Best/Worse signers

[yanks12025]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Todd helton aint even looking at the camera. And is that Matt Holliday's kid in the back seat.

[godwulf]

Re: Best/Worse signers

xpress34....

Just curious...you appear to own a lot of jerseys, and generally seem to be wearing whichever one would make you appear to be a fan of the team with which the player you're looking to get close to is associated. So...do you have all 30 teams in your closet, on standby, or what?

[xpress34]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Other GREAT Signers (for me at least):

Nolan Ryan



Dontrelle Willis



Matt Holliday ( That is the ORIGINAL Oil Painting of his 2005 Diamond Kings Card!)



Todd Helton



Mark Grace



Troy Tulowitzki



Tracy Ringolsby aka 'The Cowboy' (HOF 2006 - Writer for the Rox... used to cover the Rangers, the Angels, many teams. Multiple BBWA Award winner.)



Vin Scully



Josh Hamilton - very humble and nice guy....

[spartakid]

Re: Best/Worse signers

I've noticed Nick Swisher's name come up in a few posts. I know when he played for Oakland he was the best singner that I've ever seen, as well as a great person. I think I've said this before but to my recollection, he signed at EVERY game I went to. He was always smiling and happy to be there. He was one person that hadn't let the being a pro athlete get to his head. Great guy, and we miss him here in Oakland, I'll be interested to see if this changes in New York. Ricardo

[Tedw9]

Re: Best/Worse signers

I have not had the good fortune of being able to get too many autographs without paying, but I have met a couple of good guys.

Adam Vinatieri was by far the nicest guy I met. I met him 3 times after games and he stayed and signed for everybody before he left. The last time was a brutal cold night, but he still stayed. I missed him at the players entrance, but he stopped on the way out in his truck to sign my jersey. One news story I read was talking about the Pats flying home after a playoff game. They mentioned in the article that Adam was still there long after every other player left because he wanted to sign for everyone. He is just a very genuine nice guy who truly cares about his fans.

Another of my favorites is Bob Feller because of the stories he tells while you are in line. I could listen to him talk all day, he has the best stories!

A few months ago I met Jonathan Papelbon who was friendly to me and really made a point to talk to me. It was a nice change from other players I met who didn't even look at me. He also came across as someone who cares about his fans.

And on the topic of Tony Gwynn, he was at the same signing as Jonathan. I was waiting for my number to be called for Yogi Berra and noticed Tony was just sitting there chatting with a handler with no one in line. I just walked up and started talking with him and shook his hand. I'm a big fan of his and he seemed to be cool to me. Maybe the other poster caught him on a bad day?

[spartakid]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Uh, the bankruptcy was 19 years ago. When did you have him sign this, what was it, and what was the basis for him giving you a hard time? I'm a San Diegan and this is the FIRST negative story about Gwynn I've EVER heard.

I agree, I went to the all-star fanfest in San Francisco and he was there signing. We waited in line for like 3 hours, but it was worth it. I got to get Juan Marichal, Rollie Fingers, and Tony Gwynn. Tony was the nicest of them all he actually thanked us for standing in line so long just to get his and the other's signatures. Granted I had him sign a baseball, but he couldn't have been further from mean, in fact we was the nicest of all 3 people I got to meet. Ricardo

[xpress34]

Re: Best/Worse signers

In my experience with notable players...

Best:

Adam Dunn, Greg Maddux.

Worst:

Larry Walker.

Red -

My experiences with the above three are the only ones were they were different than yours....

Dunn has blown off everyone here in Denver since his rookie year... I even mentioned to him once about having been born in Waco, TX as well (his hometown) and he made some smart @$$ comment about it... Maddux was even worse here - in fact two years ago he called me and another guy over to his cab at the hotel, we each leaned in a window - I had a card the other guy had a ball - he looked at each piece, never said a word and then tapped the cabbie to drive off - while we were still leaned int he windows!!! JERK MOVE!

Walker on the other hand - at least in Denver and Spring Training has always been a class guy - in fact when he went to St Louis and then cam back to play the Rox, he stopped EVERY day out back and signed everything anyone had... my most amazing instance with him though was the day he was traded from the Rox - I wne tout back and caught him as he was leaving (he was the last guy I needed on a team ball that year)... he stopped and signed - and when i said Denver would miss him, he got all teared up - which made me tear up and the big lug gave me a bear hug before he drove off. YES, I had a cry with Larry Walker - and it was one of the most memorable MLB experiences I have had...

