Here I will try to update autographs that I get on a daily basis, either from attending games or through the mail.  You can look at my other signatures by clicking on the links at the top.  Click on the smaller pictures to see a larger shot of the autograph.  Any questions or comments, you can email me at rhurd1@gmail.com

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2009 Requests	2009 Successes	2009 Success Rate
48	20	42%

2008 Requests	2008 Successes	2008 Success Rate
148	90	61%

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        One of the best through the mail and in person autograph sites around is running free trials now until the end of the year.  Check it out and even join.  It is filled with information on who's signing, addresses, etc.  Check out the link below, and enter me, big_r, (that's an underscore) as the reference!
Sportsgraphing.com - check it out!!
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        I have been to many O's games since Opening Day seeing the Yankees, Rays, Twins, White Sox, Blue Jays, Rangers and Tigers.  Here's my team by team successes:
        For the Yankees, I got reliever Brian Bruney, pitcher Joba Chamberlain, catcher Jose Molina, pitcher Andy Pettite, closer Mariano Rivera, broadcaster Ken Singleton, and pitcher Chien-Ming Wang.
        The Rays weren't quite as good as I only got outfielder Gabe Kapler, pitcher Scott Kazmir, and pitcher Jeff Niemann.
        The Twins, despite having no batting practice the day I went due to rain, were a good signing team as always.  I got Scott Baker, pitcher Craig Breslow, pitcher Jesse Crain, third baseman Joe Crede, infielder Brendan Harris, pitcher Francisco Liriano, closer Joe Nathan, pitcher Kevin Slowey, and outfielder Denard Span.
        As for the White Sox I was able to get infielder Wilson Betemit (cards, card), infielder Josh Fields, reliever Scott Linebrink, and shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
        The Rangers were great.  I got shortstop Elvis Andrus, pitcher Kris Benson (card), outfielder Marlon Byrd, outfielder Josh Hamilton, outfielder Andruw Jones, outfielder David Murphy, shortstop Omar Vizquel, and closer C.J. Wilson (cards).
        The Blue Jays were also decent as I got catcher Rod Barajas, second baseman Aaron Hill (card), infielder Joe Inglett, outfielder Adam Lind, first baseman Kevin Millar, third baseman Scott Rolen, outfielder Vernon Wells (cards), and pitcher Brian Wolfe.
        The Tigers were the last team to come through Baltimore and I got pitcher Armando Galarraga, outfielder Curtis Granderson, manager Jim Leyland, reliever Brandon Lyon, pitcher Zach Miner, and pitcher Nate Robertson.
        I never tried too hard for the Orioles, but so far this year I have gotten pitcher Brad Bergesen (Debut ticket), pitcher Adam Eaton (card), pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, former pitcher Dave Johnson (card), centerfielder Adam Jones, Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, and second baseman Brian Roberts.  They also have been hosting Alumni Autograph sessions at certain games at which I have received Paul Blair, Tim Nordbrook, and Joe Orsulak.
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6/4/09

        After a short hiatus from the site, it is finally time for an update.  I have been to a number of Orioles games already this year and also have some good mail to report.  For the mail, I have received Athletics infielder Nomar Garciaparra, Dodgers pitcher Eric Milton, Rockies pitcher Jason Marquis, Marlins minor leaguer Jai Miller, former Orioles pitcher Rodrigo Lopez, Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, and 2008 NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum. 

Nomar Garciappara - c/o Athletics team, 1/1, 10 days

Eric Milton - c/o Dodgers spring training, 1/1, 38 days

Jason Marquis - c/o Rockies spring training, 1/1, 62 days

Jai Miller - c/o Marlins spring training, 1/1, 63 days

Rodrigo Lopez - c/o Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 1/1, 11 days

Kevin Kouzmanoff - c/o San Diego Padres, 1/1, 329 days

Tim Lincecum - c/o San Francisco Giants, 1/1, 9 days

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4/6/09

        One return and an exciting trade in for me today.  Former Padres pitcher Shawn Estes signed a card for me which was sent to the team last season.  Also in a trade with Dan I received a signed ball of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski.

        The Orioles had their Fanfest over the weekend and while I was not able to stay long enough to get autographs during their signing, I was able to pick up some former player signed 8x10s for only $1 each.  They were pitcher Danys Baez, pitcher Chad Bradford, pitcher Brian Burres, utilityman Freddie Bynum, pitcher Lance Cormier, utilityman Brandon Fahey, infielder Luis Hernandez, and outfielder Tike Redman.  

