Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

[loumud]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Roger Clemens.

I volunteered work a United Way golf tornament in Houston back in high school in the early 90s. I didn't know ahead of time that there were going to be some pro athletes there, or I would have come prepared. I soon learned that Roger Clemens and Doug Drabek were there, and I was upset for not having brought anything for them to sign. Later on we were setting up a banquet room for a dinner and silent auction, and I had to run out to my car to grab something. Low and behold Clemens and Drabek were sitting by themselves in a cart off to the side having a beer and laughing with each other. I ran back in and scrambled to find some things for them to sign, and was able to scrounge up a couple of golf balls and 2 index cards with a black sharpie.

I humbly approached the cart with a smile and politely asked if they would be kind enough to autograph my items. Roger's mood noticeably changed, and his face turned beet red. He rolled his eyes and held out his hand to me gesturing for the items. He signed a golf ball and the index card and handing it back to me abruptly. I then asked Doug if he would be kind enough to sign, and he gave me a big smile taking my items and chatting it up with me as he signed. When he was done I thanked both of them for their time and walked off with my prizes. I was amazed at how rude and snobby Roger came off, especially since he was one of my favorite players at the time; and, especialy considering how genuinely nice Doug Drabek was to me in the same setting.

I have run into Roger several times in person since then, and have never witnessed him being nice to fans, unless of course there's a camera around. However, I don't hold anything against him. Sure he and other athletes with unsavory reputations could be a little nicer to fans in person, but I don't take any of it personal. I think if you're going to undertake the hobby of collecting autographs in person you have to grow some thick skin. I've seen players be great one day, and be total jerks the very next day. I guess everyone is entitled to a bad day, it's just that some seem to have more of them then others!

Regardless of how a player reacts to me in person, I am always polite and thank them for their time anyway even if I don't walk away with an autograph. It's the 'thrill of the hunt' that keeps me going. That's reason enough to collect for me!

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Makes me hearken back to the days where you could get a free photo with an athlete.

I've still never paid for an autograph or photo.

This photo was taken 23 years ago this month. Got 3 autographs that day in Apex, NC. Got the original of this print signed in 1990. No charge. Crockett and Tubbs would be proud!


Taken in the Fall of 1985. Got 3 autographs and a photo, no charge.

I'm all growns up now, and don't ask for autographs unless they're on a paycheck.

[frikativ54]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Mr. Feller shakes my hand, signs my book and inscribes his HOF Induction year without being asked. ...I told him I really admired him and was a big fan and he was just a gracious man. If only today's ballplayers were more like Bob Feller!

I find it especially interesting that you mention his signing the inscription "without being asked." Am I the only one who finds it troubling that today's athletes aren't even willing to take the time to put an inscription on a ball, without having to take an extra ten dollars? I love the way the same players who make people personalize everything somehow don't have time for taking pictures. A big reason why I didn't attend the TriStar show in Houston is because athletes are so entitled that they charge a fee for signing, for personalizing, for a picture, et cetera. Makes me hearken back to the days where you could get a free photo with an athlete. Glad you had an awesome experience with Bob Feller.

[stkmtimo]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

I know this is an older thread but I'd like to share a good experience with a true class act - the legendary Bob Feller. I heard Bob was going to be signing at a card show last year near my house so I decided to go see him since I'm a big fan of his and wanted to meet such a legendary player like himself in person.

I get to the show and it's SMALL - there are only about 20 tables set up and not many people getting Mr. Feller's autograph. I wound up paying for the autograph (without inscription) and bring up a copy of his autobiography for him to sign since I already have a signed ball and HOF plaques. Mr. Feller shakes my hand, signs my book and inscribes his HOF Induction year without being asked and I proceed to ask him a question about one of his playing experiences and for about 5 minutes he tells me a story about playing minor league ball as a 16 year old and striking out 18 batters. I told him I really admired him and was a big fan and he was just a gracious man. If only today's ballplayers were more like Bob Feller!

