Who's the earliest HOF you met in person?

[packs]

I remember in the early 90s I was at a Gloria Rothstein show with my dad and Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio were all signing at the same show. We didn't get any autographs, but my dad talked the attendant into letting us into the room for a minute so we could see them.

I was maybe 9 or 10 at the time.

[Beatles Guy]

Mantle and Whitey in 1987.

[rats60]

Hubbell, Gehringer and DiMaggio

[John V]

On 2 or 3 occasions, in the mid-60s we would wait for Roberto Clemente to exit from the Forbes Field press gate after a game. We would walk with him to his car parked at an Atlantic gas station a block or so away.

[PMSeevers]

Mickey Mantle. He was at a signing somewhere in Cincy. My grandpa took me and we got a ball signed. Still have it. I was nine at the time and can still remember the size of his hands when he shook mine. Great memories and great thread!

[btcarfagno]

Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Willie Mays, Bob Feller would be the older ones. Mel Allen as well.

I struck out Craig Biggio when he was in college and I was in high school. Their field over at Seton Hall had been deluged by rain that night and they used the field that our town team (in South Orange) used as a backup. We were practicing and they came in and we broke out into a scrimmage. I struck out Biggio before Mo Vaughn hit a ball so hard off me that I ducked. It went over the center field fence and I don't think it got higher than 20 feet the whole time.

This same field was used for a Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig barnstorming event. There was a ball at auction recently signed by both with writing on it stating it was from that game in South Orange. Tried to get it but it went too high.

Tom C

[t206blogcom]

Hank Aaron and Tom Glavine. Met them both back in the late 80s/early 90s when my Dad took me to a card show in Richmond, VA. They were doing a signing and I got two balls signed. Unfortunately, the balls have toned pretty badly, but still have the memories.

[cubsfn01]

I haven't met any baseball hall of famers. The most famous baseball player I met was Paul ONeil. The oldest athletes I have ever met were football legends Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen when I was a senior at Richmond High School in Indiana. They were super nice, but I did not know who they were at the time. If I knew then what I know now, I would have had so many questions.

[gregr2]

I've never met a HOFer or a non-HOFer. I need to get a life...

[peterb69]

I went to Ted Williams Baseball Camp in the mid 70's. My friend and I were walking back from a game to our bunk house and Ted was strolling across the field by himself straight towards us. My friend had a ball in his glove, I only had some paper, but Ted signed both. When the other kids saw Ted signing, they came running over but Ted told them sorry, no more autographs today.

I still have the piece of paper with his signature.

[SteveMitchell]

Visiting Earl Averill at his Snohomish, Washington home for the purpose of interviewing him for a Sports Scoop magazine article in January 1973 was my first meeting of a Hall of Famer - though he was not yet elected to the Hall of Fame.

At Earl's 1975 Hall of Fame induction a variety of older HoF'ers were met and/or spoken with (briefly) including: Edd Roush, Burleigh Grimes and Rube Marquard, among others.

A 1977 Washington State Sports Collectors Association show featured Earl Averill (HOF 1975), Johnny Mize (1981) and Indian Bob Johnson (20??) signing free autographs. And a 1982 Connecticut show headlined Ted Williams (reportedly his first-ever show) but Duke Snider stopped by to see Ted and should-be HoF'er Smoky Joe Wood was brought to the show by his son to visit with Ted.

Ah... the memories.

[CurtisFlood]

Bob Feller, Whitey Ford, Gaylord Perry, Fergie Jenkins. Might be missing a couple of guys.

[tjb1952tjb]

Originally Posted by cubsfn01

I haven't met any baseball hall of famers. The most famous baseball player I met was Paul ONeil. The oldest athletes I have ever met were football legends Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen when I was a senior at Richmond High School in Indiana. They were super nice, but I did not know who they were at the time. If I knew then what I know now, I would have had so many questions.

Look at that paw on Merlin Olson.......he was a beast. He was also one of the most articulate professional athelete, with varied interests away from the gridiron. Was saddened by his untimely passing.............

[Wildfireschulte]

When I moved to Clevelend in the early 1990's I met Bob Feller at a card show, then soonafter I met him at a bank branch opening, then a gas station opening, then the opening of an ice cream shop down the street - then a kid on my block started a lemonade stand and who was there signing? You guessed it, Bob Feller.

[Steve D]

The first hall of famer I remember seeing in-person was Roy Campanella. He was at a San Diego Padres old-timers game back in the early 1970s. I don't recall if I said anything to him, as I was only around 10 years old at the time (and my mother was holding me back), but I do remember being on the sidewalk just outside San Diego Stadium when he and his assistant came out the gate and were getting into their vehicle after the game.

