DiMaggio vs Mantle at card shows

[mcgwirecom]

I never got a chance to get Mantle, always thought he would be around a long time but I was wrong.

Back in 1995 DiMaggio was going to sign at a big show for $300. It was a lot back then but signed balls were selling for more than that and you got to meet him. I decided to get a ball signed in person. When he arrived he wore sunglasses and the word was he was losing his eyesight because of all the flash photography. He was behind a long table and there was a "no flash photography" sign. I was near the end of the line and listening to everyone talk about how he wouldn't sign this or that and other stories that made you think he was surly. Imagine the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld. Most people did not even engage with him. By the time I got to him I had decided to try and get a photo with him. No one else had done this as far as I could see. As he signed my ball I said "Hey Joe," and he stopped mid signing and looked up. "Can I come around and get a photo with you?" He looked me up and down and said "sure". I bolted around the table. One of my all time favorite photos.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by mcgwirecom

I never got a chance to get Mantle, always thought he would be around a long time but I was wrong.

Back in 1995 DiMaggio was going to sign at a big show for $300. It was a lot back then but signed balls were selling for more than that and you got to meet him. I decided to get a ball signed in person. When he arrived he wore sunglasses and the word was he was losing his eyesight because of all the flash photography. He was behind a long table and there was a "no flash photography" sign. I was near the end of the line and listening to everyone talk about how he wouldn't sign this or that and other stories that made you think he was surly. Imagine the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld. Most people did not even engage with him. By the time I got to him I had decided to try and get a photo with him. No one else had done this as far as I could see. As he signed my ball I said "Hey Joe," and he stopped mid signing and looked up. "Can I come around and get a photo with you?" He looked me up and down and said "sure". I bolted around the table. One of my all time favorite photos.

That is awesome, sir! Signed ball is one thing, but a photo like that is beyond priceless.

[philliesfan]

I don't remember the few experiences I had at shows with Mantle except one. In my early 20's in the early 1980's, my mom bought me a picture of Mantle somewhere.

I went to get it signed at a show and for the most part it was like an assembly line. Sign item, pass it on, sign item and pass it on. Until he got to my picture. He signed my item, stopped and held it up and said....wow that is a really nice shot. He put it down and added "no. 7" under his name. It was an awesome experience.

I think it measures about 14" x 16" or something like that. And it is not a glossy photograph. It kind of reminds me of something like construction paper where it is a little rough.

If I get a chance, I will take a pic and post it.

Bob

[BuzzD]

I remember being in line waiting for a show to open at an ice rink in Schenectady NY where Mantle was going to sign. While we were waiting in line the promoter changed the price from $11 to $15. We were really ticked off. He was a cold fish. Same thing happened when Dimaggio showed up a few weeks later at the same venue. He must have heard that Mantle got $15 so his price also went up to $15. He wasn't much friendlier but did shake my hand when I tried.