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).

TTM Success - Nick Maton

This TTM success from Nick Maton allowed me to get a 2021 Topps Pro Debut out of my boxes.  One of the most difficult sets to leaf through quickly, I find myself skipping over 2021 Topps and 2021 Pro Debut.  Still, I enjoy getting the cards signed, so I try my best to slow down and go through the boxes when I have the time.  They just hurt my eyes.

Anyway, I saw that Nick Maton was signing TTM, so I sent off two cards.  The came back looking great.

Along with the Pro Debut, I got this 2021 Bowman signed.  The signature really shows nicely on this card.

Maton (b. 1997) has played in the majors since 2021 for the Phillies.  He has 72 hits, 12 home runs and a .214 batting average.  He appeared in the World Series last year with the Phillies.  He had one at bat, but did not record a hit.  Fun fact, he is the older brother of Wood Ducks pitcher, Jacob Maton.  His brother, Phil, currently plays for the Astros.

I mailed to Maton on January 13 and got the cards back on February 14, for a 32-day TAT.  He kept two of my cards.

TTM Success - Nick Frasso

A 2021 Pro Debut came back signed TTM with this success from Nick Frasso.  I had forgotten I sent this out (I'm glad I log everything), so I was surprised when it came in.

Frasso (b. 1998) was a 4th round pick by the Blue Jays in the 2020 June Amateur Draft out of Loyola Marymount University.  He has played in the Blue Jays and Dodgers systems since 2021.  He has reached AA.

Frasso has a record of  0-0, with 84 strike outs and a 1.68 ERA.  I mailed to Frasso on January 13, 2022, and got the card back signed on January 23, 2023, for a 375-day TAT.

Some 50-50s From Bryan

Some more 50/50s are out of the way now, with one more team bag to go after this one.  This was a return that came in at the end of last season from Bryan in Texas.  He has become my default guy in Texas after the guys I used to 50/50 with have grown up and moved on.  I appreciate having someone who can get AAA Round Rock, especially.

Bryan helped me knock out some team set guys who I missed in the past.  I had been waiting a long time to get AJ Alexy on the 2019 Wood Ducks set.

I didn't send a whole lot to Bryan, but what he got was definitely quality.  I was glad to get a Davis Wendzel back from him.  I had sent one to someone else the season before, and the guy held that card hostage for what seemed to be a five for one trade.  I told him that he could just keep the card and send me the rest of m stuff back.  I hate it when people do stuff like that.

Finally, I got some much older stuff out of my boxes when Bryan got my 2003 Bowman Chrome Matt Hagen, my 2010 Bowman Josh Sale and 2011 Heritage Minors Josh Sale signed.

Thanks for taking these, Bryan.  I hope to send some more this season.

More 50-50 Returns From Logan

The rest of the cards my friend, Logan, got signed for me this season came back today.  He was waiting to finish out Wichita's season since they reached the Texas League finals.  Logan was hoping to get the above 2021 Bowman Invicta signed by Austin Martin.  I wanted to get the card done myself when we visited Wichita earlier this year, but missed Martin.  He looked right at me after the second game we saw, but didn't come over.  Logan was able to finally get him the last game he was at, which was great.  I can now put this card in my album.

Logan also took some Tulsa guys and got Gus Varland for me.  I had gotten Gus's brother, Louie, while we were visiting the Wind Surge, and I was able to get these two 2020 Bowmans out of my box, thanks to Logan.

Logan also got me a 2021 Heritage Minors Brandon Lewis signed, as well as these two Landon Knack cards.

Finally, Logan got this Wind Surge team set card of Alex Isola signed for me, as well as this 2019 Midwest League All Star card of Chris Betts that I have been carrying around for a while.

Thanks again for getting all of these done for me, Logan!  I know we will be doing another league swap next season!

50-50 Returns From Isaac

This season's 50/50 returns are coming back in, and I am pretty happy with what I was able to get signed this year.  When I went on my road trip in July, I made contact with some folks ahead of time to find out about graphing habits at some of the ballparks I was scheduled to go to.  One of the folks I had reached out to was a guy named Isaac, who graphed the Tennessee Smokies.  He wasn't able to meet up at the game, but was willing to take the stuff that I missed out on while we were there and get some of those cards signed.  One of the cards I really wanted back was the above 2019 Topps Pro Debut Cole Roederer.  He skipped over this card when we saw him in person.  No issues, though, Isaac took care of me.

