Sergei Brylin (08/09/14)

Sergei Brylin, New Devils Center (1994-2008)

Sergei Brylin is a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the New Jersey Devils (1995, 2000, 2003). He played 13 seasons for the Devils. Brylin is one of five New Jersey Devils who have played for all three of their championship teams.

Sergei Brylin was signing autographs at the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery in Wayne, New Jersey. This was the second hockey autograph signing that I have attended and my first New Jersey Devils signing. The event was well organized and everyone was allowed to get two items signed. There was also a photographer who took pictures of each person with Sergei, which was very cool. I've been to many signings and this was never done before.

I only had one item for Sergei to sign and it was my first New Jersey Devils hockey puck. Since I love inscriptions on autographs, I thought it would be nice to have Sergei inscribe the years he won the Stanley Cup with the Devils. He was cool about it and inscribed "SC 95 00 03" on the bottom of the hockey puck.

Sergei Brylin signed New Jersey Devils hockey puck.

Sergei Brylin poses for a photo with me.

Overall, this was a well-organized event and I had a great experience. It was nice to meet a Stanley Cup champion and add another hockey autograph to my collection. I also got hooked up with a Facebook group called Devils All Day All Night. Now I need to start watching more hockey, so I can become a die-hard fan. Let's go Devils!

Darryl Strawberry (07/12/14)

Darryl Strawberry, 1983 Rookie of the Year
New York Mets Hall of Fame Inductee 2010 

Darryl Strawberry is a 8-time MLB All-Star (1984-1991) and 4-time World Series Champion (1986, 1996, 1998, 1999). He won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1983. In 2010, Darryl was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame.

Darryl was signing autographs at the Sports Authority in Paramus, NJ. This would be my second time meeting him. I previously met him at Mendham Books for a Brandon Steiner book signing on September 9, 2012. As always, Darryl was a great guy. He signed any type of item and took pictures with everyone who asked.

Darryl Strawberry signed Rawlings official MLB baseball.

Darryl Strawberry signed Rawlings Big Stick bat. This is the first autograph bat in my collection.

Darryl Strawberry signed New York Mets helmet with several other players from the 1986 World Series championship team.

Darryl Strawberry poses for a picture with me.

Here are some pictures of the autographs I obtained on September 9, 2012 at the Brandon Steiner book signing.

Darryl Strawberry signed book Straw: Finding My Way.

Brandon Steiner signed book You Gotta Have Balls: How a Kid from Brooklyn Started From Scratch, Bought Yankee Stadium, and Created a Sports Empire.

Darryl Strawberry signed photos promoting Brandon Steiner's new book. There were two photos of Darryl in a Mets and Yankees uniform. I asked him if I could please have two signed photos and he signed both of them.

 

Darryl Strawberry and Brandon Steiner pose for a picture with me.

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.