[player_collector]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

This is a good experience, my father took me to a card show when i was younger, probably in 6th grade or so. Lou Brock was signing that day. Of course it cost and we didn't have enough to get it, so we stood on the side and watched him for a little while. As we were standing there, my father was telling me stories about his (Lou's) playing days. We continued on and later we were walking past the area that the players left the stage from. Mr. Brock walked out as we were standing there and my father greeted him. He talked to us for about 15 minutes and introduced himself to me. Although we didn't get an auto (we thought it would be rude), it was nice that he was willing to stop and say hi and even more nice that he actually carried on a conversation with us.

The only bad one that comes to mind is Billy Wagner. We were at a game and people were saying good things to and about him and he wouldn't look at anyone or say anything, he just walked past and stood near the foul line for 10 minutes, doing nothing.

[markize]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

my wife and I were in florida at an event that featured Joe Montana. there were 5 groups of 2 who had vip access, and were to have pictures taken with Montana. after the first 2 groups he started getting aggitated. my wife and I were next in line and heard him say, "I have had about enough of this". he walked away, and went to sit down where the signing was to take place. my wife and I were forced to go around the table, and get the picture while he was sitting down. ok, i guess, but it would have been nice to get it standing up with him as arranged. after about an hour of signing, he got up and walked out. no explanation of anything.....then he came back 20 minutes later.

one of the best was Joe Theisman. he was doing a "motivational speaking" in Harrisburg, PA. after the event, he signed for an hour and a half for everyone that asked. my wife and I waited till last to have a picture of her, and I, and Theisman signed, and inscribed. before he signed, we started talking. I asked him if we could buy him a beer, and he said he was headed back to the hotel. we were disappointed till he said the Hilton where he was staying had a bar. we walked back with him in shock to the bar, and bought him a beer. before we left, he signed our picture, and inscribed it,"To my friends mark, and Kendra......" very cool experience, and very cool guy.

mark

[lambertisgod58]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Best Ever: Jerome Bettis/Jack Lambert/Franco Harris

Worst Ever: Tie between Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swann


I went to a CSA show a few years back. Bradshaw who come off all fun to be around on TV is just the opposite off camera. I had a M & N jersey customized with all his stats. I asked him to inscribe it with SB XIII & XIV MVP. Which I paid for. And the whole time he was there, with me or other fans, all he did is complain about the line not moving fast enough. And Lynn Swann....What a jerk!!! I paid over $100 for him to sign my full size helmet and add his HOF 01. He said "you paid for my signature, nothing else". I would have paid for the inscription but he wasn't offering any.

I was at a show in NJ several years ago. The event for the day was over. My wife and I were going out to dinner. As usual, I was waiting for her. We left and I saw a limo parked outside. I then see about 10-15 kids selling raffle tickerts for little league. I see what appears to be Jerome Bettis get out of the limo. I immediately get out of my vehicle and ask for a pic with him. He said "of course". Didn't hurt I had my Steelers sweatshirt on. Then as I was walking away, the kids asked me who he was. When I told them, they rushed him. He sat there and signed for each and every kid. Jack Lambert, my all time favorite player of any sport. I can't say enough. He isn't the most friendly guy with all the fans but he has been with me. Giving me all sorts of inscriptions which he doesn't always do. And taking pictures with my son. Franco the same thing. Just one of the class acts. I wish they could all be that great!!

[BIGSTIG]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

"Wild Thing" Mitch Williams was trying to avoiding us kids (I was about 8) at a stop light on his and a few other cubs players route home from Wrigley to the local expressway. Wild Thing, Sandberg, Sutcliffe, Grace sometimes Harry Caray and the beautiful ball girl Marla Collins as well would drive down a side street that ran paralel with the main street, but to avoid the 2 lane street Irving Park and having to deal with all the fans every stop light they would use Berteau. We would wait at the stop light Western ave. and if they got stuck at the light most of the time they would all sign. EXEPT...Wild Thing

One day he wanted to avoid us so bad, the car in front of him had to stop at the light because it turned yellow, then red...but not Mitch. Driving his BIG pick-up truck he swirved around the car in front of him up onto the sidewalk and right over our skateboard ramp. I don't even think he flinched, just sped up and went right through the red light. A real winner...yah right!!

