Which players made you work for the autograph?

[jimjim]

I agree. Tom Glavine is one of the most down-to-earth and friendly Hall of Famer's I have ever met.

[egri]

I saw on another forum a story from an NYPD officer who had gone up to Cooperstown for the induction ceremony on one of his weekends off. He was trying to get Reggie Jackson, but all weekend Jackson kept brushing him and the other autograph seekers off. Finally, as Jackson was pushing his way through a huge crowd, he went to push away this officer, and when he did, his hand brushed up against the officer's off-duty sidearm. That was the only autograph Jackson signed all week.

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by egri

I saw on another forum a story from an NYPD officer who had gone up to Cooperstown for the induction ceremony on one of his weekends off. He was trying to get Reggie Jackson, but all weekend Jackson kept brushing him and the other autograph seekers offoff. Finally, as Jackson was pushing his way through a huge crowd, he went to push away this officer, and when he did, his hand brushed up against the officer's off-duty sidearm. That was the only autograph Jackson signed all week.

That's funny
Drew

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by jimjim

I agree. Tom Glavine is one of the most down-to-earth and friendly Hall of Famer's I have ever met.

That's great, but he wasn't when my friend approached him.

[kmac32]

I was at Cubs Spring training today and Fergie Jenkins, Lee Smith, Meadowlark Lemon, Bill Buckner, Bobby Dernier, and Pete LaCock were signing autographs for the Ferguson Jenkins Foundation. Since I knew Fergie and Lee from Cubs camp, I stopped by to say Hi. Didn't need any autographs so I pulled out a couple of 5 dollar bills as a donation as they were there for a reason. Both told me that was not necessary but I told them that it was something I wanted to do for the foundation. Sometimes it is not about the autograph and more about friendship. Was good to talk to both of them and they both remembered me well. Lee started with "How is my catcher", he wanted to know how I was doing after my spinal stroke and he made a point to ask about my wife's health as she has COPD. Both great people and very caring.

[egri]

At Futures at Fenway, the players are generally very obliging, except for Joe McEwing, who was there one year (2008?) when he was a coach with one of the White Sox minor league teams. He played the "I'll sign later" card, then sprinted up into the clubhouse, came down about an hour or so later, again brushed off everyone else and nearly tripped over a five year old to get out of there. I was able to get him TTM about a year later. Joey Gathright also never signed there.

[packs]

One year at Tigers camp Gary Sheffield was giving everyone the run around. He wouldn't even look at people. At Tigers camp the player parking lot is situated near the back fields. When practice ends, security makes everyone leave the back fields and then you all set up along the railing that leads into the clubhouse.

My dad and I slipped through security and were able to post up along the fence that separated the back fields and the players parking lot. While Sheffy walked to his car, we waved at him. He got in a huge SUV and pulled up right alongside us at the fence, signed our balls for us through his driver side window, and sped past everyone else.

[MacDice]

Bill Buckner was a minor leave coach for a while. He would always rush through the ballpark to try and avoid signing. He would sign one per and would do so on the move. I handed him a ball one time and asked him to personalize it to my son, Billy. Without a second he deadpan asked me how to spell it and like an idiot I started spelling Billy to Bill Buckner. Classic

[kmac32]

Originally Posted by MacDice

Bill Buckner was a minor leave coach for a while. He would always rush through the ballpark to try and avoid signing. He would sign one per and would do so on the move. I handed him a ball one time and asked him to personalize it to my son, Billy. Without a second he deadpan asked me how to spell it and like an idiot I started spelling Billy to Bill Buckner. Classic

Bill Buckner was signing autographs left and right for the Fergie Jenkins foundation on Monday. Only thing requested but not required was a donation to the foundation. Believe to amout recommended was $20.00. You are righ that he was not very talkative.

[djson1]

Originally Posted by MacDice

Bill Buckner was a minor leave coach for a while. He would always rush through the ballpark to try and avoid signing. He would sign one per and would do so on the move. I handed him a ball one time and asked him to personalize it to my son, Billy. Without a second he deadpan asked me how to spell it and like an idiot I started spelling Billy to Bill Buckner. Classic

Ha..that is funny. But I wouldn't be too hard on the guy. At least he signed it for you and I'm sure he's more experienced in running into folks who have unorthodox spellings of common names. I've seen my name, "Jason", spelled "Jaison" and "Jayson". I'm sure there are odd variations of "Billy": "Billie", "Billee", etc.