Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !

[xpress34]

Re: Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !

For the record - Detroit area promoters have been trying to get Kuntz to come here for years for an autograph appearance. He won't do it...

His bats are as scarce as he is. Rare to find one. I got mine from Mike Specht last year...

SkyKing -

Is he just a tough auto or what??? Maybe I should get some balls signed by him at Surprise and do some trading with you guys here...

It's just funny that when I check team rosters - including non-roster invitees - for ST and when teams are coming to Denver for Auto opportunities - I always check Broadcasters, Front Office and Coaches as I have picked up quite a few bonus sigs over the years - such as Don Sutton last year when the Nats were here... never saw Sutton with the Braves...

- Chris

[skyking26]

Re: Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !

SkyKing -

Is he just a tough auto or what??? Maybe I should get some balls signed by him at Surprise and do some trading with you guys here...

It's just funny that when I check team rosters - including non-roster invitees - for ST and when teams are coming to Denver for Auto opportunities - I always check Broadcasters, Front Office and Coaches as I have picked up quite a few bonus sigs over the years - such as Don Sutton last year when the Nats were here... never saw Sutton with the Braves...

- Chris

I've always heard that when Kuntz is approached anywhere including his coaching stints - that he is very cordial. For WHATEVER reason, he has had some hard on about returning to Detroit to do any kind of show appearance. As I recall he was not at the final game at Tiger Stadium either. I need him on all my Tigers Champ projects as he never comes back!!!

When you see him, AFTER you get your stuff signed, ask him why he won't come back here!!!

[xpress34]

Re: Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !

I've always heard that when Kuntz is approached anywhere including his coaching stints - that he is very cordial. For WHATEVER reason, he has had some hard on about returning to Detroit to do any kind of show appearance. As I recall he was not at the final game at Tiger Stadium either. I need him on all my Tigers Champ projects as he never comes back!!!

When you see him, AFTER you get your stuff signed, ask him why he won't come back here!!!

I don't know that I'll actually be looking for his auto, but I tell you what - if you want to send me an IM or eMail - xpress34@comcast.net - with your contact info, I'll certainly tell him I have a friend who needs him on a few 1984 Tigers Championship items and give him your info - who knows, maybe he'll contact you... or maybe he'll give me contact info to give you!

[skyking26]

Re: Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !

Email sent...

[mbrieve]

Re: Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !

I have heard the same thing about Rusty Kuntz not wanting to do signings. I'm not sure if it is unique to Detroit or if he just doesn't do appearances at all.

I went to two games during the Tigers-Royals series last year at Comerica Park hoping to get Rusty on three of my 84 Tigers team items. Talking to a number of the regulars outside and inside the stadium, they said he was a jerk and there was no way I would get him.

When I got in the stadium, a couple of us called over to him and he signed everything that people put in front of him (I did a ball and two programs). He couldn't have been nicer and some of the guys that were dogging him before were absolutely dumbfounded. If you have a chance to make it to a Royals game, I would bring your stuff and based on my experience you should get it done.

The toughest living 1984 Tigers?

1. Marty Castillo
He did two or three signings in Michigan, but hasn't done one in over 15 years.
This is from his Wikipedia entry:
"Recent articles in The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press have been published tracking the whereabouts of members of the 1984 Tigers team. In August 2006, the Detroit Free Press reported the following on Castillo: 'Marty Castillo, 49, whereabouts unknown: Teammates are trying to find him. A few years ago, he owned the The Upper Deck in Cape Coral, Fla.'"

2. Chet Lemon
Same as Castillo, he did a few signings, but is in bad health and refuses to fly. I think he has a couple of AAU teams that he coaches in Florida, but hasn't been back to do an appearances in Michigan in quite a while.

Honorable mentions: Ruppert Jones, Johnny Grubb, Larry Herndon, and Rusty Kuntz.

All the other guys have done appearances within the last couple of years.

[ndevlin]

Re: Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !

That's cool!

Thanks for posting XPress34....

Nate lives 30 minutes away from KC.....

We should all caravan to KC and crash at Nate's house. Then go to the stadium and pay Rusty a visit....

Yeah, that'll work.

Oh yeah, Im emailing you back now, by the way.

[momen55]

Re: Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !

herndon is a coach for the tigers' single A team here in florida. i see him every season and couldn't be a nicer guy. and he signs as well.

[skyking26]

Re: Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !

I have heard the same thing about Rusty Kuntz not wanting to do signings. I'm not sure if it is unique to Detroit or if he just doesn't do appearances at all.

