This past Sunday Dodger great Maury Wills made an appearance at the Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga to sign autographs. Just like always, the autograph session took place during the Quakes game. I really had no business being there. I attended a couple of Maury Wills appearances last year and other Maury Wills events even before I started this blog.
I figured since it was in my area I would take advantage of it. When I arrived I noticed a decent turnout of fans already waiting in line. There were many familiar faces but I didn't feel like mingling. I baked all day in the hot sun at work so I wasn't in the best of moods. For a good portion of the line Maury signed every item that fans put in front of him. After a while Quakes staff wanted fans to limit their items down to one item since the line was moving very slow.
Signing Recap:
People in line? I would guess around 50 people.
Items per person? Multiple items since there was a chance to get back in line.
Free signing? Free with paid admission.
Giveaways? None.
City of the event? Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
The only thing I could think of for Maury to sign for me was Tommy Davis' "Tales from the Dodgers Dugout". Maury did the forward on the book so it would make sense for him to also sign it.
To be honest I regret going since I missed out on a previous
obligation and this is all I took to get signed. I guess It is what it is.
Other posts that I have on Maury Wills are linked below.
About 4 years ago I attended an autograph signing of a former baseball player. All of my items that were signed came out very nice. The only problem is that the photo op came out fu*%#d up. I never realized it until I had already arrived home and reviewed the photo on my camera.
The point here is that you should always double check your photo op before you leave an event because you never know when it will come out fu*%#d up like this one. The least you can do is get back in line and take another one. I don't even recognize myself. I'm sure I can alter the photo and take away some of the darkness but I have never bothered.
Just for the hell of it, can anybody guess who the former baseball player is? A good hint is that he played for the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Anaheim Angels.
Please take a guess in the comments section below.
Looks Like Woody is the winner. It's 1993 AL Cy Young award winner Jack McDowell. Here is a much better picture from the signing where Jack is signing my Starting Lineup.
The Anaheim Angels single A affiliate hosted a Meet the Team BBQ at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino. I found out about this event on short notice but decided to go since I only live about 10 minutes away from the stadium. Admission for the event was $15 and well worth every penny. It was an all you can eat buffet of hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken and sides. Not to mention a chance to meet some future Angels and eat with them.
The 66er's showed up shortly after the fans arrived. They served themselves a plate of food and picked a table to sit at. I went to this event alone and didn't know anybody. A group of Dominicans were eating at a table near me so I got up and asked them if I could sit with them. They were very cool and talkative.
Once people were done eating the players stood up one at a time and introduced themselves. All of them gave their name, position, jersey number and where they were from. This was a another good event given by the 66er's front office. It's not as great as the Meet the Team Dinner featuring Tommy Lasorda when they were affiliated with the Dodgers but it's better than nothing.
The new coaches for the 66er's are former Major
Leaguers. They are Bill Haselman and Paul Sorrento.
Here I am with the new 66er's hitting coach Paul Sorrento.
I looked in my brothers collection and found some Paul Sorrento
cards. I took these to the event and Paul was more than happy to sign them.
Maybe this was posted last season but didn't pay attention to it. Around the stadium are large posters titled "San Bernardino Professional Baseball Alumni". At one point or another all of these guys played in San Bernardino.
Thanks to the Anaheim Angels single A affiliate for this event.
NFL Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks made an appearance at The Raider Image in Ontario. After work I decided to head out to Ontario to meet this Raiders great. When I arrived I noticed that a line had formed outside of the store. It wasn't a huge turnout but that's usually expected at a paid signing.
Ted arrived earlier than expected and started signing right away. The line moved very slow since Ted took his time to meet with fans and take photos. He also included his Hall of Fame inscription with every autograph purchased. It was another easy signing at The Raider Image.
Signing Recap:
People in line? About 40-50 people when I arrived.
Free signing? No. The cost was $30-$50 depending on the item.
Giveaways? None.
Which Raider Image location? Ontario.
"Please sign the ball here".
Ted must of got tired of sitting down. He signed
autographs while standing up for a good portion of the line.
I love the fact that former players actually sign their names.
Most current athletes just scribble and initial when they sign autographs.
This has nothing to do with the signing but here it is. Since this was a football signing, I will end this post with a skit from the television show In Living Color. The skit is titled "Men on Football" featuring Damon Wayans and David Allen Grier. Both men discuss football from their point of view.
NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte made an appearance at my local Walmart in Redlands. Out of the hundreds of events that I have attended, I knew this would be the shortest drive I ever had. It was a short five minute drive. That's the only reason I decided to go.
