This past weekend was the 2nd annual Red Sox Winter Weekend that is held at Foxwoods Casino in CT. This years event was a real winter weekend. The area was being hit with a blizzard throughout the day.
I went last year and had an idea what to expect. The prices were raised from $40 per session tix to $60. But, this season after I'm sure a lot of complaints. Things were much better. Last year the Big name players only did photo ops. This year Pedro, Clemens, Boggs and Varitek signed at 2 session each. I was not one of the lucky ones though
I had tickets for 4 sessions.
Dustin Pedrioa was probably the best session I had. I did have a photo op with Clemens though.
For each ticket you get one autograph and one photo op. But, my friends and I figured out how to work around it. It did not work for Pedro though.
This year was a little tougher getting the players as they came in and out of the hotel elevators. The players were split up between 2 hotels at Foxwoods and they were not close to each other.
I ended the 2 days with 22 autographs. .Last year I had gotten 28 autographs. But, quality over quantity
I went last year and had an idea what to expect. The prices were raised from $40 per session tix to $60. But, this season after I'm sure a lot of complaints. Things were much better. Last year the Big name players only did photo ops. This year Pedro, Clemens, Boggs and Varitek signed at 2 session each. I was not one of the lucky ones though
I had tickets for 4 sessions.
Dustin Pedrioa was probably the best session I had. I did have a photo op with Clemens though.
For each ticket you get one autograph and one photo op. But, my friends and I figured out how to work around it. It did not work for Pedro though.
This year was a little tougher getting the players as they came in and out of the hotel elevators. The players were split up between 2 hotels at Foxwoods and they were not close to each other.
I ended the 2 days with 22 autographs. .Last year I had gotten 28 autographs. But, quality over quantity
Steve Lyons, Layne, Bradley, Castillo, Hanigan and Elias from lobby and casino floor
Owens, Holt and Hembree from the autograph sessions
Xander signed like a machine while in a group of the players at the roulette wheel
Matt Barnes in the lobby when he arrived at the hotel
Rusney with the group while playing roulette
Hanley with the group while playing roulette. Completely shocked that he signed
Blake Swihart
Boggs in the hotel lobby
Dustin Pedrioa was one of the 4 sessions I had tickets for
Jim Rice was one of the 4 sessions I had tickets for and was clearly not happy to be signing
Mookie and I
Pedrioa and I
During the 1986 discussion panel. Bruce Hurst, Dwight Evans, Jim Rice, Rocket and Boggs
Luis Tiant and I
Roenis Elias and Eddie Rodriguez
The Rocket
Blake Swihart, Blake was a 1st rd pick (26th Overall) by the Red Sox in 2011. He was promoted during the 2015 season and caught 84 games in the majors
Hanley Ramirez, Hanley signed as a FA in 2000 by the Red Sox. But was then traded to the Marlins in the Josh Beckett deal in 2005. Hanley was then traded in 2012 to the Dodgers and resigned with the Red Sox in 2014 as a free agent. In 2006 Hanley won the NL Rookie of the Year and is a 3x All-Star 2008-2010
Rusney Castilllo, Rusney signed as a FA in 2014 after he defected from Cuba. Pre2015 Rusney was ranked 15th overall by Baseball America.
Matt Barnes, Matt was a 1st rd pick (19th overall) by the Red Sox in 2011. Matt made his major league debut in late 2014 and pitched 32 games in 2015 with the Red Sox
Xander Boagarts, Xander signed as a FA in 2009 by the Red Sox and made his major league debut in 2013
Dustin Pedroia, Dustin was a 2nd rd pick in 2004 by the Red Sox and made his major league debut in 2006 abd was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2007, the AL MVP in 2008, a 4x All-Star and 4x Gold Glove winner
Tom Layne, Tom was a 26th rd pick in 2007 by the D-Backs. He made his major league debut in 2012 with the Padres. Pitched 2013 with the Padres before signing as a FA with the Red Sox before the 2014 season
Heath Hembree, Heath was a 5th rd pick in 2010 by the Giants and made his major league debut in 2013 Then in July 2014 Heath was part of a trade that involved Jake Peavy
Brock Holt, Brock was a 9th rd pick in 2009 by the Pirates and made his major league debut in 2012 with the Pirates and was traded in Dec 2012 6 player trade that involved Joel Hanrahan and Mark Melacon. Brock was an All-Star in 2015
Henry Owens, Henry was a 1st rd pick (36th overall) in 2011 by the Red Sox. Henry made his major league debut in 2015 and started 11 games
Roenis Elias, Roenis signed as a FA in 2011 with the Mariners and also defected from Cuba. Roenis made his major league debut in 2014 with the Mariners. The Red Sox acquired Roenis in a trade this winter that sent Wade Miley to the Mariners. 1 minor leaguer from each team were also involved in the trade.
