Luke Murton!

Luke Murton is my Uncle John's nephew and was drafted by the Yankees in 2009. We had the opportunity to see him play at Georgia Tech and his rookie year at Staten Island. He was with the High A Tampa Yankees this season and has had a good start to his career. We contacted him and he sent us these 4 cards. Thanks Luke...hope to see you in Trenton next year!

Gavin and I with Luke in 2009

Today's Autographs: 4
Season autographs: 1123
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $56.15

Tri City Valley Cats

When we started out our autograph campaign in the spring, I sent a letter to minor league teams seeking donations of any old card sets they might have left. We have lots of minor league baseball teams in the area, both affiliated and independent leagues. This would give us the opportunity to get those cards signed and we couldn't afford to buy them all. I knew not all the teams would respond and would be thankful for any team that did respond. If you read the early posts on our blog you can see that many teams participated. Gavin and I couldn't wait to check the mail to see if we got something. There is one team that had several responses...the Tri City Valley Cats. They are the short season team for the Houston Astros. Back in April, Michelle Skinner sent us a package that included LOTS of team card sets, t shirt, Ben Zobrist bobble head, and stickers. That was by far more than we expected and we were so thankful...but there's more. We received a letter in June stating that the Valley Cats and Finnigans Sports Cards would be teaming up to make a donation to NAAF through Autographs 4 Alopecia.



We headed out the week before school to catch a game in Troy, NY and receive a check for NAAF. Unfortunately this happened and we never made it. When we got home from Cleveland there was a package waiting for us from Michelle and the Valley Cats. When we opened the box, there were t shirts, hats, stadium replica, baseballs, 2011 team card set, and a Hunter Pence bobble head. There was also a check in there for $300! We are so thankful to Michelle, Jeff at Finnigans Sports Cards, and the entire Valley Cats organization for their thoughtfulness. We will definitely be visiting the Capital region next summer and already can't wait!

Scott Patterson...Barnstormers!

Scott Patterson is one of the original Barnstormers. He was the starting pitcher in the first ever game at Clipper Magazine Stadium in 2005. After being with the Barnstormers for a couple of seasons, he was the first Barnstormer to make it to the "Show" when he made his major league debut for the Yankees in 2008. He has since pitched for the Padres, back to the Barnstormers, and now with the Tacoma Rainiers...AAA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. After finding out what we were doing by one of our friends, Scott sent us a few of his 2011 Tacoma Rainiers baseball cards. Thanks Scott for the cards and Olivia for making the connection!



Today's Autographs: 3
Season autographs: 1119
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $55.95

Pictures from Cleveland

Jim Thome with the family

Jim Thome with Blake and Gavin

Manager Manny Acta

Manny Acta with Alopecia Areata wristband

1st round draft pick and future star Franciso Lindor

Justin Masterson

Ubaldo Jiminez

Honorary Bat Boys

Grady Sizemore

Rally Alley

The Game

Slider with Blake and Gavin

Enjoying the game

Browns cornerback Joe Haden

Tigers Victor Martinez

Game 45: Detroit Tigers 10 Cleveland Indians 1

As the honorary bat boys for the Indians, we figured we would do pretty good on autographs...and we did. Most of them were by the Indians, but we did get a few Tigers too. All of the players we came in contact with from both teams were super nice. When we first got there, Gavin was asked who his favorite Indian is. He loves Shin-Soo Choo! Since he is on the DL he was not going to be at batting practice...bummer! In the 3rd inning, Jess (our Indians rep) came down to our seats with a signed ball and signed picture for Gavin. AWESOME! So here are some of the autographs we got that night...

Jim Thome signed bat!

Balls signed by Victor Martinez, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Shin-Shoo Choo

Gavin got his ticket signed by Duane Below, Tigers



Today's Autographs: 49
Season autographs: 1116
YTD $ raised for Alopecia Areata: $55.80

Cleveland Rocks!

As a kid you dream of one day being in the big leagues. Well, if only for a day, Gavin and I got to live that dream. As part of the September "Team Up for Alopecia Areata" awareness we were invited by NAAF and the Cleveland Indians to be the honorary bat boys for Tuesdays game against the Tigers. What an experience!

We got to the gates at a little after 4 and were escorted down on the field to watch batting practice. It was awesome! Dad, Mom, Kyle, Gavin, and I all got to stand next to the dugout to talk to the players, get autographs, and watch batting practice. I had lots of cards with me as well as a few other things to get signed. The Indians gave us a ball and we actually got a few balls during batting practice that they let us keep. Azdrubal Cabrera, Carlos Santana, Lou Marson, Jason Donald, Grady Sizemore, Koske Fukudome, Manny Acta...well, the whole team...were all as nice as could be...signed for us, talked to us, and shook our hands. The highlight of the night came when Jim Thome came over to talk to us for a few minutes. We were so excited when he got traded to Cleveland so we would have the chance to meet him. After talking to us, posing for pictures, and signing autographs, he went into the clubhouse and said he'd be right back. He came back and handed his bat to me...signed "To Blake"!



WOW! A future Hall of Famer who just hit his 600th career home run just gave me one of his bats...and it wasn't even broken! Another highlight came from talking to Justin Masterson. He is one of the rising stars in baseball and took the time to talk to us for quite a few minutes. He shared with me that he had alopecia areata a few years back but forgot what it was called. Now he just shaves his head.

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson

Indians Manager Manny Acta

Manager Manny Acta is a class act! He was so kind to us signing autographs, posing for pictures, and wearing the NAAF awareness band.

We also got to meet 2 other pros that were there. Joe Haden, Browns cornerback, was there to throw out the first pitch, and Francisco Lindor, Indians 1st round pick, was there talking to the media. So it ended up being a great night!

Browns cornerback Joe Haden

Indians 2011 first round pick Francisco Lindor

The Indians are full of not only great ball players, but great people! The greatness on the field didn't come out that night as they got beat by the Tigers 10-1 but the greatness as people shines bright and will not be forgotten. A huge "THANK YOU" to the Indians players, Indians staff, and the staff at NAAF for letting this happen! More pictures and autograph update coming Friday!

Cleveland...Here we come!

Today we headed out to Cleveland, Oh. We are going to the Indians game on Tuesday night as part of Alopecia Awareness month. Gavin and I will be down on the field for batting practice with the Indians as honorary bat boys. We have been looking forward to this for a couple of months now and it is finally here! We'll be sure to check back in when we get home Wednesday with lots of pics and hopefully lots of autographs. Clothes are packed, snacks are packed, and the cards are safe and secure in the car!