Your experiences with HOF'ers

timber63401 · #1 02-05-2012, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

Maybe some won't like me saying this but he was an unhappy nasty man and his ego was twisted.

Truer words have never been spoken.

GrayGhost · #2 02-05-2012, 10:10 PM

I have four from years back:

I was the next to last sig for Willie Mays. A Kid was in line ahead of me w a book. Mays barked WHAT IS IT then when the kid told him. GIVE ME THE BOOK. The my ball was next. sloppy and smeared and rolled to me, and I later gave it away as a card show prize.

Met Mickey Mantle for six bucks at a car show. He had a cold, but still smiled and at least shook hands.

Met B Robby at a show, and he was incredible. HONORED that people cared bout him and his career.

My fave was when I was getting a Dennis Eckersley sig at a show I set up at. Eck wasn't in the Hall and was playing for Oakland at the time. Anyways, he was nice to me, but the little boy ahead of me was nervous to meet him. Eck asked him what was wrong. The kids dad told him he was nervous. Eck said "hey sonny, come here, he sat the kid next to him in a chair, took two pics and gave him an additional free signature too. The smile on the little boy and the look on his dad's face made my day.

mordecaibrown · #3 02-05-2012, 10:37 PM

Ill agree with Jon about Mazeroski.

Met him this past fall at a show here in Philadelphia and he could not have been any nicer. Took time to interact with every person in line! And are you ready for this, after returning my autographed ball to me, he said "thank you" to me.

It really does not take much effort for these players to make a difference; unfortunately, the more I read, the more it seems like interactions with Maz are the exception.

Needless to say, I am a Maz fan!

Jantz · #4 02-05-2012, 10:57 PM

Hi Andrew

I had the opportunity of working with Bob Feller. He came to the retail store that I worked at and signed autographs for free to any customer that wanted something signed.

It was a great time for me and just sitting there and listening to the stories he told was a great experience. At the end of the autograph session, I had two items that I wanted signed. He said that wasn't good enough. I went home with a grocery bag full of autographed items.

Jantz

thebigtrain · #5 02-05-2012, 11:19 PM

I can't really think of anything worse than an autograph signing if I was an MLB player. All those annoying people shoving trinkets at you to sign and trying to shake your hand, get a photo, etc. Bet it gets old quick.

I really wonder why they even bother, even at 175 a pop like Joe D. it seems like a really miserable & degrading way to make $$$. But old farts like him, Mays & Mantle who got paid squat while players have no choice I guess, maybe they need the cash to maintain their lifestyle?

Hard to see players today doing this garbage in say 10 or 15 years. Why would guys like Jeter, Arod etc waste a day of their life to do this when they already have more $$$ than any human could spend in 50 lifetimes?

If I was an MLB player I wouldn't sign anything for anyone while still an active player (like Steiner or whoever most of them now sign thru by contract). Why give those clowns a cut when you could create scarcity/demand and then be a huge "get" in retirement? Instead of shows you could sign thru the mail and charge rich collectors like 2500 a pop if they want it bad enough.

71buc · #6 02-05-2012, 11:36 PM

I got Feller a few times and on each occasion he was very gracious and friendly. I�m going to miss seeing him at spring training this year. Although he isn�t in the hall of fame, my favorite experience with a professional player occurred in 1974. I was eleven at the time. Lyman Bostock played wiffle ball with my friends and I for a few minutes in the Cheney stadium (Tacoma) parking lot. He was a great guy. His death was such a tragedy. Last week I took a female friend to see Cal Ripken at Mill Creek Sports. I came away thoroughly impressed. He was polite, friendly, and had a positive comment about each item he signed. He shook hands with virtually everyone and took the time to pose for pictures with anyone who requested one. He is a true gentleman and obviously a great ambassador for the game.

7nohitter · #7 02-06-2012, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrayGhost

I have four from years back:

I was the next to last sig for Willie Mays. A Kid was in line ahead of me w a book. Mays barked WHAT IS IT then when the kid told him. GIVE ME THE BOOK. The my ball was next. sloppy and smeared and rolled to me, and I later gave it away as a card show prize.

