Brad Cresse c/o home (79 days)

Jeff Urban c/o home (18 days)

Duke Snider c/o home (8 days) also signed an OMLB on the SS w/ HOF Inscription (I added a $20 donation)

Tigers were in town.  Here was my haul:

Nate Robertson 1/1 8x10

Placido Polanco 1/1 1/1

Rick Porcello and a OMLB on SS

Don Kelly 2/2 2/2

Fernando Rodney 1/1

Curtis Granderson on my Team USA WBC Ball

Marcus Thames 2/2 2/2 (2 for SCN Members)

Adam Everett 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 (3 for SCN members)

Edwin Jackson 2/2

Armando Galaragga 1/1 1/1 1/1

Dusty Ryan 1/1 8x10

Josh Anderson 1/1

Was in front of Cabrera and Ordonez signing several times but no luck, wouldn't take my cards. 

TTM:

Kerry Ligtenberg c/o St. Paul Saints ( days)

Royals were in town, a few observations, and please no emails saying, "They don't have to sign!"  I know this, its just the way in which these individuals carry themselves, and again only my personal observations, not canon:

1) Zach Greinke is a primadonna.  The SI Cover sent straight to his head.  Today as he walked past the 5 of us that wanted his signature on the way to the bus all he did was shake his head no.  Yesterday he ignored us and Monday said maybe tomorrow.

2) Willie Bloomquist is elusive.  Needing him for my 03 Total set he was a top priority and all 3 days he ignored me as myself and maybe 2-3 others asked him for a signature.

3) Jose Guillen is a jerk

Juan Cruz 1/1 1/1

John Gibbons 1/2

Kevin Seitzer 1/1 1/1 1/1

John Buck 2/2

Mike Jacobs 2/2 3/3

Mitch Maier 2/2

Joakim Soria 2/2 2/2 8x10

Mark Teahen 2/2 1/1

Gil Meche 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1

Luis Hernandez 3/3

Billy Butler 3/3

Luke Hochevar 1/1

David DeJesus 1/3

Kyle Farnsworth 2/2 2/2 2/2

Frank White 1/1 8x10

Denny Matthews SS OMLB

Craig Ansman c/o home (28 days)

Darrin Fletcher c/o home (151 days)

Teddy Higuera c/o home (68 days)

Brandon Duckworth c/o Omaha (60 days)

Matt Wheatland c/o home (29 days)

TTM:

Brad Vericker c/o home (27 days)

Robin Roberts c/o home (6 days w/ $10 donation)

Cubbies were in town, I worked all 3 days, managed to get quite a few cards signed for SCN members, those go out tomorrow.

Here is my personal haul:

Jose Ascanio 1/1

Andres Blanco 2/2

Aaron Miles 1/1 1/1

Bob Brenly 4/4 (3 for SCN members)

Jake Fox 2/2

Geovanny Soto 1/1 1/1 1/1 (1 for an SCN Member)

Ivan DeJesus 1/1

Randy Wells 1/1 8x10

Mike Fontenot 1/1

Ryan Theriot 1/1

Angel Guzman 1/1

Carlos Marmol 1/1 8x10

Alfonso Soriano 1/1 1/1(Sweet Spot Ball) (my beautiful bride to be helped me get 2 on him items)

Ron Santo 1/1 8x10

Larry Rothschild 1/1

Kosuke Fukudome 1/1 a Sweet Spot Ball

Ted Lilly 1/1 added him to my Team USA WBC ball

Alan Trammell 1/1 1/1 a Sweet Spot Ball

And the Piece de Resistance was an Aramis Ramirez 16x20 that he signed in blue sharpie for me.  It's on its way to the framers and then up on my wall in my game room.

Brian Lawrence c/o Camden RiverSharks (40 days) that was my 3rd attempt on him and first success

Wayne Lydon c/o CamdnRiverSharks (31 days) this was my 4th attempt

Rockies were in town, I was able to get out there one day:

Manny Corpas 3/3 (1 for Slayden)

Jorge de la Rosa 3/3

Taylor Buchholz 1/1 1/1

Seth Smith 2/3

Matt Murton 5/5

Brad Hawpe 1/1

Todd Helton 1/1

Ryan Spilborghs 1/1 1/2

Huston Street 1/1 1/1

Ian Stewart 1/2

Edwin Bellorin 1/1

Don Baylor 1/2

A few Astros came in the front as well:

Matt Kata 2/2

Alberto Arias 1/1

Edwin Maysonet 1/1

Benji DeQuin c/o home (13 days)

Scott Hatteberg c/o home (10 days)

Roberto Alomar c/o home (19 days) signed 2/3 and the one obviously on the back for some reason

Chris O'Riordan c/o home (13 days) he also added a nice note

Greg Miller c/o home (10 days)

Calvin Hayes c/o home (10 days)

TTM:

Luke Hudson c/o home 2/2 (43 days)

Rodrigo Lopez c/o LeHigh Valley 1/1 (10 days)

Rick Asadoorian c/o Bridgeport 2/2 (23 days)

Rangers in town over the weekend...........had a couple friends out helping me double and triple up on guys.  Here are totals for weekend which included ballpark entrance, hotel, and team bus entrance.

Josh Hamilton on a 2008 All-Star Game Ball

Nolan Ryan Sweet Spot OMLB

Kris Benson 1/1 1/1 1/1

Chris Davis 2/2 2/2

Michael Young 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1

Matt Harrison 1/1

Warner Madrigal 1/1

Jarrod Saltalamacchia 1/2

Mike Maddux 1/1

Ron Washington 2/2

Jason Jennings 2/2

Omar Vizquel 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1

Andruw Jones 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1

Elvis Andrus 1/1 1/1 (Sweet Spot Ball)

Kevin Millwood 1/1 1/1 2/2

Nelson Cruz 1/1

Hank Blalock 1/1 1/1

Dave Anderson 3/4 2/3

David Murphy 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1

Vicente Padilla 1/1 1/1 2/2

Taylor Teagarden 5/5

Took a half day and chased the Brewers at the park yesterday.  If you know about Houston if you work the park and not the hotel its difficult b\c there are two entrances on separate sides of the park that the visiting team can enter in.  I chose the front entrance and only saw 3 groups of players, but had a decent haul considering........

Bill Hall 1/1

Braden Looper 1/2

Manny Parra 1/1

Prince Fielder 1/1

Brian Moehler 2/2

Art Howe 1/1

Gallardo and Villanueva came together and declined my request (I was the only one there) and Parra came in a cab with 4 other players (Stetter, DiFelice, and who I think was Iribarren and I chose to ask and get Parra).  That was it.

TTM:

Mike Smith c/o York Revolution (10 days)

Gary Schneidmiller c/o home (25 days)

Ron Karkovice c/o Newark Bears (8 days)

Jeremy Hill c/o Salt Lake City (7 days)

Cubs were in town Thursday I worked the Home Plate Entrance:

Micah Hoffpauir 2/2 2/2

Geovanny Soto 1/1

Joey Gathright 1/1

Aaron Miles 1/2

Angel Guzman 1/5 1/4

Aramis Ramirez 1/1

Bob Brenly 2/2

Neal Cotts 2/2 2/2

Kevin Gregg 2/2 2/2

Ryan Theriot 1/1

Mike Fontenot 2/2

Mike Quade 1/1

Koyie Hill 2/2

Ivan DeJesus 1/2

Padres were in for a weekend series I worked the Hotel Friday and Saturday

Astros Surprises: Roy Oswalt on my WBC Team USA Ball (he was picking up Jake Peavy), Lance Berkman (he was picking up Chris Burke), and Roger Clemens {got him to Sweet Spot a Baseball}(dropped off Burke after they played golf)

Rich Renteria 2/2

Jim Lefebvre 2/2

Jerry Coleman 1 Sweetspot ball w/ WS MVP inscription

Duaner Sanchez 1/1 1/1 2/2

Brian Giles 1/1 1/1 (8x10s)

Adrian Gonzalez 1/1 1/1 (1 8x10 and a SS Ball)

Edwin Moreno 2/2

Chad Gaudin 3/3

Mark Grant 1/1

Chris Burke 1/2

Nick Hundley 1/1

Kevin Kouzmanoff 1/1 1/1

Scott Hairston 3/3 3/3

Cla Meredith 1/1 1/1

Chris Young 1/2

Cliff Floyd 1/1 1/1 1/1

Heath Bell on my Team USA WBC Ball

Bob Milacki c/o Lakewood (25 days)

Jason Perry c/o Lancaster (14 days)

Tom Runnells c/o Colorado Springs (22 days)

One Failure:

Wayne Lydon c/o Camden returned unsigned in SASE, re-sent, maybe he forgot to sign it????

Keith Ginter c/o Charlotte Knights (9 days)

Greg Bruso c/o home (76 days)

TTM:

Scott Ruffcorn c/o home (180 days)

Dodgers were in town, totals below are from 2 hotel days, 3 inside the park days, and 2 post game exits of the stadium.

Mark Loretta 2/2 1/1

Brad Ausmus 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1

Casey Blake 2/2 1/1 1/1 1/1

Randy Wolf 1/1

Ronald Belisario 1/1 (8x10)

Will Ohman 1/2

James Loney 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1 & a SweetSpot Baseball

Andre Ethier 1/1 1/1 1/1

Juan Castro 1/1 1/1 1/1

Juan Pierre 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1

Eric Stults 3/3

Mark Sweeney 1/1

Clayton Kershaw 1/1 1/1

Blake DeWitt 1/1 1/1

Hiroki Kuroda 1/1

Russell Martin 1/1 and a 08 All Star Ball signed below logo

Bob Schaefer and Mariano Duncan 1/1

and

Rafael Fucal 1/1 SweetSpot Baseball

Don Mattingly 1/1 1/1 SweetSpot Baseballs

Joe Torre signed over the dugout each day using his own sharpie pen

Manny Didn't SNIFF a pen all series anywhere

Kris Wilson c/o home (19 days)

Brian West c/o home (5 days)

Juan Castro c/o Dodgers ST (48 days)

Allen Fisher c/o Arm Wrestling Worldwide (191 days)

Did Friday Astros v. Indians Exhibition at Minute Maid then camped out in line for FanFest for Pudge.  Here is what I hauled in over 2 days, this is entering the park, leaving the park, during BP and all Astros were at FanFest unless otherwise noted.  FanFest was 1 per strictly but I had a buddy go through most lines with me who doesn't collect and he helped me double up.  Tickets for each session w/ 4 players/coaches were $20, I bought 2 tix for Pudge's session, 1 for the Oswalt session, 1 for the Lee session, 1 for the relievers session.  They allowed me to go through the Cooper session for free.

