Harold Baines

I met Harold Baines in the late 1990's at Dunedin Stadium during Spring Training when the Baltimore Orioles came to play the Toronto Blue Jays. Harold stopped and signed a 1990 Upper Deck baseball card as he was walking down the right field line heading to the dugout prior to the game. Harold was announced as being voted in by "Today's Game Era Committee". Harold's long career was highlighted with 2,866 hits, a lifetime batting average of .289 and 384 career home runs. The Hall call was well deserved!

Triston McKenzie

My son and I met Triston McKenzie at the University of South Florida during Sam Fuld's 5th annual Slam T1D Wiffle Ball Tournament on December 8, 2018. Triston was kind enough to sign a 2017 Bowman baseball card and pose for a picture with my son!

Brett Phillips

 

My son and I were fortunate enough to meet Brett Phillips on December 8, 2018. Brett was participating in Sam Fuld's Slam T1D Wiffle Ball Tournament at the University of South Florida. Brett signed a 2016 Bowman baseball card and was kind enough to pose for a picture with my son.

Greg Sparks

I met Greg Sparks at Pirate City in Bradenton,Florida on December 1, 2018. Greg was participating as part of the professional coaching staff for the Pro-Ball Baseball Clinic. Greg signed a 1990 Star baseball card for me.

Victor Rodriguez

I met Victor Rodriguez at Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida on December 1, 2018. Victor was one of the professional coaching staff members for the Pro-Ball Baseball Clinic. Victor signed a 1991 Line Drive baseball card just after pitching BP.

Brian Boehringer

I met Brian Boehringer at the Four Points by Sheraton Suites in Tampa, Florida on November 10, 2018. Brian was part of the New York Yankees Fantasy Camp and was about to attend a banquet as the camp was coming to a close. I spotted Brian coming down the glass elevator and I went to approach him in the lobby. Brian stopped to chat with a couple of guys that were attending the camp along with former teammate, Shane Spencer. Brian didn't see my seven year old son and I at first as he was conversing. I didn't want to interrupt, so my son and I waited patiently. Brian used quite a few choice words, all in good fun. He turned around and saw my son and I and was incredibly apologetic.  I laughed it off and told it wasn't a problem. As he continued to apologize a second time, I said, "You can make it up to us, if you'd like". He replied, "How so?" -"You can sign an autograph for us!" I said. He was shocked that my son and I had cards of him from his Minor League days. Brian signed my 1993-94 Fleer Excel baseball card.

Roy Halladay

My son and I met Roy Halladay outside of Tropicana Field as he was leaving for the night after being awarded at the Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame dinner on February 6, 2016. Roy signed my 8x10 picture for me and signed a 2009 Upper Deck baseball card for my son. I remember the joy I had of finally getting this amazing 8x10 picture signed! I saw Roy again in November of 2016 as he was being inducted into the Florida State League Hall of Fame. I was hoping to take a picture of him with my son, but he was running late to the event. He approached me and clearly seemed lost. I pointed at the door where the event was being held and said, "You're in the right place!" He nodded and thanked me. I didn't want to bother him for a picture when he was leaving for the night. I figured I'd see him around again since we both lived in the same area. Sadly, Roy was taken away about a year later as his plane crashed in the Gulf of Mexico on November 7, 2017. Roy's two Cy Young awards along with a Perfect Game and No-Hitter during a playoff game are two key notes into the greatness of his pitching. Roy was announced as a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame's class of 2019 on January 22, 2019 by receiving 85.4% of votes by the BBWAA on his first year of eligibility.

Kevin Cash

I met Kevin Cash outside of Brighthouse Networks Field, the Spring Training home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Kevin was leaving the park after a Spring Training game, on March 13, 2015. Kevin, who had just taken over as the Tampa Bay Rays manager, signed an 8x10 picture.

Dante Bichette

I first met Dante Bichette at the Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest at Tropicana Field. Dante was signing autographs along with the MLB Alumni. Dante signed a 1993 Donruss baseball card.

