National - autographs

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I really don't see the point of saying some collecting niche is stupid. I'm sure 98% of what we talk about on this board (i.e., obscure backs of tobacco cards of players lost to total obscurity) would strike the average person as pretty absurd. I don't see where spending a few thousand dollars to meet players to have them sign stuff is really anymore "stupid" than piling into the next big auction and spending a few thousand dollars on a small dirty piece of cardboard.

I'm sure there are folks here (and no judgment from me) who would be happy to have some hall of famers 95 year old used athletic supporter. Yeah, try explaining that to someone who is not in the hobby.

Couple of years ago, a friend and workmate took his son to the All-Star Game in Miami. They were excited, and went way early. His son is now hoping to get a baseball scholarship to Vanderbilt. But they went to this game back then, and had hopes of getting autographs from some of the All-Stars. That didn't happen. To get autos, you had to have "VIP access" or some such BS. Otherwise, you couldn't get close. That's why I say it's effing stupid. And the son was real disappointed. Thank heavens he got over it as time went by.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Couple of years ago, a friend and workmate took his son to the All-Star Game in Miami. They were excited, and went way early. His son is now hoping to get a baseball scholarship to Vanderbilt. But they went to this game back then, and had hopes of getting autographs from some of the All-Stars. That didn't happen. To get autos, you had to have "VIP access" or some such BS. Otherwise, you couldn't get close. That's why I say it's effing stupid. And the son was real disappointed. Thank heavens he got over it as time went by.

I would say your friend was beyond effing stupid for thinking he could just get autographs by attending a game.

But hey what do I know, I collect pictures of young athletic men in uniforms.

[Fballguy]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I would say your friend was beyond effing stupid for thinking he could just get autographs by attending a game.

But hey what do I know, I collect pictures of young athletic men in uniforms.

Pretty easy to do at NFL games.

[bigfanNY]

Originally Posted by Fballguy

Pretty easy to do at NFL games.

Really? How many Tom Brady signatures have you gotten at NFL games. Or any top tier Quaterback? I have been to a few games myself in my 61 years and NFL is as locked down as any of the Major Sports leagues. I have also spent a few afternoons in Hotel lobbies and had better luck there. Waiting after a game by team Bus I have gotten a few. And I have seen the pleas of kids asking ( Mostly QB's ) for auto's be turned down 99.99% of the time. In my experiance getting signatures game day at a stadium when pro athletes are working is always difficult. Now waiting early when they arrive or late when they leave etc. Helps but lots of time and planning go in. Just buying 2 tickets to a game and expecting signatures at an NFL game just not realistic.

[Fballguy]

Originally Posted by bigfanNY

Really? How many Tom Brady signatures have you gotten at NFL games. Or any top tier Quaterback? I have been to a few games myself in my 61 years and NFL is as locked down as any of the Major Sports leagues. I have also spent a few afternoons in Hotel lobbies and had better luck there. Waiting after a game by team Bus I have gotten a few. And I have seen the pleas of kids asking ( Mostly QB's ) for auto's be turned down 99.99% of the time. In my experiance getting signatures game day at a stadium when pro athletes are working is always difficult. Now waiting early when they arrive or late when they leave etc. Helps but lots of time and planning go in. Just buying 2 tickets to a game and expecting signatures at an NFL game just not realistic.

Sounds like you haven't been in a while. I'm not saying everyone signs, though back when I was into that, early to mid 2000s... I got MANY Hall of Famers during their playing days. And though it's not my thing any more, I always have an eye out for any signing that occurs at the stadium, typically near the players entrance and I always see a crowd and I always see players signing, including the QBs. I can't speak for Brady specifically.

[Republicaninmass]

When I went to Fenway in 1989, players signed. A lot has changed since then.


I have heard players sign at spring training

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

When I went to Fenway in 1989, players signed. A lot has changed since then.


I have heard players sign at spring training

Yes, spring training seems to be more lax but that still depends on the players.

Flippers are the one's that ruined it and you can see them at every game and outside every celebrity hangout in LA with their stacks of 8"x10"s and sharpies. To be honest, without paying for the right to ask, if you are over the age of 12 then good luck at any event.

This is why many players personalize the auto with a name, they know it screws the flippers...it's not by accident. I also don't blame them one bit for doing it.

Some players are just class acts though for fans. I was at an event with my son the rookie year of Calvin Johnson, he stayed an additional hour and a half after the rest of the team left as he refused to not greet someone who had come to meet him. He never complained and smiled for them all. Class act.

Here we are after quite literally a thousand fans had already left. My son's face shows he literally did not know what to do when meeting a hero, lol...

[bigfanNY]

Originally Posted by Fballguy

Sounds like you haven't been in a while. I'm not saying everyone signs, though back when I was into that, early to mid 2000s... I got MANY Hall of Famers during their playing days. And though it's not my thing any more, I always have an eye out for any signing that occurs at the stadium, typically near the players entrance and I always see a crowd and I always see players signing, including the QBs. I can't speak for Brady specifically.

