March 12 - New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays @ Dunedin
Yankee Successes-
Jim Leyritz - Catcher/First Baseman
Ed Yarnall - Prospect Pitcher
Donzell McDonald - Prospect Outfielder
Yankee Signing Habits-
Many of the Yankee starters had the day off and didn't make the trip to Dunedin. Jeter and Knoblauch were the only two stars that were there. Both players were signing before the game and even after they were pulled out in the 5th inning. I mainly worked the Blue Jays side so I didn't get a chance to get them. Jim Leyritz was a very nice guy. He signed for anyone who asked and even had fun talking with them. The biggest chump award for the Yankees goes to Tom Pagnozzi (yes he still plays) who didn't acknowledge a single person the whole day.
Blue Jays Signing Habits-
Most of the Blue Jays were very willing signers. The only tough players to get were Carlos Delgado (he didn't sign for anyone) and Raul Mondesi (he only signed 4 or 5 autographs all day). All of the prospects were more then willing to sign for everyone. Tony Batista was a very willing signer and friendly guy. Shannon Stewart was tough to get while he was on the field, but I waited long enough in by the parking lot to get him as he walked to his Lexus SUV.
March 13 - Atlanta Braves vs Pittsburgh Pirates @ Bradenton
Braves Successes-
Kevin Millwood - Pitcher
Andruw Jones - Outfielder
Pascual Matos - Catcher
Randall Simon - First Baseman
Marcus Giles - Prospect Second Baseman
Rafael Furcal - Prospect Shortstop
George Lombard - Prospcet Outfielder
Wes Helms - Prospect Third Baseman
Mark DeRosa - Prospect Shortstop
Winston Abreau - Prospect Pitcher
Braves Signing Habits -
All of the stars except for Andruw Jones, Kevin Millwood, and Brian Jordan got the day off for the Braves. Millwood signed a few autographs before the game, but signed for anyone who wanted after he got pulled. Andruw Jones signed for everyone before the game, but wasn't easy to get otherwise. Brian Jordan only signed a few autographs all day. The prospects were very easy to get autographs from. Top prospect Rafael Furcal only signed after the game.
Pirates Signing Habits-
No offense to all of you Pirates fans out there, but there was no one on the team I cared to get or didn't already have. My brother walked away with Chad Hermansen and Abraham Nunez autographs though. Otherwise I couldn't tell you much about this team.
March 14 - Cincinatti Reds (ss) vs Philadelphia Phillies @ Clearwater
Reds Successes-
Kimera Bartee - Outfielder
Travis "Gookie" Dawkins - Prospect Shortstop
Reds Signing Habits-
Since the Reds were playing with a Split Squad all of the stars satyed back in Sarasota to play in the home game. The best player the Reds fielded that day was top prospect Travis "Gookie" Dawkins. He was very fan friendly and signed for everyone. I had a chat with him about coming to Seattle in the Griffey trade (the Reds told Seattle that Dawkins would not be involved). Most of the other Reds that were there signed for the fans.
Phillies Successes-
Randy Wolf - Pitcher
Ron Gant - Outfielder
Bobby Abreau - Outfielder
Mike Leiberthal - Catcher
Desi Relaford - Shortstop
Doug Glanville - Outfielder
Paul Byrd - Pitcher
Marlon Anderson - Second Baseman
Reggie Taylor - Prospect Outfielder
Phillies Signing Habits-
Most of the Phillies didn't sign before the game. Most didn't really sign afterwards on the field either. Most of my success with the Phillies took place waiting outside of the parking lot and getting them as they drove out. Most of the Phillies stopped and signed for the fans. The only exceptions were Rico Brogna and Scott Rolen, who both sped off. Top prospect Pat Burrell signed for only a few people before and after the game. Mike Leiberthal signed for me before the game and was very nice. He was personalizing things for people who wanted.
