Mbrown2626 IP recaps

[mbrown2626]

My two boys love graphic Frisco games and dad loves going to games so here is their recaps.

NW Arkansas vs Frisco

NW Arkansas
Dozier x6
Mondesi x2 - 1 per
Bonifacio x2
Finnegan x2 ROMLB SS

Frisco
Gallo x4
Alfaro x2 - 1 per
N. Williams x 4

Boys also got 4 balls throughout the night as the stands were empty since the weather was chilly and windy.

[oucats02]

Well done!!!

[bkoon]

Nice Stuff!

[mbrown2626]

Pretty much mirrors Tex2005 success as we were at teh same game

4/25 - Corpus @ Frisco

This was a doubleheader since the previous night was a wash out. Concentrated on Corpus. Not often two #1 picks are on the same team. Correa and Appel were pretty good. They signed before each of the games. Got the following:

Correa - 1/1, 1/1, 1-ROMLB SS
Appel - 1/1, 1/1, 1-ROMLB SS
McCullers 3/3, 3/3
Hader - 3/3, 3/3
Moran - 1/1, 1/1
Heineman - 1/2, 1/2
Nash - 1/1, 1/1
Meredith - 1/1, 1/1

Couldn't stay to the end of the second game. It was 10pm and still top of the 4th. Was gonna be a late one and I have all the Frisco guys already. Good old Josh Hamilton should be there pretty soon. That will be interesting.

[Tex2005]

It was good talking with you again. Your boys crushed it.

[mbrown2626]

Pretty much mirrors Tex2005 again. Corpus visitign Frisco

Appel 2/2, 1/2 and 1 SS ROMLB. Both my boy gompleted the Appel/Gray Bowman dual they had been holding onto for a year. the sigs are perfect on both cards so they were pretty happy with that

Hader 3/3, 3/3
Velasquez 2/2, 2/2. One of the only times I've seen a starting pitcher sign before a game.
Delino Deshields was visiting his old teammates got 1/1 and 1/1 on him
Buckel 3/3

Velasquez, Deshields, Hader and Appel are all 2014 THM so I will add those to my trade list if any of you are interested.

[mbrown2626]

Springfield @ Frisco

Didn't do Springfield side as we didn't have much for them so we went for Frisco since we know some of the big name will be gone in a month or so:

Gallo - 2 SS ROMLB - available for trade
Mazara - 1 SS ROMLB, 1 8x10
Payano - 3/3, 3/3
Frank Lopez - kid just got called up from High Desert and we had two of his Hickory team cards. He was surprised someone had his card there. 1/1, 1/1

It was a rainy night. This was Springfields first visit to Frisco so all the graphers were trying for Springfield. We were the only ones trying for Frisco pre-game. That doesn't happen very often.

[Matt Ryan]

Nice work. Sent ya a PM. Was able to get Coulter on a Road to the Show.

[mbrown2626]

So Saturday in Frisco it was military appreciation night and the Riders were wearing camo jerseys that were gonna be auctioned off. Winners go to go on the field and get the jersey from the player and get it autographed. Well Frisco has 5 big names:

Gallo
Alfaro
Nick Williams
Nomar Mazara
Jake Thompson

I figured all 5 of these would go for 200+. Bidding started at $100. to my surprise only Gallo was getting heavy bidding. I stood by the table as the bidding was to end with the last out in the 6th. Goal was to get 1 jersey as we got Chi Chi Gonzalez last year. Could not believe there was limited action. 3rd out was in the process of being made and I bid on Mazara. I freaking got Nomar Mazara for just $140! Gallo went for $650, Alfaro about $250. All other were under $200. I did get one player, Cody Ege for the minimum $100. He's from Iowa and so am I so I felt compelled to get his. Here are my two boys with the players:

Mazara

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Cards/2465E909-74D6-4F35-A39C-B1C1DC7298FB_zpsx21y8tif.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Cards/2465E909-74D6-4F35-A39C-B1C1DC7298FB_zpsx21y8tif.jpg.html)

