Chitownautos 2015 IP Success Thread

[chitownautos]

June 27, 2015

7-11 City Slam Event - UNOFFICIAL
Doug McDermott (Chicago Bulls) - 2/2 SI Magazines
Alshon Jeffery (Chicago Bears) - 3/3 Cards

The 7-11 City Slam, a dunk contest that travels to different cities, made a stop in Chicago today. They had celebrity judges, and good ones too in Bears WR Alshon Jeffery and Bulls SF Doug McDermott. After the event I was able to get autos and pictures with both of them, and got 3/3 cards for Jeffery and 2/2 SI Magazines from his Creighton days for McDermott. Great event and lots of really cool dunks to watch. Jeffery and McDermott were absolutely great about signing!

YEAR TO DATE: 74
OFFICIAL - 25
UNOFFICIAL - 49

[chitownautos]

July 10-11, 2015

2015 Encompass Championship - UNOFFICIAL

FRIDAY
Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears) - 1/1 8x10 Photo
Richard Dent (Chicago Bears) - 1/1 8x10 Photo
Mike Eruzione (Team USA Hockey) - 2/2 8x10 Photos (w/ "80 Gold" inscriptions)
Patrick Mannelly (Chicago Bears) - 2/2 8x10 Photos

SATURDAY
Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears) - 1/1 SI Magazine
Richard Dent (Chicago Bears) - 1/1 8x10 Photo, 1/1 Card
Jermaine Dye (Chicago White Sox) - 1/1 ROMLB (w/ "05 WS MVP" inscription)
Mike Eruzione (TEAM USA Hockey) - 1/1 Puck (w/ "80 Gold" inscription)
Jeremy Roenick (Chicago Blackhawks) - 1/1 Puck

One of the best weekends of graphing for me hands down. The PGA Champions Tour Encompass Championship came to Glenview, Illinois with a bunch of A-list celebrities and HOF golfers playing. I aimed mostly for getting the celebrities golfing in the Pro-Am - Brian Urlacher, Richard Dent, Jermaine Dye, Mike Eruzione, Jeremy Roenick, Robbie Gould, and Patrick Mannelly. I don't think a single player denied an autograph for anyone the entire weekend. Throughout the weekend, Urlacher signed an 8x10 Photo and a SI Magazine from the 2007 Super Bowl, Dent signed 2 photos and a card, Dye signed a ROMLB, Eruzione signed 2 8x10 photos and a puck, Roenick signed a puck, and Mannelly signed 2 8x10 photos. Not a lot of autographs in quantity, but an A+ list in quality in my opinion. I'd rather ask a player to sign 1 item with a full signature, than 2+ items with a crappy rushed signature (as was the case with Urlacher). I would've gotten more autos, but I had to split time with another event in my next post (hint hint).

AUTOS DURING GOLF TOURNAMENT - 12
YEAR TO DATE: 86
OFFICIAL - 25
UNOFFICIAL - 61

[chitownautos]

July 10-12, 2015

Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field - UNOFFICIAL

FRIDAY
Bobby Thigpen (Sox) - 2/2 Cards
Edwin Jackson (Cubs) - 1/1 Card
Jose Quintana (Sox) - 1/1 2015 Topps
John Danks (Sox) - 1/1 2015 Topps
Gordon Beckham (Sox) - 1/1 2013 Topps

SATURDAY
Kris Bryant (Cubs) - 1/1 ROMLB sweet spot
Clayton Richard (Cubs) - 2/2 2014 Topps
Travis Wood (Cubs) - 1/1 2015 Topps
Daryl Boston (Sox) - 2/2 Cards
Kyle Hendricks (Cubs) - 2/2 2015 Topps, 2015 Topps Heritage
Jason Hammel (Cubs) - 2/2 2015 Topps, 2011 Topps
James Russell (Cubs) - 1/1 2015 Topps
Tyler Flowers (Sox) - 1/1 2015 Topps
Carlos Sanchez (Sox) - 1/1 2015 Topps
Emilio Bonifacio (Sox) - 1/1 2015 Topps
Geovany Soto (Sox) - 4/4 2006 Topps, 2008 Topps, 2009 Topps, 2011 Topps
Gordon Beckham (Sox) - 1/1 2014 Topps Heritage
Starlin Castro (Cubs) - 1/1 2015 Topps