I missed Jamie Vermilyea completely when we were there, so I was glad to get all of the cards of him that I had pulled signed.  I have a ton of 2007 Bowman, and I really didn't want to have to put those back in the box.  Isaac also helped me with the team set cards, so getting them done was nice, as well.

I also missed Riley Thompson completely, but Isaac came in behind me and got these knocked out.

I don't think I saw Alexander Canario when I was there, but Isaac got this 2020 Heritage Minors done.  I know I saw Peyton Remy when he was with Myrtle Beach, but getting this 2017 Bowman Chrome signed was still nice.

Finally, here are some of the other team set cards that I missed.  I was glad to not have to put these back with the set, and can add them to my album.  I don't know if I will be able to complete the set, but I know I have a few cards knocked out already.  I can try again necxt season, depending on where the guys I'm still missing are assigned.

Thank you so much for taking these cards for me, Isaac.  I'll have to get up with you again next season and get some more cards out of my boxes.

Some 50/50s Back From Gerard

My good friend, Gerard, went on a trip this past week to Asheville, and took a few 50/50s to help move some cards out of my boxes.  These were mostly guys that I missed who either didn't come through Fayetteville, or didn't have these cards when they did.  

The above 2020 Panini Prizm Zach Daniels turned out nicely.  I'm pretty sure he just didn't play in Fayetteville; I don't remember him there, at least.  I also don't remember how I got this card, but I like it and am glad it is being added to my album.

Gerard got me several Daniels cards signed, which was great.  I have added so many 2021 Topps Heritage Minors cards to the album recently.  It is a nice set, and the cards look great signed.

J. C. Correa didn't have cards when he came through Fayetteville, so it was nice to get a couple of his cards signed and into the album.

Jordan Brewer did come through, and I had gotten his 2020 Heritage Minors signed before.  I don't remember seeing Colin Barber, however.

Gerard also got a few cards signed by Greenville Drive's Matthew Lugo.  These cards turned out nicely, as well.

Thanks for taking the 50/50, Gerard.  I hope you had a great trip!

TTM Success - Jordan Nwogu

Not only had I been sending off 2021 Bowman Draft for TTMs; I had sent out a few 2021 Topps Heritage Minors, as well.  I got a TTM success back from Jordan Nwogu that had a 2021 Topps Heritage Minors (above) as well as a 2020 Bowman Draft Chrome and a 2021 Topps Pro Debut.

Nwogu (b. 1999) was a 3rd round pick by the Cubs in the 2020 June Amateur Draft out of the University of Michigan.  He played at Low A Myrtle Beach last season where he had 80 hits, 10 home runs and a .248 batting average.

I mailed to Nwogu on January 4 and got the cards back on January 19, for a 15-day TAT.

TTM Success - Spencer Strider

There have been quite a few cards removed from my prospects boxes recently.  I sent off a few 2021 Pro Debut and Heritage Minors cards via TTM and had to make room for my 2021 Bowman Draft that came in.  One of the players I sent to earlier this month was Spencer Strider.  He has been signing regularly, so I got my 2021 Topps Pro Debut, a 2020 Bowman Draft and 2020 Bowman raft Chrome signed.

The cards turned out great.

Strider (b. 1998) was a 4th round pick by the Braves in the 2020 June Amateur Draft out of Clemson.  He made his Major League debut this past season, appearing in 2 games.  He went 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA and no strike outs.

I mailed to Strider on January 3 and got the cards back on January 15, for a 12-day TAT.

TTM Success - Blaze Jordan

TTM success have started to come back in over the last few days, after being dry the first week and a half of the year.  This one that came in from Red Sox prospect, Blaze Jordan, was a nice one to get back.  The above 2021 Bowman Chrome Dawn of Glory turned out great, even with the personalization.

This 2021 Topps Pro Debut 1991 design also looks nice, and I was glad I sent it along.

Jordan (b. 2002) was a 3rd round draft pick by the Red Sox in the 2020 June Amateur Draft out of DeSoto Central High School in Mississippi.  He played at two levels of the Red Sox system in 2020; rookie level Gulf Coast League and Low A Salem.  He has 34 hits, 6 home runs and a .324 batting average.

