October trip to Dominican Republic

Notes from this trip:

First autograph: Jose DeLeon
First player to ask me to be their agent: Julio Ramirez
Best with a Sharpie: Geronimo Berroa-he could sign 500 items with the same Sharpie
Worst with a Sharpie: Andres Thomas-will flatten the tip on the first signature
Easiest to get a hold of: Andres Thomas-he called my hotel 3 times in the first day I was here
Hardest to get a hold of: Cesar Geronimo
Toughest to deal with: Neifi Perez
Longest wait for a signer: Miguel Dilone made me wait until after his dominoes game was over
Oddest request: Carmen Castillo asking me to bring him a pair of Oakleys next time
Other requests/demands: Cecilio Guante wants a minimum $500 signing fee next time

Last autograph: TBD

John, as always your tales of your journey in the DR are always great to read. Thanks for the help and have a safe trip home!
 
I spent the first part of the day relaxing and laying out by the pool.

Around 4pm I went to the stadium to talk to my first client, Julio Ramirez. He was happy for the photos I gave him of himself as a Giant. He'll probably be playing in the Northern League next year. He also signed about 50 cards for me.

I ended up doing well with the Toros team getting Mariano Duncan 1, Napoleon Calzado 5, Esteban German, 2 Eude Brito 2, Felix Heredia 5, Jesus Sanchez 5, Juan Sosa 4 and the big surprise of the day, Angel Berroa signed 5 for me. I should have put 10 in the stack. Angel Villalona wasn't on the roster for today.

I worked on the Licey as well getting D'Angelo Jimenez on 25, Jorge Sosa 20, Emiliano Giron 1, Manny Aybar 4, Ricardo Rodriguez 3, Erick Aybar 3, Emilio Bonafacio 3, Yhency Brazoban 15. I also got Jose Acevedo to do 4 and let me tell you that dude is TOUGH! Durro as they say in Spanish while pointing to their elbow. Also, 'heck' must have frozen over because Ronnie Belliard did 10 for me!

There were also a few "surprises" at the stadium today. Felipe and Moises Alou showed up. I got Moises to sign a Mets jersey but Felipe told me no. Also Rafael Landestoy showed up and signed 3 cards for me. He's very durro also. He's a successful businessman here as the owner of Landestoy Motors.

If anyone has extras of EMILIANO GIRON he'd like to have them, he has the 1994 Fleer Excel card.

Does anyone have interest in Jesus Sanchez or Felix Heredia? Maybe I'll set something up with them also.
 
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So today marks the last day of my trip and I decided to take it easy. I spent time with the girlfriend (a former player's daughter) and got to the stadium late today. Angel Villalona quit the team, according to a few of the players, he was upset about his playing time so he up and left the team. Hey, only 9 guys can play and I'm sure there are a few better players than him.

I had a chance to talk with Mariano Duncan about his brother Carlos. Carlos is working in Colombia now.

I hung out with Elpidio Guzman and Julio Ramirez before heading over to the other team's clubhouse. I had a chance to talk to Tony Batista who is more than willing to sign for us in exchange for a donation to his foundation. He's a very good guy and wrote "God is great, go with him" in Spanish on each of my cards. Next, I got Carlos Gomez to sign my magazine and Diorys Hernandez to sign a few cards. I had some help from one of the players which is always nice. Finally, I asked the guy helping me about Agustin Montero and said "I'm Agustin." I had to laugh at myself. Agustin signed a few for me and I gave him a bunch of his family so he was pretty happy. He looks very different from his card and a lot older than 30 years old.

Michael Almanzar showed up at the game and I got him to sign a couple "Top Prospect" cards that I bought from theautographcard.com He's very cool and actually took out his braids from last week. I only recognized him because of his Hummer with the "Michael 25" chromed out on the back.

Next I got Wilfredo Tejada to sign some photos for me. He couldn't believe I had these photos and was able to identify the photos from 1988 in Wrigley Field. He took them around to show everyone and said in Spanish "See, I told you I was in the Major Leagues." He signed a couple for me and told me I'm also welcome back.

Finally, I saw Junior Noboa who came over to me to say hi. He's a very good guy. I ran to my car and found my cards and photos of him. I gave him about 25 cards including his very first minor league card and a card of him from the DWL and it made him really happy.

I'm 10 hours away from leaving and my contact finally got a call back from his friend in Azua. It turns out that Anderson Amador is still living outside of Azua and is willing to sign for me, the only problem is I'm leaving tomorrow and can't get him. My contact is willing to go out there and get him to sign for me but I haven't decided if I want to or not yet.
 
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Notes from this trip:

First autograph: Jose DeLeon
First player to ask me to be their agent: Julio Ramirez
Best with a Sharpie: Geronimo Berroa-he could sign 500 items with the same Sharpie
Worst with a Sharpie: Andres Thomas-will flatten the tip on the first signature
Easiest to get a hold of: Andres Thomas-he called my hotel 3 times in the first day I was here
Hardest to get a hold of: Cesar Geronimo
Toughest to deal with: Neifi Perez
Longest wait for a signer: Miguel Dilone made me wait until after his dominoes game was over
Oddest request: Carmen Castillo asking me to bring him a pair of Oakleys next time
Other requests/demands: Cecilio Guante wants a minimum $500 signing fee next time (but he'll sign whatever I bring)

Last autograph: Wilfredo Tejada
 
Any chance one of the Erick Aybars was a 2004 Topps Cracker Jack #214. I'm collecting that set and need him.

Thank you.
 
I would be interested if you could get Anderson Amador. After the Yankees got 4 years of Gulf Coast League for their $800,000 investment I hope his price demands would be very little. I understand there is a lot of cost for your time and troubles and I am happy to compensate you. Keep us updated.
 
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