Darryl Strawberry

I first met Darryl Strawberry on July 4, 1995 at Dunedin Stadium. Darryl was on a rehab assignment with the Tampa Yankees at the time. I was lucky enough to be one of the Dunedin Blue Jays bat boys that day. Darryl was my all time favorite baseball player and I was incredibly honored to meet him. I remember watching him take BP that day. He had such a sweet swing and the balls would launch off his bat with what seemed to be little to no effort. Raw power! After BP, I was able to chat with him in the dugout as he sat next to me. I told him that he was my favorite player and that my brother and I were long time Mets fans from birth and that he and I even shared the same birthday! I also mentioned that my brother was in the stands and had a Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine that we were hoping to get signed. He told me he had already met him and signed one for each of us! After Darryl and I finished chatting, he went back to the visiting clubhouse as I returned to my pre-game bat boy duties and headed back to the Blue Jays home clubhouse. Just before reaching entrance of the clubhouse, I collapsed against a fence and limped back to the locker room in pain. The Dunedin Blue Jays trainer checked me out and diagnosed me with a strained hamstring. I still to this day don't know how I would've strained it as I was just walking. I also never forget how Darryl was greeted by the fans that day. Darryl was met with loud and obnoxious boos during each of his at-bats. After the game, I remember those same fans lining up by the visiting clubhouse, hoping for his autograph. As Darryl was signing autographs, they were praising, cheering and wishing him luck on his return to New York. Kind words didn't seem to add up from the boos I was hearing from those same people. I was annoyed by how fake and two-faced those fans were. I also admired Darryl for letting go and signing for everybody that asked him for his autograph. On May 16, 2017, Darryl was making an appearance at George M. Steinbrenner Field to spread the word of God to the people of Tampa. I brought my son with me to hopefully get a chance for him to meet him. We arrived and were there for less than 5 minutes when Darryl walked in our direction. My son pulled out his 8x10 picture and asked Darryl to sign it. He said, "Sure! Why don't you guys follow me!" Darryl brought the two of us into a private area, closed off to the public. He signed the picture on a table and then agreed to take a picture with us! Darryl Strawberry may have had some bad press during his playing days. In my mind, Darryl has always been a class act.

Ed Sprague

On March 4, 1994 my Mother woke me up to tell me that instead of going to school, she was taking my brother, Dan and I to the Spring Training home opener for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Baltimore Orioles, at Grant Field in Dunedin, Florida. After batting practice, I was standing in the stands behind home plate by myself, waiting for somebody to walk by so that I could get an autograph. A man approached me from the field and asked if I'd like to be the bat boy for the day. Of course I jumped at the opportunity! My Mom gave the 'OK' and I was taken onto the field and into the Blue Jays clubhouse to be fitted for a uniform. After the game, the clubhouse attendant which offered me the job for the day, was allowing me to get autographs in the clubhouse! I needed only one more signature... I asked the man if Ed Sprague was still around. He advised me that Ed had already left for the day. He then brought me to the back of the clubhouse where a couple guys were hanging out, conversing. One of them was signing a box of a dozen baseballs. I didn't recognize either one of them. The attendant began asking how I was enjoying my day as he was flipping through my book with my cards and pictures, some signed, some not. He flipped to Ed's unsigned 8x10 picture and asked what I thought of him. Keep in mind, I was 12 years old at the time, just shy of my 13th birthday. I answered as honestly as I could. "I like Sprague, but I think the Blue Jays will wind up trading him, soon." The man signing the baseballs began to laugh. I immediately realized I had been set up! I was incredibly embarrassed as I realized at that moment, I was sitting next to Ed Sprague himself! Ed pulled the 8x10 picture out of the plastic protective sleeve, and signed the picture, "To Brian 'My Biggest Fan'! Ed Sprague.

Dave Winfield

My brother, Dan met Dave Winfield in 1992 at Englebert Complex, the Toronto Blue Jays training facility in Dunedin, Florida. Dan was invited into the Blue Jays clubhouse where he was able to get this 8x10 picture signed for me! I've heard Dave is a tough autograph to obtain... I'm very happy to have this Baseball Hall of Famer in my collection!

