2005 Topps, Jeff Niemann

#682 Jeff Niemann

Here is a card that I got signed at Kauffman Stadium last year on the final day of the season. It was a Sunday day game, so the hitters didn't take batting practice. Luckily, though, the Rays were heading to the playoffs and their pitchers were out on the field getting their workouts in.

That day also happened to be "bark at the park" day, so there were a bunch of dogs at the ballpark. Prior to the start of the game, the dogs and owners got to take a lap around the warning track and Jeff waited paitiently for them all to go past so that he could sign some autographs for the fans. Jeff must be a dog person because it looked like he enjoyed seeing some of the dogs that paraded past him.

I never realized how big Jeff was until I saw him that day. He is 6'9" and he towers over the rest of the Rays pitching staff.

So far this season, Jeff is not off to the start that he wanted. He is 1-5 through 6 starts with a 5.74 ERA.