Angels Spring Training Autograph Recap!

mt27 · 03-07-2013, 01:03 AM

Had an awesome time down in Tempe.

Weather was perfect for baseball.

On the first day, we were at Phoenix Municipal Stadium to see the Angels take on the A's. We got to the stadium at 9:00AM looking to see what was going on, which happened to be nothing. After waiting another hour, we saw Vernon Wells pull up with Mike Trout. By the time he entered the stadium, there were about 20 people waiting to see if he'd sign. He passed without even acknowledging us. I figured I'd try and get him on the way out.

I headed back to the place the Angels leave the stadium. The first to leave was Trout accompanied by Wells. Trout signed for a four year old and an elderly woman who opened the car door and shoved a picture in his face.

Everybody waiting to get Trout left when he did. I was one of three or four people still waiting.

Jason Vargas walked out and was extremely nice about signing. I have always been a fan of Vargas and think he will be a sleeper in Anaheim. He signed my 8x10 and card.

Next to leave was Alberto Callaspo, who signed my card.

Last to leave was the bus with the prospects and a few every day starters. I got Hank Conger to sign my card.

Scioscia was also signing for the few fans who were left.

On the 2nd day, we got to Tempe Diablo Stadium at 9:00AM.

I got Howie Kendrick as he headed down to the practice fields. Howie has one of the best signatures in the game today.

As I was in the rest room, I notice Jered Weaver walk in and he goes to the urinal next to me. I thought it was extremely odd the players and the public share a restroom. I asked Weaver to sign, but he said, "Not in the bathroom man, come on."

Kind of a funny incident.

Didn't get much inside the stadium, just this little beauty.

I was the last person Trout signed for. Extremely happy to get that piece signed, definitely the highlight of the trip.

After the game, I headed out to player parking. I got Ryan Madson to sign my photo.

Madson also seems like a very friendly guy. Hope he does well for us this season.

C.J. Wilson came by in his silver Bentley Continental GT and signed my photo on his way out.

Very cool signature as always from C.J.

Another player to sign on day two was Mark Trumbo. Mark did not give me his "good" signature because he was frustrated with the guy before me who asked if he'd sweet spot his ball. It wasn't hard to tell where the ball was headed. At least I got it signed.

Jay Bruce walked out alone and I was able to get him on a baseball.

Todd Frazier and Devin Mesoraco walked out together. I got Frazier on a baseball. He seemed like a nice guy. (Should have won ROY.)

On day 3, I only got a few players. I got to see Weaver pitch 3 innings. First up was Garrett Richards on a ball.

Was hoping for Omar Vizquel, but he declined to sign. I saw a familiar figure walk up the stairs and noticed it was Jarrod Washburn. He signed my ball on the sweet spot.

Last but not least was Chris Iannetta. Chris has always been down to earth and signed my photo.

That was my trip. Hope you guys enjoyed. Thanks for reading!

eaglescubs555 · 03-07-2013, 01:12 AM

Haha pretty funny story with Weaver... Nice stuff!

mt27 · 03-07-2013, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eaglescubs555

Haha pretty funny story with Weaver... Nice stuff!

Thanks! Yeah, I asked him and he looked at me and kind of hesitated but then refused. He didn't wash up so I guess it may have been a good thing.

aperry2006 · 03-07-2013, 01:22 AM

You really did ask for a auto while in the bathroom?? Iv been in alot of personal situations with players/music artist. My NO auto times are eating, gambling, and bathroom. Not surprised he turned you down.

kelbysdaddy · 03-07-2013, 01:27 AM

It bothers me that a lot of players won't Sweet spot just because they assume its going on ebay. I realize they are correct a lot of the time but side panel signed balls look like crap and they don't display nicely at all.

mt27 · 03-07-2013, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aperry2006

You really did ask for a auto while in the bathroom?? Iv been in alot of personal situations with players/music artist. My NO auto times are eating, gambling, and bathroom. Not surprised he turned you down.

Yeah, I did. Weaver almost NEVER signs in person, so I figured if it was only me and him it'd be worth a shot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelbysdaddy

It bothers me that a lot of players won't Sweet spot just because they assume its going on ebay. I realize they are correct a lot of the time but side panel signed balls look like crap and they don't display nicely at all.

I agree. Trumbo has always been like that though. Even at sit down signings he gets pissed when someone asks for a sweet spot.

ChicagoCubsWS · 03-07-2013, 02:05 AM

Low blow asking for an autograph in the bathroom. Thats a no-no for autographers.

mt27 · 03-07-2013, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChicagoCubsWS

Low blow asking for an autograph in the bathroom. Thats a no-no for autographers.

It was my first spring training and I knew I had no chance outside. Cut me some slack.

superjames27 · 03-07-2013, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mt27

It was my first spring training and I knew I had no chance outside. Cut me some slack.

i give you some slack hard not to ask for autographs when seeing a player like weaver just learn from it , surprised you didnt get vernon wells , love tempe diablo stadium

mt27 · 03-07-2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superjames27

i give you some slack hard not to ask for autographs when seeing a player like weaver just learn from it , surprised you didnt get vernon wells , love tempe diablo stadium

Thanks. Vernon did not even show up to two of the games I went to. I agree, I think Tempe Diablo is a very nice stadium.

goldglove2144 · 03-07-2013, 11:50 AM

i love these spring training stories...thanks for sharing...and nice stuff!

