Obtaining auto's in non-sports setting

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

One sees/meets famous people quite often in NYC. But a New Yorker never bothers them, and never asks for autographs.

On one hand I can appreciate this. You see people all the time and yawn, no big deal. However, the biggest and most aggressive autograph hounds I have ever met are New Yorkers. I guess we can start with Mike Wehrman who had someone film him while he got people in the 1990’s and Nate Sanders, who had his dad drive him around when he was too young to drive.

Personally, too many to list, but one good story. I was in Sydney, Australia during the 2000 Olympics. I had rented a condo a block from Darling Harbour (correct spelling downunder) which had the venues for many of the indoor sports (volleyball, judo, weightlifting etc.). It was also where all of the out of country radio stations broadcast from as there was this special building set up which was a series of small radio booths. I hung around that area for most of three weeks and bumped into quite a few competitors along with past Olympians like Matt Biondi and Bart Connor. One night I was walking with a friend and we recognized Evander Holyfield. I asked him for an autograph and he said no, but I will pose for a photo. I would have liked the autograph, but at least he was pleasant.

[David Atkatz]

Would you have recognized him if he didn't have his name embroidered on his shirt?

And of course the big autograph-hounds work in NY (and LA.) That's where the celebs are. But the vast majority of native New Yorkers leave celebs alone. It's the culture here. Not because seeing one is a "big yawn." (It's not.) It's out of respect for the celeb.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Would you have recognized him if he didn't have his name embroidered on his shirt?

And of course the big autograph-hounds work in NY (and LA.) That's where the celebs are. But the vast majority of native New Yorkers leave celebs alone. It's the culture here. Not because seeing one is a "big yawn." (It's not.) It's out of respect for the celeb.

Yes, the person with him was almost blocking the view and we recognized his from too far away to read the shirt.

I appreciate what you mean. You see people all the time, you leave them alone. It can be the same down here in D.C. You go out to eat at a decent restaurant and inevitably there is a Senator, Congressman, Cabinet head, S.C. Justice eating there. In that setting I leave them alone. In the settings where it is more expected, events at National Press Club and the such, I ask and have no qualms doing so.

[packs]

NYers are respectful of celebrities in life but any trip to Yankee Stadium's right field line or Legends Field in Tampa will alter your view of humanity. Although these are sports settings of course. And anything goes.

I will say I saw James Worthy (tough not to spot him) walking around on Bedford Avenue last summer and did not ask him for his autograph.

[eastonfalcon19]

Although it wasn't me personally, I would like to share a pretty cool story. A few years back my summer league baseball coach was at a Lowes store here in PA and ran into Sandy Koufax and got him to sign a piece of paper. He came to the practice with an ear to ear smile and showed us the autograph. I wish that was me but you never know when you will run into somebody. I think I might start carrying a baseball with me when I go to Lowes.