SUNDAY
Robin Ventura (Sox) - 1/1 2014 Topps Heritage
Adam LaRoche (Sox) - 2/2 2009 Topps
Starlin Castro (Cubs) - 1/1 2014 Donruss
Jason Motte (Cubs) - 1/1 2013 Bowman
Clayton Richard (Cubs) - 1/1 2014 Topps
Harold Baines (Sox) - 2/2 Cards
Daryl Boston (Sox) - 2/2 Cards

Absolutely fantastic weekend graphing Sox/Cubs at Wrigley Field. On Friday, I went outside the visitors entrance, so only Sox players showed up, and Jose Quintana, John Danks, Gordon Beckham, and Bobby Thigpen all signed. Jose Abreu denied and I got Edwin Jackson as he walked out of Starbucks. My weekend consisted of going to the Encompass Championship at 7:00 am to get players in the early tee times, then driving down to Wrigley for the Sox/Cubs, then heading back to the golf tournament to get players who tee'd off in the afternoon. So crazy weekend all in all.

Saturday, I tried graphing at the Cubs entrance, but since all the players live in Chicago, most of the Sox players drove to the game and used the same entrance as the Cubs. Even better, since Wrigley is under construction, the players have to park across the street, so they have to walk by the fans (next year parking will be underground, so graphing the Cubs will be nearly impossible). Of course being a Sox fan, I was decked out in Sox gear, which actually helped getting some Sox players who were reluctant to sign for Cubs fans. Saturday was by far the best day, highlighted by Kris Bryant signing a ROMLB on the sweet spot. The rest of the players I got on cards. For the Cubs, Starlin Castro, Kyle Hendricks, Jason Hammel, Travis Wood, James Russell, and Clayton Richard signed. For the Sox, Tyler Flowers, Carlos Sanchez, Emilio Bonifacio, Geovany Soto, Daryl Boston, and Beckham signed.

On Sunday, back outside the home Cubs entrance, and got a few more signatures. Jason Motte, Castro, and Richard were the only Cubs players I got, and Robin Ventura, Adam LaRoche, Harold Baines, and Boston all signed for the Sox. Got 36 signatures on the weekend, highlighted by Bryant sweet spot and 17 players who I got for the first time.

AUTOS DURING SOX/CUBS - 36
YEAR TO DATE: 122
OFFICIAL - 25
UNOFFICIAL - 97

[baseballisfun]

hi impressed buddy..jealous of some of the card u got and the sp of Bryant has to be sick..liked the jersy also..congrats on a awesome weekend..

[chitownautos]

July 19, 2015

Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals UNOFFICIAL
2005 World Series Team Poster - 18 Autographs
Dan Pasqua (White Sox) - 1/1 '93 Topps, 2/0 5.5x8.5 Photos - OFFICIAL
Dustin Hermanson (White Sox) - 3/3 '95 UD, '05 Fleer, '06 Topps - UNOFFICIAL
Ryan Madson (Royals) - 2/2 '04 Topps, '07 Topps - UNOFFICIAL
Joe Blanton (Royals) - 2/2 '13 Topps, '14 Topps - UNOFFICIAL

The White Sox had a 10-Year Anniversary reunion for the 2005 World Series team. Players from the team were supposed to be signing all around stadium, but it was really crazy and disorganized. I was able to get '05 closer/set-up man Dustin Hermanson 3/3 on cards before the game down the line. I also got former player Dan Pasqua outside the stadium on a card and 2 5.5x8.5 photos. On the Royals side, relievers Ryan Madson and Joe Blanton signed 2 cards each after they threw a light bullpen.

And now onto the best part. For the 10-Year Anniversary, the Sox were doing giveaways on social media throughout the game. During one giveaway, the Sox sent out a tweet/snapchat, and the first few fans who showed that tweet to a Sox employee would win a prize. Well, I was one of the fans who showed the tweet first, and I won a 2005 team poster signed by 18 players and coaches. All of the 18 guys were attending the reunion that weekend. On the signed poster are players Jermaine Dye, Scott Podsednik, Joe Crede, Aaron Rowand, Carl Everett, Jon Garland, Orlando Hernandez, Dustin Hermanson, Geoff Blum, Willie Harris, Brian Anderson, Cliff Politte, Timo Perez, Pablo Ozuna, and coaches Ozzie Guillen, Greg Walker, Art Kusnyer, Man Soo Lee. By far the highlight of the weekend and a great addition to the man cave!

