Some Frisco Autos From John

My friend, John in Texas, finally got my cards back to me that I sent last season for 50/50s.  Usually, John has been one of the most reliable people I could turn to in order to get 50/50s done.  Unfortunately, John has had a lot of issues going on outside of baseball that took his attention away from cards.

Thankfully, things are looking a lot better for him and his family, but in turn, he won't be attending many games in the near future.  Family comes first, and I am glad things have gotten straightened out.

Most of the cards I sent John came back to me unsigned, but he did take a Wood Ducks team set from 2018 and last season's Frisco set, and got a bunch of cards signed for me.

I really appreciated John's efforts amid the issues he had going on, so I was happy receiving anything from him, really.

Still, I hope things continue on a positive note for him, and he is able to put this past season behind him.

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.