You mention MLB specifically so I will play. I had the rare opportunity to spend many hours with many HOFers back in the 80's and early 90's when signings were still reasonably priced and many of the guys were still alive.
Someone mentioned Brooks Robinson. I have to admit that Brooks was a tie with Buck O'Neil for the two nicest baseball guys I ever met. Buck was truly a sincere gentleman and just like you may have seen in the Ken Burns series. Unbelievable stories that I just ate up.
Worst MLBer was without a doubt Willie Mays. A complete jerk. Joe DiMaggio was also completely disgusted with having to sit and sign for people. I am a big Yankees fan and it really disappointed me with DiMagggio.
If you step outside of baseball, Muhammed Ali was a gentleman as was Gordie Howe, although Gordie would know exactly how many items were signed and if you owed him an extra dollar.
Other really good stories came from Warren Spahn and many of those stars of the 50's. Great times that I will always remember. The best part about it is that at the time, just about every player would sign anything, with any inscription, without thinking twice. Sometimes they would sign an extra just because they felt like it.
I have not paid for an autograph in many, many years. Hard to pay $50 or more for something I got so many times for $5.
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