Met Mickey Mantle for six bucks at a car show. He had a cold, but still smiled and at least shook hands.

Met B Robby at a show, and he was incredible. HONORED that people cared bout him and his career.

My fave was when I was getting a Dennis Eckersley sig at a show I set up at. Eck wasn't in the Hall and was playing for Oakland at the time. Anyways, he was nice to me, but the little boy ahead of me was nervous to meet him. Eck asked him what was wrong. The kids dad told him he was nervous. Eck said "hey sonny, come here, he sat the kid next to him in a chair, took two pics and gave him an additional free signature too. The smile on the little boy and the look on his dad's face made my day.

Love your meetings, too bad Mays was such a jerk! Eck is too funny...He actually lived for a while in Sudbury, MA when I was working for a local grocery store. I see Eck coming down the aisle one day, grab a sign off the shelf and ask him to sign it...he was cracking up at that move. But, also got KC Jones, Jeff Reardon, Lee Smith, Danny Darwin and Oil Can Boyd all while working for the grocery store.

mschwade · #8 02-06-2012, 07:24 AM

Not in the same category in terms of on-the-field achievements, but a Hall of Famer nonetheless... I am a college basketball beat writer in Ohio and every home game I sit next to the great Hal McCoy, long-time Cincinnati Reds beat writer, enshrined into Cooperstown in 2003 along with Gary Carter, Eddie Murray, and Bob Uecker.

I could sit and talk with him for hours and like anyone that has been involved with baseball for as long as he has, he shares some great stories! He's always been awesome to me and jokes with me all the time. Last week, we were talking about the oddest things he has been asked to sign. Later at halftime he turned to me and said, "Did you just see that? The guy had me sign his popcorn box!"

Great guy and will sign through the mail for those wondering.

Kalineman · #9 02-06-2012, 07:42 AM

Between covering baseball and going to hobby shows over the last 40 years, the most enjoyable Hall of Famers - as far as how they talked to fans - were:
1) Brooks Robinson; 2) Warren Spahn and 3) Al Kaline. On the flip side, Mays, Aaron and DiMaggio must have had "off days" when I saw them at shows several times. And that's being charitable.

HexsHeroes · #10 02-06-2012, 07:43 AM

.

I've had the opportunity to get four HOF in person.

Ditto the prior comments about Mays. He was at a Jim Hawkin's Plymouth show and was quite surly and rude.

Berra also signed at a Hawkin's Plymouth show, and was surprising in that he was all business; rarely cracking a smile, or regaling in Yogisms or stories. Just business-like, polite, here's your autograph.

Gehringer signed at a Southfield Michigan show, and was similar to Berra inwhich he was very business-like and polite with his signing mannerisms. But Charlie did respond with eye contact and a smile when thanked, so he must have had an appreciation for proper manners too.

Al Kaline was signing at a Gilbraltar Trade Center show in Taylor (or was it Mt. Clements, I don't remember). I could see ahead that he was looking alittle frustrated and put out, but trying to remain polite. Earlier in the week, I had noted while reading in the recent Beckett Baseball magazine that Kaline's birthday was the day of the signing. So when it was my turn to get my item signed, I wished Al a hearty and enthusiastic "Happy Birthday". The look of surprise-turn-to-smile on his face verified that I hit a home-run with him. The promoter asked Al if it was indeed his birthday, and Al replied that it was. I got a nice, bold signature, firm handshake, and a word of thanks from Al for the birthday greeting.

Not a HOF, but a short story to share regarding obtaining Willie Horton's autograph in 1993. Jim Hawkins was promoting a 25th Anniversary signing with most of the members of the 1968 World Champions Detroit Tigers team, and the turnout was out-of-sight. Willie Horton must not have been expecting to signed literally dozens items for each individual in line (dealers???). While I was waiting to get my one item signed, Willie began making noise about having to leave for a doctor's appointment. After each person infront of me, he seemed closer to bolting. Fortunately, I got my autograph. So did the guy behind me. But the hundreds of fans behind him were out of luck, because Willie did get up and leave. Evidently, all of the Detroit Tiger ballplayers had spent a two or three hours signing stuff before the public show hours, upstair in Hawkin's private hotel room. Perhaps mail order; perhaps Hawkins own items. Anyways, Willie thought that the pre-public signing fulfilled his obligation, so having to sign autographs for the public for several more hours was not covered by the compensation he had received, or had agreed to do. I still feel for all those fans who waited for hours, to get nothing from Horton.

steve B · #11 02-06-2012, 09:06 AM

I don't really hunt autographs much, so only two, both when I was a kid.

