I wanted a different type of autographed baseball collection, so I would ask HOF'ers (and other players) to sign their full name (first, middle and last). I would always make sure I knew their middle name so they knew I had done some research.
I met Joe D. at the San Francisco National in 1989. He was a little more mello in those days, but still on guard. I asked him to sign "Joseph Paul DiMaggio." He stared at me for a minute and then signed my ball. He handed it to me and said, "that's the way I sign my checks". He had signed it "Jos. P. DiMaggio." I was ok with that.
Willie Stargell was surprised when I asked him to sign "Wilver Dornel Stargell." But he did.
I asked Bob Gibson if he would sign his full name. He looked at me and said "you want me to sign Bob Gibson?" I said "no, I'd appreciate your signing it "Robert Gibson." He just looked at me and said "no."
The old-timers; Feller, Lemon, Appling, Doby and so many others, were always friendly, happy to be remembered and provided a clear, legible signature.
I have a poster with 54 multi-colored baseballs on it and had each ball signed by a Hall of Famer as I traveled with it from show to show. So I have many memories of meetings with the greats of the game.
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