Shin-Soo Choo 2/2, 2/2

Travis Hafner 1/2

Carl Pavano 2/2

Jamey Carroll 1/1 1/1

Fausto Carmona 1/1

Kelly Shoppach 1/1 1/1

Tony Graffanino 2/2

Wilson Valdez

Kerry Wood 1 SS OMLB

Josh Barfield 1/2 1/2

Ryan Garko 1/1 1/1

Asdrubal Cabrera 1/1

Ben Francisco 1/1 1/1

Jhonny Peralta 1/1 1/1

Zach Jackson 3/3

Carl Willis 3/3

Eric Wedge 3/3

Joel Skinner 1/1 1/1 1/1

FanFest

Pudge Rodriguez  & 1 SS OMLB w/ 99 AL MVP Inscription

Kaz Matsui

Wandy Rodriguez

Chris Johnson

Hunter Pence

Dave Clark

Cecil Cooper

Jason Michaels

Chris Sampson

LaTroy Hawkins

Doug Brocail

Tim Byrdak

Russ Ortiz

Carlos Lee 1 SS OMLB w/ El Caballo inscription

Brandon Backe

Sean Berry

Got Valverde and Oswalt on a Fantasy Team Ball my buddy is doing, he came with to get extra autos for me and work on getting a ball signed by all member of his fantasty team (he also got Victor Martinez).

During the Exhibition Game Saturday they had ex-Astros signing for free in the park and got the following:

Brian Williams

James Mouton

Shane Reynolds

Kevin Bass

Larry Dierker

(missed John Hudek and didn't have any cards for Jimmy Wynn, Terry Puhl, Enos Cabell, or Alex Trevino)

TTM:

Shawn Estes c/o Dodgers ST (38 days)

Daylan Holt c/o Home (22 days)

Scott Williamson c/o Tigers ST (31 days)

Corey Shafer c/o home (28 days)

Bobby Bradley c/o home (12 days)

Ed Vosberg c/o home (? days)

Luis Polonia c/o private signing

Sean Casey c/o MLB Network (33 days)

Kendall Gill c/o Chicago Comcast (59 days)

And before I get a million emails saying why do you need 9 Gills, I am giving most away to my students.

Cris Carpenter c/o School (12 days)

Mike Deveraux c/o Private Signing

Chris Dudley c/o home (56 days)

Brian Barnes c/o home (136 days)

Rick Bauer c/o Blue Jays ST (7 days)

Tim Kalita c/o home (13 days)

Seth Etherton c/o D-Backs ST (24 days)

Mike Sweeney c/o Mariners ST (7 days)

Danny Ferry c/o Cavs (34 days)

Kelly Gruber c/o home (18 days)

Terry McGriff c/o home (12 days)

Hideki Okajima c/o Sox ST (11 days)

Eric Milton c/o Dodgers ST (18 days)

Jeff Treadway c/o School (16 days)

Mike Stoner c/o home (20 days) added a nice note back about life and baseball

Brian Wright c/o home (17 days) added a nice note and the chrome and tribute cards

Nick Saban c/o Alabama (21 days)

Lance Blanks c/o Cavs (28 days)

Chad McConnell c/o home (21 days)

Bonnie Blair c/o home (183 days)

Apologies for a lack of updates for almost a month now but to be completely honest..........there hasn't been much to report.

I have sent out an increased number of requests recently and hope to have some nice successes to report in the future.

Brad Baker c/o home (9 days)

Jimmy Key c/o home (9 days)

Brent Price c/o home (10 days)

Tracy Murray c/o home (8 days)

Sam Perkins c/o home (29 days)

Tim Hardaway c/o home (9 days)

Scott Brosius c/o Linfield College (43 days) + $10 donation

Jim Lindeman c/o home (50 days)

Dave Pember c/o home (8 days)

Kirk Rueter c/o home (15 days)

Nice surprise today:

Calvin "Pokey" Reese c/o home (339 days)

Happy New Year to everyone!  Baseball season is right around the corner.............I can't wait!

Patrick Lennon c/o home (18 days)

Todd Clever c/o Rugby Team (81 days) He also included a letter explaining that he has been out of the country and apologized for the delay.  Nice guy!

Tony Barron c/o home (94 days)

Mark Williamson c/o home (45 days)

I apologize for the lack of timely updates of late but anyone who knows a High School 5A Boy's Basketball Coaches Schedule you understand.

Bob Baffert c/o Stables (24 days)

Rheal Cormier c/o home (12 days)

Eric Weaver c/o home (15 days)

Buck Showalter c/o home (17 days)

Jeff Torborg c/o home (11 days)

Sparky Anderson c/o home (7 days)

Mike Figga c/o home (83 days)

Ryan Jensen c/o home (9 days)

Otis Nixon c/o Private Signing

Aaron Brooks c/o home (67 days)

Mike Mussina c/o home (17 days)

Mike Aponte c/o home (42 days) also included a dvd about his card counting black jack days

Todd Van Poppel c/o home (35 days) I sent with the cards a blue sharpie and he used it on 2 of the 6 cards and some other marker on the rest

Tom Kelly c/o home (10 days)

Mike Flanagan c/o Orioles (14 days)

Here is my last week's haul:

Mike Cameron c/o home (10 days)

Jim Fregosi c/o home (11 days)

Mark Leiter c/o home (14 days)

Gregg Olson c/o home (9 days)

Johnny Pesky c/o home (14 days)

Todd Hollandsworth c/o home (14 days)

Mike Nixon c/o home (212 days)

Frank Morris c/o home (15 days)

Greg Hansell c/o home (21 days)

Scott Livingstone c/o home (11 days)

Dan Serafini c/o home (11 days) (he added the 4 cards of him playing in Japan, nice guy)

Charles Woodson c/o Packers (31 days)

Pete Weber c/o home (55 days)

Gary Hall Jr. c/o work (65 days)

Mike Nolan c/o 49ers (16 days)

Jerry DiPoto c/o home (16 days) (nice guy hope he gets the Seattle GM job)

Chris Tremie c/o home (15 days)

Rick Gorecki c/o home (14 days)

Last weeks returns:

Dallas Clark c/o Indy 2/3 (10 days)

Tim Harikkala c/o home 2/2 (43 days)

Matt Whiteside c/o home 3/3 (17 days)

Tyrone Wheatley c/o Ohio Northern Univ. 1/1 (14 days)

Barry Larkin c/o home 2/3 (18 days)

John Hudek c/o home 4/4 (65 days)

TTM:

Mike Duvall c/o home ( days)

Dan Jansen c/o home ( days) used the blue sharpie I sent

Braves were in town for the last weekend of the baseball regular season, here was my haul from one day at the hotel and inside the park.  Alas, no Chipper again this year.

Matt Diaz 1/1 (remarked that it was the 1st time he'd seen the card and confirmed it was definately the 1st time he'd signed it)

Manny Acosta 2/2

Julian Tavarez 4/4 2/2 2/2

Josh Anderson 1/1 1/1

Brian McCann 1/1 1/1 and a SS Ball

Terry Pendelton 1/1 and a Side paneled waste of a ball that anyone can have for the $12 bucks the ball cost me

Buddy Carlyle 3/3

Jeff Franceour 1/1 1/1 1/1

Jair Jurrjens 2/2 2/2

Mike Gonzalez 1/1

Omar Infante 2/2

Kelly Johnson 1/1 1/1

Alberto Arias 2/2 (he was staying at the visiting team hotel upon his callup from AAA)

TTM:

Will Brunson c/o home (14 days)

Anthony Shumaker c/o home (17 days)

Jeff Kent c/o Dodgers ST (217 days)

Les Miles c/o LSU (6 days)

Bruce Jenner c/o home (24 days) (I sent a Blue Sharpie but he didn't use it)

Val Majewski c/o Newark Bears (156 days)

Reds were in town a few weeks back, I did the hotel 1 day and here's my haul:

Bronson Arroyo 1/1

David Weathers 1/2

Jolbert Cabrera 2/2

Josh Roenicke 1/1

Jon Adkins 1/1

Jerry Hairston Jr. 2/4

Jeremy Affeldt 2/2

Corey Patterson 1/1

Joey Votto 1/2

Tom Davey c/o home (16 days)

Brian Tollberg c/o Somerset Patriots (18 days)

Greg Louganis c/o home (123 days)

Alex Fernandez c/o home (245 days)

Charlie Greene c/o home (14 days)

Dan Ricabal c/o Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (156 days)

Kazuo Fukumori c/o Oklahoma City (16 days)

Augie Garrido c/o Univ. Texas (8 days)

Hart Lee Dykes c/o home (599 days) Questions Might be my longest wait ever, added 3 cards, I sent him 1

Jeff King c/o home (15 days)

Bob Chandler c/o home (18 days)

Kerri Strug c/o home (15 days)

Kevin Van Dam c/o R&G Sports (10 days)

Been a rough few weeks.  Astros were on a long road trip and when they arrived back home I had begun school (for those who don't know I am a High School History Teacher and Boy's Basketball Coach).  Dodgers lose their 8th straight tonight.   It seems like yesterday we got Manny and Casey Blake and I thought we had the upper hand.............wrong again.  I hate sports.....

TTM:

Nicky Hayden c/o home (10 days)

Jeanette Lee c/o Octagon (28 days)

Owen Gingerich c/o home (7 days)

Garret Anderson c/o Angels (9 days)

Jason McElwain c/o home (9 days)

Mario Andretti c/o home (17 days)

Von Hayes c/o Lancaster (17 days)

TTM:

Darin Erstad c/o Astros ST (159 days)

Andrew "William Ocean" Litz c/o home (13 days)

Diamondbacks were in town I did the hotel on Saturday.  Webb, Johnson, and Haren didn't sign for anyone that day (of course they did Friday and Sunday.....)