Ege - Gallo is over his shoulder

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Cards/58B9782F-2442-4F33-AFE2-05158FCA73F6_zpsdyp8keca.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Cards/58B9782F-2442-4F33-AFE2-05158FCA73F6_zpsdyp8keca.jpg.html)

Got the line up card also from the game

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Cards/97DCCB37-EED1-47D0-86E4-4A7895929B98_zpsdgxqu7le.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Cards/97DCCB37-EED1-47D0-86E4-4A7895929B98_zpsdgxqu7le.jpg.html)

carde were:

Gallo 2/2, 2/2
Jake Thompson 3/3, 3/3
Mazara 2/2, 1 SS ROMLB and 1 8x10
Nick Williams 2/2 and 1 SS ROMLB
Alfaro - 1 SP ROMLB - he is so differnt than last year. Just not as engaging with the fans

Rumor is that this was Gallo's last game in Frisco. He's either header to Round Rock or the Rangers ad Beltre is out 2 weeks.

[Tex2005]

Man I am so jealous. This was the type of promotion I was waiting on!! Sad I had to be out of town!

[mbrown2626]

Frisco vs San Antonio

One of the last days Tre Turner is with the Padres org as he leaves for the Nationals on Saturday. Got the two main guys for San Antonio then went to the Frisco side:

San Antonio

Tre Turner 1/1, 1/1
Hunter Renfroe 3/3, 3/3

Frisco

Mazara 3/3, 3/3
Nick Williams 3/3, 3/3
Victor Payano 1/1, 1/1
Jake Thompson 2/2, 2/2

Here is a pic of Williams after the game signing for my kids. He shut the park down by signing for anyone that wanted it. He was 4 for 5 from the plate so he was in a really good mood.

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Cards/2FF60A9E-5E63-4A7D-97F5-5B0FD31E27FE_zps0hpeypah.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Cards/2FF60A9E-5E63-4A7D-97F5-5B0FD31E27FE_zps0hpeypah.jpg.html)

[BLawson87]

Very cool! Williams seems like a great kid.

[mbrown2626]

Well, we made our annual trip out to the Cactus League again and once again the Rangers did not disappoint us. This was the first year that wee were there and there were minor league games going on and it was a totally different atmosphere when that is happening. We got lots of cards that will be available for trade and I will post pictures in the next couple of days. Couple observations on some players and camps while we were out there.

We have yet to visit a camp that is more wide open as far as player accessibility is concerned that the Rangers. Players literally have to walk by you at some point during their workout and their walkways are not fenced off at all. I heard the diamondbacks are very open as well but we have not made it to their camp yet. Maybe next year.

Dodgers camp is restrictive in the sense that the main walkway to the fields is fenced off and the paths form field to field are also fenced off. Dodgers players can easily get by without much fan interaction. There is one main walkway that everyone gathers by and most players jog thru that 50 foot walkway so they don't have to stop.

Royals camp this year was packed for obvious reasons. The two main fields are inaccessible and I overheard a KC fan say that they had been there all week and didn't see any of the MLB buys sign at all. The minor league fields are open season and easy to access but the MLB guys are. The best part about KC fields is that you can get some really nice MLB balls off their main field. KC the past two years has used OMLB balls for BP so standing behind the OF wall you can get a couple nice balls. We got 4 in about a 30 min span. 2 of which look brand new and will be used for SS autos.


RANGERS CAMP RECAP

We hit Rangers practice field everyday were there except the one day the rangers had an off day. Coupe notes on players and signing habits:

Cole Hamels - He was a signing machine on 3 of the days we were there. He is SP the balls but he stayed and signed until no one wanted any more and he did this 3 different days that I saw. We got 2 balls signed and 4 cards. Not often a guy that caliber will sing like that and he did it 3 different times.

