The last six signings that I have attended have been right after work in the Ontario area. This time it was for another Greg Townsend appearance at the Raider Image. I couldn't make it out to the Luc Robitaille appearance in San Bernardino so I ended up heading out to Ontario instead.
When I arrived there was only one person in line. I got my items signed and talked some football with Greg. He told me that he thinks the Raiders have a good chance at making the playoffs this season. I hope they don't. I'm not a Raider hater but I'm not a Raiders fan if that makes any sense.
Signing Recap:
People in line? 1 person when I arrived.
Giveaways? None.
Which Raider Image location? Ontario.
Free signing? No.
Here is Greg holding my two big autographed cards. He was selling shirts like the one he is wearing. I didn't bother asking him for the price of each shirt. Maybe if I was a Raiders fan.
Greg charged me $5 to take a photo with him.
I figured I would get my moneys worth and ask him for a second pose.
I have two other posts on Greg Townsend appearances linked below.
Greg Townsend signing autographs on Mothers Day 2011 linked here. Greg Townsend at Raider Image in 2009 linked here.
Thanks to the Raider Image and Greg Townsend for this appearance.
Questions or Comments? Email me @ myautographsignings@yahoo.com
Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda made an appearance to sign autographs in Rancho Cucamonga. The signing was to take place during a Quakes game. It was scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m. but Tommy arrived a little early and started signing about 4:30 in the afternoon. This was a good thing since every fan was baking for hours in the hot sun. In the end it didn't make much of a difference since the line moved very slow.
When I was near the autograph table Tommy started having a tantrum. Tommy was really pissed off because he didn't want to sign autographs while the game was being played. Maybe that was the reason he even showed up early. Once the game started he got very upset. Tommy even yelled at Quakes staff in front of fans. I wish I had recorded the tantrum on video but didn't.
When it was my turn to get an autograph Tommy signed my HOF Plaque and didn't even look at me. Like I said, he was really pissed off. The dude was turning red. I'm still glad I attended since I had a short drive and you can never have enough Tommy Lasorda autographs.
Signing Recap:
People in line? I would guess over 200.
Items per person? 1 item.
Giveaways? Dodgers Lunch Box.
Free signing? Free with paid admission.
This was posted around the autograph area.
Here is Tommy signing a fans baseball.
I noticed that Tommy rolled some baseballs back to fans. He didn't appear happy.
My Tommy Lasorda HOF Plaque.
Unlike the event today, I met Tommy Lasorda three other times where he was in a better mood. Those posts are linked below.
Tommy Lasorda at the 66er's team dinner in 2009 linked here.
Tommy Lasorda at the 66er's team dinner in 2010 linked here.
Tommy Lasorda in Rancho Cucamonga in 2010 linked here.
Thanks to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and Grumpy Lasorda for this event. If you were there and have more info on this signing then please leave a comment.
Some people ask me what I do with my autographed bats. If I put them away in the garage or display them. I display some of my favorite baseball bats on my wall. Last year I did a post on a bat rack linked here. You can purchase one just like mine at the site below.
The Dodgers '81 World Series Tri MVP made an appearance to meet with fans during a Quakes game. Earlier in the day I wasn't sure on attending since I have already met Steve a couple of times. At the same time I knew it would be another easy autograph. After work I went home to get my items then headed to Rancho Cucamonga.
I arrived at the signing after it had started and noticed about 25 fans in line. The signing went as smooth as the Maury Wills appearance from last month. Steve posed for pics and signed all of the items that were put in front of him. After getting my items signed I got to meet Jack from JD Legends Promotions. In the end I was glad I attended the event.
Signing Recap:
People in line? 20-30 fans.
Items per person? Multiple items with a chance to get back in line.
Giveaways? None that I knew of.
Free signing? Free with paid admission.
Below is a short video of Steve meeting with fans.
I also have another post on meeting Steve Yeager linked here. Thanks to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and Steve Yeager for this event. Also, be sure to check out Jack's site linked below.
Former Raider Jack Squirek made an appearance at The Raider Image to meet with fans. This was another signing where I arrived directly from work. When I showed up at The Raider Image Jack was all alone. Jack had 8.5 x 11 photos available for purchase at $15 a photo. Any additional photos would cost $10 each. I quickly chose a photo, got my photo op and left Ontario Mills. I was in and out of the mall within 5 minutes.
