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I spent all day at the winter meetings today.

RonBurgundyRonBurgundy Posts: 5,491 ✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Super, super cool. Got to talk to Charlie Manuel, Ron Washington, Joe Girardi, Brian Cashman, Tom Verducci, Tim Kurkijan, Mike Scioscia & others. I'm so glad I went & I'm going back tomorrow!
Ron Burgundy

Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items

Comments

  • jeffcbayjeffcbay Posts: 8,950 ✭✭✭✭
    In that list of names, Tim Kurkijan had to have been the best conversation. I love it when he goes off on one of his stories.
  • RonBurgundyRonBurgundy Posts: 5,491 ✭✭✭
    Tim was very nice, he talked about how excited he was about Francona coming on board at ESPN. Said he's a really funny guy.
    Ron Burgundy

    Buying Vintage, all sports.
    Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
  • bbuckner22bbuckner22 Posts: 1,028 ✭
    Ron,
    Can you talk to Theo tomorrow and see if you could help him swing a deal for some starting pitching?
    From what I can tell, 707 is the DOLLAR STORE compared to deans_cards. For what that guy charges, if I ever bought anything from him I would expect it to be delivered to me in a frickin' limo.
    ~WalterSobchak
  • Probstein123Probstein123 Posts: 1,281 ✭
    what did you shmooze with cashman about ?
    Rick Probstein
    Ebay Store:
    Probstein123
    phone: 973 747 6304
    email: rickprobstein1@gmail.com

    Probstein123 is actively accepting CONSIGNMENTS !!
  • epatmythesepatmythes Posts: 1,514 ✭✭✭
    Curious... are the Winter Meetings something that anyone can just go to... like All-Star Fan Fest? I've never heard anyone say before, "Hey, I'm going to the Winter Meetings."

    Don't get me wrong, I think it's awesome that you were there... heck, if it's something people can go to... I would like to go one of these years, just to say I went.
  • sbfinleysbfinley Posts: 357 ✭✭


    << <i>Curious... are the Winter Meetings something that anyone can just go to... like All-Star Fan Fest? I've never heard anyone say before, "Hey, I'm going to the Winter Meetings."

    Don't get me wrong, I think it's awesome that you were there... heck, if it's something people can go to... I would like to go one of these years, just to say I went. >>




    Usually the Winter Meetings are held at a large Hotel that features its own or nearby convention center, so it isn't like MLB can ban or keep out the general public. That being said, it isn't something they advertise or flaunt for just that reason. A couple of years ago it was at the massive Opry Hotel here in Nashville and I didn't even know they were in town until one of the local sports talk stations mentioned it the first day of the meetings. I went one evening with a friend of mine and had a blast. Just sitting in a bar at the hotel for several hours we met tons of people: Theo Epstein, Dusty Baker, and Tim Kurkijan (who said he had collected and saved a box score from every regular season game since sometime in the 80's) were exceptionally social.

    Here is some advise if you do decide to go. Almost everyone we recognized that we crossed paths with was nice and didn't mind chatting for a few moments, but we also saw several people shunned and flat out ignored. We realized that because we had on our business attire (we actually debated this and decided we would fit in better) most of them assumed we were also in town on business. If you go, don't take a back pack full of balls and programs to sign while wearing a "Number 1 Yanks Fan" shirt. Those guys are in town to work and if you catch them in the lobby, bar, or restaurant it is probably one of the few down moments they will have all week so don't pester them for pictures and autos.

    BTW, SEC media days before football season is a blast to attend as well. That event is a circus.
  • RonBurgundyRonBurgundy Posts: 5,491 ✭✭✭
    What sbfinley said is exactly right. I was dressed in business attire & fit right in. It's not really an autograph type event, though I'm sure some people would sign.

    Re Cashman, I talked to him briefly about the Yanks & the meetings. He was very personable.
    Ron Burgundy

    Buying Vintage, all sports.
    Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
  • mccardguy1mccardguy1 Posts: 1,509 ✭✭✭
    I know a good number of job candidates go to the meetings in hopes of snagging a job interview for a front office position. I used to work in the front office for a MLB team and know many of my former colleagues would head to those meetings to schmooze and kiss but in hopes of latching on to another team. Some were successful but I think its like any other job...right place at the right time.

    I graduate from college next year as a 48 year old with, finally, a college degree and I had seriously thought about heading to these meetings myself. Not sure I want to put myself through that dog and pony show though.
    I am on a budget and I am not afraid to use it!!
  • DboneesqDboneesq Posts: 18,219 ✭✭


    << <i>I graduate from college next year as a 48 year old with, finally, a college degree >>



    CONGRATULATIONS! Good luck in your final year.
    STAY HEALTHY!

    Doug

    Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
  • digicatdigicat Posts: 8,551 ✭✭
    If you happen to see Brian Sabean at the Winter Meetings, could you ask him to stop being Sandy Alderson's b*tch? Thanks.
    My Giants collection want list

    WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
  • RonBurgundyRonBurgundy Posts: 5,491 ✭✭✭
    Sabean! Saw him today & couldn't place him. That's who I kept trying to identify.
    Ron Burgundy

    Buying Vintage, all sports.
    Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
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