Fan HQ had a signing with Mitch Garver last weekend. We were unable to make it there but they accepted mail order so I sent in four things to get signed.
Two were tickets which Mitch inscribed “ML Debut” and “1st RBI” on each respective ticket. The other two were photos that Cami took while at a game earlier this summer. I showed her the photos and she was caught off guard because she did not know I was going to send them in. She was really excited and they look great. Fan HQ does a fantastic job with signing events and this was no exception!
Category: Cami
The Buck Stopped Here
Byron Buxton made an appearance today at the grand opening of Tria in Woodbury. Since it was so close I decided to go there with the kids. We got there around 10am which was about a half hour before he was to start signing. We were told we were somewhere in the 200 range of people lined up. The line went really slow but it was because they took photos of each person with Byron before he signed their autographs. It was quite unique how they did it and I thought it was cool. We got up to Byron around 11am and Cami went first for her photo. Caden and I then joined her and we got a photo of the four of us. Byron then signed a card for Caden and a pair of photos for Cami and I. Cami and I then left and Caden stayed back with a couple of his buddies as they were going to the Twins parking lot for pregame and then go to the game. Cami and I went home for a little bit and then headed to the Twins game. We ran in to Caden and his buddies in the Metropolitan Club and Caden said he got Jason Castro and Bartolo Colon as they entered the parking lot. Pretty fun day for all of us!
A Fair Time
Today was the first day of the MN State Fair for me. I took the kids along and we had a good time. It worked out that Byron Buxton and Eddie Rosario were there and we got a few autographs from both of them. The kids got me a couple cards I needed as well as items for their own collections. The cards I ended up with were:
Byron Buxton- 2017 Topps Now Road To Opening Day
Byron Buxton- 2017 Topps Now 08.18.2017 13.85 Seconds Inside the Park HR
Byron Buxton- 2017 Allen & Ginter #33
Byron Buxton- 2017 Topps #590- Triplet of Twins card that was already signed by Eduardo Escobar (now it just needs Sano)
Eddie Rosario- 2017 Topps Now Road To Opening Day
Eddie Rosario- 2017 Topps Now 06.13.2017- 3 HR Game
Eddie Rosario- 2017 Topps Now 06.13.2017- Franchise Record 28 Hits
Eddie Rosario- 2017 Topps Heritage #80
Eddie Rosario- 2017 Topps #304- Team card already signed by Eduardo Escobar
Cami got a couple photos signed by Buxton and Caden got a Buxton card for his collection.
We all had a great day at the Fair but to get to meet Twins players makes it so much more fun!
Some Sweet Music!
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.