I'm not a Raiders fan but go to The Raider Image events time and time again. It seems as if The Raider Image in Ontario has a former Raider make an appearance every month. It's always an easy autograph. No need to wake up early, camp out, or wait in a long line.
Signing Recap:
People in line? Zero.
Items per person? As many as you wanted at $10 for additional autographs.
Giveaways? None.
Which Raider Image location? Ontario Mills
Free signing? No.
Jack's career highlight was when he intercepted Joe Theismann's screen pass right before halftime in Super Bowl XVIII. I also have a post when I met Joe Theismann linked here. The video is via YouTube.
Thanks to Jack Squirek and The Raider Image for this event.
Former Dodger Maury Wills made an appearance during a Rancho Cucamonga Quakes game. I wasn't sure about attending this event since I already have multiple items signed by Maury. At the same time I had to take advantage of the short drive from home and needed my autograph fix. What is an autograph fix? I'm like a drug addict but with autographs. If I go a while without attending a signing I feel pressure and stress. I'm happy to report that I got my fix today.
Anyways, back to the signing. Just like the last signing I attended I arrived in my work clothes. When I entered the stadium I went directly to the autograph line and noticed less than 50 people in line. The line moved slow the entire signing since this was an actual meet and greet event. We were not rushed like a herd of cattle. Once it was my turn I got my item signed, got a posed pic and got the hell out of there. I was up at 4:00 a.m and worked all day so I was very tired.
Signing Recap:
People in line? Less than 50.
Items per person? Multiple items with a chance to get back in line.
Giveaways? None.
Free signing? Free with paid admission.
Maury took his time during the signing. He also inscribed whatever you wanted.
Here is Maury chatting with a kid.
Thanks to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and Maury Wills for this event.
The last couple of months I'v worked every weekend and have missed some popular signings. Recent popular signings I missed that other bloggers attended are linked below.
The 49ers all time sack leader Cedrick Hardman made an appearance at The Raider Image to meet with fans. Cedrick also spent a couple of seasons with the Raiders to justify him signing autographs at The Raider Image. In the morning I wasn't sure about going since I would have to go to the signing directly from work. In the morning I did put my camera in the car in case I did attend the event.
After work I decided to head over but wasn't really excited. I arrived at Ontario Mills sweaty, smelly and dirty. It was a little embarrassing since there was a lot of eye candy walking around if you know what I mean. At the same time I didn't care as long as I got my autograph.
When I arrived at the store there was a short line of only 5 people. Cedrick had a table set up with his Raider photos. All photos were $10 and included a signature. I'm a 49ers fan so I wanted a photo of Cedrick in a 49ers uniform. I asked politely where all the niner photos were and he pulled out a stash from a bag. After getting my autograph Cedrick let me take a picture with him wearing his Super Bowl ring.
Signing Recap:
People in line? 5 people.
Items per person? As many as you wanted at $10 an autograph.
Giveaways? None.
Which Raider Image location? Ontario
Free signing? No, but $10 for an autographed photo is dirt cheap.
Here is Cedrick signing my photo. All those years in the NFL took a toll on his hands.
Thanks to Cedrick Hardman and The Raider Image @ Ontario Mills for this event.
Jamey Carroll made an appearance at Puente Hills Hyundai in the City of Industry to sign autographs. I was expecting a small turnout like at the Tony Gwynn Jr. signing last week. I was wrong. The line was over 100 people.
Jamey was scheduled to sign at 12:00 noon but arrived a little early. The signing was only scheduled for one hour so employees from the dealership wanted fans to get one item signed per person. Most fans didn't mind and just got back in line. I made it through the line two times and tried for a third but the line had been cut off.
I would prefer to make it to Hall of Famer or star athlete appearances. The thing is I am working on the weekends now and have to take advantage of any free signings during the week. It's come to signings like this or go to nothing at all.
Signing Recap:
People in line? A little over 100 people.
Items per person? 1 item with a chance to get back in line.
Tony Gwynn Jr. made an appearance at St. Vincent de Paul's Thrift Store in Los Angeles to sign autographs. I expected a small turnout for this signing and that was the case when I arrived. Only about 50 fans showed up for this appearance. It could of even been less.
KABC staff were very polite and had the autograph line well organized. Tony Gwynn Jr. showed up shortly after 12:00 noon and began to sign for the fans. Fans had the opportunity to get multiple items signed and take posed pics with Tony which made the line move very slow. It wasn't a big deal since it was a small turnout.