Bob Melvin 1/2

Lee Tinsley 5/8

Rich Schu 5/7

Chad Tracy 1/1 1/1

Augie Ojeda 2/2

Doug Davis 2/2 2/2

Eric Byrnes 1/4

Conor Jackson 1/1

Miguel Montero 1/3

Mark Reynolds 3/3

Yusmeiro Petit 1/1 1/1

Alex Romero 1/1 1/1

Jeff Salazar 1/1

Jon Rauch 1/1

Chris Snyder 1/1

TTM:

Brad Ausmus c/o Astros (9 days)

Bob Motley c/o home (11 days)

Jeff Reboulet c/o home (9 days)

Frank Menechino c/o home (9 days)

Giants (or as I call them The Hated Ones) were in town and I did the Hotel for 2 days:

Bruce Bochy 2/2

Tim Flannery 2/2

Carney Lansford 1/4

Duane Kuiper 1/1

Mike Krukow 1/4

Fred Lewis 1/2

Steve Holm 1/1

Eugenio Velez 2/2

Ivan Ochoa 1/1

Matt Cain 1/1

Kevin Correia 1/1

Bengie Molina 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1

Randy Winn 1/1 1/1

Omar Vizquel 2/2

Tyler Walker 2/2

Keiichi Yabu 2/2

Tim Lincecum 1/2

Jack Taschner 3/3

Barry Zito 1/1 1/1 1/1 and a SS ball

TTM:

Ken Harvey c/o KC T-Bones (10 days)

Mets were in town over the weekend, this team gets my award for toughest signers in the MLB.  I had more luck with Boston and the Yankees!  (this was over 2 days working the hotel and ballpark player's entrance)

John Maine 2/4

Mike Pelfrey 2/2

Robinson Cancel 2/2

Scott Shoeneweis 3/3

Marlon Anderson 2/2

Aaron Heilman 2/2

Fernando Tatis 1/1 1/1 1/1

Luis Aguayo 2/2

Howard Johnson 1/2 1/2

TTM:

Misty May-Treanor c/o home (10 days)

Reds in town, did the hotel Monday and post game and did the stadium entrance Tuesday, BP, and post game.  Here's the entire haul:

Dusty Baker 2/2 and a SS ball

Billy Hatcher 6/6

Brook Jacoby 4/4

Walt Jocketty 2/2

Jay Bruce 1/1 and a Side Paneled Ball

Paul Bako 2/2

Mike Lincoln 4/4

Joey Votto 1/1 and a SS ball

Javier Valentin 2/2 2/2

Andy Phillips 1/1

Brandon Phillips 1/2

Corey Patterson 1/2 1/2

Jolbert Cabrera 1/1

Aaron Harang 1/1 1/1

David Weathers 1/7

Bronson Arroyo 1/2 1/2

Todd Coffey 1/1

Josh Fogg 4/4

David Ross 1/1 1/1 1/1

And got Steve Sparks 2/2 (he does tv for the Astros)

TTM:

Edwin Almonte c/o Newark Bears (88 days)

Alex Graman c/o Seibu Lions (57 days)

Jay Gibbons c/o Long Island Ducks (16 days)

Joe B. Scott c/o home (10 days) included a $5 donation and a blue sharpee

Chance Sanford c/o home (63 days)

Pasqual Coco c/o John's Dominican Republic Signing for $10

Alay Soler c/o Round Rock Express (77 days)

Did the Pirates Hotel Monday and Tuesday of Last week, did quite well, here's the 2 day haul:

Jack Wilson 3/3 5/5

Ian Snell 2/2 (he's gotten tougher, very surly this year as opposed to last year where he was engaging and appreciative)

Xavier Nady 2/2 and a SS Ball the 2nd day

Jason Bay SS Ball w/ ROY 2004 Inscription

Sean Burnett 2/2

TJ Beam 2/4

Denny Bautista 2/2

Jose Bautista 3/3

Lou Frazier 3/3

Chris Gomez 1/7 1/6

Doug Mientkiewicz 3/3

Jason Michaels 4/4 4/4

Bob Walk 6/6

Luis Rivas 2/2

Raul Chavez 1/1 

Ryan Dittfurth c/o Lincoln Saltdogs (35 days)

William Brennan c/o home (49 days)

Dodgers were in town for 4, these were obtained at the hotel and inside the park over the course of the 4 game series:

Andy LaRoche 1/1 1/1 1/1

Delwyn Young 1/1

Brian Falkenborg 1/1

Danny Ardoin 1/1

Angel Berroa 4/4

James Loney 1/1 and he signed a Jersey of his I have

Russell Martin 1/2

Mat Kemp 1/1 (for Larry) and an 8x10 of he and I from Spring Training

Clayton Kershaw signed an 8x10 and 2 Baseball's on the SS

Mark Sweeney 2/2

Jason Repko 3/3

Derek Lowe 1/1

Steve Lyons 2/2

Mariano Duncan 1/1

Got Sweet Spot baseballs from Billingsley and Saito as well.

Also did a team ball that by the end of the 4 days is missing only Torre, Kent, Kuroda, and Stults.

I tried the hotel 3 days straight for Torre and everyday he didn't sign and the last day I didn't do the hotel and he signed there.........oh well, you win some you lose some.

Red Sox in town for the weekend, worked outside the park today, ran to the bus at the hotel only to see my buddy Just Disabled Drew walk by and say later (that's only about the 10th time I've heard that from him) and Daisuke smile and wave.

Josh Beckett 1/1

Bartolo Colon 1/2

David Aardsma 1/2

Kevin Youkilis 1/1

Justin Masterson 1/1 and a SS Ball

Luis Alicea 3/3

Brandon Moss 1/1 1/1

Javier Lopez 1/1

Dustin Pedroia a SS Ball

All in all a solid day considering it was the Sox

TTM:

Adam Johnson c/o Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Felix Jose c/o Lincoln Saltdogs

Clay Bellinger c/o home

Ranger were in town Tuesday-Thursday for 3, I worked outside the park Tues. and Thurs. here's how I did:

Joaquin Benoit 3/3

Hank Blalock 1/2

Scott Feldman 3/3

Eddie Guardado 1/2

Eric Hurley 2/2

Max Ramirez 2/2 and a SS Baseball

Ian Kinsler 1/1 and a SS Baseball

Gary Pettis 1/1 (If anyone knows anything about him you realize how shocked I was to finally add him to my collection)

Ron Washington 2/2

Matt Walbeck 6/6

Milton Bradley 1/1, 1/1

German Duran 1/1

Luis Mendoza 1/1

CJ Wilson 5/5

David Murphy 2/2 and a SS Baseball

Jarrod Saltalamacchia 2/5

Chris Shelton 3/3

Vicente Padilla 1/1

Josh Rupe 1/1

Josh Hamilton a SS Baseball

Michael Young a SS Baseball and another SS Baseball w/ 2006 All Star Game MVP Inscription

Art Howe 1/1 and a SS Baseball

Denny Hocking c/o home (97 days)

Warren Moon c/o Hall of Fame (27 days)

Did the Evil Empire In person Friday:

Kyle Farnsworth 3/3

Mike Harkey 3/3

Ross Ohlendorf 1/1

Chad Moeller 3/3

Tony Pena 1/1

Michael Kay 2/2

Bobby Abreu 1/1 and a side panel ball

Johnny Damon 1/1 and SS Ball

Worked the Cardinals Hotel today, was the only grapher there and still only managed to pull a few guys.  This team is hard!  Pujols, Wainwright, Mulder, McClellan, Lohse, Izturis, Molina, and Flores all either said no or ignored my request. 

Joe Pettini 1/1

Dave McKay 1/1

Chris Perez 2/2

Ryan Franklin 3/3

Adam Kennedy 1/2

Troy Glaus 1/1

Brendan Ryan 1/5 (said he only had time for 1)

One TTM back

Jeromy Burnitz 3/3 (12 days)

Billy Simon c/o St. George Roadrunners (13 days)

Cristian Guerrero c/o Gary South Shore RailCats (19 days)

 Brian Myrow c/o Portland Beavers (54 days)

Trey Lunsford c/o home (10 days) Questions

Jay Witasick c/o home (20 days) Questions

Ron Chiavacci c/o Lehigh Valley (13 days)

Pete Harnisch c/o home (14 days)

Mail from last week:

Cecil Fielder c/o Atlantic City Surf (10 days)

Bobby Hill c/o Newark Bears (9 days)

JD Closser c/o Scranton Yanks (20 days) Questions

Reggie Sanders c/o Private Signing (Fee was $20)

Did the Phillies this weekend, very hard team to get, most guys are flat out non-signers.  I tried the Hotel and Stadium both places were bad

Pedro Feliz 1/5

Jamie Moyer 1/2 1/2

Chris Coste 2/2

Ryan Madson 3/3

Kyle Kendrick 3/4 (no dups)

Rudy Seanez 2/2

Flash Gordon 1/2 1/2

Clay Condrey 1/1

Larry Anderson 3/3

And one Astro stopped out back Sunday

Doug Brocail 3/3

Last night I decided to go down to the stadium after the game to try to get a few more Cubs:

Kerry Wood 1/1 1/1

Ryan Dempster 2/2

Ted Lilly 1/1 (I was the only one out of about a dozen seekers who got him, not the nicest guy)

Jim Edmonds 1/1

TTM Update from the past few days:

Josh Paul c/o Round Rock (32 days) Questions

Rylan Reed c/o home (22 days) Questions

Tim Naehring c/o home (39 days)

Dave Gassner c/o York Revolution (13 days) Questions

Sendy Rleal c/o Lancaster Barnstormers (27 days)

Took Monday off and did the Stadium working the Cubs as they entered.  Did quite well, didn't see Soriano or Kosuke Fukudome, Edmonds rode the bus.

Carlos Zambrano 1/1

Derek Lee 1/1 1/1

Jon Leiber 5/5 4/4

Carlos Marmol 2/2

Aramis Ramirez 1/1 and a SS Ball

Sean Gallagher 2/2

Bobby Howry 1/1

Mike Fontenot 2/2 2/2

Ronny Cedeno 2/2

Henry Blanco 1/4

Ryan Dempster 1/5

Mark DeRosa 1/1 1/1

Jason Marquis 1/1

Ryan Theriot 1/1

Matt Sinatro 1/1

Gerald Perry 4/4

Also got Bob Brenly on a SS w/ inscription "2001 World Series Champs"

Tony Peguero c/o Camden (15 days)

Matt Hagen c/o Somerset (15 days) added the Testimony card Questions

Ken Jennings c/o home (15 days)

Bill Pulsipher c/o home (74 days)

Carlos Febles c/o Lancaster (12 days)

Jason Tyner c/o Buffalo Bisons (5 days)

Worked the Nationals Hotel (took a day off of work to do it) and was the only one there..........

Notes: Kearns, Johnson, Zimmerman, LoDuca and Boone came out together I could only get one and needed Boone the most.  Wily Mo Pena ignored me even after Belliard nudged him to let him know I was asking for his auto, not the nicest of guys..........

Don Sutton 1/1 SS Ball with HOF inscription

Tim Redding 5/5

Matt Chico 2/2

Luis Ayala 2/2

Jesus Colome 6/6

Manny Acta 2/2

Aaron Boone 1/1

Johnny Estrada 1/4

Joel Hanrahan 2/2

Rob Mackowiak 3/5

Lastings Milledge 2/2

Odalis Perez 3/3

Cristian Guzman 3/3

Lenny Harris 1/1

Last week:

Eric Young Jr. c/o Tulsa (6 days) Questions

Joba Chamberlain c/o Yankees ST (59 days)

Did the Brewers Hotel on Saturday and outside the Stadium Sunday:

Saturday

Prince Fielder SS Ball

Ryan Braun 8x10

Dave Bush 1/1

JJ Hardy 1/1

Guillermo Mota 1/1

David Riske 1/4

Bill Schroeder 2/2

Dale Sveum 1/2

Sunday:

Ted Simmons 1/1

Bill Castro 1/1

Prince Fielder 1/1

Tony Gwynn Jr. 1/2

Jeff Suppan 1/1

Gabe Kapler 1/1

Mike Cameron SS Ball (wouldn't add inscription denoting his 4 HR game, If you would be interested in this email me it's available)

Jeff Conine c/o home (17 days)

Mike Myers c/o Las Vegas 51's (14 days)

Dennis Tankersley c/o Columbus Clippers (13 days)

Chad Hutchinson c/o home (9 days) Questions

It was a busy weekend on the autograph front.  As always I had my beautiful girlfriend and my buddy Alan there helping me double and triple up on guys.

