IP-Chicago and burbs:arfmax:2022

[arfmax]

yesterday, I went to the Kane County Cougars versus the Lake Country DockHounds game in Geneva, IL. The Cougars have become a pain to graph in recent years, as they have installed thick netting, and the players have to duck under the netting in one small spot where the grounds crew keeps their equipment in order to sign. However, they announced that for Sunday's Family Fun game, the whole team would be on the field to sign autographs. So, I was thrilled to get three cards signed by current Cougars manager and former Twins pitcher George Tsamis, 5 cards signed by former Boston Red Sox outfielder Bryce Brentz, 3 cards signed by former Phillies prospect Cornelius Randolph, 7 cards signed by former Phillies pitcher Vance Worley, 2 cards signed by former Washington Nationals 2nd baseman Steve Lombardozzi, and 2 cards by former Pirates prospect Dylan Busby. Someone asked Worley to sign a Twins card, and he did, but crossed out the Twins name, logo on the uniform and hat, and logo on the card, as he apparently has a huge beef with the Twins.

After the Cougars, I went to the visitors, and was able to get 5 cards signed by former Milwaukee Brewers catcher David Nilsson, who is a coach for the DockHounds.

Photo of the KCC autos:



Photo of the David Nilsson autos:




Total IP autos in 2022: 86

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[arfmax]

Yesterday, I went to the Kane County Cougars versus the Chicago Dogs game at Impact Field in Rosemont, IL. The Dogs were doing Family Sunday, where the whole team comes out, so I figured I would get all of my Dogs cards done. I was able to get 4 cards signed of former MLB player and current Dogs manager Butch Hobson, 3 cards signed from former MLB pitcher and current Dogs pitching coach Stew (Stu/Stewart) Cliburn, 2 cards signed by former Cardinals prospect Charlie Tilson, 4 cards signed by former Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Ryan Clark, and 2 cards signed by former Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Anfernee Grier. Michael Bowden is on the team, but inactive, and wasn't there. I then went to the visiting side, and got 3 cards signed by Cougars infielder Galli Cribbs Jr, 1 card signed by Cougars catcher B.J. Lopez, 2 cards signed by former Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles 2nd baseman Steve Lombardozzi.

Photo of the Cougars autos:



Photo of the Dogs autos:




Total IP autos in 2022: 107

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[arfmax]

On Saturday, I went to the American Association game between the Kansas City Monarchs at the Chicago Dogs. From the Monarchs, I was able to get 4 cards signed by former St. Louis Cardinals/Nationals/Braves slugger Matt Adams, 1 card signed by Willie Abreu, 1 card signed by former Tampa Bay prospect Casey Gillaspie, 2 cards signed by former Phillies outfielder Darnell Sweeney, 2 cards signed from former Yankees pitching prospect Jacob Lindgren, 2 cards signed by former Mets prospect David Thompson, and 3 cards signed by former Minnesota Twins pitcher Lewis Thorpe. Former St. Louis Cardinals infielder Pete Kozma is on the roster, but he would not sign for anyone. Former MLB pitcher Mike Henneman is the pitching coach, but he does not travel with the team, which I didn't know. Former Kansas City Royals star Frank White is a coach, but he doesn't travel with the team, which I already knew from years past. Glad to get the Adams signature, wish Kozma would have signed at least one, but oh well.

Photo of the Monarchs autos:



Total IP autos in 2022: 122

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[doniceage]

Thanks for sharing.

