Awesome Josh Hamilton TTM Success

Date sent: 2/28/09
Date received: 11/7/09

I wasn't sure that I'd get this item back or not. Josh Hamilton has a great track record for TTM request successes but I had my doubts as it had been 8 months since I sent it off.

I'm thrilled to get this back because this is a ticket stub from the game where Josh Hamilton got his first major league hit, a home run. I was at this game, I lived in Phoenix, AZ for two years and attended many Diamondbacks games while I lived there. This was just any other game, nothing special, but I knew going in that Josh Hamilton was playing.

If you collected cards in the late 90's, you know who Josh Hamilton is. His 1999 rookie cards were the hottest thing going back then as he was the #1 overall pick in the MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Ray (Devil Rays then). You may have also heard of Hamilton's struggles with drug addiction that lead to him being out of baseball. He worked very hard to get clean and work his way back to the majors.

Anyway, I was completely aware when Hamilton came up in the 3rd inning that he didn't have a hit in the majors yet. He ripped a pitch to right field and his first major league hit was a 2-run home run. A few fans in the small crowd realized the moment and stood to applaud Hamilton, most didn't realize the significance.

Here we are three years later and Hamilton has been an All-Star and a Home Run Derby champion. He had an excellent 2008 season but was hampered by injuries last year that lead to him only playing 89 games. I've rooted for him ever since I heard of his struggles with drugs and his fight to get back to the majors. After receiving this ticket back from Hamilton I'll be more than a casual observer, I'm now a legit fan.

Link to mlb.com game article

David Price Starts For The Rays Tonight

This is a much anticipated moment tonight for the Tampa Bay Rays as David Price makes his first start of 2009. It's only his second start of his career. He made one start late last season and then pitched in relief during the ALCS and World Series. His fantastic performance in the playoffs last year had all fans waiting to see what he could do in '09.

The Rays are in Cleveland and the first pitch will be somewhere around 6:05PM EST. Fausto Carmona will take the mound for the Indians.

It will be interesting to see how Price performs tonight. He had to be disappointed to be sent back down to AAA to start the season. I think that's evident by his stats at Durham. He went 1-4 with a 3.93 ERA in eight starts. He did pitch well in his last two starts so there were signs of a turnaround.

You're lucky if you have any Price cards on eBay ending tonight. Collectors will scramble to pick some up if he has a strong start tonight.

David Price vs. Matt Wieters

The much anticipated match-up will happen tonight after being rained out last night. David Price is taking the hill for the Durham Bulls against Matt Wieters and the Norfolk Tides. Price and Wieters are the #1 and #2 prospects in baseball according to Baseball America's 100 Top Prospects list. Most people around baseball were surprised that both were returned to AAA at the end of spring training.

Both players have some very high priced cards out there on the market. Price's cards were hot last season as he was the #1 ranked prospect and having a great season in the minors. They got even hotter after his great performance for the Rays in the playoffs. Wieters' cards have been pricey for a while and haven't moved any since being sent back to AAA. It's just a matter of time before both are playing against each other in the AL East.

GAME UPDATE 1: 2-0 Norfolk in the top of the third. Nolan Reimold hit a 2-run HR in the 2nd.

GAME UPDATE 2: Price leaves the game with Durham up 3-2. His final line: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 4.91 ERA

Against Price
Wieters 1st AB: stuck out looking on three pitches.
Wieters 2nd AB: walked after fouling off 8 pitches.

After Price Departed
Wieters 3rd AB: reached on fielding error.
Wieters 4th AB: struck out.
Wieters 5th AB: flew out to right.