Twinsfest 2010- Day 2

Today was going to be the day that was either going to make the weekend a total and complete success or make it so-so.  I was fortunate to have two of my buddies coming to the weekend with me and they offered to help me out if they did not need anyone at a station.  The two guys did much more than that for me.  They were awesome!  A HUGE thanks to Shane and Russ for all they did with and for me today.
The three of us met at the Metrodome around 9:45am.  We decided to go and before waiting in the Cuddyer/Baker line that was going to start at 11am, we headed down to the field level.  I got my 1965 Pitching Leaders card signed by Mudcat Grant who was still at Fergie Jenkins’ booth.  After than I went through the future stars line and got Joe Benson, Anthony Slama and Chris Parmelee each on a baseball.  Parmelee signed with 2006 First Round Pick too.  I got back up to the Cuddyer/Baker line and waited.  When it was time to go in, I got Cuddy on my 02 future stars card that was already signed by Michael Restovich and an extra Scott Baker card signed.  Russ and Shane each got me another Cuddyer card signed and Russ got me another Baker card.  It was then back to the same line and wait a couple hours for the Gardenhire/Pavano line.  While waiting, I headed down and got Tim Laudner on two cards.  He finished the card already signed by Hrbek and Faedo so that one is done!  I picked up a Jeff Manship card and got him to sign that at the same table.  I then went back up to wait for Gardy and Pavano.  Russ when down to get a JJ Hardy ball signed and while there, got me a Liriano card and a Perkins card signed as they were at the same table as Hardy and he did not have anything for them.  I was able to get Gardenhire on my “Metrodome Lasts” baseball and Shane and Russ each got me a team card signed by him.  I got Pavano on a baseball (as did Russ and Shane) and while I was waiting, a gentleman asked me something about how it worked.  It ended up that he did not have anything for Pavano so I offered him half the cost of the table for him to get me a card.  He was pleased to do that and as we were talking, he showed me a plaque he had with Gardy on it.  He asked me what kind of pen I thought he should use.  I gave him a brand new silver paint pen because it was really the only pen to get it signed with after looking at it.  He proudly showed me the photo after Gardy signed it with the pen and it looked awesome.  He was really happy with how it turned out and I was glad to lend him a hand.  We decided to then get 2009 first round pick Kyle Gibson in the futures line.  It was really long so Russ waited in line for us while Shane and I headed through the Leius/Swarzak/Ullger line.  Once we got there, it turned out that Swarzak was not there but Corey Koskie took his place.  That was cool because I needed Koskie on some cards for my Twins project.  Shane and I each took two cards of Leius and Koskie and each signed all of them.  We then headed back to Russ and went through that line.  I got Ben Revere with 2007 first round draft pick, Kyle Gibson with 2009 first round draft pick and Russ and Shane each got me a Steve Tolleson card signed.  Russ headed back into the futures line and I scooted to the Stigman/Castino/Goltz line.  I got Dave Goltz on my last card I needed of him.  He signed his 1977 Victory Leaders card.  He commented that he had not seen that one in a while.  I then got Dick Stigman to sign the 1963 Strikeout Leaders card that I already had signed by Camilo Pascual.  Finally I got John Castino on his rookie card.  He offered to put 79 AL ROY on it and did.  That was a nice touch.  I then headed back and met Russ and Shane in the futures line.  Shane headed to get Pat Neshek for himself on a photo and got John Rauch for me on the “Game 163 Celebration” photo.  He commented to Shane on what a cool photo that was.  In the futures line, I got Aaron Hicks to sign a ball with 2008 First Round Draft Pick.  We all then headed to Hubert’s for food, drink and conversation.  It was a long day and I certainly could not have had the success I had if it wasn’t for the two great friends who “muled” (as Shane calls it) for me.  Thanks again guys!