Shawn Estes - c/o San Diego Padres, 1/1, 321 days

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3/30/09

        Mail!  Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson signed two cards for me through the team's spring training address.  Good thing the team kept his mail while he was playing in the WBC.  Opening day in Baltimore is just a week away!!


Curtis Granderson - c/o Tigers spring training, 2/2, 27 days
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3/29/09

        Mail continues to be slow with the regular season just a week away!  Another small 50/50 came back today from Dave consisting of signed cards from Rangers pitcher Kevin Millwood (cards).  Thanks, Dave!
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3/25/09

        Another spring training return in today bringing my huge total up to 2!  Pirates pitcher Craig Hansen nicely signed two cards for me through the team's spring training address.  I also had a return from former journeyman pitcher Mark Clark.  
        In a Washington Nationals 50/50 deal, I received signed cards of pitcher Daniel Cabrera, infielder Jose Castillo, catcher Jesus Flores, outfielder Willie Harris, outfielder Ryan Langerhans, infielder Pete Orr, and pitchers Josh Towers and Ryan Wagner.


Mark Clark - c/o home, 6/6, 46 days


Craig Hansen - c/o Pirates spring training, 2/2, 16 days
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3/10/09

        Got my first spring training return today from Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima.  Hopefully this will be the start of a number of returns through spring training, although I've only sent out about 15 requests.  


Hideki Okajima - c/o Red Sox spring training, 2/2, 13 days
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3/6/09

        I have yet to receive any mail in the month of March, but am slowly getting more requests out.  However, I have obtained two new autographs for my collection.   My parents went to a home show about a week ago and stumbled across former Oriole Paul Blair who was signing at a realtor booth.  The realtor gave my parents a baseball for Blair to sign and it he has a very nice signature.  I also pulled a certified autograph of Rangers minor leaguer Johnny Whittleman from a pack of 2008 Bowman Draft.
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2/20/09

        Finally got something for the week.  Former Nationals closer Chad Cordero and Dodgers first baseman James Loney both signed for me.  The Loney is interesting because I remember sending it out last spring training, but I did not document it, so it took roughly a year but I'm not sure about the exact time.  My parents also went to the Baltimore auto show last weekend where Al Bumbry was signing so they picked a couple things up for me.


Chad Cordero - c/o home, 1/1, 52 days


James Loney - c/o Dodgers spring training 2008, 1/1, unknown....

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2/13/09

        One return today to keep me rolling through the week.  Former Twins pitcher Joe Mays signed a card for me through his home address.  


Joe Mays - c/o home, 1/1, 8 days
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2/12/09

        It has been a great week for mail.  After a pretty dry week to start the month, I received multiple returns throughout this week.  Former Yankee and Ranger Chad Curtis, former Brewers pitcher Jeff D'Amico, 1967 Cy Young award winner Jim Lonborg, former Braves and Rangers outfielder Oddibe McDowell, and Indians All-Star centerfielder Grady Sizemore all signed for in the past week.  It's nice to get a good amount of mail back, especially the Sizemore, who has continuously eluded me at Camden Yards.


Chad Curtis - c/o home, 3/5, 11 days


Jeff D'Amico - c/o home, 2/2, 8 days


Jim Lonborg - c/o home, 1/1, 10 days


Oddibe McDowell - c/o home, 5/5, 6 days


Grady Sizemore - c/o home, 1/1, 44 days
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1/31/09

        Finished off January with a success from former Pirates outfielder Xavier Nady.  Nady signed and personalized my card in seven months through the Pirates team address.


Xavier Nady - c/o Pittsburgh Pirates, 1/1, 215 days
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1/27/09

        Just an ebay purchase in today.  I recently bought a signed ball of Frank Robinson with a Steiner COA for a decent price.  I now have a signed baseball by each Hall of Famer from the Orioles!
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1/25/09

        One return this weekend from the very reliable Mike Mussina.  Moose signed the card I sent to him in less than two weeks.  I have had success with every request I have ever sent to Mussina and I think he has one of the nicest signatures around.


Mike Mussina - c/o home, 1/1, 11 days
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1/20/09

        Started the week off with two very fast returns.  Former pitcher Jimmy Key and former Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal both signed for me through their home addresses.


Jimmy Key - c/o home, 7/7, 8 days


Mike Lieberthal - c/o home, 1/1, 8 days
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1/16/09

        Today I received my first return of the new year, as well as one of my last requests from 2008.  Former closer Todd Jones and former Mets manager Willie Randolph each signed for me in a few weeks.


