Kevin Keating's book "Waiting For a Sign"
 

My buddy Kevin, well known to the hobby, has just had his book, "Waiting For a Sign," published. These are the stories of his adventures chasing autographs as a youth and then later becoming close personal friends with some of the same legendary figures that had been his "targets" earlier. This is not really an autobiography or memoirs, more a collection of stories focusing on his interaction with the players themselves, although Kevin's interesting and diverse background as a graduate of West Point and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, an airborne Ranger, a longtime consultant for the FBI in their Operation Bullpen, and other aspects of his life naturally intersect on occasion with his various pursuits in the autograph realm. I helped edit this book, and never got tired of reading these stories as I was working on them. Like just about everything else we do, it really comes down to the people, and it's the human side of the hobby that comes through the strongest in Kevin's stories, mostly of the heartwarming and humorous varieties, but some pathos, also. For a fun Summer read, and particular for those also afflicted with the autograph bug, I recommend it highly.
https://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Sign-.../dp/B07BK9NXBQ

That is pretty cool, I bet it is a good read and will pick up a copy. Thanks for the heads up!

Rhys

Can't wait to read this. Thanks for calling our attention to it, Hank.

-Al

Hank,
I will look to pick up a "signed" copy at The National.
Thanks for the heads up!

Thanks Hank!

Read the preview. I guess it is easy to get sucked into a topic I enjoy so much, but it was better than I expected, knowing it was more about a story behind the signature/player. Looks like many more volumes could come behind it.

Just a volume 2, scheduled for the late Fall, I believe. Between the two, there's something like 36 players for whom Kevin's story of getting their autograph was deemed interesting enough for a chapter, or with whom he developed a close personal relationship with enough interesting stories to warrant a chapter.

Can't say that I have gotten to know any players and have limited experience IP, other than some organized signings in recent years and my batting practice exploits of the early 80s in Seattle. It's funny, but a couple misses are stories I have told before that are more interesting than an actual meeting might have been.

It makes me wish I could have been doing it earlier than the late 70s/early 80s and also wish I would have focused on the signed cards more. Before the internet though and aside from a few shops here and there that required parental agreement/cooperation to visit, it was pretty near impossible for a kid to add anything but pack pulled singles and trades with friends.

Have a copy from Amazon coming today...Should be a great book

Go Army! Great representation of West Point and the Army.