Saturday did the Rockies Hotel

Sunday did players entrance to Minute Maid Park

Monday did Padres Hotel

Here's my haul:

Rockies (in no particular order)

Clint Hurdle 2/2 3/3

Jamie Quirk 2/2

Mike Gallego 2/2

Mark Strittmatter 1/1

Glenallen Hill 2/2 1/1 1/1

Alan Cockrell 1/1

Brian Fuentes 2/2

Micah Bowie 2/2 2/2

Clint Barmes 2/2 4/4

Ryan Spilborghs 2/2

Aaron Cook 2/2 1/1

Jayson Nix 1/1 1/1 1/1

Jeff Francis 1/1 1/1 1/1 and a SS Ball

Mark Redman 1/1 1/1

Ryan Speier 2/2 (He commented that it was the first time he'd ever signed the 05 Total that already had Chin Hui Tsao's auto on it, might be the only one in the world............)

Brad Hawpe 1/1

Garrett Atkins 1/1

Troy Tulowitzki 1/1 and a SS Ball

Matt Holliday 1/1 and a SS Ball

Chris Ianetta 1/1

Jeff Baker 2/2

Franklin Morales 1/1 1/1 and a SS Ball

Inside Stadium netted 2 Astros I needed

Geoff Geary 1/1

Doug Brocail 3/3

Monday at Padres Hotel (My best single day doing a team hotel 48 cards, 1 8x10, and 3 SS Balls)

A few Surprises

1) Woody Williams 2/2 (he was picking up some Padres trainers)

2) Geoff Blum 2/4 3/3 (he was picking up his wife at the Hotel)

3) Jose Cruz Jr. 6/6 (not really a surprise since he's staying there, always a great guy)

Tony Clark 3/3 3/3 (he is about the nicest guy in baseball, apologized to me for only having time to do 3)

Glendon Rusch 2/5

Josh Bard 1/2

Michael Barrett 1/1

Randy Wolf 1/1 2/2 8x10

Paul McAnulty 3/3

Calix Crabbe 1/1

Brian Giles 1/1, 1/1, 1/1 and a SS Ball

Khalil Greene 1/2

Kevin Kouzmanoff 1/1

Tadahito Iguchi 1/1 1/1 1/1

Trevor Hoffman 1/1 and a SS Personalized Ball

Cla Meredith 3/5

Adrian Gonzalez 1/1 1/1

Bud Black 1/1

Glenn Hoffman 1/1

Wally Joyner 1/2

Mark Grant 2/2

Jake Peavy also SS a Baseball for me

Maddux and Edmonds both signed inside the hotel for 2 jackass dealers who acted like they were staying there and when they came out wouldn't sign for us, otherwise I'd have gotten them too)

Jeff Zimmerman c/o home (22 days, added the Fleer Update and 00 Topps)

Reid Cornelius c/o Jupiter (12 days)

For the first time in over 4 years I did not have a single return in my mailbox. 

However, I did work the Marlins Hotel and outside the Stadium this past Saturday and Sunday.  All in all not a great signing team really (scans to come)

Jose Cruz Jr. (he's staying at the visiting players hotel) 5/5

Here's my haul:

Jorge Cantu 1/1, 1/1, 1/1

Josh Willingham 1/1, 1/1

Lee Gardner 2/2

Logan Kensing 3/3

Justin Miller 1/1

Wes Helms 1/1

Andy Fox 2/5

Steve Foster 1/1

Bo Porter 3/3

Jim Presley 2/4

Sunday outside Stadium

Luis Gonzalez 1/1, 1/1

There were 4 of us and myself and my buddy got Luis to add the inscription "2001 World Series Game 7 GW Hit"

Jim Presley 2/2

Ryan Turner c/o home (8 days)

Jim Boeheim c/o Syracuse (55 days)

Jerry Tarkanian c/o home (52 days)

Went down to Minute Maid for a little postgame try at getting some Cardinals and netted a few in the 45 minutes I was there

Kelvin Jimenez 2/2

Jason LaRue 1/1 1/1

Tony LaRussa 1/1

Ara Parseghian c/o home (13 days)

Jeff Austin c/o Stanford Baseball (15 days)

Jesse Orosco c/o home (28 days)

Willie Adams c/o home (20 days)

Catching up on a week's mail:

John Ericks c/o home (24 days)

Andrew Miller c/o Marlins ST (14 days)

Jason Lane c/o Yankees ST (19 days)

Vince Dooley c/o home (38 days)

Bob Wickman c/o home (15 days)

Curtis Granderson c/o Tigers ST (24 days) 8x10

Jerrod Riggan c/o home (28 days)

Kei Igawa c/o Yanks ST (13 days)

Tom Osborne c/o home (35 days)

Earl Campbell c/o Earl Campbell Meat Products (25 days)

and just a taste of what I got in-person in Florida, complete list is to come:

2003 Totals

Hiroki Kuroda

James Stewart c/o home (28 days)

Joe Mays c/o home (8 days)

Doug Rau c/o home (4 days)

Eddie Sutton c/o USF (13 days)

Boomer Esiason c/o Foundation (23 days)

Paul Wilson c/o home (66 days)

Brandon Berger c/o home (30 days)

Ben Grieve c/o home (147 and 84 days) sent to Ben at 2 different addresses about a month apart and got both back this week, both were 2003 Totals.

Tim Olson c/o Tulsa Drillers (296 days)

Kirk Saarloos c/o home (7 days)

Frank Reich c/o home (21 days)

George Mitchell c/o Law Firm (8 days) Baseball signed on Sweet Spot

Mark Brunell c/o home (9 days) didn't sign card but sent a signed Bible Card

Gus Frerotte c/o St. Louis Rams (63 days)

Two this weekend:

Dax Winslett c/o home (10 days)

Mike Neill c/o home (18 days)

Three this week:

Adam Greenberg c/o Wichita Wranglers (263 days)

I sent him an 2004 Total Silver and received back just the IC I sent for protection signed.  If you got my 2004 Total Silver I'll trade you for it.

Donnie Elliott c/o home (91 days)

John Cotton c/o home (7 days)

It's been awhile since an update so here's what's come in recently:

Dan Miceli c/o home (38 days)

Mike Mussina c/o home (93 days)

Bobby Bonilla c/o home (7 days)

Bobby Doerr c/o home (5 days)

Herschel Walker c/o home (7 days)

John Roper c/o NH Baseball World (20 days)

Mickey Callaway c/o home (25 days)

And my girlfriend and I exchanged Christmas gifts early (I am heading out of town Sat. AM) and she shocked me with a Sandy Koufax HOF ball hand numbered to 500!  Greatest gift I've ever received! 

Todd Greene c/o home (10 days)

Charlie Ward c/o High School where he coaches in Houston (8 days)

Robin Ventura c/o home (47 days) 8x10 8x10

One waiting for me upon my arrival from Thanksgiving at home with the family

Trenidad Hubbard c/o home (5 days)

Sad news today with the passing of Joe Kennedy. 

Joe was extremely nice to fans and I got him to sign several cards this year when the A's were in Houston.  RIP Joe

Jose Vizcaino c/o home (10 days)

Neil O'Donnell c/o home (8 days)

Jennie Finch c/o Finch Windmill (24 days)

Jamie Fischer c/o home (60 days) (also sent a note answering my questions)

Gary Scott c/o home (24 days)

Brian Brohm c/o Louisville Athletics (16 days) 8x10 #2

John Rocker c/o home 8x10 2

Joe Vitiello c/o home (16 days)

David Harris c/o Jets (9 days)

John Wooden c/o home (6 days)

Brent Mayne c/o home (20 days)

Juan Pena c/o home (15 days)

One in the past week or so:

Tim Salmon c/o home 8x10 cards (15 days)

Need to update on a few successes over the past week or so:

Herschel Walker c/o home (8 days) also signed 3 cards but they were all bent in shipping

Mark Guthrie c/o home (7 days)

Todd Hollandsworth c/o hom (13 days) I send 4 cards, 3 Dodgers 1 Cubs and he returned all and only signed the Cubs card...ugh

Ian Snell c/o Pirates (163 days) Had I known I'd get him to sign 4 cards IP this year I'd have saved the stamps

Matt Antonelli c/o Lake Elsinore Storm (133 days)

Gil Heredia c/o home (13 days)

Chad Harville c/o AZ D-Backs ST Questions (213 days)

Also recieved a gift from my buddy Lamar in Georgia, he got me Lidge, Steve Kline, Juan Cruz (all on 03 Totals) and then a 97 Fleer Mark Gardner and a 91 Line Drive Chip Hale signed for me this past season while doing the Braves.  Thanks man!

2 in the past few days:

Brad Thomas c/o Tacoma (79 days)

John "Mule" Miles c/o home (5 days)

I sent Mr. Miles a Blue Sharpee as well b\c everything I saw he was signing TTM was in ballpoint.  In a note back to me he thanked me for my donation to the Negro League Museum and for the blue sharpee which he said he'd use for future requests, so those of you hesistant to send b\c he didn't sign in sharpee go for it!

Did the Pirates Team Hotel today, when you come away with 15 of the 25 guys on the roster you have to say it's a good day (even if it is the Pirates)

Damaso Marte 1/2

Josh Phelps 1/1

Salomon Torres 1/2

Jack Wilson 1/1

Matt Morris 4/4

Matt Capps 10/10

Paul Maholm 1/5 (in a hurry)

John Grabow 3/3

Jose Castillo 3/3

Tom Gorzelanny 2/2

Nate McClouth 1/1

Tony Armas Jr. 2/2

John Wehner 4/4

Ian Snell 1/3 (Told me he finish them later)

Carlos Maldonado 4/4

Shane Youman 1/2 (in a hurry)

Only NON signers were Izturis and the Coaching staff all said no

Bay, Nady, Sanchez all left via a back exit

School starts Monday so I've been busy the past few weeks preparing but a few TTM's to report

Joe Valentine c/o Long Island Ducks (43 days)

Jeff Blauser c/o home (10 days)

Mike Sharperson (RIP) via trade

Brewers in town:

Brian Shouse 1/1

Chris Capuano 3/3

Carlos Villanueva 2/2

Yovani Gallardo 2/2

Chris Spurling 1/1

Craig Counsell 1/1

Damian Miller 1/2

Prince, JJ, Braun, and Hart all took the same cab and security ran us off of them even after Prince waved us over that he'd sign so after that I went to the ballpark and got the guys coming in.

