Stopka, Inc.

Welcome to Cory Stopka's Autograph Site

Hello all!  Thank you for visiting my site.  I am a 21 year old college student.  My main purpose is to let the public view my growing collection of Twins autographs and memorabilia.  At the top of the page are links to various areas, please rummage through them for your enjoyment.   Secondly, I would like to extend as much help as possible to the autograph community by posting recent through the mail (TTM) successes I have throughout the year.  Finally, I would like to acknowledge the people and various sites that have helped me gain a steady hand in the baseball community.  All of the autographs I have are guaranteed to be authentic, because I obtain 99% of them myself, otherwise they are traded for or bought by reputable sources.  If you would like to talk about possible trades or if you have any inquiries you can email me (stco0501@stcloudstate.edu) or you can AIM (cory1224). This site is not affiliated with any one site or entity except for myself so please do not copy or try to pass off anything as your own on this site.  Once again thank you and enjoy your time spent here and make sure to tell your friends to visit!

 Cards
Baseballs (Autos)
Bats (Autos)
Photos
Helmets ( Autos)
Misc.
Other Baseball
Items (Autos)

Just got back, figured I would let you know how I did before I go downtown. Got to get in early since I was working, luckily I had a break before gates opened and got to schmooze with all of the players :) As you all know, Mr. Killebrew is basically the nicest person on the face of the planet. If you ever have the pleasure of having a conversation with him, as I did today, cherish the opportunity! Another note; saw Frodo up here, I said hi, but he had no idea who I was. Also saw a guy I have seen at the Dome recently (at the Yankees and Oakland series) has black rectangle glasses. If you are this person, let me know how you ended up! Successes: Harmon Killebrew; 2/2 OMLB SS and 06 A&G Jarvis Brown; 1/1 Card Rick Lyslander; 1/1 Card Juan Berenguer; 1/1 Card Tim Laudner; 1/1 Card Al Newman; 1/1 Card (Told him he was going to be playing and leading off and he gave me a funny look. I told him I was serious and he was still unsure if I was kidding. I was serious and told him to lay down a bunt and move them legs. He just laughed and said, "Those legs are gone, man!" Could have gotten a bunch more autos from everyone else, but decided against it since I was working. It was great fun and they had a mic on Newmie the whole game which was worth the price of admission. FYI The game and proceeds benefited the Miracle League Foundation for building a 'handicap' accessible field in St. Cloud, like they have in Blaine. There was a silent auction for the Twins jersey's which were worn during the game and were signed and presented to the winners on the field. Those jerseys brought nearly $3,000 to the foundation. If you ever have a chance to donate to something like this, please do! Pics will be up here and on my site later, hopefully, it's Friday night! C

OK, so each year many people try to get this whole set, but I just collect the Twins have have them signed.  So far, so good.  I opened a box and want to trade everything for Twins A&G 08 cards.  Of any sort.  Here is my list, lmk what you got.

 

*GU

Brad Hawpe; AGR-BH, Jersey, purple stripe

 

*Auto

Jeff Francouer; AGA-JF, blue w/7

 

*Crack the Code

# 3 Jonas Salk, World's Greatest victories

 

*Cabinet

BH5 3 No-Nos Verlander/Buerhle/Buchholz

 

*50 States

US1, Alex Rios, Alabama

US5; Chase Utley, California

US6; Roy Halladay, Colorado

US7; Brad Ausmus, Connecticut

US11, Shane Vicotorino, Hawaii

US12, Jason Schmidt, Idaho

US14, Scott Rolen, Indiana

US16; Nate Robertson, Kansas

US17, Brandon Webb, Kentucky

US21, Chris Capuano, Massachusetts

US25, Ryan Howard, Missouri

US26; Taylor Tankersley, Montana

US28; Barry Zito, Nevada

US31; Cody Ross, New Mexico

US33; Ryan Zimmerman, North Carolina

US34; Travis Hafner, North Dakota

US35, Nick Swisher, Ohio

US36; Matt Holliday, Oklahoma

US38; Ken Griffey, Jr., Pennsylvania

US47; Grady Sizemore, Washington

US48; Seth McClung, West Virginia

 

*Minis, Regular

B11 Cy Young

48 Kaz Matsui

107 Matt Biondi

144 Grand Canyon

147 James Genimor Cooper

223 Nyjer Morgan

242 Takudzwa Ngwenya

261 Bob Motley

263 Yadi Molina

276 Oscar Wilde

303 Jason Bay

310 Michael Bourn

 

*World Leaders Mini

WL22 Ehud Olmert, Isreal

WL34 Alan Garcia Perez, Peru

 

