Saturday, Oct. 22
Roger Dean Stadium,
Jupiter, Fla.
9 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-2:45 p.m.
Perfect Game showcase
It was a beautiful day for baseball. And for someone who loves the game, you couldn’t really ask for much more, with the country’s top prospects all in one place. If only I had been able to see into the future. I was overly prepared. But unfortunately I didn’t see any surprises (unlike last year when a few Hall of Famers showed up).
Brandon Nimmo: 1/1 (Francisco Lindor dual 8×10 with a silver Sharpie that took a crap)
Brandon Sedell: 1/1 (white sheet)…figured I’d get him on something since he played in the 2010 Aflac All-American Baseball Classic and has committed to the University of Florida
Francisco Lindor: 11/11 (10 USA cards, dual 8×10 with Nimmo)
Chet Lemon: 3/3 he didn’t have many good things to say about the state of the Yankees. this guy is so knowledgeable that he should be working in MLB in some capacity.
Albert Almora: 10/10 (USA cards)….thought he might do them during the game but he said to wait. Glady did them all after the game. While making small talk, he informed me that Manny Machado, the top pick in the 2010 draft, is his cousin.
John Cangelosi: 5/5 saw that he stole 87 bases in ’83 so I asked him if he still had wheels and he laughed.
Dylan Davis, pictured above with yours truly: 11/11 (10 cards, SS of GU Perfect Game ball)…..quiet and shy kid. He has committed to play baseball at Oregon State so I asked if he ever thought of attending one of the elite baseball schools like Miami. He said he’d rather play closer to home so his family can attend his games. So friendly that felixpie and I both got pics-with.
Lance McCullers: 1/1 (SS of ROMLB)….projected to be a top pick in 2012. Has committed to play at the University of Florida. A coach saw that I was waiting for Lance so he shouted, “McCullers, get over here. One of your fans wants your autograph.” I really doubt that he’ll ever play a day of college baseball.
BITS OF TID: Spoke briefly to Collin Yelich of the OC Boxers, whose brother Christian was a first-round pick of the Florida Marlins last year. … Never saw Pudge Rodriguez, Steve Garvey, Lance McCullers, Dante Bichette, Alex Fernandez or Dwight Smith. All are ex-MLB guys who have sons playing in the event. … JoMarcus Woods, Courtney Hawkins, and Hayden Hurst all chose not to make the trip. … A shout-out to outfielder Lewis Brinson, who hooked up with one of the local teams. According to a Marlins’ scout, Brinson might get taken in the first round of the 2012 draft if he can fill out. I teach at Coral Springs High, while Brinson attends the school. … Would’ve gotten Daniel Norris on a baseball but he had changed numbers so I missed him. … Bumped into someone on the way out who looked vaguely familiar. I asked him his name: Ken Norman.