Willie Randolph - c/o home, 2/2, 17 days


Todd Jones - c/o home, 1/1, 13 days
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12/31/08

        No mail today to finish the year, however I did receive a trade with David.  In the trade I obtained autographs of Chris Duffy, Victor Martinez, Lastings Milledge, and Manny Parra.  Thanks for the trade, David!
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12/23/08

        A HUGE update compared to what mail has been in the last month or so.  I  received 2, count it, 2, returns today from Diamondbacks pitcher Micah Owings and former Cardinals pitcher Bob Tewksbury.  
        Also in a 50/50 deal with Brennan I received signed cards of Ricky Bottalico (more), Drew Anderson, and Matt Belisle.  

Micah Owings - c/o Arizona Diamondbacks, 1/1, 146 days

Bob Tewksbury - c/o home, 3/3, 21 days
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12/13/08

        I have really been slacking recently with getting mail out, and will be trying to pump some out for the new year.  My only return recently has been former pitcher Pete Harnisch.  I sent him 6 cards and told him to keep any that he wanted.  He returned 3 signed and kept the others.  

Pete Harnisch - c/o home, 3/6, 11 days
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11/28/08

        Another surprise today coming from Hall of Famer Paul Molitor.  This card was sent during the 2007 season, and was another long wait.  Very cool that he is catching up on all of his mail.

Paul Molitor - c/o Minnesota Twins, 1/1, 541 days
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11/25/08

        Mail has still been incredibly slow, with just a trade and an old request coming in.  Hall of Famer Paul Molitor signed a card for me through the Minnesota Twins address in over a year.  This was a nice surprise to get back.  
        In a trade with Dave I received signed cards of Vince Coleman and Nelson Cruz.

Paul Molitor - c/o Minnesota Twins, 1/2, 555 days
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11/11/08

        I finally have something to post after a long time with no mail.  Brewers outfielder Mike Cameron and Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina each signed for me through their home addresses.  I also received a signed card of Jimmy Rollins in a trade with Brian.  

Mike Cameron - c/o home, 1/1, 7 days

Mike Mussina - c/o home, 1/1, 8 days
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10/17/08

        Three returns from the regular season have come in over the last week or so.  Hopefully more items that I sent out during the season will be returned in the upcoming weeks.  Rockies infielder Clint Barmes, Phillies catcher Chris Coste, and Mets catcher Brian Schneider all signed for me through their team addresses.  

Clint Barmes - c/o Rockies spring training, 1/1, 243 days

Chris Coste - c/o Philadelphia Phillies, 1/1, 75 days

Brian Schneider - c/o New York Mets, 1/2, 71 days
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10/7/08

        Just got back from vacation to find a few successes waiting for me.  Angels pitcher Jon Garland, Yankees prospect Austin Jackson, Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre, and Reds reliever David Weathers signed for me through their team addresses.  I also received a card back unsigned former Giants third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo.
        I also received a signed card of Craig Biggio in a trade.

Jon Garland - c/o Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 2/2, 18 days

Austin Jackson - c/o Trenton Thunder, 1/1, 70 days

 Juan Pierre - c/o Los Angeles Dodgers, 1/1, 119 days

David Weathers - c/o Cincinatti Reds, 2/2, 57 days
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9/14/08

        Mail has been extremely slow with only one return, although it was a good one.  Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel signed a ball for me in a few weeks.  
        I also did my last rush of in person graphing at Camden Yards with the Indians and Twins in town last week.  First up was the Indians as I was able to get outfielder David Dellucci, catcher Sal Fasano, DH Travis Hafner, catcher Victor Martinez, shortstop Jhonny Peralta (cards), and catcher Kelly Shoppach.
        Second was the Twins.  I was able to get outfielder Brian Buscher, shorstop Adam Everett, first baseman Justin Morneau, closer Joe Nathan, pitcher Glen Perkins, and pitcher Kevin Slowey.
        For the O's I got pitcher Garrett Olson and former first baseman Boog Powell.
        Also in two trades I received signed cards of Brian Bass, Justin Christian, Todd Jones, Jay Marshall, Sean Marshall, Micah Owings, Vicente Padilla, Zach Segovia, Chris Snelling, Larry Walker, and Vernon Wells.
        That wraps up my in person autographing at Camden Yards for 2008 and hopefully the mail will start to flow in more!

