Last night’s game was a disaster for my Somerset Patriots, but at least my night had a bit of an upside: I got quite a few autographs from the Newark Bears before the game.

Steve Kent signed my custom photo card for me… I still have to make one for him in a Bears uniform, though. He also signed a trio of 2002 cards from when he was a Tampa Bay Devil Rays prospect:

Note the nearly identical photos on the Fleer cards. I love the retro designs of the 2002 Donruss Originals set, but that is a terrible photo of Steve Kent. (Though since it’s on a replica of a 1982 Donruss card, I suppose it is appropriate ) Did they even have “Rated Rookies” in 1982?

Carlos Mirabal also signed a custom photo card.

Former Orioles prospect Keith Reed also signed a bunch of cards for me, but most of them will be heading back to other collectors. This 2000 Topps Traded card is the only one that will be going in my collection.

I also got about half of the team to sign their 2008 team set cards, but I’ll save those until I have a chance to scan and post the whole team set.