Best/Worse signers

[godwulf]

Re: Best/Worse signers

I had to laugh when I read about Montana and the phone thing. Miguel Batista did a signing at a local bookstore here in Phoenix a few years ago, after he became a free agent and left the DBacks - I think he ended up going back to Toronto - and in addition to getting copies of his novel signed, I brought along my 2001 Opening Day base for him to add his sig to. Anyway, Miguel is usually a very personable and friendly guy - he used to flirt with my teenaged daughter all the time, which my wife thought was cute till she found out he was almost thirty - but this time he was on the phone throughout most of the signing, and he explained why he would be ahead of time, while he was answering questions about his book and doing a reading from it: he was on the phone with his agent, trying to figure out where he was going to be playing the next season. Given the circumstances, everyone understood and there were no hard feelings.

[NEFAN]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Found it! The employee held the item and Joe ignored the fan and just signed. This lasted for 45 minutes. He was off the phone when I got there but I was so disgusted I didn't speak to him.


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[FastLane80]

Re: Best/Worse signers

On the other hand, Lott, Long and Webster were very friendly.

I too can vouch for Lott and Long. Howie even held the elevator in the hotel to sign. That same night, I also met Jim Otto and Fred Belitnikoff and both were very pleasant to me and my dad and were very patient signing.

[NEFAN]

Re: Best/Worse signers

2000 at the NFL Hall of Fame induction. I paid 100 to get the five inductees signatures. The Autograph session was the morning after the incuction ceremonies. Dan Rooney (Steelers Owner) decided not to show up so he could attend a preseason game 12 hours later. (I think he was pissed when everybody left the ceremony after Montana's Speech) So that ruined the five inductee's on one item. Joe Montana was talking on the phone for 45 minutes while signing(I have pics somewhere). He wouldn't even look at the person he was signing for let alone speak to them! On the other hand, Lott, Long and Webster were very friendly.

[coxfan]

Re: Best/Worse signers

We also had a good experience with Andruw Jones, when the Braves visited Vero beach in 2005 Spring Training. He pulled up a portable chair and told the throngs approachng him that he'd try to get to everyone. When signing for my wife, he pleasantly interacted with her and was sure to sign under the " Braves" on the ball we were using.

But he ran out of time ( practice and the game-time were pressing) and couldn't get everyone. That led to someone at the back of the line cursing him loudly enough for him to hear. People like that can turn off athletes to signing.

[stretch]

Re: Best/Worse signers

I'd say best signer I'VE ever encountered was Andruw Jones. I went to a Reds/Braves game in 2005 and my goal was to get my first AJ autograph. Durying BP he came over and signed for many people. He didnt sign mine on the sweetspot(i forgot to ask) so after the game i went to the team hotel and got him to sign again, this time on the SS. The next series that the Braves came back to Cincy, I bought a Jones jersey that I wanted singed. Again, at the hotel I found him in the bar. I went up to him and asked him to sign it. Smooth as butter.

I'm amazed to hear this because I only management to get him one time at Turner Field. It was outside after he pulled into the parking lot and he was normally the last one to arrive. He signed just the "AJ" and I didn't waste a good MLB ball on it when I noticed. I did get a good signature from him when he signed at Publix for a fanfest. I never felt he treated the Atlanta fans very well when it came to signing.

[cordovacollector]

Re: Best/Worse signers

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Buck O'Neil yet. NOBODY was better to meet!

Ken
earlywynnfan5@hotmail.com

Amen to Buck O'Neil! And Buck Leonard, Mudcat Grant, and Larry Doby. They'd all sign ... and then tell you stories! Priceless!

[cordovacollector]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Best By Far: Harmon Killebrew ! Each signature is perfect, clean, ledgible ... every time! And he will smile and talk to you like you're best friends all the while he is signing.

[murfsteve25]

Re: Best/Worse signers

I'd say best signer I'VE ever encountered was Andruw Jones. I went to a Reds/Braves game in 2005 and my goal was to get my first AJ autograph. Durying BP he came over and signed for many people. He didnt sign mine on the sweetspot(i forgot to ask) so after the game i went to the team hotel and got him to sign again, this time on the SS. The next series that the Braves came back to Cincy, I bought a Jones jersey that I wanted singed. Again, at the hotel I found him in the bar. I went up to him and asked him to sign it. Smooth as butter.

[Capital-Sports]

Re: Best/Worse signers

My Marine Corps years led to many great meetings....Jeter was ALWAYS great in Tampa's Legends Field, and so was Jason Varitek at Tropicana....Two of the best! JOHN WOODEN is by far probably one of the GREATEST signers EVER!

