My cool story bro time with Mike Moustakas

I remember trying to get Moustakas' autograph as a Surprise Rafters player in the Arizona Fall League - I think it was after a day game in Mesa and I remember him storming across the field, maybe with his headphones on headed to the team bus.

I kept calling out to him but he just flat out ignored me - he might have had a bad game, wanted to get to the team bus ASAP and didn't want to sign anything.

One of his teammates caught up with him and kind of gestured towards my direction - but Moustakas was oblivious.

No, I wasn't about to freak out or anything, but I was perplexed - I must have gotten him to eventually sign, but I want to always remember my 'non-moment' with Moustakas, who turned around another miserable season by emerging as a postseason hero for the upstart Kansas City Royals this year.

I haven't had problems with getting things signed by Moustakas when he comes home to So. Cal with the Royals to play the Angels - he pretty good about signing, even though he can be a Sharpie killer [someone who presses hard and deliberate when he signs, so the tip of the pen dulls / wears out real quick] and his autograph can be messy.

Featured autograph - Brad Emaus

New York Mets rookie second baseman Brad Emaus has been hyped up as some sort of Dan Uggla clone - I was wondering if I'd gotten his autograph because he may just have been one of the 'rank-and-file' guys I missed getting when I went to the Arizona Fall League in 2009.

Thankfully I was able to find this lone signed 2008 Bowman Chrome prospect card in one of my autograph books - there is always some novelty in getting an autograph of a relatively unknown player, who ends up being talked about a few years later.

Unlike my friend however, I don't think I had more than this lone card to get signed - if Emaus does turn out to have an All-Star season or two, I won't be able to say I got him a bunch of times when he was just a minor leaguer.

2009 Topps Unique Yovani Gallardo Prime Time patch card

Prime Time patch card, serial #'d 24/99 

I'll assume the patch was cut from a 'game-worn' jersey from the 2006 Futures Game in Pittsburgh - since I cannot immediately associate the colors on the patch card to a Milwaukee Brewers uniform. 

Other reasons include, Gallardo was on the World team for the Futures Game, Topps has printed a Gallardo jersey insert card from the Futures Game before [in 2006 Bowman Draft] - it states on the back of this card:

"The relic contained in this card does not come from specific game, event or season."

I picked up the card for $5, which is probably too much, but I realize $5 can't get me an 2009 Upper Deck Ultimate jumbo patch card - and regardless of perceived value of the card, Gallardo is a rising star who is the ace of the Brewers' pitching staff. 

For my collection, a card with a small patch swatch is OK - I do like the novelty of being able to see a little bit of the jersey from where the patch was cut from. Seeing some separation between the actual patch and jersey material gives a patch card some character. 

It is disappointing when a patch card only has a one-color patch piece covering the entire window where the 'game-used' jersey / material is visible - the purported patch card becomes like another a plain jersey swatch card. 

2009 Topps T-206 rack pack breaks

2009 Topps T-206 rack pack breaks [$4.99 each / four packs at Target] - because I had a $50 gift certificate, which was another impromptu [this time for Christmas] present from my father, I was able to splurge on four packs among other purchases.

I picked up a base set already so I was hoping for some random hits - though these rack packs are retail, so it is always a crap shoot.

I only listed the minis and one or two notable base cards - this was probably a 'meh' break, but I guess I'll deal with it.

Pack one
287 Babe Ruth Piedmont mini base card parallel
287 Babe Ruth base

Pack two
164 Luis Valbuena Piedmont mini base card parallel
174 Gordon Beckham base

Pack three
171 David Wright Piedmont mini base card parallel
NNO A-Rod short print variation
207 Jackie Robinson base


Pack four
274 Colby Rasmus Piedmont mini base card parallel
90 A-Rod base
271 Lou Gehrig base

2009 Upper Deck Series One and Two combo blaster recap

My irrational longing for card #U35 picturing Matt Wieters led me to this lone blaster at a Target for $19.99 - it seems like the only baseball blasters were Fan Paks and one blaster of 2009 Topps T-206.