Didn't see: Suppan, Hall, Sheets, Any Coaches, Jenkins

And one Astro stopped and signed today:

Hunter Pence 1/1

Everyone congratulate me on my Dodgers actually being able to beat the Reds today!  (and it only took them 11 innings)

Did the Cubs entering the Stadium today:

Ryan Dempster 4/4

Scott Eyre 1/1 (finished it off, already signed by Merkin Valdez)

Michael Wuertz 1/1 (finished it off, already signed by Chad Fox)

Koyie Hill 1/1

Sean Marshall 1/1

Rich Hill 1/1

Bobby Howry 1/1

Gerald Perry 2/4

Then at around 4 booked it over to the Hotel to catch these 2 guys as they got on the team bus:

Bob Brenly 1/1

and a Ron Santo SS Baseball, very nice guy and sweet looking addition to my collection

Definately a quantity over quality day today as Zambrano, Lee, Floyd and Marquis all refused to sign and Ramirez, Marmol, DeRosa, Lilly were MIA

Did BP and outside after the game for the Cubbies and did okay, going to do the entrance all day Wednesday and at least 2 days with the Brewers Hotel this weekend

During BP:

Matt Murton 1/1

Ryan Theriot 1/1

Angel Pagan 1/1

Post Game:

Eric Patterson 2/2

Scott Eyre 1/1

Aramis Ramirez 1/1

Well, this update is a week late but I have a good excuse. 

Did the Padres Hotel last Friday and then left Saturday morning for Los Angeles where I visited friends and attended a funeral.  Was also at Tuesday nights' Dodgers/Giants game in which Bonds did not homer (but I did get to boo his ass a lot). 

Here's what I got last week from the Fathers:

Chris Young 1/1, 1/1

Trevor Hoffman 1/1

Milton Bradley 1/1, 1/1

Russ Branyan 1/1, 1/1

Jake Peavy 1/1 and a SS Ball (He was signing anything and everything people had, great guy)

Geoff Blum 1/1, 1/1, 1/1

Bud Black 1/1

Craig Colbert 3/3

Darrell Akerfelds 1/1

Mark Grant 1/1

Got No's from: Bard, Barrett, Cameron, both Giles, Maddux, Wells (signed for 3 and then chunked the deuce)

Final day in town for the Dodgers, another ridiculous loss to the LAstros

Did Batting Practice and that's it and got 2 guys I hadn't this trip:

Chad Billingsley 1/2

Andre Ethier 3/3 (got help on the cards)

Showed up for Batting Practice and did after the game outside the stadium, pretty much got everyone I needed except the usual non-signers (Penny and Kent)

During Batting Practice:

Mike Lieberthal 1/1

James Loney 1/1

Ramon Martinez 3/3

Grady Little 1/1

Russell Martin 1/1

Outside the Stadium after the game:

Rafael Furcal 1/1

Luis Gonzalez 1/1, 1/1, 1/1 #2 #3

Joe Beimel 2/2

Russell Martin 2/2

Juan Pierre 2/2

Dodgers are in town playing the Lastros so I hit up the hotel and game, will be at the game later tonight and hotel/game Wednesday.

Hotel:

Matt Kemp 3/3 8x10 cards

Roberto Hernandez 1/1, 1/1

Rudy Seanez 2/2 8x10

Wilson Betemit 1/1

Ramon Martinez 1/1

Rafael Furcal 1/1

Bill Mueller 1/1, 1/1

Mariano Duncan 2/2

Rick Honeycutt 1/1 (2007 Heritage Team Card)

Joe Beimel 1/1

Eric Hull 2/2

James Loney 1/1

Mike Lieberthal 1/2

Chin Hui Tsao 5/6

Steve Lyons 3/3

During BP: (only guys who even signed were Lieberthal, Loney, and Nomar)

Nomar 8x10

Jody Reed c/o GCL Yankees (9 days)

Jeff Heaverlo c/o Long Beach Armanda (14 days)

In reference to the Heaverlo, send him a return note with a pack of dessicates in it as a joke and told him he had forgotten to sign the card I sent him.  He signed it, sent me an extra signed card, and included a nice note apologizing for not signing it the first time.

Bob Wolcott c/o home (39 days)

Did the Mets Hotel today

Tom Glavine SS Baseball

Shawn Green 1/1

Ramon Castro 2/2

Joe Smith 2/2

Scott Schoeneweis 1/1

First off, my apologies for the lack of updates.  As many of you know I spent the end of June moving to Houston and then left for a 6 day trip to Philadelphia.  I arrived home on the 3rd in just enough time to do the Phillies at the park and hotel and today I did the Mets at the park.  Due to technical difficulties I am not able to provide scans but will when I get that problem solved.

TTM:

Del Harris c/o Mavericks Questions (65 days)

Steve Smyth c/o York Revolution (15 days)

7/3 Philles at Ballpark

Jose Mesa 1/1

Shane Victorino 1/1

Milt Thompson 4/4

On a team hat: Aaron Rowand, JD Durbin

7/4 Phillies Hotel (getaway day)

Wes Helms 1/1

Charlie Manuel 2/2 (team hat)

Greg Dobbs 2/2 (team hat)

Kyle Kendrick 4/4 (team hat)

JD Durbin 2/2

Ryan Howard 1/1 (team hat)

Ryan Madson 2/2

Abraham Nunez 1/2

JC Romero 1/1

Gary Matthews Sr. 1/1

Harry Kalas 1/1 (Sweet spotted a ball with HOF 2002 inscription)

Only guys that turned me down were Burrell (he ignored me) and Rollins (in all fairness he did have his hands full on his way to the bus)

Didnt see Adam Eaton he was the only other guy I needed since I did the Phillies hard this spring and got most.

7/5 Mets at Ballpark

Billy Wagner 1/1

Ricky Ledee 1/1

Sandy Alomar Jr. 1/1

Ramon Castro 1/1 (see scan above)

Howard Johnson 1/1

Mark Loretta 1/1

Sorry for the lack of updates, moved near Houston this past weekend and just got the internet back.

Nothing to report except for today's mail which was the strangest return I have EVER received.

Jeff Heaverlo c/o Long Beach Armada Scan 1 Scan 2

The scans are the contents of the SASE, PLEASE email me what you think his cryptic message and contents mean, oh and I still need Heaverlo on that 03 Total set!

A big surprise was waiting for me in the mailbox today:

Orlando Hernandez c/o Mets (387 days) (this one had even been forwarded from my old house!)

***Please note my email address has changed.  I am teaching at a new school next year and thus my huntsville email address is no longer in service.  If you need to reach me use the new address listed above***

Solid day today:

At Team Hotel:

Adrian Beltre 1/1

Jarrod Washburn 1/1

Miguel Batista 1/1

Jeff Weaver 1/1 (finished off the Omega I got Masao Kida on 4 years ago!)

Carlos Garcia 1/3

Raul Ibanez 1/1, 1/1 (got him at hotel and inside park)

Jason Ellison 2/2

Richie Sexson signed 2, one for a kid who ran in the hotel and one for a guy who stuck it in his face when he was walking to his cab, so thus I didn't get him. 

Willie Bloomquist told me no he was in a hurry and rushed into a cab

Inside Stadium Before the Game:

Ryan Feierabend 4/6 (told him to sign whatever he wanted to and he did all but dupes)

Mark Lowe 3/3

Jose Lopez 1/1

Eric O'Flaherty 1/3

Ben Broussard 1/1 (solid guy)

Did not see Ichiro SNIFF a pen the past 2 days

Erik Schindewolf c/o home (248 days) I had sent this one out after Erik Ok'd me sending an 05 Total already inked by Dan Uggla, after such a long time I thought it was a gonner and was kinda pissed about not getting it back b/c of the Uggla sig, glad Erik came through!

Down at Minute Maid it was a rainy/crappy day and had very little luck, doing the hotel tomorrow to try to finish them off:

Yuniesky Betancourt 1/1

Sean Green 1/1

Carlos Garcia 1/4 (was in a hurry)

Cha Seung Baek 1/1

Jeff Weaver 2/2

Ben Broussard 1/1

George Sherrill 1/1

And got a few Astros

Luke Scott 2/2

Trever Miller 3/3

Brian Burres c/o Orioles (16 days)

Jeff Tam c/o Roadwarriors Questions (24 days) I requested he sign the IC with his nickname from Oakland, "The Taminator", and he obliged, nice guy

A's last day in town, did outside (arrived about an hour later than I wanted to and missed Crosby, DiNardo, Geren, and a few others as a result)

Outside prior to game:

Kiko Calero 1/1

Shannon Stewart 1/1, 1/1 (got help)

Ron Flores 3/3

Chad Gaudin 1/1 (I felt bad getting him again, but it was the last card I had on him)

Inside during BP

Jack Cust 1/1

Joe Kennedy 1/1, 1/1

Curt Young 3/3 (couldn't have been a nicer guy)

Missed Piazza inside by inches, he signed several balls for kids but kept passing up my Dodgers SI of him, oh well

Another day at Minute Maid, not as good as yesterday but still got a lot of quality:

Erasmo Ramirez 2/2

Chad Gaudin 3/3

Joe Kennedy 1/1, 1/1 (had a Steve Nash like assist on this one)

Rich Harden 1/1

Nick Swisher 1/1

Bobby Kielty 1/1

Mark Kotsay 1/1

Piazza came in again but told us he wasn't signing today, oh well maybe tomorrow as I am going again and to the game.  Didn't see Chavez for the 2nd straight day

No mail but I headed down to Minute Maid to do the A's and had my best day of the year:

Erasmo Ramirez 2/2

Marco Scutaro 2/2

Alan Embree 2/3 (he's 2 per)

Chad Gaudin 2/2

Kiko Calero 1/1

Santiago Casilla 1/1 (or if you prefer Jairo Garcia)

Dan Johnson 1/1

Colby Lewis 1/1

Jack Cust 1/1

Shannon Stewart 1/2

Jason Kendall 1/1

Mike Piazza 1/1 (WOW)

Going back tomorrow to get the few guys who arrived prior to me getting there (Swisher, coaches, etc.)

Was out of town for the weekend so here's what I had waiting upon my return:

Rick Ankiel c/o Mephis Redbirds (29 days)

Corey Thurman c/o Brewers ST (120 days)

Doing Astros/A's IP at the stadium tomorrow, should be a good day.

Mike Busch c/o Calgary Vipers (13 days) (didn't let the sig dry and of course....it smudged, oh well)

David McCarty c/o home Questions (10 days)

Went down to do the ballpark again for the Cardinals (went inside and did after the game as well):

Randy Flores 3/3 (finished off the Mike Lincoln Total nicely)

Todd Wellemeyer 2/2

Tyler Johnson 2/2

Adam Kennedy 1/1

Kip Wells 2/2

Aaron Miles 1/1

Gary Bennett 1/4

Did see Pujols after the game but he just walked to his car and didn't acknowledge any of the about 15 people who were asking him to sign.

Braden Looper said no coming in and said no going out of the ballpark today.

