Alfonso Soriano

 This is a prime example of why I carry my baseball cards with me most of the time when I'm out and about. This evening, January 28, 2021, my son and I drove to Play It Again Sports so that I could look to buy him a catchers glove. The young man behind the counter says to us, "You just missed Alfonso Soriano!" He then added, "I think his Rolls Royce is still in the parking lot". I thanked the guy and immediately walked to my truck with my son to get our cards. My son and I waited in the parking lot, about 100 feet or so away from where his car was parked, just outside of Play It Again Sports and a Sushi restaurant, which I assumed is where he was. Around 7:30pm, he walked out! I called out his name and asked for an autograph. He waived my son and I over to him and we quickly put our masks on and approached him sitting in his car. He signed my 2008 Upper Deck baseball card and a 2009 Upper Deck card for my son and we were on our way!

Billy DeMars

 Billy DeMars came into my job at a healthcare facility in 2011. I was working the front desk at the time and as I was checking him in, I recognized his name. I mentioned to him before he was brought back for his test, of my time working with the Phillies organization in Clearwater. We shared some stories about the people we mutually knew, and then he was brought in for his testing. A short while later, Mr. DeMars came to me to thank me for talking baseball with him as he was leaving the building. A few minutes after that, he re-entered the building and handed me an autographed baseball card! I happily accepted his 2009 Diamond Signatures baseball card and added it to my collection! Mr. DeMars passed away on December 10, 2020 at the age of 95.

Miguel Cabrera

On Saturday, November 21, 2020 I was attending my son's 10U  travel ball tournament at Braden River Park in Bradenton, Florida. During the first of two games, I decided to move my car to a closer parking space in between innings. While in the car, I spotted a guy that looked like Miguel Cabrera unpacking the back of his SUV. I thought it can't be him, until I saw the rosary tattoo on his right arm, which confirmed that it really was the Detroit Tigers superstar and Triple Crown winner!  As soon as my son's game ended, I told him that he was here! My son's excitement matched mine! We walked the little league complex, along with my son's entire team. We found Miggy a short while later as he was throwing some BP to a group of kids, which I later discovered was his son's travel team from Miami. As soon as he was finished, he saw us standing by and called us all over! He took pictures with everybody and was as kind as could be. After all the pictures were taken, I shook his hand and thanked him, and also casually asked, "Will you be here tomorrow?" He said yes. I followed up my question by asking, "Would it be ok if I bring a picture for you to sign?" He again agreed! That night, I printed out two 8x10 pictures, one for my son and one for me. The next morning, we arrived at the ball park around 10:30am. My wife had told me his son's team would be playing on Field 3 at 10:30. I walked over with my son to confirm he was there and as promised, there he was! My son and I walked back to the parking lot and waited for my brother to arrive. About 10 minutes later, my brother was there with our buddy Eric who is also an avid autograph collector. The 4 of us walked over to Miguel as he was sitting by himself close to the visiting dugout on the third base line. He was kind enough to sign an 8x10 picture for my son and I, a baseball card for my brother and a giant oversized picture for Eric!

 

Rick Barry

 I met NBA Hall of Famer, Rick Barry on the morning of November 7, 2020 in the Legacy Golf Club parking lot in Bradenton, Florida. Mr. Barry was attending the 2020 Clint Hurdle Sport Celebrity Scramble. He was kind enough to sign and personalize an 8x10 picture for me! I absolutely love that he wrote, "Happy Hooping" and "HOF 1987".  Due to the global pandemic, COVID19, it's been a tough year for many. It was nice to have a slight moment of normalcy and get my feet wet by obtaining his autograph in person. 

Kim Batiste

 Kim Batiste signed this 1992 Fleer Ultra baseball card for me in the mid 1990's when he was still playing for the Philadelphia Phillies. Kim was a member of the NL Championship Phillies. He sadly passed away on October 7, 2020.

Kiki Jones

I met Kiki Jones in 1993 at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium when the Vero Beach Dodgers came to play the Clearwater Phillies. Kiki signed a 1991 Upper Deck baseball card before the game.
 

Pete Incaviglia

 I met Pete Incaviglia in the mid 90's at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies. Pete signed an 8x10 picture for me outside of the Phillies clubhouse, in a restricted area from the fans. I at the time, was working in the Phillies organization, although, not technically allowed to get autographs, I wasn't working, and it was the off season.