Monday, June 13, 2011

On the signing front

On the signing front starts with the May visit to Hagerstown from the Delmarva Shorebirds.
Touted top draft pick Manny Machado signed one a night,but signed every night,so I don't have a problem with that at all.Other Shorebirds of note included Jonathan Schoop,Brendan Webb,Jarrod Martin and Mychal Givens,who missed much of last season due to injuries.
Former Pirate and Indian Jose Hernandez is the Shorebirds hitting coach and I was able to have him sign two cards,my favorite being a Topps heritage in the 1956 set mold.
I also added the Suns top two young arms in A.J. Cole and Robbie Ray,who are both very nice signers.

I kept last month's visit to Harrisburg focused on the visiting Altoona Curve.
Former Pirate first rounder Tony Sanchez signed six cards for me before the game and asked me after the game,if I had anything else,which I added three more and a baseball.
Tony is an easy guy to root for as is Jared Hughes,who remembered me from the past and talked for a few minutes,Jared was recently promoted to Indianapolis and we wish him well there.
Starling Marte was another nice addition as he did not have any cards when he played for the West Virginia Power here in Hagerstown.
Other notables included Brock Holt,Tim Alderson,Bryan Morris and Jeff Locke.

The Kannapolis Intimidators hit Hagerstown with a weak prospect class,which mainly features former second rounder Trayce Thompson,who was very accommodating.
Thompson is the son of former Blazers,Spurs and Lakers center Mychal Thompson.

In the middle of the Kannapolis series,I made a one day detour to Frederick for the Potomac Nationals.
I didn't have much for them considering many of the players were in Hagerstown last season.
I did want to add Cutter Dykstra,an off season addition and was able to do so.
I also added Eury Perez on his Bowman and Danny Rosenbaum on his Topps Debut.

The Kinston Indians and their main goal was last season's first rounder Drew Pomerantz,who signed two cards along with the injury plagued former top Indians prospect Adam Miller.Another nice pickup was the speedy outfielder Tyler Holt,who signed with the Indians from Florida State.

Asheville came into Hagerstown with the only Eastern team for the Colorado Rockies.
The biggest catch was former Clemson QB and Colorado top pick Kyle Parker,who signed the "Flusty" blank card since he does not have a card yet.
Another cool addition was former N.C. State passer Russell Wilson along with power armed prospect Peter Tago.
All three of them were super nice and accommodating
This series also saw me get two limited cards signed by Hagerstown Suns as Robbie Ray signed his Bowman USA and Adrian Sanchez his Donruss elite card.
Sammy Solis,the second rounder of Washington last season also signed two cards.
The Suns starters this year are a pretty nice group to ask.


Thanks to the "Superfan" for his help with Bryce Harper.
I am not a fan of the swarming bunch of fans and I don't want to get into the middle of the mess,so thanks to the "SF" for getting my card signed....
The Superfan also got me former Pirate pitcher and current rule 5 pick with the Royals Nathan Adcock at Baltimore.

Thanks to Tom O'brien for his constant help with Bowie and the Independent leagues.
Tom's big pickup for me on this group was Pirate manager Clint Hurdle with the Pirates in DC and former Ranger reliever Steve Foucault from the indys...

Thanks to Bruce for his help with Greg Golson with the Scranton/Wilkes Barre.

That should make some room for cards to be put away.
I'll try to finish later in the week with the rest of the signing front!

Mail successes

Baseball
Former Indians closer Doug Jones
Former White Sox pitcher Randy Scarbery
Former Astros and Cardinal pitcher Larry Dierker
Former Indians and Giants second baseman Duane Kuiper
Former White Sox third baseman Kevin Bell
Former Indians shortstop Jerry Kenney
Former Pirates and White Sox pitcher Ross Baumgarten
Former Tigers and White Sox pitcher Lerrin LaGrow
Former Padres pitcher Tom Dukes
Former Indians pitcher Curt Wardle
Former Giants pitcher Billy O'Dell
Former Rangers shortstop Jeff Kunkel
Former White Sox third baseman Bill Melton

Football
Former Jets linebacker Kyle Clifton
Former Bears defensive end and Hall of Famer Dan Hampton
Former Cardinal punter Carl Birdsong
Former Bronco kicker David Treadwell
Former Saints quarterback Edd Hargett
Former Browns kicker Don Cockroft
Former Raiders and Oilers quarterback Ken Stabler-should be a HOFer
Former Cowboys safety Michael Downs
Former Lions quarterback Chuck Long
Former Broncos punter Mike Horan
Former Broncos wide reciever Steve Watson
Former Broncos safety Dennis Smith
Former Packer quarterback Jerry Tagge
Former 49er and Redskins running back Wilbur Jackson
Former Ohio State,Rams and Oilers tackle Doug France

Basketball
Former 76er guard Hersey Hawkins
Former Laker guard Byron Scott

Misc
Former Presidential Candidate Pat Buchanan
Supermodel and actress Christie Brinkley

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