[theshleps]

The only time I met Griffey was at mariners spring training. He was visiting maybe 3 years ago. He stood next to us outside one of the fields for about 30 minutes and talked about every subject you could think of, especially his kids. There were emaybe 50 of us graphers there anxiously awaiting him to sign and he knew it. After literally 30 minutes someone asked him to sign and he grabbed their item and signed it and also a konami card I had of his. Then he walked away. I have seen Frank Robinson do the same- talk to people for long periods and then not sign or sign very limited. Ball players think we all are going to flip the autographs. Even when you hand him a card with virtually no value they think so. They do not know how to differentiate fan from dealer. I know lots of players personally and they all tell me the same. After over 10 years I have chosen to give up in person graphing at fall league and spring training. Too many dealers and often they bring small kids as players will sign for the kids. The kids often are rude and push us away. Some dealers are nice but all of us old timers agree it isn't fun like it used to be. Players as a generalization are more jaded or egotistical too tho many are still nice. Once Bryce Harper at JUCO ignored me 3x in one day when we were one on one and he was still in college, incidents like that make me lose my desire. My son and I are chiropractors and work on some mlb players and we have a great reputation for rehabbing them and increasing performance. When I go to autograph I look more like a cross between a fan and a homeless guy. When players want me to treat them- if they are players that treat fans poorly- I turn them down as I don't want to help those guys. Have enough others who are nice that I can help.