IP-Chicago burbs:2012

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Today I got former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher, AL MVP, AL Cy Young Award winner, and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Rollie Fingers, 8 cards signed, 1 authentic major league baseball, and 1 candid photo that I found of him from when I saw him in Philadelphia at the All-Star Game Fan Forum thing, way back when I was in college, all for free, at an appearance in Kenosha, WI.

Photo of 3 of the signed Fingers cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...s13jul2012.jpg

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Yesterday, I attended the Schaumburg Boomers vs. Normal Cornbelters minor league baseball game (independent league), and got autographs from former San Diego Padres pitcher Brian Lawrence (Cornbelters pitching coach), 3 cards signed, former Atlanta Braves farmhand Tyler Stovall (Cornbelters pitcher), 2 cards signed, and former Chicago White Sox slugger Carlos May (Boomers 1st base coach), 2 cards signed.

Photo of the 3 Lawrence signed cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...e14jul2012.jpg

Photo of the 2 Stovall signed cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...l14jul2012.jpg

Photo of the 2 May signed cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...y14jul2012.jpg

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Today I got future Hall of Famer, Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas, who signed two cans of his beer, and one card, for free, at an appearance promoting his beer at the Summer Celebration festival in the town that I live in, Vernon Hills, IL.

Photo of the signed card:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...s21jul2012.jpg

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Today I attended the Joliet Slammers vs. Windy City Thunderbolts minor league baseball game (independent league), and got autographs from former Chicago White Sox pitcher Ehren Wassermann (Thunderbolts pitching coach), 1 card signed, former Montreal Expos and Seattle Mariners pitcher Matt Wagner (Thunderbolts 1st base coach), 2 cards signed, former Baltimore Orioles farmhand Jake Renshaw (Slammers pitcher), 1 card signed, former Minnesota Twins farmhand Erik Lis (Slammers player), 1 card signed,
former Colorado Rockies farmhand David Christensen (Slammers player), 2 cards signed, and former Angels farmhand Brandon Decker (Thunderbolts player), 1 card signed.

Photo of the Decker autographed card:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...r28jul2012.jpg

Photo of the Wassermann autographed card:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...n28jul2012.jpg

Photo of the 2 Wagner signed cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...r28jul2012.jpg

Photo of the 2 Christensen signed cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...n28jul2012.jpg

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Today, I got 2 sets of autographs at the Chicago White Sox Day at Arlington Racetrack in Arlington Heights, for the cost of admission to the racetrack. I will post the 2nd person later.

I got former Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees slugger, and 1983 AL Rookie of the Year, Ron Kittle, 7 cards signed and 3 black and white 5x7 photos signed.

Photo of 3 of the signed Kittle cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...e29jul2012.jpg

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Today, I got 2 sets of autographs at the Chicago White Sox Day at Arlington Racetrack in Arlington Heights, for the cost of admission to the racetrack. The first posting is before this.

I got former Negro League and Chicago White Sox legend, and the only ball player to appear professionally in seven different decades, Minnie Minoso, one authentic MLB baseball, 2 cards (he signed the Allen & Ginter upside down for some reason), 2 black and white 5x7 photos signed, and 1 8x10, inscribed with Cuban Comet, which he was leery about signing, questioning if I was with a business when I requested him to put the Cuban Comet. He refused to sign a 2001 Topps American Pie card, something about his agent told him not to sign them, he wasn't very easy to understand, the man is 86 and English is not his native language.

Photo of the Minoso haul:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...o29jul2012.jpg

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[Chicagodave]

Lance Briggs and Earl Bennett will be at saver's Thrift stores : This is from the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago face book page

Chicago Bears Fans...now is your chance to meet seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker, Lance Briggs, and wide receiver, Earl Bennett, at one of the new Savers Thrift Stores! Scheduled appearances take place Sunday, August 19: St. Charles, Lance Briggs--11AM-12:30PM; Orland Park, Earl Bennett--11AM-12:20PM; Arlington Heights, Lance Briggs--2PM-3:30PM; Carol Stream, Earl Bennett--2PM-3:30PM. Show your support for Savers, the Chicago Bears, and the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago!

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Today I got 9-Time UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes, 2 cards signed (he personalized both), for free, at a grand opening of a store in Arlington Heights, IL.

Photo of both of the signed Hughes cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...s11aug2012.jpg

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Today I got 2 autographs on trading cards from former Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman, and 3-time Stanley Cup winner, Steve Smith, at a hockey camp in Vernon Hills, IL.

Photo of the signed cards in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...h17aug2012.jpg

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Today, my family and I drove to Delavan, WI, for a free signing with what was planned to be three current Milwaukee Brewers. Unfortunately, one of the Brewers cancelled, Yovani Gallardo, due to a personal matter, however, I was thrilled to get the other two.
First was Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Shaun Marcum, and I was able to get 8 cards signed, and 2 11x14 photos that they were handing out, signed for free.
Photo of the Marcum auto'd cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...m18aug2012.jpg

Then, we were able to do extremely well with current Milwaukee Brewers 2nd baseman and 2011 All-Star, Rickie Weeks, 9 cards signed and a ball signed on the sweet spot with 2011 All-Star inscription, for free.

Photo of the Weeks cards and ball:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...s18aug2012.jpg

Well-organized, not that many people out (went through the line twice, and probably could have gone again if desired), and it started 20 minutes early. Can't beat that!

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