http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/ SportsGraphing.com - Sports Card and Memorbilia Forum en Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:49:53 GMT vBulletin 60 http://sportsgraphing.com/images/solido/misc/rss.jpg http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/ http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/bill-corcoran/12-tony-armas-sr-confirmed-along-8-others-upcoming-private-signings.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:03:22 GMT Hi All! Some great news -- I now have Tony Armas Sr. along with 8 other latin ballplayers confirmed for my next round of private autograph signings during the week of Oct 20th 2008. The full roster this time is: Tony Armas Sr. Juan Beniquez Roger Moret Juan Pizarro Omar Olivares Ed... Hi All!

Some great news -- I now have Tony Armas Sr. along with 8 other latin ballplayers confirmed for my next round of private autograph signings during the week of Oct 20th 2008. The full roster this time is:

Tony Armas Sr.
Juan Beniquez
Roger Moret
Juan Pizarro
Omar Olivares
Ed Olivares
Felix Torres
Hector Valle
Milt Ramirez

Please contact me for pricing info -- I'll be accepting your flats and bulky items, in addition to my own gum cards, 8x10 color photos, postcard size color photos, and baseballs. For your planning purposes, items will need to be received by Oct 21st.

Over the past 20 years I've conducted over 500 private signings across the country and throughout the world.

Thanks! Bill Corcoran ]]> Bill Corcoran http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/bill-corcoran/12-tony-armas-sr-confirmed-along-8-others-upcoming-private-signings.html http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/autographmaster/11-future-marlins.html Sun, 18 May 2008 02:29:25 GMT Earlier this morning, the Marlins held a ceremony next to the former site of the Orange Bowl, and the future site of the team's new baseball-only facility. For the first time since 2005, the team's management signed one of their players to a long-term contract, this one going to five-tool shortstop Hanley Ramirez. The contract was the longest and most expensive in team history at 6 years, $70 million, but it could not have gone to a better player. Peter Gammons earlier this week said that he would easily pick Hanley Ramirez as his first player to build a team around, something that shouldn't be taken too lightly from a career baseball man, and Hall of Fame sportswriter.

More than anything, this contract appears to represent the beginning of a new, brighter chapter in the history of Marlins baseball in South Florida. For the past five years, the team's efforts to build a stadium were frequently derailed at the last minute by delays in the Florida State Legislature. Finally, the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County officials were able to reach an agreement with the team on an appropriate site, along with actual funding for a stadium. Just a couple of years ago, there was a real possibility that the team could have left South Florida forever, when owner Jeffrey Loria spent a week in San Antonio, Texas, receiving that city's pitch to be the new home of the Marlins.

Hopefully, with this new financial agreement by the ownership to the current roster, this team can move into a new era where talented young players can spend most of their careers with the Marlins, rather than use the team as a stepping stone to a more financially stable franchise. For the majority of the team's history, the franchise has not been able to retain their best young talent, a list that includes Gary Sheffield, Luis Castillo, Livan Hernandez, Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett, Brad Penny, Derrek Lee, and many others. Marlins fans can now hope that current stars like Dan Uggla, Josh Willingham, Scott Olsen, Mike Jacobs, and Jeremy Hermida all have a good chance of spending most, if not all, of their careers in South Florida. ]]> AutographMaster http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/autographmaster/11-future-marlins.html http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/autographmaster/10-presidential-campaign-something-else.html Thu, 01 May 2008 01:20:30 GMT This week in the '08 Campaign has been a travesty so far. The two biggest stories have been a minor incident that has been blown up into a massive issue (the Rev. Wright thing), and a poor incident of blatant pandering to voters (McCain and Clinton 's summer gas tax holiday idea). Meanwhile, Al Qaeda has just been reported by the government has having moved above pre-9/11 strength in the world, the economy is circling the drain, gas is approaching $4/gallon, the Iraq occupation is still costing $12 billion/week, the environment is still suffering, and jobs are heading overseas as fast as ever. But it's ok in the end, because Exxon made another $30 billion profit this quarter.:eek:

There are literally close to 100 more pressing matters in the country than whether Obama has thrown Reverend Wright under the bus yet or not. Now that he has, this issue needs to disappear. There is no further story to come out of this, except Rev. Wright saying something else borderline psychotic to reporters. Where is the outcry over McCain actively seeking the endorsement of Rev. Hagee (called Catholic Church 'the great whore', said that Katrina was God's wrath for New Orleans having a Gay Pride parade) and Rev. Parsley (made some statements about women that are probably too offensive to post here)? Only Keith Olbermann even mentions Rev. Hagee once in awhile. Rev. Parsley has flown completely under the radar since his endorsement of McCain. Both of these religious figures are just as bad as Rev. Wright, but they are getting a pass. I just wish I knew why that was happening.

