New Twins Collector

[tony433433]

Hey guys, first time typer, long time lurker.

I am relatively new to the GU collecting ring, but the GU flu hit me hard after acquiring my first awesome piece of memorabilia. After the last game of the year, as the Twins avoided losing game #100, the players were handing out stuff to the crowd. I got in a position to be in the front row and tried my best at putting myself in a good position.

I should note that only women and young children seemed to be getting the goods, though I could understand why. Luckily I had talked to Luke Hughes the game before as he had tried to help me out on my quest for getting all of the Twins players to sign a canvas of Target Field. He noticed me again during warm-ups for game 162 and chatted quickly and I thought that was that.

Fast forward back to the end of 162; Luke Hughes steps out of the dugout, a section or two to my left, looking like he was ready to give away something sweet. I then called out "Luuuuuuke", hoping he would remember me. HE DID!! He went back in the dugout, brought out two bats and gave me one and then a second which I then looked at the kid next to me and Luke nodded and I gave him the 2nd bat.

It was bliss, I nearly got one when I was 12 years old, but I had the shorter of the arms between my best friend and I, so this was like redeeming myself AND helping out a little guy in the process.

The bat was a Drew Butera Rawlings Big Stick model (see the pictures attached), but he confirmed when i went to Spring Training this year that it was used by him.

So, that bug hit hard and I know have everything you see in the pictures and then some.

Bats:
Drew Butera - Rawlings Big Stick - Used by Luke Hughes
Michael Cuddyer - LVS C360 - MLB Hologram
Michael Cuddyer - Mash Bat
Ben Revere - LVS M9 M110 - Signed from Ben's 2010 Spring Training (#87)
Trevor Plouffe - MaxBats 118 - Signed and personalized to me
Brendan Harris - XBat - MLB Hologram - Used by Rene Tosoni and broken 1 day after Liriano's no-no

Jerseys:
Matthew LeCroy - 2005 Away - Won at Fan Appreciation Weekend 2005 (#24)
Glen Perkins - 2010 Home Cream - MLB Hologram (#15)
Trevor Plouffe - 2010 BP - From Twins Pro-Shop, No Certification, Possible Spring Training Jersey (#1)

Hats:
Anthony Swarzak - 2009 9/11 style
Trevor Plouffe - 2010 BP
Glen Perkins - Not Pictured (details at home)

Miscellaneous:
Michael Cuddyer Batting Gloves - 2011 - Handed to me in the Champions Club (wish I could score those tickets again)
4 Lineup Cards - 2 from 2011 (Plouffe's first Triple being one), 1 from 1992 (Thome and Puckett in the line ups), 1 from 1983
2011 Home Opener 3rd base, 4-6 innings - MLB Hologram
Matt Capps - 2010 Locker Name Plate - MLB Hologram


Sorry for the long first post, but I have been waiting months to finally share this with people that actually cared. If you have any Twins stuff and looking to sell (especially Plouffe, Perkins, and current guys) let me know.

Also, if someone has MLB TV and could send any screen grabs of any close ups of Tosoni's bat he used on Liriano's no-hitter, I'd LOVE to find out if I have a piece of a no-no in my possession.

Thanks guys!! Look forward to discussing more and interacting on the boards.

GO TWINS!!

[Rob L]

Grrrr. I'm a bit down on the Twins today (I'm an Angels honk). Anyways, welcome and nice start to your collection. It looks great so far!!

[tony433433]

Grrrr. I'm a bit down on the Twins today (I'm an Angels honk). Anyways, welcome and nice start to your collection. It looks great so far!!

Don't be down Rob, you have much more to look forward to than us Twins fans. Don't get me wrong, I think we are better than what people are saying about us, but the Angels are popular World Series picks.

Thanks for the kind words though, and you are welcome for Torii Hunter, too

[sox83cubs84]

Tony:

Welcome to our universe...we've got some Twins collectors in our ranks. I don't collect the Twins per se, but I do have a few caps given to me by Twins players/coaches (Terry Mulholland, Jerry White).

Dave Miedema

[Klattsy]

G'day mate and welcome. Glad Luke helped you out there, i'm a big fan of his being a Aussie Player collector. All i've got of Luke's is one bat, but hope to add a jersey soon.

Best of luck!

Mark.

[xpress34]

Tony -

Welcome to the forum and nice start to your collection!

Smitty from Denver here - grew up in Dallas - so as far as teams, I'm a Rangers and Rockies fan. I collect many players.

I had the honor yesterday (and I'll be posting shortly about it) to install Internet and Phone services for Mr Michael Cuddyer!!!

Cuddy was awesome!!! I'm on the top of the list with the Rockies for his GU stuff - in fact I landed his Opening Day Locker Plate and I am picking up a GU Spring Training Cap this weekend!

If you ever want to move that Cuddyer MASH Bat, let me know!!!

All the best -

Smitty

[harleighb]

Tony - You will find GUU a great resource. You'll also find a lot of Twins collectors visit these boards. Check back early and often because you never know what is going to be offered for sale or who is going to post pics of an amazing find.

Harleigh

[tony433433]

Smitty, I just saw your Rockie post, that is awesome stuff you picked up. I miss Cuddy in a Twins uni, but he's such a good guy that I can only wish him nothing but the best. I'll let you know if I decide to move the Cuddy Mash. I talked to the owner of Mash shortly before the site was shut down and he wa saying that it was more than likely delivered in Spring Training, sometime in his first couple seasons.

If anyone has any leads on a Twins fielding glove, please let me know.

I also forgot a couple of my recent items: A Spring Training game used helmet (signed by Mauer), though it is more than likely someone else's, since his 7 isn't on the back. The date code on the inside shows 6/06 and it is a right-eared helmet. Lastly is a Trevor Plouffe 05 Beloit Snappers jersey (thanks FanHQ).

Any other Plouffe stuff out there?

[tony433433]

Tony - You will find GUU a great resource. You'll also find a lot of Twins collectors visit these boards. Check back early and often because you never know what is going to be offered for sale or who is going to post pics of an amazing find.

Harleigh

Harleigh, I've noticed that you have posted a lot about the Twins in the past. I will for sure be checking in often (I admit that it's been about 4-5 times a day when work is slow).

[harleighb]

Tony - Shoot me an e-mail at harleighb@hotmail.com.