IP-Chicago and burbs:arfmax:2018

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Yesterday at lunchtime, I went to the grand opening of another gas station and convenience store in Glendale Heights, IL, where they had an appearance by current young White Sox third baseman/DH Matt Davidson. Mr. Davidson signed 9 cards for me, plus a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" promo card, for free, and there was also free hot dogs, t-shirts, chips, sodas, etc.

Photo of the Davidson autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5gd7jrrv.jpg


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Total IP autographs in 2018: 269

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Yesterday evening, I went tot he Kane County Cougars game in Geneva, IL, the single A team of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Prior to the game, I was able to get 1 autograph on a card from pitcher Abraham Almonte, Rafael Pujols, Mack Lemieux, Luis Castillo, and Tyler Keele, plus 1 autograph on a card from pitcher Cole Bartlett as well as his autograph on the front of the program, which had his photo on it. I also got 1 autograph on a card from infielder Ryan Dobson, 1 autograph on a card from infielder Ryan Grotjohn, 3 autographs on cards from catcher Tim Susnara, 2 autographs on cards from catcher Jose Herrera, 1 autograph on a card from outfielder Tra Holmes, 1 autograph on a card from infielder Yoel Yanqui, 2 autographs on cards from infielder Eudy Ramos, and 2 autographs on cards from infielder Yan Sanchez.
20 total.

Photo of the KCC pitchers autographs:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psx67mmqst.jpg

Photo of the KCC position players autographs:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psuqxlbbdv.jpg


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Total IP autographs in 2018: 289

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This afternoon, I went to an appearance by Team USA Olympic swimmer and multiple gold medalist Conor Dwyer at a local gym/club in Bannockburn, IL. There was a charitable donation request, which I gave, and when Mr. Dwyer came, he signed two cards for me, and he brought one of his gold medals, which was cool.

Photo of the Dwyer autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4fkjndrh.jpg

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Total IP autographs in 2018: 291

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This afternoon, I went to another Chicago Dogs game, as they close out the season, versus the Lincoln Saltdogs at Impact Field in Rosemont, IL. The game was supposed to be an evening game, but the Saturday evening game got postponed after the 1st inning, so it was a double-header. I went when the gates opened, and was able to 3 autographs on cards from former Boston Red Sox prospect Brandon Jacobs, 2 autographs on cards from former Kansas City Royals pitcher and the Saltdogs pitching coach Dan Reichert, 2 autos on cards from former Astros prospect Joe Bircher, 4 autographs on cards from former Washington Nationals pitcher Shairon Martis, and 4 autographs on cards from former Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays slugger Dan Johnson.

The game was weird, since it was a continuation of a suspended game from the night before, there was no national anthem, no shouting of play ball, no announcement of the starters, just all of a sudden the game started. There was also none of the between inning games and hoopla, for some reason, which was a pleasant surprise. I stayed until the 8th inning, and didn't stay for the 2nd game, where I assume that they would have done the anthem and all that pregame stuff.


Photo of the Lincoln Saltdogs autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psplcvj3yc.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autographs in 2018: 306

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This evening, I went to an appearance at an auto dealer in Racine, WI by Milwaukee Brewers reliever and 2018 All-Star Jeremy Jeffress. Mr. Jeffress signed 7 cards for me, and a promo 5x7, for free.

Photo of the Jeffress autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psshtcc8mu.jpg

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Total IP autographs in 2018: 314

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This evening, I went to an appearance at a bar in Rolling Meadows, IL, by former Chicago Bears wide receiver Dennis Gentry. Mr. Gentry walked around and stopped at every table to talk and sign autographs, and he signed 8 cards for me, for free.

Photo of the Gentry autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psa6lwitl3.jpg

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Total IP autographs in 2018: 322

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Two parter today, from the great state of Wisconsin. I drove towards Milwaukee this morning and stopped first in Mount Pleasant, WI, where there was an event featuring an appearance by former Wisconsin Badgers running back John Clay. Mr. Clay signed two cards, for free.

Photo of the Clay cards:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psmiqe1uen.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autographs in 2018: 314

[arfmax]

After getting John Clay, I traveled north past Milwaukee to Brookfield, IL, where there was a University of Wisconsin tailgating event at an outdoor mall, featuring autographs from former Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball. Mr. Ball signed 9 cards for me, and signed a Wisconsin mini helmet, and inscribed with his NCAA Record '83 touchdowns!', all for free.
There are a couple more of these tailgates later in the season, one with Travis Beckum, and the other with John Clay. I will try to get back for the Beckum one, since he is a former NY Giant, and won the Super Bowl with the Giants.

Photo of the Montee Ball autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3vsomwev.jpg

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Total IP autographs in 2018: 324

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Today, I drove to Griffith, Indiana, for an appearance at a bar by former Chicago Bear William "The Fridge" Perry. Mr. Perry had two previously scheduled signings this year, but cancelled both due to health issues. This signing was held on both Saturday and Sunday, and was a paid signing, but I saw a photo of Mr. Perry being picked up at the airport, and knew people who went Saturday. I paid for my autograph ticket on site, and had Mr. Perry sign a mini helmet. He signed with his name, number, and nickname. Long drive, but I don't know when he will be back around.

Photo of the Fridge auto:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psx2ykaedr.jpg

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Total IP autographs in 2018: 325

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Yesterday evening, I went to a liquor store in Bloomingdale, IL, for an appearance by former Chicago Bears guard Mark Bortz. This is the first time I have seen a free Bortz signing, so I was excited to get a player I haven't gotten before, and Mr. Bortz signed everything put in front of him. I got 8 cards signed, for free, and he was super friendly, chatting, telling stories, discussing fishing, whatever.

Photo of the Bortz autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psyp6knnxv.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autographs in 2018: 333