Worst Fan Fest Experiences

[gingi79]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences

I've always straddled the line on athletes as signers. I am in the minority that feels they don't owe fans anything nor do I believe we pay their salaries. They don't want to sign for kids, good. eBay and scumbag spoiled brats have used and manipulated athletes to make money off of them. However.......

If an athlete goes to a fan fest, book signing or autograph show, they are PAID to sign. All of these stories tell me that some of these washed up, easily forgotten and over rated people should be outed as the obnoxious pompous ass munches they are.

How often do you have an incredible opportunity to re-live your glory years and interact with real fans who just want a handshake and a memento from their favorite player?

Harmon Killebrew should run a clinic that all athletes must attend on how to act at a signing. Jerry Rice, Barry Sanders, these men are much more talented than the bozos we hear about and yet they acted like I was doing THEM a favor talking football and asking for their autograph. They both thanked me for my support, offered smiles, handshakes and genuine appreciation.

Keep the stories coming, I'm keeping a list of douches I won't ever pay to meet or collect. Add these award winners to my pet peeve list:
a) Collectors who sell fake stuff
b) People whose names rhyme with Moo Hampson and
c) People who believe they need to get into physical or verbally abusive altercations with rival fans to "defend their team".

[treant985]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences

I'd always figured that the truly egomaniacal players would love these fan fests because they get to see fans clammering over each other just to get their autographs. But I guess they get an even bigger high by seeing fans clammering--and then acting like a jerk on top of it.

[godwulf]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences

I always get upset when people wait in line for 1 hour to have a good player sign a sheet of notebook paper and then think it is worth $40, and of coarse I am right behind them the whole time with a game used item I am waiting to get signed by the same athlete for the last 5 years....

I try hard not to judge what other folks are getting signed - though, as you say, sometimes you have to laugh at what they subsequently think those things are worth. Not everybody has the financial wherewithall to buy a game-used whatever, and a lot of people are probably unaware that such items are even available.

I have found myself in a signing line, with half a dozen bats and other things, juggling it all and trying to keep track of my various pens and stressing about the whole experience, and looked at the kid ahead of me, who has a used baseball with fifteen other signatures on it, and that's all he's getting signed, and - to be honest - I've felt envious.

[jake33]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences

I always get upset when people wait in line for 1 hour to have a good player sign a sheet of notebook paper and then think it is worth $40, and of coarse I am right behind them the whole time with a game used item I am waiting to get signed by the same athlete for the last 5 years....

[BU54CB]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences

His point of view? We're talking about a glove used in the early 1970's, you're telling me that Blyleven remebers a specific glove from 30 years ago? Where's the proof it was stolen, I guess we'll just take good old Bert's word on that, right? It's not like Tay1038 snuck into Bert's home and stole it. IMO, Blyleven has some nerve treating someone like that, especially at a fanfest. I'm pretty certain items disappear from lockers and locker rooms since every sport began. Someone should have told Bert to kiss off, what a clown.

Sorry, I meant to type 40 years ago

[BU54CB]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences

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.

His point of view? We're talking about a glove used in the early 1970's, you're telling me that Blyleven remebers a specific glove from 30 years ago? Where's the proof it was stolen, I guess we'll just take good old Bert's word on that, right? It's not like Tay1038 snuck into Bert's home and stole it. IMO, Blyleven has some nerve treating someone like that, especially at a fanfest. I'm pretty certain items disappear from lockers and locker rooms since every sport began. Someone should have told Bert to kiss off, what a clown.

[sox83cubs84]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences

One of the first Soxfests, early 1990s Dave Stieb (just picked up by the Sox at the time), Bill Melton and Alex Fernandez are signing at a autograph table for a 1-hour session. I wanted Stieb on a Blue Jays GU cap I had. The line works its way through, and I'm 10 peiople away from the front when the line is cut off. Problem was, the line was cut off 10 minutes early because several sportss reporters wanted to interview Stieb. Lots of people (including me) were pretty PO'd, and, to his credit, Melton left the stage and signed for fans in line.

I left immediately, walked across the river to what was then the Cubs gift shop at Tribune Tower, and my luck went 180 degrees for the better. The shop owner told me they got some new game used jerseys in, and offered to let me have an early peek. I walked out with a 1990 home Doug Dascenso, fully intact and with the All-Star patch still present.

The other amazing thing over the last 20 years is the total PR turnaround both Chicago teams have had. Sox Fest is now infinitely better organized and run, while the Cubs Convention is usually a zoo. Just like the ballparks...going to a White Sox game is pleasureful and enjoyable, while Cubs management seems to be offended if a ticketholder wants to have any experience other than watching the game itself.

Dave Miedema

[Sincityson]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences

Cecil Fielder signing, he was having a conversation with some friends, paying virtually no attention to the signing. Not talking, etc.. Guess that's normal for him.

[34swtns]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences

Do it! I'm sure you're more even tempered than I am, but I would start the conversation like this:

"Remember me, nutsack?"

[Tay1038]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences

LOL, I should have whipped out my Iphone and asked him to do it all over again. Can you only imagine. Tossing the glove back in his face would have been nice; but one expensive statement. Maybe I'll buy the win a lunch with Bert Blyleven this year at Twinsfest and and bring my glove and see where it leads.

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences/Blyleven Glove

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

'zactly. Too bad no one had a camera phone rolling. That video would double the value. If he used it for weeks, months, or even years...how would an autograph enhance the value?

[xpress34]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences/Blyleven Glove

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

+1

Great Call Dave!

[EurekaDave]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences/Blyleven Glove

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

[Tay1038]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences

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.

[mbenga28]

Re: Worst Fan Fest Experiences

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