Next, you have both Hillary Clinton and John McCain saying that the federal government should suspend the 18 cent/gallon federal tax on gas. First of all, economists have blasted this as pandering, and they are rarely political figures. They all say that the billions received from the federal tax go to things like road and bridge repair, and road resurfacing. If that money disappears, there would be essentially no way for the government to make repairs to transportation infrastructure until it starts being paid again. Second, those same economists say that it would save the consumer on average $28 over the proposed three months. Obviously this means that there is no benefit to suspending the tax, and a large punishment if we do. However, neither Clinton nor McCain has bothered to tell their audiences that this is the case. Ironically, Obama has been told by his economic advisor, who was a cabinet secretary under President Bill Clinton of all people, that he should not support this tax suspension. I agree 100%.

Finally today, Pres. Bush has started to try and use consumers' anger at rising gas prices to justify drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). He says that we have no other choice at this point. What he DOESN'T say is that even when drilling is at 100% efficiency, it would account for under 1% of the world oil supply. This small amount of new oil on the market would have a minimal impact on the price of gas, and consumers would be unlikely to notice a difference. Meanwhile, we have ruined one of the most pristine areas of wildlife on the planet, so that we could MAYBE lower the price of gas by a cent or two (which is less than what the price has been fluxuating by recently, that being something like 6-8 cents/week in some areas). I don't see how, based on this evidence, there is any reason to tap into that reserve. ]]> AutographMaster http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/autographmaster/10-presidential-campaign-something-else.html http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/autographmaster/9-finishing-college.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:38:40 GMT Next Saturday I will be graduating from Florida State University. It still shocks me that it's already over. It feels like yesterday I was moving in to my first dorm, but it was actually about four years ago now. Not exactly sure what I am going to do this summer, as of yet. I plan to work somewhere, but I don't have definite plans as of now. In order to get into grad school here at FSU and get my MBA, I will be working on the GMAT exam during next month, which I will be doing back at my real home in Miami. Personally I don't understand the point of having to take an exam which has NOTHING to do with business whatsoever so that I can take more business classes. I guess that's just the kind of society we are moving into, I suppose.

On the political front, I am hoping that Barack Obama can finish off Hillary Clinton by either pulling an upset victory in Pennsylvania (not counting on it), or at least giving her a much slimmer victory than she was going to get a month ago (polls show what was a 20 point lead down to 5 or 6). I'm glad I didn't watch the debate yesterday, as it turned out to be a journalistic nightmare. If it were up to me, I would have fired George Stephanopolos AND Charles Gibson for spending 63 minutes out of a two hour debate on irrelevant issues, such as why Obama won't wear a flag pin, why Hillary made some mistakes about a Bosnia trip, why Obama has a vague connection to a former member of the Weather Underground, etc. It was an absolute joke. The real issues, like job loss, the failing economy, healthcare, immigration, the war in Iraq, Iran, international relations, domestic issues, etc were all pushed to the wayside.

This country can't afford a John McCain presidency. Spending $750 million in Iraq per day just isn't sustainable for a nation that can't even figure out our domestic spending, let alone trying to manage an occupation of a foreign nation that seems like it will never end. Our massive debts to nations like Japan, China, and others, along with the decline in the dollar's value, is going to destroy this country if we don't fix it NOW. By electing John McCain, we would be opening ourselves up to ANOTHER WAR, this time with an enemy that has the ability to stop oil from leaving the Persian Gulf, which would send oil prices soaring. There is no possible way that this country, or our military, can afford a third foreign entanglement. ]]> AutographMaster http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/autographmaster/9-finishing-college.html http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/spokanehound/8-outing-schedule-april-7-12-2008.html Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:51:42 GMT Busy week for me.... here are the possibilities: Monday 4/7: Ray Romano / Brad Garrett (done - got them both to sign!) Tuesday 4/8: Tri-City @ Seattle (WHL) Wednesday 4/9: Tri-City @ Seattle (WHL) ... maybe Thursday 4/10: Chris Rock Friday 4/11: Chris Rock Friday 4/11: Jeffrey Ross Friday... Busy week for me.... here are the possibilities:

Monday 4/7: Ray Romano / Brad Garrett (done - got them both to sign!)
Tuesday 4/8: Tri-City @ Seattle (WHL)
Wednesday 4/9: Tri-City @ Seattle (WHL) ... maybe
Thursday 4/10: Chris Rock
Friday 4/11: Chris Rock
Friday 4/11: Jeffrey Ross
Friday 4/11: BYU @ UW (baseball)... only for Vance Law
Saturday 4/12: Santa Clara @ Gonzaga baseball, if I'm in Spokane
Saturday 4/12: Tri-City @ Seattle (WHL) if I'm in Seattle
Sunday 4/13: Dallas @ Seattle (NBA) if I'm in Seattle

