I think I'm about done

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by csotus

Perhaps the player should have taken a profession with less fan exposure if signing autos for fans annoys them.

You: You love everything about your job?

Athlete: Yes, but I don't enjoy signing my name over and over again.

You: Then you need to find a new job.

Athlete: I love the money, game, and the fans. I just need some alone time sometimes and don't enjoy that single aspect of signing my name all the time.

You: Yeah, it still sounds like you need to find a new job. Everyone should be 100% happy 100% of the time or they need to find a new job.

OR

To turn it around. Perhaps the collector should have taken up a hobby with less athlete exposure if rejection of autos from athletes annoys them.

[GrayGhost]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

You: You love everything about your job?

Athlete: Yes, but I don't enjoy signing my name over and over again.

You: Then you need to find a new job.

Athlete: I love the money, game, and the fans. I just need some alone time sometimes and don't enjoy that single aspect of signing my name all the time.

You: Yeah, it still sounds like you need to find a new job. Everyone should be 100% happy 100% of the time or they need to find a new job.

OR

To turn it around. Perhaps the collector should have taken up a hobby with less athlete exposure if rejection of autos from athletes annoys them.

+1

there are many athletes who just don't like doing it, its part of the game, and needs to be understood. I'm sure if it was just an "item here or there" some of them would sign more readily/obligingly. In the end, just stop if it does bother you. Athletes are no different than anyone else. They have their good and bad days and ways they live their lives. simple.

[mickey7mantle7]

If I was making millions I'd sign my name whenever asked (if possible).

Besides that, a lot of athletes have gotten lazy. What I mean by that is there are a ton of sigs that are signed with just initials. Lol

[Nappy1525]

Originally Posted by mickey7mantle7

If I was making millions I'd sign my name whenever asked (if possible).

Besides that, a lot of athletes have gotten lazy. What I mean by that is there are a ton of sigs that are signed with just initials. Lol

You say that now but be in there shoes every single day of their life. And just like the last few posts it doesn't make any sense to go "yeah I make millions of dollars a year but everyday hundreds of people of Come to me to sign something and I hate it" then your thought is "oh then change your job" doesn't make any sense

[MooseDog]

Originally Posted by mickey7mantle7

If I was making millions I'd sign my name whenever asked (if possible).

I once thought the same thing but American culture is so enamored with celebrity and wealth that I think things can get downright dangerous for people that "work" in the public eye.

I was fortunate to have played high school ball and kept in touch with one MLB player (1 time all-star, regular starting outfielder but not a superstar by any means) and I asked him about the autograph thing since I was a big-time chaser until about mid-1980s.

He told me some stories that would make any self-respecting autograph collector cringe that go way beyond things like getting interrupted at meals, and being handed dozens of things to sign at once.

But the one thing that turned the tide, that turned him into a somewhat reluctant signer was an incident in spring training (Florida). After some pre-game stretching in the outfield he was walking near the stands to the dugout, per usual there are lots of fans yelling for players to come and sign autographs. He related that he never would sign at this time as he would get himself mentally in "game mode" so he's basically focused, but he can hear a guy calling his name repeatedly. He doesn't acknowledge the guy, but he said the next thing he heard was "F'n uppity n..."

This is how ONE person can ruin things for everyone.

Spoke to him after he retired and he said things started getting completely out of control in the late 1980s and early 1990s (when the card boom was happening). People with binders of the same 8x10s, dozens of balls and bats. Aggressive kids (probably working for card show/shop dealers). People knocking on hotel room doors in the middle of the night...

He also related that every player pretty much knows their autographs get sold and some kid each other about their "value".

[Huck]

This player worrying about items they sing being sold is irks me to no end. The first poster asked the right question "How much do you think your autograph is worth?"

Scenario #1: Your family of four attends a MLB game (say the Nationals). You pay for decent seats ($70 plus per seat). You pay for parking. You pay for food and a souviners. At this juncture the out of pocket cost is over $400. Who on the Nationals is worth that kind of iron?

