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Subject: Rotohog : Last Day
Posted by: donk44
- [42611019] Sun, Sep 30, 2007, 10:36
Last day...I'm glad this isn't Logan's Run, cause I'm not completely sold on "renewal".
To all Gurupies in contention for prizes - good luck having a strong last day and finishing as high as possible in the standings.
Also, thank you Guru and everyone else here for making this such a great place to come to over the course of the long season. I only found this site about 5 months ago, but I don't think a day went by that I didn't visit it. |
| Only the 50 most recent replies are currently shown. Click on this text to display hidden posts as well. |
| 60 | Alex
ID: 27324224
Wed, Oct 17, 2007, 16:06
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FYI - According to my wife, the prize check arrived today. I'm kind of surprised since I had the impression they were going to ask for one more round of info first.
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| 61 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Wed, Oct 17, 2007, 16:15
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I haven't gotten my check yet, but I'm up to 5 T-shirts now. It seems like every several days I get another T-shirt in the mail.
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| 62 | Alex
ID: 27324224
Wed, Oct 17, 2007, 16:23
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Haha - I got t-shirt #3 a few days ago. My wife said the check came with a cap and 'something else'. It wasn't the Wade Boggs bat and ball...she wasn't sure what it was and I didn't have time to decipher what that meant. I think the check came in the last hour or so, so your may still arrive today.
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| 63 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Wed, Oct 17, 2007, 16:35
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PFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTT.......and here I thought going to the banquet would actually benefit me in prize fulfillment! Sheesh!
Maybe the Ozzie jersey will be there though!
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| 64 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Wed, Oct 17, 2007, 16:52
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Species,
Answer my email.
I'll email you tonite about what is up.
Cliff
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| 65 | Alex
ID: 20357221
Thu, Oct 18, 2007, 05:16
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The 'something else' was a white t-shirt that had been machine packed into a cube about the size of a baseball.
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| 66 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Thu, Oct 18, 2007, 14:12
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My prize package arrived today as well. Check, cap, and white T-shirt, now bringing my supply of RotoHog T-shirts to 6 (five black, one white).
Actually, the T-shirt was packed into a "brickette" about the size of a tin of Sucrets. Very bizarre!
Still awaiting the autographed bat and ball from Ozzie.
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| 67 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 13:01
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So, how was the winner-dinner?
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| 68 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 15:36
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Since nobody else has spoken up, I will.
For those unaware, after I commented about crashing the dinner, since I was so close, I got an invite from David.
Was great to meet Species (Greg), Donk / Imdbcooper (Jeff) and his fiance Diane, diffbean (Jerry), and the entire group from Rotohog.
Had a great meal and tons of conversation about both the baseball game, football so far, and where basketball is headed.
Talked about Hire a Hero and some of the other things they are looking at doing.
We did all go by the office and shoot some footage for them to use.
Was a lot of fun.
Glad it was Friday nite and not now, and the fires would make it tough to get there.
Cliff
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| 69 | donk44
ID: 42611019
Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 19:37
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The dinner was a good time with lots of Rotohog and sports talk. David Wu was a great host, with a very good sense of humor to boot. Everyone from Rotohog was very nice (and knowledgeable), and a good time was had by all. It was nice to get a chance to meet them all.
It was also great getting to meet Greg, Cliff & Jerry and talking some more Rotohog baseball. Sure glad you guys came !
Cliff covered the rest of the details I think.
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| 70 | Alex
ID: 8718115
Tue, Oct 23, 2007, 11:57
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68,69: Any insight into their plans for 2008 Rotohog baseball?
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| 71 | Alex
ID: 8718115
Tue, Oct 23, 2007, 11:59
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Donk44 - I've been meaning to ask you this. Was there any single moment when you suddenly realized "Holy !@#$% I'm going to win $100K!!! I'm the King of the Nerds!!!" and went running down the street yelling for joy? Or did everything happen so gradually that you never got to have that moment of triumph?
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| 72 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Tue, Oct 23, 2007, 12:54
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I've been too busy to give this a proper writeup.
We all met at a restaurant in Marina Del Rey. This was a decent old restaurant right on the marina. Cliff and I got there pretty early so we hung out for a while on the pier and chuckled at a boat name or two, including one named after a phrase coined by someone he's worked with "Git-R-Done" (or the like). Bored with that and wondering where everyone else was, we went to the bar.