Adam Wainwright said no coming in, said he had a meeting.

Didn't see most players come in (must have taken the bus) and the Cardinals didn't take BP so that was a bust.

Michael Bush c/o Raiders Questions (7 days)

Paul Molitor c/o Twins Questions (11 days)

Went down to the Cardinals Hotel to try to get a few toughies for my set, did OK (never saw Pujols or Edmonds, denied by Spiezio, Encarnacion and Rolen):

Kelvin Jimenez 1/1

Todd Wellemeyer 2/2

Tyler Johnson 1/1

Adam Kennedy 1/1

Jason Isringhausen 1/1

Russ Springer 2/2

Aaron Miles 1/2

Travis Snider c/o Lansing (23 days)

Did the Reds again, not to much evail, still only saw the guys I got, didn't have a single guy I needed walk by besides Belisle:

Jerry Narron 1/1

Billy Hatcher 2/2

Mark Stefansksi 1/1

Edwin Encarnacion 1/1

Matt Belisle 4/4

Did get an Adam Dunn Sweet Spot Ball so that was okay......

Did the Reds coming into Minute Maid today:

Adam Dunn 1/1

Alex Gonzalez 1/1

Kyle Lohse 1/1

Norris Hopper 4/4

Gary Majewski 4/4

Victor Santos 1/1

Jon Coutlangus 1/1

In the mail:

Dustin Yount c/o St. Joe

Pedro Beato c/o Delmarva Questions

Matt Luke c/o work Questions (61 days)

Cliff Bartosh c/o home Questions (10 days)

Kurt Ainsworth c/o Marucci Bat Co. (10 days)

Brady Quinn c/o home (9 days)

Rich Hill c/o Cubbies (12 days)

Brett Butler c/o Moblie Bay Bears Questions (24 days)

Dustin Pedroia c/o Boston (13 days)

Bobby Hansen c/o Home (34 days) (even added a 2 cent stamp, nice guy)

Turner Ward c/o home Questions (263 days)

Kevin Walker c/o Camden Questions (22 days)

Did the Rangers at the front entrance to Minute Maid this morning:

Willie Eyre 4/4

Akinori Otsuka 2/2

Nelson Cruz 1/4

Joaquin Benoit 1/1 (that's his fingerprint as someone cornered him after I got him to sign)

Don Wakamatsu 2/2

Kevin Millwood 1/1

Frank Francisco 2/2

Gerald Laird 3/3

Scott Feldman 1/1

Brandon McCarthy (no cards so I had him SS a baseball)

Michael Young 1/1

(Didn't see Tex, or Gagne, Lofton told us all "NO", Kinsler walked by as I had my back turned and Loe came in while I was getting McCarthy)

Matt Herges c/o Colorado Springs ( days)

Went down to Minute Maid again today and had a nice haul:

Astros (this was by far the most Astros I've EVER seen stop while coming in)

Carlos Lee 1/1

Morgan Ensberg 1/1

Rick White 1/1

Dave Borkowski 1/1

Hunter Pence (on a ball, asked to SS but he side paneled it, guh)

Giants:

Barry Zito 1/1

Armando Benitez 1/1

Jonathan Sanchez 4/4

Brad Hennessey 3/3

Eliezer Alfonzo 3/3 (asked if I had any extras and he accepted an 06 UD and 07 Fleer)

Mr. Cycle Fred Lewis 1/2

Pedro Feliz 3/3

Greg Colbrunn c/o Charleston RiverDawgs (9 days)

Went down to Minute Maid this AM to do the D-Backs player entrance and did quite well:

Miguel Montero 3/3

Tony Clark 6/6

Stephen Drew 1/3

Scott Hairston 2/2

Chris Young 1/3

Conor Jackson 1/1

Bob Melvin 2/2

Jose Valverde 1/1

Micah Owings 1/1 (also told him that I got him TTM last year and thanks for taking the time to answer his mail, he said it was his pleasure but it was getting harder b\c he gets more now)

Luke Scott 1/1

Missed Doug Slaten b/c I coudln't ID him (thought it was Nippert) and Davis, Webb, RJ, Livan, Hudson, Tracy, all went in through the front so didn't see them.  Only blow off was Juan Cruz who once again ignored my pleas for him to sign his 03 Total so I would never have to ask him again.

Adam Ottavino c/o Palm Beach Questions (9 days)

Darren Hall c/o home (12 days)

(sent him a letter saying that I had received him TTM before but just purchased this 8x10 and would he mind signing it, sure enough DHall came through)

Ramon Martinez (Nivar) c/o Camden River Sharks (11 days)

Timo Perez c/o Toledo (16 days)

Joey Gomes c/o Newark Bears (8 days) signed in ballpoint so kinda hard to see

Franklin Morales c/o Tulsa (20 days)

Dave Hansen c/o Mobile Questions (7 days)

Pat Neshek c/o Twins (13 days)

Evan Longoria c/o Montgomery (13 days)

Tommy Greene c/o home (109 days)

Steve Sparks c/o home (204 days)

Steve Cox c/o home (139 days)

and the shocker.........

Jason Grimsley c/o home (12 days)

He even added the signed Orioles postcard and the nice note, very nice addition to my set!

Having been virtually shut out all week at the mailbox I headed downtown to do a little IP graphing.

Hit up the player's entrance at Minute Maid and had a decent haul today:

Brewers/Astros Cards

(Most Brewers came in the front way so I'll hit up the Hotel tomorrow AM)

To dispell the rumors, no my site isn't down, it's not being retired, and NO I'm not dead.

I simply put haven't had anything to report since last Saturday

Today I received my first success all week:

Aaron Myette c/o home (Canada) Questions (60 days)

Shawn Estes c/o Padres ST (64 days)

Hersey Hawkins c/o home (11 days)

Todd Worrell c/o home (38 days)

Bobby Thigpen c/o home (11 days)

Chris Ford c/o home (13 days)

Mike Jacobs c/o Marlins ST (33 days)

Mike Venafro c/o Louisville Bats (357 days)

Possibly my greatest TTM of all-time for myself personally:

On my third try with him ttm

Steve Finley c/o Rockies ST (35 days)

This guy hit what will go down in Dodgers history as one of the biggest Home Runs ever, and for that I will always be a big Fins guy

Sidney Ponson c/o Twins ST (49 days)

Dodgers get 2 hit on Opening Day, so someone explain to me WHY I took the day off of work to see that?

AJ Burnett c/o Blue Jays ST (48 days)

This is a special success for me b\c it puts me at 495 cards signed towards my 2003 Topps Total set, putting me at the 50% mark 3 years into this endeavor. 

Josh Hamilton c/o Reds ST (49 days)

Ryan Shealy c/o Royals ST (23 days)

Ross Ohlendorf c/o Yankees ST (50 days) Questions

Dell Curry c/o home (163 days) Questions

Miguel Batista c/o Mariners ST (26 days)

Michael Adams c/o Maryland Basketball (24 days) (He included a note saying he's done signing)

Chris Resop c/o Angels ST (22 days)

And finally some more Spring Training Photos from my trip, a few 8x10's I got signed:

Chad Billingsley

Olmedo Saenz

Takashi Saito

James Loney

Cliff Lee

Jake Westbrook

Bob Feller

Joe Washington c/o home (90 days) (added the SI x 2 and Fleer Greats of the Game x2 cards for my students, very nice gesture)

Don Nelson c/o Warriors (73 days)

Also added scans of 3B Jeff Hamilton and RP Tim Crews auto'd cards to the 1988 Dodgers page (I picked up from a friend while I was on my trip in FL)

For those of you waiting on my big Spring Training Trip update it is coming, I've been busy and had some computer issues but it should be up later tonight.

Jonathan Sanchez c/o Giants ST (17 days)

Ed Yost c/o home (10 days)

Chad Zerbe c/o home Questions (340 days) (This is my third personalized card To Mike, I guess my handwriting can make it look like my name is Mike.........)

I returned home from my trip to Florida and Spring Training 2007 to what I expected, a full mailbox. 

I will update my TTM returns tonight and as the week goes on update all of my IP successes at Spring Training (let's just say I have over 500 new auto'd cards added to my collection)

The highlights for my 2003 Topps Total set were getting these 4 toughies IP at ST Games

Weirdest Auto I got: Had Bernie Castro sign the back of his 2003 Total card b\c last year he refused to sign it b\c it is not him pictured on the front.  I had been planning to have him sign the back of it since last year, he laughed when I asked but signed it anyways, nice guy)

These were all waiting for me when I arrived home so I don't have accurate wait times for them (most are about a month or less)

Justin Miller c/o home Questions (this is amazing b\c I sent c/o his home and who do I see on the Phillies minor league fields and talk to for a few minutes???? Justin Miller, of course he was the ONE Guy I didn't know they had signed to AAA so I was kicking myself for not having his 03 Total for him to sign and add to my set, funny how life works out that way...)

Ryan Bukvich c/o White Sox ST

Francis Beltran c/o Orioles ST

Jon Huber c/o Mariners ST Questions (added date of his ML Debut in ink pen at bottom as requested)

Anibal Sanchez c/o Marlins ST

Ricky Nolasco c/o Marlins ST Questions

Graig Nettles c/o Yankees ST (Obviously one smeared bad but the other is very nice)

Tony Graffanino c/o Brewers ST

Eddie Guardado c/o Reds ST

Luis Figueroa c/o Giants ST (7 days)

Glenn "Doc" Rivers c/o Celtics (41 days)

This will be my last update for awhile as I am leaving for Spring Training in Florida in about a half hour.  I will return on the 18th and update my ST IP successes and TTM successes as well. 

Freddie Bynum c/o Orioles ST (7 days)

Philip Hughes c/o Yankees ST (9 days)

Ed Yarnall c/o home Questions (19 days) (after I sent it I read he was going to camp wtih the Royals, just would have sent c/o ST, oh well)

JT Snow c/o Giants (26 days)

Ramon Vazquez c/o Rangers ST (25 days)

Nate McMillan c/o Portland Trailblazers (113 days)

Jeff Bajenaru c/o D-Backs ST (10 days)

Ken Hill c/o home (53 days)

John Maine c/o Mets ST (21 days)

Jaime Cerda c/o Mariners ST (23 days)

Steve Karsay c/o home (30 days)

Antonio London c/o home (112 days)

Ryan Ketchner c/o Padres Spring Training (19 days) I wish he would have used a sharpie on this one, still came out okay though

Chip Cannon c/o Blue Jays Spring Training (20 days)

Jamal Mashburn c/o ESPN (24 days)

Mark Bellhorn c/o home (26 days)

Still waiting on my first ST return.............

Billy Volek c/o home Questions (8 days)

Kyle Brady c/o home Questions (27 days)

John Mackey c/o home Questions (57 days) (it appears someone filled out the survey for Mr. Mackey, what a great return from one of the best.) 

