Who are the tougher living Baseball HOFers?

[packs]

How exactly are collectors taking advantage of professional athletes by selling their autographs though? The athletes make what they make because of fans / collectors attending games. If one is taking advantage of the other, isn't it mutual?

[cubsfan-budman]

yeah, there's some sort of break even point where the cost of the auto isn't exploitative of the fan base.

not sure where that point is, but it's lower than $650

[packs]

The secondary market shouldn't even enter the athlete's mind. If it does, that person is being greedy. They have enough money. I don't worry about what someone does with my soda can after I throw it away. I don't feel as though someone who needs the money and recycles my can instead of me is ripping me off. That mentality is lame.

[Bruinsfan94]

Originally Posted by packs

The secondary market shouldn't even enter the athlete's mind. If it does, that person is being greedy. They have enough money. I don't worry about what someone does with my soda can after I throw it away. I don't feel as though someone who needs the money and recycles my can instead of me is ripping me off. That mentality is lame.

Of course the secondary market plays into it. Why should a player waste his time signing autographs just so random guys who may or may not be fans sell it. Apples and Oranges.

[packs]

A player should waste his time signing autographs because they understand those people he's signing for enable them to live the life they are. No one steps onto a baseball field unless there are fans there to pay to see the game. There should be mutual respect between athlete and fan. If that relationship is entirely one sided, someone is being greedy.
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[Bruinsfan94]

And most will sign if you see them in public or at a game, at least the nice guys. Thats very different from going to a card show and sign 100's of items.

[packs]

Obviously. But you said any time you get an autograph from someone that's you trying to make a profit off someone and getting something for free. Your outlook on the athlete and their relationship to fans is skewed. They've made their entire livelihood off people like me. If I'm a bum, so are they. Athletes should sign when they want to sign, not sign when they don't want to sign, but what happens to the autograph after shouldn't factor into anything.

[homerunhitter]

Any updates to this thread?

[Wrightfan85]

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

Any updates to this thread?

Piazza is high on top of the list for sure. He splits time between the US and Italy now. He does 1 signing per year tops now it seems.

I do not want to publicly reveal how much I paid for my Mike HOF plaque lol. Did not expect it to go as high as it did.

[mrmopar]

Sometimes it's both the joy and sorrow of getting specific items signed. If you have to have that certain rookie card, a framed multiplayer print or a HOF plaque signed to name a few of many possibilities, then you need to be prepared to hunt one down or get it signed yourself.

Using Piazza as an example, I won't claim to know the market on his autograph too well, but his first pack issued autograph that I am aware of (96 SPX Commemorative) can usually be found for $100 or less. I have seen at least a pair or more newer pack issued autographs sell for maybe half that.

[Bruinsfan94]

Originally Posted by packs

How exactly are collectors taking advantage of professional athletes by selling their autographs though? The athletes make what they make because of fans / collectors attending games. If one is taking advantage of the other, isn't it mutual?

If you get something for free for someone or at a reduced price, and then sell it for a profit, I'd say that you are taking advantage of it. You pay for a ticket to see a baseball game. You don't pay for a ticket to have the player owe you for everything. Not saying there is anything at all wrong with selling autographs. Just don't see why people would feel that the players should freely allow others to make profit off them. Signing a card for a kid is different as thats just being a decent person