Mike Marshall signing

[isaac2004]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

One of the first autographs I ever asked for was as a kid from LEON WAGNER as he was coming into Yankee Stadium, He told me to "F Off" and laughed as did all his bros ....my father and uncle who heard what he said tried to jump him but security grabbed them. That was a nice introduction into the world of collecting.
Another great experience was with Richie Allen , I had two Phillies photos , Johnny Callison who signed his and Allen who told me to wait until he got back from the bathroom and he would sign. It was a hotel Bar. An hour and a half later I went back into the bar and was told Allen went home. In both cases a NO would have been nice instead of a jack job, so it helps when you expect the worst and are surprised at anything otherwise.
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jim@stinsonsports.com

That Allen story cold have been worse, he could have came back to sign without washing his hands :0

[Gmrson]

I think I only got 1 rude response ever from a player in my years of hitting the hotels and that was Johnny Bench, in for CBS radio, who gave me a "yea, bull s**t!" during our exchange...but he still signed!

I had Reggie cornered at the front desk waiting for a package and he said he didn't want to sign, but when I laid 4 cards out he signed "Reggie J" on them. One of my biggest surprises was with Rod Carew. Another collector and I had lost track of time chatting well past midnight when Rod strolled in with a stunning blonde. She held the elevator door and he signed at least a dozen things between us!

[39special]

Back in 1980 I was at a Reading Phillies game with some friends.Ozzie Virgil Jr
hit 2 HRs.After the game I went to ask Ozzie to sign my glove.He looked at me and said "I have better things to do." Being 13,I was pretty upset.Then
someone grabbed my arm and said "I'll sign your glove for you."The player signed my glove,talked to me alittle,and thanked me for coming out to see them play.That player was Ryne Sandberg.I guess he didn't have anything better to do.

[JimStinson]

Originally Posted by isaac2004

That Allen story cold have been worse, he could have came back to sign without washing his hands :0

I agree I remember thinking at the time that after 1 1/2 hours it was the longest CRAP in the history of crap or long....
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jim@stinsonsports.com

[JimStinson]

A "tape measure" #2
_________________
jim@stinsonsports.com

[scooter729]

Ha - I think we all have our own Frank Robinson stories of getting turned down by that jerk! Back in the late 80s, I had Hank Bauer and Brooks Robinson sign the '67 Topps card picturing them and Frank.

So when Frank was in Boston (O's manager), I knew he'd be tough, but I figured with the other two already signed, he may be more obliging. I caught him many hours before the game outside of Fenway, as he got out of a cab with no other autograph seekers around. Seemed like the perfect opportunity.

He looked at the card as I held it, and it went something like this (mind you, I'm a 15 year old kid at this point):

Frank:"Oh, so you already had Brooks and Hank sign it?"
Me: "Yes sir, I would appreciate if you would sign it as well for me."
Frank: "I'll sign it for you tomorrow."
Me: "But this is the Orioles' last day here in Boston."
Frank: "I know!" (walks away laughing)

Seriously - why take the time to talk to me for 30 seconds just to be a jerk? It would've taken a fraction of the time to either just say no or to sign it, but why have a conversation and be an a-hole about it??

[Mr. Zipper]

Robinson seems like a sadistic $#@%& a power trip. I'm going to be rude and deny you because I can.

And this was way before "commercialized hounds" and eBay, so that's not even an excuse. I have no respect for guys that are mean to kids.

[JimStinson]

Originally Posted by scooter729

Ha - I think we all have our own Frank Robinson stories of getting turned down by that jerk! Back in the late 80s, I had Hank Bauer and Brooks Robinson sign the '67 Topps card picturing them and Frank.

So when Frank was in Boston (O's manager), I knew he'd be tough, but I figured with the other two already signed, he may be more obliging. I caught him many hours before the game outside of Fenway, as he got out of a cab with no other autograph seekers around. Seemed like the perfect opportunity.

He looked at the card as I held it, and it went something like this (mind you, I'm a 15 year old kid at this point):

Frank:"Oh, so you already had Brooks and Hank sign it?"
Me: "Yes sir, I would appreciate if you would sign it as well for me."
Frank: "I'll sign it for you tomorrow."
Me: "But this is the Orioles' last day here in Boston."
Frank: "I know!" (walks away laughing)

Seriously - why take the time to talk to me for 30 seconds just to be a jerk? It would've taken a fraction of the time to either just say no or to sign it, but why have a conversation and be an a-hole about it??

What a jerk I love those stories.... Here is one for you JIM KAAT coming out of a hotel , No one recognizes him but me and I have an 8x10 photo of him in my arsenal of possible players at the hotel. No one for miles except for me and him.
Mr Kaat would you autograph my photo ?
No response
I ask again,
I'm busy he says ...
Then out my my arsenal I remember he likes to golf and I know the guy that owns the pro shop (Can;t remember his name today but lets say its Bob)
I say I'm a friend of Bob's
He says "The golf guy?"
I say yea "figure I got him now !"
He says tell him I said HI (as he gets in his car to drive away)

[JimStinson]

Another goofy autograph story unrelated to baseball......Shortly after the movie TITANTIC came out I am sitting in a jazz club in Holland. Sitting next to me is a woman that looks familer but can't place the name with the face ....she's seated with a guy, and I with a lady ....so I keep looking at her and every time I look at her she looks back, Its KATE WINSLET so finally I point my finger at her like "OK NOW I recognize you" and she smiled and held a finger to her lips ...like keep quiet...lol, so I never asked her for an autograph but was funny because she NEVER was recognized and both she and the guy she was with said Good Bye and thanks before they left
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jim@stinsonsports.com

[clutch]

I don't know if this has ever been brought up in the forum before, but this is one of my favorite autograph stories told by the great Tommy Lasorda.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFYBD-EoCnc

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

Another goofy autograph story unrelated to baseball......Shortly after the movie TITANTIC came out I am sitting in a jazz club in Holland. Sitting next to me is a woman that looks familer but can't place the name with the face ....she's seated with a guy, and I with a lady ....so I keep looking at her and every time I look at her she looks back, Its KATE WINSLET so finally I point my finger at her like "OK NOW I recognize you" and she smiled and held a finger to her lips ...like keep quiet...lol, so I never asked her for an autograph but was funny because she NEVER was recognized and both she and the guy she was with said Good Bye and thanks before they left
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jim@stinsonsports.com

Jim, please write a book on your stories and experiences, because I'd buy the shit out of that book! Lol

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

Another goofy autograph story unrelated to baseball......Shortly after the movie TITANTIC came out I am sitting in a jazz club in Holland. Sitting next to me is a woman that looks familer but can't place the name with the face ....she's seated with a guy, and I with a lady ....so I keep looking at her and every time I look at her she looks back, Its KATE WINSLET so finally I point my finger at her like "OK NOW I recognize you" and she smiled and held a finger to her lips ...like keep quiet...lol, so I never asked her for an autograph but was funny because she NEVER was recognized and both she and the guy she was with said Good Bye and thanks before they left
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jim@stinsonsports.com

Jim, I didn't know they had red lights in a jazz club?