The Autograph Connection: Random Thoughts August 2003

Random Thoughts & Autograph Experiences
August 2003

A Hard Decision

Did you ever have an assignment in junior high where the teacher asked you to write your own obituary? You begin to ponder your life ahead, what you want to accomplish in life, your ambitions, and the legacy you want to leave behind.

With that in mind, here in my obituary for this web site:

The Autograph Connection was born in the winter of 1998 with the earliest incarnations of HTML known to man. Over the years, the web site has been used to highlight the hobby of collecting autographs, mostly in-person, with an emphasis on baseball and basketball.

A few months ago I went to a Sonics basketball game with a friend of mine when I revisited my state of birth. I told him that I wanted to get there a little early so that I might be able to get a few autographs. I asked him if he would like to join me near courtside and get a few autographs as well. He replied, “No, I’m no longer twelve years old.”

Yes, I know that my hobby is a bit childish. I’ve been told that grown men aren’t supposed to spend countless hours arranging their baseball card collections and chasing down players to sign autographs. It’s alright to spend a few hours at the ballpark but I don’t just spend a few hours at the ballpark. I arrive early. I leave after most players are already at the nearest pub downing a beer or two. Then, I take it one step further and spend even more time updating my web site and posting an occasional response on a few chat boards that deal with getting autographs.

I’ve decided that maybe that time is not time well spent. I’ve debated on a number of occasions on this web site whether or not to retire my blue sharpie. I know that’s not going to completely happen but I’ve realized this year that my desire to get autographs is not burning as it once was. At the beginning of the season, I circled on my calendar dates of baseball games throughout Florida that I wished to attend. To this date, I’ve yet to attend a baseball game that I originally planned to attend (other than the Mariners and Rainiers games in the Northwest that I went to during my vacation). You see, the desire for autographing is just not there. I’m not excited for Spring Training next year. I’m not excited for the upcoming NBA season, even if the visiting team stays only a block away from my work office. Don’t get me wrong…I will be across the street at lunch time in the hopes of landing a Carmelo Anthony or Dwayne Wade autograph. But, I just don’t need anymore Jake Voksuhl or Corey Benjamin autographs in my collection.

So, I’m not retiring my blue sharpie but I am retiring my web site, at least for now. I will keep the site open for anyone that wishes to purchase autographs or unsigned photos that I may still have in my possession. My Yahoo Group will continue, at least until the end of the year. At the end of the year, if the membership is still below 100 members, I may discontinue it. And, I will always be willing to answer your questions so you can always email me.

It’s been a fun run. I’m not saying good-bye. Saying good–bye is too final and I’m not completely ruling out a return of my web site in some shape or form. In the past, I've said I was done only to return to updating. For instance, I stopped updating in 2001 when I moved to Florida, only to return to updating my web site and rekindling my interest in autographing so there is a chance that I may return...hence, I'm not going to say goodbye.

Instead, I chose to end this “Random Thought” with my moniker of old:

‘Til Next Time,
The Autographer

In-Person Autographing

I love Cheney Stadium. It brings back memories of growing up in Tacoma. I went to the Rainiers while on vacation. Lot of fun hanging out with my brother and enjoyed a rare afternoon game in Tacoma. Here's my haul:

Rainiers:
Craig Anderson: 2/2
Brian Falkenborg: 2/2
Aaron Looper: 2/2
Allan Simpson: 2/2
Brian Sweeney: 2/2
Aaron Taylor: 2/2
Matt Thornton: 3/3
Randy Williams: 1/1
Chris Wright: 1/1 (needed him for my Orlando Rays set)
Julio Mosquero: 2/2
Andy Barkett: 1/2 (was holding his little girl so I at least give him
props for signing at all)
Ruben Castillo: 2/2
Luis Figueroa: 3/3 (and gave me a cracked bat that was an official
Pat Borders bat)
J.R. Phillips: 9/9
Greg Connors: 2/2
Adrian Myers: 3/3
Chris Snelling: 2/2 (had him sign his ESPN the Magazine page…says
that picture will "haunt him forever")
Jamal Strong: 2/2
Jeff Cirillo: 2/2
Jim Slaton: 5/5 (only signed for me…my bro was ticked because of that)
Gary Thurman: 1/2
Jeff Heaverlo: 0/2 (said he had to go but it was more of a result of
him getting rocked for 8 runs in 2 innings)

Trappers:
Tommy John 2/2
Ron Chiavacci: 2/2
Vic Darensbourg: 3/3
Anthony Ferrari: 1/1
Britt Reames: 2/2
Blake Stein: 1/1
Randy Knorr: 1/1
Scott Sandusky: 1/1
Scott Hodges: 3/3
Peter Bergeron: 1/3 (Still only doing the "one and done" trick)
Valentino Pascucci: 2/2 (had a huge day at the plate)
Anthony Medrano: 1/1
Luis Ortiz: 1/1

And, the best autograph of the day….Rhubarb, the Rainiers mascot. I
had to convince the guy to use my blue sharpie. This was a running
joke between my brother and I all game since we had a team set for
Tacoma and Rhubarb had a card. We finally cornered the mascot in the
8th inning. Now if we can only get the Rob Nodine, the trainer to
sign his card.

Somebody please explain to me why a trainer has his own card?

Final Thoughts

To everyone that has emailed me or gone autographing with me over the years, thanks for your support and happy autographing.