Re: Skyrocketing Signatures
I know there is a jab here - but I don't see it. I have no reason to take offense. I also see no reason to have other interests. It makes one well rounded...
-
-
-
Re: Skyrocketing Signatures
In STL, Willie McGee is royalty...though I hear in CA, he is just another ballplayer. Anyway, in MO, he commands $100 for a bat. I thought the price was a little steep until I brandished my bat for him to sign - and his face LIT UP like a little kid. He rubbed his fingers across the handle (where he grooved it) and turned it over a few times before telling me the exact year he used it ('96). Here is a photo of that day and that big Willie smile...in this case, it was worth the $$ just to interact with a classy guy like #51.Attached FilesLeave a comment:
-
-
Re: Skyrocketing Signatures
I WAS JUST SAYING THAT YOU HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING A NICE AUTO. AGAIN, WTF ?????
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Skyrocketing Signatures
I'm with you, it's just too much money to spend for a couple of signatures, but it would be nice to get them and in person so you can interface with Mr. Thome albeit for a few seconds...
I can still remember when Lenny Harris was with the Dodgers and I had one of his rookie bats from when he was with the Reds and handed it to him to sign and he gripped it and swung it a few times and said, man that one had some hits left in it (it has a slight crack) and just smiled and then signed it for me...
Still have that bat and the memories of him remembering the bat....Leave a comment:
-
Re: Skyrocketing Signatures
But I am not bosum pals with Jim on a personal level like you, Roger. I am a sniveling piece of s*it lowlife fan who just wants a couple of things signed...Leave a comment:
-
Re: Skyrocketing Signatures
I would love to know where you can get a legit Thome ball for $15-30.........I'd buy a bunch.
As for the $400 for the 2 items, if you want a quality auto. You'll probably have to pay. I personally have never paid for a Thome 
Leave a comment:
-
Re: Skyrocketing Signatures
A Jim Thome genuine signed baseball would sell for around $15-30 on eBay, an index card perhaps $ and a quality MLB retail jersey perhaps $75. I have no idea why someone would pay $400 to get his autograph.Leave a comment:
-
Re: Skyrocketing Signatures
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."Leave a comment:
-
-
Re: Skyrocketing Signatures
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.Leave a comment:
-
Re: Skyrocketing Signatures
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...Leave a comment:
-
Re: Skyrocketing Signatures
I wish shows would offer this service exclusively. I do not collect autographs, but sometimes get them at shows just for the experience of meeting the player and getting a photo taken (see pic below with me, my son, and Ted Simmons).
Put anonther category on the priceslist:
Flats $50
Jerseys $100
Photo Op $25
I would love this optionLeave a comment:
Leave a comment: