Arizona Spring Training 2015

[mberger718]

Diamondbacks Camp, Saturday February 28th
Was hoping to get Mark Grace and Mike Fetters (both coaches) for my 1997 Fleer Set. Fetters told me later a few times and never ended up signing. Grace signed a bit between fields during practice but not when I was there.
Also missed Goldschmidt but got some guys on cards as they went into the clubhouse after workouts. Not a great day but at least it was nice and cool out and I didn't have to go to work.
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[mberger718]

Dodgers Camp, Sunday March 1
I had heard this is one of the best camps for autographs and it did not disappoint. Sandy Koufax did sign for people in line, but you have to get there around 6am to get a good spot near the front of the line and he does not sign every day. If you get in line for him, you may have to wait for hours to get him and give up chances to get anybody else.
I got 2 cards signed for my Fleer Set (Damon Mashore and Eric Karros, bringing my total to 327/500). Also got a few guys on other cards, and got two baseballs signed at the end of practice, Don Mattingly sweet spot and Clayton Kershaw side panel. Kershaw was one of my goals of my trip and I got him on my second day! I just missed McGwire earlier in the day when he came out for practice.

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[mberger718]

Here are a few pictures of Sandy Koufax signing, I may try him one day but have to get there very early. Also pics of Kershaw and Mattingly.

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[mberger718]

Dodgers Camp, Monday March 2
Rain in Arizona, most camps were rained out today. Had gone back to Dodgers to try and wait in line for Koufax, maybe tomorrow.

[harley2001]

Some nice IPS! Good luck on getting Koufax!!

[mberger718]

Dodgers Camp, Tuesday, March 3rd
Well, I decided I really wanted to try and get Sandy Koufax so I showed up at the gate at 6am and was third in line. The gates opened at 9am and I proceeded to the area where Koufax signs (on the days he does sign). We saw him working with the pitchers in the cages nearby but he never came over to sign. At about 12:45pm or so security told us he was not signing and we had to leave. In between the waiting, at around noon or a bit later, I did run over to the table where Tommy Lasorda signs and got a picture with him. Also got a card signed by Brandon McCarthy and a schedule signed by Joc Pederson which got slightly smeared.

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[mberger718]

Diamondbacks at Rockies, March 4
This was the first day with a full slate of games as the workouts have ended
Back on the practice fields, got Walt Weiss (for my Fleer set) as he was walking off (he actually came back over to me as he was walking away). Also watched Tulo, CarGo, and Morneau taking BP on the back fields. CarGo and Morneau signed after practice, Tulo said he had to get ready for the game. Funny thing was that none of these guys even played in the game. Also got Charlie Blackmon as he walked by.
Inside the stadium I got several Rockies as they entered the field from the clubhouse. Wasn't able to get Eric Young (coach) to come over.
I went to the D'backs side and was able to get Mike Fetters for my Fleer set right before the game. Couldn't get Mark Grace to sign for me.
After 4-5 innings in the heat and after eating lunch, I was getting ready to leave when I saw a really tall guy in a red Diamondbacks shirt and sunglasses. I thought, "that guy looks like Randy Johnson", when I realized that it was! I followed him towards the D'backs admin offices and called his name a few times. He did not turn around and went into the offices where I was out of luck.

Overall a good day, getting RJ would really have been icing on the cake.

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[mberger718]

Brewers at Angels, March 5th
Was hoping for big things today but it didn't turn out that way. Got to the stadium early and waited by the low fence in the parking lot that the players walk by to go to the practice fields. None of the big names went to the fields, they must have done BP inside the main stadium. Huston Street said he'd come back to sign but I went inside the stadium before he came back (if he did).
I waited down the right field line to get the big guys, but none of them came out until about 25 minutes before the game. Pujols did not stop, Trout stopped after he ran and stretched but only signed a few by the dugout. Freese signed a few on the way into the dugout as well. I got the manager to sign a ball, and called Matt Joyce over to sign my 8x10. He was very nice as he had been in Tampa and I chatted with him for a moment. I did get some nice photos during the game so I'll post a couple of those since the photos were the highlight.

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[awz50]

Awesome success so far great job!

[mberger718]

Giants at Rangers, Friday, March 6th
Went to Surprise Stadium today which is only 5 minutes from my brother's house (where I am staying).
I wanted to try and get autographs from some of the players from the Giants (Posey, Pence, etc.), maybe even a few Rangers on the practice field before the game. Darvish strained a muscle yesterday, and Pence broke his arm when hit by a pitch yesterday so those would not be possible.
Most of the main Giants guys didn't make the trip, I did get Brandon Crawford on a baseball, almost got Bruce Bochy but he did a few over the dugout and stopped.
My main goal today was Roberto Kelly, who I needed for my 1997 Fleer set. I waited the entire time on the inside corner of the dugout (closest to the on-deck circle) and called his name a few times (which he acknowledged and said he would sign in a little while). The team went into the clubhouse briefly and when they came back out I yelled out "Roberto, you promised me you would sign for me earlier". He walked over, signed my card, maybe 3 more then went into the dugout. This is #330/500 for my 1997 Fleer Set, I have gotten all cards signed in person.

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