IP-Chicago burbs

[arfmax]

Today I got Chicago Bulls guard Keith Bogans, 4 cards signed (in Magic uniform) and 2 8x10's (in Bulls uniform) signed for free, at an appearance in Vernon Hills, IL. Actually, I didn't get there in time, but my wife and kids waited in line and got them for me! I am so appreciative!

Photo of two of the Bogans signed cards in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...s24jun2011.jpg

-arfmax

[arfmax]

Today, I went to the Lake County Fielders game against the Yuma Scorpions. I went to get 5 players on the visiting Scorpions, including their manager, Jose Canseco, who I needed for my 1987 Topps set. Unfortunately, the Scorpions didn't show up to the park at first, and the game was almost cancelled, and the Scorpions needed to be cajoled into coming to the park late, delaying the game by 30 minutes, and skipping batting practice. To top it off, their manager, Jose Canseco, did NOT show up at all. No idea where he was. He was at the game yesterday, so I don't know why he wasn't there, but I was ticked. I also missed out on former Phillies prospect Carlos Leon, who warmed up in the outfield away from the fence the entire time, and came to the dugout right at the National Anthem, so he couldn't sign.

Anyway, I got former New York Yankees pitcher Chris Britton, 2 cards signed, former Kansas City Royals outfielder Joey Gathright, 2 cards signed, and Jose's twin brother Ozzie Canseco, 3 cards signed.

Photo of the Britton signed cards in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...n07jul2011.jpg

Photo of the Gathright signed cards in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...t07jul2011.jpg

Photo of 2 of the Ozzie Canseco signed cards in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...o07jul2011.jpg

-arfmax

[arfmax]

Today I got former Chicago Bulls center/forward, winner of three Championships with the Bulls, and current Bulls TV commentator Stacey King, 2 cards signed and one 6x9 photo signed for free, at an appearance in Orland Park, IL.

Photo of the two signed King cards in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...g31jul2011.jpg

-arfmax

[arfmax]

Today, I got one of my greatest successes, 6-time World Champion, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame twice (Dream Team and 2010), Olympic Gold Medalist, one of the 50 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time, former Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen, one card signed, for free at an appearance in Orland Park, IL.

Photo of the signed Pippen card in photobucket, and he added HOF to it (you had to ask, he doesn't do it automatically):
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...n31jul2011.jpg
A crummy cell phone picture of him at the signing:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...max/pippen.jpg

-arfmax

[arfmax]

Yesterday I got Chicago Bears legend and NFL Hall of Fame member, D**k Butkus, 2 cards, 1 McFarlane base, and one mini football signed, for free, at an appearance in Vernon Hills, IL.

Photo of the signed cards in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...s01aug2011.jpg

Photo of the signed mini football:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ug2011mini.jpg

The McFarlane base did not come out like I hopes, I had him sign in a gold paint pen on the green grassy surface, and it just doesn't look great. Oh well.

-arfmax

[arfmax]

On Thursday at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Rosemont, IL, I got the autograph of former St. Louis Cardinal Jack Clark, 1 card signed, for a fee, and he included 4x All-Star and "The Ripper".

Photo of the signed Jack Clark card in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...k04aug2011.jpg

I also got US Olympian, long jump Gold Medalist, Bob Beamon, 1 card signed, for a small fee.
Photo of the signed Bob Beamon card in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...n04aug2011.jpg

-arfmax

[LakersMC]

That Jack Clark looks pretty sweet. How were the lines for the paid sigs at the National?

Oh, and nice job on Pip from 31-Jul-2011. I missed that post of yours.

[arfmax]

The lines were long and slow at the National for those guests who were chatty. I waited an hour 15 for Jack Clark, which I thought was a bit much, especially as I had a ticket number below 15. But they take VIPs, super-VIPs, all-access VIPs, and 5 other types before ticketed shmoes like me. Other lines were moving much quicker, as I don't think the guest was talking to the fans. Clark was very friendly.

Thanks on the Pippen, the last time he did a free one, he would only sign a photo card from the store, so I wasn't expecting much, but he signed anything handed to him. If I can get to another one, I am getting an 8x10 or ball signed!

[arfmax]

Today I got current Chicago White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers, 3 cards signed for free, at an appearance in Brookfield, IL.

I also got current Chicago White Sox rookie pitcher Zach Stewart, 2 8x10's signed for free, at the same appearance in Brookfield, IL

Photo of the three signed Flowers cards in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...s13aug2011.jpg

Photo of one of the 8x10's of Stewart in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...t13aug2011.jpg

-arfmax

[arfmax]

Yesterday I got current Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, 1 OMLB and 1 Sports Illustrated cover from his perfect game signed, signed for free, at an appearance in Chicago, IL.

Photo of the signed Buehrle ball in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ug2011ball.jpg

Photo of the signed Sports Illustrated cover in photobucket:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...9aug2011si.jpg

-arfmax