August 26, 2025, Graphing of the FerryHawks at Blue Crabs

With some PDOs to burn, I took time off on Tuesday to make a quick trip to Southern Maryland.  The Staten Island FerryHawks were there, with Pablo Sandoval in tow.  Chris wanted to see him again, and I was happy to oblige.

I bought a bunch of team set cards to bring along to get signed, and for the most part, I wasn't disappointed.  One of the cards I found was this Cards Against Humanity-style card of Brian McKenna.  He told us while we were sitting behind the bullpen at the game about why the card existed.  The team he played for (The Joliet Slammers) had been purchased by Cards Against Humanity, so each player got their own card.  He told me that the cards are pretty hard to find.  I agreed; I paid 10 bucks for it.  I'm glad it got signed, and that McKenna was cool.

I found some cool team set cards of most everyone. Also, there were a few guys with mainstream cards, like Eddy Diaz with 2021 Bowman cards.  My favorite from this group was the Long Island Ducks card of Tyler Dearden.  It's just a cool card.

Drew Maggi also had some mainstream stuff.  I had gotten him before, and he was easy to spot.  McKenna also had a Florence Y'alls card, which looks nice.

The card Sandoval signed was a Topps Archives card using the 1986 Topps design.

I found some cool cards of Jamari Baylor and Connor Overton.  The 2022 Topps Chrome Sapphire orange refractor turned out great.  I also finally got Andrew Thurman, who I had tried a couple times TTM and never got anything back.

Ethan Wilson was nice.  We got him outside pregame.  I hated bothering him, but he was nice enough to sign.  I also got my Myrtle Beach team set card of Jarod Wright out of my box.

Nate Roe was nice.  He liked how I had found some of his older stuff.   He pointed them out to another player who was nearby.  Also, Kolby Johnson was super nice. 

For the most part, Chris and I had a great time.  We ran into a very rude player while we were graphing outside after the game. I'm not going to give him any more of my energy.  Aside from that, we had a great time and the weather was beautiful. 

In all, we got the following autographs: Robbie Baker x 2, Mark Contreras x 3, Tyler Dearden x 3, Eddy Diaz x 7, Durbin Feltman x 2, Clay Helvey x 2, Kolby Johnson x 2, Trayson Kubo x 2, Drew Maggi x 3, Brian McKenna x 3, Christian Rodriguez x 2, Nate Roe x 2, Pablo Sandoval x 2, Matt Scheffler x 2, Kirby Snead x 2, Jamari Baylor x 7, Sam Dexter x 2, Connor Overton x 3, Andrew Thurman x 6, Ethan Wilson x 5 and Jarod Wright x 5 (67 total autographs).

May 18, 2025, Graphing of the Emperors at Grasshoppers

Last Sunday, I got a little bit of sunburn while knocking out some cards in Greensboro.  I went with the purpose of finally getting my 2022 Topps Pro Debut Maikol Escotto pink parallel signed.  I have missed that card several times and finally fot it signed.

The Rome Emperors were in town, and I got a few nice cards signed.  Unfortunately, the Emperors had several guys I needed on the IL.  It was still a productice trip.  

I had picked up the above 2022 Bowman Shalin Polanco (above, left) at the National a few years ago.  I remembered it last minute, and was able to locate it.  I was so glad to get it signed.  

In all, I got the following autographs: Garrett Baumann x 6, Herick Hernandez x 2, Justin Janas x 1, Adam Maier x 1, Ambioris Tavarez x 1, Maikoll Escotto x 2, Shalin Polanco x 1, Enmanuel Terrero x 3 and Lonnie White x 1 (18 total autographs). 

50-50s From Aidan W

My buddy Aidan took a few cards for me of a couple Asheville guys, and also a couple guys with the Greenville Drive.  I wasn't able to get Tyler Whitaker last season because he was injured when he came through.  I had found this 2022 Bowman Heritage at the National, and was glad Aidan could help me get it signed.

He also helped me get my 2023 Bowman Draft Cam Fisher cards signed, along with two other Whitakers and two Greenville 2023 Topps Pro Debut cards (Cutter Crawford and Juan Chacon).

Thanks for getting these done for me, Aidan!

TTM Success - Maddux Bruns

A couple recent prospect cards came back signed TTM with this success from Dodgers minor league pitcher, Maddux Bruns.  I was able to add a 2022 Topps Pro Debut to the autograph album, and the card turned out nicely.

I was also able to get a 2021 Bowman Draft signed.  It is nice when a prospect continues to sign TTM at home long after his Bowman Draft cards have been out.

Bruns (b. 2002) was a first round (29th overall) pick by the Dodgers in the 2021 July Amateur Draft out of UMS Prep in Mobile, Alabama.  He has pitched at the Rookie and Low A levels of the Dodgers system.  He has a record of 0-5 with 72 strike outs and a 6.75 ERA.

I mailed to Bruns on January 4 and got the cards back on January 18, for a 14-day TAT.

TTM Success - Branden Boissiere

While I had gotten Branden Biossiere IP this past season, I was still excited to send to him TTM in order to get the above 2022 Topps Pro Debut into my autograph album. 

Topps, for some unknown reason, likes to issue the most important minor league cards after the season has concluded. So, I have had very few opportunities to get any Pro Debut signed yet.  Don't get me started on Heritage Minors or Bowman Draft.

Still, it was nice being able to get one of the cards done.  I had also found this 2021 Bowman Draft Chrome refractor in my box that I missed this past season, so I sent it TTM as well.

Boissiere (b. 2000) was a 3rd round pick by the Nationals in the June 2021 Draft out of the University of Arizona.  He has played in the Nationals system since 2021, reaching Low A (Fredericksburg).  He has 106 hits, 6 home runs and a .238 batting average so far in his minor league career.

I mailed to Boissiere on November 15 and got the cards back on December 12, for a 27-day TAT.

Christmas Gift From Gerard

My friend, Gerard, hooked me up with some nice stuff for Christmas.  The above 2022 Topps Gallery of Yohel Pozo is really nice.  I never got a chance to open this product, so it was a nice surprise.

Gerard did some signings recently with James Triantos and Jared Shuster.  These are some pretty nice cards.  I wanted to participate in the signings, but didn't get time to go through my stuff.  Gerard helped out and I can add these to my album.

It was also really cool that Gerard knocked three guys off of my 1987 Topps checklist.  These three are tougher guys to get, and I am glad to knock them off of the list.

Thank you so much for the Christmas gift, Gerard.  I really appreciate it, and am glad you have helped me with this set.