Wednesday, September 9, 2009

On the Signing Front-Rome Braves


Working our way back through the pile of autographs,we will start with the Rome Braves.
Rome brought a few high picks to Hagerstown in the first visit to the Hub City from the Atlanta affiliate in years.
Manager Randy Ingle was a really nice guy as he spent time speaking before the game.
Ingle signed everything and chuckled when his wife called as he signed and his coach Bobby Moore told her that Ingle was busy signing autographs!

One of the top players was highly touted pitcher Julio Teheran.
Teheran looked very strong in his outing against the Suns and was a good signer as well.
Julio signed more cards than I could count in the parking lot and had a nice signature as well.
Second baseman Joel Campusano was a nice addition as well.
Power armed pitcher JJ Hoover signed,but we missed two highly touted pitchers as Brett DeVall was on the DL and Zeke Spruill was sent to Florida before the road trip for personal issues.
I finally was able to get third baseman Adam Coe after waiting three years for him to sign his 2006 Bowman.

The Braves first round pick Mike Minor was traveling with the team,although Minor was still on the reserve list.
Minor was very engaging and signed his Team USA card along with the Rome Braves logo card from the team set.
Outfield prospect Luis Sumoza signed cards that I had missed him on when he signed in Frederick as a Myrtle Beach Pelican and Moises Hernandez signed card from two years ago from his stint with the Pelicans.

Around this time,our friend Tom O'Brien helped us with a large chunk of the Connecticut Defenders,the AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
The biggest catches being pitcher Tim Alderson (who was traded to the Pirates during the series against Bowie when Tom was there),and three quarters of a fine Defender infield in Brandon Crawford,Brett Pill and Brock Bond.
I would get more help on the Defenders later in the year from Bill Cover.
Tom also worked on Oriole top pick Brian Matusz on his Frederick card (Matusz was said to have gotten worse as the season went on,but my experience with Brian was fine),Brandon Erbe from the Bowie set and many cards of Phillie prospect Joe Savery.
Savery was one of those players that I missed a lot and his cards piled up.
Thanks to Tom for his help.

Next time on the Signing Front will be more help from our friends from other places and the Augusta Greenjackets visit to Hagerstown...

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