I had a $25 gift card [which was passed down to me for my birthday as an impromptu present from my father] burning a hole in my pocket - I looked for the Upper Deck Series 1&2 combo packs blaster box at another Target and couldn't find it.

When I finally found one, it just felt right to pick it up - though I could be looking for a base card [maybe worth $7-$10 right now] of the next Eric Munson and not the next Thurman Munson.

There are 10 packs in each blaster featuring 18 cards per clear plastic wrap pack - including two Generation Now inserts, two Upper Deck Update cards and one 20th Anniversary insert.

The Upper Deck Update cards seem like UD's response to Topps' inclusion black/Throwback parallels in retail blasters - as far as I know, the Update cards [50 in the set] from Upper Deck only come in Series I&II combo fat packs and in blaster boxes.

I started ripping once I got in the car - after nine packs and 162 cards in, I was down to my last clear plastic wrap pack and conceded this break might very well be a 'bust,' since I hadn't pulled the Wieters card that had been the object of my lust.

Seriously, was I going to be stuck with the packaging - as the only tangible thing picturing Wieters I could keep?

Seriously, why do I care about a base, non-autograph, non-serial numbered or limited parallel card of an overhyped top prospect - who did have a solid, if unspectacular rookie year.

Instead of thumbing through the cards from the front, for the last pack, I thumbed from the back - the first Update card was Mat Latos and second Update card, in the final pack was Wieters.

Last pack

36 Daniel Cabrera
99 Johnny Cueto
116 Todd Helton
221 Jason Kendall
400 Jesus Flores
421 Mat Gamel
435 Chicago White Sox - Team Leaders subset
U35 Matt Wieters
GN 27 Joba Chamberlain - Generation Now insert
U21 Mat Latos
GN 13 Chase Utley - Generation Now insert
2131 Pluto - 20th Anniversary insert
#630 Ryan Speier
646 Dallas McPherson
623 Seth Smith
881 Jason LaRue
976 Prince Fielder
871 Khalil Greene

I didn't faint or anything like that but was relieved I had the card in my fat, grubby hands - frickin' mission accomplished, Chief.

My Cactus League spring training images

In the process of cutting up my steak dinner from some chain restaurant in Peoria.

The crowd waiting for autographs swells up during the Milwaukee Brewers/Los Angeles Angels game at Maryvale.

There is a corner down along right field at Goodyear Stadium where you can 'go down' and ask for autographs from Cleveland Indians' players leaving the game in-between innings. Once the game starts over, you have to go back to your seats.

From the makeshift parking lot at Goodyear Stadium, you can see rows of what looks to be mothballed commercial airplanes in the distance.

At Surprise Stadium, the poor guy on the left with the bat was being grilled by Josh Hamilton because Hamilton thinks he already signed for the guy.

This image was taken the day Jason Giambi reported to Oakland Athletics' camp. A good number of people from the media wanted to get some time with him. He must have spent 40 minutes signing autographs after he was done with practice.

Everyone supposedly has his autograph, but 90-year old Bob Feller is a marvel when it comes to signing autographs. This image was taken in Surprise, where he threw out the first pitch at the MLBPA Arizona alumni game. He signed autographs from about 1:00-4:00 p.m. and hopefully he is still around and kicking for some time.

He has a little table during Indians' games at Goodyear Stadium, where he signs a photo [he provides] and takes a picture with you for $10.

The obscured player signing at Scottsdale Stadium is 2008 National League All-Star Brian Wilson of the San Francisco Giants.

It gets crazy sometimes getting autographs at Scottsdale, because I believe it is the only facility where you can go to in the morning as players' drive in [name any decent San Francisco Giants' player and either they go through the door furthest away from fans and/or they sign in the afternoon] and the 'small' space where you can stand along the railing as players walk up can get congested and unruly.

