This is really a stretch on the autograph part but a memory I have to share. I was able to experience one of the coolest things in my life today.
Being a season ticket holder for the Twins, I was offered the opportunity to arrive at the ballpark before the gates opened this morning and have a photo taken with Frank Viola and the 1987 World Championship trophy. Frankie V was one of my favorite players on that 87 team so I thought it would be neat to do. We got to the ballpark about a half hour before the gates opened and got to the Metropolitan Club where Frank and the trophy awaited. There was nobody in line so we went right up and Cami got a photo with her little Poloroid like camera of her and Frank and the trophy. Then the other three of us went up and got our picture. There was nobody in line behind us so I asked Frank to show Caden his change up grip. This started one of the coolest experiences I have had related to baseball. Frank said “So you want me to give up the trade secrets huh?” and smiled. He asked if we had a baseball so I quickly grabbed one and gave it to him. He asked Caden to show him his 2 seam and 4 seam fastballs and then his change up grip. Frank had an amazing change up back in the day so to hear about throwing a change up from a “master” was neat. While Caden’s grip was right, his finger placement on the laces was not so Frank told him where to place his fingers on the laces as well as which finger to apply pressure when he threw it. He told him that when he practices throwing the change up, he should do a crow hop because it helps with the follow through and the chance up is all about the follow through. By this time there were a couple people behind us so we moved along.
We sat in the Metro Club and ordered some food. While there, Cami noticed that there was not a line and she wanted to get her Poloroid photo signed so she went back to him and he commented “Did we just take this photo?” and signed it. Cami was pumped. On the way out, Frank went out of his way to tell Caden good luck.
That was absolutely awesome and is giving me goosebumps recollecting the moment while I type this. Frank was so cool and took the time.
We got to our seats and since it was Military Appreciation Day, the Twins rolled out the big flag and there was even a flyover by a couple helicopters. The Twins lost but that is just a small footnote to this amazing day.
Category: Caden
2017 Spring Training- Nationals Day
Today was our fourth and final baseball game of the trip. We got to the new ballpark of the Nationals and Astros to watch the Twins play against the Nats. We did not know what to expect but we knew that we would have to get there early to see the ballpark and try for autographs. When we got to the complex, the Nationals pitchers were working out on the first field we say. When they were done, they walked right by all of us as they went to the mounds to throw their bullpens. I was after Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer but neither stopped. Caden had a couple wants but those guys did not stop either. I showed Cami that he spring training passport had a section at the end for autographs so she took that and got about 20 autographs on it. She was going up to any player who would stop to get them to sign her book. She was so excited and had so much fun. She does not know who any of them are (we will have to research) but her page is full of autographs. For the second game in a row we got to see the Budweiser Clydesdales gallop around the warning track too. That was neat. Oh, and the Twins ended up winning 4-2 so it was an all around great day!
2017 Spring Training- Cardinals Day
Today was our first game in West Palm Beach. We went to Roger Dean Stadium to see the Cardinals play the Washington Nationals. I bought the early admission in hopes we would see the Nationals in batting practice and try to get Bryce Harper’s autograph. As it turned out, he did not even make the trip across town. I decided to sit in the shade while Caden and Cami sat along the first base line for the Cardinal players to stop and sign autographs. A number of players stopped but they did not have cards for all of them. Cami got a photo with former Twin Jordan Schafer. Cami ended up without an autograph but Caden was able to get Matt Adams on a Gypsy Queen card. Caden loves the Gypsy Queen design and was really excited getting Matt to sign his card. One of the players tossed Cami a baseball that had the FL Spring Training 2017 logo on it. The Cardinals ended up tying the Nationals 1-1 but we had a real nice time at the ballpark.
2017 Spring Training- Twins Day
Our Spring Training vacation started with me being sick. I ended up at Urgent Care and found out I had the flu and a 102 degree temp. After one Tamiflu pill, I was feeling much better. We were able to get to the Twins game today showing up for the practice field action by 10am. It was so relaxing to watch something so mundane as Pitchers Fielding Practice in the warm Florida sun. Cami, Caden, and I picked a spot near the fence where the players walk by and hoped some players would stop to sign.
We were rewarded pretty quick when Jose Berrios stopped by and signed a card for each of the three of us. I got a 2017 Topps card signed. About the same time we got Berrios, we saw Ryan O’Rourke signing at the other end of the fence so Cami and I went there and got our 2016 Topps Heritage cards signed. We waited around a little longer and most players were inside the locker room or the main stadium getting ready for the game. Before running in, someone asked Byron Buxton if he would sign and he said he would later. Typically players say that but don’t follow up. Caden was ready to go inside and try for some Pittsburgh Pirate players and I asked Cami if she wanted to go inside or wait. She said that Buxton said he would sign so we are going to wait. About ten minutes later, Buxton came through the batting cage area and told someone to hand him the bat over the fence in the batting cage area. The fence is about eight feet all on top of a couple fee of cement. Byron and the other person stood up on the concrete and the bat was passed to Byron and he signed it and gave it back to the person. He then jumped up, as did I with my book of two cards, but I could not get it over the fence because my foot kept slipping off the thin concrete part. Just then I heard “Young man. What are you doing?” It was Torii Hunter telling Byron that he never wants to see him do that again because he could strain an oblique muscle and be out for a while. I told Byron that I appreciated his efforts but did not want to get him in trouble with Torii. He said “Nah. It’s all good. Let’s go down a few feet and there is an opening and you can pass it to me there.” So we went to where there was an opening in the fence and I slid my book through. He signed both cards for me and then he took Cami’s book and signed all three cards for her. We thanked him and watched him get busy in the cage with Torii. I thought about how Kirby worked with Torii when Torii was a rookie and thought that Puck’s legacy continued through Torii. It was really cool that Buxton went out of his way to sign for Cami and I. We watched the Twins game and had a blast. They ended up losing to the Pirates but we could not complain. The weather was fantastic and it was great seeing Twins baseball in person again.