[hblakewolf]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Howard, I still have that helmet I bought from you..............

I often think about what could have been, if he had ventured into the stands. Although I'd need a wheel chair, I'd be living large from the personal injury award.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@comcast.net

[geoff]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Hunter Pence was a nice guy when he came to play the Orioles in June 2008.He signed for almost everyone outside but he personalized the Balls he signed for me and my GirlFriend.He was talking to us outside also.He even had to hold back Mike Bourn and Rggie Abercrombie from fighting some guy outside because Bourn and Abercrombie would not sign and that guy said a bad remark to Both.Pence Ran after the 2 Ballplayers and grabbed them both before something bad would have happened.Never seen something like that before with Ballplayers.Hunter would not take pics though.

Carlos Lee was not that nice at all to me.He saw me take a pic of him and would not sign my Ball but signed for every single person except me.

[tigerdale]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Forum Readers-

Yankwood made a post about his terrible experience with Nettles which has me thinking.........

WHAT'S YOUR WORST EXPEREINCE WITH AN ATLETE RELATED TO GAME USED EQUIPMENT?

It may relate to you trying to get an item autographed, asking a player if he remembers using your item, etc.

Personally, I had an experience back in the mid 1990's with Kirk Gibson that I'll never forget.

While living in Seattle at the time, I went to the Mariners/Tigers game in the old Kingdome. I had Gibson’s mid 1980's Tigers game worn helmet with me in hopes of having him sign it. Upon entering the Dome during the Tigers BP, I spotted Gibson near the first base line. When I called him over, I asked him to sign his helmet. He asked where I got it, and I explained it was obtained from a friend in Detroit and provided the name (this person used to drive a limo and in exchange for $$$, Gibson would pilfer game used equipment). I said it was from "our mutual friend XXX". Gibson then became upset, and said “XXXX is no FxxxIN' friend, he's and acquaintance" and walked down towards the dugout. I then positioned my self behind the dugout, and when he came out with his bat for BP, I again asked if he could sign it. He looked up, and screamed, "Where the FxxK did you get the helmet?" I again told him from our friend in Detroit. At this point, quite a few of the Tigers heard this confrontation and gathered around the dugout to hear this exchange. Gibson continued and said, "That Mother FuXXXr was stolen.....is it cracked?.....is cracked????". I told hi it was not, and he continued, "......I would have never have given away an uncracked helmet. I'll tell you what, I'll tell you what......I'm going to watch where you sit tonight and if I break my helmet, I'm comin up there and getting yours". I told him it was not stolen, and I would swap him even up for the BP jersey he was wearing. Likewise, I told him that he used to pilfer a lot of game used equipment in exchange for limo service and at this point he began to walk towards the camera pit on the left side of the dugout and climb into the stands, all the while screaming at me "FucX you you mother FXXXXr". As he took his final step into the stands and in my direction, coach Dick Trasuski grabbed him and screamed "You don't talk to fans like that". Then Gibson broke loose, and walked into the outfield.

Needless to say, Kingdome security and the Seattle Police came down to take a report and get my thoughts on the incident.

Following this incident, I immediately sold the helmet (unautographed!) and never, to this day, forgot my encounter with the great Kirk Gibson.

Howard Wolf
hblkakewolf@patmedia.net

Howard, I still have that helmet I bought from you..............

[orioles03]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Reggie Jackson is a complete ass. I went to a show last year to have him sign a print, paid I think it was 100 bucks for his signature and inscription. I drove 4 hours to get to the signing each way. Reggie showed up 2 hours after he was to start signing for the public (although he was in the building, he was upstairs doing the mail in items and watching tv). He doesn't give a darn about the fans. Anyways, he comes and sits down 2 hours late and starts signing. I get up to meet the guy, doesn't even look up. I hand him a silver sharpie to use to sign my photo, and asked him if he would please use it and not the paint pen that he had been signing with. He then says "what you think this is the first autograph I ever signed?" I said no, but I would really appreciate if you could use my silver sharpie and not the paint pen. The jerk starts to sign his name with the paint pen and half way into signing Mr. October the paint pen goes dry. Exactly what I figured would happen. He gives me the photo back and I tell him congratulations on living up to his reputation for being an asshole (pardon my language). On another note, Melky Cabera and Robinson Cano were at the signing and are both very friendly. I asked Cano for an inscription and his agent said NO WAY, Cano didn't listen to him and signed the inscription anyway. He also took photos with everyone. One of the best guys of all time is Mariano Rivera. Signs a perfect signature for every time. He is a shy guy but a very great guy and loves his fans.

