Willie Mays Conspiracy Theory

[isaac2004]

Originally Posted by jimjim

I have had this thought for some time, but never asked for opinions and maybe you guys have the answer.

I find it odd that the Willie Mays in-person autos I have seen from recent card shows are sloppy and not aligned (which makes sense since he is almost blind), and the autos authenticated by Say Hey always look perfect and sell for a fraction of his in-person prices.

Has anybody ever seen him sign for Say Hey? Is that really his company?

Just wondering...

I would not be shocked if they had 1000s of balls he signed years ago in a warehouse waiting to be put in the market. When he ultimately cannot sign anymore, you will see way more of them

[joed25]

I have seen a number of Willie Mays baseballs with say hey holograms that are fakes.

[jimjim]

Originally Posted by joed25

I have seen a number of Willie Mays baseballs with say hey holograms that are fakes.

Can you please explain?

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by jimjim

Can you please explain?

There are also a ton of Jeter forgeries with Steiner holograms and the sellers NEVER have the Steiner cert card.

[jimjim]

I wonder if that is why Steiner has changed their hologram sticker that now has a serial number on it.

[RichardSimon]

Reading the thread on the other site the one thing I find most amusing/interesting is that these questionable Willie Mays autographs originate in Florida. What an amazing coincidence.
What once was the Sunshine State is now the state with a VERY dark cloud over it, for multiple reasons.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

Reading the thread on the other site the one thing I find most amusing/interesting is that these questionable Willie Mays autographs originate in Florida. What an amazing coincidence.
What once was the Sunshine State is now the state with a VERY dark cloud over it, for multiple reasons.

+100

All of that GFA-certed crap (both the machine-produced and hand-penned forgeries) originate from Florida.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

There are also a ton of Jeter forgeries with Steiner holograms and the sellers NEVER have the Steiner cert card.

AH, a whole new branch of the industry has opened up. The hologram forger.
How nice of them to share their skills with the rest of us.
I am waiting for an auction on ebay to appear offering these holograms.
"Create your own fakes, Opening Bid $9.99."

[cubsfan-budman]

Originally Posted by isaac2004

I would not be shocked if they had 1000s of balls he signed years ago in a warehouse waiting to be put in the market. When he ultimately cannot sign anymore, you will see way more of them

Musial has a similar "warehouse" full of his autos.

[jimjim]

Originally Posted by cubsfan-budman

Musial has a similar "warehouse" full of his autos.

I am not so sure about that. If you look at the quality of the signatures that are coming out of St. Louis, they look like they have been recently signed. If they had a warehouse of items that were signed prior to his illness, then why aren't we seeing any of them? I am sure there are some items that are in back stock, but most of the autographed baseballs that are now being sold have barely legible signatures indicating they were signed recently.

[cubsfan-budman]

I hear what you're saying...but I know for sure that there are "Stan the Man" hologram'd items that Musial has in storage that are for sale as well.

[jgmp123]

Originally Posted by cubsfan-budman

I hear what you're saying...but I know for sure that there are "Stan the Man" hologram'd items that Musial has in storage that are for sale as well.

You mean that Musial's kids have in storage....

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by jimjim

I am not so sure about that. If you look at the quality of the signatures that are coming out of St. Louis, they look like they have been recently signed. If they had a warehouse of items that were signed prior to his illness, then why aren't we seeing any of them? I am sure there are some items that are in back stock, but most of the autographed baseballs that are now being sold have barely legible signatures indicating they were signed recently.

The latest Stan sigs I saw from Steiner were quite sad.

That said, I suppose they may have stockpiled a family inventory that has not been released. Joe DiMaggio signed a ton of items that were expressly for the purpose of release after his death.

[isaac2004]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

The latest Stan sigs I saw from Steiner were quite sad.

That said, I suppose they may have stockpiled a family inventory that has not been released. Joe DiMaggio signed a ton of items that were expressly for the purpose of release after his death.

I could not imagine how sad that conversation probably went. Happened to Williams too, when will people step in and stop these families from abusing elderly legends for their valuable signatures, even to the point to make them sign all day knowing that the item will be worth more after the player passes.

Makes me sick

[sylbry]

Originally Posted by isaac2004

I could not imagine how sad that conversation probably went. Happened to Williams too, when will people step in and stop these families from abusing elderly legends for their valuable signatures, even to the point to make them sign all day knowing that the item will be worth more after the player passes.

Makes me sick

Player's kid: Hey dad. I bought 2,000 baseballs. Can you spend some time and sign these over the next few weeks.

Player: Why do you need me to sign 2,000 baseballs?

Player's kid: To sell, of course.

Player: How about I sign 50? When you sell those I will sign 50 more. Seems to make more sense that way.

Player's kid: I don't mean sell now. I figured I will wait until your dead then I can charge more. Don't want to miss out on that golden opportunity.

[cubsfan-budman]

I'm not a father, but I can imagine a situation where the parent wants to do something so that their kids have a nest egg or whatever after their death.

Some people buy life insurance, some people sign baseballs.

Maybe there's been some news story about the Musial kids or the Mays kids being greedy...I don't know.

I do know that Bobby Doerr still signs and he's the oldest HOFer out there...and he does it for free. Maybe it reminds him of the "good ol' days".

Too hard to know to pass too much judgement.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by isaac2004

I could not imagine how sad that conversation probably went. Happened to Williams too, when will people step in and stop these families from abusing elderly legends for their valuable signatures, even to the point to make them sign all day knowing that the item will be worth more after the player passes.

Makes me sick

Well, with DiMaggio it was all HIM! It appears he took great pride in knowing the big bucks things would go for after his passing.

Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life goes into great detail about Joe D's autograph deals. A fascinating read.

[baseball111]

Having a ball he signed years ago and selling them more recently is the only way I would believe they were authentic. How can you go from a flawless sig to a sloppy inscription?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Willie-Mays-...item1c249e7fba

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by isaac2004

I could not imagine how sad that conversation probably went. Happened to Williams too, when will people step in and stop these families from abusing elderly legends for their valuable signatures, even to the point to make them sign all day knowing that the item will be worth more after the player passes.

Makes me sick

Death part of life...even funeral parlors guilt widows to buy the luxury coffin and charge for many other extras..

[Baseball Fan]

I attached my Willie Mays with his hologram and a PSA sticker. Always just assumed it was real but due to this thread maybe not. Just thought I'd contribute this as another example for people to decide if they think these are fake.