Who's the earliest HOF you met in person?

vthobby · #1 01-23-2015, 11:02 AM

Stan Musial and others....(Appling & Aparicio I think) were at an armory in Manhattan at a card show in the 1970s.

My grandfather used to send Stan Musial Maple Syrup that he tapped from Vermont in the 1950s.

I mentioned this to Stan and he remembered my grandpa. That was pretty cool.

Peace, Mike

Hankphenom · #2 01-23-2015, 11:21 AM

I met Clark Griffith in 1955, and remember it very well. I was nine.

Jobu · #3 01-30-2015, 08:39 PM

That is awesome about Griffith, I loved the story in your book (Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train, a must read for those who haven't yet).

Didn't you also meet your grandfather (Walter Johnson for those who don't know) when you were 8 or 9 months old? Even if you don't remember it I say that this counts and you win the prize given he is one of the original 5!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

I met Clark Griffith in 1955, and remember it very well. I was nine.

Hankphenom · #4 01-31-2015, 04:24 PM

I guess I did technically meet him when he was in the hospital, or at least he met me, I hadn't thought of that. I was only a few months old, so naturally I don't remember it. I have always thought it was special to have been the last grandchild born before he passed away, and that he "knew" me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jobu

That is awesome about Griffith, I loved the story in your book (Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train, a must read for those who haven't yet).

Didn't you also meet your grandfather (Walter Johnson for those who don't know) when you were 8 or 9 months old? Even if you don't remember it I say that this counts and you win the prize given he is one of the original 5!

mrmopar · #5 09-05-2015, 11:25 PM

Found this old thread via a search and thought I would revive it.

The first and earliest HOFer I met was Bob Feller, who was signing at Pacific Trading Cards in Edmonds. I think it was 1984 or so.

I "met" a few others at Mariner games in the 80s as well when I was chasing autographs, although all were still active except Yogi Berra, who was a Yankee coach or manager at the time. he was walking to the team bus after the game. Guys like Dave Winfield, Jim Palmer, Gaylord Perry, Tony Perez, Carl Yastrzemski and Eddie Murray all signed something for me at M's games. That was more seeing him close and in person vs. actually meeting him. I also got a bunch of signatures (maybe 1-2 HOFers, but I'd need to see the program to remember) at one of the Equitable Old Timers Game in Seattle.

I then met a few more at the Seattle Fan Fest in 2001, including Bob Gibson, Jim Rice, Orlando Cepeda & Enos Slaughter.

Lastly, I was able to meet a couple at Everett Aqua Sox games when they were signature guests before the games. Rollie Fingers, Gaylord Perry and Fergie Jenkins (I guess they like 60s-80s pitchers!). It was fun too be able too get a number of items signed by each, an opportunity you don't typically get in card show settings, as they were there for 2 hours each and there were really only so many fans interested in standing in line more than once.

vthobby · #6 09-05-2015, 11:31 PM

In the lobby of the Otesaga Hotel. Me and a friend had basically snuck into the lobby, we got Ferrell to sign 2 Perez Steeles and we were then escorted out by security. It was well worth it. We each got around 25 hall of fame autographs on that trip. 1985 or 1986 or near there during the induction weekend.

Peace, Mike

PS I also got Gehringer on a baseball on that same trip and that was TOUGH! I basically bugged him so much on the golf course by recounting all of his accomplishments to him that his wife basically said "Charlie, sign for the boy so he will just go away!" He did, and I did! What a sweet sig he had!

MacDice · #7 09-05-2015, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmopar

Found this old thread via a search and thought I would revive it.

The first and earliest HOFer I met was Bob Feller, who was signing at Pacific Trading Cards in Edmonds. I think it was 1984 or so.

That is funny I was the first person in line for that signing. I remember Bob was late as he got lost finding the place. I got a Donruss Baseball Hereos card signed and a postcard signed

mrmopar · #8 09-05-2015, 11:44 PM

Look familiar? I got those same things signed as well, the 83 heroes card and the PC they sent to advertise the signing along with the 8x10 B&W paper photo with the career highlights on back he had there and a ball.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacDice

That is funny I was the first person in line for that signing. I remember Bob was late as he got lost finding the place. I got a Donruss Baseball Hereos card signed and a postcard signed

TheBig6 · #9 09-05-2015, 11:38 PM

When I was about 10 yrs old , we went over to Glenn Myatt's House a couple times. He was a friend of my Step Fathers. I remember looking at his scrapbook and the 1926 Cleveland Indians Team Panorama picture on the wall. Also Pictures of him and Speaker doing some Deer Hunting. I remember he didn't speak to highly of Cobb but was very fond of Ruth. He played from 1920-1936, He died in 1969

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