Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

[Royalsfans]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

I got a Frank White gu bat. And when I meet him he was so happy to see one of his bats again. We talked for a some time after that

[Thunderhead51]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

This experience wasn't with a player as much as it was Brandon Steiner. Tino Martinez did a signing this afternoon at a Last Licks location in Armonk. Martinez being my girlfriend's favorite player, I had gotten her a GU Bat of his from his Cardinals days (I believe it originated from birdbats.com then through Chris from HSI) a little less than a year ago and of course didn't even pay a FRACTION of what one of his NYY GU/Steiner bats go for. I paid the $150 for him to put his sig on the bat and snap a quick pic with him and my gf. Brandon himself was standing at the front of the table with the other Steiner rep, Eric (who goes to just about all the signings from the way it reads on his blog) was sitting to the right of Tino handing things over to him to make the signing go quicker. We hand Brandon the bat who looks at it, notes the knob, the handle, the pine tar in the middle and says in a rather ticked off tone; "hmpf, another game used bat" as he shakes his head. His cronie Eric just rolls his eyes! Tino just smiled and didn't seem to care as he put a nice signature to the left of his imprinted name. There really wasn't much time to ask anything as we were being pushed through the place like cattle, so I snapped the quick pic and we left. I thought about it after and was a little miffed at his reaction. Why scoff at a GU bat just becuase YOU didn't sell it? Oh, of course, he was ticked becuase he didn't charge $200 or more for Tino to sign something game used!?! Not my problem he didn't instruct his people to ask that. All they wanted to know was "What are you having signed". There were other GU bats I saw people had in line. A couple of them were Yankees bats but one guy seemed to have an older one so who knows what that might have been. Although the one guy who walked right in with a Martinez used Yankee bat and game used home plate got right to the front of the line! I'm sure he wasn't scoffed at after dropping what I'd think was close to 8 GRAND on those items. He was probably welcomed with open arms. Point being Mr Steiner needs to realize that the GU collecting world is MUCH BIGGER THAN HE IS and we all as a community are clear evidence of that. Heh, I wonder how much longer until they start turning down GU items at their signings that they didn't sell? Sooner than later I'm sure. Anyone else have this kind of experience with Steiner?

[Yankwood]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

As a matter of fact, I had a representative of Paul O'Neill tell me that he would sign my game used bat through his website for no less than $800 since they considered the item stolen and that's how much he would want to go to charity if the bat hadn't been stolen. Personally, I don't understand the logic, I just said, "No thanks" and that was it.

[geoff]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

Went to the Brian Roberts signing tonight but did not bring my game used bat because it was pouring down rain and did not want to chance anything happening to the bat.But did get a replica Roberts jersey signed by him.He was very nice and taking pics with everyone that was there.I got a pic with him and he even told me thanks for coming.Thought that was nice of him to say.By the way on saturday Rudy Gay of Uconn is going to be there from 1pm to 3pm for the baltimore locals if any on the forum.

[hblakewolf]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

Forum Readers-
At the request of several hobby friends who know this story, here is my experience........

During the late 1980's, a friend of mine owned a limo service in Detroit. He used to drive several of the Tigers around for various "activities" i.e., lady friends in the back. Instead of cash, my friend asked the various Tigers for game used bats and equipment. One of the more frequent customers was Kirk Gibson. Gibson gave my friend not only his equipment, but also bats, hats and batting helmets from other Tiger players. In 1990, my friend decided to sell quite a bit of his equipment, and I purchased it. One of the better items was Gibson’s home batting helmets from 1986 or 1987.

Living is Seattle from 1988 through 1995, I often went to the Mariners games with our corporate tickets that allowed me amazing access to the players during BP. I took the Gibson helmet to the game in 1994, and once inside, spotted Gibson and Juan Samuel near the first base line. I called Samuel over, and he signed several Phillies hats and a Phillies warm-up for me. I then called Gibson over, and explained to him that we had a mutual friend in Detroit who used to drive him around, and this friend was aware that I was a huge Gibson fan and gave me a helmet for my collection. Gibson took one look at the helmet, the came nose-to-nose with me (the old Kingdome allowed the players near the first base line to come directly up to fans) and said, "Tom is no Fuck-- friend of mine-he's an acquaintance". I then said, "Acquaintance-O.k.-can you please sign the helmet KIRK GIBSON-GAMER on the bill?". He shook his head in disgust, and began walking towards the dugout. At this point, I had nothing to loose and I walked behind the dugout into the first row of seats and said, "Kirk-thank's alot-welcome to Seattle-you're a great signer and the fans really love ya'". Wrong thing to say. Gibson immediately stared me down in front of the dugout and screamed, "How did you get the Fuck-- helmet? How did you get this Fuck-- helmet?” Now, several of the players have gathered around, as they were taking BP, and all eyes were on me. I said, "All I want is for you to autograph it. I got this from Tom in Detroit who used to drive you around in his limo". Gibson then yelled, "Is the Mother fuck-- cracked? Is the Mother Fuck-- cracked?". I explained that it was not and he yelled, "Exactly-unless it was cracked, I would have never have given it away". At this point, stadium security gathered around Gibson on the field and approached me in the stands. I was well aware that Gibson was not going to sign it, so I figured what the hell. I calmly said, Actually Kirk, you used to take your equipment and other Tigers equipment and give it to my friend in exchange for payment for his limo service when you and Dave Bergman scored chicks". Gibson then walked closer to me and yelled, "I'm going to watch where you Fuck-- sit tonight. If I break my fuck-- helmet, I'm comin' up to your Fuck-- seat and getting the Mother fuck-- helmet back". I replied, "I'll make it even easier for you, Kirk. I'll swap you straight up for the batting practice jersey you're wearing-deal?". Gibson became so enraged that he bolted for me in the stands, and began to climb over the photography pit on the left side of the visiting dugout in order to come up into the stands. As he began to climb up, coach Dick Tracewski bear hugged him, and pulled him back onto the field. Dick yelled, "You don't talk to people like that. Stop it". Gibson broke loose, and walked into the outfield to shag balls.

