DHL All Star Fan Fest

[Incident57]

Does not get any better than this.....

My family and I arrive around 11:30 this morning to the fan fest, the first set up we see is the XM Satellite booth where they are broadcasting.I notice that Cal Ripken Jr is there being interviewed, so we go and hang out to catch the last 20 minutes or so.
After the show ended there was a mad rush to get to him....He signed a few for some kids, seeing this i picked up my 6 year old daughter gave her an official ball.After he saw her he pointed, a gentleman took the ball handed it
to him and right on the sweet spot low and behold...Cal Ripken Jr.

[C&C Collecting]

Was the place a mob fest or was there access to other athletes? How would you rate your overall experience?

nice job on the Ripken!

[Johnny8242]

I went to get Cal's auto and he took the ball and tossed it about 50 foot away! What a jerk glad you had a good experience though. Should of brought my step brat , good for somethings eh?

[Incident57]

Was the place a mob fest or was there access to other athletes? How would you rate your overall experience?

nice job on the Ripken!

was not bad on the first level with the interactive games, etc.
second level with UD, Topps, booths, authos, etc. was extremely crowded.
Line was huge for auto's at the time i was there the only 2 signing was Rollie Fingers and Gaylord Perry - Did not bother as i wouldve been on line for a few hours

[JustinBerl]

I went Saturday, Today (Monday) and I'm going back on Tuesday also. Saturday I had a blast, I only was able to meet Harold Reynolds but I still had a lot of fun other wise; I picked up a few of the exclusive Fanfest McFarlane Jeter/Mattingly sets, I also bought some Topps packs and did the wrapper redemption program, I got the David Wright and Johan Santana cards from that and also Topps had these limited edition Final Season Patch Cards #ed out of 375 for both the Mets and Yankees. They had Mantle which was already sold out, Ruth, Gehrig and Munson I think for the Yankees and Wright, Reyes, Santana and Seaver for the Mets. Being a Mets fan I got all 4 of them and I also picked up a Munson since he is the only Yankee I like.

Today was a joke, I went over because David Ortiz was supposed to be doing a signing at 9am, at 8:30 with everyone standing outside in the rain they announce it has been cancelled which sucked. As soon as 9am hit and the doors opened I have never seen such shameful acts done by people before in my life, adults running almost bumping into kids to get upstairs to be 1st in line for the free autographs. It was almost like watching those videos of the Wedding Dress sales and how all the Brides to be just make a mad dash. Funny this is, I used to occasionally go with some friends who were big time hounds for NHL autographs in the late 90's on my days off from high school and stuff, it's pretty sad when the same adults who did back then (who were scummy back then) are still doing it today (and they are still scummy today). I'm not saying everyone who hounds are like these people but come on, almost knocking over little kids and fighting for position in line is a little much if you ask me. I really was ashamed to be a collector because of the way these people were acting, I would be ashamed also if I ever did that to someone and these guys just didn't care or bat an eye.

I went to get on the Autograph line for a shot at Tony Gwynn who was signing at Noon. Around 10am, they said the line was about 5-6hrs long (from the point where I was). I'm a big baseball fan and was hoping to meet Gary Carter today but I'm sorry but no for me personally is worth standing in line for 5-6hrs for and to top if off, you might not even get him because the line is so long.

I'm going to go back Tuesday because I have 1 ticket left and want to pick up a couple things for my Mets collection and stuff. I might try to get Andre Dawson on the autograph line if it isn't as insane as it was today. With it being the last day, not too many well known guys are signing so it might make it a little easier.

[Hanvth01]

at the all-star game got AROD on the sweet spot..totally worth tipping the guard 20 to sneak down!

[br.ett]

Awesome! Congratulations!!