We finally got a Helton!!!

We've been Rockies fans for a long time now. My daughter was born into being a fan. At 6 months of age Neifi Perez signed the butt of her little outfit and posed for a picture. 4 years later, he signed a ball glove of hers and posed for another picture. 1 week later he was traded.
There were a few years where Tuki didn't care if she got an autograph or not. These past few years have been quite the opposite though. Oh what a sad day it was when she found out Matt Holliday had been traded. She now says Oakland is her favorite team because of him. She never got a Holliday autograph, but that would have been sweet for her.
The one that has caused us the most pain and frustration is Todd Helton. He's been with the team for awhile, and people seem to flock when he comes to the side to sign. A couple of years ago, we were in a bad spot at the end of a long line of fans. It seemed we'd have no luck getting any of the players down where we were. As luck would have it, Helton decided to start at that end. Tuki was right down front right up against the railing. The next thing I new, kids and adults were crowding around and I could no longer see my daughter. People were pushing and shoving. Todd was telling the kids to quit hitting his arm in hopes of an autograph. I was pulling people off my daughter as I could now she she was squished underneath a small crowd. I went into mommy panic mode. Todd had enough with everyone and walked off. The crowd dissipated and my daughter was in tears. Partly because her hips were bruised from being crushed against the railing, but mostly because all that pain didn't even get her a Helton. I was frustrated that greedy people don't care who they hurt physically, so long as they get what they're after. I think my daughter felt the same way.
Last year we tried for autograph's and I learned to stand right behind my daughter with my mommy elbows ready to backfire on anyone ready to lunge. We had no luck.
This year, we finally went to a week day game. We figured out the key to autograph's. Go on a slow day and stand right by the dugout. First we got Ianetta to sign Tuki's baseball. Next was Stewart. Oh there's Helton in the dugout. He ran out and waved to the fans at the rail, then went on his way to stretch and warm up. About 15 minutes later, oh wait, is he walking this way? I think he is. He'll probably turn to the dugout last minute. Nope he's coming right toward us. He started a couple of people down and worked toward my daughter. All the fans were so polite. Tuki got her autograph and I asked for a photo op for her and what do you know. No one got injured or got their feelings hurt in the obtaining of this coveted autograph and picture. Success!!! We got a Helton!!!
The last autograph was with Fowler. He also warmed up first, but once he was finished, it seemed he picked Tuki out of the crowd, because he ran straight to her for the autograph. ( I think it's a black thang. He saw a little sista and thought he'd give her his first autograph of the night.
To top it off, the Rockeis won. Helton got a home run and Stewart got a grand slam. I think it had to do with my baby having contact with them before the game. I'll forever believe that as fact.