Mays Was One of the Best - But Is He Worth $1700?!

[william_9]

Mark, he'd probably charge more to sign a drawing with Ruth and Cobb, after all, it's Ruth and Cobb, not Mickey and the Duke.

Willie's a strange cat. I've met him a handful of times in Cooperstown. Cash only, one person at a time, no guarantees. Most likely he'll sign over someone else or sign upside down. No rhyme or reason, he just likes to have the upper hand. He can be gracious though. I was behind someone a few years ago, guy with two kids. He's getting a ball signed for one of his sons. Willie asks, "what about your other son, shouldn't he get one too"? Dad replies, "sorry, it's too expensive for one, I can't afford two". Willie, "well that's not right, you must have some more money, how much you got"? Dad, "no really, I can't." Willie, "how about $60"? Dad, "I don't have $60 on me." Willie, "well, how much you got?" Dad opens his wallet, "$20 is all I have". Willie, "for $20 your other son can be happy too". Dad, relunctantly, "ok".

See, Willie can be human. His regular price was $120, yet he was willing to meet the dad half way at $60 for a ball. Then, in the spirit of baseball, practically gives his signature away at 16 cents on the dollar. After the kids walk away smiling, and the dad wonders what he's going to say to his wife, I put my book down in front of Willie. He then proceeds to sign my book on top of Stan Musial. Willie Mays, one of the greatest.