It is 10:12 Wednesday evening (Thanksgiving Eve). I just returned home from my latest Boston trip which lasted a day and a half longer than expected (which is becoming the norm for my Boston treks). Anyway despite the length of the trip it was quite successful. I arrived in the city Sunday evening and first thing Monday morning we began setting up for the latest rounds of signings. Manager Terry Francona showed up at about 10:30 and cranked through all the team pieces in about two hours. Not only did Terry add his name to our multi signed projects but I was also able to get some 2007 World Series baseballs autographed by the two time World Series winning manager.



After Francona I had a little down time to start re-organizing the pieces. Each signing is like a whirlwind and it always takes some time to get everything back in order for the next guy (at least this time I had that luxury versus two weeks ago when I had up to five guys signing at once). At around 4:00 Jason Varitek walked in and breezed through it all in about an hour and a half (I am at the point where I am very conscious of how long it takes each player...I need something to amuse me after twenty-plus guys have been through the marathon) Once Tek was finished day one was complete.







The next morning I was awoken to the news that the Curt Schilling signing would have to take place at his home. At that point we began re-packing up the product for the twenty minute drive. While it was not the best of situations we made the best of it and got it all in with a little bit of time to spare to set up. Curt was extremely apologetic about making us come to him (it was due to a media obligation at his home that evening) Curt demolished the signing in about an hour and a half. Aside from signing the team pieces Schilling also signed 2007 World Series baseballs and two amazing new world series photos. After it was done we re-repacked the items and headed back to the hotel. That was the end of day two.




Early this morning I unloaded the van and brought everything back up to our conference room to re-re-re set up the signing. David Ortiz arrived at about 2:00 and actually (surprisingly) was the fastest out of everyone. It took him a little over an hour and fifteen minutes to add his name to the team pieces as well as sign some strong individual product. Once David was done we re (quadruple re this time) packed it all up and loaded it back in the van for the final time.
I was a little nervous about the ride home. The day before Thanksgiving is notoriously the worst travel day of the year and I was expecting a six plus hour drive back to New York. Unbelievably there was minimal traffic and I made it door to door in four hours and fifteen minutes (while not a record by any means that is pretty strong considering the time and date!)





Now after close to ten days in Boston (not to mention one in Arizona) I am one signing away from completing our 2007 World Champion Red Sox team project. Sunday afternoon I am flying out to Texas for Monday's signing with 07 ALCS MVP Josh Beckett. Check back Monday for an update from San Antonio. Have a great Thanksgiving!