May 8, 2010 Carolina Mudcats vs. Chattanooga Lookouts

Chris and I decided to catch the Mudcats vs. Lookouts today since I wouldn't be at the card shop. Since the Lookouts are the AA affiliate of the Dodgers, I went on a mission to get as many Dodger Prospect autos for a certain Dodger fan that I know who happens to be my best friend... Yeah you know the guy :) I think we did pretty well.During the game, the mini mudcat came and sat beside Chris for an inning. This was pretty cool, except for the kid who came after and asked Chris and I to move. I told him sorry, we had tickets for our seats. Wasn't trying to be a jerk, but I was raised to not TELL someone to move out of their seats. Was kind of funny though.

I got a bunch of autographs. Initially, I was disappointed because I paid for field level seats, and there was a huge net blocking us from the players. We did find a place near the visiting clubhouse and got some awesome autographs. The above ball is Dustin Yount. Yes, he is the son of Robin Yount. Dustin has been in the minors for a LONG time. He is a former Orioles prospect. He was a really nice guy, though, taking the time to talk to Chris as he was signing.

Before we went to the game, I looked at the Lookouts roster and saw that Danny Darwin was their pitching coach. I thought to myself that it would be really cool if I got his auto. I succeeded. Pretty nice signature too.

I said before that I wa son a mission to hook Max up, really wanting to get him an autograph of the Dodgers' #1 prospect. I succeeded in that as well. Damn, I'm good. Haha. We got several other Lookouts players. Chris got them all on one ball and I went through 5 single balls.

This was our first trip to Five County Stadium in Zebulon, NC. We drive by the baseball water tower every weekend on the way to the shop. I am glad we went. It is a beautiful stadium. I am still partial to Grainger Stadium in Kinston, though.

A cool picture of Dustin Yount and Danny Darwin talking before the game.

Dustin Yount signing for some kids before he came and talked to Chris.

Dee Gordon signing my baseball. He was pretty nice as well.

Danny Darwin signing Chris' ball. I like catching some of the 80's stars who are now coaching.

The game was close until the bottom of the 8th when the Lookouts allowed an INSIDE THE PARK GRAND SLAM. That's right. I'm not kidding. Just WOW.

Any thoughts guys? I'm so happy I accomplished my mission to get a Gordon auto for Max. You'll probably be reading about it on his blog shortly.

Another Autographed Ball

I got this in the mail today: Hank Aaron autographed ball. It was VERY cheap on ebay. I'm not usually a fan of taking a gamble like that, but with what I paid, if the signature isn't legit (and I compared it to 5 balls listed as PSA/DNA and it matched up just fine) then Chris can use it for batting practice. This ball did come with a COA, I just had never heard of the company before - Pro Star Sports. Anyone hear of them?

I have actually seen a lot of autos with PSA/DNA COAs going real cheap lately (a Cal for $35 and a Musial go for $30), I think the market is flooded right now, which is fine by me.

Anyway, I like the ball, so I'm content. I know a few of you aren't too cool with buying autos off of ebay, but I believe in its authenticity, and if I can sleep well at might because of it, then there's no reason I should drop $300 on an Aaron when I have this one for a fraction of the cost...

Through The Mail?

I'm going to try a couple more through the mails since I had such success with Bobby Doerr. My next shot is going to be with Hall of Famer Monte Irvin. The package will go out tomorrow morning, so we'll see how long it takes.

Anyone else have any cool older players they would try?

Swept Away

I was asked to post a blog about how the Orioles were turning it around after the past weekend, however, this was before he knew that the O's had been swept by the Evil Empire.

No harm done, though. I do believe they have turned a corner.

MOST of the Orioles' games this year have been very close. A well placed grounder here, a home run there plus a sufficient bullpen and we are talking a complete 180 from their 7-21 record.

I don't know who is to blame. The manager is to blame for some aspects, the lack of fundamentals, mental errors, and general lack of preparedness can rest on his head.

Dave Trembley does not bat for any of the players, though.

I dropped Nick Markakis from my fantasy team in a little bit of reverse psychology. I felt that if I dropped him, he would begin tearing the cover off of the ball. He isn't doing that, really, but he is hitting .314 now. Ty Wigginton and his 9 home runs have been a nice surprise. Brian Matusz continues to prove (although his records doesn't reflect it) that he is a star in the making. Nolan Reimold may be escaping from his funk. Matt Wieters is batting around .280, which is respectable.

One of the huge problems from last year - the revolving door of starting pitching - seems to have been corrected.

I knew the World Series was a long shot this year, but .500 was within reach. Do I think it still is? YES. The brutal first month schedule is almost behind the O's. Whomever put that train wreck together deserves to be taken out and pelted with batteries.

I know a couple of other people who are in the same boat as I am. The Dodgers' starting pitching have been non-existent. At least I can discuss my misery with my best friend.

I'm also glad I am not a Red Sox fan. They are DONE.

Cubs? Poor Chris over at Oncardautos... I feel for you too man.

Pirates? They were outscored 72-12 during their recent 6-game skid.

So, yeah, things could be worse, I suppose.

Chris' First T-Ball Game

Today was a big moment in my life. My son played in his first T-Ball game. We asked him if he wanted to play baseball, he said yes, so we signed him up for the 4-year old T-Ball group. The first few practices have been interesting to say the least. Chris seems like he is one of the more advanced kids in the group, which makes me proud. When the other kids are making dirt angels, Chris is standing ready with his glove. Awesome.Chris bats left and throws left, which is cool. I do everything but throw left-handed, I guess that makes me weird.

Coach forgot Chris batted left-handed. No big deal though as Chris scorched a single up the middle.

Here are your Zaxby's Kickin Chickins.

My little buddy ready for his first game. He left his glove at my parent's house, so we had to run out right before the game and get him another right handed glove... Those aren't easy to find either...

I'm so proud of my big boy!!!

2010 Topps National Chicle

When I saw the previews for National Chicle, I thought Uggh, those look AWFUL. I'm glad I was wrong (for the most part).

I opened something like 7 packs of the cards, and I helped Pete open maybe 10 more. I saw some AWESOME relics in Pete's box (I'll let him tell about what he pulled). There are some awesome cards as well... This Johnny Bench is the best looking card I have seen. Wow. The person who painted this one did an awesome job. This is one of the best looking cards I have seen in a while.

Another good portrait, and it is a relic of an Oriole!! Eddie Murray, woo hoo. Looks like some dirt may be on the jersey, which is cool.

Max and Pete both pulled Roberts, so I got 2 of him already. Never a bad day when I get new Roberts cards. Hopefully he will come off the DL soon.

I pulled this and was like oh cool, on card auto... but it is of the artist who designed the card. It is numbered 4/10 which is good, I guess, but I was really underwhelmed with the auto.

I was very satisfied with the cards I saw. I saw some not so good ones though. I wish I had a scan of the Tim Wakefield I saw though. It was a weird looking card. Looked like he was eating the ball.

Bobby Doerr Through The Mail Success

Oh man. Let me tell you, I had an awesome weekend. We got my whole family together in one place (which is a rarity), Max was able to come along (which meant a lot to me), the Orioles swept the Red Sox, and when I got home, I had some mail waiting for me.

Bobby Doerr autographed baseball TTM success. Doerr was a 9-time all star second baseman for the Red Sox from 1937-1951. He was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veteran's Committee in 1986.

Upon receipt of this ball, I now have autographed baseballs from the three oldest living hall of famers in Stan Musial, Bobby Doerr and Bob Feller.

I sent the ball off on April 23 and it came in the mail yesterday, meaning it had a turn around time of 8 days. Not bad at all!!