Tuesday afternoon I was informed that I would be heading out to Arizona for a private signing with (and this is a long introduction-) Steiner's newest exclusive, 2007 World Champion and 2007 American League Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia. Thursday morning I hopped on the first flight to Phoenix and touched down at about 10:15 AM (I love the time difference going west but it is brutal traveling back to New York). I immediately went over to the hotel to begin setting up for Pedroia. Dustin walked in at about 12:15. I congratulated him on the Rookie of the Year honor and we were underway. I was amazed at how fast and well Pedroia was signing. He has a cast on his hand. While it wasn't on his signing hand it still seemed like it would get in the way. I was so wrong. He crushed the marathon signing in less than two hours and even came up with a new way to sign baseballs. Most guys sign the balls in the box- meaning that they simply move from ball to ball without touching them, a dozen at a time. Dustin began lining up three dozen in a row and absolutely rocked them. While he is still young it is only a matter of time where he is in the conversation with Joe Monatana (see last post). Aside from being fast and an incredible ballplayer Pedroia happens to be an awesome kid. I am definitely glad that he is now a part of the Steiner family. After Dustin finished I began packing up the items to ship back to New York. It always boggles my mind that it take three times as long to set up for the signing, break it down and ship it as it does for the athlete to actually sign the items. I finally finished at about 6:00 Mountain time and called it a day. I was on the first flight out to New York Friday morning and finally made it home after 6:00 PM that evening (I hate the Van Wyk).
So that brings us up to speed. As you can see I have done a ton of signings over the past ten days. I was also fortunate enough to catch the last six Phil Lesh and Friends shows at the Nokia Theater (anyone else blessed to be in attendance for the second set of each of the last three nights feel free to email me as that was as good as it will ever get!)
Anyway, I am now off to the airport to pick up my friend Henry Aaron and take him over to the Steiner Sports Store for today's appearance. Check back tonight for a recap.