*Mini Black Border

204 Julio Lugo

336 Allen Fisher

 

*Mini AD back

36 Michael Young

94 Tom Gorzelany

179 Hideki Matsui

237 Zack Greinke

267 Andrew Miller

 

*Base

1 Alex Rodriguez

5 CC Sabathia

9 Ian Kinsler

10 Manny Ramirez

20 Vladimir Guerrero

22 Chin-Lung Hu

23 AJ Burnett

28 Adam LaRoche

30 Miguel Cabrera

33 Nick Swisher

35 Eric Byrnes

36 Michael Young

41 Paul Konerko

42 Luke Scott

43 Rickie Weeks

50 Albert Pujols

51 Brian McCann

53 Chien-Ming Wang

57 Ben Sheets

62 Dustin Pedroia

67 Kevin Kouzmanoff

68 Frank Thomas

72 Clayton Kershaw

73 Tadahito Iguchi

75 Travis Hafner

76 Jim Thome

78 Ivan Rodriguez

79 Jose Guillen

80 Hanley Ramirez

81 Vernon Wells

82 Jayson Nix

83 Masahide Kobayashi

84 Bonnie Blair

87 Aaron Rowand

90 Jose Reyes

92 Dan Jansen

93 David Eckstein

95 Garrett Atkins

97 Jeff Francis

98 Kazuo Fukumori

103 Kerri Strug

106 Brian Schneider

111 Dan Uggla

112 Akinori Iwamura

114 Trevor Hoffman

115 Alex Rios

116 Mariano Rivera

118 Geovanny Soto

120 Derek Jeter

121 Yiovanni Gallardo

122 The Gateway Arch

124 Greg Maddux

126 Chris Young

128 Golden Gate Bridge

131 Todd Helton

137 Annie Oakley

138 Andy Pettitte

140 Jimmy Rollins

145 Bobby Abreu

147 James Genimor Cooper

149 Freddy Sanchez

150 Johan Santana

153 Clay Bucholz

154 Jesse Carlson

157 Ross Ohlendorf

161 Randy Winn

165 Justin Verlander

166 Bram Stoker

167 Marie Curie

168 Melky Cabrera

170 Jake Peavy

172 Pablo Picasso

175 Chipper Jones

178 Jose Vidro

179 Hideki Matsui

180 Ryan Braun

182 Nate McClouth

183 Harriet Tubman

186 Salty

188 Kelly Johnson

189 "Rampage" Jackson

190 Grady Sizemore

193 Edwin Encarnacion

196 Edgar Rentaria

197 Bigfoot

198 Russ(el) Martin

199 Daric Barton

204 Julio Lugo

205 JJ Putz

211 Josh Hamilton

215 Aaron Harang

217 Friedrich Nietzsche

223 Nyjer Morgan

224 Johnny Cueto

225 Rich Hill

227 Frederick Douglass

228 Derek Lowe

229 Joe Blanton

231 Huston Street

232 Davy Crockett

233 Pluto

234 Jered Weaver

235 Dan Haren

239 Brian Bannister

241 Ryan Garko

246 Jeff Kent

252 Callix Crabbe

254 Hunter Pence

256 Garret Anderson

257 Luis Gonzalez

265 Brian Roberts

267 Andrew Miller

268 Dean Karnazes

269 Gary Sheffield

270 Lance Berkman

271 Paul LoDuca

273 Jay Bruce

276 Oscar Wilde

277 Dontrelle Willis

279 Jim Edmonds

280 Brandon Webb

286 Pat Burrell

290 Ken Griffey, Jr.

291 Rich Thompson

292 Elijah Dukes

295 Chone Figgins

296 Hideki Okajima

300 Ryan Howard

301 Felix Pie

304 Victor Hugo

309 Ryan Church

312 Brandon Wood

313 Harriet Beecher Stowe

315 Tom Glavine

318 Andre Ethier

322 Hank Blalock

339 Jack Cust

341 Ty Wiggington

344 Matt Diaz

348 Justin Masterson

 

PS HIGH Priority given for those who can get the cards in my mailbox by this Monday!

Gomez first. I got in that line a little after 8:30 and was last in the first turnstile, not bad. Got to the front and through in less than 15 minutes. I got Gomez on a 08 Studio Photofile. I asked him to put his number on there, he said no number. The lady behind him quickly said "You only get the autograph!" So sorry... He then was just sitting there with nothing in front of him, so I put another photo in front of him, he gives me a glare along with the lady reminding me, "One autograph per person!" Ok.