As far as this spring is concerned, Buster Posey, the No. 5 overall pick by the Giants still has to park on the minor league side of the parking lot and thus can still be approached without a railing separating him and the fans.

San Francisco Giants' non-roster invitee Justin Miller signs autographs and is always interesting to look at because of the 'ink' he sports. Three or four years ago, I think it was ESPN the Magazine that featured a 'centerfold' detailing many of Miller's 'tats' and piercings.

Chicago Cubs' outfielder Reed Johnson signing autographs outside the Cubs' weight room at HoHoKam park during a Cubs game vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Seattle Mariners bullpen coach John Wetteland stopping just outside the Mariners' complex in Peoria to sign autographs out of his Lambo.

Dodgers Manager Joe Torre obliges fans and signs autographs after a practice at Camelback Ranch.

Former Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda can be nasty as far as his attitude about signing random autographs are concerned, but he is pretty much making the rounds and signing for those who want his autograph.

Milwaukee Brewers' outfielder Ryan Braun looks he is about to sign an autograph for a fan after practice in Maryvale. For a young superstar, he seems to still be accomodating as far as signing autographs, taking pictures and interacting with fans.

Featured card: 2009 Upper Deck John Lackey jersey/auto serial #'d 44/99

I was lurking around on Ebay and saw this card - I'm not going to say this type of card is hard to find, but I figured it was worth picking up for the price of a blaster box of 2009 Upper Deck.

I might not get to see all the new 2009 Upper Deck base/parallel/cheap insert cards I would have pulled from a blaster - but it is always nice to have a nice, looking insert of a prominent player from my hometown team in-hand as opposed to flipping through cards you'll see soon enough in healthy quantities.

Lackey is a franchise star and the 'bulldog' ace of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - even though he is more of a national semistar.

Spring training trip preview: San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres look to go through a period of rebuilding and I kind of hope if you are getting their autographs - the 'foot traffic' to watch them practice is less and you will have a better opportunity of getting a particular player you need

I always need to get particular players' on particular cards or just in general - even though you know you aren't seeing a potential contender in a team like the Padres, but a clustermuck of players [from Jake Peavy to Adrian Gonzalez to Edgar Gonzalez to David Eckstein to Chris Young to Cliff Floyd to Brian Giles, et al] lucky to sniff some respectibility.

One person/player's autograph to get [a priority] - Jake Peavy
One person/player's autograph I'd like to get [a name to look for] - Mark Prior
Player featured [I'd like to get his autograph too] - Chris Young

Spring training trip preview: Seattle Mariners

The Mariners may not be one of the better teams to see in spring training - if Ichiro and Kenji Johjima are already with Team Japan by next week or so.

One person/player's autograph to get [a priority] - Felix Hernandez
One person/player's autograph I'd like to get [a name to look for] - John Wetteland [bullpen coach]; Wetteland was a bullpen star through the 1990s and closed out the 1996 World Series.
Player featured [I'd like to get his autograph too] - Franklin Gutierrez, pictured as a Cleveland Indians' player on his 2008 Upper Deck First Edition card. Is that Grady Sizemore behind him, with the eye black?

Spring training trip preview: Oakland Athletics

The Athletics are an intriguing organization and I'll be looking forward to hunting these guys down for autographs - including established Major Leaguers like Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi.

The organization has a lot of pitching talent [Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, James Simmons, Vin Mazzaro, Gio Gonzalez, Brett Hunter, Henry Rodriguez] - who may or may not eventually turn into Major League quality arms.

For the most part, the A's offer pretty good access to players at their facility at Papago Park - particularly as workouts wind down for the morning.

A possible 'special guest instructor' visiting camp maybe Rickey Henderson - so it might be a treat [literally, figuratively and maybe sarcastically] to possibly see him in about a week or so and try to get his scribble.

