Need Help Identifying an Autograph
 

I just purchased a 1997 Cox Communications Dream Game bat signed by 16 members of the National League team. This was a annual charity event held in the 1990's to benefit a local Phoenix hospital. I am able to identify 15 out of the 16 autographs but this one I cannot identify. Can anyone help? Thanks.

According to an article in the 1 Feb 1997 edition of the Arizona Republic newspaper, the game was played on 1 Feb 1997.

The players they identified as participants are:

NL
Johnny Vandermeer
Bill Buckner
Dave Lopes
Bill Russell
Ron Cey
Bill Madlock
Darrell Porter
George Foster
Dave Kingman
Gary Matthews
Rico Carty
Jay Johnstone
Jerry Reuss
Johnny Podres
Lew Burdette
Randy Jones
Jay Howell

AL
Frank Robinson
Darrell Evans
Dick Allen
Bert Campaneris
Jim Essian
Manny Sanguillen
Steve Kemp
Dave Parker
Leon Wagner
Frank Howard
Joe Rudi
Goose Gossage
Sparky Lyle
Mudcat Grant
Bob Feller
Dave Stewart
Earl Wilson

So, since the signature looks like a George, and George Foster is the only "George" identified as participating in the game, I'd say it's probably him.

Steve

What an awesome bat!...

I also saw where Foster was the only "George" that played in the game, but didn't want to suggest it since it really doesn't look like most of his sigs, but his G in george has changed over the years and he did do one exactly like yours, and the Foster on the bat is probably a result of rushing with a fatter sharpie. Best guess is that it is indeed Foster.

Thank you for information about the game. I thought it looked like George but was not sure.

I would agree with George, but not Foster. Last name is too off. Who were the coaches in the game?

According to the newspaper article I cited, Johnny VanderMeer and Frank Robinson were the managers. No "coaches" were identified.

Steve

Is it possibly George Hendrick? I saw some similarities in the signature.

There are some similarities, and maybe he mellowed with age, but my first interaction with George went something like this:

11yo me: "Hi George, can I please get your autograph?"

21yo George: "No."

No one else around, mind you...