NBA Hall of Famer Chris Mullin

NBA Hall of Famer Chris Mullin signed autographs in Sacramento and the Bay Area last month as part of a promotional tour for USA Olympics Men's Basketball. I went to his first stop at Arden Mall in Sacramento, where Mullin signed a ball and a photo from his Olympics days.

Attendance was surprisingly low. He signed his full name with a "HOF 2011" inscription, reflecting his introduction to the NBA Hall of Fame last year.

He's got one of the best haircuts in the history of the game, and was glad to see he's still rocking it...somewhat.

Oakland Athletics Fan Appreciation Tailgate, March 29, 2011

The Oakland Athletics held their annual Fan Appreciation Tailgate on Tuesday, followed by an exhibition game against cross-bay rival and defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants. The Tailgate included: three autograph sessions; a memorabilia sale; photo opportunities with the Athletics' World Series trophies; Question & Answer sessions with players and coaches; batting cages; pitching speed games; raffles and more. 

Autograph sessions at this year's Tailgate were broken into three sessions. Players were rotated between two booths for 30 minutes at a time. The lines moved pretty quickly, as each player signed one autograph per fan. Players rotated between booths, so the players that were at the booth when you got in line probably wouldn't be the same players that signed for you. We got in line at 4:30 and made it up to the booth at about 5:10, missing the first group. For fans seeking multiple autographs, I'd recommend getting back in the same line you were in rather than going to the other booth. Since the players rotate, you might just end up with the same players at a different booth if you switch. 

As for the autographs themselves, the players will typically sign whatever you want at an event like this. I saw people with hats, bats, baseballs, photos, cards and even a large matted poster of the Coliseum. From what I've experienced at the last two Tailgates, the autograph itself is smaller than what you'd get at a paid event, and an autographed baseball will be in Sharpie and won't be on the sweet spot. But you can't argue with free, and it's a great event that the team puts on for fans. Definitely no complaints. 

The memorabilia sale included jerseys ($20), batting jerseys ($10), locker nameplates (5 for $5), hats (including game-used hats, $5) Last year they were also selling game used bats, which I was really hoping for this year. 

The A's offered free parking for the day and admission to the Tailgate was free. Tickets for the exhibition game following the Tailgate started at only $5. The A's went on to face the Giants, with Gio Gonzalez facing off against Barry Zito. The Giants won the game 4-1.

       A's players sign autographs for fans

Fans pose for photos with World Series Trophies

 Baseballs autographed by Daric Barton, Josh Willingham, Cliff Pennington & Rich Harden

Bat autographed by Daric Barton & Rich Harden

First TTM Autograph Success: Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki

Checking the mail today did not suck. My mailbox only had one envelope in it... a letter processed through Dallas, TX.

I knew it was the Dirk Nowitzki card I sent out last month as my first TTM (through the mail) autograph attempt.  It really was a quick turn around...I sent the card out on 1/10/11 and received it back on 2/19/11. The signature looks great and Nowitzki included his number.

2011 SAP Open Tennis Matches & Autographs

Took a road trip yesterday to San Jose to catch the day session of the SAP Open's 2nd round at the HP Pavilion. I was ready to watch two or three matches, but the day session ended up being five. Ten hours later, we watched all five matches, had some overpriced food and got a few autographs. We had court side seats at the service line, so it was a lot of head-turning and it was easy to go over to the tunnel to ask for autographs.

The schedule was great and included matches featuring Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, Lleyton Hewitt of Australia, Kei Nishikori (top ranked in Japan), and Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. I got autographs from Denis Istomin, Juan Martin del Potro and Tim Smyczek. The losing players typically didn't stop to sign, and of the winners, only Lleyton Hewitt turned me down.

HP Pavilion, San Jose, California

 SAP Open Lobby

 Denis Istomin, Uzbekistan, #49 ATP

 Juan Martin Del Potro, Argentina, #484 (former #4)

 Ball signed by Denis Istomin

 SAP Open program signed by Juan Martin del Potro

Sacramento Kings Forward Omri Casspi Autograph Signing in Vacaville

Sacramento Kings Omri Casspi made another autograph appearance today at a Carls Jr. in Vacaville. I showed up a few hours early to make sure I got a Casspi autograph since he's likely on his way out of Sacramento. Casspi's on the trading block, and the Israeli-born forward has generated a lot of interest around the league. 

Omri got straight to signing. He signed various items (most notably a ukelele) and stuck around to take photos with fans. Omri's bodyguard kept things in order and his quote kind of summed up the event: "they don't pay me to be nice, they pay Omri to be nice." Casspi's probably my favorite player on the Kings, and if he does get traded, I hope that its to a contender. See pictures from this event and other Kings events here. 

New York Yankees Pitcher CC Sabathia Autograph Appearance for PitcchIn Foundation

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia made an autograph appearance in his native Vallejo, CA on Monday 12/20/2010. CC has partnered with Toyota of Vallejo to support his "Pitcch In" Foundation. Over 500 fans showed up to donate toys to the Marine Corps Toys For Tots program, for which they would receive an autographed item by Sabathia. The first 100 fans in line received an autographed baseball and the rest of the fans received an autographed 8"x10" action photo.

My buddy and I arrived at the event about four hours early and set up our camping chairs in the dealership's showroom with the rest of the fans. There were roughly 70 people ahead of us at that point, so we knew we were guaranteed a ball. Well worth it.

Raiders QB Jason Campbell Autograph Appearance in Oakland

Jason Campbell made an appearance at Verizon Wireless in Oakland to sign autographs and take pictures with fans. He had a stack of quality action photos to sign for fans. I brought a football for campbell to sign, and he also signed a photo.