Athletes who won’t signs specific card

[sreader3]

I think there is one Ron Kittle won’t sign. Can’t remember which one. Overall good guy and signer.

[dgo71]

Originally Posted by sreader3

I think there is one Ron Kittle won’t sign. Can’t remember which one. Overall good guy and signer.

1984 Topps, but he does sign the card with a charitable donation. I think it's $25.

[mrmopar]

Garvey was just added to past pros and the 82 Fleer is singled out. Being a long time Garvey collector, I am glad that this was the card he chose for this reason, because I am not a fan of it. I have a couple copies that I think could be legit and the one that sold on for big bucks and was certified was fake in my opinion. if the owner or person who got it signed knows differently, would love to hear that story.

I also heard about the Kittle 84 T directly from Ron through facebook. He does sign it for a $25 donation to Indiana Sports Charity. I needed one because it would have been a Topps ALL Rookie (Trophy) card, hard they done the trophies in 84.

I also was told by Dave Stewart that he wouldn't sign Rangers or Phillies cards. This was at a signing at a minor league ballpark before the game. He was actually very nice and apologetic about it. I figured it was because he didn't care for how he was treated by the team, but I didn't ask him exactly why he wouldn't. He willingly signed anything and everything else I had. However, I have seen signed cards from those teams for sale online, so maybe it was more recent thing?

Singing habits is a very interesting subject to me. Why some guys won't sign at all, why they exclude certain items, etc. The funniest part is, whether they intended for demand to grow or not, by refusing to sign something, they automatically create additional demand for it.

Last thought. I think I captured a photo of it, but can't find it now. Maybe I dreamt it up, but I doubt it. I am pretty sure that I saw an image of a card Gary Carter signed that would for sure be a 1/1, except that anyone could add an inscription later. When he must have known that the cancer would get him, he apparently signed a card for a friend that had his lifespan noted under the signature, showing the year of his death, like 1958-2001 (i don't know the actual years, but in this type of format)! How is that for dealing with what life dealt you in stride?

[SteveS]

Gary Pettis won't sign the '85 Topps that actually depicts his younger brother. But I guess the brother will sign it, and someone is offering it on eBay.

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

Last thought. I think I captured a photo of it, but can't find it now. Maybe I dreamt it up, but I doubt it. I am pretty sure that I saw an image of a card Gary Carter signed that would for sure be a 1/1, except that anyone could add an inscription later. When he must have known that the cancer would get him, he apparently signed a card for a friend that had his lifespan noted under the signature, showing the year of his death, like 1958-2001 (i don't know the actual years, but in this type of format)! How is that for dealing with what life dealt you in stride?

That's VERY unusual. I can't believe he did that. I think if I saw it I would immediately think it was fake, because I would think "How could he put a date of death?"

[egri]

I guess it would depend on what kind of shape Carter was in at the end. He died in April of 2012, so if he was still lucid enough to sign, and realistic about his lifespan, then I could see it. It seems rather morbid for him though, based on what I've read about his personality.

[sbfinley]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

Garvey was just added to past pros and the 82 Fleer is singled out. Being a long time Garvey collector, I am glad that this was the card he chose for this reason, because I am not a fan of it. I have a couple copies that I think could be legit and the one that sold on for big bucks and was certified was fake in my opinion. if the owner or person who got it signed knows differently, would love to hear that story.

If my memory is correct, it was sold raw on eBay for ~$50 and ended up in a PSA/DNA holder a month later.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

Singing habits is a very interesting subject to me. Why some guys won't sign at all, why they exclude certain items, etc. The funniest part is, whether they intended for demand to grow or not, by refusing to sign something, they automatically create additional demand for it.

Yes, signing habits are interesting. A little off topic, but at a Tuff-Stuff show back in the 90's, Yogi Berra would not sign single signed bats. The collector had one of those huge 5-6 foot long display bats and Yogi would not sign it. So, the collector had Stan Musial sign it first and then Yogi signed it. Kind of odd.

I observed Orel Hershiser not signing a specific ticket. I believe it was the scoreless inning streak ticket. The collector begged and begged him to sign it, but Orel's handler/agent was adamant about Orel not signing the item. Eventually, I think Orel relented and signed the ticket. In Orel's case, I believe he is not signing that specific item and stockpiling the item for his heirs.

Purportedly, David Wells refuses to sign his Sports Illustrated cover, although I have seen signed copies.

And then there is the charmer Barry Bonds, again a Tuff-Stuff show and in the advertisement for the show, NO SWEET SPOT. Bonds would not sign on the sweet spot of the ball, only the side panel. Barry has to be different. I took a pass.

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by sreader3

I think there is one Ron Kittle won’t sign. Can’t remember which one. Overall good guy and signer.

