More Autos From Jackson T.

My friend, Jackson, used to live in Arizona, but recently moved back to Chicago.  He has now enrolled in school, but still take the time to get cards signed for me when he can.  Recently, he asked me to send him Steve Holm cards, and I obliged.  Jackson was able to get several of them signed for me, and they all turned out well.

In addition to the Holms, Jackson included a couple extra autos, just because.  I really appreciate the gesture, but Jackson didn't have to do that.  He is a really good guy, and I am always glad to send him cards that he can get taken care of for me.

Christmas Gift From Jackson

My good friend, Jackson, sent me this awesome Christmas gift that included the above signed Brooks Robinson 1965 Topps.

1965 is one of my favorite sets, and I was glad to be able to put this Brooks in my autograph album.

Jackson included this Jim Palmer Hall of Fame plaque card, which I had never seen before.  If The Orioles hadn't canceled Fan Fest, I would put this at the top of my list of cards that I would want to get signed.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to for the time being, but might give it a shot later this summer.

Finally, Jackson included these two cards in the package.  I might see Jomar Reyes this summer, and I can always use new Brooks cards.

Thank you so much for the package, Jackson!

June 2019 Graphing of Frederick Keys at Down East Wood Ducks

The Frederick Keys come to Grainger Stadium three times this season.  I will miss one of the series when I am at the National in August, so I was really hoping that I could get as much signed as I could when they came through the first time.

I feel like Chris and I did really well, even though I missed Dillon Tate and Yusniel Diaz.  I had been holding onto this purple Cole Billingsley since last season, and I finally got it signed.

I added a few more Michael Baumanns to the album.  The purple shimmer in the middle turned out so nice.

Ryan Ripken was awesome.  He stopped to talk to Chris and I each time he came by.  I could talk to him about baseball for hours.

I was able to get Orioles 2017 first round pick, DL Hall.  He was really nice.  He only signed 2 cards at a time, but I was able to get the ones I really wanted right off the bat.

Brenan Hanifee was super nice.  He had pitched one of the games, and as he was walking off of the field, I asked if he would come back out and sign.  He came out a bit later, signed my cards, then watched some of the game with me.  While he was watching, he asked me about where I was from, etc.  He was really personable and is the kind of guy you'd want to root for.

We also had good conversations with Ryan Minor.  I finished off everything I had of him, and I had a lot.

Speaking of having a lot of someone's cards, I had a ton of Cody Sedlock.  He missed last season, so I was unable to get any of his stuff signed.  He signed for us a ton, so I was able to get most of what I had signed this series.

I got a bunch of team set stuff done, as well.

I had found this Jomar Reyes at a card show, and had hoped that he would be back.  I was lucky that he was, and got it signed.  Chris had some of his cards, as well.  He asked Jomar if he was Jomar Reyes, and he said no.  Then he smiled and signed Chris's cards.  Chris was so confused.

I got some more Hickory and Spokane team set cards done, along with some customs that a fellow instagrammer made.  I think it is about time for him to replace his ink in his printer.  The customs do look better in person.

I was glad that he made an extra Ryan Dorow, as I don't have much of him, and I would venture to say that Dorow is this year's team MVP.  He plays great defense and is batting pretty well for a 30th round pick.

Here is the long horizontal card that I got signed, the newly arrived Hasuan Viera.

I always run with Darren Oliver cards in my book, and I was fortunate that I do so, because he was subbing for Steve Mintz at pitching coach.  He is one per, so Chris and I both got one done.

Finally, my friend Jackson, let me in on a little secret.  There was a famous spectator at Grainger Stadium, former NASCAR champion, Dale Jarret.  He was there watching his son, Zach.  Zach is a fellow Charlotte 49er, so I had to make sure I talked to him.

The Wood Ducks are off until Thursday, when the second half starts.  I'll be seeing them play Salem.

May 25-27, 2018 Graphing of Keys at Wood Ducks

I had a visit from my good friend, Michael this past weekend, and used that time with him to see three games between the Frederick Keys and Down East Wood Ducks.  I knocked out a bunch of cards while we were there, from both the Keys and Wood Ducks.

