IP-Chicago and burbs:arfmax:2017

[arfmax]

Day 3 of the National is over. Today, the VIP autograph signers were Rico Petrocelli, Steve Traschel, Vern Law, George Rogers, and Gary Beban. I was able to get 1 card signed by Petrocelli, 1 card signed by George Rogers (inscribed 1980 Heisman), 1 card signed by Vern Law (inscribed CY 1960), and 1 card and 1 8x10 signed by former Cubs pitcher Steve Traschel. I did not get an auto from Beban, I got him at the National two years ago, and so I traded that ticket away.

Photo of the cards and 8x10:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psa1qgekvu.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2017: 326

[arfmax]

On Day 4 of the National, with my Super VIP pass, I was able to get two autos on cards from former pitcher Ron Davis, 2 autos on cards from 1979 Heisman Trophy winner Charles White, 2 autographs on cards from former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, and a University of Wisconsin mini helmet signed by Dayne, which he inscribed with 99, as well as CHOF13 (which translates to College Football Hall of Fame 2013). Dayne was not happy to be there, it seemed.
I skipped Steve Trout, as I have gotten him more than once in the Chicagoland area.

Photo of the Day 4 VIP autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psuemx4is2.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2017: 333

[rtsjr]

On Day 4 of the National, with my Super VIP pass, I was able to get two autos on cards from former pitcher Ron Davis, 2 autos on cards from 1979 Heisman Trophy winner Charles White, 2 autographs on cards from former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, and a University of Wisconsin mini helmet signed by Dayne, which he inscribed with 99, as well as CHOF13 (which translates to College Football Hall of Fame 2013). Dayne was not happy to be there, it seemed.
I skipped Steve Trout, as I have gotten him more than once in the Chicagoland area.

Photo of the Day 4 VIP autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psuemx4is2.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2017: 333

rember dayne when with giants did not like to sign real jerk. best story have of him working where camp was got in a fight with another player in parking lot fastest he ever moved

[arfmax]

On Day 5 of the National, with my Super VIP pass, the VIP guests were Super Bowl XX Champion Mike Hartenstine, Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier, former MLB speedster Ron LeFlore, and former co-Rookie of the Year Pat Zachry. The last day is interesting, as many people have already left town, and so the autograph tickets for the day are much easier to come by, as people are giving them away. I was able to get 2 cards signed by Pat Zachry (inscribed 1976 Co-ROY), 2 cards signed by Hartenstine (inscribed SBXX Champ), 4 cards signed by Rozier (2 inscribed Heisman 1983, and 3 cards (1 inscribed 76 All-Star) and 1 8x10 (inscribed 2x SB Champ) signed by LeFlore.

Photo of the Day 5 VIP autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psrsjaae0x.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2017: 345

[arfmax]

This evening, I went to the Milwaukee Brewers game at Miller Park with my family. A friend of my wife works for the Brewers, and we were able to get free seats, and these seats were 4 rows back on the first base side, a little past first. Probably the closest I have ever been to an MLB game. Anyway, before the game, some of the starters came out and stretched, and while most ignored the kids calling their names, Eric Thames walked over and signed for about 10 people before he had to run to the dugout, and I was able to get him on a non-prepped Topps card, using a Staedler. Would've preferred a prepped card with a Sharpie, but I have been swamped all week, and didn't know I would be that close to the field until this morning.

Anyway, photo of the Thames auto:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pse3spj03i.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2017: 346

[arfmax]

Last night, I went to the Kane County Cougars (AZ Diamondbacks Single A) game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers Single A) in Geneva, IL. I went to the visitors side first, and was able to get 2 autos on cards from Brewers outfield prospect Demi Orimoloye. I then headed back to the Cougars side, and was able to get 2 autos on cards from pitching coach Rich Sauveur, 2 autos on cards from pitcher Mitch Aker, 2 autos on cards from starting pitcher Riley Smith, 1 auto on a card from pitcher Junior Garcia, 2 autos on cards from pitcher Tyler Mark, 1 auto on a card from outfielder Stephen Smith, 2 autos on cards from outfielder Luis Silverio, 2 autos on cards from outfielder Marcus Wilson, 3 autos on cards from outfielder Anfernee Grier, 3 autos on cards from infielder Manny Jefferson, and then after the game, the team has a player signing autographs in the team store, and I got 3 autos on cards from from 1st baseman Ramon Hernandez. 25 total cards signed for the evening.