Bob Feller pitched a home run derby in Pittsfield Ma. in I think 74 or 75. After he sat in the stands with a huge stack of 8 1/2x11 "photos" that he was signing. I got one, and I think one for dad. Most of the kids were making planes out of them. When I asked if that bothered him he said " they're kids, they'll do stuff like that. And they're having fun so it's fine." Then he asked if I played ball, and we spent a couple innings watchingthe game while he explained what the pitcher was doing - different pitches etc.

And Brooks Robinson was at a Sports Illustrated hospitality room at a principals convention in 76. He also spent a bit of time talking baseball, after asking if I wasn't a bit young to be there. When one of the guys behind me said something aboutthe line not moving he looked at him and said "I'm talking to the kid, you'll have to wait" Which is totally awesome when you're 13

Rice and Evans were both at shows, and it was a pretty typical show thing. Hand item to assistant, move over, watch signing, get stuff back, move along. Evans did make a somewhat cryptic comment about the bat, but there wasn't the time to ask what he meant. (I really should have tried though. I'll always wonder what he meant by" huh- yep that's it")

Steve B

Hot Springs Bathers · #12 02-06-2012, 09:37 AM

I guess I am getting old but I have picked up 36 so far in person dating back to the 1970s. My top 10 nice guys would be:

1. Brooks Robinson- not just a nice HOFer but one of the nicest people in the world. Hope he heals up quickly from last weeks fall!
2. George Kell- very humble
3. Ernie Banks- At Arlington National Wow! what a nice guy
4. Stan Musial- 100 degree hear in an old fair grounds building, coat and tie shook hands with every person.
5. Lou Brock- very talkative
6. Bob Feller- stood up with each signing, smiled and shook hands
7. Warren Spahn- I was told he could be tough but asked a ton of questions
8. Bob Gibson- not warm but very couteous
9. Luke Appling- full of stories
10. Willie Stargell- laugh could be heard all over room

My bottom 10 would be

1-10 Willie Mays- never looked up, left early

Got a Mantle in Arlington but you handed off to handlers, never got close to him

The only person I can compare with Brooks is Bart Starr. He is just a really nice human being. Actually almost all of the former pro football players I have met have been very nice. I have developed my "butt in the dirt" theory. The better chance you have of getting your clock cleaned on every play, the more humble you have become.

I have only met a hand full of hockey players inclduing Brett and Bobby Hull and they were very nice! Backs up my theory.

By the way met former catcher Scott Servais last week at a hot stove meeting, he was cool at best. Rich Thompson, Aussie pitcher for the Angels also last week and super nice guy!!!

Mr. Zipper · #13 02-06-2012, 09:45 AM

I've had the good fortune to meet a good deal of Hall of Famers at card shows and events. I can't say any of the experiences were bad. I have heard many stories of Reggie Jackson being grumpy, but he was ok with me. Not exactly friendly, but decent enough.

Perhaps my most memorable was Enos Slaughter. He was super friendly and I handed him a bat that was already signed by a number of old time Yankees. He positioned the bat in his lap to sign it, looked up at me and said, "It's almost as big as my $#@%^" and then he laughed like hell. What a character!

MilBraves · #14 02-06-2012, 11:09 AM

He isn't a baseball player nor a Hall of Famer yet, but I have a couple of interesting stories about Brett Favre.