It was well after 8:30 before other people seemed to show up. It looks like donk's plane being late was the culprit. Gee, that made me feel special - the whole damned company has to wait on HIM? Geez! ;-)
It had to be after 9:00 before we finally went upstairs to our section to sit down. As noted, Jeff (donk44 - self-named after his affinity for poker and his love of donkeys at the table - lol), Cliff (GoatLocker), Jerry (diffbean - 6th) and I were there as the game players. Other than that, David Wu (CEO), Jerry Hu, Jocelyn (cough), Charles and another customer service guy were amongst the RotoHog contingent there, including their Marketing Director and new Business Development guy, who formally worked for Fun Technologies, which some may recognize as the owners of Fanball.com.
For me, outside of meeting the guys was being able to talk game strategy, observations, mechanics and the overall business model with David Wu and the engineers of the game. I forgot the one engineer, but basically for baseball the entire customer service and engineering of the game was done by 2 guys -- for football there is a staff over 10 -- so it was a huge undertaking.
He talked about how they didn't foresee some of the strategies implemented so they didn't plan the rules or functions of the game around it -- the 'reusing of money' strategy as a prime example. They were shocked that people had enough time in the day to work the game as hard as they did. They were shocked at how sharp the players were and how quickly emails would show up in their inboxes when there were problems.
I asked them how closely they were following the results, and they said, of course, that they watched things like a hawk. They had their own "adjusted standings" and could see easily what teams were rising to the top. It was funny as I would introduce myself - the marketing people knew my name but everyone else wanted to know my username. When I would say "Species", to a man they would exclaim: "Dude! I picked you to win!" or " You were the Michelle Wie guy!" lol
David Wu said that at the end of May I was the odds on favorite. A lot of good that did me (ugh). They also liked mrbig, Guru and they also saw Jeff (donk) coming on strong.
Like all of us have done here, we all shared our slumps and BAD choices that we all felt to a man heavily outweighed our good choices!
I asked David Wu if the "1 in 12" player thing would be fixed to exclude inactive teams, and he said that they were indeed working on a definition as to how long someone needs to be inactive before excluding them from the 1 in 12 calculation -- so keep that in mind.
A lot of the rest of the discussion about 2008 revolved around what they referred to as "Pitching Churn" - or rotating pitchers every day. For some reason they see this as a problem, and I never got a clear answer as to why.
We also talked a lot about football but since I'm not playing I didn't care ;-)
We enjoyed a nice meal (filet mignon) and a great time. Then after midnight David asked us back to the office to do the interviews. Jeff was pretty nervous so we had a good time needling him about it. His fiance' practically needed to be hog-tied and dragged in to drop a few tag lines, but she did a great job. I of course nailed the interview like a pro (hahahaha). I knew what they wanted to hear so I laid it on thick. I told David Wu that I wanted a 3 basis point commission on his next round of funding!
We were treated well and a great time was had by all. It was great to meet the guys, especially Cliff of course who I've known since the beginning of the decade.
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| 73 | Alex
ID: 8718115
Tue, Oct 23, 2007, 13:26
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I was already thinking that if they used their NBASE rules changes (2 day holding period, and higher transaction fees for high RV teams) we'd be forced to buy-and-hold more, which would result in great uniformity of top teams, and more sell-outs. If they're also planning to do something about removing inactive players from the player pool, the sell-outs are going to be even more pronounced. Unfortunately, I think they're gradually removing a lot of skill from the game, and making it more like a regular fantasy baseball game.
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| 74 | Alex
ID: 8718115
Tue, Oct 23, 2007, 15:22
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Guru - Just sent you an email about something unrelated. When you get a chance, let me know what you think.
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| 75 | donk44
ID: 42611019
Tue, Oct 23, 2007, 23:09
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Re:71
Alex - the latter. everything happened so gradually that I never had that "moment" you referred to. closest thing to it was on the last day of the season when I was 99.99999% sure I had it, with the 0.000001% being a total misreading of the usage numbers. But for some reason I just never got the major euphoric feeling you would expect. maybe all the stress of the previous 6 months prevented it ? I don't know.
Re:72
Greg/Species speaks the truth. I was nervous as heck for the interviews and didn't come across nearly as well as I would have liked. I should have had more drinks beforehand ! He, on the other hand, interviewed like he gives 3 of them every week. He was great, and I would be surprised if they didn't use plenty of his sound bites.
Everyone kept telling me I did fine, but what else are they going to say...lol. So other than not owning a % of Rotohog yet, my only regret is being a rotten interview. But I can live with that - it's just not my strong suit no matter how you slice it.
Also agree that my fiance did a great job with her tag lines !
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| 76 | Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 01:42
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Sounds like a great time!
It seems that donk just finally learned what most of us have known for a long time...Species is a BS artist!!!
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| 77 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 11:10
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lol Ref. Don't confuse good marketing with BS! ;-)
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| 78 | Crunch Bunch
ID: 3136114
Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 16:39
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Great writeup Species! Sounds like it was a blast. Will they have the interviews with you and Donk on the website at some point?