Omar Vizquel - c/o San Francisco Giants, 1/1, 20 days
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8/28/08

        It's been a good week for mail so far as I have gotten returns from Cardinals outfielder Brian Barton, White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, Giants pitcher Brad Hennessey, Nationals prospect Anderson Hernandez, and former batting champ Bill Mueller.
        I also did some poor autographing as the White Sox came to town.  During one session of batting practice I was only able to get coach Harold Baines and Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora.  
        A 50/50 with Dan also brought me signed cards of Paul Byrd.

Brian Barton - c/o St. Louis Cardinals, 1/1, 27 days

Mark Buehrle - c/o Chicago White Sox, 1/2, 23 days

Brad Hennessey - c/o Fresno Grizzlies, 1/1, 28 days

Anderson Hernandez - c/o New Orleans Zephyrs, 1/1, 14 days

Bill Mueller - c/o home, 1/1, 90 days
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8/22/08

        Another decent sized update today.  Last week I went to see Baltimore's single A team, the Frederick Keys.  I haven't been to Frederick for a game in over 10 years, so it was nice to go back there.  I bought a team set and was able to get autographs from second baseman Miguel Abreu, pitching coach Blaine Beatty, coach J.J. Cannon, infielder Todd Davison, catcher Zach Dillon, pitcher Cory Doyne, outfielder Danny Figueroa, catcher Justin Johnson, shortstop Ryan McCarthy, pitcher Jeff Moore, pitcher Ryan Ouellette, catcher Mike Pierce, pitcher Jake Renshaw, pitcher Ryan Rodriguez, third baseman Billy Rowell, first baseman Brandon Snyder, outfielder Brandon Tripp, outfielder Chris Vinyard, and outfielder Paul Winterling.
        It has been a decent week for mail as well, as I got returns from Twins minor leaguer, Alex Burnett, former Bowie Baysox manager Bien Figueroa, former Rangers outfielder Richard Hidalgo, Red Sox pitcher Javier Lopez, Rangers minor leaguer Zachary Phillips, and Giants pitcher Tyler Walker.
        I also completed a few trades for autographs of Elvis Andrus, Willie Harris, Doug Jones, Jed Lowrie, Dustin Majewski, Marshall McDougall, and Brandon Morrow.  

Alex Burnett - c/o Ft. Myers Miracle, 1/1, 20 days

Bien Figueroa - c/o Connecticut Defenders, 2/2, 70 days

Richard Hidalgo - c/o Long Island Ducks, 1/1, 7 days

Javier Lopez -  c/o Boston Red Sox, 2/2, 34 days

Zachary Phillips - c/o Bakersfield Blaze, 1/1, 24 days

Tyler Walker - c/o San Francisco Giants, 1/1, 70 days

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8/13/08

        Time for a giant update.  Last week I took my one annual trip to Bowie to see the O's AA team and go for some autographs (Matt Wieters specifically).  It was a good time, as it was Adam Loewen bobblehead day, my fiance won a contest by being the first one to the announcer with an Orioles keychain, winning $15 worth of scratch offs (yielding $7 in winnings), and I won an Orioles memoribilia raffle giving me an autographed photo of Hayden Penn.  Here's the autograph totals: first baseman Ryan Finan, pitcher David Hernandez, coach Moe Hill, pitcher Ryan Keefer, third baseman Jeff Nettles, outfielder Nolan Reimold (cards), second baseman Carlos Rojas, pitcher Felix Romero, pitcher Chris Tillman, second baseman Jonathan Tucker, and catcher and O's top prospect Matt Wieters (cards).
        Over the weekend I decided, like every other autograph collector/dealer on the east coast, to graph Josh Hamilton and the Rangers here in Baltimore.  The Rangers were a very good signing team despite the crowds, as I only missed a few players.  I was able to get pitcher Joaquin Benoit (card), injured third baseman Hank Blalock, outfielder Brandon Boggs, DH Milton Bradley (cards, cards), outfielder Marlon Byrd, outfielder Frank Catalanotto, first baseman Chris Davis (card), outfielder Jason Ellison (card), pitcher Frank Francisco, pitcher Eddie Guardado (cards), All Star Josh Hamilton (ball, Beckett), pitcher Matt Harrison, pitcher Tommy Hunter, All Star second baseman Ian Kinsler, catcher Gerald Laird (cards), pitcher Warner Madrigal, pitcher Luis Mendoza, pitcher Dustin Nippert, pitcher Josh Rupe, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (cards, card), infielder Ramon Vazquez (cards, card), and pitcher Jamey Wright.
        For the Orioles, I got pitcher Fernando Cabrera, infielder Juan Castro, former Oriole Boog Powell, outfielder Luke Scott, and I finished one of my own 8x10 photos by getting Nick Markakis.
        Finally for the mail, which hasn't been much.  Giants minor leaguer Ronnie Ray signed for me and I also added a signed card of Corey Koskie to my 2006 Topps Heritage collection through a purchase.
THE END!

