Mariano Rivera (10/17/14)

Mariano Rivera #42
New York Yankees Pitcher (1995-2014)

Mariano Rivera is a 13-time MLB All-Star, 5-time World Series Champion, 1999 World Series Most Valuable Player, and holds the MLB record for career saves (652). Rivera is a future Hall of Famer and was the last baseball player to ever wear the number 42.

Mariano was signing autographs in North Bergen, NJ at the grand opening of Big Lots. We were told that he will only be signing promotional pictures that Big Lots provides. He was scheduled to sign for an hour and there were only 200 available photos. Luckily, my father and I were one of the first 100 people in line. Big Lots also had a photographer who took pictures of everyone who met Mariano. This was my third time meeting Mariano and he is always a class act.

Mariano Rivera signed 8x10 promotional photo.

A picture of me and Mariano shaking hands.

Thank you Big Lots of North Bergen and Mariano Rivera for a great event.

Jason Grilli (05/26/14)

Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates Closer
2013 MLB All-Star

Today, I went to Citi Field with my friends Tom and Jack to watch the New York Mets take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. I arrived early with hopes of obtaining a couple of autographs before the game. Once I got into the stadium all of the New York Mets players finished warming up. I decided to go down the left field line, where the Pirates were warming up, to try and get an autograph.

Jason Grilli came out of the Pirates dugout and was the coolest guy on the field. He waved to everyone and said he would sign autographs after his warm-up. My friend Tom, who is a huge Pirates fan, got his attention when he yelled out "Jason, Seton Hall brother!" Jason smiled and pointed right at him and said, "You already know." Seton Hall was the college that Jason attended.

Here's a picture of Jason and some of his teammates.

Jason kept his word and came over to sign autographs. He literally went down the line and signed autographs for everyone. Jason signed my baseball right on the sweet spot.

Jason Grilli signed Rawlings official MLB baseball.

Here's a picture of Jason signing Tom's Pirates hat.

The next player that I really wanted to get was 2011 1st overall draft pick, Gerrit Cole. Cole was the last Pirates player to finish his workout. Unfortunately, he was only signing a couple of autographs. He had to rush back to get ready for the game. Here's a picture of Gerrit Cole signing autographs.

Jason Grilli is a very nice guy. I was happy to meet him and add an MLB All-Star to my autograph collection. This was my first time attempting to get autographs at Citi Field. If one arrives early, there's a good chance of obtaining at least one autograph. Citi Field does a great job allowing fans to go down to field level before the game begins.