2009 IP Success Thread

[Mike D.]

I couldn't find the IP success thread, hope it's OK to start a new one for 2009.

Today the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox had their annual "Hot Stove" fanfest at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI.

This was my first time attending a winter fest, and I was shocked by the number of people there...the place was mobbed. The team and it's employees did a good job of keeping everyone moving, despite long lines.

The team gave out pocket schedules, schedule magnets, and copies of Baseball America magazine with Lars Anderson on the cover. They even had free hot dogs, snacks, and drinks for all in attendance.

Several Red Sox prospects, plus manager Ron Johnson braved the cold and the lines to sign autographs and do a brief question and answer. We got to explore the home and visiting clubhouses, luxury suites, and the hallways around the team offices, which are full of photos and other artifacts from the team's history.

I got autographs of all those signing: Lars Anderson (Sox #1 prospect), Daniel Bard (#3), Kris Johnson (#20), Mark Wagner, Zack Daeges, and Pawsox manager Ron Johnson. The team's mascots (Paws and Sox) were also there signing and entertaining the kids.

With a couple inches of icy snow on the field, you'd think it would be tough to think baseball, but everyone was excited and looking forward to the upcoming season.

Hats off again to the team and it's employees for throwing a great party!

[Zito75]

I couldn't find the IP success thread, hope it's OK to start a new one for 2009.

Today the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox had their annual "Hot Stove" fanfest at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI.

This was my first time attending a winter fest, and I was shocked by the number of people there...the place was mobbed. The team and it's employees did a good job of keeping everyone moving, despite long lines.

The team gave out pocket schedules, schedule magnets, and copies of Baseball America magazine with Lars Anderson on the cover. They even had free hot dogs, snacks, and drinks for all in attendance.

Several Red Sox prospects, plus manager Ron Johnson braved the cold and the lines to sign autographs and do a brief question and answer. We got to explore the home and visiting clubhouses, luxury suites, and the hallways around the team offices, which are full of photos and other artifacts from the team's history.

I got autographs of all those signing: Lars Anderson (Sox #1 prospect), Daniel Bard (#3), Kris Johnson (#20), Mark Wagner, Zack Daeges, and Pawsox manager Ron Johnson. The team's mascots (Paws and Sox) were also there signing and entertaining the kids.

With a couple inches of icy snow on the field, you'd think it would be tough to think baseball, but everyone was excited and looking forward to the upcoming season.

Hats off again to the team and it's employees for throwing a great party!

That's really cool! Hi-Corbett field in Tucson is having an "Expo" next weekend. I believe it's to build awareness for the new Independent team slated to start to play this April. I might go to the Expo for the free hot dogs if anything! The weather here has been beautiful- that's how I know Spring is coming. We were in the mid to high 70's today. I can't wait for baseball!

[icee82]

I attended the Cincinnati Reds' caravan yesterday in Charleston, West Virginia. I acquired the autographs of Marty Brennaman, Chris Welsh, and Lee May on a seat from old Riverfront Stadium. I got a baseball signed by Brennaman, May, and Brandon Phillips. I also got a photograph signed by Phillips and the Reds' first round draft pick in 2007, Devin Mesaraco. Of course I had my picture taken with Gapper, the Reds' mascot as well!!!

[Zito75]

I attended the Cincinnati Reds' caravan yesterday in Charleston, West Virginia. I acquired the autographs of Marty Brennaman, Chris Welsh, and Lee May on a seat from old Riverfront Stadium. I got a baseball signed by Brennaman, May, and Brandon Phillips. I also got a photograph signed by Phillips and the Reds' first round draft pick in 2007, Devin Mesaraco. Of course I had my picture taken with Gapper, the Reds' mascot as well!!!

Brennaman is awesome- and he's pretty humorous on air too. Was Phillips cool?

[icee82]

I have met Brennaman many times at the Caravan. He is always as engaging in person as he is on the air. I was a kid growing up in rural Virginia and a huge Reds fan. I used to listen to Marty and Joe on my blue GE transistor radio. They were my link to the Reds and many of my memories of the Big Red Machine has Marty and Joe's voice with those.

Phillips was great. You could tell that he really, really enjoys his stature as the leader of the Reds and he savors the interaction with the fans. Lee May and Chris Welsh were also engaging.

At the Reds Caravans, I have never had a negative experience. The players always are very much into the fans.

[Rpollard86]

Man those are some awesome autographs. Yal are getting me exicted for this upcoming season. I already have tickets to the USA vs Philly and Team Canada vs Philly... Also Braves vs Philly so far.. Since the Phillie's spring training stadium is right by my house... I'll keep yal posted....

[ttmman21]

Baltimore Boat Show

Al Bumbry:

I got 7/7 cards 5 Orioles, 1 Red Sox, 1 Revolution (One is for cousin)

I got 1/1 SS Baseball

I got 1/1 Postcard he gave me (For a friend)

[metrotheme]

Kevin Baez - 1/1 Former NY Mets SS

He works at the local batting cage giving lessons. I probably can 50/50 him again in a few weeks, as I don't have any more cards of him.

[weberd72]

I went to the Marling fanfest today and got the following autos on a ball:

Jack McKeon
Ryan Tucker
Chris Volstad
Wes Helms

I also got Volstad and Ricky Nolasco on a card as well.

The fest was pretty crowded on the field at Dolphin Stadium. There were many other players around as well but the autograph lines were pretty long. Not bad for $5 entry for parking.

One interesting tidbit was that they were putting serialized MLB authenticity holograms on the items you were getting autographed. I got one on the ball and on one of the 2 cards. The other card I got autoed at the town hall stage. Pretty cool.

[SDL]

At the Rays Fan Fest today...

