Terrible Johnny Bench autograph story

[Nathan]

As many know, astronaut Neil Armstrong is perhaps the toughest living celebrity signer, as he refuses to autograph. He used to autograph, but said he quit when he learned how many forgeries of his signature were for sale and how many people requested his autograph only so they could turn an a profit. He decided the autograph hobby wasn't something he was willing to participate in anymore.

In baseball, Dr. Mike Marshall won't sign anything except for one private signing a few years ago. Bill Corcoran out of Tampa apparently made an irresistable offer, so Marshall signed 100 baseballs.

If you see one, they sell for around $300 apiece, which is staggering considering that he's a fairly accessable 65-year-old in perfect health.

His philosophy is basically "I played baseball. Go get an autograph from someone that did something important."

[godwulf]

His philosophy is basically "I played baseball. Go get an autograph from someone that did something important."

That's his prerogative, of course, but it sort of misses the whole concept and point of it being fun to collect autographs of people associated with something that you really enjoy - like Baseball.

Yes, a lot of things in life are more important than sports...we all recognize that. Given the choice of getting a baseball signed by a famous heart surgeon, or an astronaut, or even a President of the United States, and getting one signed by the backup outfielder on my favorite Baseball team - there's no question but that I'm going for the ballplayer.

I don't believe that makes me a shallow person, or someone who is confused about his priorities - it just makes me a Baseball fan.