Willson Contreras

Saturday, September 19, 2026 I drove to Tropicana Field in hopes of getting an autograph from Willson Contreras. I've heard he's a tough autograph to obtain, but felt I had a decent chance of getting this 2016 Bowman Platinum baseball card signed. Willson, now with the Boston Red Sox had just lost in the bottom of the 9th inning to the red hot Tampa Bay Rays on a walk off RBI single. Willson, as I heard previously, did not take the team bus and was parked outside the ballpark. I waited for him, and if he's a tough autograph to get, he did not give off that impression. He was friendly and signed for the small group of fans waiting for him! Very happy to add this talented ball player into my collection!.

 

Quentin Young

Quentin Young signed a 2025 Panini Prospect Edition baseball card for me on September 5, 2026 after his Fort Myers Mighty Mussels lost at BayCare Ballpark to the Clearwater Threshers in Clearwater, Florida.

 

Matt Barr

Matt Barr signed this 2025 Bowman baseball card after his Fort Myers Mighty Mussels lost to the Clearwater Threshers at BayCare Ballpark on September 5, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida.

 

Bryan Acuna

Bryan Acuna signed this 2024 Bowman baseball card on September 5, 2026 after his Fort Myers Mighty Mussels lost to the Clearwater Threshers at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida.

 

Mark Grant

San Diego Padres announcer Mark Grant signed this 1988 Donruss baseball card after the San Diego Padres lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in extra innings on August 30, 2026.

 

Kevin Plawecki

On August 30, 2026 San Diego Padres coach Kevin Plawecki signed a 2022 Topps Heritage baseball card for me prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. I was pleasantly surprised that he stopped to sign. As a player, I found him to be quite difficult to get an autograph from. I'd never seen him stop for fans. Seems like I caught him on a good day! Very happy to add Kevin into my collection.  

 

Tony Gwynn Jr.

I met Tony Gwynn Jr. at Tropicana Field on August 30, 2026. Tony was an announcer for the visiting San Diego Padres. I was under the impression he hadn't made the trip for the Tampa Bay Rays series. After the game, I was standing by the announcers booth waiting for Mark Grant to come out. Tony walked out and it caught me off guard. He quickly entered a stairwell, to exit the stadium. When I realized it was him, I followed. He was half way down the stairs when I called out his name. When he stopped, I asked him for an autograph. He laughed and said, "I just walked past you. You could've asked me up there!" He was actually very nice about it and signed a 2015 Topps Heritage baseball card for me.

 

Griffin Canning

Griffin Canning signed this 2019 Donruss Optic baseball card for me prior to his San Diego Padres playing against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Sunday August 30, 2026.

 

Nick Punto

Nick Punto signed a 2014 Topps baseball card for me on August 30, 2026 at Tropicana Field. Nick was a coach for the San Diego Padres. 

 

Nick Martinez

On August 30, 2026 I was at Tropicana Field trying to get some autographs from the visiting San Diego Padres near their dugout. Home town Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Nick Martinez came over to the Padres side to greet some of his former Padres teammates. Thankfully, I was prepared with my 2014 Topps card and Nick was kind enough to sign it for me!

 

Luis Rengifo

Luis Rengifo signed this 2024 Topps baseball card on August 28, 2026 as he was leaving Tropicana Field after his San Diego Padres had just finished playing the Tampa Bay Rays. 

 

Dax Kilby

Dax Kilby signed this 2026 Bowman baseball card after the Tampa Tarpons finished playing against the Clearwater Threshers on August 9, 2026. Dax was heading towards the team bus to head back to Tampa.

 

Brando Mayea

Brando Mayea signed this 2023 Bowman baseball card at BayCare Ballpark on August 9, 2026 after his Tampa Tarpons were about to board the team bus to head back to Tampa.

 

Clay Holmes

Clay Holmes made a rehab start for the St. Lucie Mets on July 28, 2026 at TD Ballpark, the home of the Dunedin Blue Jays. Clay was working his way back from injury with the New York Mets. I didn't have high hopes of getting Clay's autograph. When he first emerged from the visiting team clubhouse, the small group waiting for him asked him if he would sign an autograph. He didn't look up, or respond at all. After warming up in the bullpen he walked to the dugout. Nobody asked him as he looked focused. It was clear he wasn't going to stop. When Clay came out of the game, looking like he'd grab the win, the small group of us waited for him. He again, didn't respond as he jogged past us. We all moved to one more spot near the clubhouse to try again. Once again, he ignored our requests. The group I was with all decided to wait inside the ballpark, near the visiting clubhouse for him to come back out. I was the only one that went outside the ballpark and waited by the visiting team parking lot. After about a half hour or so of waiting, he came out. He brought his luggage to a white sport utility vehicle that happened to be next to where I was standing. Once he put his luggage away, I asked him for an autograph and he was kind enough to do so. I was the only one at the park to get Clay's autograph! Clay signed a 2025 Topps Chrome baseball card.

 

Drew Rasmussen

On July 26, 2026 Drew Rasmussen pitched a beauty for the Tampa Bay Rays, beating the Cleveland Guardians 1-0. As Drew was leaving Tropicana Field following the game, he was kind enough to pull over and sign this 2021 Topps rookie card.

 

Nick Fortes

Nick Fortes signed this 2022 Topps rookie card on July 26, 2026. He was in his car leaving Tropicana Field and rolled down his window to sign for a small group of fans. Nick was leaving following a 1-0 Rays win over the Cleveland Guardians.

 

Shane Bieber

Shane Bieber signed a 2024 Topps Stadium Club baseball card for me on May 31, 2026 moments after finishing a rehab start for the Dunedin Blue Jays. The game was being played at BayCare Ballpark against the home team Clearwater Threshers. I am thrilled to add another former Cy Young Award winner into my collection!

 

Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays on May 26, 2026 after a short stint with the New York Mets. On May 31, 2026 around 7pm, the 2011 Rookie of the Year winner signed an 8x10 picture for me as he was leaving Tropicana Field a couple of hours after his new team, the Rays had defeated the Los Angeles Angels. Very excited to add this legendary closer into my collection!

 

Griffin Jax

Griffin Jax signed this 2023 Topps card from his car as he was leaving Tropicana Field on May 31, 2026 after his Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Los Angeles Angels. I was told Griffin was a tough autograph to obtain. That was not my experience at all. Griffin was very kind and approachable. Very happy to have him in my collection!

 

Keith Johnson

 I had this 1992 Front Row baseball card for a very long time and was finally able to get Los Angeles Angels coach, Keith Johnson to sign it on May 31, 2026 as he was boarding the Angels team bus after wrapping up a series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. I called his name and he was pleasant enough to come over!