Roberto Clemente Signature "Bob"

[Tomi]

Came across this and it looks like he signed it Bob Clemente instead of Roberto. I always thought that he did not like to be called Bob and preferred Roberto. Can anyone verify if that was just a story that wasn't true or did he only want to be called Roberto.

[Peter_Spaeth]

We had a lengthy discussion of this topic, perhaps several months ago, if you can find it. Bottom line, there is evidence he did not in fact, like to be called Bob. Still, it’s not terribly surprising that once in a while he might’ve signed that way.

[Kaneen]

One other possibility here is that PSA missed the mark with their "opinion" that this signature is indeed authentic. (I'm not rendering an opinion that they for sure did miss it...just pointing out that it is in the realm of possibility.)

[CW]

This might be the previous thread that Peter mentions:

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=243547

and a shorter thread where some examples of Clemente signing as "Bob" are given, and his signature is discussed:

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=230416

[rats60]

I had an authentic "Bob" Clemente signature at one time I sold it through REA a few years back. It looked nothing like the one posted above. I have never seen an autograph on 1955 Topps card that I would be comfortable buying.

[Fred]

Well I bet "don't call me Joey" Albert Belle wouldn't sign a card with Joey. And Giancarlo Stanton didn't sign many items "Mike".

Why would a player sign something with anything but what they preferred to be called?

I've heard Roberto Clemente being called "Bob" Clemente, but most of the time it's always been "Roberto". Maybe Roberto saw a HUGE line of people that wanted his autograph and figured he could get through the line faster by signing them "Bob".

I have less faith in TPG authentication of autographs than I do with TPGs subjectivity in grading of cards.

[G1911]

While it is oft said today that "Bob" was offensive or he hated it on blogs and boards, I have yet to see a primary source for this claim whenever I ask for one. He seems to have signed his name as Bob some of the time, making it difficult for me to see how the narrative can be correct. Perhaps evidence will surface to clear it up.