August 3rd 1983 to June 15th, 2019. 92 MLB games in total, over 1240 different players were seen in those games. A few years ago I came up with the idea to obtain an autographed card from each and every one of those players. To date, I have completed 15 percent of that goal. Budget and Coronavirus didn't add any new game/players in the past year and a half, but with the help of trading friends at the Bench and Sports Card Forums have helped, and going through the 3 dollar bins at the local card shop are also pushing the total upwards. Had I originated this idea when I was still going to TwinsFest and the Autograph Parties in the 90's I would probably be much further along with it and still have cool autos, such as a signed 1997 Fleer David Arias. Most of you know him now by Big Papi. but alas, hindsight is 20/20. I only need one from each player, so for example, I have seen Ryan Braun play in almost 20 games, but only need one signature. I will start with game one and my favorite player who happened to play in that first game, and the picture of the autograph that went in the collection.
August 3, 1983 Twins v Angels Metrodome, Minneapolis MN,
AB3 R1 H1 RBI0 BB1 SO0 PO0 A4 Error(6) SAC.
If I remember correctly John's single was an infield hit. As a 10 year old, it was exciting to attend my first ever pro sporting event. It was a YMCA sponsored
bus from Winona MN up to the Metrodome for a Thursday afternoon "getaway day". It was Tommy John taking
on Frank Viola. It was an interesting experience, to see astroturf as opposed to the fresh cut grass we could of seen at Metropolitan Stadium just two seasons prior.
It was my brother and myself,as mom and step dad were not really into baseball. Don't think that would be allowed to happen nowadays. It
was general admission seating in the outfield. At some point in the game Rod Carew got his 2800th hit and I didn't realize the significance at the time and asked my brother "why is everyone cheering for the opponent?" Also
not really realizing that Carew had spent a majority of his career with the Twins.
Carew was 1 for 5 with 2 k's 13 putouts and 1 assist. The game went into extras and at that point I went to get some peanuts from the vendor,
who was offering an "extra inning special" and I thought that they were free. Oops. After exploring the lower levels of the outfield seats by myself,
I was headed back to my seat and as I'm walking up the steps an Angel hitter knocked one off the plexiglass and it scared the crap
out of me, I turned around to see what was happening and must of had a odd look on my face as Twins left fielder Gary Ward gave me a very concerned look. I returned to my seat just as
take me out to the ballgame was playing and I asked my brother where the program he bought was and he said "the fat man over there took it"
Turns out that he did not take it, but had grabbed the seats we originally had after we both were exploring and sat
there because no one else was there. We did get the program back, and a tongue lashing from the "fat man" whose, daughter had heard what my brother said, and understandably,
was not happy about being called a "fat man" The Twins, who were not the greatest team in the early 80's lost, in a typical fashion at that time,
a blown save by Ron Davis.
The bus driver got lost in rush hour traffic, and we didn't make it home until after 7pm, but all in all it was a memorable experience
both auto featured in this story were purchased second hand.
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