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...psewv4gfbp.jpg

YEAR TO DATE: 132
OFFICIAL - 28
UNOFFICIAL - 104

[chitownautos]

July 21, 2015

Khris Davis Appearance - OFFICIAL
Khris Davis (Brewers) - 2/2 Mini Helmets, 2/2 2014, 2015 Topps

Went to my first Milwaukee Brewers signing from what I can remember up in Kenosha, WI. Got 2/2 mini helmets and 2/2 cards. The mini helmets are the souvenir helmets that you get at Miller Park, and are surprisingly great to get signed. The cards are also for my set.

YEAR TO DATE: 136
OFFICIAL - 32
UNOFFICIAL - 104

[chitownautos]

August 8, 2015

Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants
Pedro Strop - 1/1 2012 Topps
Hector Rondon - 1/1 2015 Topps

Steve McMichael Signing
Steve McMichael - 1/1 1990 Pro Set

Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever
Elena Delle Donne - 1/1 8x10 Photo

Busy day graphing, not a lot of autos but still had fun. Graphed the Cubs vs. Giants pregame, only caught Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon each on a card for the Cubs. Went over to a signing with Chicago Bears '85 Super Bowl player Steve McMichael, and he signed one card. Topped it off with heading over to Allstate Arena and got Chicago Sky Elena Delle Donne on an 8x10. Yes I did get a WNBA player but Delle Donne is the frontrunner for the 2015 MVP.

YEAR TO DATE: 140
OFFICIAL - 33
UNOFFICIAL - 107

[chitownautos]

August 8, 2015

Chicago Blackhawks Day at Arlington Park
Joel Quenneville - 1/1 16x20 2015 Stanley Cup Champs Team Photo
Tony Esposito - 1/1 Logo Puck

Today was Chicago Blackhawks Day at Arlington Park. Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville and Blackhawks legendary goalie Tony Esposito were on hand to sign autographs. I have decided to start a new project - a 2015 Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Champions team photo. The photo is the on-ice photo that they took after winning the cup. I've seen other fans do similar project for the 2010 and 2013 team, so I'm trying to do one for the 2015 team. I got Quenneville to start that photo off, and this is gonna be a great project to do if I can. Esposito signed for me a Blackhawks logo puck and added a HOF 88 inscription. Both great guys.

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...psrdvpvuxk.jpg
http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3zxr8jgg.jpg
http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5ondhizx.jpg

YEAR TO DATE: 142
OFFICIAL - 35
UNOFFICIAL - 107

[chitownautos]

Wednesday, August 12

Chicago Red Stars vs. Sky Blue FC - UNOFFICIAL
Christie Rampone (Sky Blue) - 1/1 SI Magazine, 1/1 11x14 Photo

After the USWNT won the 2015 World Cup, Sports Illustrated made 25 different covers featuring each player on the team. Well I've decided that I am going to try to get all of them signed, so I went to the Chicago Red Stars vs. Sky Blue FC game of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Chicago has 3 World Cup players, and Sky Blue has 2 players. Well, I was only able to get Christie Rampone of Sky Blue to sign, she signed her SI Magazine and an 11x14 team photo. Anyways, I got 1 down and 24 more to go.

YEAR TO DATE: 144
OFFICIAL - 35
UNOFFICIAL - 109

[chitownautos]

August 13, 2015

Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers - UNOFFICIAL
Jason Motte - 1/1 2009 Topps
Jason Hammel - 2/2 2010 Topps, 2013 Topps
Kyle Hendricks - 1/1 8x10 Photo
Chris Denorfia - 1/1 2005 Upper Deck
Dave Martinez - 1/1 1990 Upper Deck
Chris Bosio - 1/1 1987 Topps
Kyle Lohse (Brewers) - 1/1 2015 Topps

Graphed another Cubs game and pretty much hit all the automatic signers. Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks are great about signing, and both were charting again, so I'm going to bring a page of cards for both of them next time. Hendricks signed an 8x10 photo and Hammel signed 2 cards. Also got a few hit or misses in Jason Motte and Chris Denorfia. Coaches Dave Martinez and Chris Bosio are sure fire one per, so got one of each on a card. Finally, Kyle Lohse of the Brewers used the home entrance, and I was lucky I came prepared for visitors as he signed a 2015 Topps for my set. Decent day at the ballpark, but all the Cubs rookies seem to be signing less and less now.

YEAR TO DATE: 152
OFFICIAL - 35
UNOFFICIAL - 117