Then I lay my book of cards in front of Boof, who signs both, with his number on both, without any prompting. Did the same for Lamb, he signed both cards, no number, but he usually doesn't. That is the only complaint I have about the Autograph Party, there is no point to have a one autograph limit if the other people are signing and that player is doing nothing.

OK, here are my successes, remember I was by myself.

Crain, 2/2, cards
Redmond, 1/3, cards (he only signed one, but gave one of his better autos)
Pat 2/2, 08 Studio PF
Kubel, 0/0, I have nothing left
Monroe, 1/1, 08 Studio PF
White, 1/1, card
Livan, 2/2, 08 Studio and 08 Topps
Andy, 2/2, cards
Harris, 1/1, Team ball
Lamb, 2/2, cards for D
Boof, 2/2, cards
Gomez, 1/2...1/1
Steinbach, 2/2 cards
Aguilera, 1/1, OMLB SS

Would have got through one more fomer player line, but had to leave for a baseball game. I will have pics up here and on my site later.

IF you have any AUTOGRAPHED items of Carlos Gomez for sale or for trade, PM or email me please.

Also, got some stuff from Derek, thanks for the cards and the bat!

Keep graphin'

Did the Twins before the game today, above average day.

Gardy, 2/2 cards
Glen Perkins, GU SS OMLB
Mike Lamb, 08 Studio PF
Scott Baker, 2/2 cards
Nick Blackburn, 1/1 card
Brian Bass, 1/1 card
Adam Everett, 1/1 card; could've sworn it was Guerrier, thanks to mixf for setting me straight
Jason Kubel, 2/2 cards
Joe Nathan, 1/1 card
Mike Redmond, 1/3 for DB
Matt Tolbert, 1/1 card; looked confused cause I put Slowey's card on the same page, he was like that's not me, and looked at it for a few seconds, chuckled and signed his.
Kevin Slowey, 1/1 card, personalized, he signed more today than usual.

Brendan Harris signed for everyone, but me. He was walking in and I asked him to sign my team ball, but he said he had to get going. Oh well, not much of a loss.

If I would have waited 5 minutes before I left I would have got Delmon and Dmitri Young! I thought they must have all been in since it was nearly 4, but I got to my car about a half mile away and got a text from DB saying that Delmon just picked up Dmitri. So, I grabbed my stuff and sprinted back. Got 20 feet away and they went down the stairs. They both signed for the 3 people that were up there. That was a waste of a run.

Also got my Jay Bruce baseball from my 50/50 with ViperTrader. Sweet, thanks!

Jay Bruce

Went to the Dome on Friday before the game.

Met Joba Chamberlain's father, great guy.

Twins:
Nick Blackburn 1/1 MiniHelmet
ADAM EVERETT! 1/1 08 Studio PhotoFile 8x10
Gardy 3/3 (2 for Derek), I always ask him something interesting and always has a good politically correct response to it. Today's question was "Are you guys going to teach these new kids how to play defense?" Gardy, "We're workin' hard at it, we'll get there."
Nathan 1/1 08 Topps
Harris 1/1, 1/1 (1 for Derek); He's one per, the nice gentlemen next to me got the other signed for me.
Delmon Young SS OMLB FT...
Slowey Team Baseball
Kubel Team baseball

That should be all. Plan on going down Tuesday if it doesn't rain, we'll see, I am running out of stuff to get signed.

You may ask why is ADAM EVERETT! such a great sig? Cause this is the first time I have ever seen him sign other than TwinsFest. He went to the middle of the 10 person line and signed for 8 people, not including me. I asked him how his arm was, his response, "It's getting there." He then walked by me and into the stadium. "Mr. Everett, please, please, please." He came back out and signed for me and the guy who got my Harris card signed. Pheww

Got this back TTM the other day.  Big surprise.  Not sure when I sent it, but it was when he was still manager of the Padres.

5/14

Went to the Dome for some graphing today...Wanted to do the Jays, but I am stupid and thought the hotel was on Nicollet, it wasn't.

Did well though...