George Hendrick 8 x 10 blowup of Fleer '81 card
Tom Foley 8 x 10 blowup of Fleer '90 card
Grant Balfour and Babe Kapler 8 x 10 action pics.

Would have gotten more but the way the event was "organized," it was impossible.

[J.P]

I went to the Marling fanfest today and got the following autos on a ball:

Jack McKeon
Ryan Tucker
Chris Volstad
Wes Helms

I also got Volstad and Ricky Nolasco on a card as well.

The fest was pretty crowded on the field at Dolphin Stadium. There were many other players around as well but the autograph lines were pretty long. Not bad for $5 entry for parking.

One interesting tidbit was that they were putting serialized MLB authenticity holograms on the items you were getting autographed. I got one on the ball and on one of the 2 cards. The other card I got autoed at the town hall stage. Pretty cool.

I was out of town and missed it this year. They were doing the holograms thing last year too.

[SDL]

At the Phillies ST in Clearwater today

Charlie Manuel 8 x 10 blowup of his '70 Topps card

Milt Thompson 8 x 10 blowup of his '94 Topps Finest card.

[Rpollard86]

Phillies spring training today got a there a little late..

Jamie Moyer baseball card and sweet spot
Milt Thompson baseball card
Andrew Carpenter baseball card
Anthony Hewitt first round draft choice sweet spot inscribed
started 2008 world series team ball : Eric Bruntlett Chad Durbin and chris Coste

[SDL]

At Phillies ST today.

All 8 x 10 blowups of cards

Garry Maddox '84 Topps

Sam Perlozzo Topps '78, '79, '07

Pete Mackanin Topps '76, '79, '91

[Rpollard86]

Today at Phillies I got:

2 Raul Ibanez cards signed
2 Jamie Moyer cards signed
1 Chris Coste card
JC Romero signed my team ball.

Just missed Shane again today!!!!

Also got the new 2009 topps set looks great and going to the Braves tomorrow wish me luck.

[riredsox]

Today at Red Sox ST I got Zach Daegas, Hunter Jones and John Henry on a ROMLB. Just missed Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury, who I need for my 2007 PawSox set.

[Rpollard86]

Went to the Braves training camp and had a pretty nice day...

Josh Anderson 08' Topps Rookie Card
Brandon Jones 09' Topps
2 Jair Jurrjens 09' Topps
Jo-Jo Reyes 09' Topps
Kelly Johnson 07' Topps
Kelly Johnson 09' Topps Relic card
Kelly Johnson 09' Topps
Mike Gonzalez 07' Topps
Mike Gonzalez 05' Topps
Mike Gonzalez 09 Topps
Omar Infante 07' Topps
Omar Infante 05' Topps
Omar Infante 09' Topps
David Ross 07' Topps
Brian McCann Rookie Card
Jeff Francoeur 05' Topps Prospect card
Jeff Francoeur 06' Topps
Jeff Francoeur 07' Topps
Jeff Francoeur 09' Topps

Offical Major League Baseballs
Kelly Johnson sweet spot
Jason Heyward sweet spot
Jair Jurrjens sweet spot
Charlie Morton sweet spot

Wonderful day in the Braves Land

[SDL]

At Pirates ST in Bradenton

John Russell 8 x 10 blowups of his Donruss '87 and Topps '91 cards

Eric Hinske 8 x 10 action pic from when he was with the Bosox

[SDL]

At Pirates ST in Bradenton

Gary Varsho, signed blowups of his Fleer '88 and Topps '89 cards. Personalized the Fleer card

Bert Blijleven, signed blowup of his Donruss '91 card. Personalized (Blijleven is the pitching coach for the Dutch WBC squad)

[Rpollard86]

At Pirates ST in Bradenton

John Russell 8 x 10 blowups of his Donruss '87 and Topps '91 cards

Eric Hinske 8 x 10 action pic from when he was with the Bosox

I thought Hinske signed a contract for a Japan team?

Today at Phillies spring training got me..

Shane Victorino 09' Topps
Pedro Feliz 09' Topps
Chan Ho Park 05' Topps
Chris Coste 09' Topps
Raul Ibanez 09' Topps
Jimmy Rollins 07' Topps
Ryan Howard 07' Topps

Starting a World Series ball on an Actually World Series Ball and got
Pedro Feliz
Chris Coste
Chase Utley
Eric Brunlett

[SDL]

Nope..he's with the Pirates. Saw him there today signing away

And while I was there at Pirate City, I got:

Manny Sanguillen: 8 x 10 copies of his Topps '70 and '76 cards

Brian Bixler: 8 x 10 action shot from the 2007 IBAF World Cup

Steve Pearce: 8 x 10 action shot from the 2007 IBAF World Cup

[Rpollard86]

Today at phillies camp I got on my world series team ball..

Charlie Manuel
Shane Victorino
Jayson Werth

I also got

Raul Ibanez 02' Topps
Raul Ibanez I think 07' Topps or maybe 05' can't remember off hand.

[Rpollard86]

yesterday 2/21 I got

Jayson Werth 09' Topps

Left early


Today I got

Jamie Moyer on team ball
Ryan Madson signed all 3 cards I have of him today...
Left early as well...

[SDL]

At Pirate City

Andy LaRoche 8 x10 from teh 2007 IBAF World Cup

Joe Kerrigan 8 x 10s of his '78 and '79 Topps cards

[weberd72]

Went to the Marlins complex today during my lunchtime. I got 2 BP home run balls, an Andre Dawson auto one one of them, and Jim Pressley, Cody Ross, Jeremy Hermida, and Taylor Tankersly on cards. It was pretty empty fan wise. I couldn't believe how close you could get to the players. There were 4 or 5 heavy duty looking autographers there, but didn't really see them getting anything. A lot of casual autographers like myself were doing well.