Aaron Nola

The first 2016 Spring Training success rolled in as Aaron Nola signed 1/1 in 8 days c/o Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training.  I only sent out about 15 cards in total this Spring Training, but here's hoping for a solid spring!

SoxFest 2016

I ended up going to SoxFest for the first time this year and I went on both Saturday and Sunday.  Overall, I'd say that it was pretty successful.

Saturday

A couple of my buddies and I started off the weekend on Saturday morning going for the 2005 World Series guys that were there, Jose Contreras, Carl Everett, and Willie Harris.  For my 2005 collection, I already had cards of Contreras and Harris signed, but Everett is a tough one, so I was happy to knock him out of the way.  I got an 8x10 of Contreras that looks dark in the picture, but in a better light, it turned out decently.  As mentioned, I got the card of Everett.  I got another card signed by Harris - just so happened to be an '05 Topps World Series card, so I'm going to use that one on my final product once I collect the whole team.  With the addition of Everett, I'm now at 10/25 of the 2005 White Sox.

After Harris, we ended up waiting in line for 3 minor leaguers, but one of them was the Sox #1 prospect, Tim Anderson.  He was the main reason to go so we hustled and got a wristband for his line.  The other two were Adam Engel, the Arizona Fall League MVP, and Eddy Alvarez, who before he became a professional baseball player, was a silver medalist speed skater at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.  Alvarez and Anderson both signed 8x10s, and I'm never one that really cares what a signature looks like, but what I really like about Alvarez's signature is that he includes the Olympic logo.  I was supposed to also get Engel on an 8x10 but the guy that sold us the photos gave us the wrong guy.  Kind of unfortunate, so I had Engel sign my pass.

The last set of the day included more minor leaguers - these just so happen to be the best groups overall signing.  We made it back with plenty of time to get a wristband for Jacob May, Carson Fulmer, last year's #8 overall pick in the draft, and Trey Michalczewski.  In order, those are the Sox #5, #2, and #4 top prospects overall, and they all signed an 8x10.

Sunday

My friend and I arrived at 7:00 a.m. this morning, 2 hours before it opened.  My goal was to get an 8x10 of Chris Sale.  However, there were a few hundred people in front of us, and they were only giving out 100 Sale wristbands.  Everyone was going for him.  I ended up ditching that effort, and settled in the Avisail Garcia line.  I got an 8x10 of Avi Garcia, which wasn't so bad considering that the 9:00 a.m. signers weren't all that special.

I just so happened to find Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro hanging out at the #SoxSocial Lounge that they had set up at the Hilton.  I first went up to Avila and held out a junk ball for him.  Before I could mutter the words to ask him to sign on the sweet spot, he signed on the side of the ball.  I was a little upset by that, but that's okay.  I ended up going up to Navarro and had him sign the same ball, making it a 2016 White Sox catchers ball.  Avila and Navarro signed on opposite sides, but I think I made the best of it.

In the end, I ended up getting 4 of the top 5 prospects for the Sox, who don't necessarily have the strongest farm system, but still could produce some big leaguers.  The big guys like Sale and Abreu drew huge crowds, so I'll have to get them some other time.  Todd Frazier only was there on Friday night, and I unfortunately was not.  I also got a picture with Jose Contreras and the 2005 World Series trophy and I also won a Paul Konerko bobblehead, along with 5 free tickets to an upcoming game this season.  I had a lot of fun this weekend, and I'm excited to hopefully go back next year!

Alshon Jeffery Signed Card

Yesterday, while I was closing out the week at work, my brother and his friend attended an unannounced signing where Alshon Jeffery was signing at a Jewel.  My brother was able to get himself a signed 8x10, but Alshon was kind enough to also sign a card for my brother, which he gave to me.  Can't complain about that!

Hope everyone has a happy holiday season!

Johnny Bench Signed 8x10

I'm a little late in posting this, but I treated myself to a little birthday present with a Johnny Bench signed 8x10 off of his personal website.  I hardly ever purchase autographs, especially from somewhere online, but Johnny has his own website and they were running a Black Friday special for the holidays.  I just couldn't resist.  The picture and inscription look great, and you couldn't beat the price for it!

Cliff Politte

Former White Sox relief pitcher and World Series champion Cliff Politte signed 1/1 in 8 days c/o Home.  This puts me at 9/25 for the 2005 White Sox World Series team collection.  Slowly but surely making progress!

University of Illinois Super Regional

I just came home from the University of Illinois Super Regional baseball game featuring U of I vs. Vanderbilt.  Vanderbilt destroyed my alma mater 13-0, but nevertheless, it was a heck of a fun atmosphere for a game.  Carson Fulmer threw a gem for Vanderbilt and I was extremely impressed by their entire team.  It is easy to see why they are the defending champs.

After the game, I stuck around and attempted to get Fulmer, Dansby Swanson, and Walker Buehler all to sign a baseball.  All three all potential top 20 picks in tomorrow's draft, with Swanson possibly going #1 and Fulmer most likely going top 10.  I was unable to find Buehler after the game, but I did get Swanson and Fulmer on baseballs.

Lastly, I am a year older than Tyler Jay, but I know him a bit just from certain places.  We usually stop and talk whenever we see each other.  Because we are friendly, I just could not get myself to ask him to sign a baseball for me.  A friend of mine on the team knows of my collection and was nice enough to get a B1G 10 ball signed for me.  The ball is a bit scuffed up but that is okay, I am not complaining one bit.  My friend was nice enough to get me that and a ticket to the game so I am extremely thankful.  Jay could end up reaching the big leagues by the end of the season depending on where he's picked.

All in all, I enjoyed the game and got 3 autographs from 3 potential top 10 picks in the draft.  Not a bad day if you ask me!

Bob Barker Signed 8x10

A rare non-sports autograph for me, but I received a signed 8x10 of Bob Barker in 9 days c/o email.  The Price is Right is a classic show, so this is a real nice one to see.