I was working a second job bar tending in the mid 90's, down on Water Street in Milwaukee. It was a typical packed Friday night with people 4 deep at the bar when all of a sudden the mass of people parted like the Red Sea and it got really quiet. Up to the bar comes Brett, Frank Winters and Mark Chmura. It was like a comedy act with them. Very funny guys. Honest to God, Brett came back behind the bar and slung drinks for about a half hour. He was a genuinely nice guy. Frank and Mark were as well. Every drink Brett served to people was paid for by them. Eventually, they headed on over to the bar next door, along with every hottie that was in our bar. I still have the bottle of Cuervo signed by all three.

The second story was from the second time I met Brett. My wife is a huge Favre fan and her and I went up to Green Bay to watch training camp in '98. After the Packers were done practicing, we went over to Lambeau and stood in the players parking lot waiting for them to come out to get some autographs. This was before 9/11. Since 9/11, the players parking area has been gated off. Anyway, my wife and I see Brett's agent, Bus Cook come out and we head over and talk to him. I told him the bar tending story and asked if he could get Brett to sign my wife's Jersey. So Bus heads back in and about 15 minutes later, we see Brett looking out a second story window then walk away. Bus comes down and tells us to come in and we got to spend about 5 minutes with Brett. He actually remembered me from the bar(which was surprising considering how much he drank) and he was extremely nice to my wife, signed her jersey and HE even suggested I take a picture of her with him. He put his arm around her and had a big genuine smile.

sicollector1954 · #15 02-06-2012, 10:28 AM

Joe Dimaggio was a product of the depression. If you want to read what he really was like...check out the October 23, 2000 Newsweek Issue....The Dark Side of Dimaggio by Ben Cramer. "Behind the scenes, Joe Dimaggio trusted almost no one and spent his last years obsessed with money and privacy."

A sample of what is in the article....Any tickets for baseball games/All-Star/World Series he ever received--he sold through a banker who deposited the money in his account.....50 plus sets of brand new golf clubs/shirts, etc. which were given to him when playing Pro-Am tournaments in the 60's/70's were found in his garage upon his death neatly lined up in rows but full of dust having never been moved....when the earthquake hit in 1989 in San Francisco, he went to his residence and went upstairs--calmly came down with a garbage bag--went to the Presido Club to stay for the night as a precaution.. was an honorary memberthere so he did not have to pay for anything--sleptthe night there with the garbage bag which in fact held six hundred thousand dollars cash! He was truly a product of the depression.

This photo was taken at the Sun Times show on 11/17/96. He never took the shades off or had a pic with anyone or said a word...only once that I saw yelling at an older die-hard lady who seemed to be a devote Yankee fan for holding up the line because she was taking too many pictures while getting closer and closer to the table! That lady went away with a different impression of Joe D. and so did many other people that day.

sicollector1954 · #16 02-06-2012, 10:43 AM

Let me start by saying that for every bad experience I have ever had with meeting sports stars or getting autographs, I have also had many good ones as well! This is just another which seems to stand our in my mind of a bad experience.
At one time, I collected signatures of players who appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. I would send a self-addressed stamped envelope along with the S.I. if I had an address and sometimes would get them back in the mail. On this occasion, I already had two signatures on the cover (Rose/Perez), so I just sent a letter of inquiry asking if it might be alright if I sent the issue to Joe Morgan. You can see my answer.
I then waited until a sports show near where I live where he was appearing...paid my $22.00 fee and stayed until I was the last person in line not wanting to attract any extra attention...Once he signed the mag, I put this note in front of him and asked what the problem was...didn't think he wanted me sending anything to his work place at ESPN so just wanted clarification......I think he was caught off guard as he said something to the effect that his fan mail once had gotten mixed with his house payment and other bills and it really messed him up. Wow....a house payment for Joe Morgan...wonder which house?? I believed that story.

Another example...when the camera is on....the person appears as a really nice guy...but behind the scenes...a total jerk....I also heard he was not too happy when Ryne Sandberg was elected to the Hall and did someone vote not to put Santo in recently as well??? 15-1 or something....gee....could the 1 have been??
This sounds alot like Lee Trevino as well....total jerk but then there is Arnold Palmer as well---a really class act or in todays world...Tiger and Phil..

Hot Springs Bathers · #17 02-06-2012, 10:44 AM

I should have put Al Kaline in my top 10 somewhere. My daughter and I waited in a light rain for him at a minor league baseball game. The other signers were Brooks Robinson and George Kell.

