WANTED: Willie Mays to sign my 1960 NL Ball

[Hot Springs Bathers]

I saw him smear a bat signature on purpose and bounce a person a signed ball back in the mid-80's in Little Rock, Arkansas.

He was signing along with Musial in a terrible location at the State Fair Grounds with no air conditioning in the Summer. Musial was wearing his sports coat and tie, stood to shake hands with every person and had a smile on his face.

Willie, well let's just say he seemed unhappy. I did get a photo and a ball that day. If my memory serves me right they were $10.00 each.

[mdallen22]

I'm hoping if I'm able to have a conversation with the promoter and/or handler, supply the blue ball point pen and put a legal sticky tab that says "sign here" the handler will do their best to make sure the ball is handled and signed properly. I rather it not be signed and sent back to me then to have the piece ruined. I'm sure we've all seen the recent YouTube videos of Willie signing and as long as the person is persistent on where, how, and what pen to use Willie will eventually comply. But not being their in person will not help the situation. I'm always worried when you have to depend on someone else to go to bat for you -see what I did there

The "sign here" might be over kill. I'll just use a regular tab instead that doesn't say anything. There is real estate on the bottom part of the west panel below Tony Taylors signature for him to sign. It's not ideal to have him attempt to cram his signature in a tight space but we'll see.

[Mark17]

If the previous poster is correct about his failing eyesight, all that isn't going to matter anyway, even if he's in a good mood.

I'm afraid you're going to pay $350 to have Mays ruin your ball...

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by mdallen22

I'm hoping if I'm able to have a conversation with the promoter and/or handler, supply the blue ball point pen and put a legal sticky tab that says "sign here" the handler will do their best to make sure the ball is handled and signed properly. I rather it not be signed and sent back to me then to have the piece ruined. I'm sure we've all seen the recent YouTube videos of Willie signing and as long as the person is persistent on where, how, and what pen to use Willie will eventually comply. But not being their in person will not help the situation. I'm always worried when you have to depend on someone else to go to bat for you -see what I did there

The "sign here" might be over kill. I'll just use a regular tab instead that doesn't say anything. There is real estate on the bottom part of the west panel below Tony Taylors signature for him to sign. It's not ideal to have him attempt to cram his signature in a tight space but we'll see.

I wish you the best, but I think you're crazy.
Ken

[Duluth Eskimo]

Originally Posted by mdallen22

I'm hoping if I'm able to have a conversation with the promoter and/or handler, supply the blue ball point pen and put a legal sticky tab that says "sign here" the handler will do their best to make sure the ball is handled and signed properly. I rather it not be signed and sent back to me then to have the piece ruined. I'm sure we've all seen the recent YouTube videos of Willie signing and as long as the person is persistent on where, how, and what pen to use Willie will eventually comply. But not being their in person will not help the situation. I'm always worried when you have to depend on someone else to go to bat for you -see what I did there

The "sign here" might be over kill. I'll just use a regular tab instead that doesn't say anything. There is real estate on the bottom part of the west panel below Tony Taylors signature for him to sign. It's not ideal to have him attempt to cram his signature in a tight space but we'll see.

I think that's a great idea. Please keep us posted on how it turns out. I would love to see the after pictures. I think $350 is very fair also given the situation.

[Runscott]

Yes, if you attempt to have this done, definitely post the 'after' pictures before giving the ball to Pickles.