Spring Training Sabbatical - 2011 Edition

[xpress34]

Hey all -

I spent the better part of my day going over schedules and current rosters (including Non-Roster invitees) and creating a 'skeleton' itinerary for next month's trip to the Cactus League.

Here it is:

Fri March 18th

* Depart Denver

Sat March 19th

* Arrive in Surprise
* Graphing at Surprise (morning)
* Game - SEA @ TEX (autos - Ichiro, Bradley, Wedge, Figgins, Nolan, Hambone)
* Dinner w/ Brother and his wife

Sun March 20th

* Graphing at Surprise (morning)
* Game - LAA @ COL (check out the stadium and set up)
* Check into our Hotel

Mon March 21st

* Graphing at Surprise (morning)
* Game - CLE @ KC (autos only - Nix, Santana, Yost, Hochevar)

Tues March 22nd

* Off Day for Rox (G-Man meet? - I'm working on)
* Game (if we miss Nix on MON) - CLE @ AZ (autos only - Nix and Santana)

Wed March 23rd

* Graphing at Surprise (morning)
* Game - SEA @ COL (night game)

Thu March 24th

* TUCSON Day

Fri March 25th

* Graphing at Talking Stick (morning)
* Game - TEX @ COL (night game)

Sat March 26th

* Graphing at Surprise (morning) if needed
* Depart for Denver

I will update this later with more detail on items I am looking to get autographed, items I am looking to obtain and players I am seeking for autographs as well as plans for card shops, used bookstores (I find most of my baseball library at stores in Phoenix and Tucson.

Man I love the phrase "Pitchers and catchers Report"!

- Smitty

[nt_eagle]

Anything after the 22nd is subject to change of course, if 'ya get to meet up with the G-Man. Especially after the G-Man sees the pics of his 'clone'!

[xpress34]

T Minus One Month and counting until my departure date for Spring Training Sabbatical - 2011 Edition.

In the coming weeks I will be updating / fine-tuning my Itinerary as well as planning out the items I am hoping to have signed as well as the autographs I will be seeking, the games I will be watching and the shops, sites and attractions I plan to visit.

- Smitty

[xpress34]

T-Minus 3 weeks and counting... starting to get stuff together and make my list of who and what I'm looking to see and get signed...

[mlbforeverhomer]

Any chance you could try and snag some Orlando Cabrera GU stuff? Ill pay you for it! Please let me know.

Thank you,

[jobathenut]

xpress-Hey i got this ticket of giambi's first rockies game.Is there anyway you could get signed for me-just kidding- Well i hope you have a safe and fun trip.And i look forward to reading your fun and being jealous of you.

T-Minus 3 weeks and counting... starting to get stuff together and make my list of who and what I'm looking to see and get signed...

[xpress34]

Any chance you could try and snag some Orlando Cabrera GU stuff? Ill pay you for it! Please let me know.

Thank you,

Clayton -

I sent you an eMail.

- Smitty

[xpress34]

xpress-Hey i got this ticket of giambi's first rockies game.Is there anyway you could get signed for me-just kidding- Well i hope you have a safe and fun trip.And i look forward to reading your fun and being jealous of you.

Butch -

I have like three or four more tickets from that game. IF I get a chance for some exclusive time with the G-Man, I'll try to get something for you and for Joe.

- Smitty

[xpress34]

So, I've given you the Tentative Itinerary... now, here is the Tentative List of what I hope to achieve at Spring Training this season...

Texas Rangers:

Josh Hamilton (Autos)

2009 All Star Game Jersey
2010 All Star Game Jersey
2010 All Star Game Ball
2010 World Series Ball
Try to obtain a Game Used Bat or Batting Gloves


Nolan Ryan (Autos)

2010 World Series Ball
Hall of Fame Ball
Old Style Batting Practice Hat (to match jersey I already have)


Other Rangers (Autos)

Add to current Rangers AU Jersey - looking for Charlie Pride


Colorado Rockies:

Jason Giambi (Autos)

OMLB Ball
2009 Game Used (Rockies Debut) Jersey - have Inscription(s) added
2010 Game Used Batting Helmet - re-sign (Fan Fest AUTO ran - had to remove)
2010 Game Used Bat
Try to obtain a Game Used Batting Gloves & Hat


Eric Young Jr (Autos)

2009 Game Used (1st MLB Home Run) Jersey - have inscription added
2010 Game Used Hat
Try to obtain a Game Used Batting Gloves


Mike McKenry (Autos)

2010 Game Used (MLB Debut) Jersey - with inscriptions
2010 Game Used Locker Plate
Try to obtain a Game Used Batting Gloves, Hat or Catching Gear


Other Rockies (Autos)

Add to current Rockies AU Jersey and Bat


Other Teams / Players:

Cleveland Indians:

Carlos Santana - Catcher's Mitt
Jayson Nix - 2008 Allen & Ginter Card


Kansas City Royals:

George Brett - Bat
Ned Yost - Catcher's Mitt
Luke Hochevar (Royals) - just want to chat... my cousin coached him with the Ft Worth Cats


Chicago White Sox:

A.J. Pierzynski - Catcher's Mitt
Gordon Beckham - Ball


Seattle Mariners:

Chris Smith - he's my name sake!!!!
Ichiro - on anything!
Eric Wedge - Catcher's Mitt


I don't usually try for teams that will be coming to Coors Field as I get most of those guys when they are here, so I try to use my time to grab the guys on teams I don't get to see - except for the Rockies. It's just easier there than at Coors Field most of the time...

So now you have an insight as to where I start with my Annual Sabbatical... after dates, travel and accommodations are squared away of course...

The next step will be to get on-line and start buying tickets for the games we plan to attend so that is taken care of and out of the way before we get there.

So I need to get crackin'!

Don't forget - Rockies Spring Training games start TOMORROW - Sat Feb 26th against the D-Backs at Salt River Fields @ Talking Stick (SRFaTS)...

All the best -

Smitty

[jobathenut]

I was just kidding.Don't waste your time trying to get anything for me.Just get for yourself.I am going to try and remail the photos i had mailed to him as a a's (thats laying somewhere in thier mail room) to the rockies and see if i can finally get them signed.

Butch -

I have like three or four more tickets from that game. IF I get a chance for some exclusive time with the G-Man, I'll try to get something for you and for Joe.

- Smitty