March 15 - New York Mets (ss) vs Cleveland Indians @ Winter Haven
Mets Successes-
Daryl Hamilton - Outfielder
Mike Kinkade - Third Baseman
Jay Payton - Outfielder
Jorge Toca - Prospect First Baseman
Jason Tyner - Prospect Outfielder
Mets Signing Habits-
Since it was a split squad for the Mets all of the stars except for Robin Ventura didn't make the long trip from Port St.Lucie. Robin Ventura didn't sign a single autograph before or afterwards on the field. He did sign for a few people before he got on the bus though. Daryl Hamilton signed for me and only about 5 other people and thats the only time I saw him sign all day. The prospects for the Mets were awesome guys. Jorge Toca and Jason Tyner signed and talked with everyone.
Indians Successes-
Omar Vizquel - Shortstop
Roberto Alomar - Second Baseman
Sandy Alomar - Catcher
Enrique Wilson - Infielder
Jacob Cruz - Outfielder
Scott Morgan - Prospect Outfielder
Russ Branyan - Prospect Third Baseman
Indians Signing Habits-
All of the stars on the Indians were on hand for this game. Manny Ramirez signed a few autographs before the game, but that's all. Most of the players didn't sign on the field, but most signed after by the team weight room. Omar Vizquel signed for everyone and joked with the fans. As did Sandy Alomar. Roberto Alomar signed for pretty much everyone down by the weight room. Most of the Indians were very fan friendly and signed for everyone. Jim Thome and David Justice obviously didn't have time to sign for anyone because they both left speeding out of the parking lot. Charles Nagy and Travis Fryman didn't sign for anyone either.
March 16 - Detroit Tigers vs Tampa Bay Devil Rays @ St.Petersburgh
Tigers Successes-
Juan Gonzalez - Outfielder
Dean Palmer - Third Baseman
Tony Clark - First Baseman
Gabe Alvarez - Third Baseman
Karim Garcia - Outfielder
Jose Macias - Prospect Second Baseman
Tigers Signing Habits-
For a road game I was surprised that all of the Tigers starters made the trip from Lakeland. It's to bad that a team that needs fan support wasn't very fan friendly. Juan Gonzalez, Dean Palmer, and Tony Clark all only signed about 5 autographs or less all day. I guess I just had good positioning. Bobby Higginson, Robert Fick, and Jeff Weaver all get my chump awards. All three never acknowledged the crowd before or after the game. They wouldn't wave or say a single thing. They would never even look. I was really disappointed with the Tigers. I expected more from them.
Devil Rays Successes-
Ryan Rupe - Pitcher
Jose Guillen - Outfielder
Randy Winn - Outfielder
Mike Figga - Catcher
Estaban Yan - Pitcher
Dave Martinez - Infielder/Outfielder
Quintan McCracken - Outfielder
Mike DeFelice - Catcher
Bobby Seay - Prospect Pitcher
Devil Rays Signing Habits-
The Devil Rays were the nicest team that I saw on the trip. Many of the players didn't sign before the game, but several signed afterwards on the field. The best place to get them was as they walked out of the locker room to get to the parking lot. All of the players signed, with the exception of Jose Canseco who had security guards surrounding him. Vinny Castilla signed for a few people while he walked. I didn't stick around long enough to see if Greg Vaughn or Fred McGriff signed for anyone. The rest of the players on the Devil Rays were really nice guys and would talk with the fans.
Total Autographs: 58
Nicest Guy: Sean Casey, Cincinatti Reds 1B
Meanest Guy: Bobby Higginson, Detroit Tigers OF
Nicest Team: Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Meanest Team: Detroit Tigers
Biggest Surprise Signer: Juan Gonzalez, Detroit Tigers OF
Prettiest Autograph: Jason Tyner, New York Mets Prospect OF
Ugliest Autograph: Tony Clark, Detroit Tigers 1B
Overall Trip Rating (1-10, 1 lowest 10 highest): 10
