Good-bye Qualcom/Jack Murphy Stadium

Former home of San Diego Padres and Chargers is being demolished as the new San Diego State Stadium and facilities being built around it. The stadium have seen two World Series appearances (both on losing side), three Super Bowls, two MLB All-Star games, and college football bowl games. I went to a Padres game there in 2002 before a relative's wedding the next day. It was decent stadium at the time as they were building Petco Park in downtown. I remember the game for few things. One is was hat night. Second it was Tony Gwynn night as well. There was pre-game celebration of Tony Gwynn being inducted in Padres Hall of Fame with an appearance of him. Third was Padres starting pitcher Clay Condrey threw 7 innings of shutout ball. Fourth was watching Hall of Fame pitcher Trevor Hoffman close it out.

Padres moved into Petco leaving Chargers as lone major sport tenant til they ruin their fanbase going to Los Angeles. San Diego State, who been using the stadium from its opening, bought it and re-develop the area with a new stadium as well facilities and housing sealed the 53-year old stadium's fate.

It's a good 53 year run with hundreds of highlights from Tony Gwynn, Dan Fouts, Stan Humphries, Marshall Faulk before getting drafted, Phillip Rivers, John Elway finally winning it, the tolls of the bell when Hoffman closes it out to the lowlights of Padres and Chargers down years and Ryan Leaf.

IP Autograph Stories: Chasing the Matz and Lessons on IP Auto Request From D'Arnaud

Last year I posted my IP autograph Hall of Shame and it turned out to be very popular among readers. Let's start the new year off with IP autograph stories. This one feature Steven Matz and Travis D'Arnaud. This took place on May 23, 2017 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas. Both players were sent down to then Mets Triple-A affiliate Las Vegas 51s for rehab assignment. Both were still on the roster when the 51s arrived in Round Rock for series against Express. Since 51s played in Pacific Divsion of Pacific Coast League they come once every two years. Dell Diamond is one of easiest places to grab in-person autographs and heavily crowded with fans lining up at the rail very quickly when the gates opened. The players come out from locker rooms at right field and have walk down the stairs to get to the field. Since Las Vegas is one of teams that comes once every two year the regular 'graphers at the stadium get their stuff ready by the load. This is no different hoping to get players sign their cards, photos, programs, or whatever merchandise. Even I knew its going be a long shot I took one of each just in case.

Steven Matz started the game so he's not going to sign before it. Same with Travis D'Arnaud as he was starting catcher. (Note: most starting catchers do not sign before the game) Got the following players from 51s before the game: Phillip Evans, Gavin Cecchini, Dominic Smith, Desmond Jennings, Tyler Pill, Sean Gilmartin, Erik Goeddel. From the Express: Jason Martinson (J-Mart as I call him), Drew Stubbs, and Bret Nicholas. As for the game Express jumped on Matz with 5 runs in 4 innings with Cesar Puello homering off him twice and getting runs from Jurickson Profar, Nicholas, and J-Mart. Kevin McGowan got shelled for 6 runs in the 5th lasting 2/3 inning. Express stretched the 51s bullpen that backup catcher Jeff Glenn pitched the 9th. He's the only 51s player who pitched a full inning without giving up a run in the game. That's the first game of the series between the two teams. Easy night for Express winning 14-3 as all the starters got a hit with homeruns from Drew Robinson and Martinson as well runs from Ronald Guzman, Luis Marte, and Josh Wilson. Back to the graphing part.

Often when players get pulled they go to the locker room in between innings. At Dell Diamond it's autograph opportunity as some do sign when they walk up the stairs. Express starter Tyson Ross was pulled after 5 innings and signed one for me and few others before he got to the locker room. Some were already waiting for Matz, but he stayed in the dugout the entire game. After the game the rails were already lined up hoping for Matz or D'Arnaud to sign as well remaining 51s and Express players. Matz signed for three fans and I end up being one of lucky ones. Glad I didn't get mugged for it by surrounding fans. Then there was Travis D'Arnaud. At first he didn't sign ignoring a fan's request. Then the fan said "That's fucking bullshit!" within earshot that he turned around signing for him along with others including me. What I saw and heard was a stern lecture D'Arnaud gave to the fan. He told the fan he didn't like the way he acted and being rude for the tantrum and cussing around kids and gave reasons why players don't sign all the time. The fan was super apologetic about toward him and promise be nice. Everyone around the fan gave him hard time for it. I pretty much understand what Travis D'Arnaud saying on autograph requests. While they do sign, sometimes they have decline time to time from being tired or having bad night or miserable long day. The players are human after the game.

That's my IP autograph story and maybe I will tell more.