Photo of the Kane County Cougars position players autographs:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pssyeg0riy.jpg

Photo of the Kane County Cougars pitchers and Demi Orimoloye autographs:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psyio8ncvq.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2017: 371

[arfmax]

Today, I went to a youth hockey tournament in Northbrook, IL, that was sponsored by current Colorado Avalanche, and Northbrook native and former University of Michigan captain JT Compher. The event was designed to raise money for charity, and also had an autograph session from current Chicago Blackhawks Vinnie Hinostroza and Ryan Hartman, along with current Winnipeg Jets center Andrew Copp, who went to University of Michigan. For a small donation, I was able to get three autos on cards from Mr. Hartman, 3 autos on cards from Mr. Hinostroza, 3 autos on cards from Mr. Copp, and also 1 autograph on an 8 1/2 x 11 promo by JT Compher, and 1 autograph on a 8 1/2 x 11 promo by gold medal winner Jessie Compher, his sister.

Photo of the autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pslecaeyai.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2017: 382

[arfmax]

Took a trip today to a local hockey tournament in Rolling Meadows, IL, where they had former Chicago Blackhawks Cliff Koroll and Grant Mulvey signing autographs. I was able to get two cards signed by Mr. Koroll, and 3 cards signed by Mr. Mulvey (I had two, but the guy running the event gave me a Blackhawks Grant Mulvey playing card), all for free.

Photo of the Koroll and Mulvey autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psemyzzeqf.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2017: 387

[arfmax]

Yesterday, I went to the Chicago White Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays game, as it was Mark Buehrle bobblehead night, and prior to the game, I was able to get a handful of White Sox autos. I got an auto on a generic card from catcher Rob Brantly, 2 autos on cards from infielder Yolmer Carlos Sanchez, and then injured rookie Nicky Delmonico came out and started signing. I had a USA Baseball card of him and asked him to sign, using my Staedler pen, but unfortunately, it really didn't come out, which was surprising. I then grabbed a ball that I had, which has lived in my car for 8 years, and had him sign the ball. He signed it great, but it was a Selig ball, and it seems to have some stains on it. Oh well, still looks nice.

Photo of the White Sox autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psa8hnrf0c.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2017: 392

[arfmax]

Last night, I went to the Kane County Cougars (AZ Diamondbacks Single A) game against the Peoria Chiefs (STL Cardinals Single A) in Geneva, IL. On Sundays, the Cougars have the whole team out for pregame autographs, so I was able to get 1 autograph on a card from pitcher Riley Smith, 3 autographs on cards from pitcher Jake Winston, 2 autographs on cards from pitcher Sam McWilliams, 1 autograph on a card from pitcher Anfernee Benitez, 1 autograph on a card from pitcher Mack Lemieux, and after the game in the team store, 4 autographs on cards from pitcher Tyler Mark. I also got an game-used Midwest League ball signed by pitcher Connor Grey, who on 01-Sep-2017 pitcher a perfect game, which he inscribed. I also got 3 autographs on cards from catcher Jose Herrera, 4 autographs on cards from catcher Alexis Olmeda, 2 autographs on cards from outfielder Anfernee Grier, 1 autograph on a card from outfielder Marcus Wilson, and 1 autograph on a card from outfielder Connor Owings.

I then went to the visitors side, and was able to get 2 autographs on cards from Cardinals outfield prospect Nick Plummer, and 1 autograph on a card from outfielder prospect Dylan Carlson.


Photo of the Kane County Cougars pitchers autographs:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psuw6jcrpb.jpg

Photo of the Kane County Cougars position players autographs:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pswifvfpxn.jpg

Photo of the Peoria Chiefs autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psa2mnufg2.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autos in 2017: 419