Haven't got my Ozzie ball yet - only minor annoyance has been the fact that I have only received one RH shirt to date and know that I should have at least four or five.
My Basketball draft is Friday so I have to start looking for those cheapies tonight.
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| 79 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 19:52
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Crunch - they said they would be putting together promotional videos for investors and such. I'm not sure exactly how they will be using the interviews, but I got a RotoHog newsletter today with donk44's picture in it - the usual presentment of the huge check deal. I think we signed our life away on these release forms! lol
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| 80 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Fri, Nov 02, 2007, 18:25
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FYI - I emailed RotoHog and was assured that they are working on the Celebrity League autographed prizes. I'll get an ETA next week....but they told me to rest assured that everyone that earned a prize will receive it and they asked for a little patience.
I'll stay on 'em.
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| 81 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Wed, Nov 07, 2007, 22:47
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Celebrity league prize update: don't expect them for another month. Apparently all of the items to be signed are in the possession of the celebrities and their people....and supposedly it will take up to a month to get them back.
Let's hope we have them for Christmas.
I'm not excited with that timing but at least knowing they are on it and there is SOME timeline is better than being in the dark.
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| 82 | Ender
ID: 5963859
Mon, Nov 12, 2007, 14:45
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Why weren't the items signed prior (or during the season) and then just locked up? This just seems silly to me.
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| 83 | Crunch Bunch
ID: 3136114
Mon, Nov 12, 2007, 19:13
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Re #82: a good idea that they should incorporate for future leagues.
I did get my second Rotohog T-shirt so all is not lost.
Also, finished 10th in the weekly football league two weeks ago (actually lower than 10th but someone must have already won a prize) so I'll see what prize I get after the first nine pick. They had me rank the prizes in order from 1-10.
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| 84 | donk44
ID: 42611019
Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 23:19
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Props to Greg/Species for being the first one to have their testimonial on Rotohog (on the login page). I knew they would use your stuff...lol
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| 85 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Tue, Nov 20, 2007, 23:48
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lol.......nice
I never would have known since I'm not playing football.
But Jerry is first on the video! Weak! ;-)
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| 86 | donk44
ID: 42611019
Wed, Nov 21, 2007, 00:02
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LOL
that's right, I had forgotten that since your picture/testimonial is the one they used below the video. Well at least you two got on there. 4 weeks later and they still can't find any useful sound bites from me...lol
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| 87 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Wed, Nov 21, 2007, 12:09
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Or me.
Not surprised though.
Didn't think it came out that good.
Cliff
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| 88 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Wed, Nov 21, 2007, 12:11
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Hey guys - it's only the FIRST little promo!
I can take some pride in the fact that Jerry only got 5 seconds of air time, while I got like 15! ;-)
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| 89 | Alex
ID: 8718115
Sat, Dec 08, 2007, 14:08
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I just discovered that there's a fantasy football game called Paythefan.com with much higher prizes than any other site I’ve seen ($250K for 1st, $100K for 2nd, etc.). They did charge $69, but it seems worthwhile for anyone serious about their fantasy sports. The reason I’m posting it here is that I just emailed them to see if they’re doing baseball also in 2008 and they said ‘no decision has been made yet’. So if you’re like me and are interested in seeing another high stakes fantasy baseball site, let’s bombard them with emails encouraging them to have a baseball game in 2008. The email is support@paythefan.com .
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| 90 | Drew
ID: 1611191114
Tue, Dec 11, 2007, 15:19
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Ditto on the http://PayTheFan.com front. I'm playing the football game and it's been a crazy season that's going down to the wire. 1st place gets the big money, but top 20 pays cash.
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| 91 | Alex
ID: 8718115
Tue, Dec 11, 2007, 17:13
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Drew - I'd love to hear more about the game. How many people played their football game? How tough is the competition overall? How smoothly have things gone? Etc.
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| 92 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Tue, Dec 18, 2007, 16:46
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Celebrity League Prize Winners should have received this email --- but just in case, FYI:
Rotohoggers,
Thank you for playing RotoHog sports. We wanted to let you know that we have not forgotten your prizes for baseball. Going forward we will be updating you weekly on the status of your prize. Many of the autographed balls should be available soon after the holidays. Thank you for your patience. We will do our best to keep you updated.
Happy holidays,
The RotoHog Team
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| 93 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 12:47
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I received my Ozzie Smith signed jersey on Wednesday. Woo hoo!
Hopefully that means all of the bats and baseballs from Ozzie, Lynn and Boggs are also on the way. Admittedly, having met the CEO and bonded (and given those testimonials) with him I might have been near the top of the list (and, having emailed more than once about the timeline)....but hopefully everybody's is on the way.