My experience with Sosa is interesting... in the heat of the '98 HR race (he was at 56 at the time), he gladly signed a bat for me beautifully and actually thanked me for my comment on a great season. One year later in '99, he refused to sign a ball for me, but went on to sign cards and lesser value items for the half-dozen others nearby. I eventually got an 8x10 signed at this time, but noticed that he also refused to sign a jersey. It was clear that he was avoiding anything of "value".

I wonder if his stance has now changed, as the last 10 years have been unkind to his popularity.

Two years ago at Surprise during Spring Training when he was chasing 600 in comeback with the Rangers he was an @$$ (unless the cameras were on him - then he was all smile snad waving and signing)... we were down the line when he left the game on day and some people were yelling for them and he literally gave them the brush off with a wave of his arm - what a FRAUD - good when the press might catch him...

Worst: Bob Uecker didn't seem thrilled when I approached him at spring training but he signed.

Funny story here - but doesn't make Uke any better - he has blown me of for 6 years at the team hotel and the ballpark in Denver... always acts like he's put off by even being asked to sign - even when there is NO ONE there for the Brewers!!! Last year, I took my catchers mitt (Gold Glove Model with about 50 MLB Catchers on it) and again at the hotel he blew me off - but at the game (Sunday's at Coors Field are Auto days) I get to go down behind home plate (I have a 20% disabilty through the VA)... Uke is in the Brewers dugout interviewing Ned Yost. Everyone is yelling at Uke and I hold up my Mitt again. Uke doesnt come over - he taps Ned Yost and makes Yost come and ask for my mitt. Ned takes it back to the dugout, Uke signs it and then makes Ned bring it back to me! That's some power when an ANNOUNCER can make a MANAGER do his bidding...

Uh, the bankruptcy was 19 years ago. When did you have him sign this, what was it, and what was the basis for him giving you a hard time? I'm a San Diegan and this is the FIRST negative story about Gwynn I've EVER heard.

I agree with you here... we go down to Colorado Springs to watch SD State play Air Force when they are here and Gwynn has always been great about Autos there... no matter how many people or how many things they have... teh ONLY grief he ever gave me (and it made sense) was when I asked about a picture with him (I was wearing my AF Hoodie) and Tony said, "Are you trying to trick me? You're wearing the wrong team." I said that's cool, but after 12 years of service in the USAF I have to support my guys. Tony asked me , "So you served in the military?" When I said yes, he told me he respected the hell out of that and took the photo with me.

[skyking26]

Re: Best/Worse signers

I go down early sometimes to Camden Yards as a Hobby when I go to Orioles Games and try to get autographs.Its fun for me and even get to talk with some Players and I alot of Fun doing this.I like Autographs but I don't go crazy like some people down there do.

Worst Signer I can think of this Year was BJ Upton.He even covered his face so nobody could take pics of him.He said another Time that he was not going to sign because the day before someone said something Racist to him.

Best Signer that I can think of was Nick Swisher.He was nice as can be and joking around about the Staff on the Players lot.He was happy to take a pic with me.

Huston Street was also very nice as I asked him inside the Park and he told me after BP.I said okay to him and I would be standing right here.As soon as BP was over he came right over to me and signed my Ball.I thought that was a nice thing to do as most say they will sign later or inside the Park and they never do.

Was at a Sox-Tigers game last year in Detroit. Swisher and another guy, name escapes me but I think his first name is Aramis? were GREAT. Big disappointments were Thome and Konerko. I was down with my 7 year old daughter from 1 hour before BP til end of game. Neither Thome nor Konerko came near anybody and went out of their way to avoid the VERY SMALL crowd...

[mvandor]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Worst signer. TONY GWYNN.
He is a great guy until you hand him his own equiptment.
Then he cries like a baby. I almost had to call the police on him because he would not give me my (his) equiptment back.
Then after he verified it was a gamer he refused to write it because he did not want it to be more valuable. Not my fault you filed bankrupcy.
He signs fake stuff with a smile. What a jerk.

Uh, the bankruptcy was 19 years ago. When did you have him sign this, what was it, and what was the basis for him giving you a hard time? I'm a San Diegan and this is the FIRST negative story about Gwynn I've EVER heard.

