[Archive]

Posted By: Jerry Spillman

It appears that Willie Mays' personality has not changed over the years. While getting Willie's autograph the fan asked him if his wife could take their picture. The fan was quite disappointed that Willie paid no attention to his request. This was at the Armenian Church Baseball Card Show in Manhattan about 1980.


I do not collect autographs. The only time I ever waited on an autograph line was by happenstance in 1982 (Aaron & Chandler HOF induction) in the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown NY. The line lead to the hotel patio where about a dozen or so HOF members were seated at three separate tables giving autographs. Unprepared, I just grabbed a piece of hotel stationery for the signatures. Stan Musial did not sit at any of the tables; instead he walk along and signed for those that were waiting in line.


Warren Spahn was a gracious autograph signer. He would also come up to the hotel hospitality room during the (Plymouth, MI) baseball card show to chat.


Here are a few pictures of an autograph session at the NSCC in Cleveland in 1997.