Your experiences with HOF'ers

[Exhibitman]

Great Ali story, Mike; that's why he's the greatest. He could be all pissy and self-pitying over his ailment but he's been a joy to his fans for decades instead. It's his personality, just like being a selfish turd was Mantle's personality. I remember seeing Ali at a card show shortly before he was diagnosed. He did not look well at all and was not his usual gregarious self but he stayed and signed as the 'free' guest for hours past his quitting time to make sure everyone got a signature. I remember seeing the ink stains on his white shirt cuffs [he was wearing a suit] and wondering at how much a major celebrity cares about his fans to stay on and keep signing for free like that.

Another guy who impressed me with his caring for fans was Steve Garvey. When he was at the height of his fame here in L.A. I saw him and his family one Sunday morning at a local deli in Woodland Hills. Kids were lined up 20-deep at his table to meet him. His wife was visibly pissed off but he not only signed everything as his eggs sat getting cold, he engaged each kid in conversation, sat them down next to him, etc. Although I was a Dodgers hater at the time [they were playing my beloved Yankees in the W.S. three times in those years] I was really impressed with him.

Another one who's always been good with fans even when he was the biggest star around is Sylvester Stallone. I ran into him a couple of times here in L.A. in the 1980s and he was always polite and nice to his fans and signed whenever he was able. I was so tongue-tied that all I could sputter out was that I'd seen all his movies. He thanked me and signed my autograph for me.