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| 94 | Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 14:41
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Suck up! ;)
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| 95 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 15:01
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Today I received a ball with an Ozzie Smith autograph on it. No certificate of authenticity was included, so for all I know, some Rotohog staffer might have signed it.
I was also supposed to get an autographed bat, but that hasn't arrived (yet).
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| 96 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 15:06
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Actually, upon closer inspection, I do see a Major League Baseball hologram sticker on the box, with what must be a serial number on it. Is that what passes for a certificate of authenticity?
The number is DB474176908
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| 97 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 15:59
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It looks like the hologram and number are means for authentication.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/authentication/index.jsp
However, my hologram looks slightly different than the one at the MLB.com site (although similar in many respects). I also note that the prefix "DB" in my serial number is not provided at the MLB site as a valid option.
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| 98 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 20:16
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I got an email from RotoHog. Apparently, the certificate of authenticity was shipped separately, as was the bat.
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| 99 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Fri, Feb 15, 2008, 22:15
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I received my Certificate of Authenticity separately as well. This is certified by RotoHog, not by Major League Baseball. I'm not looking to sell this on eBay so I guess it's not that big a deal. Kinda.
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| 100 | Ref
Donor
ID: 539581218
Sat, Feb 16, 2008, 00:02
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Q: My item has a hologram that begins with the letters DB, but I can't find that option on the drop down menu.
A: The DB numbered hologram is not an authentication hologram; it is a hologram that designates the item as officially licensed. This hologram is never used for authentication by the MLB Authentication program for any autographed or game-used items. Authentication holograms are placed directly on the items themselves and include one of the letter combinations available on the drop down list.
link
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| 101 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Sat, Feb 16, 2008, 00:05
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Ok......I found the DB number Guru is referring to.
For my jersey, that MLB logo'd number is assuring that the jersey itself is an officially licensed, authentic jersey. I would assume that they used some kind of official major league baseball....
Completely separate from that, RotoHog is offering their own certification that the signature is legitimate.
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| 102 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Sat, Feb 16, 2008, 08:22
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It is a Rawlings "official Major League Baseball", so that explanation makes sense.
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| 103 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Sat, Feb 16, 2008, 13:47
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Bat arrived today, as did the RotoHog certificate of authenticity.
It seems a bit odd that the certificate is issued by the entity that is providing the items. Not sure that makes it worth much - if anything. I have no reason to expect that it's not authentic, but it would seem that an independent authentication would have been more appropriate.
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| 104 | donk44
ID: 42611019
Sun, Feb 17, 2008, 02:51
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I received my signed Fred Lynn jersey recently with the DB hologram on the tag. I have yet to receive any Certificate of Authenticity.
Species - how long after you got the jersey did the certificate of authenticity arrive ? As you say, I'm not planning on selling it on Ebay, so I'm not too worried about it. And I don't doubt that it is indeed Fred's signature.
Couple other notes
think we'll ever get the congratulatory phone call from Mr. Smith/Lynn/Boggs ? Haven't heard a peep about that.
Also just receieved my 1099 tax form from Rotohog, which showed $130 more "earnings" than the actual cash prize. Think that is the value of the jersey included ?
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| 105 | Species
Dude
ID: 07724916
Sun, Feb 17, 2008, 03:13
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donk - mine came in 2 days later.
My 1099 was for exactly my prize. Woo hoo - I saved 2 dollars in taxes on the $130.00 ;-)
I don't think Ozzie's calling me.
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| 106 | Ender
ID: 1138421
Sun, Feb 17, 2008, 10:12
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I received my ball on Feb 14. I have not as yet received my certificate of authenticity.
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| 107 | Alex
ID: 8718115
Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 15:27
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Also seems odd that the certificate of authenticity doesn't say what it's for. Just say "the items". I actually probably WOULD have sold it on Ebay, so I care (a little). And rather than the bat+ball I won, I'd prefer just a ball, but mounted in some kind of small display case with something like "2nd Place Rotohog Wade Boggs League 2007" printed or engraved. Now I've got something I can't sell, display nicely, or use. Oh well. Really minor complaint in the grand scheme of things. Anybody know when they're launching this year?
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| 108 | Ender
ID: 5963859
Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 16:30
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Ironically, I got the email notification of the ball being shipped yesterday 4 days after I received the ball itself.
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| 109 | Crunch Bunch
ID: 321512115
Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 16:57
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I too got my email about four days after I received the letter/ball.
I was a little disappointed as I would have liked some type of small display case (I saw the ones at the RH office). However, the ball is nice and I'll put it up in the display cabinet as soon as I find a nice small display that I can put the ball in.
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