reggie has to be one of my favorites in 2006 the last series the o's played the yankees reggie came to baltimore some of the o's wanted his autograph i got two dozen baseballs went over asked him to sign them he did he asked who they were for i told him he asked what about you ? i told him i did not have any he went in the ball room got three baseballs and signed them for me.when bp statrd he was helping me with the bucket in center field i got to talk to him the whole bp and play catch withhim he told me how he loves camden yards and how he would love to hit therehe signed every ball perfect he also signed a ball for my moms friend who is a fireman and is battling cancer he signed the ball to him and wrote get better soon and signed hof reggie has to be one of the best i have met.

[BMH]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

Reggie Jackson is a complete ass. I went to a show last year to have him sign a print, paid I think it was 100 bucks for his signature and inscription. I drove 4 hours to get to the signing each way. Reggie showed up 2 hours after he was to start signing for the public (although he was in the building, he was upstairs doing the mail in items and watching tv). He doesn't give a darn about the fans. Anyways, he comes and sits down 2 hours late and starts signing. I get up to meet the guy, doesn't even look up. I hand him a silver sharpie to use to sign my photo, and asked him if he would please use it and not the paint pen that he had been signing with. He then says "what you think this is the first autograph I ever signed?" I said no, but I would really appreciate if you could use my silver sharpie and not the paint pen. The jerk starts to sign his name with the paint pen and half way into signing Mr. October the paint pen goes dry. Exactly what I figured would happen. He gives me the photo back and I tell him congratulations on living up to his reputation for being an asshole (pardon my language). On another note, Melky Cabera and Robinson Cano were at the signing and are both very friendly. I asked Cano for an inscription and his agent said NO WAY, Cano didn't listen to him and signed the inscription anyway. He also took photos with everyone. One of the best guys of all time is Mariano Rivera. Signs a perfect signature for every time. He is a shy guy but a very great guy and loves his fans.

Rivera is a trooper and a great sport. I've worked Fanfest for the past 5yrs and met Mariano at the All-Star Gala in Houston. There were signs everywhere not to ask any of the players for pictures or autographs. He's sitting at the table next to us eating with his family and a lot of people start coming up asking for pictures and autographs. The guy gets up with his daughter in his arms and starts signing and taking pictures. His wife and his parents look like they are about to lose it. After 10 minutes of this Gala staff finally come up and get everyone away from him. He sits down still holding his daughter and goes back to eating...way too nice of a guy.

[frikativ54]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

John Stockton. I was 9 or 10 years old and my parents took me to a dream team game in Utah. I was all by myself at their hotel and was waiting for the team to leave. I saw stockton walking to his car and ran over to him with a pen and notepad. He completly ignored me and told me he wasnt signing anything, I was even wearing his jersey. Then I met Grant Hill and he was so awesome, even asked me if I wanted one of the bananas he was carrying! Coach Lenny Wilkins was also very nice.

Sweet experience with Grant Hill! Guess I know whose jersey you decided to wear from that day forward.

[crose]

Re: Your Worst Experience Dealing With An Athlete

John Stockton. I was 9 or 10 years old and my parents took me to a dream team game in Utah. I was all by myself at their hotel and was waiting for the team to leave. I saw stockton walking to his car and ran over to him with a pen and notepad. He completly ignored me and told me he wasnt signing anything, I was even wearing his jersey. Then I met Grant Hill and he was so awesome, even asked me if I wanted one of the bananas he was carrying! Coach Lenny Wilkins was also very nice.