The signing ended early when Mr. Kell got tired, he would pass a few months later. We were about 30 people away in line, when we passed Mr. Kaline he signed a ball and my Hall of Fame 50th Anniversary book with a broad smile. He then turned and along with Brooks guided Mr. Kell to his car.

It was obvious they really cared alot obout Mr. Kell.

Gary Dunaier · #18 02-06-2012, 09:56 PM

This is a great thread! I'm really enjoying the anecdotes, both the positive and the negative ones. Keep 'em coming!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sicollector1954

Looks like this photo was taken behind Plexiglass. What was the deal with that? I can understand a Tensabarrier to keep some distance, but am I thinking too far out of left field to guess that DiMaggio asked that his signing area be separated by Plexiglass?

whitehse · #19 02-06-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrayGhost

I have four from years back:

I was the next to last sig for Willie Mays. A Kid was in line ahead of me w a book. Mays barked WHAT IS IT then when the kid told him. GIVE ME THE BOOK. The my ball was next. sloppy and smeared and rolled to me, and I later gave it away as a card show prize.

Met Mickey Mantle for six bucks at a car show. He had a cold, but still smiled and at least shook hands.

Met B Robby at a show, and he was incredible. HONORED that people cared bout him and his career.

My fave was when I was getting a Dennis Eckersley sig at a show I set up at. Eck wasn't in the Hall and was playing for Oakland at the time. Anyways, he was nice to me, but the little boy ahead of me was nervous to meet him. Eck asked him what was wrong. The kids dad told him he was nervous. Eck said "hey sonny, come here, he sat the kid next to him in a chair, took two pics and gave him an additional free signature too. The smile on the little boy and the look on his dad's face made my day.

Working for a Major League team has given me the opportunity to meet hall of famers and stars away from the limelight and I have to say I was never treated badly by any of them. Yogi Berra was a bit surly but very businesslike but I have to say he was the only one that came closest to being a bit nasty with me.

The memory of Dennis Eckersley that I have is that my first two years working for the team I was dugout security and I carried handcuffs in case we had people who ran on the field or into the dugout. A few teammates of Eck's borrowed my handcuffs and the next thing I know he is running out of the clubhouse and into the dugout where I was at, asking me where the key was. This was happening in the middle of the game and he was trying to hide this all from the manager. I had given the other players the key to the handcuffs as well so I didnt have it on my. Needless to say he wasnt very happy with me or his teammates. On a side note, I did arrange to get a pair of cuffs for a few different players on the team at their request. LOL

bjcunningham · #20 02-06-2012, 01:16 PM

I remember meeting Brooks Robinson as a kid. I had a 1960 Topps card my dad had given me to get signed and he remarked that he probably wouldn't have needed to shave in the morning before that picture had been taken.
Ernie Banks was super-nice to me and I remember that interaction better than most.
I remember Enos Slaughter, as well, as being genial and accommodating.

There's more than a handful where the line speed just moved me along and I didn't really get to talk to them, newer HOFers like Cal Ripken and Ozzie Smith, particularly and as I remember Killebrew and Weaver were about the same.

The most fun I had was talking to Buck O'Neil, though not a HOFer in Cooperstown.

theshleps · #21 02-08-2012, 09:01 AM

As a shy 16 year old going up to Mickey Mantle in 1967 as he was standing alone in front of the hotel he lived in while in NYC (I was the only one there) I had a Sport magazine photo already signed by Casey Stengel and I said "Mr Mantle can you please sign this" and he looked at me and spit in my face and walked off- that I will never forget .
My other horror story was going up to Hank Aaron (my hero) the same year outside the team hotel and politely asked him to sign my autograph book and he said "go play in the traffic son".
Considering I saw most teams these were my only bad stories. Eddie Mathews started up a conversation with me and was great.
After taking almost 35 years off I started doing IP collecting again in 2002 and still am though this may be my last year at it as dealers are getting too aggressive at spring training, etc and it is no longer as much fun for us "older guys". Sandberg, Brook Robinson, Billy Williams, Fergie, Santo,Ryan, Gossage, Herzog have been great (again none of these are show appearances which can give you a skewed impression since they are paid to be there).
Of present day "superstars" my least favorite has been Sammy Sosa who acted like he thought he was God when the cameras weren't on him.
Others like Frank Robinson and Griffey have been extremely tough autographs but would talk to us for long periods of time.
Lots more stories but these will do for now.