Rob If you read my post I do say if you plan ahead do some footwork and arrive Long before game time or stay long after game is over there is a chance to get some signatures. BUT showing up when gates open and trucking down near field and asking for signatures. I have almost never seen that work. The players are preparing for game. As for QB's there are a number that are very difficult to get on game day or anywhere for that matter.
My original post was a reply to a board member who complained that his buddy got a couple tickets to MLB all star game drove a couple hours with his kid. Got there when gates opened and was surprised he got shut out trying to get some signatures. Then someone said NFL was different. And in my experiance it is not. If you dont do some level of patient work it is unrealistic to expect ayers warming up to come over to stands and sign. My point was and is, if you dont put any real work into it you cannot expect results. If you do the work then many times good things happen. But never a guarantee.
Looks like you did do some work and were rewarded for it. The joys of in person autograph hunting are many especially if you share the experience.

[Fballguy]

Originally Posted by bigfanNY

Rob If you read my post I do say if you plan ahead do some footwork and arrive Long before game time or stay long after game is over there is a chance to get some signatures. BUT showing up when gates open and trucking down near field and asking for signatures. I have almost never seen that work. The players are preparing for game. As for QB's there are a number that are very difficult to get on game day or anywhere for that matter.
My original post was a reply to a board member who complained that his buddy got a couple tickets to MLB all star game drove a couple hours with his kid. Got there when gates opened and was surprised he got shut out trying to get some signatures. Then someone said NFL was different. And in my experiance it is not. If you dont do some level of patient work it is unrealistic to expect ayers warming up to come over to stands and sign. My point was and is, if you dont put any real work into it you cannot expect results. If you do the work then many times good things happen. But never a guarantee.
Looks like you did do some work and were rewarded for it. The joys of in person autograph hunting are many especially if you share the experience.

Fair enough...But I don't see where in his post he said they only tried at the field. All he said was they went way early.

In any event not being empathetic to someone's lament that autograph collecting has gone from the thrill of the chase to big business is extremely odd to me. Especially from collectors of a nostalgia driven sport like baseball. And to openly ridicule it is even weirder.

Then again, some loyal and subservient people just love to defend...whether its incompetent grading companies, internet sales tax, exorbitant buyer's premiums or apparently expensive autographs...just to name a few.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I would say your friend was beyond effing stupid for thinking he could just get autographs by attending a game.

But hey what do I know, I collect pictures of young athletic men in uniforms.

I'd like to add that YOU are effing stupid, and that's the end of it. Period. Fire back some stupid snappy remark. Don't care. Not listening.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jingram058

I'd like to add that YOU are effing stupid, and that's the end of it. Period. Fire back some stupid snappy remark. Don't care. Not listening.

With all the people calling your friend a moron I am feeling special you only replied to me.

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by bnorth

With all the people calling your friend a moron I am feeling special you only replied to me.

Some guys have all the luck!

[jingram058]

You pay for All-Star Game tickets, you make the road trip to get there, you get there early as in when the gates open, and you can't get close to any ballplayers, by design? If that's what it's become, keep it. If you have to be an elitist to participate, if getting in with your ticket isn't enough, keep it. I stand by the statement, it's fucking stupid. Go ahead and defend it, keep pretending it's all fun. Label me whatever, I am done.

[bigfanNY]

Originally Posted by jingram058

You pay for All-Star Game tickets, you make the road trip to get there, you get there early as in when the gates open, and you can't get close to any ballplayers, by design? If that's what it's become, keep it. If you have to be an elitist to participate, if getting in with your ticket isn't enough, keep it. I stand by the statement, it's fucking stupid. Go ahead and defend it, keep pretending it's all fun. Label me whatever, I am done.

What is wrong with you guys leave Karen
.I mean Jim alone. If I buy a pair of Tickets to the All Star game AND take a Grueling road trip with my kid. And I get there when the gates open ( max 2 hours before First pitch). I damm well expect these high paid young Athletes to show my kid some respect and sign his ball. I dont care if Fifty Thousand other fans are there dont you know who I am??
I know a little harsh, but 2 tickets to an all star game and a road trip with my Son or Daughter what a priceless gift those memories are. I have a few Memories like that. I hope to have more with my grandkids. The last thing I want stuck in my head is a resentment about an autograph that I didn't even get.

[Fballguy]

Originally Posted by jingram058

You pay for All-Star Game tickets, you make the road trip to get there, you get there early as in when the gates open, and you can't get close to any ballplayers, by design? If that's what it's become, keep it. If you have to be an elitist to participate, if getting in with your ticket isn't enough, keep it. I stand by the statement, it's fucking stupid. Go ahead and defend it, keep pretending it's all fun. Label me whatever, I am done.

Keep in mind, these are the same people who enjoy paying exorbitant buyer's premiums. You can't rationalize with them.

[Stampsfan]

Originally Posted by bnorth

With all the people calling your friend a moron I am feeling special you only replied to me.

Ben, trust you to take a snippy remark and still maintain your sense of humor. Love it!! Keep up the good work, and thank you.