My dad signed baseball

[thenavarro]

Got a piece that means more to me than my Babe Ruths, Thomas Jeffersons, Cobbs, etc

On June 26, my dad suffered a heart attack. It's been an incredibly rough road for him since then. He has coded twice, has kidney failure as well, but he continues to fight. He is still hospitalized and has bad days and some days that are better than others. I go up to his room and watch football games with him. Sometimes he knows what is going on and sometimes he doesn't. During one of his lucid days a few weeks back, I had him sign a baseball for me. I had asked Steve Grad before I had it done if he'd encapsulate it for me to match the rest of my signed ball collection. Steve hooked me up, comped it out, and I picked it up yesterday from Beckett. (I work about a mile from them, and before the TPA bashers start in about how can they authenticate that, I took photos while at the hospital)

Jessie Navarro, Gem Mint Dad

[LuckyLuke]

When you put everything in perspective and ask the question, "who are our heroes and role models in our lives", i think that the answer should be obvious to most of us! The obvious however is not always easy to see!!

You have inspired me to have my mom sign a baseball for me, she is also in ill health and her days are numbered!! Will also have my dad sign one! They can sit right beside my Ruth, Gehrig, Cobb, Wagner, etc..

Thank you for the life lesson, it is very much appreciated!!

Lucky.

[LuckyLuke]

Follow up question to my last post, just because i don't seek autographs from today's ball players. The best writing utensil to use would be a Sharpie FINE pen? Doesn't the marker bleed over time?

Thank you.

[thenavarro]

Originally Posted by LuckyLuke

Follow up question to my last post, just because i don't seek autographs from today's ball players. The best writing utensil to use would be a Sharpie FINE pen? Doesn't the marker bleed over time?

Thank you.

Implement of choice would be a cheap bic blue ballpoint. However, my dad can't put the necessary pressure on a ballpoint to make a sig. Therefore, i had him use a brand new sharpie.

[LuckyLuke]

Thank you!!

[Bpm0014]

Awesome!

[yanksfan09]

Nice

[Klrdds]

Mike I had my dad do the same thing for me about 10 years ago and I have it mounted in a plastic ball cube on a stand with a baseball card of him we got at a fan fest together . It means the world to me especially since he passed away last year .
I hope your dad continues to fight and gets better soon !
PS I have had my younger son sign and inscribe his home run baseballs ( only the ones that go out over the fence ) for me also .

[thetruthisoutthere]

Kudos to BAS for the accommodation.

[Bestdj777]

That's phenomenal. Congrats on the awesome father and the great addition to your collection. One of my treasures pieces is a card my grandfather found, carried around in his wallet, and then gifted me. The rest of my stuff is replaceable but those memories are pricessless.

Love the encapsulation too.

[RichardSimon]

Nice going Mike.
Good luck to your dad.

[vthobby]

Thank you Mike for sharing that story on Thanksgiving! Very cool. Football games have a great therapeutic effect. Prayers are with your dad. Take care.

Mike

[JollyElm]

What a great story!!!!!! Good luck to your dad!!!!!!

[sicollector1954]

A very cool thing to do! Thanks for sharing.
I in fact did something similar in 2008. I ran across a couple of negatives that were for sale on Ebay of factory baseball in the city where I live. One looked eerily similar to my father---the other was a team photo. I took a chance and bought them both. To my surprise and happiness, it was in fact him and he was also in the team photo as well...the negatives turned out to be from 1947....a few years before I was ever thought of.

In 2009 at age 87, I had him signed the 8X10 photo of himself and shortly thereafter, he passed away. I treasure this picture and it proudly hangs on the wall in my memorabilia room right next to other baseball items I have displayed.

I also remember the story he told me growing up and how he was so proud that he once got a single off of Eddie Feigner (King and his Court). On the very next pitch he told me how "The King" went behind his back to first base and promptly picked off my father who had just taken a lead off the bag. LOL

Someday my daughter will get it and I hope she will cherish it as well. Thanks.

[csotus]

a very nice way to honor your father with something that obviously means a lot to you. I have a coin collection of the birthdates of my grandfathers going back to the 1700s. Most of them are low condition but similar to yours, its worth everything to me.

Thanks for sharing.

[roarfrom34]

Nice job Mike! About 25-30 years ago a dealer friend of mine told me he had his father sign a ball & suggested I do the same. Unfortunately, I never took his advice & regret it to this day (my father passed away in 1996).....