[nealdevelopment@yahoo.com]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Worst signer. TONY GWYNN.
He is a great guy until you hand him his own equiptment.
Then he cries like a baby. I almost had to call the police on him because he would not give me my (his) equiptment back.
Then after he verified it was a gamer he refused to write it because he did not want it to be more valuable. Not my fault you filed bankrupcy.
He signs fake stuff with a smile. What a jerk.

[geoff]

Re: Best/Worse signers

I go down early sometimes to Camden Yards as a Hobby when I go to Orioles Games and try to get autographs.Its fun for me and even get to talk with some Players and I alot of Fun doing this.I like Autographs but I don't go crazy like some people down there do.

Worst Signer I can think of this Year was BJ Upton.He even covered his face so nobody could take pics of him.He said another Time that he was not going to sign because the day before someone said something Racist to him.

Best Signer that I can think of was Nick Swisher.He was nice as can be and joking around about the Staff on the Players lot.He was happy to take a pic with me.

Huston Street was also very nice as I asked him inside the Park and he told me after BP.I said okay to him and I would be standing right here.As soon as BP was over he came right over to me and signed my Ball.I thought that was a nice thing to do as most say they will sign later or inside the Park and they never do.

[skyking26]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Gotta defend Willie Mays. I drove from LA to San Diego just to get his sig at a show a few years ago, and when I showed up I was literally one of the only people in line. I bought my jersey, walked right up to him, he signed on one of the 4's on the back, and then asked my opinion of how the signature looked. I told him it looked great, but he disagreed, and so insisted that he sign the other 4, which to me, looked just as good as the first one.

Among my other best experiences: Joe DiMaggio was amazing, Raymond Berry though that was special circumstances

Worst: Mike Schmidt, Mike Piazza, Bob Uecker didn't seem thrilled when I approached him at spring training but he signed. I hear Hank Aaron is bad, though I didn't have a bad experience. Just met Reggie Jackson but didn't get sig, though he came off as a little standoffish

Am trying to think of more. I definitely usually have good experiences rather than bad ones

Aaron was an a*s when I met him. Years back he did a show in MI and I attended. It was the 90's and well attended. He sat outside in a limo til beyond the start time watching college football while we all waited. Then when he came in he what not friendly at all. As I approached, I asked if he'd write 755 HR after his name. He sat there, reffered to his henchmen on either side and exclaimed, "I thought you guys informed these people I will only sign Hank Aaron, nothing else!!! (as if I was not there).

One work for Hank... J E R K.

[marcab]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Gotta defend Willie Mays. I drove from LA to San Diego just to get his sig at a show a few years ago, and when I showed up I was literally one of the only people in line. I bought my jersey, walked right up to him, he signed on one of the 4's on the back, and then asked my opinion of how the signature looked. I told him it looked great, but he disagreed, and so insisted that he sign the other 4, which to me, looked just as good as the first one.

Among my other best experiences: Joe DiMaggio was amazing, Raymond Berry though that was special circumstances

Worst: Mike Schmidt, Mike Piazza, Bob Uecker didn't seem thrilled when I approached him at spring training but he signed. I hear Hank Aaron is bad, though I didn't have a bad experience. Just met Reggie Jackson but didn't get sig, though he came off as a little standoffish

Am trying to think of more. I definitely usually have good experiences rather than bad ones

[redoctober]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Well I know from stories that Barry Bonds is a jerk, but now he may need to to paid signings to pay the bills Karma is so sweet. As an A's fan I know Nick Swisher was a GREAT signer and a fan favorite. I went to the occasional game a few years back and EVERY game he was signing and I got his auto. I also got Sammy Sosa when he was on the DL for the Rangers. Nice guy (from the bits and pieces I got of his Spanish.)

My experience with Sosa is interesting... in the heat of the '98 HR race (he was at 56 at the time), he gladly signed a bat for me beautifully and actually thanked me for my comment on a great season. One year later in '99, he refused to sign a ball for me, but went on to sign cards and lesser value items for the half-dozen others nearby. I eventually got an 8x10 signed at this time, but noticed that he also refused to sign a jersey. It was clear that he was avoiding anything of "value".

I wonder if his stance has now changed, as the last 10 years have been unkind to his popularity.

[redoctober]

Re: Best/Worse signers

Mark Wohlers was a total ass as his career was doing a swirly here in Richmond.

Not a fair assessment of Wholers in my opinion... I got his sig many times in Cincy when he was attempting a "comeback". Was always GREAT to me.