My Whitey Ford ttm experience...

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I'll be charitable and say he's temperamental. This was signed at a paid signing this year. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say that perhaps his mind wasn't on the task at hand. "Cardinals" was on the jersey right above his signature. Maybe he was seeing that and thinking about another obligation, or lunch, and the team name subconsciously traveled from his brain to his writing hand! He can be ornery, but this was a paid signing, so I highly doubt this was done on purpose. You have to feel for the owner of that premium item, though.

(Also, the above examples I posted were not done in order to derail the original thought of this thread, but rather to illustrate how the OP's scenario isn't isolated to just one player or one reason for ruining an item.)

[7nohitter]

Wow, very interesting hearing about Whitey and your experience. I also love seeing players mess up their own signatures....

[packs]

Once me and my dad went to a show so he could get Rod Carew's autograph and he asked Rod if he would sign his full name. He looked at my dad and said, "No, I can't." So my dad asked him why not and Rod said, "Because I don't know how. I haven't written it since I was a kid."

[GrayGhost]

Originally Posted by packs

Once me and my dad went to a show so he could get Rod Carew's autograph and he asked Rod if he would sign his full name. He looked at my dad and said, "No, I can't." So my dad asked him why not and Rod said, "Because I don't know how. I haven't written it since I was a kid."

[ChiSoxTony]

Sorry to hear about your '51 Whitey Ford card. I am HIGHLY intrigued by him and McCarver misspelling their own names. I've seen several ball players struggle with spelling words in inscriptions, but I've never seen a misspelled name. Guessing the first is a product of dementia, but not sure about McCarver. Thank you for sharing this.

[Kzoo]

I'm guessing in this case is that someone tells Whitey exactly what to write due to his advanced stage of dementia. So they would say 'Whitey Ford', but he obviously must have thought they said 'Whitey Four' and simply wrote it out, not realizing his own name is not spelled this way. It's truly sad and has to be extremely tough for family members to slowly witness this over the years for loved ones.

[Stampsfan]

It may be just me...

Why is he even doing this, if he's in that state. For Gawd's sake, let him live the rest of his days in peace, without family members working the guy.

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by packs

Once me and my dad went to a show so he could get Rod Carew's autograph and he asked Rod if he would sign his full name. He looked at my dad and said, "No, I can't." So my dad asked him why not and Rod said, "Because I don't know how. I haven't written it since I was a kid."

How did he sign his contracts or other legal paperwork?

[Exhibitman]

It is so sad when it gets to that point. I met Emile Griffith, an ATG HOF boxer, at a HOF show one year where he was deeply into the throes of dementia a bit before he passed away. He signed these cards for me but practically had to be told which end of the pen to use:




It isn't necessarily a case of exploitation, though. There is evidence that it helps people with dementia to engage in activities as best as they are able. It was also clear that Griffith clearly enjoyed the attention and veneration he received from the fans at the show. I am not sure he understood why everyone wanted to meet him and wish him well, but he definitely enjoyed the experience.

The saddest one I ever saw was Jeff Conaway (Bobby Wheeler from Taxi). He was at a Hollywood memorabilia show at a table signing for fans but sat there sobbing about the pain he was in (a spinal injury and opiate withdrawal). No one went to his table...

[Ryan1125]

I've got a TTM out to Whitey right now, I saw he cashed the check the other day and his signature looked normal on that! I'll post a pic when I get it in, hopefully soon.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

How did he sign his contracts or other legal paperwork?

I have signed "Doug Goodman" on every piece of legal paperwork I have ever needed to sign. Houses, cars, medical, you name it.

Only once has the bank given me a problem, but when I explained to the bank manager that he worked for me, and pointed out that there was a bank across the street, then took out one of my checks that has "customer since 1977" printed on it and wrote a check to myself for the total amount in my linked accounts, and after signing my name the way I always sign my name, said "where am I banking tomorrow?" the problem went away.

Doug "I laugh at my own jokes, so you don't have to" Goodman

[Ryan1125]

Mine came in yesterday, very pleased:

[mr2686]

Resurrecting this thread. Does anyone know if he's still signing, or is his dementia to the point where he can't?

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by packs

Once me and my dad went to a show so he could get Rod Carew's autograph and he asked Rod if he would sign his full name. He looked at my dad and said, "No, I can't." So my dad asked him why not and Rod said, "Because I don't know how. I haven't written it since I was a kid."

I can't sign my "full" name, either.

Doug

[JollyElm]

I met Dr. Ruth (remember her?!) way back when and asked her to write something dirty on the photo she was autographing. She giggled and gave me a bemused look that said, "I can't do THAT."

[Jenx34]

What does TTM sand for? Through the Mail is the only thing i can come up with....

[39special]

Originally Posted by Jenx34

What does TTM sand for? Through the Mail is the only thing i can come up with....

You are correct.Through the mail