Both the Seattle Police and Kingdome Security came to me and asked what happened. I explained that I'm a collector of game used memorabilia, and they had no issue with it. Several fans could not believe what they saw, and said I should have let him taken a swing at me. Folks, I had no idea how in shape and how big Gibson was until I saw him up close. I'm a pretty fit guy, however, I did not stand a chance against Gibson. He would have killed me.

After this incident, I wanted no part of any of Gibson's equipment and sold all of it.

I have met over 200 players during BP, and have never had any type of experience close to this. Most players show little or no interest in their items, and have graciously signed.

Moral of the story-don't explain anything to Gibson if you attend a show and desire him to sign his game used equipment.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[geoff]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

Wow that was great of you too share with us.

[suave1477]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

Moral of the story-don't explain anything to Gibson if you attend a show and desire him to sign his game used equipment.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

Howard what do you mean? If I ever meet Gibson with any of his Game Used items Ill tell him I got it from Howard lol lol lol
Just Kidding!!

[byergo]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

Sounds like ol Kirk has a little roid rage problem!

[Calrima]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

Years ago, I handed Willie Stargell a LV to sign and he took the bat, and stood up from the table and started swinging it. I said, "Sir, do you reconize that bat?" Mr. Stargell replied " Oh yeah, its one of mine" Then he said " Look at the tape, Im a left hander, I wrap it the opposite of a right hander" A minute later, he replied, I will sign this for you, but may I ask where you bought it and how much?" I said " Aa baseball card show for $40" Willie signed it, and I was glad to have it in my hands and out the door. I sweated bullets when he Took such a huge interest in the bat at first.

Den

[thomecollector]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

I started reading this, and couldn't help but chime in. I am a huge collector of Jim Thome items. I aquired one of his 95 World Series jerseys from his Indians days. I had met him numerous times over the years. He knows me as the "big guy" . Anyway, I went to his charity event a few years back. He used to stay in the same smaller hotel with the guests. So, we would run in to him 3 0r 4 times during the weekend. So I asked him if he would sign a couple of things later on. He said, "Sure". So,later in the afternoon. I saw him in the hall. Ask if he would sign. He said yes. My buddy had a picture bat,and a glove. He signed them both. I had the jersey. When he figured out what it was he said he wouldn't sign it. Because of what it was, I guess. Anyway , he signed a bobblehead. I was kinda disappointed. So, later on that night ,we went to the auction. I ran into a guy that had know him since he was a kid. We started talking about our stuff. I told him what happen. He said that he could get it signed for me. The jersey, that is. Sure enough, later on. He had one of his sons take it over to Jim. He gladly signed it in black sharpie..Right on the 5. So, I really had what started off as a bad trip, turn into a great one. Even if I did pull a fast one. But , don't get me wrong. I have had Jim sign numerous items since. Always a great guy. Heck, I even talked baseball with him this past year. While we were in the hallway at the hotel. Best 10 minutes of my life!!

[stkmtimo]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

I replied, "I'll make it even easier for you, Kirk. I'll swap you straight up for the batting practice jersey you're wearing-deal?". Gibson became so enraged that he bolted for me in the stands, and began to climb over the photography pit on the left side of the visiting dugout in order to come up into the stands.

Howard, I have to admit, this was one of the funniest stories I have heard in a long time! Gibson sounds like such a jerk.

Tim

[Number9]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

I realize this is not completely on topic, but I was watching one of the Yankeeography DVDs tonight and noticed the darndest thing. On the bonus features for Thuman Munson, they showed the last out of the 78 World Series at LA. Munson catches a popup to end the World Series and fans swarm the field even though it was in LA and New York won. The camera shows Yankees players running to the dugout and if you look closely, you see Munson running north, not to the dugout. He is chasing the fan that picked up his mask and he catches him too.
This is in no way meant to condemn Munson (for one thing there should have been better crowd control) and I know a catcher's mask is more personal than say a bat but it does show how attached he was to his gear, that his teammates are celebrating a WS title and he is chasing a fan that has his mask. If you have Yankeeography volume 1, check it out.

[Number9]

Re: Baseball Players and their Game Used Items

PS, I know his name was 'Thurman', not Thuman. It was a typo. Can you edit your mssages on this forum? I don't see an edit icon anywhere.