metsmagic18's Spring Training IP Thread!

[metsmagic18]

From 3/18-3/21 I was at Spring Training. Let me tell you about each day.

3/18 Digital Domain Park, Mets vs. Braves

I went by the practice fields about 4 hours before game time and hit the jackpot! This is the list of guys I got.

-Ryota Igrashi
-Bobby Parnell
-Nick Evans
-Terry Collins
-Mike O'Connor
-Taylor Buchholz
-Chris Young
-Mike Pelfrey
-Chris Capuano
-Jon Niese
-Scott Hairston
-Jason Pridie
-Pat Misch
-Randy Niemann

Mike Pelfrey and Dave Racainello (bullpen catcher) each threw me practice baseballs.

The luckiest part was, a nice Mets worker let a select group stay at the fields longer than the public and anyone else so we could get Johan Santana. Sure enough, after a lot of waiting, he came over and I got his autograph!!


3/19 Digital Domain Park Mets vs. Nationals

Today I decided to hang out by the Nationals side and see what I could get.

-Bob Boone (catcher from '80s)
-Bruce Froemming (legendary ump, inscribed 5000th game, Boston, 5/12/06)
-Rick Ankiel
-Collin Balester

Derek Norris came over but only signed for one lady, and Ian Desmond only signed for a little girl.

There were also some rude fans. While I was getting Rick's autograph, a man was pushing through everyone and insisted, "I have to ask Rick a question!"

3/20 Roger Dean Stadium Marlins vs Mets

Today proved that going to a baseball game early doesn't get you all the autographs. About 10 minutes before game time, I got autos from
-Justin Turner
-Josh Thole
-Terry Collins (Yes, that's the second time ;)

Chin-Lung Hu was signing elsewhere.

During the game, before Justin Turner came into the game, he tossed me his warm-up baseball.

After the game, waiting at the fence by the Marlins clubhouse and practice fields I got,
-Adam Veres
-Ruben Gotay
-John Buck
-Logan Morrison

3/21 Roger Dean Stadium Cardinals vs. Nationals

Today I positioned myself right next to the Nationals dugout. I could see in, plus they ran right past us to warm up. I got
-Roger Bernadina
-Alberto Gonzalez
-Brian Bixler
-Jeff Frazier
-Announcer F.P. Santangelo
-Adam LaRoche
-Danny Espinosa

Jim Riggleman, Bob McCatty, Rick Ankiel, and Nyjer Morgan signed but I didn't get them.

The highlight of the day was Pudge Rodriguez! If anyone is going to a Nats away Spring Training game, be on the lookout for Pudge. He is a frequent signer!

[JVazz29]

Awesome stuff man. I am a mets fan too. I'd love to get down to st someday but I am pretty sure thay'll never happen.

What kind Of stuff did you get signed?

[metsmagic18]

I'm not one of those autograph dealers who gets one ball signed by one guy and moves on. I mostly got multiple guys on the same ball. Besides Pelfrey who signed the ball he gave me, all of the Mets signatures were on the same ball. The balls I used were those logo balls that they usually sell at team stores. I like to use those to remember where I was.