Skyrocketing Signatures

[geoff]

When I go to Oriole Games I go aroung 1pm for a night game and stand outside the stadium and get autographs as the players pull up or drive in to the player parking lot.
I was lucky to get some good players this year and had fun doing this.

[skyking26]

Everybody has a preference about their equipment: from cracked to uncracked bats to signed or unsigned equipment. I have no issue getting my equipment signed and enjoy comments from the player when they sign it. And, there is no better authentication than with the player - although they themselves screw up from time to time.

Examples: Dave Kingman in STL last year, I had a H174 bat, he had ordered only a few I believe in 75. He says, "Bob I think these were made for a show or something..." I have the Louisville records that show he used that! Or, having him sign an Adirondack he stated he didn't use many. I have photos of him using them with all teams he played with. A pair of Converse GU spikes - these aren't mine... I have a 2'X3' poster with him wearing blue converse...hmmmm.

Players tend to remember what they preferred or used most. Dave always used an S2 Louisville. He experimented with different bats all the way, but drifted back to S2's. McGwire was a 256B Adirondack guy, Thome a M356 Louisville guy - both using specific models that differed at times. Mac tried Louisvilles early, Thome at times will use still an I13 Louisville, Xbats, etc. Getty is great today for seeing what they use.

I got off topic a bit! Back on, I'm sure it is promoter induced inflation mostly with Thome. 500 HRS and they feel that is automatic enshrinement to the Hall and time to rape the public. Unfortunately, guys like me are not going to drag a bank with them or remortgage the house to get 2 things signed. I have had a Cooper early Thome bat on here a few times at $400 ppd. Funny, the cost of a bat would be 2 signatures. How crazy is this?

RK

[bigjimsguitars]

One of the problems now is that even the average player in the major's (heck, just to make the major's is a big time accomplishment) and stay around for several years are pretty much financially set for life and don't need to do the signings post career like they once did. Sometimes you need to bite the bullet if you really want it bad enough.

The sad thing is to see some mom or dad pay say $100.00 or so for a signed ball from a team store when earlier that same day you see the same player sign for 5 or 10 minutes for free with the fans.

Maybe there should be a thread on how to collect auto's for free where people from around the country could chime in and lend their experiences at the different ball parks around the country.

With that let me give some free pointers about Dodger Stadium:

The gates open for the parking lot 2 hours before the game, and while it's stated that the gates to the stadium open 90 min before the game, there is the field level gate at the left field side that opens 2 hours before the game and all fans regardless of where they are sitting can come in and get an opportunity to watch the last part of the Dodgers during Batting Practice and maybe shag a ball and get an autograph...fans's are allowed to stay until batting practice is over for the visiting team and that also means that they can get some auto's from the visiting team.

The visiting team buses typically park outside of the right field pavilion and the players walk to it at the end of the game and they often sign and allow you to take pictures with them, but you have to hang around for about an hour or so at times. This is okay as it allows for the traffic to die down anyway.

[skyking26]

Yea, back in the day I used to know all the good places to get signatures at the now defunct Tiger Stadium. I would stand outside the broadcast booth to get the former major leaguers that do tv and radio. I got Bob Uecker, Jim Kaat, Kaline, Kell and many others this way, and most were very nice about signing with exception to Kaline who is very surly most of the time. You could also stand out by the team buses on the final day as the players were headed for the airport. I remember getting Wade Boggs thru the bus window, Andre Dawson and Paul Molitor. As previously mentioned, this is less controlled and you often ended up with a crummy autograph on a $15 ball and waited long lengths of time in a very bad area of town.

Today, there is Comerica Park. I have small children now ages 6 and 10, so the days of waiting for autographs are gone. I am not going to stand there in a dangerous area with my kids to save a few bucks. Also previously mentioned, it just isn't worth it to me to try and drag a bat or pair of Thome's cleats into the ballpark for a free auto. attempt - especially when the park probably would not allow me to do it as it would be deemed a "weapon." Comerica is in a better spot than Tiger Stadium no doubt as that was located in a crack and drug filled, crime laiden area. Comerica is right downtown, but... take a few steps out of the streetlight and you are back in a similar situation.Not a good idea to walk around with expensive GU stuff for a "chance" at an autograph in a mob of people. Just not worth the hassle.

I did the Florida stuff back then too. That was fun. Only issues there were the jerks. I remember Gary Carter finally coming over to sign, then when other fans came over he got pissed and started screaming at me. That was an isolated incident as most games were very laid back and fan friendly atmospheres. That too was before I had a family. Now the attractions are our destination, as they should be, and the paid show is my platform and my decision as to whether I pay the freight. At $400 for 2 Thome pieces of equipment, I will decline...

[mvandor]

Most of this discussion is regarding baseball player signing fees. I collect signed NFL memorabilia, and you MLB guys need to consider yourselves lucky. Fees for football players are SIGNIFICANTLY higher.

I just paid to have a LaDainian Tomlinson game issued throwback helmet signed and the total freight was about $200. Yes, he's hot right now, but a number of other former and current NFL'ers charge in that vicinity.

Funny part was I live just north of San Diego and the private signing was with Radtke Sports in Georgia. They required I ship the helmet to GA, they then shipped it to SD for the undisclosed signing with LT, shipped it back to GA, and now it's on its way home. Crazy.

[mvandor]

Most of this discussion is regarding baseball player signing fees. I collect signed NFL memorabilia, and you MLB guys need to consider yourselves lucky. Fees for football players are SIGNIFICANTLY higher.

I just paid to have a LaDainian Tomlinson game issued throwback helmet signed and the total freight was about $200. Yes, he's hot right now, but a number of other former and current NFL'ers charge in that vicinity.