Justin Morneau! 1/1 08 Topps (no, devin, no)
Nick Blackburn 08 Studio PhotoFile 8x10
Brendan Harris 08 8x10
Dennys Reyes Team baseball





David Eckstein GU SS OMLB (great guy, asked if he could put his ws mvp inscription, he said he couldn't, told him no worries and wished him luck of coming off the dl)
Shannon Stewart 1/1 06 A&G (He asked how I would get it back, I said just throw it man, he chuckled and gave me a great big sig with his number. This finishes my A&G set for the Twins 06)


Others who stopped, but didn't get:

Gardy, Andy, White, Ullger (I have enough of them)
Baker (I have nothing)
Bass (I have nothing)
Casilla (chose Morneau)
Crain (I have plenty)
Cuddyer (only signed a couple)
Guerrier (have nothing)
Kubel (he's signed enough for me, for now
Nathan (same as Kubel)
Perkins (didn't feel like getting the same card for a 3rd time, long walk)
Redmond (have plenty)
Slowey(long walk, have nothing)
Tolbert (have nothing)

5/21

Did the Twins yesterday.  Missed Slowey, Blackburn, Harris and Bass.  Got
Young 1/1 8x10 08 studio PhotoFile
Crain 1/3 Card
Kubel 6/6 cards
Redmond 1/1 Team baseball
Nathan 1/1 Team baseball; Red and Nathan are both one per now on everything.
Guerrier 1/1 Team baseball.

Not a good day for graphs...

Monday Before the game at the Dome was great!  There were only 7 people there and most everyone signed who drove to the upper lot.  Here is my haul:
Kevin Slowey 1/1 personalized 07 Topps
Nick Punto 1/2 07 Topps FT
Glen Perkins 1/2 07 Fleer FT
Matt Tolbert signed, had nothing
Craig Monroe 1/1 08 Topps
Mike Lamb 1/1 08 Topps
Michael Cuddyer 1/1 08 Topps
Brendan Harris 1/1 06 Topps RC 52 FT
Jesse Crain 1/1 04 Bowman Heritage
Scott Baker, signed, didn't have anything
Juan Rincon, stopped, didn't have anything
Matt Guerrier 2/2 8x10 Headshots, 1 FT
Mike Redmond 1/1 8x10 Headshot
Jason Kubel 1/1 8x10 Headshot FT
Ron Gardenhire 1/1 8x10 Headshot FT (He drove in with a early 90's beat up Ford, I told him "Nice Wheels!" and he chuckled)

Surprise of the day was seeing Nathan walk past us saying he was late.  That is only the second time in 4 years he has said no to me.  Reyes came in with a posse and didn't sign, big whoop.  Mr. Adam Everett came in with his in laws and said it was good to see us and it was wonderful weather.  His usual, haven't seen him pick up a pen this year.

Other updates.

Went to the Gomez signing on Saturday at 11am, saw the line, laughed and went golfing instead.  From what I hear, golfing was the better plan

Friday 5/9 Before the game
Got there late since I was enjoying my first week of being done with my junior year at SCSU, oh why did I get there late?  Golfing, once again :)

Scott Baker 1/1 8x10 Headshot
Kevin Slowey 1/2 08 Topps personalized
Joe Nathan 1/1 8x10 Headshot
Jason Kubel 1/1 8x10 Headshot
Patty Boy 1/1 8x10 Headshot (Came in with his MRI results and was bummed when I asked how his doctor visit went.  You can understand why.

Pics and scans will be up on my site tomorrow...need to rest up for golfing in the morning and the Jays hotel in the afternoon and softball in the evening.  Gosh I love summer!

There should be updates coming on here just about each week now that summer is here. 

Kent Hrbek signing from Rapid Marine in St. Cloud-3/3; 1 OMLB SS, 1 OMLB personalized to my little bro B, and a mini helmet.  Could've got a bunch more since I was the only one there, but didn't bring anything else.  He is a cool laid back guy, had a short convo with him.

Trade Update:
Gorzelany/Varitek/Peavy for Mauer (04 Donruss Classics) from sportsgraphing.com forum; Miller purchase from that site.

Purchase Update:
Bought a Jim "Mudcat" Grant baseball, these Twins cards, along with a Gaetti Bobblehead (I am looking to buy or trade for a Gardy Bobblehead)

Bought some 04 Topps to help complete my 04 Topps set from Derek's friend and ebay member Everlovin.  Let me know if you have any 04-08 Twins Topps, Updates & Highlights, and/or Allen & Ginter cards for trade or for purchase.  Willing to trade in your favor, lmk.

Shannon Stewart baseball; mine blead badly from the 05 TwinsFest, anyone want to trade for it?

Take care!

Here are my successes from the players parking lot before the game:

Gardy:  Team Baseball
Andy:  2/4*
J. White: 3/3*
Blackburn: Team Ball
Patty Boy:  2/2 & Team Ball
Baker: 1/1
Crain: 2/3
Go-Go!: Mini Helmet FT
Kubel: 6/6*
Nathan: 1/3
Redmond: 1/3
Slowey: 1/2 "Personalized"
Tolbert: 1/1
Coom Dawg: 1/3

*Some or all for 50/50 w/D

Went down to the Dome for some graphing for the first time.  Did OK, Neshek didn't sign, had to carry in a huge suitcase and Newbie Brendan Harris was going to sign, but hitched a ride with a guy on a cart.

