not exactly pre-war, but can someone explain why Mike Witt auto's are so expensive?

[novakjr]

Title really says it all. As part of my autograph collection, for now I've mostly focused on Hall of Famers, Cleveland Indians greats, and Perfect game pitchers. One strange thing I've come across is how expensive Mike Witt's auto's are. Did I miss something? Does he just not sign much? Or does he generally charge a ridiculous amount when he does sign? Hell, even PSA slabbed 3x5's seemed to going for over $100.. This just seems crazy for a living, modern player with a seemingly average career.

One other question about another modern player. Does anyone know how long Tim Raines signed his stuff using Tim "Rock" Raines? Or is that just more of a requested inscription?

[whitey19thcentury]

Witt falls into the category of Randy Myers, Pete Vuckovich, etc.: players from the last 20-30 years who are still living but have become/are notorius tough signers. I have see Vuck turn down numerous autograph requests.

I just sold a playing career-era Witt 3x5 for a bargain price last week on eBay.

Hope this helps

Russ

[novakjr]

Thanks Whitey. I was going to bid on that 3x5 Witt you had, but got tied up and missed it. I couldn't believe how low it went.

[mr2686]

I have seen 8x10's go for reasonable prices, but cards and balls seem especially high. I also know he doesn't sign by mail.

[thxforthebp]

I dont know if it is out there but it would be great to complile a list of guys who fall into this catagory.

[roarfrom34]

Simple Economics 101 at work:

Supply & Demand

[whitey19thcentury]

Originally Posted by thxforthebp

I dont know if it is out there but it would be great to complile a list of guys who fall into this catagory.

Wow....this could get interesting. There are numerous guys out there who have debuted within the last 30 or so years that are downright difficult. Many of those are cup of coffee guys, or guys long forgotten.

This list could get long, especially when considering the amount of Latin/foreign players who have made their debuts over this time span. A lot of those guys are nearly impossible to get as they returned to their homeland after their careers are over.

I have collectors sending me wantlists for 3x5s collections and the majority include Latin players from the 80s-present day. Many, I haven't heard of or have forgotten about.

I guess it all comes down to what medium you collect/want signed. Most guys won't sign anything, while a lot of current players refuse to sign 3x5s.

I have seen that with my own eyes. Still kinda unbelievable to me.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by whitey19thcentury

Wow....this could get interesting. There are numerous guys out there who have debuted within the last 30 or so years that are downright difficult. Many of those are cup of coffee guys, or guys long forgotten.

This list could get long, especially when considering the amount of Latin/foreign players who have made their debuts over this time span. A lot of those guys are nearly impossible to get as they returned to their homeland after their careers are over.

I have collectors sending me wantlists for 3x5s collections and the majority include Latin players from the 80s-present day. Many, I haven't heard of or have forgotten about.

I guess it all comes down to what medium you collect/want signed. Most guys won't sign anything, while a lot of current players refuse to sign 3x5s.

I have seen that with my own eyes. Still kinda unbelievable to me.

Maybe this should get limited to guys that have at least some noteworthy reasoning behind people wanting an autograph from.

[whitey19thcentury]

Originally Posted by novakjr

Maybe this should get limited to guys that have at least some noteworthy reasoning behind people wanting an autograph from.

I agree, but there are collectors of teams, debut years, hometowns/states, and foreign collectors out there who collect players others deem as not noteworthy or not on the same level, playing-career wise, as say a Vuckovich, Witt, Myers, etc.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

I am not a huge autograph guy but do enjoy getting them.

Doesn't the new edition of Meiselman's list have a section on tough signers?

I had the pleasure of working with notorius toughie Dr. Mike Marshall back in the 1980s. He would soften up every once in a while but just thought signing was silly.

[mcgwirecom]

Mike Witt is one of the Prefect Game Pitchers Club. Sometimes players will increase their prices knowing that everyone needs them for their Perfect Game ball or ticket or collection. I have done two different Perfect Game balls. I think both times I was able to get Mike several years back. I don't think I paid too much for him. But I remember trying to get Kenny Rogers. The first time was tough. He didn't do signings and when he did I think he charged over $100. On the second ball I was able to send it to a YMCA signing in Georgia and the guy running it promised to get it signed for me for $25. I was pretty happy. But when I got it back Kenny had signed upside down compared to others on the panel he signed. I feel he did it on purpouse. I have noticed that once a guy throws a Perfect Game his price immediately goes up. At least for that first signing after the event.

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by novakjr

Title really says it all. As part of my autograph collection, for now I've mostly focused on Hall of Famers, Cleveland Indians greats, and Perfect game pitchers. One strange thing I've come across is how expensive Mike Witt's auto's are. Did I miss something? Does he just not sign much? Or does he generally charge a ridiculous amount when he does sign? Hell, even PSA slabbed 3x5's seemed to going for over $100.. This just seems crazy for a living, modern player with a seemingly average career.

One other question about another modern player. Does anyone know how long Tim Raines signed his stuff using Tim "Rock" Raines? Or is that just more of a requested inscription?

Tim signed "Rock" for me last year per my request at a Newark bears game...great guy!