I mailed to Jordan on December 21 and got the cards back on January 10, for a 20-day TAT.

Week of September 1 to 5, 2021, Graphing Recap of Cannonballers at Wood Ducks

The next-to-last home series at Grainger stadium this season is now in the books and I was able to get a few cards signed.  I had picked up a few cards of some Cannonballers, and one of them wasn't even here in this trip (Jared Kelley).  This sapphire parallel of Matthew Thompson from 2021 Bowman turned out really nicely.  I didn't realize he was starting on Tuesday, so he walked right past me as I called his name.  Then I saw he was the starter, so I waited til post-game.  As he walked off the field, I called his name again; ignored again, and he hopped the gate nearby.  A few minutes later, I hear "Hey!  Did you need a sig?  Sorry, I wasn't ignoring you, I was in the zone, but I got you after the game..." so Thompson signed after the game, which was cool.

I had picked up the sapphire parallel and this 2019 Bowman Chrome refractor while I was at the National, so it was nice to get them done.  I had gotten him the past series on a few cards, so these were the only two I needed for my album.  I took some other 50/50s, and those got finished, as well.

These James Beards shifted a bit on my scanner, but I added a blue parallel from 2021 Bowman, and a 2021 Pro Debut to the album.  Beard had a pretty brutal series; he struck out a ton and committed a few errors in the outfield.  He was generally one or two per when he would stop and sign, but he didn't stop too often.

Two of the John Ely cards I picked up at the National got signed, along with a 2008 Tristar Prospects Plus that was extra from a 50/50 with Gerard.

Matt Hagen was this week's roving instructor, so I finished off some old team set cards of his.  I was glad to get these out of the box and into the album.

Finally, I used the second signature card that my friend, Ben, gave me on Jose Acosta.  Acosta stood by the fence and talked to Chris and I for a while before the game on Saturday.  He was really nice and acknowledged Chris and I being at most of the games.  

We had a good time during the series, and the Wood Ducks went 4-2 in the series, which is keeping their playoff hopes alive.  I have this coming week off and then the last home series of the year will be the week of my birthday.  The Wood Ducks have their playoff fates in their hands, and we shall see what happens.

August 24-29, 2021, Graphing of Woodpeckers at Wood Ducks

This series between the Woodpeckers and Wood Ducks was the first one I caught all games of in quite some time.  The season is winding down, and the Wood Ducks are in the middle of the playoff picture, so I wanted to catch as many games as I could.  There were only 2 guys on Fayetteville with cards, so I didn't have a whole lot to prep for this trip.  Add in the fact that I didn't have many guys on the Wood Ducks that I needed, I ended up going for a couple days and not graphing at all, which was kind of weird.  On Saturday, though, my boxes of Pro Debut came in, and I had a few more cards stocked up in my autograph book.  I was able to finally get a certified card of Luisangel Acuna signed; something other than a custom or a team set, which was really nice.

My dude, Cody Freeman, was back in action, so I was able to get my team set card done, as well as a couple customs my friend Dugan made for me.  Cody liked them so much, he requested that Dugan make him some.

I got my Alex Santos and Jordan Brewer cards signed; the only Fayetteville guys who's cards I could find.  I also had a lot of 10 cards of Brady Smith come in, and found a few cards of roving instructor, Roy Silver.  I was excited when I saw that I had Silver's cards in my 1990 ProCards AAA box.

My friend, Ben, came for the Saturday game; his first game all season.  We graphed together a bunch in the past, and he has been missed this year.  He gave me some blank Rangers signature cards, so I got Gavin Collyer on one of them.  Gavin talked to Chris and I bunch this series, and has become one of our favorite guys on the team.

On Saturday night, Jayce Easley stole his 60th base of the season, which leads all of professional baseball.  I called it pregame, and Jayce was more than happy to sign and inscribe my ticket stub from last night.

We had a really good time this series.  The Wood Ducks won the series 4-3 (they finished a suspended game on Tuesday, followed by their regularly scheduled game) and as of last night, were tied with the Mudcats for the second playoff spot.  I'm hoping to catch all of the remaining home games as the Woodies continue to fight to keep the season going past that last series in September.