RB · #22 02-08-2012, 09:59 AM

In 2008 I was putting together a 50th anniversary video for the parents of a friend of mine. His dad, whom I was very close to, was a huge baseball fan and we had spent many hours discussing the old greats of the game. I was in Cooperstown for the HOF Induction ceremony and decided to see if I could get a couple of the guys to say "Happy 50th Anniversary Bob and Donna" on video. I was nervous as heck to ask these legends, but I really wanted to include their greetings if possible to make the video more special. I did this by buying an autograph ticket and getting in line.

Well, long story short, I got Killebrew, Feller, Doerr and "Shotgun" Skuba (my friend's dad grew up a Brooklyn fan) to all give personalized greetings and congratulations for the video. Each was more gracious than the next and Killebrew did a couple takes to get what he wanted to say out.

Needless to say, my friend's dad was blown away by the greeting from his baseball heroes. He passed away suddenly five months later.

Mr. Zipper · #23 02-08-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshleps

As a shy 16 year old going up to Mickey Mantle in 1967 as he was standing alone in front of the hotel he lived in while in NYC (I was the only one there) I had a Sport magazine photo already signed by Casey Stengel and I said "Mr Mantle can you please sign this" and he looked at me and spit in my face and walked off- that I will never forget

OMG.

Are you serious?

perezfan · #24 02-08-2012, 11:05 AM

I agree on the Tony Gwynn inclusion, and was glad to see his name finally come up. Nicest, most humble and down-to-earth guy ever (and beloved by all in San Diego).

theshleps · #25 02-08-2012, 12:15 PM

I am serious about the Mantle story. I cried on the subway ride home. I since have heard at least one other similar Mantle story

scmavl · #26 02-08-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshleps

As a shy 16 year old going up to Mickey Mantle in 1967 as he was standing alone in front of the hotel he lived in while in NYC (I was the only one there) I had a Sport magazine photo already signed by Casey Stengel and I said "Mr Mantle can you please sign this" and he looked at me and spit in my face and walked off- that I will never forget .

I hope you kept the spit. That would make a hell of a relic card.

matty6 · #27 02-08-2012, 02:50 PM

1952 Topps Spit-stained Mickey Mantle 1/1

7nohitter · #28 02-08-2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scmavl

I hope you kept the spit. That would make a hell of a relic card.

Wow...this is why I'm loving this thread...I feel like we're seeing sides of players that are not the usual perception. Imagining Mantle doing this is tough...I wonder how drunk he was.

matty6 · #29 02-08-2012, 07:05 PM

when Will Clark was at Miss. St. my girlfriend's parents would go to the home games and hold up a sign that said Miss St Alum. One day Clark came over and started talking to them. This became a home game ritual and eventually my gf's mom invited him to their house for dinner. His favorite meal was Southern fried pork chops. He became a routine guest as she can cook now! Lemme tell ya!

They continued the friendship even when he became a star for The Giants. They had moved to Philadelphia and whenever the Giants were in town he'd come over for fried pork chops! Great guy, too!

Gradedcardman · #30 02-14-2012, 08:03 PM

I have met 2 over the years that stick out. In the late 70's I met Yaz at a charity golf tournament in NC. He was in a golf cart and stopping patiently between holes. I got a great auto on a 1967 Life magazine. The second was for me the best, meeting Bert Blyleven last year in Chicago. He never stopped smiling and was nice to everyone. We discussed the wire photos I had for him to sign and my PSA registry sets of him. Great times !!

ocjack · #31 02-14-2012, 08:19 PM

I wanted a different type of autographed baseball collection, so I would ask HOF'ers (and other players) to sign their full name (first, middle and last). I would always make sure I knew their middle name so they knew I had done some research.

