2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

[stlbats]

Anyone planning on going this year? The Cardinals seem to be getting on the ball a little faster this year than normal.

Jason

[R.Mansfield]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

I wasn’t planning on it initially, but just noticed yesterday, thanks to Jeff/Birdbats, that Jack Clark is attending again. I picked up some killer items this year that I have to have him sign, I have actually been looking for him at some other venues, so we will be there again. I don’t want to take a chance on missing him.

It is great to attend these, and I love this hobby, but there is a part of me that really dreads this ordeal as a whole also. The crowd, the long lines, the parking, the fees, the fear of getting mugged/vehicle stolen downtown in the most dangerous city in the U.S…

If Clark were not there I would skip it this year. I have noticed a trend recently that a lot of venues have relocated to St. Charles, using the Family Arena, St. Charles Convention Center, Ameristar, and so on, I wish the Cardinals would think about these alternatives also.

I may just limit myself to going down on Monday, rather than the 3-day grind.

Russell Mansfield
batdna@sbcglobal.net

[stlbats]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Yeah the crowd is usually pretty tough. I personally think this year will be a little less crowded. The Cardinals coming off a down season, some questionable off season moves, the economy still sucks, ect. The autograph tickets went on sale this morning, and all the players are still available. Some players usually sell out pretty fast. Although I am not sure that the Cardinals choice to sell tickets before Christmas was a great idea or not.

My family and I go up to STL several times a year and I have never felt uncomfortable downtown. I didnt even realize it was one of the top crime cities until a couple of weeks ago.

Jason
stlbats@bellsouth.net

[stlbats]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Has anyone bought any autograph tickets yet??

Jason

[R.Mansfield]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

We ended up picking up 6 tickets for Jack Clark and 3 for Jose Oquendo, so far. Last year we attempted to go through the Oquendo line, which was free, unsuccessfully. It was by far the largest line we noticed. I am glad they put a price on him, ensuring that we will get through.

How about you, did you pick up anyone yet?

Last I checked no one had sold out, I think your right that Christmas is playing a part into everything.

Were still unsure if were attending all three days, but will defiantly be there Saturday and Monday. Last year was our first time attending, and we ended up going all three days, 8-10 hours each (including drive). We ended up with 70-80 auto’s including multiples and had a great time, but it was tough physically, standing for hours and hours, not eating, carrying all of our items around…

This year we will try and shoot for days of 2-3 hours each. I am only looking to see 4 players this time, unless the lines are shorter for others.

Russell

[stlbats]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

I bought a Pujols and a Berkman ticket. I dont collect autographs too much, but do like Berkman and usually get Pujols when I have the chance.

Jason

[stlbats]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Anyone know if they are going yet?


Jason

stlbats@bellsouth.net

[stlbats]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

With less than a week away now, is anyone going??

Jason
stlbats@bellsouth.net

[Birdbats]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

I'll be there. Just noticed the auction schedule has finally been posted on the team's website.

[hdavid_27]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Okay, so last year I complained about how Albert Pujols treated people who went to the WWU to get his autograph. After hearing many complaints last year from others who waited in line to meet Albert, I have to say, my experience this year was much better, and nearly pleasant.
While the lines were long, and the room cramped as expected, Albert spoke to my son and I while we were getting his autograph, which actually suprised me. He also asked where we wanted our photos signed and in what color. I heard only one complaint this year and that was from a friend of mine who asked for a ROY inscription on the baseball he had signed, Albert refused to do it.

This year was a much better experience, now if we could just get them to stop the WWU workers from insisting on touching every item people are having signed!

[stlbats]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Just back from St. Louis and the Winter Warm Up. I thought the crowd was down some this year from years past, but still a packed house. Not much in the way of game used stuff from vendors other than the Cardinals Authentics store and the team auctions. The Authentics store had mostly the same stuff and same prices. They did have 4 or 5 Yadier Molina bats priced at $500 each, most were pretty broken up. Same old stuff on the jerseys. The Cardinals did have a better kids area set up this year with some new attractions and shows. (My son got to hold a snake and alligator today).

Unfortunatly I didnt come away with a single game used item, but did get Lance Berkman and Albert Pujols autographs on baseballs. Berkman looked to be in great shape and was very nice. You could tell that he really tried to put a perfect autograph on peoples items.