One person/player's autograph to get [a priority] - Matt Holliday
One person/player's autograph I'd like to get [a name to look for] - Jason Giambi
Player featured [I'd like to get his autograph too] - Brett Hunter

Spring training trip preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are likely the most popular team to see in the Cactus League in 2009 - they have a new facility, which long-time Dodgers fans might not like just because they have left their Dodgertown in Vero Beach for good, but being in Arizona puts the team in relative close proximity to the rabid West Coast fan base, wanting to see their Dodgers warm up before the season starts.

One person/player's autograph to get [a priority] - Clayton Kershaw
One person/player's autograph I'd like to get [a name to look for] - Sandy Koufax; I've heard he is reclusive, but I'm betting he'll show up at some point during spring training to visit with the organization and maybe sign some autographs for fans. I'm not banking on it, but if I'm lucky enough to see him and 'win the battle' to get an autograph, then I'll consider my trip a success.
Player featured [I'd like to get his autograph too] - Randy Wolf

Spring training trip preview: Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs will be the second most popular team in the Cactus League - with a number of all-star quality players, an angry [motivated] Milton Bradley, manager Lou Piniella, Derrek Lee, Kosuke Fukudome, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, et al.

From what I've seen access to players at their camp is particularly tough - though I was barely able to get Lee and Fukudome after one practice in 2008.

One person/player's autograph to get [a priority] - Carlos Zambrano
One person/player's autograph I'd like to get [a name to look for] - Billy Williams
Player featured [I'd like to get his autograph too] - Reed Johnson

Spring training trip preview: Los Angeles Angels [of Anaheim]

The Angels are my 'home town' team but they don't have a sterling reputation about signing autographs - Gary Matthews Jr. is picky about when, where and how many he signs. John Lackey used to be an accomodating signer four or five years ago, but at times, he is more likely to treat you like an opposing batter [if you want his autograph] unless you are one smokin' cutie.

Vladimir Guerrero seem like a warm, humble and great guy with no ego and a great smile - but unless you know him personally, try to get him back in his native country of the Dominican Republic or under special circumstances - he will literally ignore any request stateside to sign autographs in-person.

Kendry Morales is a 25-year old first baseman - a defector from Cuba and a high profile signing, he was sort of buried in the minors for a few years with Casey Kotchman at first base. Morales barely spent time in the Major Leagues after Kotchman was traded for Mark Teixeira in 2008. However, he finally gets an opportunity to stick with the Angels in 2009 after Teixeira bolted for the New York Yankees.

One person/player's autograph to get [a priority] - John Lackey
One person/player's autograph I'd like to get [a name to look for] - Vladimir Guerrero
Player featured [I'd like to get his autograph too] - Kendry Morales

Spring training trip preview: San Francisco Giants

I found the Buster Posey/Gordon Beckham dual insert card - probably two of the young players in spring training I want to see up close. Spring training is a time to get autographs of various young players and every camp there are at least one or two 'phenoms' who are either destined to Major League stars or Major League busts.

One person/player's autograph to get [a priority] - Tim Lincecum
One person/player's autograph I'd like to get [a name to look for] - Will Clark
Player featured [I'd like to get his autograph too] - Buster Posey

My take on 2009 Topps

I'm wasn't not going to buy any 2009 Topps or Upper Deck until the hype dies down - with many bloggers busting random packs left and right to give their take, I don't want to succumb to the 'peer pressure' until the excitement over new stuff dies down a little.

Despite finding nothing marked '2009' in two visits to Target - I was able go to a place where I sometimes get my cardboard fix from and cherry pick cards out of some commons bin to get my fill [instead of buying loose packs].

The prices ranged from 25 for $1, a quarter and a dime each - too bad,I was only able to find loose 2009 Topps cards and not Upper Deck.

I don't see how this year's Topps is different from past years - there is a certain feeling about base Topps cards that I'm indifferent to. Maybe it is the fact after a month, every retail outlet, hobby shop, Major League Baseball team store [ones they have inside a MLB stadium or one in an MLB city] and some card show booths will be carrying these cards. For collectors, I suppose having a look at base brand Topps each year is a rite of passage.

