Back in the late 80s / early 90s, when Frank Robinson was managing the Orioles, I was waiting outside Fenway Park as he arrived for the game. I was the only autograph collector there, probably 5-6 hours before the start of the game.
I had a 1967 Topps #1 card of him, Hank Bauer and Brooks Robinson, and already had the other two sign it, needing only Frank to complete it. When I saw him get out of the cab, I held up the card so he might see what it was, and feel a slight desire to sign it, since the other two already had.
I nicely asked him to sign it, and it went something like this:
Robinson (stopping and looking at the card): Oh, you already got the others to sign it, huh?
Me (a polite 16 year old kid): Yes sir, and I'd appreciate it if you could sign it as well.
Robinson: I'll sign it for you tomorrow.
Me: But this is your last day in Boston.
Robinson: I know! (and walked away into the park)
The Orioles were heading to New York the next day - I would love to know what would've happened if I showed up at Yankee Stadium with that card for him the next day.
What a jerk. There have been times when I've seen him at shows, and had a fleeting thought to pay to have that card completed, but after the way he treated me when I was a kid, I won't give him the satisfaction of earning a penny off of me.
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