ToppsCollector1 · 03-07-2013, 12:19 PM

Man I cant believe you didnt wash after the bathroom. On another note I do like that gold Conger parallel. Ive been thinking about getting as many of those as I can and sending them off ttm, and seeing if I can get them signed

mt27 · 03-07-2013, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldglove2144

i love these spring training stories...thanks for sharing...and nice stuff!

No problem, thanks for reading!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToppsCollector1

Man I cant believe you didnt wash after the bathroom. On another note I do like that gold Conger parallel. Ive been thinking about getting as many of those as I can and sending them off ttm, and seeing if I can get them signed

I did actually...

I didn't think the silver would look good but it turned out alright. Thanks for the read.

03-07-2013, 01:03 AM	#1
mt27 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 1,655 cac3627	Angels Spring Training Autograph Recap! Had an awesome time down in Tempe. Weather was perfect for baseball. On the first day, we were at Phoenix Municipal Stadium to see the Angels take on the A's. We got to the stadium at 9:00AM looking to see what was going on, which happened to be nothing. After waiting another hour, we saw Vernon Wells pull up with Mike Trout. By the time he entered the stadium, there were about 20 people waiting to see if he'd sign. He passed without even acknowledging us. I figured I'd try and get him on the way out. I headed back to the place the Angels leave the stadium. The first to leave was Trout accompanied by Wells. Trout signed for a four year old and an elderly woman who opened the car door and shoved a picture in his face. Everybody waiting to get Trout left when he did. I was one of three or four people still waiting. Jason Vargas walked out and was extremely nice about signing. I have always been a fan of Vargas and think he will be a sleeper in Anaheim. He signed my 8x10 and card. Next to leave was Alberto Callaspo, who signed my card. Last to leave was the bus with the prospects and a few every day starters. I got Hank Conger to sign my card. Scioscia was also signing for the few fans who were left. On the 2nd day, we got to Tempe Diablo Stadium at 9:00AM. I got Howie Kendrick as he headed down to the practice fields. Howie has one of the best signatures in the game today. As I was in the rest room, I notice Jered Weaver walk in and he goes to the urinal next to me. I thought it was extremely odd the players and the public share a restroom. I asked Weaver to sign, but he said, "Not in the bathroom man, come on." Kind of a funny incident. Didn't get much inside the stadium, just this little beauty. I was the last person Trout signed for. Extremely happy to get that piece signed, definitely the highlight of the trip. After the game, I headed out to player parking. I got Ryan Madson to sign my photo. Madson also seems like a very friendly guy. Hope he does well for us this season. C.J. Wilson came by in his silver Bentley Continental GT and signed my photo on his way out. Very cool signature as always from C.J. Another player to sign on day two was Mark Trumbo. Mark did not give me his "good" signature because he was frustrated with the guy before me who asked if he'd sweet spot his ball. It wasn't hard to tell where the ball was headed. At least I got it signed. Jay Bruce walked out alone and I was able to get him on a baseball. Todd Frazier and Devin Mesoraco walked out together. I got Frazier on a baseball. He seemed like a nice guy. (Should have won ROY.) On day 3, I only got a few players. I got to see Weaver pitch 3 innings. First up was Garrett Richards on a ball. Was hoping for Omar Vizquel, but he declined to sign. I saw a familiar figure walk up the stairs and noticed it was Jarrod Washburn. He signed my ball on the sweet spot. Last but not least was Chris Iannetta. Chris has always been down to earth and signed my photo. That was my trip. Hope you guys enjoyed. Thanks for reading! __________________ Angels, Ducks, Texans, Hornets.

03-07-2013, 01:27 AM	#5
kelbysdaddy Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Beloit Wi Posts: 687 kelbysdaddy	It bothers me that a lot of players won't Sweet spot just because they assume its going on ebay. I realize they are correct a lot of the time but side panel signed balls look like crap and they don't display nicely at all. __________________ Collecting Jonathan Lucroy, Nori Aoki, Nolan Arenado, Chris Sale and Brewers Prospects. photobucket http://s411.photobucket.com/albums/pp192/kelbysdaddy/

03-07-2013, 02:05 AM	#7
ChicagoCubsWS Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 5,769 ajcollectiblesltd	Low blow asking for an autograph in the bathroom. Thats a no-no for autographers. __________________ Collecting Cubs Prospects

03-07-2013, 12:19 PM	#12
ToppsCollector1 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chicago IL, USA Posts: 12,527 ToppsCollector1	Man I cant believe you didnt wash after the bathroom. On another note I do like that gold Conger parallel. Ive been thinking about getting as many of those as I can and sending them off ttm, and seeing if I can get them signed __________________

03-07-2013, 01:12 AM	#2
eaglescubs555 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 10,560	Haha pretty funny story with Weaver... Nice stuff!

03-07-2013, 01:22 AM	#4
aperry2006 Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: michigan Posts: 179 bamfatghs	You really did ask for a auto while in the bathroom?? Iv been in alot of personal situations with players/music artist. My NO auto times are eating, gambling, and bathroom. Not surprised he turned you down.

03-07-2013, 11:50 AM	#11
goldglove2144 Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: ohio Posts: 2,148 goldglove2144	i love these spring training stories...thanks for sharing...and nice stuff!