It could be a plumber. In spring training in AZ most kids say 8 or under "collecting autographs" were children whose fathers were dealers and they brought them along knowing they would sign. Me? Steve Martin would rather have a one-on-one chat with a fan instead of signing an autograph. "That's the frustrating thing," says Reds first baseman Sean Casey, generally a cooperative signer. However, Argentinian soccer player Mauro Icardi is an exception. Just from my personal experience, it didn't go as well as I would have liked. According to Paul, he's tired of not being able to go out to eat or go and run an errand without fans hounding him for an autograph or a photo. Would love to see a thread on other encounters by other baseball players. "Basketball is the worst for getting autographs," says Bryan Petrulis, 32, who has come to the hotel directly from his midnight-to-eight shift as a telecommunications specialist at SBC, "but baseball is a close second. Belle never apologized for hitting the fan, and remained nuts for the remainder of his career, according to teammates and the media. Apparently the flashes from cameras bothered him. He even had a gambling problem and allegedly fathered children out of wedlock and ignored those mothers' requests for financial support. i guess I need to explain more. so if you've ever been to Yankee stadium, I found the best spots to get autographs is hanging out down the left and right field between the bases and foul pole. Not to mention he throws his warmup balls while playing right field into the stands every time, which is cool, I was lucky enough to catch one during the Alcs last year.. game 5, 4th inning was offered 500 and still kept the ball. --SIR LAURENCE OLIVIER, The value of an autograph can go up after an athlete's playing days end, Here are the current athletes whose signatures top the U.S. market, "It gets addictive," says one collector, "like gambling, drugs or sex. The father of one of the kid's friends complained in a letter to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Greene was ripped by fans. And when you did the math, you lost money. "I come down here and I see whether they're jerks or nice guys, and I find myself rooting for them by the personalities or whether they sign autographs, rather than by their abilities.". Please note that I sdidnt say she was sad she implied that adults seeking autographs were sad. And I'm glad that autograph shows have given the underpaid superstars of the past, men like Banks, who missed out on the big bucks, a downright amazing revenue stream. And though I partly buy Rosenberg's point about card shows--"Athletes who sign at shows are doing exactly what they do when a corporation pays them to use their name or their likeness, only in this case the consumer actually gets to get close to the athlete"--there is also something unsettling about paying for someone to sign his name. . Tiger Woods usually won't stop to sign, but, rather, will grab an item in full stride, scratch his name and toss it back over his shoulder. An autograph seeker could buy a ticket to the events, meet an athlete there and an item signed, then pose for a photo with the athlete. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. When it comes to signing, youth, apparently, trumps Hispanic-ness. From time to time he now accepts a fee to sign at autograph shows, where idolization is apparently not a factor. don't. Gold coins and silver bars was/were found in the sunken pirate ship. My mother and my sister doesn't/don't watch TV except for the evening news. The pandemic has put a stop to that. Said teammate was somewhat hurt and disappointed about this. Boston Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon seldom signs because he has exclusive deals with trading card companies. They know that silver or gold paint pens work best on jerseys or dark-colored items, such as hockey pucks. This wasnt there when I hit submit. "This is amazing. After the fallout from the incident, Newton got some great PR in 2014 when he gave a wheelchair bound fan a pair of his autographed cleats following practice. Will Ferrell. Brandi Chastain. That made a lasting impression." 5. All Rights Reserved. Thats for paperbacks that dont even cost $8. Just an idea out of the top of my head: if one of these celebrities would sign as many autographs as possible, would it not reduce the commercial value, so to speak, of the autograph? After spending considerable time in front of hotels, in bleacher seats at ballparks and in the throng at card shows, I have a fresh perspective on autographs. "Everybody collects something. When athletes use steroids it really is a big fat middle finger to their fans it's like saying integrity and fan opinions don't matter as long as it all ends in a win. . Want it personalized? But I will.". Find out which actors will not be signing your movie poster any time soon. I never had a problem with Ted Williams. I couldn't think of a better start to the NIL era than an Iowa basketball player doing a meet and greet at a fireworks . Paul McCartney made the decision to stop signing autographs for his fans. "It keeps me out of the bars," says Johnson. In spring training in AZ most kids say 8 or under "collecting autographs" were children whose fathers were dealers and they brought them along knowing they would sign. And can't sign everything. If you sat back and watched the kids would take the signed ball and run up in the stands and a guy would hand them cash for it. After watching Larry Bird breeze through a crowd, chicken-scratching his name with his left hand, I took a look at his signature on a program. Renee Zellweger will turn down your request for a signature. While Spieth may not always be willing to give his signature, at least he is honest about why he doesn't. I met Alec Guiness at the stage door after a show in London once, and he was gracious about signing autographs except when a German guy handed him a publicity glossy of him as Obi-Wan Kenobi. I believe that collectors vastly outnumber sellers and that any nonsuperstar athlete is misinformed if he thinks a majority of the autograph-collecting populace is making a living auctioning off his signature. Mark Allen Baker, an autograph-collecting expert who has written several books on the subject, doesn't believe most hunters are sellers. Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions, Net54baseball Sports (Primarily) Vintage Memorabilia Forum incl. I completely understand his side. Long-held rules governing amateurism among college athletes do not apply to cheerleaders, meaning they can sell autographs, appear in commercials and wear their cheer uniforms while promoting . In one incident during his Manchester City time, he beat up teammate Ousmane Dabo during training. Autograph Collecting 101 5 min read. Don't lie to other collectors. Sure enough, Griffey blows by the youngsters. And, finally, feeling more connected to the game because I actually meet the guys playing it instead of just seeing them on television. "What's the point of getting the autograph? It was a beautiful summer evening, the banks 14 flag flapping gently on the top of the foul pole in left. However, they better be ready to get hit in the head by one of Woods' errant tee shots. Still, getting autographs at the park seems more in keeping with tradition, and before a game at Wrigley, I saw the other side of collecting. He also prevented her from leaving or calling 9-1-1. "I was a Dodgers fan," says San Francisco Giants pitcher Brett Tomko, "and I spotted Davey Lopes, went up to him and asked for an autograph. He keeps walking, there was maybe 10-15 people, mostly kids trying, and he gets in his BMW and leaves. "I get out of it exactly what the guy who chases players gets out of it," says Joey Madison, a collector from Katy, Texas. ", "Well, I save my press credentials," I say. "I don't know how many times I've seen somebody run around waving a piece of paper and shouting, 'Who's this?'" "Gordie Howe was without a doubt the most cherished autograph I ever had," says Roenick. In fact, theres a story about a teammate who was leaving the Celtics, and getting all of the team to sign an autograph book as a memento, and Russell STILL refused to sign. Author and podcast host Jeff Bowdren booked Flair for an event in which fans got to eat dinner with the former world champion and ask him about his career. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. We'd be a beer league without fans." January 18, 2011 / 8:06 PM / CBS DFW. In Bowdren's words, Flair sat down for dinner, looked at his watch, and said, "you've got two hours." As an autograph collector, every autograph I have in my collection has its own story and as I get my autograph I try to have a little chit chat with the person I'm getting the autograph from, fortunately I've had the opportunity to have my favorite athlete's to sign something for me ('Magic' Johnson, Matt Kemp, Fernando Valenzuela . Then they laugh at their own melancholy. LOL. The earliest "Mickey Mantle" autographs looked. Lawyers. They are barred from either entering the hotel or congregating outside the revolving doors. They come back with autographs from two of the four Reds who had emerged. Attn: Ken Richman. Is this amazing or what?". Based on interviews, personal experience and data in trade publications, he estimates that 97% of the 15,000 enthusiasts in the U.S. don't peddle their wares. This should give you some idea of what autograph-seekers go through: Major leaguers are TOO INTIMIDATED TO ASK for autographs from their peers and dispatch minions to collect them. What they get back, however, is a stock letter on Patriots letterhead stating why your item is unsigned. He was gruff in the old school way, much like Warren Spahn or Dick Williams. The quest for an athlete's autograph is not always an easy one--for the hunter or the prey. WOWDiMaggio was $175 in 1995? My dad and cousin ran across him in New York one night in the 70's, my dad being in his early 20's, my cousin being around 8-10 years old. Because the law doesn't say they can, or the law explicitly says they can't, unless it does, until it doesn't, depending on where you are and when it happens and who does what in each. It should be noted that they didnt change clothes before they came out so they were wearing togas and they were covered in fake blood. San Jose Sharks' Dan Boyle once . San Jose, CA 95126-1555. From that moment, Cuddyer pondered every autograph. The NCAA currently prohibits student-athletes from selling autographs, accepting money as "gifts" and having contact with an agent without losing their "amateur" status and becoming ineligible to . Sports has long been a hotbed for the hunters; the stars must frequently come in contact with the public, and teams' schedules are readily available. John C. Reilly says he believes it's his choice to sign an autograph or not. Jonah Hill often refuses autographs when approached on the street. "They make Griffey out to be such a nice guy and Barry Bonds to be so horrible," says Mann, "but you have a much better chance of getting Bonds. There's almost nothing that turns off fans faster than learning that their idol actually charges for autographs. Potentially 460,000 NCAA student-athletes can now sign sponsorship deals. He finally signed it (Armand LaMontage