There are others I have left off here but those are the ones fresh in my mind. ]]> spokanehound http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/spokanehound/8-outing-schedule-april-7-12-2008.html http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/slate187/7-no-autographs-here-but-tales-weight-loss.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 08:16:49 GMT Over the past 2 weeks I have been dieting, so I can reach a weight of around 225-235 for me its the only realistic weight I can think will be low enough to try and do wildland firefighting this summer well since I have posted my formal weight as 270 around 2 weeks ago I have dropped 8 pounds... Over the past 2 weeks I have been dieting, so I can reach a weight of around 225-235 for me its the only realistic weight I can think will be low enough to try and do wildland firefighting this summer

well since I have posted my formal weight as 270 around 2 weeks ago I have dropped 8 pounds from my diet.

so for those slow at math that means I am down to 262

For the next few weeks I have a target goal in mind 255!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

why might this be important some might ask? (assuming anyone reads this stuff)

well 255 was what I weighed at the end of my senior year of varisity football in Highschool

Thanks for reading I hope to have good news in the coming weeks and months. ]]> slate187 http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/slate187/7-no-autographs-here-but-tales-weight-loss.html http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/derder1124/6-team-dereks-blog-2008.html Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:38:01 GMT Hello Everyone, My 4 friends and I are avid In Person Autograph Collectors, In the city we live in we get many flights, know alot of doormen, we find out alot of info, I have decided to post a little blog here and will update my IP autographing stories each and every day, Every day we do something... Hello Everyone, My 4 friends and I are avid In Person Autograph Collectors, In the city we live in we get many flights, know alot of doormen, we find out alot of info, I have decided to post a little blog here and will update my IP autographing stories each and every day, Every day we do something else and a lot of it is interesting, We are looking to supply autographed items to dealers, Please inquire

Today 2/23/07

Jay Geils- Guitarist/Singer of The J Geils Band 15/15 Album Covers PHOTO WITH
Jim Calhoun- Head Coach Of UCONN Basketball 3/3 Basketballs PHOTO WITH
Florida Panthers- 2 Team Helmets Signed By 20+ Each
Denis Potvin 5/5 Pucks PHOTO WITH


Thursday/Friday 2/21-2/22

Jeremy Roenick 15/15 Pucks/Photos/Helmets PHOTO WITH
Jonathan Cheechoo 4/4 Sharks Pucks PHOTO WITH
Evgeni Nabakov 4/4 Sharks Pucks
Joe Thornton 7/7 Sharks Pucks
Patrick Marleau 3/3 Sharks Pucks PHOTO WITH

The Foo Fighters Were In Town, Between all of they signed 12 drumheads signed by ALL 5 Members AND PHOTOS WITH ALL MEMBERS

Dave Grohl also signed 4 Nirvana Album Flats previously signed By Krist Novolselic

Moses Malone 3/3 Basketballs

Panic At The Disco 2 Rolling Stones Signed By All Members

Serj Tankian [System Of A Down] 4/4 PHOTO WITH

Emeril Lagasse 3/3

Martha Stewart 1/1

David Letterman 2/2

Steve Martin 2/2

Please keep in mind that all the autographs were signed between 4/5 people

NEXT UP THIS WEEK: Smokey Robinson, Rick Springfield, Orlando Magic,
Ashlee Simpson, Pete Wentz, Will Ferrell, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Woody Harrellson, Ludacris, Michael McDonald [Doobie Brothers], Chris Rock, BB King, Bill Clinton, Bon Jovi, Ottawa Senators, The Beach Boys, Peter Noone, Mickey Dolenz, and more.

We Will Update Daily, We will also try to add scans if you guys would like to see some, We dont have a scanner but we do have digital camera, Hope this interests someone ]]> derder1124 http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/derder1124/6-team-dereks-blog-2008.html http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/spokanehound/5-outing-preview-quack-quack-quack.html Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:10:09 GMT Not much time lately to post on this, but I am going to hit up the Oregon Ducks at UW tonight after their game. I had originally planned to do the hotel before the game to knock out all my UO stuff but I didn't realize the game was so freaggin' early (6pm). With a decent weather forecast for tonight (so they say) it should be alright provided the Ducks win. I have custom cards made up for the top 9 players on the team, plus my pac 10 coaches composite for Ernie Kent, magazines for Tajuan Porter and Bryce Taylor, and a couple of custom 4x6s that luckydog sent me. Based on a quick scan of the board archives, this team has been pretty good about signing in the past so I expect greatness tonight!