I met Joe D. at the San Francisco National in 1989. He was a little more mello in those days, but still on guard. I asked him to sign "Joseph Paul DiMaggio." He stared at me for a minute and then signed my ball. He handed it to me and said, "that's the way I sign my checks". He had signed it "Jos. P. DiMaggio." I was ok with that.

Willie Stargell was surprised when I asked him to sign "Wilver Dornel Stargell." But he did.

I asked Bob Gibson if he would sign his full name. He looked at me and said "you want me to sign Bob Gibson?" I said "no, I'd appreciate your signing it "Robert Gibson." He just looked at me and said "no."

The old-timers; Feller, Lemon, Appling, Doby and so many others, were always friendly, happy to be remembered and provided a clear, legible signature.

I have a poster with 54 multi-colored baseballs on it and had each ball signed by a Hall of Famer as I traveled with it from show to show. So I have many memories of meetings with the greats of the game.

russyurk · #32 02-20-2012, 05:49 PM

Like many I've met dozens of hall of famers at various shows over the years, some good some not so good. I work in sports and when I was finishing grad school I interned at the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) marketing office when it was in Pittsburgh. Over the course of my six months I had three notable interactions that I treasure to this day.

The first was finding out they need one more person to drive over to Bob Feller�s home near Cleveland and have Bob sign 2,000 lithographs for a program we were doing with Campbell�s. We arrived mid-afternoon after Bob had already made an appearance somewhere else that day. We found the prickly guy that is often discussed. This was in 1994 so he wasn�t exactly young even then and you could tell he was tired. I was pretty uptight as he signed in near silence and was relieved when we wrapped for the night. We arrived back the next morning to complete the signing and found a rested, engaging Bob. We chatted easily while he signed, talked about his time in the bigs, how the clubhouse guy could sign everybody�s name but most of all his time in World War II. He had a large wall size world map and he took us over and showed where the USS Alabama was a various point while he was aboard. We completed the signing and he was off to another appointment but he made sure his wife Anne gave us a full tour of his home. We ended up in his private office where he had a number of model John Deere tractors and one of the coolest signed baseball I�ve ever seen. When he was 10 or so Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig�s Bustin' Babes-Larrupin' Lous barnstorming tour passed through Iowa. He attended the game and got a baseball signed by Ruth and Gehrig and then added his own �Robert Feller� in your standard child�s cursive. It was truly a one of a kind piece.

My second interaction was similar, I had to drive to Bill Mazeroski�s home outside of Pittsburgh and have him sign a few things, as I recall it was mostly pictures and a few dozen balls. Bill was a super nice man and his wife was as well. She was scurrying around the house cleaning and eventually shows up with a MLBPAA sweater vest in her hands that was way too small for Bill and asked me if I wanted it. Of course I took it and still have it somewhere packed in a box.

My final interaction was with Fergie Jenkins. The MLBPAA assembled a team that participated in a barnstorming tour through Ontario, 13 games in 12 days as I recall. As a native of Chatham, Ontario Fergie was a huge hit and definitely was the most popular player along with Ernie Whitt. Fergie was a cool guy, pulling pranks on everyone including me. One stop I had to wait for Fergie at the hotel with the team going ahead. He was very easy to talk to and even let me hold his Hall of Fame ring to get a closer look.

It was a fantastic experience and even though it was an unpaid internship I was well compensated in autographed balls and experiences that I will never forget.

7nohitter · #33 02-21-2012, 08:50 AM

Great stories, Russ!

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Smaller 1930s sets and the HOFers within	Rob D.	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	8	07-02-2009 11:12 PM
FS: PSA 9/10 70s/80s/90s HOFers, Future HOFers and Near HOFers	Archive	1950 to 1959 Baseball cards- B/S/T	1	06-03-2008 08:12 PM
Collecting HOFers on a budget	Archive	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	2	01-05-2007 08:03 PM
High Grade 1916-1927 Types -- Trade Bait for HOFers	Archive	Pre-WWII cards (E, D, M, etc..) B/S/T	1	06-21-2006 05:12 PM