August 17, 2025, Graphing of the Sounds at Bulls

A couple weeks ago, I went on my own to Durham to catch the Nashville Sounds while they were in town.  I was pretty much by myself at the visitors dugout pregame, until a woman from Nashville joined me.  She was really good at identifying the players, so that was helpful in getting a good many of my cards signed.  My friend, Josh, ended up showing up and helped get a few extras done.  

I had picked up a few cards from the National, like the above 2024 Topps Chrome Oliver Dunn.  It turned out nicely.

I was excited to get Jorge Alfaro on several cards.  The 2023 Topps gold parallel was a nice addition to the autograph album. 

Alfaro signed for me inside, and again outside.  I knocked out a lot of different stuff, so that was great.

Daz Cameron did almost an entire page both times I saw him.  My green shimmer refractor 2017 Bowman Chrome (bottom far left) was another National pickup.  It was the first card that Cameron hit, and that was a good feeling.

Raynel Delgado (top, left) was really friendly.  He signed the one 2018 Bowman that I was able to find.  Oliver Dunn signed everything that I had.  Josh helped me get my light blue parallel from 2024 Topps Heritage (middle left) signed.  Eric Haase signed during the game at the bullpen.  That was really nice of him.

I happily added a couple more Freddy Zamora to the album.  He was nice when he came through a few years ago with the Mudcats.  I thought I had already gotten the 2021 Heritage Minors signed, but it looks like I hadn't.

Bruce Zimmermann didn't seem like he wanted to be bothered signing, but he did stop.  I can't complain; he signed two of four.

Finally,I got over to the Durham side outside after the game, almost too late.  We were graphing Nashville on their side outside, then the bus left.  When we got over to the Durham side, the only guys we could get were coaches abd trainers.  I had bought a 2025 team set; however, it was great getting the trainers.  They usually are the hardest people to get because they get to the park so early and leave so late.

In all, I got the following autographs: Jorge Alfaro x 6, Daz Cameron x 16, Raynel Delgado x 1, Oliver Dunn x 6, Eric Haase x 3, Jared Oliva x 1, Jeferson Quero x 2, Garrett Stallings x 1, Freddy Zamora x 3 and Bruce Zimmermann x 2, Tsutomu Kamiya x 2, Tyler Ladendorf x 2, Chrystal Rowe x 1 and Kris Russell x 4 (50 total autographs).

August 16, 2025, Graphing of the Drive at Grasshoppers

A few weeks ago, I had to go out of town for work.  That Saturday night, I went to Greensboro to try to get a few more Grasshoppers cards out of my box.  I got one more Konnor Griffin signed; he was promoted to Altoona the next day.

I knocked out a few more cards from the Greensboro team set, which was nice.  None of the guys had numbers on the front, so getting signatures was tough.  Still, a few got done, which helped.

I got a 2021 Bowman Chrome refractor of Shalin Polanco that I picked up from the National.  He also signed his team set card.

I was able to use up my remaining free ticket to the Grasshoppers (from the rainout in June).  I was glad to get those taken care of.  I didn't get a single Drive player, but that's ok.  Also, I got out of the stadium late because I was waiting for Griffin, so I missed the Drive guys I needed outside.

In all, I got the following autographs: Jack Carey x 1, Jesus Castillo x 1, Hung Leng Chang x 1, Khristian Curtis x 2, Konnor Griffin x 1, Steph Lombard x 1, JP Massey x 1, Matt Myers x 1, Connor Oliver x 1, Shalin Polanco x 3 and Will Taylor x 1 (14 total autographs). 

August 5-10, 2025, Graphing of the Sussex County Miners at Down East Bird Dawgs

After getting a lot of the stuff posted from this year's National (with more on the way), I now have to catch up on some graphing that I have done recently.  The Sussex County Miners came through town earlier this month.  I had a bunch of cards for the team pulled and they all got signed.

Former Major League catcher Chris Widger was the manager of the team.  His son CJ used to play in Kinston, so we talked about that while he signed.  He was really nice and signed everything we had. 

Mahki Backstrom was also with the team.  I had a bunch of his cards and got them all signed.  I also got the above card signed by Will Zimmerman.

A couple new Bird Dawgs with cards were on the team, and some of the stuff I had ordered had come in like my Colby Backus University of Tennessee cards (bottom row, above).  My friend Josh also made a few customs, and I got a few of those done.

In all we got the following autographs: Mahki Backstrom x 21, Chris Widger x 13, Will Zimmerman x 2, Kalae Harrison x 2 and Colby Backus x 7, Ryan Sleeper x 10 and David Tiburcio x 1, Emmanuel Tapia x 1, Yassel Pino x 1, Trotter Harlan x 1 and Stephen Ditomaso x 1 (60 total autographs). 

2025 National Free Signer - Will Perdue

The last free signer from this year's National was former Bull, Will Perdue.  He signed this nice 1991 Skybox for me that turned out great.

Purdue (b. 1965) played in the NBA from 1988 to 2001 for the Bulls, Spurs and Trailblazers.  He had 3,740 total points and 595 assists.  He won the NBA Championship four times (1991, 1992 and 1993 with the Bulls; and 1999 with the Spurs).

2025 National Free Signer - Ron Blomberg

Rom Blomberg was one of the free VIP signers at this year's National, nine years after I had last seen him at the 2016 National.  I had a couple cards left and they got done at this year's show.

The above 2012 Leaf Limited looks great signed by Blomberg in silver paint pen. 

Blomberg was super nice again. If he shows up at another show, I'm going to have to find some more of his cards.

Two Hall of Famers - Two Paid Signers at the 2025 National

The next card that I'd like to show off from this year's National is this 1993 Upper Deck Brewers checklist that I finally got completed.  I paid for Robin Yount and Paul Molitor right before I left for Chicago.  I had picked this card up and had it signed by Pat Listach during the 2022 National. My friend, Michael, found the card at that show but didn't want to start a new project.  I had forgotten about the card until I saw Listach earlier this summer, then decided to complete it.  The card looks great.

While waiting in line for Yount, I caught a cool moment of conversation between Yount and Rafael Palmeiro.

Here is Yount signing the card.  Yount was really nice and suggested I complete the card by going to the next table over to get Molitor.  I told him I was right on top of it.  

Finally, here is Molitor signing the card.  Molitor was also really nice.  The card has some miles on it but is now in the album. 

2025 National Free Signer - Dwight Gooden

For the second year in a row, Dwight Gooden was one of the free VIP signers at this year's National.  I still had cards pulled from last year and brought them with me to the show.  I only used one of those cards, as Jesse and I found some nice Goodens in some bargain boxes.

Something cool was that we found a set of 1985 Renata Galasso cards. I grabbed the above card that I thought looked cool.  Jesse found a great one that had Gooden's first grade picture on it.  It got Gooden to stop signing and admired the card.  His wife even took a photo of it.

I also found the (left) 1991 Fleer ProVisions card in a box; that card had to get added to the album.  The card on the right was the only one that I brought from home.

Gooden was awesome, as always.  Im glad he came to the show forward second time.