Worst Fan Fest Experiences

[godwulf]

It's that time of year!

I'll start off with a classic. Post #54.

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_f...ndy+johnson%22

[NEFAN]

Football HOF induction Ceremony, autograph session, Joe Montana talked on a cellphone for over 30 minutes while fans came up to get his signature. Not only did he not talk to them, he would not even look at them!

[EurekaDave]

Had to be the 2007 All-Star Game Fanfest in San Francisco. I took my grandson to meet J.T. Snow, Giants veteran First-baseman. The time comes and they hustle him passed his fans, kids and grown-ups. They said he was "with his family." Why not make a great giving example to his kids?

If you could have seen my grand-son's look, it would have ripped out your heart, as if to say, "Grandpa, I thought you could take me places."

I can deal with rejection-- but a kid? Disgraceful.

[Tay1038]

Thought I’d share an interesting memory I had with Bert Blyleven this year.


This past summer I attended the annual Minnesota Twins Autograph Party on location at Target Field. A few months prior I purchased a Bert Blyleven game-used glove that was photomatched and used in the early 70’s from a long time Twins collector. Keep in mind I’m in my early 20’s.. Anyway, I paid my fare, waited in line for nearly 2 hours in the cold pouring rain to have Bert autograph the glove for my personal collection. When I finally reached Bert I handed him the glove. I was very excited to ask him if he recognized the glove. As soon as I said that he examined the glove, looked up, glared, and very rudely said “I’m not signing this shit for you.” I asked is something wrong? He again with one of the dirtiest looks you’ll ever get, “This was stolen from my locker. Where in the hell did you get this?” I politely answered; I purchased it from a long time collector. At this point there was fire in his eyes and he literally threw the glove back at me. Again, he roars out, “I’m not signing this shit”. From there I kinda’ stalled for a second thinking on how to respond to his reaction. In between that time, Bert still is giving me the eye down of death, Ron Coomer is starting to chirp in saying “yea, we would never give stuff away without signing it”, along with everyone in line tuning in as Bert makes this scene. After I finally muscled out a response knowing I now I just wasted $40 for the autograph ticket and 2 hours of my time I politely said “I’m very sorry to hear about the glove. I just want you to know that it’s in a good home now”. After all that Bert still continued to eye me down the whole time while I walked away in shock that that just happened. What I really wanted to say to him was, “Hey man, I’m in my 20’s. There is no way I could have taken this from you. Instead of being such a dick head you could have politely declined to sign the glove instead of making a scene. Maybe you should take a lesson from Harmon Killebrew on how to treat fans”.

Why do athletes treat fan’s like this? Beats me. Ego? Probably. It sure does make me think differently about the guy now. I’ve always respected every athlete. What an ass clown. You wouldn’t ever catch Harmon Killebrew treating a fan like this. I can only assume it’s going to get worse now that he’s in the HOF. But good for him that he got in. Sadly enough I still remain a fan of his.

[godwulf]

That Blyleven story puts me in mind of a Kirk Gibson g-u helmet story that another member told awhile back. Not a Fan Fest experience, but memorable.

[nycpropain]

Thought I’d share an interesting memory I had with Bert Blyleven this year.


This past summer I attended the annual Minnesota Twins Autograph Party on location at Target Field. A few months prior I purchased a Bert Blyleven game-used glove that was photomatched and used in the early 70’s from a long time Twins collector. Keep in mind I’m in my early 20’s.. Anyway, I paid my fare, waited in line for nearly 2 hours in the cold pouring rain to have Bert autograph the glove for my personal collection. When I finally reached Bert I handed him the glove. I was very excited to ask him if he recognized the glove. As soon as I said that he examined the glove, looked up, glared, and very rudely said “I’m not signing this shit for you.” I asked is something wrong? He again with one of the dirtiest looks you’ll ever get, “This was stolen from my locker. Where in the hell did you get this?” I politely answered; I purchased it from a long time collector. At this point there was fire in his eyes and he literally threw the glove back at me. Again, he roars out, “I’m not signing this shit”. From there I kinda’ stalled for a second thinking on how to respond to his reaction. In between that time, Bert still is giving me the eye down of death, Ron Coomer is starting to chirp in saying “yea, we would never give stuff away without signing it”, along with everyone in line tuning in as Bert makes this scene. After I finally muscled out a response knowing I now I just wasted $40 for the autograph ticket and 2 hours of my time I politely said “I’m very sorry to hear about the glove. I just want you to know that it’s in a good home now”. After all that Bert still continued to eye me down the whole time while I walked away in shock that that just happened. What I really wanted to say to him was, “Hey man, I’m in my 20’s. There is no way I could have taken this from you. Instead of being such a dick head you could have politely declined to sign the glove instead of making a scene. Maybe you should take a lesson from Harmon Killebrew on how to treat fans”.

Why do athletes treat fan’s like this? Beats me. Ego? Probably. It sure does make me think differently about the guy now. I’ve always respected every athlete. What an ass clown. You wouldn’t ever catch Harmon Killebrew treating a fan like this. I can only assume it’s going to get worse now that he’s in the HOF. But good for him that he got in. Sadly enough I still remain a fan of his.

If someone stole the Jesey from you and came back in 10 years and asked to sign it you would be ok with it? Not saying thats the case but you have to think of it from his point of view.

[mbenga28]

if I was you I would have thrown the glove in his face and left.

[Tay1038]

If someone stole the Jesey from you and came back in 10 years and asked to sign it you would be ok with it? Not saying thats the case but you have to think of it from his point of view.

I'd have a little more class with my response back to a fan that's for sure. Especially one that doesn't fit the age demographic of that era. Don't worry; I think rational. I'll assume I caught him on a bad day. Which is the reason I still like the guy for what he did in the Twins uniform. However my respect level for him dropped a bit. And to clear the air, it's been nearly 40 years, not 10.

[EurekaDave]

Look at it this way -- he just authenticated it for you.
Dave Silverbrand

[xpress34]

Look at it this way -- he just authenticated it for you.
Dave Silverbrand

+1

Great Call Dave!