2014 YEARBOOK Publication date: July 22, 2014 Published by: Matt Raymond Autograph University www.autographu.com Works in this book are owned by their respective authors. Cover design by: www.seanharveydesign.com X_____________________________ Version 1.0 2014 Yearbook CONTENTS A Note from 4 dougzinboston 15 Matt Raymond dougzinboston 17 Tim Henderson 5 Bendar 19 Joe Ed Bridges 8 Craig Perosi 21 Bobby Brisse 10 Riley Chambers 22 Mark Domingue 11 Matt Raymond 24 Leebo 12 Info 29 Francis Gentile 14 3 2014 Yearbook A NOTE FROM MATT RAYMOND Founder, Autograph University | [email protected] Over the past year autograph collecting has been in the headlines. The Johnny Manziel investigation. Another aircraft carrier of questionable signatures passed by PSA and JSA. Taylor Swift’s recent proclamation that the selfie has made the autograph obsolete. But like much of our news, the negative stories are the ones that make the front page and get the most attention. There is so much good happening in our world—and in our hobby—which doesn’t get the spotlight. The autograph community continues to be strong and the 2014 Autograph University Yearbook features a collection of stories that focus on the things we love about the hobby—the thrill of the chase, and sharing our passion with family and friends. Thanks to the collectors who contributed to our third annual issue, I couldn’t do this without you. And thank you, the reader, for spending some time with our stories and helping us spread the word. 4 2014 Yearbook TIM HENDERSON Twitter: @tbaz1010 My story starts as I am perusing the newspaper for appearances and events. I ran across an article about a benefit dinner to help with music producer Dallas Austin’s charity. Scheduled to appear at the event was Jennifer Hudson, Al Green and Denzel Washington. When I saw this I got really excited, Denzel is one of my favorite actors and was on my list of people I want to meet! I immediately called up my buddy Ryan and told him about the event. We talked and came up with a strategy to dress up in suits for this dinner so we would fit in better. We started doing some research and found out through some doorman connections at local hotels that they had seen Dallas Austin's orange Lamborghini sitting in front of the Marriott Marquis, and then after further research we found out that the Marriott was the sponsoring hotel of the event, so we decided to try our luck there. We drove to the hotel and were not there 10 minutes when Jennifer Hudson walked by and signed for us. We were ecstatic because we knew that all the celebs appearing at this event were staying there. We waited and waited till it was almost time for the red carpet to start. Then we decided to check out the private event that was being held in the ballroom of the Georgia Aquarium. We drove over to the event and as soon as we entered the parking lot we are stopped and asked why we were there. We said we were there for the benefit dinner. The security guard then asked for a name which I gave and they wrote my name down and said enjoy. What happened 5 2014 Yearbook next we could not imagine in a million years. We were walking to the event and the next thing you know we were on the red carpet waving and taking pictures with a shoulder bag filled with movie posters and DVDs ready to be signed inside. We acted like we belonged there and they welcomed us with open arms. We then hung out, mingled with the crowd and celebs at the event, and waited for the appearance of Denzel. Well, we waited and waited. The silent auction started and they announced that they were sorry but Denzel had to cancel—but he did send a jacket he wore in Training Day to be auctioned off. At this point we were thinking that we just went to all this trouble and he is not even here! We left the gala very disappointed. We did get Al Green, Jennifer Hudson and Big Boi so it was not a total loss, but not what we had planned. About two months later I received a call on a Saturday morning from a doorman of a hotel that I have connected with telling me that Denzel had just checked in and was in town to get an honorary degree from Morehouse College. I thanked him for the call and proceeded to head downtown. It was weird because Denzel was staying at a place off the radar. It was not a 5-star hotel and in a million years I wouldn’t have guessed he would stay there. I went inside and waited in the lobby for about 6 hours until I start seeing some activity. I walked outside and looked into a car pulling up and I recognize the passenger but it's not Denzel, it's Wesley Snipes. I pulled out an index card and asked him to sign—he is really nice! Still no Denzel so I went inside to sit back down with a view of the front door. About 15 minutes later a guy with a baseball 6 2014 Yearbook cap walks in and proceeds to the elevator and I realize it's him. I approached Denzel who shook his head and says, “I'm not working today partner!” I proceeded to tell him I was at the Dallas Austin dinner and was really disappointed that he could not make it, that he was my favorite actor and if I could just get a picture with him… He said, “You went to the dinner? I'm so sorry I had a last minute commitment that I could not miss.” He then smiled with his big Denzel smile and said he will do one. He signed one of the nicest autographs I have ever seen on my John Q poster with “God Bless!” My buddy got a DVD signed and Denzel wrote “DW” on it – just his initials! He then took a picture with me. I thanked him and told him he made my day. He laughed because I was a little starstruck. “Have a nice day,” he said. This is one of my most memorable stories because of how everything happened for a reason leading up to the final success. I had heard horror stories about Denzel and his desire for privacy but he was as nice of a star that I have ever met! 7 2014 Yearbook JOE ED BRIDGES I've been collecting in person autographs for over 25 years, since I was 8 or 9 years old. I've been able to meet a lot of people and I've met Kevin Durant, my favorite current athlete, several times in the past. Recently, he was able to blow any other great moment I have had away and reassure me that there are still real heroes—all while reinforcing why I do this hobby. Last year I began dating my now fiancée. She has a 5-year-old son named Jace. Jace has Cystic Fibrosis so there are a few times he misses out on things in life. Well over the time Jace has known me he has heard me mention KD often. Jace thought KD was my best friend and even told his mom one night KD was his other father. Well Jace and I both have KD shoes and wear his clothes. In December the Thunder came to town and Jace was sick so he missed out. Since December he has asked many times, "When are we going to meet KD?" So... Early this month the Thunder came to town. I knew they would arrive the day before the game. So his mom checked Jace out of school early on the day they would arrive. We made the hour drive to the team hotel. The entire hour Jace was asking, "Is it time?" "Where is KD?" And we practiced what he should say. When we got to the hotel we waited outside by the barriers the hotel had set up. You could see the excitement building as Jace waited. 8 2014 Yearbook Finally, the bus pulled up. Jace pointed out KD sitting in the back of the bus. He was glued in on him. As soon as KD stepped off of the bus Jace screamed "KEVIN DURANT!" Durant lit up from ear to ear smiling. KD walked over to Jace. I'm not sure if it was his being starstruck or amazement of KD's height. Jace froze! He held his McFarlane in his hand staring mouth wide open at Durant. Durant said, "What up buddy? Want me to sign that?“ Jace finally handed the figure to Durant who signed it for him. While KD signed for others, Jace's mom asked if he would do a pic with Jace. The Oklahoma City team security said, "No he doesn't have time!“ KD looked at him and said, “Yes I do, I got this.” I picked Jace up and after seeing his smile in the photo it hit me that the happiness of meeting a hero is the reason. 9 2014 Yearbook BOBBY BRISSE www.facebook.com/bobbysautographs Starting to collect autographs at minor league baseball games, I’ve noticed only a handful of players on each team have an actual trading card. If a player does not have a card, I'll find pictures online, print them, and cut them to trading card size.