Clancy Smyres

[JimStinson]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

He wouldn't even sign for kids who wrote to him. I am one of two people I know of who both wrote to him as young kids many, many years ago. (Yes, it's strange that any kid would know who he was, but it's nice to know I wasn't alone!). No reply from Smyres, though.

The mention of his autograph's rarity actually made it to print extremely early, in a 1977ish Sporting News blurb.

I spoke with him on the phone at least a few times his name was in the directory. Cordial until the subject turned to autographs. Everyone thought after he passed the family would release something but from what I hear they are even worse. I always thought it was because he was bitter about baseball but his tombstone is a baseball theme. Go Figure
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[Seven]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

I spoke with him on the phone at least a few times his name was in the directory. Cordial until the subject turned to autographs. Everyone thought after he passed the family would release something but from what I hear they are even worse. I always thought it was because he was bitter about baseball but his tombstone is a baseball theme. Go Figure
__________________________
Always Buying Vintage Autographs
jim@stinsonsports.com

Jim,

I read your article in SCD concerning Smyres. I'm curious as if anyone made heads or tails of why, he hated signing? I'm even more curious if his family ever divulged the secret?

[stat192]

I think it is interesting that his grave has him as a baseball player, so he must have loved the sport and been proud that he played.

[JimStinson]

Originally Posted by Seven

Jim,

I read your article in SCD concerning Smyres. I'm curious as if anyone made heads or tails of why, he hated signing? I'm even more curious if his family ever divulged the secret?

It was an is a total mystery. He was lucid in conversation and active in the community, so it was not a physical impairment. It must have been a lifetime thing because even old time collectors told me he ignored requests and none seemed to have his autograph unless it was on something unrelated to an actual autograph, I've had him twice once a cut clipped from a hotel register and another was some type of document unrelated to baseball. I've spoke to people that were in touch with the family after he passed and if there was a reason they didn't reveal it and to my knowledge never released anything that he signed despite being offered considerable compensation.
_____________________________
Always Buying Vintage Autographs
jim@stinsonsports.com

[stat192]

my Clancy Smyres on a 1944 Brooklyn Dodgers Team Signed Baseball

[frankbmd]

I even operated on him looking for his autographed unsuccessfully.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

I even operated on him looking for his autographed unsuccessfully.

Is this one of your one-liners, or did it actually happen? Would love to hear the fleshed-out version if the latter!