September pickups

[David Atkatz]

And, don't forget, Mantle could sign his name so that you could read it.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

And, don't forget, Mantle could sign his name so that you could read it.

Not arguing that, but when grown men are literally climbing over people (specifically kids) to get his autograph, I can see why there is a rush for him to sign a few and get out of there.

[David Atkatz]

And you don't think that was happening with Mantle, too?

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

And you don't think that was happening with Mantle, too?

No I don't. Was a different time then. I highly doubt autograph hounds were shoving kids around to get his autograph, so no.

I wasn't around in the 50's or 60's, but that's my opinion.

[Runscott]

I don't think that major league baseball players quit signing legibly because of volume. I think it has more to do with looking 'cool'.

David, please correct me or elaborate, but my understanding is that while Mantle's signature was always nice and legible, it changed a lot over the years as he tried to come up with something that had more flare to it. Perhaps 'cool' in Mantle's day still required readability, but it no longer does.

[David Atkatz]

It did change a lot, but it was basically only the "Ms" that he played with. I agree with your idea of "coolness." (That, and the fact that kids aren't taught to write anymore. And very little of anything else, for that matter.)

[chaddurbin]

i don't think anyone associate "cool" with having a chicken scratch signature. they're just lazy and don't put in the effort.

felix hernandez has a "cool" auto:

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

It did change a lot, but it was basically only the "Ms" that he played with. I agree with your idea of "coolness." (That, and the fact that kids aren't taught to write anymore. And very little of anything else, for that matter.)

I would add that the domination of the tech world (computers, tablets, smartphones) has eliminated the repetition of actually having to physically "write" anything.

I've often mused over how bad my own penmanship has become over time. I believe that the decay in quality is due to not actually "writing" anything anymore.

If you're a young athlete born in the computer age, to David's point, they probably have never been taught, or ever practiced, writing with good penmanship. Both of my kids are academically smart, but both share poor penmanship, IMHO.

[Maddog]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

It did change a lot, but it was basically only the "Ms" that he played with. I agree with your idea of "coolness." (That, and the fact that kids aren't taught to write anymore. And very little of anything else, for that matter.)

Except playing video games and programing our electronic devices
I know I bother my son at least twice a week about my damn phone