Rolando Pino

I met Rolando Pino in 1994 at Dunedin Stadium when he was coaching with the Dunedin Blue Jays. Rolando signed a 1993 Fleer Pro Cards baseball card.

Barry Lyons

I first met Barry Lyons during Spring Training in 1993 when he was trying to make a comeback with the St. Louis Cardinals. Barry singed a 1989 Donruss baseball card.

Seth McClung

I first met Seth McClung at Tropicana Field during the Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest on February 4, 2017. Seth signed a 2010 Upper Deck baseball card.

Milt May

On March 16, 2017, I met Milt May at Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex, the Minor League training facility for the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota, Florida. Milt signed a 1985 Donruss baseball card in the parking lot as he was leaving for the day.

Tom Foley

I met Tom Foley after a Spring Training game at Brighthouse Networks Field, the Spring Training home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Tom was a coach for the Tampa Bay Rays. Tom signed a 1992 Fleer Ultra baseball card on March 13, 2015.

Derek Bell

I met Derek Bell at Dunedin Stadium during Spring Training in 1992, when he played for the Toronto Blue Jays. Derek signed a 1991 Donruss baseball card.

Carlos Baerga

I met Carlos Baerga on December 7, 2017 as he was leaving Dunedin Stadium during the Toronto Blue Jays Fantasy Camp. Carlos signed my 1991 Donruss baseball card before leaving the ball park with Roberto Alomar.

Kevin Baez

I met Kevin Baez at First Data Field in St. Lucie, Florida during the New York Mets Fantasy Camp on January 27, 2017. Kevin was kind enough to sign my 1993 Donruss baseball card.

Dead Prez

Dead Prez were performing at Fubar in Downtown St. Petersburg, Florida on October 19, 2018. When I met them, I told them I liked them in the movie, "White Boyz" They laughed and told me a little bit about their time in that movie. They said, "We were brought out to a cornfield in the middle of nowhere and sat in a trailor". M1 and Stic Man signed a CD cover from their "Get Free or Die Tryin'".

Midre Cummings

 

I met Midre Cummings on October 16, 2018 at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium. Midre was attending Major League Baseball Players Alumni Legends For Youth baseball clinic. My son was on of the young ball players learning from his knowledge of the game. Midre signed a 1994 Action Packed baseball card for me and also signed a 1998 Upper Deck baseball card for my son.

Barry Larkin

I met Barry Larkin in April of 1995 when the Cincinnati Reds came to play a Spring Training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium in Clearwater, Florida. I was the visiting team bat boy that night. My locker for the day was right next to Barry Larkin's. He was kind enough to autograph the back cover of a Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine for me! Barry was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Jerome Walton

I met Jerome Walton in April, 1995 at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium during Spring Training, when the Cincinnati Reds came to play the Philadelphia Phillies. I was the visiting team bat boy that day. Jerome signed a page from a Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine, inside the Reds locker room. He was even kind enough to personalize it to me and added "1989 R.O.Y" without me asking!

Jason Isringhausen

I met Jason Isringhausen at Roger Dean Stadium in Palm Beach, Florida on January 29, 2016 during the St. Louis Cardinals Fantasy Camp. Jason signed the back cover of a Beckett Focus on Future Stars magazine.

Paul Molitor

I first met Paul Molitor in late February, 1994 at Englebert Complex, the training facility of the Toronto Blue Jays. Paul was leaving for the day and was heading to his car in the parking lot. There was a group of people trying to get his autograph and he signed from his car, before even turning it on. I remember getting knocked over by fans as everybody ran to his car. I scraped up my knee a bit, but it was worth it to add this, future Hall of Famer to my collection!

Manny Ramirez

My brother, Dan and I met Manny Ramirez in 1994 at Dunedin Stadium during Spring Training, when the Cleveland Indians came to play the Toronto Blue Jays. Manny signed the cover of Beckett Focus On Future Stars, magazine. Both my brother and I asked Manny to personalize the picture to us. He did... By putting "To Brian" in the very top left corner... The darkest part of the picture. Unfortunately the pen began to give out a little bit as he signed his name. I'll still take it though!

