Post pictures of the most illegible baseball autographs from 1990 and earlier

[mschwade]

I like this one... any guesses first as to who it is (IF YOU KNOW WHO IT IS, PLEASE DON'T ANSWER)

[TyrusRCobb]

Originally Posted by mschwade

I like this one... any guesses first as to who it is (IF YOU KNOW WHO IT IS, PLEASE DON'T ANSWER)

I haven't a clue but I like the looks of it.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by mschwade

I like this one... any guesses first as to who it is (IF YOU KNOW WHO IT IS, PLEASE DON'T ANSWER)

Wow! This is another "unusual" one. Is it written in Swahili?

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by mschwade

I like this one... any guesses first as to who it is (IF YOU KNOW WHO IT IS, PLEASE DON'T ANSWER)

Looks like it has some Picasso in there at the end.

[mschwade]

That is an in-person autograph from over the weekend that my buddy got at Yankee Stadium from Tampa Bay Rays 1B/DH Carlos Pena.

[scmavl]

Since this has kind of gotten off topic, here is a modern Torii Hunter card. He's one of the few that actually signs his name nowadays.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Cuddy (Michael Cuddyer) has a great one too. Killebrew yelled at him early, along with Hunter, to sign your name so people can read it, now they have gorgeous signatures.

[scmavl]

Originally Posted by HOF Auto Rookies

Cuddy (Michael Cuddyer) has a great one too. Killebrew yelled at him early, along with Hunter, to sign your name so people can read it, now they have gorgeous signatures.

I heard Killebrew laid it on Mauer too. Not sure if that stuck...

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by scmavl

I heard Killebrew laid it on Mauer too. Not sure if that stuck...

Well I mean Joe's name is so short, he does a "J" and a couple bumps after. Then usually an "Mau"

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by scmavl

I heard Killebrew laid it on Mauer too. Not sure if that stuck...

Killebrew also told Hrbek to sign legibly.... apparently Kent didn't listen (or care.)

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by mschwade

That is an in-person autograph from over the weekend that my buddy got at Yankee Stadium from Tampa Bay Rays 1B/DH Carlos Pena.

I never would have guessed....

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by mschwade

That is an in-person autograph from over the weekend that my buddy got at Yankee Stadium from Tampa Bay Rays 1B/DH Carlos Pena.

Not legible as a name, but this could be the most artistic autograph I have ever seen. Really cool. I want one now!

It must take him 30 seconds to draw that.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by mschwade

That is an in-person autograph from over the weekend that my buddy got at Yankee Stadium from Tampa Bay Rays 1B/DH Carlos Pena.

He can't hit or write.

Some of the newer players take their time but their "work" bears little resemblance to their name. Another example.

[william_9]

I was just browsing through a thread about a Manny Ramirez item and I felt this was a better place to post a minor observation.

While I agree that there are definitely examples of pre-1990 scribbles, mostly executed by guys who I'm sure had rough handwriting to begin with, the vast majority seem legible. On the flip side, I'm constantly amazed at how much worse it continues to get year after year. Especially over the last 10-15 years. One thing that always makes me laugh is that although Joe Jackson was illiterate, when necessary, he would still sign his name with a dignified effort. Granted it probably took some time to execute, but he managed to actually write his name. Manny Ramirez may be illiterate, he may be a genius, who the hell knows, but he's never signed his name the same way twice. With his carefree style, he doesn't even draw the same letters or shapes each time.

Beyond the scribbles, my favorite part of modern autographs are the inscriptions. There, you get a perfectly clear view of the disproportionate amount of time spent "perfecting" one's mark, versus actually learning to write with their hands. Scribble loop for a signature followed by grade school level, block printed d'nealian inscription. It's beyond embarrassing.

That's all. Moving on.

[7nohitter]

When I was 14 in 1990-91 went to many games at Fenway.... Cecil Fielder was one of the most gracious signers ever....he would go from 1st base to 3rd base dugout signing whatever people had...this was at the HEIGHT of his popularity...I got his auto 4 times over those two years and they are BEAUTYS!!!!!!!!!!!! On ball, hat, card and program....all in different places in line...every single one the same!

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by 7nohitter

When I was 14 in 1990-91 went to many games at Fenway.... Cecil Fielder was one of the most gracious signers ever....he would go from 1st base to 3rd base dugout signing whatever people had...this was at the HEIGHT of his popularity...I got his auto 4 times over those two years and they are BEAUTYS!!!!!!!!!!!! On ball, hat, card and program....all in different places in line...every single one the same!

Reminds me of Giambi. Best signer I've experienced. He would sign for 30+ minutes every game for everyone to ensure everyone got an autograph. Loved seeing the player/fan connection. But, his auto is sloppy lol