Ronnie Ray - c/o Connecticut Defenders, 1/1, 13 days
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8/7/08

        This is the first time in a long time that I've actually had multiple returns in a week.  One was almost a two year wait as former Phillies outfielder Doug Glanville signed three cards for me.  The other came from Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds which was sent out during spring training.  Tonight I'm going to my annual Bowie Baysox game, and then it's the Rangers here in Baltimore!

Doug Glanville - c/o home, 3/3, 648 days

Mark Reynolds - c/o Diamondbacks spring training, 1/1, 161 days
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8/5/08

        Started off the week with one success, coming from former Rangers outfielder Tom Goodwin.  Tom is now a coach for the Lowell Spinners in the Red Sox minor league system.

Tom Goodwin - c/o Lowell Spinners, 3/3, 10 days
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8/1/08

        Well, I started off the new month with a return in the mail box.  White Sox prospect Ehren Wassermann signed a card for me through his minor league team address in almost a month.

Ehren Wassermann - c/o Charlotte Knights, 1/1, 26 days
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7/31/08

        The Blue Jays were in town last week and I saw them twice.  In the two days, I got catcher Rod Barajas, pitcher A.J. Burnett (cards), pitchers Jesse Carlson, Scott Downs (card), infielder shortstop David Eckstein (cards, cards), pitcher Jason Frasor (card), manager Cito Gaston, infielder Joe Inglett, outfielder Adam Lind (card), pitcher Jesse Litsch (card), pitcher Shawn Marcum (cards), infielder John McDonald, outfielder Kevin Mench (cards), coach Dwayne Murphy, closer B.J. Ryan, DH Matt Stairs (cards), pitcher Brian Tallet, outfielder Brad Wilkerson (card), and catcher Greg Zaun (card).
        For the O's I got pitcher Randor Bierd, Hall of Famer Jim Palmer, and outfielder Luke Scott.  
        Once again mail has been very slow, and I have only received Yankees minor leaguer J.D. Closser in the last 9 days.

J.D. Closser - c/o Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees, 1/1, 60 days
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7/22/08

        Mail has been very slow as of late, but I have received two quick responses.  Orioles catcher Ramond Hernandez and Dodgers pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo both signed through their team addresses.  
        I also took a day after the All Star break to try to graph the Tigers a little bit here in Baltimore.  I came out with pitcher Armando Galarraga, outfielder Curtis Granderson, third baseman Brandon Inge, utilityman Ryan Raburn, and catcher Ivan Rodriguez.  For the Orioles I was only able to get pitcher Brian Burres.  

Ramon Hernandez - c/o Baltimore Orioles, 2/2, 12 days

Hong-Chih Kuo - c/o Los Angeles Dodgers, 2/2, 12 days
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7/11/08

        Finished the week with a couple more returns.  Braves prospect Josh Anderson, Cardinals prospect Jarrett Hoffpauir and Red Sox prospect Iggy Suarez all signed through their minor league teams.

Josh Anderson - c/o Richmond Braves, 2/2, 13 days

Jarrett Hoffpauir - c/o Memphis Red Birds, 2/2, 11 days

Iggy Suarez - c/o Portland Sea Dogs, 1/1, 13 days
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7/7/08

        More decent mail coming in today.  Former Orioles minor leaguer Pete Maestrales, Athletics prospect Jamie Richmond and former Diamondbacks slugger Matt Williams all signed for me.  The Williams was a big surprise as it took over 2 years to come back.

Pete Maestrales - c/o Long Island Ducks, 1/1, 25 days

Jamie Richmond - c/o Kane County Cougars, 1/1, 9 days

Matt Williams - c/o home, 1/1, 871 days
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7/3/08

        The other day I went to see the Royals in town to visit the O's.  I only tried for autographs during batting practice and didn't get a whole lot.  I was able to get outfielder Mike Aviles, pitcher Brian Bannister, outfielder David DeJesus, and third baseman Mark Teahen (cards).  
        In the mail I also got Yankees prospect Anthony Claggett and Mariners pitcher Mark Lowe.

Anthony Claggett - c/o Trenton Thunder, 1/1, 7 days

Mark Lowe - c/o Seattle Mariners, 2/2, 23 days
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