August Autograph Pickups

[scooter729]

Very cool Orville Wright signed pic, Richard! Not my area of focus, but never saw any like that before!

[scooter729]

Thought it might be neat to post a story and a pic. Back in 2012, the Red Sox had some big celebrations around the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park. They sent to season ticket holders (me included) a bunch of items around the anniversary, including this 8x10 picture of various Red Sox great players.

In the years since, I've brought the picture with me when I've had the chance to get it signed by someone in the picture. It's not an obsession, I've never paid for anyone to sign (which is why I don't have the big names on here), but would like to get as many as I can when possible.

While at a road race a couple of weeks ago (my wife was running, not me), I recognized 1967 AL Cy Young winner Jim Lonborg standing a few feet away from me in the crowd of spectators. I said hello, and we started chatting for a bit. After a while, I joked that I needed to bump into him again sometime, and told him about this picture.

Lonborg was ever gracious, got a slip of paper, wrote down his home address and told me to mail it to him, and he would sign it and get it right back to me. Lo and behold, I sent it and it came right back, all in under a week.

Might need to see about how I can add a few more signatures to this in the near future now! Just thought it was worth sharing a story of a generous offer from a former player....

[tazdmb]

So I went to the Tigers game yesterday to get potential HOFer Joe West's autograph (will not get into debate of whether Umpires deserve induction). Anyways, after the game he signed the below baseball and inscription. Turns out since 5000 games umpired, he inscribes every baseball with total number of games umpired. The inscription will never be used again after Today's game. Thought that was kind of different and very Joe West of him.

[7nohitter]

Originally Posted by tazdmb

So I went to the Tigers game yesterday to get potential HOFer Joe West's autograph (will not get into debate of whether Umpires deserve induction). Anyways, after the game he signed the below baseball and inscription. Turns out since 5000 games umpired, he inscribes every baseball with total number of games umpired. The inscription will never be used again after Today's game. Thought that was kind of different and very Joe West of him.

Wow, he actually has a beautiful autograph! Based on that odd frickin chin of his, I would not have guessed!

Say what you will, the guy has seen his share of games!

[felada]

Have been after one of these for a long time

[tazdmb]

#270-And it is Biggie (in terms of difficulty, not size).

[sayhey24]

Wow, some amazing National pickups and I love the Chief Meyers that started the thread.
Picked up this 1963 Red Sox autographed team ball at a sale this weekend -- it has a couple of marks on it, but still pretty cool.

Greg