Yu Darvish - my wife (who is Japanese also) described him as "a Diva". He doesn't like to sign and when he does it's only for about 5 minutes. We saw him sing only once in the week we were there. Because of this, a large crowd follows him hoping he will sign. When he does it's a mad house and a coupe hundred folks then swarm. My oldest son was lucky enough to get him SS on a ball but the rest of us struck out. Considering he is not really working out with the team and all he did was walk around for the most part you would think that would be the time to d a little PR and have some fan interaction but that was not the case. Our last day there there was literally only 30 people at the practice fields and he still didn't pick up a pen.

Joey Gallo - This guy is a rock star and has had so much pub that everyone there was wanting Gallo. He wasnt on the practice fields much as he played in every A game that week so he took BP and left early. He singed once that I saw. Luckily we saw a lot of him in Frisco so we didn't even try to get in the mix for him.

Rougned Odor - only say him sign once as he was nursing a injury and it was on a day where the Rangers had a slit squad and one squad was traveling to San Antonio. The crowd was maybe 75 people at the practice and only about 40 recognized him. He signed for everyone who wanted one. He is 1 per but he did ask which card we wanted singed as we had 2 on the page for him. he will sign SS as well.

Fielder didnt sign at practices but he will sing at the games. He looks for kids specifically and he will tell adults to let kids to the front when a mob forms. He signed a card for both of my boys.

Beltre - only saw him once at practice and he signed for only 5 min. then after a game he singed as well (game was in peoria).

Anthonly Ranaudo - I know his reputation is that he wont sign but he signed multiples that I saw. Now the day he was signing not many people recognized him so the crowd was light wanting his auto so I'm sure that factored in as well. we got 4 cards signed by him.

Sam Dyson - this guy's personality leaves a lot to be desired. He shows zero emotion and looks like he is generally unhappy. He did sign one day we were there . We actually rode the elevator at our hotel with him when we first got to Surprise. His girlfriend was with him at the time. He asked my boys if there were there for baseball tournament. They didn't recognize him so I said "no we are actually here to see you and the rangers" His girlfriend laughed as I suspect they didn't think we recognized them. He gave zero reaction to my comment.

Keone Kela - I'm biased as he is our favorite Ranger and he recognizes us from the Frisco days. He talked to us for a good 30 minutes and chatted with our boys a lot. He took lots of pictures and signed for anyone that asked once his workouts were done.

Elvis Andrus - didnt see him sign at all the entire week we were thee. Maybe he is a little more focused this year as prior years he has been Mr PR for the Rangers.

Shawn Tolleson - signed multiple days, 1 per though

Chi Chi Gonzalez - Saw him sign a couple different times. Was 2 per from what I could tell. I had the honor of sitting next to his mom at a back field game. She is quite the entertaining person to talk to . Thick Cuban accent and she voices her opinion to each and every player and anyone around during the game. She lectured my boys on how they need to respect their parents and be appreciative of what they have. She told us about growing up in Cuba which was quite fascinating.

Jeremy Guthrie - Saw him sign a couple times. We didn't have any cards for him but I did talk to his brother on the backfields for about 30 minutes when he was pitching. Really interesting to talk to him and hear about Jeremy's 13+ year career and how he ended up with the Rangers.

Got to see lots of MLB pitchers on the back fields. I can tell you standing up against a chain link fence and seeing Hamels, Kela, Wilhelmsen, Guthrie, Gonzalez, and Tolleson all pitch really makes you appreciate just how good they are and how hard it would be to hit a 95 MPH FB or a 80 MPH breaking ball.

One a side note for all the LARS ANDERSON fans. Dodgers were playing on the back fields and I got to see LARS take a called 3rd strike and then pout all the way to the dugout. I just chuckled and though it was fitting after hearing all the IP Auto horror stories.....

Pictures and trade items will follow shortly.

[oucats02]

Great story about Chi Chi Gonzalez's mother. I would have found that fascinating as well!

Glad you all had a great trip!