Signing Recap:
People in line? About 50 people.
Items per person? Multiple items with a chance to get back in line.
Free signing? Yes.
Here I am with Jr.
Jr. signed a "big stick" and "mini stick" for me.
Here is short video of the signing.
Nothing to do with the signing but here is Tony's Ride.
A close up of his "Bling Bling".
Thanks to St. Vincent de Paul, Tony Gwynn Jr. and 790 KABC for this free event.
Angels outfielder Torii Hunter made an appearance at Metro PCS in Stanton to sign autographs. I arrived at the event shortly after 6:00 am and about 40 people were already in line. Later in the morning Metro PCS staff handed out wristbands to the first 200 people.
This signing was scheduled to start at 11:30 am but started sooner than expected. Torii arrived about 20 minutes early which was surprising. It's always a rare thing when current athletes show up early for an event. The line moved quickly when Torii was signing since it was only one item per person. I couldn't wait to get my autograph and head home. I had to use the restroom if you know what I mean.
Signing Recap:
People in line? About 200 fans.
Items per person? 1 item.
Giveaways? Metro PCS towels.
Free signing? Yes.
The line moved at a good pace. I took this photo of Torii signing my ball.
I noticed that Torii sweet spot every baseball.
While waiting in line this flyer was passed out by an employee from The O.C. Dugout.
Thanks to Metro PCS and Torii Hunter for this free event.
The UFC Gym in Corona planned a huge grand opening event for MMA fans. Chuck Liddell, Arianny Celeste, Urijah Faber, Leonard Garcia, Phil Davis, Donald Cerrone and Kenda Perez were all scheduled to make appearances. I arrived at 6:45 in the morning and workers were setting up booths and tents outside of the gym. When I went to go make line an employee from the gym handed out this schedule to the fans.
Fans were then allowed to go inside the gym. We were all there to meet Chuck Liddell and were told the signing would take place inside the Octagon located in the middle of the gym. A line then started to form outside of the cage.
Staff told fans that we could walk around the gym to take a better look at the equipment. Here are the bags.
The weight plates are bad ass. All of them had the UFC logo including the dumbbells.
This is the cardio section of the gym. It was very clean and empty.
Here is another picture of the gym. It was very empty. I began to think that nobody was going to show up.
Here is the gym a couple of hours later. The place was jam packed. I was beginning to feel a little claustrophobic.
Chuck and Arianny arrived on time. The line was very long. Staff wanted fans to get one item signed per person to keep the line moving faster. Some people still managed to get two items signed.
I was only in line for Chuck Liddell but had to take advantage of Arianny being there. Here she is signing my photo.
Here is Chuck "Ice Man" Liddell signing my photo.
Below is a short video of the signing.
Once I got my autograph from Chuck I headed outside to the Leonard Garcia and Urijah Faber line. Both fighters were signing together. The line was short.
Here is "The California Kid" Urijah Faber.
B.J. Penn also made an appearance at the grand opening. Here he is posing with a Marine. He was walking around at the event with a bunch of security so it was hard to get to him.
Joe Henle also made a non scheduled appearance. He was on the Ultimate Fighter season 11.
I left the event to get something to eat. I arrived a half hour later and made line for Donald Cerrone and Kenda Perez. Cerrone joked with the fans the whole time.
Here I am with Kenda. She is currently hosting the Best of Pride Fighting Championships. After I took this photo I headed home.
The sport has come a long way. MMA trading cards are now being printed. I had these cards signed that were given out at the event.
I have never been to an event with such a huge turnout. My guess would of been that over 1,000 people were in attendance. Yes, over 1,000 people. That's why I didn't stay until the end.
Thanks to Chuck Liddell, Arianny Celeste, Leonard Garcia, Urijah Faber, Donald Cerrone, Kenda Perez, Joe Henle, and the UFC Gym in Corona, CA for this free event. I would also like to thank the kind and courteous staff at the gym who were very professional. The event was well planned and organized.
The last six signings that I have attended have been right after work in the Ontario area. This time it was for another Greg Townsend appearance at the Raider Image. I couldn't make it out to the Luc Robitaille appearance in San Bernardino so I ended up heading out to Ontario instead.
I have two other posts on Greg Townsend appearances linked below.