Mike Redmond 1/3 (usually signs everything he was in a hurry)  This is FT
Mike Lamb 2/2 Both FT
Carlos Gomez! SS OMLB (He has the same phone as I do, worst autograph ever!)
Joe Nathan GU SS OMLB (great signer as usual, had a Jimmy Johns sandwich)
Jason Kubel 8x10 for Jordan on PNMB (I will get that and the Reyes out to you this week)
Scott Baker 08 Team Ball
Matt Tolbert 08 Team Ball
Brian Bass 08 Team Ball (no one knew who he was when he pulled in, including me, which is rare)

Pics up in less than an hour, check back!

Pat has inducted me, second induction, into his Grapher HOF.  Thanks buddy! (http://www.eteamz.com/PatNeshek/news/index.cfm?cat=250662

Wednesday, January 2
Another Addition To The HallOFame
Name: Cory Stopka


Hometown: Andover/Cambridge, MN

Homepark/Graphing Stomping Grounds: Metrodome

Nickname: Mr. Prez

Best Autograph Moment: My first autograph ever, Mr. Harmon Killebrew. When I was about 10, my dad and I went to pick up my grandparents from the airport (this is pre 9/11 when we could greet them right as they walked off the plane) and my dad spotted him. At this time I had never received an autograph before nor had tried to obtain one. My dad took a double take and asked me if I knew who it was, I looked and knew I had seen the face, but did not know.

He told me it was Harmon Killebrew and my jaw just dropped. He told me I should go get his auto, but I was shy and reluctant. My dad handed me a small piece of yellow paper and a pen and told me to ask him while he was waiting for his luggage and to be extremely polite and if Mr. Killebrew said no, to thank him for his time and be polite.

While 'Killer' himself was waiting for luggage, I asked him for an autograph. Just expecting a quick here you go kid graph, I was shocked when he asked my name. We then proceeded to have a 5-10 minute conversation on baseball and how my little league season was going until his bags came and had to leave.

Mr. Killebrew was a great person to me and I still have that autograph at the center of my collection display to this day.


Runner up: In 2006 I was waiting for graphs at the Dome and I saw Santana's hummer pull into the lot below and figured I would give it a shot asking for his graph over the railing by the light post (you know what I am talking about).

But Santana was stalled by a kanine police unit down there. So I decided to run down and around to ask him for his autograph. I ran past the guard shack and past the canine unit and ran up to him as he was walking in the tunnel outside. I asked if he would sign he turned surprised and did with a perfect sig!

After getting the sig, I strutted back past the canine unit and the guard shack to my spot just in time to get another autograph


Worst autograph moment: 2 of them. First, last year Derek and I took a road trip to Milwaukee to watch the Twins take 2 of 3 from the Brewers and do some graphing at the Twins hotel. It was cold and there were only about 5 people waiting after a game and Bert Blyleven walked by and yelled at us for asking for an autograph. I quote Mr. Blyleven here, "I am not signing for you guys, you're COLLECTORS!" Funny thing, usually people would say dealers or something. Derek and I just smirked at each other and said he feels stupid enough for just saying that. No offense to Bert, he is a great guy, but he hates to sign autographs for us collectors, lol.

Second, is driving with my little brother for an hour and a half down to the dome last year from Cambridge for TwinsFest with no heat in my car, nothing, pure chill at 6am. Getting in line outside for another few hours, still no warmth, got inside to Santana's line and still did not get his auto. My little brother hated me that entire day, but was back doing the same thing the next day.


Other Reasons For Being in the HALLOFAME: In it for the good times and spending time with family/friends, not for the money.


Athlete that hates him the most and why: This is tough, since I was always taught to be polite when getting an autograph. Lets see, probably Matt Garza for yelling his name in a crowd at TwinsFest for him to stop and sign for me, everyone just swarmed him, lol, he was nice and signed though.


Misc Info: College at SCSU, business major, president of a fraternity the past year, want to work in MLB when I graduate, have my own site dedicated to my collection freewebs.com/stco0501; keep on graphing!

Any other crazy stories or things that have happened during graphing: During the Milwaukee trip after a night game Pat was the only one who stopped and signed for us. He was cool and talked to Derek and I until he could give Stephanee the correct directions to the hotel, lol, good times.