Alan Benes c/o home (9 days)

Pete Walker c/o home (25 days) Questions

Rich Becker c/o home (27 days)

Jeff Russell c/o home (27 days)

Ken Stabler c/o Home (10 days)

Jay Buhner c/o Parent's home (5 days) (I sent 3 cards, they sent me back 2 different signed by Jay, I'll take that trade anyday!)

David Eckstein c/o home (13 days)

Terry Adams c/o home (13 days)

Total for the first 10 days of February was 6, winner of the contest will be emailed shortly.

Pat Rapp c/o home Questions (20 days)

Bryan Cox c/o Jets (20 days)

Craig Krenzel c/o home (65 days)

One in today (so for those of you counting at home that makes 3 for the Contest week):

Rett Johnson c/o home (16 days)

Two Today as the week of my contest begins (I will be counting February 1st-7th as my first official week of February for the Harvey 2007 Hockey book):

Don Majikowski c/o home Questions (14 days)

Dan McGwire c/o home Questions (14 days)

I received my Harvey 2007 Master Lists on Saturday and I must say, great job Harvey, you have outdone yourself this year. 

If you have not yet received your lists make sure you go to www.sportsaddresslists.com and order yours today!  In respect to Harvey I will be more selective as to what addresses I give out this year.  It is worth the investmetn to purchase the books. 

Contest: As most of you know I do not collect nor will I ever collect Hockey cards.  As a result of purchasing the Master Lists from Harvey this year I have a 2007 Harvey Hockey Edition available.  It will go to the person who can come closest to the number of autographs I get during the first 10 days of February.  Please email me your guess and the winner will receive the Harvey 2007 Hockey list as their prize.

Want List: I am looking for 2005 Topps Turkey Red cards of Andy LaRoche and Chip Cannon, I will buy/trade.  I also have a want list of 2006 Topps 1952 RC Edition cards I need to complete my set, email me for the list

Nice day at least the first 2 returns were.........

Eric Valent c/o home Questions (13 days)

Mark Mimbs c/o home Questions (9 days)

and

1 Failure

Marc Pisciotta c/o home Here's the story: I sent Marc one card and a letter that read, "If my memory serves me, youre ML Debut came against the Dodgers in a game I watched on TV.  I was so impressed with how you mowed down the Dodgers hitter."  Marc returned only my letter in my SASE with a note from him written on it saying, "Debut: Chicago Against: San Diego, a simple google search could have told you that."  Now I am not one to bash athletes but in my book this guy is the biggest jerk I have ever contacted.  It's one thing to return cards unsigned, or just not respond, but to respond with a smart ass response, come on, have some class.  I stated that I was going on memory and I know that the game I was remembering was one of his first so come on.  I don't put hours of research into every letter I write.  Email me and let me know what you think about this one...........and I wrong to be upset?

Mike Mussina c/o home (23 days)

Scott Servais c/o home (13 days)

Mark Price c/o Georgia Tech Athletic Dept. (37 days)

Dan Issel c/o home (answered questions but they were all concerning basketball coaching) (22 days)

Akin Ayodele c/o Cowboys (49 days)

Stephen Drew c/o Tucson (272 days)

Tommy Kramer c/o home Questions (286 days)

Abdul Hodge c/o Green Bay (89 days)

Matt Schaub c/o Falcons (36 days)

Lousaka Polite c/o Cowboys (36 days)

Day 2 of Freezing Rain Bad Weather No School Day

Santonio Holmes c/o Steelers (63 days)

As I sit at home thanks to a Freezing Rain Bad Weather Day for my School District the mail came through with a nice NFL themed Tuesday:

Roger Staubach c/o Business (186 days) (could be autopen, I compared to other sigs and even examined it closely and see up and down marks from sharpie so it could be real....)

Wayne Chrebet c/o home (28 days)

Kordell Stewart c/o home (27 days)

Brandon Stokley c/o Colts (92 days)

Charley Trippi c/o home (20 days)

As Spring Training 2007 vastly appoaches there are a bunch of cards I need to get my hands on before I depart for Florida.  Here is a list of the sets I need cards from, if you have any you'd like to trade/sell email me and I'll send you a list.  Please include in your email what you are looking for in return.

2003 Topps Total (duh)

2006 Topps 1952 RC Edition

2006 Bowman Heritage

2006 Upper Deck Series II and Update

2006 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects

Any 2006 Dodger cards I am missing (mostly higher end and inserts like Diamond Debuts from Topps and Rookie Flashback from UD)

Need cards of Saito

John DeSilva c/o home Questions (the response about LaSorda is priceless!) (30 days)

Jim Morris c/o home Questions (he signed in a light blue right over his black jersey so it is very hard to make out on the scan, I even thought when I opened it he had not signed the card)

(93 days)

and

Vinny Testaverde c/o Patriots Questions (this is a nice one) (29 days)

Mike McMahon c/o home Questions (27 days)

Darren Hall c/o home Questions (28 days) (as requested Daren personalized the card which pictured him as a Dodger, great guy!)

Billy Kilmer c/o home Questions (28 days)

You know it's going to be a good week when you get a success on a Tuesday..........

Harold Jackson c/o home (19 days)

Conrad Dobler c/o home Questions (19 days)

Michael Jenkins c/o Falcons (20 days)

Ernest Givins c/o home (20 days)

and a BIG Surprise:

Tom Candiotti c/o home (this one took over a year to come back! I'm always happy to net a former Dodger into the collection)

Well, arrived home today from a 5 day ski trip at Copper Mountain Colorado and had a plethora of mail waiting for me:

Todd Ritchie c/o home (355 days)

Gary Rath c/o home Questions (35 days)

Jayhawk Owens c/o home (18 days)

Paul McClellan c/o home (101 days)

Mewelde Moore c/o Vikings (29 days)

Raymond Berry c/o home (16 days) (this is probably my greatest return ever, not only did Mr. Berry sign my card he sent me a PACKAGE which included, a hand written letter saying that my letter was one of the nicest he has ever received, tips on my coaching career/how to be a better coach/his philosophy, instructional videos on being a better WR, tons of literature he has written on coaching and football techniques and several autographed 4x6 cards and HOF cards.  Without a dobut the coolest success EVER!!!!!)

Coach K c/o email sent to him c/o Duke Univ website, all I had to do was request the 8x10, supplied my address and in about 2 weeks it was here, sweet addition to the office wall!

Also from my buddy Sean T. I received 5 2003 Topps Totals I needed for my set that I purchased from him they are: Chip Ambres, Cristian Guerrero, Cristian Guzman, Jose Leon, and Jesus Medrano.  So I added 6 to my set today w/ the Ritchie I got back. 

Oh, and today I turned 25, Happy Birthday to me!

Here are my grand totals for 2006:

100 NFL (current players and retired)

140 Retired MLBers

195 Current MLB Players (23 of which were c/o homes in offseason)

5 NBA

A grand total of 440 different successes this year, I have to say quite a nice year all together.

My favorites: Billy Ashley (my favorite player all-time), Brian and Bob Griese (great former Michigan QB and HOF Dad), and Trevor Hoffman (greatest closer in MLB History and hard guy to get TTM).

Kevin Faulk c/o Patriots Questions

As a Die-Hard Dodger fan this guy was a thorn in my side for years with the Giants and Rockies:

Billy Swift c/o home

Alvis Whitted c/o Raiders

Mark Loretta c/o home

Drew Pearson c/o home

Devin Aromashodu c/o Colts

and

Randy Bush c/o Home

Samkon Gado c/o Texans Questions

Scott Williamson c/o home Questions

Scott's return is a strange one for several reasons: 1) Didn't use my SASE, sent it to me c/o my school not c/o my home 2) swapped out my 2003 and 2004 Total cards for a 2002 Topps 3) wrote my name at the top of the Questions sheet, almost as if to not remember it if I tried to send to him again.

Nevertheless, a nice return.  If you get my 2003 Total I'll trade ya b\c I need it for my set

Chuck Bednarik c/o home Questions

Charlie Joiner c/o KC Chiefs Questions

AJ Hawk c/o Packers

Brad Brink c/o home Questions

Fred Lewis c/o Scottsdale Scorpions (sent an 05 Total, got the 02 PP back, nice trade up)

The Drought is over:

Derrick Johnson c/o Chiefs

Archie Manning c/o home

Rich Aude c/o home

Terry Tiffee c/o Rochester Red Wings Questions (took 8 months)

Rocky Bleier c/o home

Rod Booker c/o home Questions

DeAngelo Williams c/o Panthers (personalized all, some to my students, and sent 3 extra cards to hand out to my class, what a great guy!)

Reggie Harris c/o home Questions

Also received a package from my buddy Sean form Sean and Jay's Sigs.com

It included a bunch of 50/50's and some extra stuff.  All in all I added 7 cards for my 2003 Total set.

John Flaherty c/o home Questions

Drew Olson c/o Ravens Training Camp

I also received an Ebay purchase, finally own a Herman Moore autograph:

Donald Driver c/o Packers (I sent a 2006 Total got the 2006 Score back, that's more than fine with me!)

I was in Dallas over break so here are Friday/Saturday's mail:

Hank Baskett c/o Eagles

Blas Minor c/o home Questions

Jeff Juden c/o home Questions

On the day the Dodgers give me two great Pre-Christmas gifts (Nomar re-signing and Juan Pierre coming into the fold) I have a pretty nice day at the mail box:

Jeff Cirillo c/o home Questions

Aubrey Matthews c/o home Questions

Mark Bradley c/o Chicago Bears

One up, One Down today:

Joey Galloway c/o Bucs

and

Mark Grudzielanek c/o home came back unsigned in my SASE w/ letter and a note stating that he doesn't live there.

Lenny Wilkens c/o home 8x10 Questions

Matt Hasselbeck c/o Seahawks

Dave Magadan c/o Home Questions (Congrats to Dave on getting the Red Sox Hitting Coach job)

October Totals:

34 Successes

2 Failures (1 unsigned return, one RTS)

My nicest Monday in FOREVER:

William Henderson c/o Green Bay Questions

Deion Branch c/o Seattle

Billy Miller c/o home Questions

Jeff Huson c/o home

John Wooden c/o home Questions 8x10 (I supplied it) and he sent me an 8x10 Pyramid (awesome book, if you haven't read it you have to it will change you way of thinking) and these 2 cool extras as well.  Has got to be one of my best returns ever from the greatest NCAA Basketball coach ever.  That 8x10 is going to look great in my Basketball Office.

