Tough 1970's & 1980's Autographed Cards
 

I was thinking it may be interesting to identify some of the tougher 1970's & 1980's Autographed Cards that may not be super obvious to many collectors, a la the 1987 Ricky Wright card.

There are some easily identified players/managers that are hard to find due to early death, accident, fleeing the country or just an unwillingness to sign autographs but I think it would be interesting to hear some of the less obvious tough guys.

If this thread doesn't get a lot of action I will let it die but I honestly think it would be interesting and I also think we can all learn something from it as well.

I would like to periodically update this initial post with new players as they get identified. Feel free to show your cards as well.

Some known tough autographed cards...

Lyman Bostock (d.1978)
Glenn Burke (d.1995)
Bob Christian (d.1974)
Roberto Clemente (d.1972)
Tim Crews (d.1993)
Joe DeSa (d.1986)
Bo Diaz (d.1990)
Nino Espinosa (d.1987)
Dan Frisella (d.1977)
Dick Howser (d.1987)
Steve Macko (d.1981)
Mike Marshall -pitcher- (Refusal to sign)
Byron McLaughlin (fled the country in 1990, whereabouts unknown)
Jim McGlothlin (d.1975)
Mike Miley (d.1977)
Donnie Moore (d.1989)
Bob Moose (d.1976)
Carl Morton (d.1983)
Thurman Munson (d.1979)
Gus Polidor (d.1995)
Win Remmerswaal (returned to Netherlands & lapsed into coma in 1997)
Chico Ruiz (d.1972)
Eric Show (d.1994)
Tony Solaita (d.1990)
Dan Thomas (d.1980)
Danny Thompson (d.1976)
Alan Wiggins (d.1991)
Don Wilson (d.1975)
Ricky Wright (refusal to sign)


Who are some other guys that you have had a really hard time finding?

I think you hit most of the tough ones! I'll look through my lists and see who might be outstanding

A few of those guys are not difficult to find at all on cards, depending on what card you are looking for. Donnie Moore for example signed quite a lot before he passed on 1989. Finding his signed 1989 and 1988 cards can be tough but earlier issues are fairly common. It's an important distinction to understand why his signed 1984 Fleer might be a $5 card while his 1989 Fleer might sell for $100.

Very true, not implying all cards signed by those individuals are extremely rare or anything, but some if not all have specific cards that are very hard to find. That being said even the most common of Donnie Moore signed cards is tougher than a Vance Law.

We can certainly get more specific on certain cards if we get more action in the thread or if someone wants to do that.

Just thinking off the top of my head and thought of two more guys I have found to be difficult...

Pete Vuckovich
Craig Stimac

At one point I know Terry Forster was difficult on his 1987 issues. Some other toughies from the 80s:

Mark Bradley
Jim Traber
Ramon Romero
Al Pulido

How about 1971 Lefty Phillips? Took me awhile to find one

Bob Moose
Danny Thompson (d 76)
Roberto Clemente




Tough in person:
George Hendricks
Jeff Leonard
Andy Messersmith stopped signing

Those are a few I can think of off the top of my head.

There are probably several more obscure players that set builders could share. I know the 1981 Topps Rick Anderson (Mariners rookies card) went for over a grand earlier this year. Anderson died not too long after his career ended (his life had later a turn for the worse after baseball) and the story goes the 400+ pound Anderson died with an autograph request in his hands.

I also heard directly from Ron kittle via Facebook after struggling to find it, that he only signs his 84T for a $25 donation to Indiana Sports Charities. Considering he signs for free TTM quite freely, this card might be significantly tougher depending on who was willing to spend the $25 for it.

Doug Flynn also has one like that. I think it was 86T, but that can easily be checked.

82 Fleer Garvey is another that supposedly is not signed. I saw one sell a while back (maybe by someone on this site even) that looked fake to me, but was graded/certified as real. It sold for crazy money.