Ryan Hanigan, Ryan was undrafted and signed as a FA in 2002 by the Reds and made his major league debut in 2007. Ryan continued to catch for the Reds until he was traded to the Rays in a 3 team trade. He spent 1 season with the Rays
Jackie Bradley Jr. Jackie was a 1st rd pick (40th overall) in 2011 by the Red Sox and he made his major league debut in 2013.
Wade Boggs, Wade was a 7th rd pick in 1976 by the Red Sox and made his major league debut in 1982. Wade played for the Red Sox till he signed as a FA in 1992 with the Yankees then signed with the Devil Rays as a FA in 1997. Wade's career spanned 18 years in the majors and was a 12x All-Star, 2x Gold Glove, 8x Silver Slugger and won the AL batting title 5 times. He has a lifetime Batting average of 0.328. Wade was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2005
Jim Rice, Jim was a 1st rd pick (15th overall) in 1971. Jim made his major league debut in 1974 and spent his whole 16 yr major career with the Red Sox. Jim was an 8x All-Star, 3x Silver Slugger and he was the AL MVP in 1978. He has a lifetime Batting average of 0.298 and hit 327 HR's and 1451 RBI's. Wade was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2009
Steve Lyons, Steve was a 1st rd pick (19th overall) in 1981 by the Red Sox and made his major league debut in 1985. Steve spent a short time with the Red Sox before being traded to the White Sox for Tom Seaver. Steve also spent time with the Braves 1992, Expos 1992 and also had 2 other stints with the Red Sox 1991, 1992-1993. Steve was well known for forgetting were he was during a game when he dropped his pants after sliding into 2nd base. Steve nickname was Psycho.
After the improvements that were made from last years event. I will probably go back next year
Autograph Collection Update:. 8,391 autographs, 7,430 are baseball autographs
Thanks for Reading and Check Back Soon!!!!!!!
Jackie Bradley Jr. Jackie was a 1st rd pick (40th overall) in 2011 by the Red Sox and he made his major league debut in 2013.
Wade Boggs, Wade was a 7th rd pick in 1976 by the Red Sox and made his major league debut in 1982. Wade played for the Red Sox till he signed as a FA in 1992 with the Yankees then signed with the Devil Rays as a FA in 1997. Wade's career spanned 18 years in the majors and was a 12x All-Star, 2x Gold Glove, 8x Silver Slugger and won the AL batting title 5 times. He has a lifetime Batting average of 0.328. Wade was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2005
Jim Rice, Jim was a 1st rd pick (15th overall) in 1971. Jim made his major league debut in 1974 and spent his whole 16 yr major career with the Red Sox. Jim was an 8x All-Star, 3x Silver Slugger and he was the AL MVP in 1978. He has a lifetime Batting average of 0.298 and hit 327 HR's and 1451 RBI's. Wade was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2009
Steve Lyons, Steve was a 1st rd pick (19th overall) in 1981 by the Red Sox and made his major league debut in 1985. Steve spent a short time with the Red Sox before being traded to the White Sox for Tom Seaver. Steve also spent time with the Braves 1992, Expos 1992 and also had 2 other stints with the Red Sox 1991, 1992-1993. Steve was well known for forgetting were he was during a game when he dropped his pants after sliding into 2nd base. Steve nickname was Psycho.
After the improvements that were made from last years event. I will probably go back next year
Autograph Collection Update:. 8,391 autographs, 7,430 are baseball autographs
Thanks for Reading and Check Back Soon!!!!!!!
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