Juan Guzman & Roberto Alomar

I first met Juan Guzman and Roberto Alomar in the early 90's during Spring Training in Dunedin, FL. I believe it was 1993. Juan and Roberto both signed this Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine on the same day, at Englebert Complex, the training facility for the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Florida.

Frank Viola

I met Frank Viola in 1995 after he had made a rehab start for the Dunedin Blue Jays. The former Cy Young award winner signed the back cover of a Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine, outside of Dunedin Stadium.

Mo Vaughn

I met Mo Vaughn at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium during Spring Training in 1998, when the Boston Red Sox came to play the Philadelphia Phillies. Mo signed the front cover of a Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine prior to the game.

Wander Franco

On Friday, September 28, 2018, Wander Franco was signing autographs as well as being awarded at Tropicana Field for being one of the Tampa Bay Rays top Minor League players of the 2018 season. Wander signed an 8x10 picture representing the Princeton Rays.

Vidal Brujan

I met Vidal Brujan at Tropicana Field during a pre-game autograph signing, on Friday September 28, 2018. Vidal was one of the Tampa Bay Rays top Minor League players this season and was being awarded for his abilities. Vidal signed an 8x10 picture.

Matt Duffy

I met Matt Duffy at Tropicana Field on Friday, September 28, 2018 just before the Tampa Bay Rays took on the Toronto Blue Jays during the final home stand of the season. Matt signed a 2018 Topps baseball card.

Ronaldo Hernanez

I met Ronaldo Hernandez during an autograph signing at Tropicana Field on Friday, September 28, 2018. Ronaldo signed an 8x10 picture, representing the Princeton Rays.

Nathaniel Lowe

Nathaniel Lowe was signing autographs at Tropicana Field prior to being honored as the Tampa Bay Rays Minor League Player of the Year on Friday, September 28, 2018. Nate signed an 8x10 picture from when he was playing for the Charlotte Stone Crabs earlier in the 2018 season. He finished the year with the Triple-A, Durham Bulls.

Easton McGee

I met Easton McGee on Friday, September 28, 2018 at Tropicana Field. The Tampa Bay Rays were honoring their top Minor League players prior to a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. I brought with me some guys I expected to see. Easton was one of the guys that I hoped to run into. Easton signed a 2016 Bowman Chrome baseball card.

Albert Belle

I met Albert Belle in 1994 at Dunedin Stadium when the Cleveland Indians came to play the Toronto Blue Jays during Spring Training. Albert signed the back cover of a Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine.

Todd Zeile

I first met Todd Zeile in the early 90's during Spring Training at Dunedin Stadium when the St. Louis Cardinals came to play the Toronto Blue Jays. Todd signed the back cover of a Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine.

Craig Biggio

My son and I spotted Hall of Famer, Craig Biggio in the stands prior to the start of a Dunedin Blue Jays game at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the home of the Tampa Yankees on July 13, 2017. Craig's son, Cavan had just posed for a picture with my son. We came prepared on the off chance that Craig might be there. Thankfully, it paid off! Craig signed an 8x10 picture for my son and I and was kind enough to pose for a picture.

Cavan Biggio

 I first met Cavan Biggio at a Dunedin Blue Jays home game at Dunedin Stadium on April 8, 2017 just before game time. Cavan signed my 2012 Panini USA baseball card. On July 13, 2017, Cavan posed for a picture with my son prior to a Tampa Yankees game at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. Moments later, my son and I spotted his Dad in the stands!.... Luckily, we came prepared!

Brooks Kieschnick

I met Brooks Kieschnick at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium in 1998 while playing with the St. Petersburg Devil Rays. They were visiting playing the home team Clearwater Phillies of the Florida State League. Brooks signed the back cover of a Beckett Focus On Future Stars magazine.

Eric Davis

I met Eric Davis in 1994 at Dunedin Stadium when the Detroit Tigers came to play the Toronto Blue Jays during Spring Training. Eric signed a page from a Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine.