Looking for Mays and Aaron signings

[bigtrain]

Pete Rose signs in Cooperstown every year. He used to be a real jerk but now can be very accommodating especially with kids. My worst experience was with Bench. He is a real jackass. My brother and nephew were with me. He actually insulted an eight year old kid. It is no exaggeration to say that I restrained my brother from punching him out.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by bigtrain

Pete Rose signs in Cooperstown every year. He used to be a real jerk but now can be very accommodating especially with kids. My worst experience was with Bench. He is a real jackass. My brother and nephew were with me. He actually insulted an eight year old kid. It is no exaggeration to say that I restrained my brother from punching him out.

Tom - maybe you can take some solace in this:
years ago Johnny Bench was shilling for Home Shopping and he would actually get on TV and say "here is my autograph, it is worth $xxxxx but you can buy it here and now for only $xx." The NYC Dept of Consumer Affairs opened an investigation into Home Shopping and fined Bench $5000 for his lies.
Home Shopping was also fined.

[travrosty]

mays worst, bert blyleven very nice.

[bigtrain]

Richard, Thanks for the information. That made my day.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by bigtrain

Richard, Thanks for the information. That made my day.

Happy to do it, be sure to tell your brother .

[Deertick]

Best: Ashburn, Kniekro, Dykstra, Spahn, Stargell
Worst: Shilling, Luzinski, Allen, and (alas) Schmidt.

[RichardSimon]

Been a while since I have done shows (promoters used to give free autographs to table holders in the good old days) but Brooks Robinson and Lefty Gomez were the best show guests that I saw.
I used to take Polaroid photos of my son with the guests and when he posed with Brooks I took one shot. Brooks got up from his seat came out to the front of the table where my son was standing and said to me "take another one, so you get a good one." A real class act.
Lefty insisted that my son (who was about 7 at the time) come behind the table and sit on his lap for the picture. A really great gesture.

[GoldenAge50s]

I have a 1941 Yankee ball thread that has a Lefty Gomez pictured. Would you take a look & see if you think it's authentic or "clubhouse"?

The ball also has Arthur Fletcher on it, which in your latest Sales list you state as RARE. Do you consider any of the other listed sigs as scarce or rare, such as Red Branch or Charlie Stanceau?

I appreciate any comments you may have--Thank You!

[dwr11]

Originally Posted by travrosty

mays worst, bert blyleven very nice.

I agree with Mays being the worst. Blyleven use to be very cool until he made the HOF. Since he made the HOF it is all about the dollar.

I would say best are:
Killebrew
Feller
Banks
B Robinson
Kiner
Gomez
Josh Hamilton

The two worst by far for me were:
Mays
Bench

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by dwr11

I agree with Mays being the worst. Blyleven use to be very cool until he made the HOF. Since he made the HOF it is all about the dollar.

I would say best are:
Killebrew
Feller
Banks
B Robinson
Kiner
Gomez
Josh Hamilton

The two worst by far for me were:
Mays
Bench

I have heard so many bad experiences with Bench but I have to share a good one.

Wrigley Field, 1972 (or so) and a nine year old kid is standing right next to the visitors dugout during batting practice, baseball in hand and begging for anyone to sign his baseball. Bench was coming towards the dugout after finishing his swings in the cage and a large crowd suddenly engulfs the nine year old child as they all swarm in an attempt to get an autograph from Mr. Bench. Mr. Bench sees the kid being squished by the crowd but still wide eyed at literally being face to face with one of the stars of the Major Leagues at that time. Mr. bench takes the kids baseball, signs a beautiful signature, hands it back to the kid and disappears into the dugout, ignoring all the other screaming fans.

Yeah, that little kid was me and even though I have heard the terrible stories of this guy over the years I just remember back to that sunny summer day and remember that at least once in his life, Johnny Bench wasnt all about himself and the money his autograph commands.

I have seen him at numerous shows over the years and have wanted to show him the ball and share my story but I know he would just stare at me like Tommy Lee Jones and say....... "So"?