January 19th White Plains Show Recap, Part Two!

Hey guys, Drew back here! As I said yesterday, last Saturday's card show was one of the best days I've gotten the privilege to enjoy during my time in the hobby! I had the honor of meeting a total of 4 players, and my friend Schuyler met the free signer who I didn't have the time to get in line for. For today, I'll show you the first few guys we met, and to make you anticipate everything more, each of the next two will get their own individual post! This isn't to take away from the guys below though, as they all certainly had their day as a great player, and it was an honor to meet them as well!

Sparky Lyle was first on our agenda this go round! Lyle has always been one of my favorite players from the 1970's Yankees teams, although I didn't get the opportunity to watch them growing up (I got the overrated, money corrupted team). A few years back I read Lyle's book, "The Bronx Zoo", and due in part to that I became a fan. I love Goose Gossage as well, but I feel bad that Steinbrenner kind of pushed Lyle (reigning Cy Young winner by the way) out of the closer role for no reason. 

Lyle was a really funny guy! I told him I read his book, and that I loved every bit of it, and he responded by saying "That isn't something you'd find in a church library! My mom still hates me for some of the things I said in that!" That got a good laugh out of all of us, and made the experience definitely a fun one! 

It's official, I've joined the "Signed Ball Junkie" club! For a long time, I never really cared much for signed baseballs, but they've grown on me. I doubt I'll buy a ball of a player with a terrible autograph though, I think only the nice autographs, such as Sparky's, look good on baseballs. Sparky inscribed "77 AL Cy" below his name, which is what I requested of him. For $25, I don't think I could've made out much better!

Next on our agenda was to meet Harold Baines, the 6 time All Star, and one of the best designated hitters to play the game! I don't think I'll ever forget what Upper Deck put me through when I pulled an expired redemption for an autograph of his, but they ended up coming through and sending me it, along with a Dick Allen autograph! I didn't have a major connection to Baines in any other way, so I passed on getting myself an autograph of his. Instead, I got a ball signed for William in a little trade we did (you'll see it over on his blog in the near future), and I got a photo and the chance to meet him in the process! Baines enjoyed the fact that I was wearing a Yankee hat and my new Andrew McCutchen jersey, calling me an all around baseball fan. He was pretty humble otherwise, but it was cool to get to meet him!

Lastly (for now), Schuyler got the chance to meet the day's free signer, 1967 American League Cy Young winner Jim Lonborg, the former Red Sox hurler! Schuyler didn't have a whole lot to say to him, but I couldn't really blame him since he (along with myself) didn't have much of a connection with him either. Mr. Lonborg seemed real nice though, and he signed his card and inscribed it for no extra charge! It was a pretty kind response to a kid wearing a Yankees sweatshirt, and I gave the man props for signing here in New York!

Thanks everyone for looking, and for the players for the great experiences! See Ya!

The Debut of Bryce Harper- Good Things to Come?

Hey guys, Drew back here. I got sidetracked the other night, so unfortunately I missed the debut of Bryce Harper. I got to see it all the next morning online though, and I have to say he looked very good in his first MLB game! For a kid who is less than 4 years older than me, he really raised a lot of eyes, going 1 for 3, doubling in his third at bat, as well as delivering a strike from left field to Wilson Ramos that would have been an out if the catcher held on to the ball. While he certainly could be one of the best all around players in baseball in a few years, I still personally believe Strasburg will wind up having a better all around career than the 1st pick of the 2010 draft. 

One thing I may always remember Harper for is that he will be one of the first players in the majors that I can closely associate myself to, due to the very slim age difference. As I get older, more and more athletes my age will be playing, but as of now, watching a 19 year old playing in the Major Leagues against players in their 20's, 30's, 40's (and even 50's, Jamie Moyer!) is something that doesn't come around often. Mike Trout also was called up the other night, and he was in the same scenario as Harper last season. 

What I'm trying to say here is that seeing the youth in the major leagues has made me realize that I'm not the little kid I once was. Knowing that if I worked my absolute tail off, that I could be in the shoes of Bryce Harper four years from now, is pretty scary. While I don't have a whole lot of ambition towards playing in the big leagues, this fact just emphasizes that I'm really growing up. If you go back to my original posts, the way I wrote was completely different, and as time went on I learned more and more about this hobby and matured a heck of a lot more. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I'm more trying to emphasize how real this major league debut was to me. That these guys start off as ordinary kids with a lot of talent, and that their road to success didn't necessarily start in Yankee Stadium. 

So, I wish Bryce the best of luck on his road to success. One game doesn't land you a spot in the Hall of Fame, but with the talent he possesses, if he makes good use of it, he could find himself a plaque one day in Cooperstown. Or, he could be the next Rocco Baldelli? As much as I don't want to see that, it could happen. 

By the way, thank you Schuyler for trading me the Harper card above- which is the first card of his in my collection! It's the start of good things to come!

See Ya!

A Fun Contest Over at Schuyler's Stuff!!!

Hey everyone, Drew back here. I first want to say that the show yesterday was absolutely memorable, and I have a lot of memories to share. While I get all of my things all scanned and ready to show and tell, I want all of you guys to please going over to one of my best friends; Schuyler; recently created a blog and created a contest to see if he can get some readers flowing. For a chance to win a few cool prizes, please go follow his blog and enter his contest!

Thanks everyone! See Ya!

LINK: http://schuylerstuff.blogspot.com/