August 12-13, 2023, Graphing of the Baysox at Flying Squirrels

This past weekend, I made the trip back up to Richmond to try to get Jackson Holliday again.  Spoiler alert, I didn't get him.  I'll stick with my one Jackson Holliday auto while he signs multiples for everyone else.

The trip was still a good one, as Chris and I spent time our friend, Ryan, and his family.  Ryan graphed with us on Saturday, where we got the bulk of our autos.

I finished off Jud Fabian and Dylan Beavers, so that was a plus.  We didn't get John Rhodes at all, even though he looked right at us on Sunday.

I got this 2022 Panini Prizm Draft card of Silas Ardoin signed while I was there.  He put me on the board early by singing it.  This was a nice pickup from the National. 

I was extremely happy to get John Means as he was leaving the parking lot.  He was stuck waiting for traffic to die down and was nice enough to roll his window down and sign for the last few of us who stayed after missing Jackson on Saturday. The 2022 Topps Stadium Club Chrome (top of post) was another National pickup.

Chris and I went on our own on Sunday and came away with only 4 autographs.  It was very hot, so instead of braving the heat and trying to be denied after the game, we left early.  I found out later from another grapher that he was able to get Jackson on multiples outside near the bus.  It just wasn't meant to be for me.

In all, we got the following autographs: Today's graphing recap of Baysox at Flying Squirrels: Dylan Beavers x 2, Jud Fabian x 4, Billy Cook x 1, Silas Ardoin x 1, Collin Burns x 4, Connor Gillispie x 2, John Means x 5, Max Wagner x 2 and Donta Williams x 1 (22).

Even though we didn't get Holliday, it was a nice trip.  It is always nice spending time with Ryan, and doing some graphing with him.

A Couple Autos From Keegan

I sent some Richmond cards to my friend, Keegan, in hopes of getting some 50/50s done, but it was pretty close to the end of the season, so all he was able to get done for me was this Jalen Miller 2016 Bowman Chrome black and gold refractor.  I had sent him a Jonah Arenado card just like this one, but he got released by the Giants right before Keegan was set to do the graphing.

I took a couple guys for Keegan, and in return he sent me this 2013 Topps Update Chris Davis in return.  I didn't have this one signed by Davis yet, so that was nice.

Hopefully, Keegan will be able to take some more 50/50s next season, as some good players should be moving up to Richmond.

An Autograph From Ryan

My friend Ryan went to a Richmond game toward the end of the season and tried to get a few more cards signed for me.  They were playing Bowie, but the only autograph he was able to come away with for me was Ryan Mountcastle on this 2016 Bowman.  The card looks really nice.

Thanks for getting it signed for me, Ryan!  I can't wait to go back next season!

July 7, 2018, Richmond Flying Squirrels Game

Since the Wood Ducks were out of town last weekend, I decided to take Chris to see my friend, Ryan, in Richmond and graph the Flying Squirrels.  I found out that it was a specialty jersey day, and I hadn't been able to get one of those since the July 4, 2011 game in Kinston.  So, I was hoping  could come away with a jersey.  I did, and it ended up being the jersey of former Wood Duck, Matt Lipka.

Lipka was very happy to see that Chris and I were the ones who won his jersey.  He remembered us from last season.  He gave Chris and I hugs, shook our hands and asked Chris if he remembered him.  We stood on the field talking with him for a good 10-15 minutes post-game.  It was really awesome catching back up with him.

I was also able to get this Wood Ducks team card signed pre-game.  I don't have many unsigned team cards left, so I feel like I have done pretty well this season.

I was also able to add a 1996 Topps to the album.  I had bought a box of 1996 Topps, just so I could have some bulk to send out for TTMs.  Unfortunately, not too many have come back since I bought the box, but I'm hoping some will.

I also got these cards done.  The 2010 Pro Debut Jerry Sands has been floating around my card boxes for the last 8 years.  Since he is from NC, I have been wanting to add his auto, and I was finally able to get him taken care of.

We had a really good time at the game.  The Diamond was packed for the post-4th of July festivities.

June 28-29, 2014 Bowie Baysox Vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels

I met up with my good friend, Ryan (from the blog O No Another Orioles Blog), and caught two Bowie Baysox games in Richmond this past weekend.  The highlight of the trip was that we were able to watch Nolan Reimold play for Bowie in the final two games of his rehab assignment.

Bowie took Saturday's game, 3-0 behind a stellar pitching performance by Tyler Wilson.  Wilson went 7 innings, allowing only 2 hits, one walk and striking out 9.  He was awesome.  The win put Wilson at 10-5 on the year with a 3.72 ERA.  He was aided by Nolan who went 2-4 with a SB, Christian Walker who went 3-4 and Dariel Alvarez who went 2-4.  Walker and Alvarez appear to be legit prospects and should be in Baltimore very soon.

After the game, Ryan and I met Nolan as he was exiting the stadium.  I'm sure I came off a little Kathy Bates-like (I'm your number one fan) when I talked to Nolan.  I couldn't help it.  I got nervous and ended up running off at the mouth.  I hope Nolan understood that I was just excited and didn't want to come off looking like some crazed fan.

The second game wasn't as eventful as the first. The Baysox lost 4-3 with Nolan going 0 for 4, lowering his AA average to .314.  Walker and Alvarez each went 0-4 as well.  The game was further marred by a dud of an outing by Orioles pitching prospect, Eduardo Rodriguez.  I'm sure folks have seen him throw better, but Ryan and I picked a bad time to watch him as he lasted only 3.2 innings, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts.  Rodriguez looked like a typical Baltimore pitcher, throwing a ton of pitches early and walking a lot of guys.  I don't know what it is, but the Orioles need to work on better pitching development and finding guys who don't walk a ton of batters.

Before Saturday's game, I got autographs from Dariel Alvarez (above).  Can anyone help me with his inscription?  I can't make heads or tails of it.  Below is a signed ball by Christian Walker.  I had only one OMLB ball, which I got Alvarez with and I had a ton of synthetic cover balls that I needed to find a use for, so the Walker ball ends up being a bit of an experiment as well.  I used Ryan's Staedtler pen on both balls.  Let's see if this pen, which I have heard rave reviews of, can hold a signature on these synthetic leather balls.  If they work, I may have a use for these balls yet (and I will need to buy my own pen).

Finally, I treat you all with an amateur video I shot of one of Nolan's hits from Saturday's game.  I hope you enjoy.

I had a really good time at the game with Ryan, who I hadn't seen in over a year (wow).  I didn't mind the concrete monstrosity that was "The Diamond" (the RIchmond field).  It was very easy for us to get autographs, as we could stand by the wall right by the field, reminiscent of Kinston's Grainger Stadium.  The experience was fine and the hot dogs were really good.  The aesthetics of the park get a -1 out of 10, but other than that, I have no complaints whatsoever, so I would have to rate my overall experience as very high.  I miss being able to catch minor league games, so I think I need to go out and catch some more like I had been back in 2010 and 2011.  We'll see how that goes.