Author: Kevin

A year or so ago I took a photo of Brent Burns at a Wild hockey game. It was one of my most favorite photos that show him following through on a shot as the goalie and three others look on. The shot was a goal.

I noticed that Brent was signing autographs at a local Davanni’s Pizza shop after work today so I brought a couple copies of the photo and a puck along to see how it would go. While I was standing in line, there was a family of four in front of me with a 1 1/2 to 2 year old son who was behaving absolutely incredible. Since I had two photos, I asked them if they had something for Brent to sign for the little guy. They did but when I offered the photo, they loved it and I gave them one. When we got to Brent, he looked at the photo and thought it was really cool and asked them where they got it. They said I gave it to them and he asked me where I got it. I told him I took it and if he wanted one, I would send it to the team to his attention. He really thought that was a cool photo.

I got a puck signed in silver and my photo signed in blue Sharpie. I plan on donating the photo to the Hoop-A-Thon silent auction. I will request a couple to be signed when I send him one. I will keep one and give one to some friends’ kids.

All in all it was a fun time and I do not even collect hockey!

What a great day for the mail today!

My friend Matt (also mentioned in the Iowa Cubs Fanfest posts) and his son went to the Chicago White Sox Soxfest last month and picked up some autographs for me. Added to my collection today are:
Minnie Minoso
Javier Vazquez
Jermaine Dye
Mark Buehrle
The Dye ball is a World Champion White Sox ball and all balls are signed on the sweet spot. AWESOME!

Also in the mail was a baseball from my friend Vince (mentioned in multiple posts). He got Jarrod Saltalamacchia to sign a ball for me! His last name has one letter more than mine. I had to look it over a couple times to make sure I spelled it right! The Salty ball is also blue ink sweet spot.

I am really lucky to have the friends I have! Thanks guys!

Ok. So this entry is not about the Boss, Bruce Springsteen, but rather Jay Bruce. Bruce is an up and coming stud outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds.

I was surprised today when I checked the mail and found my good friend Steve went to the Reds caravan and was able to get a baseball signed by Bruce for me. Steve and I have taken real good care of each other and our collections over the years but I think I really owe him now (as I probably did before receiving this ball)!

I am really excited to have a Jay Bruce ball in my collection!

Today was the final day of Twinsfest. I was planning on bringing the two kids but this morning Caden decided he wanted to stay home to play the Wii while Amy did homework. That left Cami and I to go and we had a lot of fun together.

It started with meeting up with my buddy Mike and his son Riley. We chatted for a little bit and then headed to a dealer who had a bunch of 1960’s baseball cards for $1 each. I bought 174 cards I needed. A lot were in real nice shape (vending condition)! Then it was off to the kids bouncy game area. Cami went through the TC Bear bouncy toy thing three times. After that she said she wanted to get an ice cream cone painted on her cheek at the face painting area. Then she said she was hungry so we got a couple hot dogs and pops. After eating I asked her if she wanted to get her pink pennant I got her at the Pro Shop signed by some of the players. She said she did and we headed to get Jesse Crain, Craig Monroe, Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins’ autographs. She got each of them on her pennant and Kevin even asked her if he could have some of her ice cream cone on her cheek! It was really neat to see Cami get her pennant signed and she said thank you to each one. The Twins photographer got a photo of Cami and I getting Kevin Slowey’s autograph. I do not look too hot but Cami does! Check it out here. I got some autographs as well of the guys. She had so much fun that she wanted to go on the other line to get Juan Berenguer, Jason Pridie, Darnell McDonald and Tommy Watkins on her pennant. Tommy Watkins asked her for some of her ice cream too just like Slowey. After that it was pretty much time go head home as we were both tired. On the way out, we saw Carl Pohlad (the Twins’ owner) being carted somewhere on the field. I told her who he was and she waved at him. The driver stopped the cart and Carl put his hand out to shake her hand. It was a cool moment as they shook hands.

Overall today I got (Cami got all on her pennant plus Jason Pridie & Darnell McDonald):
Jesse Crain- 2006 Topps
Craig Monroe- OMLB
Kevin Slowey- 2007 Topps ’52 Rookies x 2 (one personalized to Camden)
Glen Perkins- 2007 Topps ’52 Rookies & 2007 Allen & Ginter
Juan Berenguer- 1982 rookie card
Tommy Watkins- 2007 Topps ’52 Rookies x 2

It was a fun day but what made it better was spending time with my three year old daughter at the ballpark!