Scenario #2: You fly to spring training for a week. Pay for a hotel for a week. Rent a car for a week. Feed yourself for a week. Buy tickets to games for a week? How many big name players signatures would be needed just to break even?

Every owner should make it mandatory that players take time to sign at every home game. It is just good business. That way, the player can "say catch me at the ball park". So if you attend enough games, the odds of getting the signature of a certain player increases. The Nationals also have signature Sundays, were two non stars sign before the Sunday game.

Yes, there are those who make some money selling IP signatures but the players really need to let it go.

[bigfanNY]

I still enjoy getting IP autograph's ( I do not do it often) do I get turned down often yes but it has never bothered me. I have no control over anyone's actions. Recently I was at a game and a lady say 30-35 was screaming at a cop who told her he could not take her program and chase down a player for her. Many fans booed her and after a bit she got the message. And I know players get over the top requests almost daily so any signatures I get are all on the plus side of my personal equation.

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by biohazard

This player worrying about items they sing being sold is irks me to no end. The first poster asked the right question "How much do you think your autograph is worth?"

Scenario #1: Your family of four attends a MLB game (say the Nationals). You pay for decent seats ($70 plus per seat). You pay for parking. You pay for food and a souviners. At this juncture the out of pocket cost is over $400. Who on the Nationals is worth that kind of iron?

Scenario #2: You fly to spring training for a week. Pay for a hotel for a week. Rent a car for a week. Feed yourself for a week. Buy tickets to games for a week? How many big name players signatures would be needed just to break even?

Every owner should make it mandatory that players take time to sign at every home game. It is just good business. That way, the player can "say catch me at the ball park". So if you attend enough games, the odds of getting the signature of a certain player increases. The Nationals also have signature Sundays, were two non stars sign before the Sunday game.

Yes, there are those who make some money selling IP signatures but the players really need to let it go.

I think YOUR boss should make it mandatory that you stay after work for an hour or two Monday -- no extra pay, of course -- and make you create more of your company's product/service to give to whatever strangers come by. Then watch them post that product on ebay because they can. Then do it Tuesday. Then Weds, Thurs, Friday. You'll have to go in on the weekend, too. Please check back in next month and let us know how it's going.

For the life of me, I do not understand this mentality of "I'm a fan, so gimme my free sh*t. You owe me."

[btcarfagno]

Speaking as a collector I can understand the sentiments regarding player availability for IP autographs and the frustration felt. Speaking as a Libertarian however, these guys and gals can do whatever they wish to in this regard. It is their choice as to how to act on this subject. If down the road it creates ill feelings and hurts him or her economically at that time then that is on them. But they are obviously not under any obligation to do so unless there is some kind of contract stipulation.

Tom C

[rats60]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

I think YOUR boss should make it mandatory that you stay after work for an hour or two Monday -- no extra pay, of course -- and make you create more of your company's product/service to give to whatever strangers come by. Then watch them post that product on ebay because they can. Then do it Tuesday. Then Weds, Thurs, Friday. You'll have to go in on the weekend, too. Please check back in next month and let us know how it's going.

For the life of me, I do not understand this mentality of "I'm a fan, so gimme my free sh*t. You owe me."

I had no problem working extra time when needed. It is all about being a team player. The boss appreciated it and remembered me at bonus time. I hope the players remember the fans after signing those multimillion dollar contracts. Without fans buying tickets, merchandise, watching on TV, etc. they would be making a lot less.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

I think YOUR boss should make it mandatory that you stay after work for an hour or two Monday -- no extra pay, of course -- and make you create more of your company's product/service to give to whatever strangers come by. Then watch them post that product on ebay because they can. Then do it Tuesday. Then Weds, Thurs, Friday. You'll have to go in on the weekend, too. Please check back in next month and let us know how it's going.

For the life of me, I do not understand this mentality of "I'm a fan, so gimme my free sh*t. You owe me."

That is one poor example. It reminds me of Barry Bonds who said "When I go to see Batman. I don't expect Jack Nicholson to come out afterwards and sign autographs for an hour." Alas, Barry doesn't get it and neither do you. We all know how beloved Barry is........