June Contest: Auto Edition

I'm sure we all have a sports related, non-card piece that is very special to us. It could be an old glove, a magazine, a ball, the possibilities are endless. One of my most prized pieces that isn't a card is this:

A program from the very first opening day at the Ballpark in Arlington, April 11, 1994. The Rangers opened that season with a series against the then A.L. Milwaukee Brewers. Over the course of that first season, I went to about 25 games. I managed to get 7 signatures on the program.

Hopefully, you can click on the photo to see a bigger image of it, because for this contest, you have to tell me who autographed the program. You don't have to get them all, but you get one entry for each of the seven you get correct. Your first guess is your only guess, so make them count. I'm only leaving this contest up until Thursday night because I'm on vacation next week and need to get a winner. I'll turn on comment moderation to keep you honest so good luck with the contest. No "contest pimping" required, but it is always appreciated.

Something interesting about the program is the seating/prices page inside. I paid $16 for my seats back in 1994 because I typically went by myself or with one friend and we always sat in the good seats. All the lower bowl seats were $16, no matter where you sat. Now the lower bowl tickets are ridiculous. For seats in the lower bowl, from dugout to dugout, you pay anywhere from $65 to $215 (more for "Premium" games). Crazy, and that explains why I don't go to more games. The tickets I had a few weeks ago were in the lower home run porch in right field and cost $30 each.

I know you weren't, but in case you were wondering how I display the program, here is the plaque it goes with. The ticket is my actual ticket for the first game. I had an 8 game ticket package to start 1994 and it included a couple of exhibition games against Houston, the opening game, the first night game and several others. I sat in section 5 in left field and paid $8 per ticket for those 8 tickets. Not a bad deal for $64.





I'd like to see some of you post some of your favorite non-card sports items.

Good luck!