Author: Kevin

You Make the Call!

As part of my updated blog, I am going to include some of the other items I receive through  the mail or in trade or purchase instead of just getting in person. I think the in person events will still be the most fun but it might be neat to follow the other additions to the collection as well.

Today I received a couple neat baseballs in the mail. I received a baseball signed by Murray Chass with “2003 HOF- JG Taylor Spink Award”. The Taylor Spink award is given each year to an exceptional baseball writer.  It is much like the more well known Ford Frick award given to a baseball broadcaster. That is a nice addition to my collection.

I also received a neat Call Ball today. In discussing my latest endeavor, The Call Ball Collection, my friend Rob M mentioned it would be neat to get the radio call of Joe Castiglione calling the final out of the 2004 World Series when the Red Sox finally won one. Joe is the Red Sox radio broadcaster on WEEI. I sent a ball to him and he wrote his call on it and included a nice note that the money I sent will be donated to the “Labels
Are For Jars” organization in Lawrence, MA who feed the hungry. That was really cool!

Joe Mauer

Eight months or so ago Cami asked me to draw her a picture of something.  She is really artsy and wanted me to draw a picture and she would draw her own version while looking at the one I drew.  We talked about what to draw and decided on Joe Mauer catching.  I wish I still had a picture of it because I thought it was a pretty good representation of Joe catching.  Anyway, she had it a couple days and came up to me with it and begged me to send it to him.  I told her I would not and she should keep it.  She insisted so I caved.  She wrote a little note that said “Joe, you are my favorite player. blah blah blah.”  (Sorry Jason, out of sight out of mind I guess!).  I do not remember the exact note but you get the idea.  I dropped the note in the mail in care of the Twins just to get her to quit bugging me about it.

You would never believe what showed up today.  Yep!  An envelope address to Cami from J Mauer!  I got the mail and was smiling from ear to ear as I showed Amy the envelope.  I walked into the house and could tell Cami was tired from getting up early this morning for her softball game (they won) and after getting to bed late last night after her dance recital.  I told her she got some mail and handed her the envelope.  She saw it was typed to her from J Mauer.  She smiled.  I asked her if she remembered the drawing of Joe she made and mailed to him a while ago.  She did and opened the envelope.  Inside was a postcard and the back was a typed note.  It was VERY specific to thanking her for the picture she drew and how he liked it.  It was signed ‘Joe’.  Don’t know if it was really signed by him or not but it really did not matter.  In Cami’s eyes it was the coolest thing in the world.  She got mail from Joe Mauer!  Joe Mauer got her drawing and note!  She always cheers a little louder for Joe when he comes to the plate than she does for the others.  I have a feeling the next time will be a little bit louder and sweeter!  It was even mailed on their postage as we did not send an sase or anything.  “Well played Mauer!”

Thanks Joe for making Cami’s day!

Yet Another Kids’ Day Autograph Session

The kids’ autograph session today was Darin Mastroianni and Liam Hendriks.  Since Cami wanted both autographs, I was just along for the ride.  I did tell Cami though that she should say “Thanks mate!” to Liam because he is an Aussie.  Darin signed her baseball first and then she handed it to Liam.  I had not paid any attention to who Cami had on her ball but apparently she already had Liam on it.  When she handed it to Liam he said “Looks like I already marked this one up!” in his Australian accent.  Cami went “Oh!  Thanks mate!” which had the security guy standing next to him and Liam himself laughing.  It was pretty funny.

Another Kids’ Day Autograph Session

Today’s kids’ autograph session has Jeff Manship and Scott Diamond signing.  When Cami and I got to the ballpark we went to get in line and I was nearly tackled by Rick who was there with Nick, Abby and Tami waiting in line.  We stayed in line with them so we could chat to kill the time.  I tried to talk Cami in to getting a 2012 Topps Heritage team card signed by them but she wanted her ball signed.  Tami volunteered Abby to get it signed for me since she did not want anything signed.  Abby was nice enough to get my card signed by both players.  Thanks Abby!  Cami got her team ball signed too.