[GrayGhost]

This is another reason that I'm hobby is so great! What a way to honor someone special in your life. And Steve grad and Beckett deserve a lot of praise too. I think this is phenomenal and I only wish I had one of my dad who had a very unique signature too. God bless!

[thenavarro]

Thanks y'all. One day he will walk out of that hospital.

Slcollector, really cool photo.


Mike

[rjackson44]

God bless I have a bat signed by my dad dates too . With a ton ..of family members never will part with it..

[JoeDfan]

That is a great story. Best wishes for your dad to get well.

[mcgwirecom]

I had my dad sign a ball back in the 90's. He passed in 2010 and my nephew (his grandson) is the only grandson in the family so I gave it to him for Christmas one year and told him to get his dad to sign it also.

I also remember a guy I worked with had a couple softballs that he would have someone who was retiring sign. He had quite a few signatures (took up two balls)

[rsn1661]

That is pretty cool! Wish I had thought of that before my parents passed.

[parker1b2]

That is great!! Best wishes to your dad.

[MVSNYC]

Mike- all the best to your dad.

I had my dad sign two balls about 8 years ago...he passed away 2 years ago. I love them. Here's one...

[Mr. Zipper]

A moving and powerful thread. This is what I would classify as "the best of the Internet."

Thoughts and prayers for all the family members who are fighting health issues.

[Buythatcard]

I don't usually come over to the autograph forum but I am glad that I did. This was a great post and a great idea.

I wish I did the same thing before my dad passed away.

[EYECOLLECTVINTAGE]

So amazing. I really think it's a great idea and wish you all the best!

[alifaxwa2]

Making the rounds on Twitter thanks to Mr. Zipper.
https://twitter.com/stevezarelli/sta...24713727758336

[Lordstan]

I wish I had done that with my dad. I even have a picture of him around HS age to have had him sign. ah well. missed opportunity

[cubman1941]

What a great story and I pray your father gets better and walks out soon and comes home. I never thought of doing this when my father was alive but then I wasn't into collecting back then. I am doing a similar thing with my grandkids. I have a baseball that I have had each of them sign. I need the 4 year old to get old enough to sign and then I will have all of them. I would like to be around another 7 years or so and have my two great grand children be able to sign it as well

[GrayGhost]

Echo everyone sentiments. I don't have a signed ball of my dad but I have a couple of old cards that he sent me someplace. He had a very unique signature and I may do a cut and try to print off an old photo I have on my phone just to have a framed item.

God bless all our father Both living and deceased. ❤️

[thenavarro]

My dad passed away at 10:54 pm tonight. We were all there, looked very peaceful. Kinda numb right now.

[Lordstan]

Originally Posted by thenavarro

My dad passed away at 10:54 pm tonight. We were all there, looked very peaceful. Kinda numb right now.

Mike,
You and your family have my sincerest condolences for your loss. I lost my father back in 1995, so I can definitely empathize with your emotions right now. It just sucks.
I hope you all find peace,
Mark

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[JollyElm]

That's terrible, Mike. I am so sorry. Please hang in there.

[daves_resale_shop]

Very sorry for your loss Mike.

Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers

[Scott Garner]

Hi Mike,
I'm sorry to hear of your Dad's passing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by thenavarro

My dad passed away at 10:54 pm tonight. We were all there, looked very peaceful. Kinda numb right now.

Very sad to hear this, Mike. May your Dad Rest in Peace. Be glad you had so much time with him and cherish the memories. Thoughts and prayers to your family at this difficult time.

[Mr. Zipper]

My condolences, Mike. I am very sorry for your loss and will hold you and your family in my prayers.

[Bestdj777]

I am so sorry Mike.

[Bpm0014]

So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

[Big Six]

My sincere condolences Mike...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[whitehse]

I am so sorry for your loss Mike. As my dad said to me hours before he passed away......"you have my memories.....Dont be sad". I have clung to that simple yet profound statement every day since.

You an your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

[horzverti]

Hi Mike,
I am so sorry to read that your a Dad has passed and my condolences to you and your family. Hang in there friend.
Curt

[texmrsport]

So sorry for your loss. Peace to you and your family. Great memories will help you get through the rough days.

[roarfrom34]

Mike

May the memories of your father help ease your pain during this time of sorrow.

My condolences to you & your family.

Bill

[thenavarro]

Thanks y'all.

Have made my dad the position of honor in my autograph display now