The silver on black 'name plates' makes players' names hard to read infront of the card - with 2008 Upper Deck, you can get away with it, because the full-bleed images were sharp enough to stand alone. With Topps, any little design flaw is exposed as an excuse [for me] not to pick up anymore cards.

However, there are some things I liked as I glanced at random cards - it seems there was a more conscious effort by Topps to include action shots [though getting some from 'different' angles like the Kevin Youkilis card is kind of distracting] as opposed to merely 'pitching, hitting and fielding' shots. There are guys making awesome catches in the outfield [Juan Pierre, Alex Rios, Brandon Moss], flying in the air [Youkilis, Jack Wilson], directing traffic [Jose Guillen], et al.

I saw the Turkey Red inserts and it mimicked the 2005/2006 Topps Turkey Red backs - as opposed to some kind of 'vanilla' Trading Card History insert style back. These cards will be a nice to find in random Topps packs.

Spring training trip preview: Kansas City Royals

An update here and there is haphazardly made to try to keep up with the transactions while keeping track of cards I still need or already have for spring training - I'm worried a friend is picking up cards left and right [of different players, multiple quantities], leaving me behind.

Perhaps I've got to focus on a little 'game planning,' so I get stuff signed - it means making do with what I have [I think I have enough] and realize it isn't a battle and there are really different priorities as far as what I need to get autographed.

One person/player's autograph to get [a priority] - Alex Gordon
One person/player's autograph I'd like to get [a name to look for] -Zack Greinke
Player featured [I'd like to get his autograph too] - David DeJesus

Spring training trip preview: Milwaukee Brewers

You can get a number of players, personnel, special assistant to the GM [former players], minor league coaches, et al during spring training - I can't worry about who I don't have cards/other items for with the number of cards/possibly other items I'm bringing during the trip. I've always believed in being concise and bringing everything for everyone, but you cannot anticipate everything.

One person/player's autograph to get [a priority] - Prince Fielder
One person/player's autograph I'd like to get [a name to look for] - Trot Nixon; haven't seen him at all and I still need an 'old' 8x10 and a 2004 Topps Cracker Jack set card signed.
Player featured [I'd like to get his autograph too] - Ryan Braun; maybe down to signing cards without personalizations?

Spring training trip preview: Cleveland Indians

The Indians are back in Arizona and hopefully there will be ample access to get autographs - I need to knock out many cards from all the teams, but the key is rubbing all my cards down [the glossy ones], so when the cards are signed, they come out clean. There is no time other than now, to make sure the surface of my cards are otherwise ready-to-get signed.

One person/player's autograph to get [a priority] - Grady Sizemore of course.
One person/player's autograph I'd like to get [a name to look for] - Carl Pavano; haven't seen him at all and I still need an 'old' 2001 Fleer Tradition set card signed.
Player featured [I'd like to get his autograph too] - Carlos Santana

Spring training trip preview: Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers camp in Surprise figures to be busy - Josh Hamilton is a superstar now, legend Nolan Ryan is intent on putting his stamp in the organization and there will be hot prospects like Elvis Andrus, Justin Smoak and Neftali Feliz in big league camp.

One person/player's autograph to get [a priority] - Nolan Ryan
One person/player's autograph I'd like to get [a name to look for] - Josh Hamilton
Player featured [I'd like to get his autograph too] - Manager Ron Washington

Spring training trip preview: Chicago White Sox

I've been to the Cactus League in Arizona for the last several years and this will be a fun little preview for me to do on the teams that will be there in a few weeks - it seems like Arizona is the place to be once pitchers and catchers start reporting and I'll be taking a trip with a friend and his acquaintance for about 10 days.

One person/player's autograph to get [a priority] - Jim Thome
One person/player's autograph I'd like to get [a name to look for] - Gordon Beckham
Player featured [I'd like to get his autograph too] - Alexei Ramirez