I finished all of the custom cards that Rangersautos made of the Wood Ducks, and I completed his 50/50s.  It was nice to get one out of the way.

I also knocked out a bunch of 50/50s for Gerard, including a couple of the above 3-way cards that include Eric Jeknins, and I also had last year's bat boy and now clubbie, Matt sign the Wood Ducks team card.  Matt stops and talks with Chris and I at every game, so I felt it was right to get him on a card.

I also finished off all of my Walker Weickels, and also Gerard's Wood Ducks team set.

I added a few new Anthony Gose, coming from a 50/50 from Gerard.  I was also glad to get the Hickory team set card of Spike Owen done.

I had ordered this 2016 Anthony Gose from COMC, but it didn't come in time.  Luckily, Gerard let me keep this one as part of the 50/50.

Gerard also let me keep this 2013 Topps Mini Gose.

I finally remembered to add the DEWD disc card to my autograph book and get it signed.  It may be goofy, but I thought it was cool to get him to sign it, especially since he couldn't see the card and signed my book instead.

Since the Keys don't come to town often, I made sure to knock out as much as I could.  I had been waiting for Jomar Reyes for a long time, since he was injured when the Keys came last year.

I finished off almost everything I had of Reyes.  I think I only had 2 cards left when the series ended.

I also used up every card I had of Ryan Minor.  I may try to get the triple rookie done, if one of my Texas buddies can get Adrian Beltre for me.

I also was lucky enough to get cards signed by Ryan McKenna.  He only would sign 2-per, and as the weekend went on, he kept refusing to sign for me, but would sign for Chris and Michael.  It was weird, but I guess it was because I was older.  It's ok, though, I have only 3 cards of him left.  The 2015 Bowman paper was a Christmas gift from my good friend, Anthony, and is numbered to 5.

I was able to get a couple of the regular Wood Duck fans that I see at every game to help me get my other McKennas signed.  The didn't mind, and I was able to add these to my album, as well.

Michael and I went to the card shop on Saturday, and I bought a pack of 2017 Elite Extra Edition.  The first card in the pack was the above Michael Baumann.  I prepped the card and got it into my book for that night's game.  I was also happy to add Alex Wells.  He was pretty nice, even though I only got to see him one time.

I also was able to get three cards done from my 2017 South Atlantic League All Star set done.  I picked this set up in Columbia a couple weeks ago, and three of the guys ended up being with the Keys.

It was also nice being able to knock out a bunch of the Ironbirds team set cards that I got at the end of the season last year.

One of the cool things about the Keys was that Preston Palmeiro (son of Rafael) was playing.  I got to speak to him, and had him sign a Carolina League ball, as well as the above team set card.

 I got a lot of this team set done.  Some of the autos didn't turn out too great, but I figured it out early, and prepped the rest.

In all, Chris, Michael and I had fun.  I hate that McKenna kept denying me, but that's what happens with graphing sometimes.

A Surprise Package From Max

I was surprised the other day when there was a large bubble mailer in my mailbox from my good buddy, Max.  I wasn't expecting anything from him, so I was happy to see what was inside.  He hooked me up with some nice Orioles cards and a few other cards for various PCs.

This Sonny Gray MLB debut coin card was pretty nice.  I have had a nice side PC of Gray going lately, and it has been easier to pick up some of his stuff, since he had such a terrible year this year.  I have confidence that he will bounce back, I just hope it is with the A's and not after he is traded somewhere like the Yankees, as has been rumored.

This purple parallel from 2016 Bowman of Jomar Reyes is also a nice card.  It is numbered 119/250 and looks really sharp in person.  Reyes also had a down year this year, but should bounce back.  He is one of the Orioles top prospects and hopefully will contribute to the MLB club soon.

Finally, Max included these two 2012 Topps IP autos of former Oriole, Josh Bell.  Bell was acquired (along with Steve Johnson) from the Dodgers in 2009 for former closer, George Sherrill.  He never really got going with the O's, batting only .200 across 79 games.

Thanks so much for the package, Max!