When I arrived only a few people were in line. I then asked an employee
if the guy at the table was the NASCAR driver. I had no clue what he looked like.
From what I was told this is NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte.
I'm not into NASCAR at all but have to admit that the cars are pretty cool. Here is a car that was on display outside of the store.
Tito Ortiz signed autographs for over 4 hours at the L.A. Fit Expo. He also took a posed picture with every fan that wanted one. I finally got the email with the info to retrieve my Tito Ortiz picture. It was taken by the Punishment Athletics photographer at the expo. They didn't allow fans to use their own camera. I'm not sure for the reason but it doesn't really matter now.
I attended the annual L.A. Fit Expo. Just like the expo last year, many athletes and celebrities were scheduled to make appearances. I asked two months in advance to have the day off so I could make it to this event. That's how good it is. The L.A. Fit Expo is the event of all events.
The Fit Expo is such a good event that some athletes just show up for the hell of it. Last year Jose Canseco and a couple of other athletes dropped by and this year was no different. Jose Canseco showed up once again and brought his good friend Barry Bonds. I didn't see Barry since I left to my car to get some items. When I arrived back at the event I heard people talking about it.
From what I heard Barry signed autographs for some people that approached him. One of those people that did is a friend of mine. Here is the baseball that Barry Bonds signed for him. No "sweet spot" but it's better than nothing.
Now it's time for my recap. It's not posted in order in which I met the athletes or celebrities. I will do this in sections. It will start off with athletes from different sports then go to MMA, bodybuilders, and girls. Everything that is in yellow is a link to a website.
Former Rockets and Lakers head coach Rudy Tomjanovich signed autographs for 3 hours. This appearance took place at the CieAura booth. Lisa Leslie was also scheduled to appear at this booth but was a no show.
I was more excited to meet Rudy T. than anybody
else at the expo. I would of attended the event just for him.
Rudy T. was very nice and signed multiple items.
Here is Rudy T. signing my ball.
Rudy T. asked me if I wanted something else on the ball besides
his signature. I told him if he could inscribe his championship years.
Def Leppard's lead guitarist Phil Collen made an appearance at the Iron Man booth. He was at the expo last year but I had nothing for him to sign. This time I made sure to bring some Def Leppard CD's to get signed. He is not your common rockstar who lives by the typical sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Phil is a vegan and works out on a regular basis.
This video has nothing to do with the event but
it's my favorite Def Leppard song so I had to post it.
Former pro wrestler Diamond Dallas Page met with fans before he did a
workout demo. He told me to "put it up there" and made me do a hand signal.
Current L.A. Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders made an appearance on behalf of BSN.
Many supplement companies were on site to pass out sample products.
I was a little disappointed that they didn't pass out as much stuff as last year.
I was at the expo from the time they opened to the time they closed. It was really exhausting. My feet, knees, and back ached from all the standing and walking around I did but it was worth it. Nothing beats the annual L.A. Fit Expo. I'm already looking forward to going again next year.
I want to thank all the athletes for their appearances and for taking the time to meet and greet fans. Thanks to Rudy T, Phil Collen, Diamond Dallas Page, Josh Saunders, D'aundre Reed, Bas Rutten, Don Frye, Brian Stann, Tito Ortiz, Jay Cutler, Toney Freeman, Lee Labrada, Melvin Anthony, Charles Glass, Greg Plitt, Dexter Jackson, and Roland Kickinger.
Exercise gives the human body many benefits. Just make sure you do it the right way. Check out this clip from the 90's television show "In Living Color". It's David Allen grier and Damon Wayans playing the part of personal trainers. It's hilarious.
Clayton Kershaw made an appearance at Costco to sign copies of his new book "Arise". Clayton's wife Ellen was also at this event since she co wrote the book.
Here it is quick and simple.
The event guidelines were posted near the autograph line.
More rules that were posted by Costco.
Clayton and his wife Ellen arrived early and began signing right away.
Here is Clayton signing my book.
Costco staff didn't want people to do posed pics with Clayton. They only wanted
fans to snap quick photos of Clayton signing their book. Whatever.
One lucky fan got an outside item signed. He got on his knees and
begged Clayton to sign his photo and it worked. No joke.
Here is s short video of the signing.
Instead of my name I had Clayton personalize my book to this blog.
I guess it's something different.
Thanks to Costco, Clayton, and Ellen Kershaw for this event. I would also
like to thank Rafael who helped me out since I didn't have a Costco card.
