Not exactly getting something back, but like Leons, refinding one that got away.
When the stamp guy I hung out at decided to get into cards one thing he had was a really neat photo of Fenway park. Signed on the back by "some front office guy". I wanted it but couldn't afford it. He had it in stock a while, I moved, visited one time when I had the money and asked about it. He'd gotten out of cards and sold everything in one lot to another localish dealer.
He phones, and finds out the other guy has sold it. Oh well, not the first or last time I'd miss out on something.
A few years later I'm looking at some stuff at the Shriners show and there's the photo. Priced reasonably, so I finally did get it. Never put 2+2 together on the "random front office guy" Until I decided to look him up.
Nope, not a Red Sox front office guy. And not an easy signature to read. Turns out the middle initial joins the last name - and then it becomes clear that it is indeed a front office guy. Ad about as front office as it gets.
Frank J Navin, Tigers owner.
Steve B