Rockstar71888's IP Thread

[rockstar71888]

Went to Rays/A's game last night. As soon as I got inside, I headed down to the dugout and James Shields stopped to sign and take pics with everyone there, for at least a solid half hour, while the rest of the team was in the clubhouse. After he headed inside, no one came out for a while, until Luke Scott came out early to start stretching and sign for some people. The rest of the position players were a little late coming out to stretch, in fact there were only about five guys on the field for the national anthem, but I ducked into an empty seat behind the dugout to avoid being sent up, and managed to get a few more guys at the dugout (missed Pena though, he only signed for a couple kids). Anyways, here are the results.

Team ball in progress:
James Shields
Luke Scott
Chris Giminez
Matt Moore

James Shields 4x6 1/1

[rockstar71888]

Went to Rays/Braves last night. Started out on the Atlanta side, and was really hoping for some success. Unfortunately, I had not had time to get a ton of cards or pictures printed out though. A lot of guys said they'd stop after BP, but didn't. Chipper had a huge crowd but did not stop. Note to anyone going to see the Braves: Juan Fransico is ridiculous. He was hitting the outer rings and the back wall of the dome in BP. Incredible power.
Signed, but I was in wrong spots: Tim Hudson, Matt Diaz, Chad Durbin
Got: Jack Wilson- picture with.

After the team headed into the clubhouse, I moved over to the first base side to try and work on my Rays team ball. Again, just bad luck with spots, but got Elliot Johnson.
Signed, but I was in wrong spot: Zobrist, Joyce
Got: Elliot Johnson- team ball and signed 4x6

[rockstar71888]

Went to Rays/Marlins last night. Rays were finishing BP when I got in, so I went to their dugout. Most guys had already gone to the clubhouse but I managed to get Fernando Rodney and Jeremy Hellickson on my team ball before they went down.

I went over to the Marlins side to try my luck, and was surrounded by dealers. Jose Reyes and HanRam signed about 5 apiece, but dealers got them all. Stanton didn't stop at all, and I wasn't really interested in staying there until the end of BP to try and get anyone else.

I went back to the Rays dugout when they came out to warm up, and saw something incredibly rare I had never seen before... BJ Upton signing. I was in the right spot, but he skipped over me and pretty much signed for only kids. Was pretty bummed about that. But I got Matt Joyce on my team ball. And that was the end of it for the day. Will update with pics later.

[walker066]

Went to Rays/Marlins last night. Rays were finishing BP when I got in, so I went to their dugout. Most guys had already gone to the clubhouse but I managed to get Fernando Rodney and Jeremy Hellickson on my team ball before they went down.

I went over to the Marlins side to try my luck, and was surrounded by dealers. Jose Reyes and HanRam signed about 5 apiece, but dealers got them all. Stanton didn't stop at all, and I wasn't really interested in staying there until the end of BP to try and get anyone else.

I went back to the Rays dugout when they came out to warm up, and saw something incredibly rare I had never seen before... BJ Upton signing. I was in the right spot, but he skipped over me and pretty much signed for only kids. Was pretty bummed about that. But I got Matt Joyce on my team ball. And that was the end of it for the day. Will update with pics later.

Back in 2007 Spring Training, the only person who didn't sign was BJ Upton. I was was standing right near a season ticket holder who all the players knew and he even called BJ over for me. BJ said he would and then ran back to the outfield after an interview. Even the season ticket holder said he was a jerk.

[rockstar71888]

Here are the pics: Hellickson and Joyce top, and Rodney bottom

[rockstar71888]

Went to Rays/Red Sox tonight.
Made a few additions to my team ball:
Jose Molina
Brooks Conrad
Jose Lobaton

And pic with Luke Scott.

Longoria signed for nearly everyone down the first base line, but stopped before getting to me. I didn't have anything for him tonight anyways.. Conrad and Elliot Johnson also signed a bunch.

[rockstar71888]

By far my slowest night at Tropicana Field this year. No one was signing.

Made one addition to my team ball at the end of BP:
Alex Cobb

[rockstar71888]

Went to the Rays/Orioles game last night. Didn't have any luck on the O's side. Weiters signed for a handful of guys but I missed him trying to fight the small crowd. Didn't really see anyone else signing.

On the Rays side, I finally managed to get Sean Rodriguez after BP. He's been a bit of a white whale for me, as I've never seen him sign. Right before game time, I got the newest addition to the team, Ryan Roberts. He signed a lot. Even signed 8 cards for some guy next to me. Then right before the game started, I added Ben Zobrist.

Now the thing I was afraid of when I started this team ball has come to fruition. I have nearly run out of room, and still have a lot of guys yet to get (Upton, Jennings, Price, Keppinger, Pena, most of the bullpen). Think I'm going to try to make this a two ball project now. Here are updated pics:

Longoria, Shields, Giminez, Roberts


Scott, Moore, Johnson, Cobb


Hellickson, Joyce, Peralta, Conrad


Rodriguez, Rodney, Lobaton, Zobrist

[rockstar71888]

First success in a while. Bucs QB Josh Freeman did a signing at a local credit union. It wasn't well advertised, so around 100 people showed up for a 1.5 hour signing. He was signing multiples, taking pics, and chatting with every person who came up to the table. Really nice dude. Got 2 8x10's signed (same picture). Turned out awesome:

[bronxbomber33]

The Freeman looks really nice!!