Austin Riley

 My son and I first met Austin Riley when he was playing for the Florida Firefrogs. The Braves advanced A-Ball team was at Brighthouse Networks Field April 21, 2017 when Austin signed this 2015 Bowman baseball card. My son caught up with Austin on March 29, 2018 during Minor League Spring Training, when the Braves came to Lakeland to play the Detroit Tigers Minor League affiliates. Austin was kind enough to pose for a picture just before the start of their game.

Tim Raines

 Tim Raines signed this 8x10 picture for me on September 24, 2016 at Englebert Complex, the Toronto Blue Jays Minor League training complex in Dunedin, Florida during Florida Instructional League. Tim, at the time was already long overdue for his Hall of Fame induction, but was inching closer to the 75% threshold required by the BBWAA for enshrinement. When he was signing this picture, I made the comment, "2017 HOF has a nice ring to it!" He immediately shouted out loud with a bit of laughter in his voice, "YEAH BUDDY!!". Rock received the call later in 2016 that he would in fact be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017! The picture below the autograph, is of my son with the legend himself! Tim and my son posed for this picture during Minor League Spring Training on March 22, 2015. Tim signed an 8x10 picture for my son on that day.

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.