Alan Trammell

 On June 8, 2017 my son and I went to a Lakeland Flying Tigers game in Lakeland, Florida. They were playing the St. Lucie Mets and as Mets fans, my son was decked out in Mets gear. We were there primarily to see Yoenis Cespedes as he was rehabbing with the St. Lucie Mets that game and were hoping to get an autograph. While talking with the Mets bus driver, a guy we've gotten to know quite well on our many visits to watch the team play, I spotted Alan Trammell sitting by himself in the stands. I'm always prepared to when I go to these games, because you never know who might show up. I had an 8x10 picture of the future Hall of Famer in my car. After finishing my conversation, my son and I walked to the parking lot to get the pictures. We approached him and politely asked for an autograph. He said, he'd be happy to sign them after the inning ended. I thanked him and said we'd come back. "No, come join me and watch the game!" Alan said to us. I was incredibly surprised and honored. Mr. Trammell joked with my son by sarcastically asking, "So what team are you rooting for?" Alan talked baseball with us for an entire inning and as promised, after the 3rd out of that inning, he signed and personalized our 8x10 pictures for us and was kind enough to pose for a picture with my son. Alan finally found his long overdue spot in the halls of Cooperstown in 2018.

Brent Rooker

 My son and I met Brent Rooker at George M. Steinbrenner Field when the Fort Myers Mircale came to Tampa to play the Tampa Yankees. Brent hit two long home runs during that August 18, 2017 game! After the game, Brent signed an 8x10 picture for us and was also kind enough to pose for a picture with my son. Brent made his Major League debut with the Minnesota Twins on September 4, 2020.

Derek Hill

 

Derek Hill signed this 8x10 picture for me on September 1, 2017 at George M. Steinbrenner Field when he was playing for the Lakeland Flying Tigers. They were in Tampa to take on the Tampa Yankees. Derek signed the picture after doing his pre-game stretches, on his way back to the dugout. Derek made his Major League debut with the Detroit Tigers on September 4, 2020.

Phil Niekro

I mailed two 8x10 pictures to 1997 Hall of Fame inductee Phil Niekro on July 6, 2020 and received them back signed and personalized on July 14, 2020! Mr. Niekro even took the time to sign the letter I wrote, which I thought was pretty cool! Phil Niekro won 318 games during his legendary career and my son and I are thrilled to have his autograph in our collections!

Brian McRae

I met Brian McRae in the mid 1990's at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium in Clearwater, Florida when the Kansas City Royals came to play a Spring Training game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Brian signed an 8x10 picture outside of the visiting clubhouse. I remember it being very windy, and as he finished signing, the black sharpie touched the photo creating a small mark just above the autograph.

Pete Rose

I met Pete Rose at Tropicana Field on February 18, 2018. Charlie Hustle was being inducted into the Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame and was signing autographs as well as giving a speech about his professional career starting from his time in the Minor Leagues all the way up to the present day. The speech was touching as well as hilarious at times. Pete is a guy I never thought I'd ever have the opportunity meet and was thrilled to add the Hit King into my collection! I hope this guy gets his plaque in Cooperstown where it is long overdue!  A very big thank you to Pete Rose for signing my 8x10 picture!

Jesse Barfield

I met Jesse Barfield on January 22, 2015 during the New York Yankees Fantasy Camp. The campers traveled to Carpenter Complex to face the Philadelphia Phillies Phantasy Campers. Jesse took the time to sign a 1984 Topps baseball card.