The first hall of famer I remember actually talking to was Duke Snider at a card show in 1979 in Fallbrook, California. I also met and got an autograph from Willie McCovey in 1974, as he was leaving the stadium after a game.

Steve

[KingKongBundy]

I attended the 1981 HOF inductions in Cooperstown. I remember seeing Cool Papa Bell in a drug store, quickly buying a pen and pad, and asking him for his autograph before he left. At this point in time, the public was allowed inside the Otesaga Hotel where I take it most of the HOF'ers stayed during induction weekend. So, my father took us there to have breakfast one morning, where we were seated next to Earl Averill and Freddie Lindstrom. Both were gracious enough to sign an autograph. I met a bunch of other players that day and still remember Jocko Conlan sitting in a big chair in the hotel lobby. I wrote him a letter a few years later mentioning that I met him at the hotel and requesting an autograph on an 8x10 and he sent it back personalized to me with the inscription 'Be Good to Your Parents' - three decades later, I get it.

[deadballfreaK]

Edd Roush. He lived in Oakland CITY, Indiana which was just about 10 miles from where I grew up. I'm gonna say it was about 1972. My buddy (who was a baseball nut like me) and I were thinking about how to get his autograph. One of us suddenly came up with the idea: "Hell, why don't we just drive over to his house?" Brilliant. Well, we did and we met Edd. He was just an on old man reading his newspaper or something. Nice. He signed a '61 Fleer for me and something for my buddy. Then he pulled out a stack of signed HOF postcards and gave us each one. Very cool, but I regret that I was so starstruck that I was a mumbling idiot. Could have asked him a thousand questions. But no.

[hoot-owl]

Jim Konstanty was great friends with my grandparents. During the mid-1960s my family would spend a week a summer at his cottage at six-mile point on the west side of Otsego Lake. He would take my two brothers and me down to Doubleday Field to teach us baseball fundamentals before our annual visit to the HOF.
In late July 1966, we went for a day trip--a surprise visit to Shea for an old timers game in which "Uncle" Jim was playing followed by a Cubs-Mets tilt. We had lunch in the Shea Grill room. Still have the menu with autographs from Phil Rizzuto and Casey Stengal. I know Konstanty brought other players over to our table--but don't necessarily recall who they were.

[jimtigers65]

Ted Williams back in 1982. I attended a local show in Flint, Michigan. Very nice to me, ask me how high school was going and what did I plan on doing after graduating. A month or so later I meet Willie Stargell at a mall show.

I worked part time at a grocery store and remembering asking myself if I why am I spending $20 on a Williams auto? That was a lot money back then.

[Frank A]

Warren Spahn was the friendliest HOF'r I ever met. Found him to be really friendly and a little crazy. had me laughing. As for the worst it had to be Reggie Jack@ss. What an arrogant snot. Frank

[dabigyankeeman]

Duke Snider. Got his auto at a card show. Got Mays and Mantle too at other shows, but Snider came up before they did. Oh yeah, got White Ford too but he also came up when Mickey and Willie did, Snider still beats them all as the earliest.

[Jobu]

I posted this story in the happy 100th birthday Joe D thread but thought a repost here would be appropriate because Joe D is the earliest that I ever met. Bob Feller is the second oldest.


I met Joe D in 199(5?) at the National in Chicago. I think he was charging $150 for an autograph so a teenage Jobu didn’t get one. However, my tale does not end here.

As luck would have it, my brother, father and I all chose to relieve ourselves mere seconds before Joe made the same call. My brother, 13 months younger than me, pissed to my left while Joe D, unbeknownst to me, pissed to my right. My brother started elbowing me and making noises in an effort to get me to look to my right. Thinking this was just typical younger brother harassment intended to cause me to break urinal etiquette and look at the guy next to me, I told him to knock it off and went to wash my hands. When I turned around from the sink I came face to face with Joe, who was stopped and looking right at me while waiting for my sink. My reaction must have been priceless, mouth immediately flying open and eyes wide, because Joe cracked a smile and said “Gotta take a piss, huh kid?” while he tapped me lightly on the arm. I was too shocked to offer much of a response, I think I cracked a half smile and nodded yes. But wait, there is more!

My dad, born in 1943, brother and I then walked out of the restroom grinning like kids who had just been given $50 and were about to be set loose in a candy store. As we slowly walked away, smiling from our encounter, I learned that my father did not share my concern for restroom etiquette, or at least was willing to break the rules if the situation required it. It turns out he was pissing to Joe D’s right and had recognized his neighbor. He broke the silence by uttering a statement that I will never forget “I just saw the unit that was in Marilyn Monroe.”

[botport]

Lou Brock did an appearance in the town I was living in when I was about 8-9 years old... I remember him throwing us grounders and giving us pointers on the game... At the end of the day he gave all the kids a miniature glove that he signed... Probably the first and definitely one of the nicest professional athletes I have ever met.

