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.
30 Years Down The Road
Back in October 1987, I was just starting my senior year of high school and the Twins did something they had never done and that was win a World Series. I have a lot of great memories of that fall and most of them are related to the Twins.
Fast forward thirty years to today when the Twins honored the 1987 team with an on field ceremony. Before the game though, Cami and I had some autographs to get!
Fan HQ had a signing with over twenty players from that 1987 team and I had some items that needed some ink (or Sharpie). I purchased the tickets at the door of the event and got in line. The line was long and hot but rewarding at the end. While waiting in line, they announced that people with one or two players could go in and get their items signed. While I was not moving, I thought it would be easier on me for when I did get in there to have less items to dig out and mess around with so I had Cami take a couple items and get them signed so I would put them away. The first thing she did was went to Tony Oliva and got a couple older magazines signed. I asked how Tony was and she said “He was classic Tony”. That meant friendly and happy. (Side note: Tony O is one of her favorites of the old timers and has a few interactions with him and he has been awesome each time.) Once she brought those back to me I gave her a large photo of Randy Bush’s slide in game 2 of the 1987 World Series that I already had signed by Dan Gladden. Randy signed it and Cami came back to wait with me. All that was left was a couple Sports Illustrateds and a baseball. Our turn finally came up and we started with Roy Smalley. Roy signed one of the SIs and said that “Jeff still tells me how my hand is blocking his face on that photo!”. Then it was over to Sal Butera. Sal signed both issues and I told Cami that Sal is Drew Butera’s dad. Her eyes lit up when she made the connection. Sal had on his champion ring and showed it to Cami and said “Drew’s is much bigger!” Then I hopped in line for Dan Gladden while Cami took the magazine to Mark Davidson. She said he was really nice and polite. We waited in Gladden’s line and when we got up to him he signed the SI and looked at Cami and said “You are too young to have seen this” and that “you missed a good time!” I gave Cami the SI and she got in line for Steve Lombardozzi. Steve greeted her with “Hi cutie!” so she thought that was just awesome. Then it was to Tim Laudner’s line. Tim, or rather the back of his head, is featured in the bottom right corner of the cover. Tim commented about having hair back then to Cami and then said “You know, I have hair on my dresser that I forgot at home today. I usually wear it on Sundays.” she laughed and he said “I am just kidding” and gave her knuckles. She thought that was neat. Then we went to Jeff Reardon’s line. Jeff signed the cover and commented that “That was the only time Roy ever touched my face and it happened to be on the cover!” This completed both Sports Illustrated magazines and all that was left was a 1987 World Series baseball and Frank Viola. We got right up to him and he signed the ball under the World Series logo with “87 WS MVP” and Cami and I packed everything up and high fived each other for a job well done!
We had an hour or so to kill before our next event so we grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed to Target Field. One of the things I signed up for in my Sweet Spot Rewards was to be a part of autograph signing events. Cami and I went to our event which had Brandon Kintzler, Eduardo Escobar, and Jose Berrios. Cami had a photo for each person and when she got to Kintzler, she congratulated him on being an all star. He signed her photo with “2017 A S” and signed my Topps Now Road to Opening Day card commenting “There is a card of me with the Twins!” Next up was Escobar. Eduardo signed Cami’s photo and a pair of cards for me. My cards were from Topps Series 2 this year. Then Berrios signed Cami’s photo and my Topps Now card from May 18th. We had tickets to the Twins game tonight but it was so hot that we decided to go home so I could shower and change clothes rather than staying at the ballpark. We did just that and got back to watch the pregame ceremony honoring the 1987 team. The Twins won the game and after the final out Cami looked at me, high fived me, and said “Today was pretty successful dad!” Yes, Cami, it sure was. Thanks for letting me tag along.
Astro-nomical Mail!
Today I received a package from Vinnie M (vinniemiller on SCN) who got me a few Astros and Royals autographs recently. Vinnie lives in Seattle and gets the Mariners and visiting teams and does awesome work. Today’s mail included:
Alex Bregman ML Debut ticket
03.28.2016 Sports Illustrated- Astros Version- Dallas Kuechel and Carlos Correa (it was already signed by Jose Altuve so it is now complete!)
11.09.2015 Sports Illustrated that was already signed by a couple Royals. Vinnie added Alex Gordon, Jerrod Dyson, and Mike Moustakas! I now have five autographs on it! Thanks for all the fine work Vinnie!
Mr Cub
About three years ago I sent the Ernie Banks “Where Are They Now?” Sports Illustrated magazine to a private signing. Due to a mixup caused by the person conducting the private signing, I was unable to get my magazine signed (I have not purchased anything from him and was removed from his mailing list as a result). I resubmitted it a couple months later and sadly Mr Banks passed away. Via my friend Joel B, I was connected with a person who had a PSA’d issue for sale. Today I received the magazine from Brian L and can mark this one off as taken care of! Thanks for the help Joel!