I went to two games during the Tigers-Royals series last year at Comerica Park hoping to get Rusty on three of my 84 Tigers team items. Talking to a number of the regulars outside and inside the stadium, they said he was a jerk and there was no way I would get him.

When I got in the stadium, a couple of us called over to him and he signed everything that people put in front of him (I did a ball and two programs). He couldn't have been nicer and some of the guys that were dogging him before were absolutely dumbfounded. If you have a chance to make it to a Royals game, I would bring your stuff and based on my experience you should get it done.

The toughest living 1984 Tigers?

1. Marty Castillo
He did two or three signings in Michigan, but hasn't done one in over 15 years.
This is from his Wikipedia entry:
"Recent articles in The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press have been published tracking the whereabouts of members of the 1984 Tigers team. In August 2006, the Detroit Free Press reported the following on Castillo: 'Marty Castillo, 49, whereabouts unknown: Teammates are trying to find him. A few years ago, he owned the The Upper Deck in Cape Coral, Fla.'"

2. Chet Lemon
Same as Castillo, he did a few signings, but is in bad health and refuses to fly. I think he has a couple of AAU teams that he coaches in Florida, but hasn't been back to do an appearances in Michigan in quite a while.

Honorable mentions: Ruppert Jones, Johnny Grubb, Larry Herndon, and Rusty Kuntz.

All the other guys have done appearances within the last couple of years.

Last time Castillo was scheduled to do a show, he was s no-show, and word had it he was a deadbeat dad, behind on payments, and caught word that authorities were awaiting him in MI at the airport; so he never boarded the plane. This could have been a rumor, but that is last I heard.

Only other that will NOT come back to MI for a signing is Kuntz. Heard he is a real nice guy, but for whatever reason he refuses, despite several attempts, to return here. Everyone needs him on their 84 projects...

[mbrieve]

Re: Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !

Last time Castillo was scheduled to do a show, he was s no-show, and word had it he was a deadbeat dad, behind on payments, and caught word that authorities were awaiting him in MI at the airport; so he never boarded the plane. This could have been a rumor, but that is last I heard.

Only other that will NOT come back to MI for a signing is Kuntz. Heard he is a real nice guy, but for whatever reason he refuses, despite several attempts, to return here. Everyone needs him on their 84 projects...

Hadn't heard that about Castillo, very interesting. Sounds like a similar scenario to what happens to Ron LeFlore every time he comes back.

Unless you have an oversized item or a bat, I would definitely bring your item to the ballpark this summer when the Royals come to town. You gotta add Kuntz to your piece!

Thanks for the additional info on Marty Castillo.

[xpress34]

Re: Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !



I just had a funny and ironic thought... all of you guys saying Rusty won't come back to Detroit...

He HAS to this year!!! I'm sure the Royals have a series with the Tigers!!!

Unless he 'comes down with something' and takes that road trip off... that would tell you something!!!

- Chris

[skyking26]

Re: Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !

Hadn't heard that about Castillo, very interesting. Sounds like a similar scenario to what happens to Ron LeFlore every time he comes back.

Unless you have an oversized item or a bat, I would definitely bring your item to the ballpark this summer when the Royals come to town. You gotta add Kuntz to your piece!

Thanks for the additional info on Marty Castillo.

Majority of my stuff is oversized. I would not dare take any of my stuff into Comerica. You take your life into your hands if you park far away during daylight let alone bringing anything of value to that place...

The autograph days at Gibraltar, Bruce Mugerian Shows, DC Sports are all distant memories now. Gib. still does them, but they are usually less baseball - and when they do them they are usually the same guys time after time. The finally had HOF'er Jim Bunning signed to do a show in Taylor, and Bunning is actually the Senator of KY and had voted AGAINST the autoworkers in the bailout. And then you are going to fly in here and take these hard working blue collar people's money? Gibraltar evaded disaster and canceled his arrival. That would have been the first HOF sig, or even any sig on my Tiger Stadium litho in years. Some day that piece will be completed... Some day. Players priced themselves out. Areas economically in shambles like Michigan can't provide the big dollar auto's, but that is another topic...

[skyking26]

Re: Hey ya' all ! A Rusty Kuntz bat !

I just had a funny and ironic thought... all of you guys saying Rusty won't come back to Detroit...

He HAS to this year!!! I'm sure the Royals have a series with the Tigers!!!

Unless he 'comes down with something' and takes that road trip off... that would tell you something!!!

- Chris

Chris, email sent with pics...