The Yogi Berra Experience

[bigtrain]

I have had nothing but good experiences with Yogi in the three or four times I have met him. On the other hand, Mays has been unpleasant, surly and rude. Sometimes it seems he goes out of his way to mess up your collectibles. To me the only person on a comparable level of obnoxiousness is Johnny Bench.

[CW]

Just once I'd like to here a story about someone finally giving Mays a piece of their mind and putting him in his place for being such an asshole.

It's also funny how some athletes object to personalizing an autograph. I just sent an album cover to be autographed (hopefully) by my favorite band, and they actually make a point to personalize every piece as a way to prevent people from sending stuff in to simply resell for profit. A seller wouldn't get as much for a personalized piece, and a real fan would better appreciate an autograph made out to them.

[Rob D.]

Just to illustrate that Mays isn't rude only to fans:

One of my former managers worked in the Giants organization a few years ago. I guess each year during spring training the organization brings in some of its former greats, including Mays, for a day just to hang out with the major-league coaching staff and some of the minor-league directors, instructors, etc.

At the end of the day, all of the former players were holding court in the clubhouse, and the atmosphere was great. Lots of laughter and stories being swapped. A few of the current coaches and staff started passing around balls to have signed. My friend said that as soon as Mays saw that, he announced loudly that if anyone asked him for more than two autographs, he was leaving right then and there.

All of the current members of the Giants just kind of froze and stared at each other, not really knowing what to do.

To put it in perspective, in my years in and around professional baseball, I'd never seen or heard of one member of the fraternity treating another like that. It's just not done.

[egri]

Originally Posted by CW

Just once I'd like to here a story about someone finally giving Mays a piece of their mind and putting him in his place for being such an asshole.

There is a story I saw on this board where a promoter had jumped through all sorts of hoops to bring in Mays, and minutes before the signing was to begin, Mays demanded another $2000. The promoter told Mays where he could put the $2000, and cancelled the signing.

[packs]

Mays complaining about money makes no sense. He was making the big bucks while he played. Here's an easy way to put things in perspective:

In 1960 Mays made $150,000. The average median household income was $5,600.

In his final season in 1973, Mays made $165,000. The average median household income was $7,580.

Now adjust those numbers for inflation. Mays was a millionaire in his time and has absolutely nothing to complain about.

[SmokyBurgess]

Meanwhile, in another part of the collecting world....Warren Spahn was great. Was a small show in N.C., but talked with everyone and even took off his championship ring for a fan to look at. Nice memory for me of a great HOF'er and a great guy too.

[Laxcat]

Originally Posted by SmokyBurgess

Meanwhile, in another part of the collecting world....Warren Spahn was great. Was a small show in N.C., but talked with everyone and even took off his championship ring for a fan to look at. Nice memory for me of a great HOF'er and a great guy too.

Two more guys you can put on the great person list: Brooks and Duke. Out of all the players we had sign at shows, hear guys were the best. Brooks is awesome with kids and Duke took us out to dinner!! Talk about class act.

[Klrdds]

A good motto for Mays was " if there is a camera on him he is gregarious and friendly , but turn the camera off and the true bitter and mean spirited man comes out ".
Mays has always put on a good front for the media.
I guess that is where his godson Barry Bonds learned it from ....watching his godfather Willie Mays!!!

[Klrdds]

Originally Posted by bigtrain

On the other hand, Mays has been unpleasant, surly and rude. Sometimes it seems he goes out of his way to mess up your collectibles. .

I agree totally. As I said I have had several bad experiences with Mays, and one set of memorable experiences involved over 1 year of work and travel and 100 of the Ron Lewis 500 Home Run posters ( the Yankee facade background style), and Mays trying to screw them up until my partner and I put a stop to it . Now I laugh about it but back then it just made my partner and me furious.

[egri]

After reading about Mays being a very gregarious person during his playing career, it almost seems unreal to read some of the stories here. Any idea what turned him in to such a grouch?

[travrosty]

he thinks he got screwed by the money they got back then for playing, when he would be a trillionaire today with the skills he had, and signings autographs for money is beneath him but he does it anyway because he needs the cash.

He thinks he shouldnt have to sign to make money when he was such a good ballplayer and todays guys can make multimillions of dollars per year , even a pitcher with a losing record.

so he hates it. a guy had a home plate beautifully signed by mantle and snider and he brought it to mays at the show and mays messed it up and you could tell the guy's arches were fallen when he saw it.