After tonight's game there's not much time for me so I may not post things right away. I've got a morning flight to St. Louis tomorrow for a quick weekend where I will visit a couple of college friends, and of course do some graphing (NHL). Expect a ridiculously half-assed Oregon recap, with scans if I'm lucky. ]]> spokanehound http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/spokanehound/5-outing-preview-quack-quack-quack.html http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/spokanehound/4-little-backlogged-just-little.html Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:38:52 GMT Sorry to everyone on the board for not posting my Anaheim Ducks writeup yet. I finished scans and the rundown, but not the "story part" yet. I got pretty much everyone on at least one, but it was fairly limited. I'll try to have that one up tonight. I drove back to Seattle on Wednesday, all in one day. Left San Jose at 4:30AM and got to my apartment by 11:00PM - I had definitely taken it slower on the way up. Was tired as fudge yesterday and working long shifts today so there is little time to spare :(

Tonight I will be prepping for Tennessee basketball - they play Gonzaga tomorrow at 1pm at KeyArena. The T-Wolves are in town and will be staying at a hotel down the street from where the Vols will be, but I have absolutely NOTHING for them and can't get out to the card store today. (I don't have any NBA cards - whenever I am seeing a team I usually go to the card store a couple days before and just pull that particular team) So I will probably do some quick custom 4x6s, which I feel idiotic for doing given some of the NBA veterans on the team that have a hundred cards. Look for the basketball posts to appear this Sunday - shortly after getting the Vols I will be boarding an Amtrak to go spend New Years with my girlfriend and her family in Kalispell, Montana.

OK, I better get back to work before Bill Gates beans me in the head with an 80GB Zune... ]]> spokanehound http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/spokanehound/4-little-backlogged-just-little.html http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/spokanehound/3-frantic-album-loading.html Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:43:34 GMT It's 11:45PM, I just got to San Jose after a 15-hour drive through pouring rain pretty much all the way, and a little snow in southern Oregon. What time is it now? Time to load up my album for tomorrow against the Coyotes here. Anyone ever been in this situation, where you have to quickly load up an album and by the time you're done, it's 3AM and you have to be up for the actual outing in just a couple hours? Ah, graphing... ]]> spokanehound http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/spokanehound/3-frantic-album-loading.html http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/spokanehound/2-nhl-christmas-road-trip-coming-up.html Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:55:36 GMT Well, it's that time of year again. I usually go back to San Jose for Christmas break and see an NHL team or two while there. In past years when I was at school in Spokane, I would fly back and spend the balance of the semester break there relaxing and getting autographs. This is only my second post-college Christmas, and this time I am going to drive from Seattle to San Jose. Crazily enough I hope to complete the drive entirely on Wednesday. Phoenix is in town on Thursday, followed by Anaheim on Saturday. If I have time to pull cards tomorrow after work, I may attempt to take a pit stop in Portland on Wednesday which involves hitting up the Raptors at their hotel there before shootaround. These are just wacky ideas bouncing around in my head, and assuming my car doesn't explode on the way down I should be in for a fun Christmas. I am heading back up to the land of rain and hippies the day after Christmas, and will be back at work on the 27th. Whew! ]]> spokanehound http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/spokanehound/2-nhl-christmas-road-trip-coming-up.html http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/spokanehound/1-hello-earthlings.html Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:53:48 GMT I'm testing this blog feature out, as I may use this as a platform for my musings on the hobby.

I'm trying to warm up after making a fairly futile trip into downtown Seattle this morning to get the Golden State Warriors. I figured they would be at one of the normal hotels (I was too busy last night and forgot to call around). When I took the bus downtown, walked around the three normal hotels (all are within a few blocks of each other), it was dead as a doornail out. Maybe it's because of the unusual weather here - it snowed here yesterday which is rare, and the entire city freaks out which I find kind of funny. Maybe the Warriors' flight into the Seattle area was delayed because the airports were all screwed up yesterday. Or maybe they are staying in Bellevue. It was a rain/flurry mix this morning, pretty horrid weather for hounding outside.

In any case, I am stuck trying to figure that out. As I kill time at work, I shudder at the thought of going to the game - hounding inside the Key is pretty limited. Only chance to get them is as they leave the court after shootaround, and then they boot everyone back up to the nosebleeds. I may give it a shot, but who knows. I will only get a couple chances this season to get the NBA, since I am actually not in Seattle on most weekends - my girlfriend still goes to Gonzaga and I visit her quite a bit in Spokane. ]]> spokanehound http://www.sportsgraphing.com/blogs/spokanehound/1-hello-earthlings.html