It was his 1984 Topps card. I had him as an autograph guest at a show I was promoting in the 90's and had to put in all the advertising that he was NOT signing the '84 Topps card.

[sreader3]

Thanks for the reminder about Kittle and 84 Topps.

I like the fact that there are certain issues guys won’t sign or will only sign for a premium. Adds complexity to the hobby and the thrill of the hunt.

I tend to agree that auto’ed 87 Topps are overrated (although I admit to collecting them). I prefer autos on 86 Topps and 87 Fleer which I’m sure puts me in the minority.

[bb66]

Dick Ellsworth will not sign his 1966 Topps card. The picture is of Ken Hubbs. He was killed in a plane crash in 1964. I have heard of the card being signed on the back but have never seen one.

[DFWGrapher]

I signed up just to respond to this. Even though it's six months old now.

Brandon Phillips, Keith Hernandez, Jeremy Guthrie, and Oddibe McDowell won't sign Indians items; or at least wouldn't for a long time. Hernandez will at shows and signings but charges extra. Guthrie would often sign but write in "Go O's!" or "Go Royals!" or whoever he was with at the time.
Tommy Gregg won't sign Braves items.
Greg Deichmann won't sign his 2018 Bowman Draft since it shows Kevin Merrill (Merrill will sign it, however)
Tim Bogar's 1993 Stadium Club card depicts Aaron Ledesma. Bogar will sign the back though.
Andy Hawkins stopped signing Fleer cards at some point. They can still be found somewhat easily though.
Scott Radinsky will not sign his Jewish Major Leaguers card because he is not Jewish. I want to get him on a Ten Foot Pole album.
Steve Busby will sign his 1975 Topps card (shows Fran Healy) but writes "NOT MY PICTURE" or something of the sort on it

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

I was at a signing featuring Don Sutton, and I offered him his rookie card to sign. He signed it, but as he did he said "I always hated this card!" (I guess because his ears stick out so prominently), as he signed right across his face. It was like he was intentionally defacing the card.

He had issues with a LOT of his early career cards and not liking his ears on them and would sign over his face on them.

Originally Posted by Joecoco

Was there a time in the 1980s when certain players would not sign any Topps cards because of the affiliation with Garbage Pail Kids?

Glenn Davis.

Originally Posted by mrmopar

I also was told by Dave Stewart that he wouldn't sign Rangers or Phillies cards. This was at a signing at a minor league ballpark before the game. He was actually very nice and apologetic about it. I figured it was because he didn't care for how he was treated by the team, but I didn't ask him exactly why he wouldn't. He willingly signed anything and everything else I had. However, I have seen signed cards from those teams for sale online, so maybe it was more recent thing?

He did have a rather infamous arrest as a Ranger, and I heard he just didn't want to be reminded of that and his time with them.

I know of more hockey ones than baseball but given time I'm sure I could think of more to add to the list. I may eventually put a list on my site of cards players won't sign in every sport.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by DFWGrapher

I signed up just to respond to this. Even though it's six months old now.

Brandon Phillips, Keith Hernandez, Jeremy Guthrie, and Oddibe McDowell won't sign Indians items; or at least wouldn't for a long time. Hernandez will at shows and signings but charges extra. Guthrie would often sign but write in "Go O's!" or "Go Royals!" or whoever he was with at the time.
Tommy Gregg won't sign Braves items.
Greg Deichmann won't sign his 2018 Bowman Draft since it shows Kevin Merrill (Merrill will sign it, however)
Tim Bogar's 1993 Stadium Club card depicts Aaron Ledesma. Bogar will sign the back though.
Andy Hawkins stopped signing Fleer cards at some point. They can still be found somewhat easily though.
Scott Radinsky will not sign his Jewish Major Leaguers card because he is not Jewish. I want to get him on a Ten Foot Pole album.
Steve Busby will sign his 1975 Topps card (shows Fran Healy) but writes "NOT MY PICTURE" or something of the sort on it



He had issues with a LOT of his early career cards and not liking his ears on them and would sign over his face on them.



Glenn Davis.



He did have a rather infamous arrest as a Ranger, and I heard he just didn't want to be reminded of that and his time with them.

I know of more hockey ones than baseball but given time I'm sure I could think of more to add to the list. I may eventually put a list on my site of cards players won't sign in every sport.

First post, absolutely love it! Welcome and thanks for the great info!! I'd love to see the other sports as well.

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

Rich Reese won't sign the 1965 Topps because they put Dick Reese.
Lew Krausse would sign his 1965 Topps card even though it was Pete Lovrich pictured. Was fortunate to have had both of them sign the front.
Tried to get Floyd Bannister to sign the 1985 Donruss error card and he kept it.