Posted By:
DJBlack Sox, I respect you tremendously as noted in an e-mail I sent you but this thread must have hit a nerve with you of some sorts. Some collectors enjoy being treated nicely by their baseball heroes at card shows.
I had an almost identical story as the one above with Hank Aaron in New Jersey in 1994. Mine was more cruel because after following a regular signing (where he refused to write 755 on my inscription ball with a scoff), you went into this other room where Hammering Hank signed bats for $100 a piece (and bats only). This time, Aaron was as cordial as can be. I guess I had to pay $82 extra dollars to get my timber signed and get a cordial home run king.
Just think about it this way: You have 800 people that want to meet you. They pay hard earned money to spend ten seconds with someone they enjoy and idolize. The athlete will get $$$ and the adoration of the public. Why does Bob Gibson, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron have to behave in this anti-social manner? Why can't they simply be nice, polite, willing, take a photo, answer a question or two. Why do they act like I'm interrupting their dinner?
Sorry, I don't get it. If you don't want adoration or money...STAY HOME! Do a private signing so you don't have to meet the public and you can be your miserable self all in some hotel room.
DJ