Albert this year I thought was in a much better mood than in years past. Although they run you thru his line like cattle and as mentioned in the previous post, 3 people want to handle your item, and he doesnt really have a chance to chat if he wanted to. This year from what I could tell, he was making sure the pen, color, and area you wanted your item signed. I did hear one guy complaining that he just grabbed a pen and randomly signed a PFF print that he had. In my opinion you kind of have to push past the 14 handlers and make sure you get up there when your item is being signed. He was nice to me and actually smiled and told me thanks when I spoke to him.

Hurry up Opening Day, or I will even settle for ST to start.

Jason
stlbats@bellsouth.net

[sox83cubs84]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Jason:

Just wait to hear the words "pitchers and catchers report"...then the fun will begin!

Dave Miedema

[jscott0688]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Not the most exciting Winter Warm Up ever, but I still had a good time. The Cardinals Care store and the auctions were definitely a disappointment. There wasn't a single McGwire item of any kind or any Pujols game used pieces. It makes me wonder if more of the stuff was funneled to the Cardinals Authentics Shop this year than in the past; though they didn't have anything new either. Where is it all going?

The Springfield Cardinals were selling off game used jerseys that had been recycled for at least the past several seasons. I picked up one of the jerseys that had been worn by Jaime Garica when he was down there and had him sign it. Other than that, I picked up a Chris Perez 2008 Spring Training hat from the Cardinals Care store for $5, a signed Mitchell Boggs 2009 jersey with the All Star patch from the live auction for $150 and a 1970s Tony Scott batting helmet from one of the vendors.

As for autographs, I got my home white and batting practice Shelby Miller spring training jerseys signed and then authenticated at the JSA booth that was there for the first time this year. And today, I had my Lance Lynn spring training jersey signed. I also got Berkman and Zach Cox on baseballs.

[jscott0688]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Also, I was wanting to get my Molina shin guards signed but was hesitant to spend $180 to get it done. It ended up being a moot point though when he canceled his appearance five minutes before he was due to sign.

[onlyalbert]

Re: 2011 Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Not the most exciting Winter Warm Up ever, but I still had a good time. The Cardinals Care store and the auctions were definitely a disappointment. There wasn't a single McGwire item of any kind or any Pujols game used pieces. It makes me wonder if more of the stuff was funneled to the Cardinals Authentics Shop this year than in the past; though they didn't have anything new either. Where is it all going?

The Springfield Cardinals were selling off game used jerseys that had been recycled for at least the past several seasons. I picked up one of the jerseys that had been worn by Jaime Garica when he was down there and had him sign it. Other than that, I picked up a Chris Perez 2008 Spring Training hat from the Cardinals Care store for $5, a signed Mitchell Boggs 2009 jersey with the All Star patch from the live auction for $150 and a 1970s Tony Scott batting helmet from one of the vendors.

As for autographs, I got my home white and batting practice Shelby Miller spring training jerseys signed and then authenticated at the JSA booth that was there for the first time this year. And today, I had my Lance Lynn spring training jersey signed. I also got Berkman and Zach Cox on baseballs.

Ok, here's my first post. Was at the WWU today and funny/bad story about the last silent auction of the day.....it was not very silent. Almost a fist fight. They had a package for a tour of the stadium and tix. At the last minute I am watching as it went past me and a guy walks up with his kid about 20 seconds left. Puts in a bid and is not quite finished and another guy literaly jumps in on him and scribbles something down after the auction is ended. Next to him another guy is bidding and same thing. Guy reaches up under his arm and is bidding on 2 auctions at the same time. He gets his name and just a scribble on the amount line. All of this in front of a worker.

The first instance they added another set of "tours/tickets" and let them both win even though the second guy should not have. But the last instance was a road trip to Coors field....no extra tickets to give so they offered a "bid off". The guy that had the good bid was pissed and told them to shove it in many ways. And kept coming back to tell them some more. Apparently, he had won an earlier auction and when he went to pay for the item they told him they lost it. This topped off his cake!

Next year they need to separate these "packages" to avoid the clamoring and pushing and last bidding on multiple auctions. And if they want to raise more money offer more of the "packages" and less of the "autographed crap of no name players that were let go 2 years ago" and the starting bid is $35 so no one bids on it! Thoughts?