Opinions on getting a game used jersey signed

[bronx_burner]

So I'm going to a signing tomorrow and I have Nick Swisher's game used road jersey from Opening Day 2009. This was his first game as a Yankee and he got his first hit as a Yankee as well. Its a Steiner jersey and has a MLB hologram as well. I've matched the stain on the front to the telecast (with help from the forum- thanks).

So basically I'm looking for opinions on where to get the jersey signed and what if any inscription I should ask him to add. As of now, I'm leaning towards getting the front signed in Blue Sharpie and seeing if he would add "My First Hit as a New York Yankee". If anyone has any other interesting ideas or alternatives, fell free to post them. Jersey and match below.

Thanks,
Ron

[indyred]

I'd get it signed on inside of jersey behind either the NEW York crest or jock tag area. I'd have him sign game used WC season or something like that. Or my first Yanks road jersey.
Let us know how it went.

[bronx_burner]

Thanks for the input. I didn't see it until after I had left but I don't think I would have gone that way anyway. I had intended to go with what I stated before but it didn't go exactly as planned. I brought the jersey as well as the photomatch and a printout of the info from the MLB site from the hologram identifying the jersey as his opening day/first road trip jersey to show him before he signed as I would never ask someone to sign something specific like that blindly, nor would I expect them to. I really don't do these signings very much so I didn't know exactly how they were run. But basically they push you through the lines like cattle and rush you...really rush you. When I got up there a girl on my left took the jersey from me and told me to hand my ticket to the guy at the right end of the table. Before I even turned back, apparently the girl decided to flip the jersey over and have Nick sign the jersey on the back because she deemed the jersey was too "dirty" on the front, having no idea it was a game used jersey. So before I could even say hello to him he had started signing the left 3 in silver. Then he paused and looked at me and asked is this okay. I just let it go and let him finish and then told him what the jersey was and showed him the photo and the paperwork and then he added "1st hit as a Yankee" on the right 3. Not exactly the way I wanted it to go but it came out okay and was actually another choice I had considered.

I know some people don't like the sigs on their jerseys or prefer them in non-visible areas but I like them visible. That said, I'm ultimately happy with the result but likely will not get stuff signed at an event such as this again unless I am looking for a simple signature that I don't need to explain in depth before it is signed. I'll try to get a pic up shortly.

[eisenreich8]

I feel for you on the attempt to have it done the way you planned, and having it go somewhat awry. But, you can always use Ink-Away to remove the inscription completely if it really doesn't work for you and have it done your way at a future time and place.

OT-I went to a signing many years ago, when Dwight Smith and Jerome Walton were just hitting the bigtime........the line passed a gap in the tables and a guy would come get your item and walk it back to these two jokers who didn't even make eye contact with you. It was sign, see ya, next.

On the other hand, I've been in signing lines where the player practically hugs you to death, they are so giving of their time and attention. A couple who easily come to mind were the late Dick "Monster" Radatz and still-living Jerry Moses. Class acts all the way.

You will have other chances to get that jersey signed I would assume. I doubt Nick will remember the circumstances/exact jersey at some future time and hopefully you will get it done to your specs. After all, it IS one-of-a-kind.

Good luck!

[bronx_burner]

I should have added, Nick was extremely nice, friendly and as goofy as always from what I'd previously seen in interviews etc. and he had already been sitting there for at least 90 minutes. He gave me a nice handshake afterwards. I'm certain that if the staff hadn't been as they were, he would have done everything I had wanted. Maybe in the future I'll see if I want to change it but for now I'm content with it. Its a cool jersey that I'm happy to own.

[Swoboda4]

You did very well under those circumstances. Don't erase the sig or notations. The back is the better place for a notation/signature on a Yankee away jersey because the number identifies the player when displayed the front doesn't.

Nobody gets exactly what they plan when approaching a player at these signings. I've posted before about the Ventura signing I went to but I never mentioned that I waited untill the end of the line so things went the way I wanted and he knew I was the last one. I literally waiting 45 minutes untill the line cleared.

[Swoboda4]

I'm just realizing you wanted the sig/notation on the side with the mark to display with the photo. Anywhere between the mark and the NEW YORK,maybe even above the mark. How much was the sigs? Hey,dont remove- just have him sign again later on the front.

[stretch]

I'm looking forward to pictures of it signed, OP.

Was the signing held by Steiner Sports?

I'd personally leave it be unless it really bothers you and just have him add another inscription another time.

[bronx_burner]

Yes that was in fact the plan.. to have the signature between the New York and the mark/stain shown in the photo and dsiaply so the match could be seen.

A couple of things I did consider was the lack of player identification on the front of the jersey especially as Swisher's signature is not exactly one that you can identify easily so that having him sign on the number would help that way. And that was weighed against having it on the side with the photomatched stain. If not for that stain, lacking any other attributable match characteristics, I would have opted for the signature exactly how he wound up doing it.

I will consider maybe having him sign on the front in the future. Yankees are pricey at these shows. Swisher was $70. The show had A-Rod, Mo, Pettitte, Joba, Burnett and Gardner - only Gardner was cheaper.

As for waiting for the end of the line, I was considering trying that but I was waiting outside for 90 minuteso get into the building and it was below zero today. After standing on the indoor line and due to the continuous additions of people jumping on the ends of the line after getting other players, it seemed like it would be a good while longer and I didn't have it in me to be there all day.

I chalk it up as a learning experience.

[bronx_burner]

Yes it was a Steiner signing. Here's a pic of signed jersey.