.  Last weekend, I went up to Durham to see the Bulls and Tides for the final time this year.  Chris went with me to both games; Aidan met us Saturday and Jesse came with us on Sunday.

The Orioles sent a few guys to the Tides on rehab.  We missed Tyler O'Neill, but were able to see Gary Sanchez and Jordan Westburg.  The above Sanchez is a super thick card that I found at the National.  I have no idea what this card is, but it looked cool.  It was a bargain bin find that is now signed and in my album. 

I finished off several Tides team set guys, and a couple guys we didnt see the week before, like Colin Selby.  I got the last Panini Select card of Jud Fabian thatI found at the National signed.  I also got Gary Sanchez on a 2025 Topps, which has him in an Orioles uniform. 

I added four more Jordan Westburg to the album. I regretted later that I didn't get him on his 2021 Topps Heritage Minors card.  I'll have to try for that one another time.

We still struggled a bit in getting Bulls guys.  I did get Tre Morgan, which was nice.  He comes out the front entrance, so it's tough to catch him sometimes.

I finally got a couple Matt Thaiss cards out of the box.  He has been a bit elusive, but at least two cards are now out of the box. 

I got every Jesse Scholtens card that I had signed.  I also was able to catch Forrest Whitley outside.  He's another tough one.

Speaking of tough ones, Joe Boyle again has laid claim to the "second worst" experience. He's just not friendly, and this time, as he came out of the clubhouse (with only me, Chris and Jesse sitting on the bench), I asked him "Mr. Boyle, may we please have your autograph?" His reply was "No, not for you guys."  Ouch.  What a guy.  Anyway, he's nit going to steal my joy, as they say.

In all, we got the following autographs: Silas Ardoin x 2, Jud Fabian x 5, Billy Facteau x 1, Gary Sanchez x 2, Colin Selby x 6, Reed Trimble x 3, Thaddeus Ward x 2, Levi Wells x 5, Jordan Westburg x 5, Jonathan Hernandez x 5, Dominic Keegan x 2, Trevor Martin x 3, German Melendez x 1, Tristan Peters x 1, Brian Reith x 1, Jesse Scholtens x 9, Matt Thaiss x 2, Jamie Westbrook x 1, Forrest Whitley x 4, Logan Workman x 1, Jose Barrero x 1, Tre Morgan x 2 and Santiago Suarez x 1 (66 total autographs).

August 12-13, 2023, Graphing of the Baysox at Flying Squirrels

This past weekend, I made the trip back up to Richmond to try to get Jackson Holliday again.  Spoiler alert, I didn't get him.  I'll stick with my one Jackson Holliday auto while he signs multiples for everyone else.

The trip was still a good one, as Chris and I spent time our friend, Ryan, and his family.  Ryan graphed with us on Saturday, where we got the bulk of our autos.

I finished off Jud Fabian and Dylan Beavers, so that was a plus.  We didn't get John Rhodes at all, even though he looked right at us on Sunday.

I got this 2022 Panini Prizm Draft card of Silas Ardoin signed while I was there.  He put me on the board early by singing it.  This was a nice pickup from the National. 

I was extremely happy to get John Means as he was leaving the parking lot.  He was stuck waiting for traffic to die down and was nice enough to roll his window down and sign for the last few of us who stayed after missing Jackson on Saturday. The 2022 Topps Stadium Club Chrome (top of post) was another National pickup.

Chris and I went on our own on Sunday and came away with only 4 autographs.  It was very hot, so instead of braving the heat and trying to be denied after the game, we left early.  I found out later from another grapher that he was able to get Jackson on multiples outside near the bus.  It just wasn't meant to be for me.

In all, we got the following autographs: Today's graphing recap of Baysox at Flying Squirrels: Dylan Beavers x 2, Jud Fabian x 4, Billy Cook x 1, Silas Ardoin x 1, Collin Burns x 4, Connor Gillispie x 2, John Means x 5, Max Wagner x 2 and Donta Williams x 1 (22).

Even though we didn't get Holliday, it was a nice trip.  It is always nice spending time with Ryan, and doing some graphing with him.