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Posted By: Bob

We have all at some point run into some celebrity at a card show. They were a lot of fun and an affordable way to meet a star athlete. What has happened since as far as greed goes is something that I can't even explain. In the old days, a big star would sign for $20 and they would actually sell out some 800 tickets, like Rose. If Rose did a show, he would probably sell out at $20, but when you start charging $60,70 and up for a signature (more for extras and premium items), you see a small crowd and maybe 30 signatures will be sold with much of their time being spent behind the curtains signing for other companies through private deals. I once saw Phil Simms sign at $85 a pop and he must have signed 20 signatures. He's like a $15 autograph, tops...not even a Hall Of Famer who is cordial when met and signs via the mail.

My least favorite person on earth is in fact Willie Mays, but Warren Spahn is second. When he's the charming man, he's an act. The three times I met him, he was obnoxious and surly and he did have a few pops in him. He was at a charity dinner and he at one point screamed "if you have a (another word for penis), I'm not signing for you anymore! I have had it! Women only!"

Like everything great (especially the joy I had in collecting current cards) in the 1980's, great things are always ruined by greed and when I see autograph lineups, I can do what many do and laugh and ignore the idea of getting something signed at that price.

Robert