print) but he didn't like it and told me that's the last one he was signing. Canseco also made enemies amongst the media, segregating reporters into those he knew and didn't know after Oakland games. They've been around the block a few times, enduring disappointment, rejection, even outright humiliation. Funny guy Will Ferrell has had enough of signing autographs. It could have said DAG HAMMARSKJLD. Naturally, kids get first crack, and every adult is viewed as someone looking to sell their autographs. Image via Flickr by The Lakelander. She seemed bitchy. Bruce Willis does not like signing autographs. The card and memorabilia companies have had to jump through hoops to get each player's representative to line up deals. He may be "money", but Floyd Mayweather isn't an athlete you should approach in public. Each makes up to $30,000 for a two-day signing session. But they also won't go to stadiums or arenas. "Hockey guys are the best," opines Johnson. Autograph signings, memorabilia sales and corporate endorsement deals OK'd by NCAA board. The royals don't sign autographs, but Prince Harry once asked Mike Tindall for his signature! Athletes gravitate toward the children, probably because they remember when they were young fans hoping to meet their idols. I seem to recall hes been living as a recluse in Arizona, at least based on an article I read. Some people may not know the name Joey Barton, which is a good thing. As a 15 year old huge baseball fan, I thought I was snubbed. say what u want about him, but that's just being a dick in my eyes yes he does sign a lot and he didn't have to, but when someone you think I'm of very highly, completely looks over you, what would you personally think of him??? USA. Pros are leery of adults asking for autographs, as they should be. As a collector at visiting team hotels in the 1960's Aaron , Mantle, and Bob Buhl were horror stories I still remember 50 years later the details of which I put on other posts. "It gets addictive," says Petrulis, "just like gambling, drugs or sex. 26 responses to " Athletes charging for autographs is no big deal " domeunit says: July 12, 2012 at 3:33 pm. I think certain athletes or celebrities in general don't do (autographs) just because of that." Brewers pitcher Chris Capuano considers signing autographs to be part of his job. Most have been absolutely awesome and gracious, with only a few grumpy jerks mixed in. complains Johnson. Steve Carell has been know to avoid fans with pens. Prob with 5-10 other people, he comes over and signs basically every ball but mine, no I was not rude or pushy or anything like that. ", The door opens, and the veterans dash across Delaware. Ever. Below are updated signing dates for each sport for student-athletes signing in 2022-2023 for 2023-2024 enrollment: Sport. LOL. "They know who we are." For more information on athlete mailing addresses, e-mail bryjay41@hotmail.com. "Two years ago I had [Boston Red Sox slugger] Manny Ramirez one-on-one," says Petrulis. He has broken countless records and made enormous sums of money. "Every time a youngster would approach me for an autograph, I'd think of only one thing," Banks says. But Brady has done several autograph shows for his large number of fans. It's not a decent decision, since Rosie pretty much refused to sign anything ever since her talk show became a hit in the '90s. "You don't want to look like a green fly, latching on," explains Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Matt Wise. "Whether they change it or not is less important than whether or not they look at it and say, 'We still think this is a . Questioning where we bought the item to be autographed and for how much. "She can be an advantage," says Johnson. Just as a sportswriter resents other journalists who ask stupid questions, the veteran collectors scorn the nonpros who get signatures on index cards. And this was from when she had her personality reined in. Simple, direct and brief. He may be "money", but Floyd Mayweather isn't an athlete you should approach in public. Ask the player nicely for an autograph. I heard a long time ago that Wayne Gretzky will sign rookie cards and whatnot, but always bends one corner of them down so theyre not worth a brazillion dollars. This rule should not be interpreted as a suggestion that you should give up your intel when someone asks for itjust don't intentionally mislead them. I'm in left field, right by the ball boy. I love meeting fans and will personalize pics in person, but thats all. He told my mother who went with me (big Yankee fan) to hurry up and finish the pictures she was taking as she was holding up the line.(before extra fees for photos). Before every game, fans gather along the leftfield line, Sharpies in hand. The price went up depending on the item that received his John Hancock (football, jersey, etc). While playing for Newcastle, he was banned from entering the United State during a preseason tour due to his past crimes. He said, 'I don't have time, kid.' I was fortunate to pay 40 bucks a piece for him signing an 11x14 flat and my HOF book in 1991. Even the most famous athletes will spend 5-10 minutes before and after practices and games to sign autographs. I saw Penn and Teller at the McCarter Theater in Princeton. If you don't know who the player is do not ask for his autograph. Unseld said words to the effect that if he signs that one, he will have to sign all of them so it is his policy that he doesnt do autographs. Knowledge about where someone is and when they will be somewhere is precious. What better way to show dedicated fans you love them than to be a pretend jerk, right? 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