This was promised in a previous post so with the first day of spring workouts upon us, here is the prime location for getting an autograph at the team’s Tempe, Ariz. workout facility:

For those regulars to Tempe, you already know about this. For those who don’t get to Arizona as often, the best place to nab an Angels autograph is in the west parking lot to Tempe Diablo Stadium. Go to the north end of the lot, up the hill. The lot separates the stadium from the practice fields. The players have a walkway at the north end of the lot so they can get from their locker room to the practice fields. Only a low baracade separates players from fans.

Workouts start between 8:30 and 9 a.m. so players could be passing at any time. Before games start workouts typically end before noon. When spring games begin, players pass to and from the practice fields all morning so it’s possible to grab an autograph and then watch the game. There is even a chance to get a ball in this parking lot since it sits directly up against the left-field fence of one of the practice fields. Home runs fly into the lot on occasion.

Tip: The way to identify a person likely there to sell the autographs they are getting is somebody that holds baseball cards in a binder with each one in protective plastic. They also bring clean while baseballs in a plastic case and ask to have to player sign it “on the sweet spot.” The other way to tell is that they use a blue Sharpie permanent marker. The blue marker apparently is the one of choice for those who buy and sell autographs.