[CRL999]

Great job with Hamels, I tried for years when he was on the Phillies and he never signed. A change or scenery did him well it seems haha

[mbrown2626]

Here are some extras from Spring Training if anyone is interested in trading:

I'm still working on a couple sets so if you have any of these please let me know

2013 Heritage Minor
34 Bettis
73 Ventura
111 Flores
166 Hernandez
204 Heaney
214 Bethancourt
215 Reed
222 Sanchez

2014 Heritage Minor Road to Show
RTTS-CS Corey Seager Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
RTTS-DP D.J. Peterson High Desert Mavericks
RTTS-EJ Eric Jagielo Tampa Yankees
RTTS-HH Hunter Harvey Delmarva Shorebirds
RTTS-JR Jose Rondon Inland Empire 66ers
RTTS-JV Jesmuel Valentin Great Lakes Loons
RTTS-KS Kohl Stewart Cedar Rapids Kernels
RTTS-LG Lucas Giolito Hagerstown Suns
RTTS-LH Luis Heredia West Virginia Power
RTTS-LM Luis Mateo Binghamton Mets
RTTS-LV Logan Vick Carolina Mudcats
RTTS-LW Levon Washington Carolina Mudcats
RTTS-MF Michael Fulmer St. Lucie Mets
RTTS-MM Mikie Mahtook Durham Bulls
RTTS-ND Nick Delmonico Brevard County Manatees
RTTS-PW Phil Wetherell Tampa Yankees
RTTS-TC Thomas Coyle Charlotte Stone Crabs



http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Cards/D49F8ECD-3F2E-469C-877A-1C9BBAD30734_zpsgarltuxj.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Cards/D49F8ECD-3F2E-469C-877A-1C9BBAD30734_zpsgarltuxj.jpg.html)

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http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Cards/ACCA3D34-C523-4F93-BB11-05105484AE5A_zpsukugc0vp.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Cards/ACCA3D34-C523-4F93-BB11-05105484AE5A_zpsukugc0vp.jpg.html)

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Cards/696CDF1D-53C0-46A3-B129-3F68E07E16FD_zpsxdaxf5ix.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Cards/696CDF1D-53C0-46A3-B129-3F68E07E16FD_zpsxdaxf5ix.jpg.html)

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Cards/8A8ADEBF-929E-48A8-BF68-C1867B9076B7_zpstolonjjs.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Cards/8A8ADEBF-929E-48A8-BF68-C1867B9076B7_zpstolonjjs.jpg.html)

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Cards/8A8F90CE-AF6D-49EC-856C-8E9424903592_zpsiqn4gnnk.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Cards/8A8F90CE-AF6D-49EC-856C-8E9424903592_zpsiqn4gnnk.jpg.html)

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Cards/35EAD3C4-8C37-4FD1-894A-F94ADC7250EF_zpsyrf6yjik.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Cards/35EAD3C4-8C37-4FD1-894A-F94ADC7250EF_zpsyrf6yjik.jpg.html)

[dbacksfan4life]

I'd be interested in the Hamels. Anything in particular you are loking for?

[Tex2005]

Interested in your Pro Debuts and thm 15

[mbrown2626]

Well been awhile since I've updated but we did our annual Spring Training trip this year. Couple photos of my boys with Jeff Bannister, Cole Hammels, Jose Trevino, Leody Taveras and Drew Robinson.....


Hammels
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Hammels_zps9vkq9xiz.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Hammels_zps9vkq9xiz.jpg.html)

Taveras
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Taveras_zpsjaj2wsm5.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Taveras_zpsjaj2wsm5.jpg.html)

Trevino
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Trevino_zpslovs1dje.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Trevino_zpslovs1dje.jpg.html)

Robinson
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Robinson_zpspxg63dta.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Robinson_zpspxg63dta.jpg.html)

Bannister
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l552/mbrown2626/Bannister_zpsicrvxklo.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/mbrown2626/media/Bannister_zpsicrvxklo.jpg.html)