Because Bautista was slated to be a part of the new logo unveiling, AJ’s Sportsworld, who has an exclusive agreement with Jose, scheduled an instore autograph signing.
Obviously, I had to go, and spend a stupid amount of money, but it was worth it.
Here’s some pics from the event.
The arrival:

Hard at work

Signing my item

Waiting for my holograms

Signing my brothers card. Apparently, he had never seen his own 2011 Ginter card before

Bill and Jose

When I arrived, I was about 5 people from the front of the line.
When the signing started, there was a little bit of manuvering, which resulted in me not getting my picture taken with Jose.
I explained the situation to my brother when he arrived. He went and discussed this with the owner of AJ’s, who said it would be no problem to get a picture with him.
After Jose signed my brothers card, he explained the situation to Jose, who said it would be no problem to get a picture. Here is the result.

Better than I expected.
Here is what I went home with

It is a Marucci Sports Jose Bautista Player Model bat. The same bat that Jose uses every time he takes to the plate.
I contacted Marucci in the past to inquire about purchasing one of these, and was told they were only available to the player, and never to the general public. That never made sense to me, as you can find them, autographed on eBay.
I guess it is some sort of deal that is worked out between the stores, and the players.
Regardless, I absolutely love it. I’m heading out tomorrow in search of a decent display case for it.
I can’t wait until they bring someone else in for a signing!