Who are the tougher living Baseball HOFers?

[tazdmb]

Not-signing through the mail does not equal tough. Many of the guys you listed will gladly sign for free if you meet them in person. Trammel is a constant around Detroit baseball and I have never read a story of him turning someone down. I was at a (paid) dinner in St. Louis shortly after Ted Simmon's election and he was signing for everyone-granted, he wasn't the friendliest. Other's, like Biggio and Bagwell, are regular on the show circuits. Even Jeter has become become more friendly IP since taking over the Marlins.

IMHO, the only ones that are currently "tough" to add onto a piece now are Koufax, Aaron, Mays and Seaver.

Everyone else may be expensive and/or rude, but not tough.

[scooter729]

I was an in-person autograph chaser in Boston in the 1980s - I had luck on multiple times with Rickey Henderson, Reggie, and Randy Johnson outside of Fenway. Never got Brett (though I don't remember any bad encounters), and never got Frank Robinson (was a grouch on a few occasions, even when I was the only person there).

My uncle was good friends with Fred Lynn at the time when Lynn was with the Orioles. Lynn got me a team signed ball in 1985 - I was so excited looking at it and seeing Ripken and so many others, even coach Frank Robinson! As I was scanning the ball, Lynn said to me, "sorry, Eddie Murray wasn't signing today." I didn't really think much about it at the time (I was 12), but in retrospect it blew my mind to realize Murray wouldn't sign the ball for a teammate!

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by tazdmb

Not-signing through the mail does not equal tough. Many of the guys you listed will gladly sign for free if you meet them in person. Trammel is a constant around Detroit baseball and I have never read a story of him turning someone down. I was at a (paid) dinner in St. Louis shortly after Ted Simmon's election and he was signing for everyone-granted, he wasn't the friendliest. Other's, like Biggio and Bagwell, are regular on the show circuits. Even Jeter has become become more friendly IP since taking over the Marlins.

IMHO, the only ones that are currently "tough" to add onto a piece now are Koufax, Aaron, Mays and Seaver.

Everyone else may be expensive and/or rude, but not tough.

I believe Seaver no longer signs due to Dementia. Whitey Ford no longer can sign due to the same illness.