Don

[automaster]

Kozma has never been a good signer, in my experience

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The Chicago Wolves won the Calder Trophy in the AHL, and they held a celebration on Tuesday at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, which is where Game 7 would have been if needed. The players and coaches were introduced on the ice, and then they had a bunch of interviews, and then at about 6:05 pm, they left to sign autographs. The autographs were at tables around the building, 4 or so players at a table. I went right out to the first table, and was able to get two autographs on team set cards from defenseman Jesper Sellgren and 2 autographs on team set cards from goalie Jack LaFontaine. Went to the next table and it was a line halfway around the building for 5 players. I was with a friend, and he wanted to get the coaches autographs, and they were at their own table, with only a few people in line, so I got two team set cards signed by head coach Ryan Warsofsky, 2 team set cards signed by assistant coach Bob Nardella, and 2 team set cards signed by assistant coach Patrick Dwyer. Then, went back to the 5 man table, as I had team set cards for 4 of the guys. However, after waiting in line for awhile, they announced that the players were leaving at 7 pm, and had somewhere to be, and would not sign after that, so the line was cut off about 10 people before me. Figured there might be a chance, so waited on line, but after 7, a couple of players came by, and I was able to get 2 team set cards signed by right wing Ivan Lodnia. Finally, the 5 players at the table were escorted away, but I kind of cornered goalie Pyotr Kochetkov, and he signed 2 team set cards for me. So they had the players out for about 45 minutes, and a ton of people. It was pretty foolish, especially as it was supposed to be a championship celebration, and they left bad tastes in a lot of people's mouths, as there were a lot of disappointed kids. Personally, I wanted to get the players that I had Young Guns cards for like Jalen Chatfield or Andrew Poturalski, or former NJ Devils like Stefan Noesen and Josh Jacobs, but you didn't know in advance where to go, and I didn't think it would be over so quickly and so many people would be in line. Oh well. Still happy to get a couple players and coaches autos.

Photo of the Wolves autos:



Total IP autos in 2022: 136

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[arfmax]

On Saturday, I went to a new card show, which had two free autograph guests, and 3 paid autograph guests, along with free admission and free parking in Rosemont, IL. I was able to get 4 cards signed for free of former Chicago Bears safety Gary Fencik, and 3 cards signed for free from former Chicago Bears safety Doug Plank. Both were very personable and generous!

Photo of the Fencik and Plank autos:



Total IP autos in 2022: 143

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[arfmax]

Yesterday, went to Wrestling Night at the Schaumburg Boomers game. Originally, they were supposed to have Kurt Angle, but he cancelled due to injury 2 weeks ago, so instead, they got former WWE wrestler Braun Stroman. I was able to get one autograph from Braun for a small fee. He chatted with everyone, was very kid-friendly, he couldn't have been any nicer.

Photo of the Braun auto:




Total IP autos in 2022: 144

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[doniceage]

Thanks for sharing and nice auto of Braun.

DON

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Saturday evening, I went to the Kenosha Kingfish Legends Softball game in Kenosha, WI. They had a similar event last year which was a bit chaotic, but got tons of autos from lots of guys. This year, they announces a total of 9 legends, which included Youtube star Tristan Jass, former Wisconsin basketball player Travon Hughes, two current Packers AJ Dillon and Jordan Love, who they stated upfront would do pictures only and no autographs, and a handful of former Packers. I was surprised that they didn't have a single former Brewers player, or even former Kenosha baseball players. Anyway, this year, they advertised a meet and greet starting at 6, and the game starting at 7, whereas last year, it was a free for all. I got there early and was near the front of the line. They put each of the players at separate tables on the concourse, but that meant that the guy at the end was doing nothing for awhile. Most players would only sign one card. Gilbert Brown picked one and signed it, and then said I am only allowed to sign one, and I said, well, I wish you had told me that first, as I would have picked a different card. So, he signed the other one that I wanted (Super Bowl Champions card). I ended up with 2 signed cards from Gilbert Brown, 1 signed card from Ahman Green (who asked me which one to sign), 1 signed card from Dorsey Levens (who asked me which one to sign), 2 signed cards from George Teague (who asked me to pick the ones he should sign), 1 signed Wisconsin logo card from Travon Hughes, and 6 cards signed by Eugene Robinson, who didn't get the "1 card only" memo. The signing started late, and there is no way that they got through the huge line, so I'm sure a lot were disappointed.

Photo of the autos:



Total IP autos in 2022: 157

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