Melvin Nieves c/o home Questions

Trot Nixon c/o home Questions (took about a week)

Brook Fordyce c/o home

Chris Hammond c/o home (added the Braves Christian Faith card)

and one failure

Received my cards back from Brad Daugherty unsigned

Mark Eichhorn c/o Home Questions

Jim Les c/o Bradley University where he is the head basketball coach

Chad Kreuter c/o USC Baseball Questions

Jeremy Accardo c/o Giants Questions (this is a nice get b\c I sent it out right before my summer trip to LA in which I saw Accardo give up a 2 run game winning HR to Nomar, it would be Jeremy's last Giants game before being dealt to Tornto for Shea Hillenbrand)

Jimmy Kremers c/o home

After an uncharacteristic dry spell of 3 mail days got one:

Mario Williams c/o Texans (I appreciate his signing but the Texans still messed drafting him over Bush)

Tom Quinlan c/o home Questions

Mark Carrier c/o home Questions (Bucs WR)

Mail Update for the day:

Tony Boselli c/o home Questions

Also got a nice gift from a fellow TTM collector Ryan: Thanks man (even if they are all Friars!!!!) Pic

Joe Roa c/o home

Big night tonight as the Dodgers reassert themselves and take Game 3. 

Nice surprise today:

Rey Sanchez c/o home (Puerto Rico Address) It is a nice surprise b\c Rey NEVER signed autographs during his playing days.  I must have tried him IP while he played for 5 different teams Cubs, Royals, Mets, Braves, D-Rays, etc.  Never got him.  Thought he'd be one I'd never get signed for my set but that is what makes this a great hobby, you just never know

Jerry Sloan c/o Utah Jazz

Another nice day at the mail box and another shitty day @ Shea if you're a Dodgers fan like me.

I guess now I get to hope for a miracle comeback down 2-0

Charlie Batch c/o Steelers Camp (added the 05 Topps Super Bowl card)

Erik Schindewolf c/o home (also added note to send my 05 Totals already signed by Dan Uggla and he'll sign them as well to complete the card)

Derrick McKey c/o home

Sorry for the late update but I was mourning the Dodgers embarassing loss last night

Tyler Walker c/o D-Rays

Chad Greenway c/o Vikings Questions

Steve Atwater c/o home (for some reason personalized to Mike, if somebody got cards personalized to Luke email me we'll swap)

Danny Wuerffel c/o UF Alumni (sent these out in February, then sent out c/o Deisre Street in June with donation.  Got the ones c/o Desire back quick, got these back today)

Aaron Harang c/o Reds

September Totals: 38 Successes 0 Failures, nice month

Here's my October beginnings:

Joe Dumars c/o Pistons

Kelvin Torve c/o home

Just got home from purchasing a 55" Plasma, HDTV, 1080p TV for the new living room.  Dodgers playoffs are gonna look sweet on it!  Think Blue!

John Olerud c/o Home

Daryl Johnston c/o  Home Questions

Dodgers defeated Giants today 4-2 to clinch a playoff spot!    And we clinch in SF on the Giants field, even sweeter!  Dodgers return to the postseason red hot!  Think Blue!

Nolan Reimold c/o Frederick Keys

Garrett Olson c/o Frederick Keys

Damian Miller c/o Brewers

Henri Stanley c/o Somerset Patriots

Ben Kozlowski c/o Jacksonville Suns

It's very clear that the players are cleaning up at the end of the season by answering all of their fan mail, nice to see a lot of long waits rolling in.

Got one today but was really busy with a home game and company so here's 2 for the price of one on a Wednesday:

Mike Vrabel c/o Pats Questions

and

Jeff Frye c/o home Questions

Nice day with some long wait times I thought were long gone:

Ryan Church c/o Nationals (sent out in April)

Carlos Hernandez c/o Round Rock

Jeff Clement c/o San Antonio Questions (sent out in April)

Chris Stynes c/o home

Oh and P.S. The Dodgers are back in the lead of the Wild Card thanks to an Astros defeat of the Phils.  Thank you Houston!

Harvey Pulliam c/o home

Think Blue!  Tonight we regain first place and place our stranglehold on it through October.

Jim Bullinger c/o home Questions

Go Dodgers!  Think Blue!

Well, I was busy all night watching the Dodgers break my heart inning after inning only to keep the faith and see the greatest Dodgers comeback in one of the biggest games in recent memory!  4 Straight Home Runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie it and then after we give up a run in the 10th Nomar hits a walk off 2 run Bomb to put us back in our rightful spot atop the NL West!  Absolutely amazing.  After all of that a decent day at the mailbox:

Sam Militello c/o home Questions

Mike Felder c/o home Questions

Mike Heath c/o home

Greg Lloyd c/o home Questions (read these, it is rare I get questions back where the athlete is brutally honest with me about their careers, lives, etc.  Greg did that and I applaud him for it)

Dodgers took care of business last night behind Mad Dogg, hopefully tonight Chad's return from his injury can go as well and I can begin planning for some October baseball for my Dodgers.

Think Blue!

On my second try this year with him I get Pat Hentgen:

Pat Hentgen c/o Home

John Paxson c/o Chicago Bulls

Nic Jackson c/o West Tennessee Jaxx

Ken Lucas c/o Carolina Panthers

Greg Litton c/o Home Questions

Matt DeMarco c/o Camden RiverSharks

Calix Crabbe c/o Huntsville Stars (signed in ballpoint so it's hard to see)

Jay Cutler c/o Broncos Questions

Harry Carson c/o Home

One Today:

Pete Metzelaars c/o home Questions

My best day in quite a while today:

Javier Vazquez c/o White Sox

Adam LaRoche c/o Braves

Lee Stevens c/o Home

Terry Wells c/o Home Questions (Terry also added a nice note apologizing for the delay (9 months) and his email address)

Darren Dreifort c/o Home Questions

I hope everyone is having a great Labor Day (mine will be spent grading papers and watching the Dodgers)

I have a winner for the Trivia Question, he has been emailed:

The answer was Eric Karros who played for the Dodgers for 11+ Seasons (1991 he only played in a few games) and compiled 270 Home Runs in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform.

A lot of people gave me the answer of Duke Snider which would be correct if I had asked for the Dodgers all-time leader in Home Runs, but I was looking for the LA Dodgers all-time leader.  A bit of a trick question I know but hey, it's my contest.

Dodgers head out for a crucial 10 game road trip.  Here's hoping they can go 5-5.

August Totals:

27 Successes

1 Failure

By far my worst month of the summer but that stands to reason with the end of the season approaching.

September starts off nicely today with:

Ryan Leaf c/o West Texas A&M

Edgardo Alfonzo c/o Norfolk Tides

A  nice day to end out a slow month:

John Madden c/o Home

Chris Calloway c/o Home Questions

Burt Hooton c/o Round Rock

Two Today:

Eli Iorg c/o Lexington Legends

David Klingler c/o Home

Slow week and I may end up losing a few in the transit of having my mail forwarded but this was at my old house as I moved out the last bit of stuff:

Geoff Goetz c/o home Questions (Geoff had arm troubles all through his career but at one time was the crown jewel of the Mike Piazza to NY trade)

David Thomas c/o New England Pats Questions (added 2005 National Champs to each card)

Greg Miller c/o Home Questions (Former Astros lefty farmhand signed in some sort of crappy marker that is hard to see but at least I got him for my set)

Nothing in the mail today

In honor of receiving my 400th card for my 2003 Topps Total set autographed in the mail this past week I am holding a contest.

The rules are simple, email me at lbendick@huntsville-isd.org your answer by September 1st, 2006. 

All who enter with the correct answer will be put into a random drawing to win an autographed card of a mystery player (will be quality, not some nobody)

Here's the Question:

Who holds the Los Angeles Dodgers All-Time Record for Home Runs, how many did he hit, and how many years did he play for the Dodgers?

Very Nice Day Today with a Few Surprises and some nice additions to my set:

Marquis Grissom c/o Home

Gabe Kapler c/o Red Sox

Jon Papelbon c/o Red Sox

David Corrente c/o Dunedin Blue Jays Questions

One Failure:

Luther Hackman c/o Bridgeport BlueFish (took 4 months to return my 03 Total card unsigned, thanks you bum)

Simon Pond c/o Altoona Curve

Paul Pinegar c/o Jacksonville Jaguars

Dave Clark c/o Corpus Christi

A great surprise today, days like today make TTM so much fun:

Robert Person c/o Bridgeport BlueFish (this one took over a year) PMed from St. Petersburg, FL

Nice day today on my first day back at work, good classes, good kids, exciting to see farmiliar faces and kids excited to see Coach Bendick again.

Maurice Drew c/o Jaguars (my 2nd NFL RC of the 2006 class)

Ben Diggins c/o Windy City Thunderbolts (Nice to get Ben b\c I had sent him the Total card c/o Salem earlier, he got released, found him playing indy ball and he answered this time.  He also added the UD USA card, nice touch!)

Eddie Zosky c/o Home Questions

Shut out on Tuesday but had one today:

Branden Florence c/o Clearwater Threshers Questions

The first day of school is tomorrow so I am finally back to work.  Summer's been real but now it's time to get down to business and winning football games.

Two very nice ones today:

Charles White c/o USC Athletic Dept., these ones were awesome b\c he added on one card a Heisman notation and on the other Mr. White added "#12 USC forever...", truly unique

and

Anastacio Martinez c/o New Orleans Zephyrs, nice to get b\c he is for my Total set

A nice end to a very slow week (only 1 success)

Bill Freehan c/o Home (weird b\c you guys know my name is Luke, but he personalized to Wil????)

Matt Macri c/o Tulsa Drillers

Scott Proctor c/o Yankees Questions

Chris Richard c/o Indianapolis Indians

Shut out Monday-Wednesday

Today I got:

Rajai Davis c/o Indianapolis Questions

Also a RTS from Eric Good, wrong address

Sean Smith c/o Arkon Aeros

Jorge de la Rosa c/o Brewers 4 months (he must have been signing his mail before he left for KC)

Mike Restovich c/o Iowa Cubs

I was also in Houston on business and decided to hit up the players entrance to Minute Maid park

I got a nice assortment of guys and 2 for my set including Andy Pettite! 

Check out who I got today at Minute Maid at the player's entrance and Pic2. (the Randy Choate/Lance Cormier was started at ST this year getting Cormier at Braves camp and then finished today with getting Choate.)

List: Brandon Webb, Greg Aquino x2, Chad Tracy, Shawn Green, Andy Pettite, Luis Vizcaino, Jeff DaVanon x2, Randy Choate, and Brandon Lyon.

Just one Today:

Steve Largent c/o Work

On a side note: I am moving in less than a month so I have decided to stop sending out any requests until I get closer to moving and receiving mail at my new house.  Hopefully the USPS Forwarding service won't let me down on my requests already out.

One from yesterday one today:

yesterday: Mark vanEeghen c/o home

Today: Ben Davis c/o Columbus Clippers

Domanick Davis c/o Texans

This one surprised me b\c it came back in 10 months, I thought it was a gonner.  Just goes to show you to never give up on anything you've sent out!

Vince Faison c/o Trenton Thunder Questions

Derell McCall c/o Joliet Jackhammers

Jason Conti c/o Home

One Failure

Gary Matthews Sr. returned my cards unsigned in my SASE, thanks Sarge