2011 Spring Training Thread

[mariner_gamers]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

If anyone plans on seeing the Indians this spring please let me know.

Thank you,

I am going Saturday for Mariners graphs and the game. My buddy is a pro photographer (not working the game) and he will be there. If you are looking for picks etc let me know and I will see what we can do.

[dcgreg25]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

If anyone plans on seeing the Indians this spring please let me know.

Thank you,

I am heading down next week to catch some Indians game.

[lehmsbobby]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

just figure out who is getting the batboys and hover around them. Thats how I did it the past few years.

[prichmond]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

we are headed down next weekend for three games. its the best vacation we take. I am curious someone mentioned being a bat boy. My son is 15 and I would love to have him do that. It sounds next to impossible to do does anyone have details?

Thanks
pete

[mlbforeverhomer]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

If anyone plans on seeing the Indians this spring please let me know.

Thank you,

[jake33]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

anyone at or going to orioles spring training? Looking for get a helmet autographed.... email jahimiak33@yahoo.com

[Rob L]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

Got back from Angels Spring Training on Sunday. Watched the Angels kick the Dodgers butt on opening day. Kids got alot of autographs, including Jered Weaver and best of all - Mike Trout. A great time as always. I love these yearly weekend trips. The tickets with the family and dinner while we are out there are my anniversary gift every year!

[dcgreg25]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

Heading down to Indians ST with my dad next week. My first trip...looking forward to it.

[Klattsy]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

I then told him I had the coolbase jersey he wore everyday at his first camp in my bag too and that he could have it and he was giddy and almost speechless, he thanked me very much and ran back into the locker room so he could put it away before practice. I was happy to reunite Destin with his jersey.

Good gesture Mark. I once gave a player all the baseball cards I had of his because he said he collected them too. I was depressed for a while as I then didn't have any, but karma came back and last year he was auctioning off some of his stuff, he sent me 2 jerseys, a sleeveless jersey (all signed) and a dugout jacket for next to nix, plus he also certified a GU bat on eBay for me. Good deeds don't go un-rewarded!

Mark.

[allstarsplus]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

My Spring Training 2011 trip has come and gone. I was down at Nats camp in Viera this past Friday-Sunday. It was a great time as usual, this was my 6th Nats Spring Training and probably my most successful in getting the signatures I wanted. I will post photos once I download and organize them from my camera. I got the following GU items signed:

Bats
Ian Desmond 2010 Bat (cracked)
Danny Espinosa 2010 Bat (cracked)
Jesus Flores 2008 Bat (broken in two)
Livan Hernandez Bat (uncracked) not sure when it was used
Jordan Zimmermann 2010 bat (uncracked)

Jerseys
Drew Storen 2010 (alternate red)
Yunesky Maya 2010 (alternate red)
Chris Marrero 2008 (1st big league camp coolbase blue)
Destin Hood 2009 (1st big league camp home white jersey)

There is a story about Destin Hood. Destin was in accelerated minor league camp again this year. When I asked him to sign his first pro jersey, he checked it out and thought it was really cool and then he commented as he was signing that he wished the team gave the players first crack at buying their own jersey. I then told him I had the coolbase jersey he wore everyday at his first camp in my bag too and that he could have it and he was giddy and almost speechless, he thanked me very much and ran back into the locker room so he could put it away before practice. I was happy to reunite Destin with his jersey.

Mark, I love the Destin Hood story. That was so nice of you to do that for him as that was certainly a priceless act of kindness.

[markfd]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

My Spring Training 2011 trip has come and gone. I was down at Nats camp in Viera this past Friday-Sunday. It was a great time as usual, this was my 6th Nats Spring Training and probably my most successful in getting the signatures I wanted. I will post photos once I download and organize them from my camera. I got the following GU items signed:

Bats
Ian Desmond 2010 Bat (cracked)
Danny Espinosa 2010 Bat (cracked)
Jesus Flores 2008 Bat (broken in two)
Livan Hernandez Bat (uncracked) not sure when it was used
Jordan Zimmermann 2010 bat (uncracked)

Jerseys
Drew Storen 2010 (alternate red)
Yunesky Maya 2010 (alternate red)
Chris Marrero 2008 (1st big league camp coolbase blue)
Destin Hood 2009 (1st big league camp home white jersey)

There is a story about Destin Hood. Destin was in accelerated minor league camp again this year. When I asked him to sign his first pro jersey, he checked it out and thought it was really cool and then he commented as he was signing that he wished the team gave the players first crack at buying their own jersey. I then told him I had the coolbase jersey he wore everyday at his first camp in my bag too and that he could have it and he was giddy and almost speechless, he thanked me very much and ran back into the locker room so he could put it away before practice. I was happy to reunite Destin with his jersey.

[lcstate collector]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

Here is my ST update. Got back from AZ on Sunday. I had a great spring training. I watched an intersquad game in Goodyear with the Indians, went to the Peoria Fan Fest, and saw the Rangers and Royals play. I got 61 different players to autograph various items. Talked a lot with Brendan Ryan, went to the same college as me, he is a great guy. The only game used item I picked up was a homerun ball Josh Hamilton hit during batting practice. I am thinking of going back in a few weeks. Drew

[lehmsbobby]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

Hey Guys,

just got back from the mecca and am really sad to come home, always the best weekend of the year. I'm hoping as a high school senior already finished with his apps next year to come down for at least a week next spring training.

Anways I arrived friday, actually was on the same plane as Giants radio announcer Dave Fleming which was cool. Got to the game as the gates opened and started on a World Series ball. I was a bit disorganized on what I exactly wanted, but ended up getting Buster Posey and Aubrey Huff on the ball. Not a great day, but gave me insight on my goal for the year: all the starters (hitters/pitchers) and Bochy on one ball. Went to my favorite Don and Charlie's for dinner and saw Jeff Kent, Bud Selig, Xavier Nady, and Brad Ziegler, an average showing for D and C's.

Saturday: Same team arrived early, had a weak pre game as I didnt get a great spot for autos. Only added Jonathon Sanchez to the ball. However after the game I scored a Tony Delmonico game used bat that is cracked but with some cool use.

Sunday: Game at the new Dbacks facility. Absolutely stunning. Native Americans gave them 200 mil to build it and boy is it crazy. Looks like a mini regular season ballpark. Anyways I scored great front row tix so I got to talk to the guys as they walked to the on-deck circle. Giants arrived pretty late, and I was only able to add Pablo Sandoval to the ball, and was thrown a ball by Buster Posey.

Overall it was not my best year for autos or GU, but seeing the world champs made it a year to remember. I encourage others who visit spring training to give us some reports, as I'd love to hear your guys's stories.

[lehmsbobby]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

10 hours till flight time! Ill try and take some pics of the reigning world champs and keep you guys updated on the best weekend of the year!!!

[BMH]

Re: 2011 Spring Training Thread

Here are a few shots from my trip so far. No real shots of anyone up close. I'm not very comfortable doing that since I've got to work with these guys and unlike the media they usually don't run away from us since we are giving them free stuff. Anyway, forgot my camera during the Reds visit and was in a hurry to leave the Cubs. Shultzy with Colorado gave us a grand tour of the new facility and I must say it is super nice.