[dcrules01]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Dykstra was never a pleasant signer. The first time I got his autograph was at a show in NYC (being sponsored by Mr. Mint Alan Rosen back in the late eighties). Dykstra signed with his head down and didn't even look up to see who he was signing for. He looked like he didn't even want to be there.

Here's an interesting story from the book The Bad Guys Won on one of those occassions he did look up...

"Once, a bunch of Mets spent a couple of hours at a collectibles show in New Jersey. Dykstra signed hundreds of items, rarely glancing up from beneath his sunglasses. Near the end of the session a Roseanne Barr look-alike handed him a baseball. Dykstra snapped. "Lady", he said, "you are too f***** fat for me to sign this thing for you!" Security was called in to escort Dykstra to his car."

I read that book...I was 15 in 86 and him and Backman were my favorites so I am thankful my encounter was good.His exact phrase when I showed him the jersey was bitchin jersey dude where did you get it...I told him where and he asked me what pen to use and added the incriptions Nails and World Series Champs taking his time..I told him I always liked his style and he thanked me for supporting him..I guess I was one of the lucky ones..That poor lady ..

[whirl]

Re: Best/Worse signers

I saw Joe Namath at a show in Kansas City some years ago. He was absolutely super. He smiled; chatted with everyone; and even let several people wear his Super Bowl ring. I told him I got some mileage out of bearing a passing resemblance to him while I was in college (he doesn't have too many years on me), and he laughed and said he hoped it didn't get me in too much trouble. I also had the opportunity to see Mickey Mantle during his playing days in the early 60's. There was always at least one day during his trips to Kansas City where he took some time at the hotel to sign for all of us kids. After his retirement I got to see him at several shows around the Midwest, and I was never disappointed at the way he treated people.

[metsbats]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Dykstra was never a pleasant signer. The first time I got his autograph was at a show in NYC (being sponsored by Mr. Mint Alan Rosen back in the late eighties). Dykstra signed with his head down and didn't even look up to see who he was signing for. He looked like he didn't even want to be there.

Here's an interesting story from the book The Bad Guys Won on one of those occassions he did look up...

"Once, a bunch of Mets spent a couple of hours at a collectibles show in New Jersey. Dykstra signed hundreds of items, rarely glancing up from beneath his sunglasses. Near the end of the session a Roseanne Barr look-alike handed him a baseball. Dykstra snapped. "Lady", he said, "you are too f***** fat for me to sign this thing for you!" Security was called in to escort Dykstra to his car."

[dcrules01]

Re: Best/Worse signers

That is so funny that you told that story....funny because nearly the same EXACT thing happened to me with Dykstra when I was a kid.

It was my birthday 1987. My oldest sister took me to a Mets game for my present. All I wanted the entire game was to see one player up close and maybe get my Mets yearbook signed. We had nosebleed seats. I mean seriously, we had binoculars lol

After the game I rushed all the way down to the field level and another fan swapped tickets with me so that I could get into the field level...by now nearly everyone was gone (guess I wasn't as fast as I thought I was lol). I make it to right up to the wall and there I see Roger McDowell and Dykstra ...from what I recall they were carrying equipment I believe....and I say "Mr. Dykstra could you please sign my yearbook?"

He replies, "Get lost kid. Games over, go home."

McDowell turns to him and says, "It's one kid, just sign it for him".

Dykstra says to him...and I quote...."---- that kid."

McDowell looks up (by now they're next to the dugout) and says, "Sorry kid, I tried."



Ever since that day, 22 years ago, I can't stand Dykstra and I wouldn't take his signature if he offered it to me for free. I should have gotten Rogers sig. but what did I know, I was a silly 12 yr old that loved hitters and fielders. I wasn't much of a fan of pitchers lol Looking back now.....McDowell was the winning pitcher too (3 Aug, 1987).

I went to a show a few years ago and met Dykstra Backman and Ventura...Dykstra was nice as can be chated with me for about 10 minutes complimented me on the jersey I had signed an 86 Dykstra Mitchell and Ness..Backman was a little cold signed my jersey in black sharpie so on the reccomandation of a few guys that were there with me I went back up and he resigned it in Silver and was a lot happier the 2nd time around and even added 86 World Champs..

[Rob L]

Re: Best/Worse signers

The greatest signer I ever saw was Benjie Molina. Used to see him every year at the Angels Spring Training and he would sign for everyone. Saw this happen at least 4 years in a row. That was always cool to see.