Funny part was I live just north of San Diego and the private signing was with Radtke Sports in Georgia. They required I ship the helmet to GA, they then shipped it to SD for the undisclosed signing with LT, shipped it back to GA, and now it's on its way home. Crazy.

Let me correct the term game issued, it was a slip from my wishful thinking memory banks. Let's call it a REALLY good knockoff.

[godwulf]

The guy who sets up signings here in my area (Phoenix) was just telling me earlier this week about some of the agents, like Scott Boras, with whom he has to deal, with many players. The younger players, especially, are apt to have been told by their agents, "Don't talk to anyone, don't sign anything, don't agree to sign anything, without going through me."

One of our current rookie phenoms, Justin Upton, hasn't done a signing yet because his agent wants an obscene amount of money assured before he'll let him do it. I gather that Stephen Drew was initially the same way, though he seems to have pretty well chilled out lately. (I also wonder whether the fact that both guys have older brothers - B.J. and J.D., respectively - in the Majors, no doubt giving their younger siblings the benefit of their experience and trying to protect them, might have something to do with it.)

Eric Byrnes, on the other hand, told the promoter, "Don't talk to my agent, talk to me. I decide who I'll deal with and what I'll do, not him."

[radtke]

Most of this discussion is regarding baseball player signing fees. I collect signed NFL memorabilia, and you MLB guys need to consider yourselves lucky. Fees for football players are SIGNIFICANTLY higher.

I just paid to have a LaDainian Tomlinson game issued throwback helmet signed and the total freight was about $200. Yes, he's hot right now, but a number of other former and current NFL'ers charge in that vicinity.

Funny part was I live just north of San Diego and the private signing was with Radtke Sports in Georgia. They required I ship the helmet to GA, they then shipped it to SD for the undisclosed signing with LT, shipped it back to GA, and now it's on its way home. Crazy.

Hey Mike,

Why don't you start complaining about the source of the high prices the players and agents. Do you think LT is going to sign your helmet for $10.00? It is hard enough to get them to sign at the price we offer them considering they are getting 7-15 million a year to play. Trust me the margin of profits we make aren't as great as you think. Yeah, LT is hot but if he breaks his neck tomorrow, we get stuck with all his memorabilia. What about if he gets traded? What if he ends up like Mike Vick? Your talking about serious lossess my man. Most collectors do not understand all the costs associated with getting these guys to sit down (signature price, shipping, airfare, hotels, holograms, pictures). It adds up pretty fast The prices we pay them to sign signatures is chump change compared to their contracts and endorsements. Second, if you would like to address why the shipping was the way it is maybe you should deal with the crazy collectors we deal with on a daily basis. Numerous times we have had collectors try and show up at signings because they find out where the location is at. It is a security measure. You may not like it, but that is the way it goes. Remember, this is a business and we are not here to dole out free autographs and this isn't 1970 where players would charge $3.00 a signature.

[island_style]

Maybe there should be a thread on how to collect auto's for free where people from around the country could chime in and lend their experiences at the different ball parks around the country.

With that let me give some free pointers about Dodger Stadium:

The gates open for the parking lot 2 hours before the game, and while it's stated that the gates to the stadium open 90 min before the game, there is the field level gate at the left field side that opens 2 hours before the game and all fans regardless of where they are sitting can come in and get an opportunity to watch the last part of the Dodgers during Batting Practice and maybe shag a ball and get an autograph...fans's are allowed to stay until batting practice is over for the visiting team and that also means that they can get some auto's from the visiting team.

The visiting team buses typically park outside of the right field pavilion and the players walk to it at the end of the game and they often sign and allow you to take pictures with them, but you have to hang around for about an hour or so at times. This is okay as it allows for the traffic to die down anyway.

Great info on the left field entrance and visitor's team bus. I can remember when the Dodger players used to park outside the left field pavilion. Although there was a chain link fence to separate the players and autograph seekers, it was fairly easy to get some sigs (either with the players signing through the fence or by tossing the items over the fence). Unfortunately, the Dodger players now park in a secured area on the eighth level at the employee entrance in-between the Reserved Level and Top Deck.

Here in Hawaii, we have the Hawaii Winter Baseball League going on. The players are very approachable and I have yet to see a player turn down an autograph or photo opportunity. Joba Chamberlain pitched here last season.

Kind Regards,

Ron.

Rsamiano@aol.com

[otismalibu]

So here is the FUNNY part. So now I have a nice poster to frame that my daughter and I will remember. The poster though is not in the best (MINT) shape. It has many folds which is how they placed it in the newspaper and the folds have slightly yellowed and a couple of folds have started to tear. It is not bad though for being over 30 years old. So since I am going to frame it I send it to a poster conservation company on the east coast who preserve posters and one sheets for auction houses, collectors, and museums. I am thinking, going in that I will pay $80 for linen backing which will strengthen the poster for framing.

Well, I guess it's a little late but here's what I do for old posters that aren't in the greatest shape. Take it to your local craft shop and have it dry mounted to foam board. Takes out all the wrinkles and adds a rigid backing. Then I go over the any imperfections with colored pencils. You can also have it dry mounted to a slightly over sized piece of foam board, leaving a border for a mat. I think it's around $20-25 for a 24"x36" poster.

If you look at the pair of posters in the 3rd row down (below link). You'll see that the one on the right was laminated and you can see all the folds. The one on the left also had the fold marks, but it's been dry mounted and touched up. Almost all of them have been dry mounted and stuck in a cheap frame.

http://www.geocities.com/otismalibu/posters.html