I have actually met quite a few over the years, mostly because of my work. Couple quick stories...

Dan Marino. Super cool guy, I was 13 or so and he started a conversation with me.

Barry Bonds. I have met him numerous times and I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire. I know he's not HOF, but one of the biggest names I have met.

Jack Lambert. I worked up the nerve to ask him if I could shake his hand... I never ask for autos or handshakes when I am working but I couldn't resist. He shook my hand and I gushed, 'Thanks, Now I can tell my grandkids I met Jack Ham and Jack Lambert!!' He said 'Oh yea? Where did you meet the Hammer?' I told him the story and we ended up talking for about five minutes.

Norv Turner. Waaaay off board I know but the guy is genuinely awesome. Had to give him some props in a world filled with a lot of jerks. Trust me, I left a lot of negative stories out.

[herbc]

The earliest HOF inductees I've met were Bob Feller and Ralph Kiner. Met both of them while attending Sports card & Memorabilia shows. Got autographs of both, and a picture with Kiner; didn't have my camera for Feller. Living in NYC, I've had the opportunity to attend many shows over the years.

[DHogan]

I shook Phil Rizzuto's hand when he was walking thru a show near Boston, when he was on his way to the autograph signing area.

[philliesfan]

Tough one because I don't know the dates.

But in the early 1980's I met Mantle, DiMaggio, Williams, and Aaron at different card shows.

Then at the Hall Of Fame Induction weekend in the early 80's I also met Lefty Gomez along with Williams, Roberts and several others.

Then at a SABR meeting one time I met Buck Leonard and several other Negro League players like Sy Morton (although not a HOFer). Now they were awesome. It was great talking with them and they were just so willing to talk for hours one on one with you.

Robert

[leaflover]

The Oakland Oaks in 1946 spring trained in the City of San Fernando. My Dad, who had the contract of moving their equipment, introduced me to Casey Stengal and Babe Herman. I still remember Shaking hands with Herman. His hand was bigger than my 1st basemans glove.

[egri]

I haven't met any HOFers (yet) but I ran track in high school with a guy whose mom was a professional photographer. In the 80s she was hired to cover a show with Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. So she went and spent the day an arms length away from the two of them, making small talk, and at the end of the show, they offered to sign as much stuff as she wanted, for free. She declined, because she was not an autograph collector.

[jiw98]

My son and I met and got autographs from Al Kaline and Gordie Howe at events in town around 25 years ago. As I remember both were very nice. My son was very excited to meet them.
My son and I play golf with Dolly Konwinski's (Dolly Niemiec) sons. She played in the AAGPBL and still signs at shows. She was at the Chicago National this year.

[rocarroll]

Mickey mantle around 1982. He was completely drunk signing autographs at a department store. If you bought a pair of Lee jeans he signed an autograph for you. My mom actually made a comment to him about showing up at an event for kids in his condition which started an argument between him and her. I was 7 at the time and totally embarrassed. Looking back I understand now. He was a total a-hole then but he ultimately made amends for his behavior. My mom and I share a laugh From
time to time about her shouting down the Mick

[sayhey24]

Started going to the HOF induction ceremony in 1970 -- met people Like Rube Marquard, Harry Hooper, Lefty Grove, Jesse Haines, Joe Cronin, Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, Max Carey, Zack Wheat, Earle Combs, Lloyd Waner, Frankie Frisch, Burleigh Grimes and Buck Leonard just to name a few. Did the same thing that a previous poster mentioned --hung out in the lobby of the Otesaga Hotel.
Here are a few photos of me as a kid with Buck Leonard, Lefty Gomez, Stan the Man, Rapid Robert and Lefty Grove.

Greg

[yanks4]

Around 1994 I showed one of my neighbor's son my small vintage Yankee collection .....he was impressed to a point.... being young I wasn't sure he knew or really cared about the 30's Yankees .....A couple weeks later his mother saw me playing catch in the front yard with my oldest son so she brought her father, who was visiting from out of town, over to meet me.... I remember that he was in his 90's and his nickname was Smoke .... He played football at Columbia with Lou Gehrig... Smoke is in the team picture that appears in a couple of the books on Gehrig....Smoke was a smallish halfback and he remembered and commented on the size of Gehrig's thighs and how very strong he was....This was 1922 and if you have that picture Smoke is top row, second from the right.....as close as I will ever get to my favorite player Lou Gehrig.......

I assume you meant Baseball HOF
But I've met Rocket Richard , Jean Beliveau, Johnny Bauer all great guys....

[Tony2311]

Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio late 80's. Back in the day complaining on paying $15-$20 for an auto thinking it takes literally 10 seconds to sign your name on a ball - I wish I bought three dozen of each player.