Disturbing Confession ...

[packs]

I’m trying to understand the signed card aspect to this. Are they saying they manipulated certified autographs too? That seems difficult since they carry pre-printed identifiers that the card is an autograph insert as opposed to an after market signed card, which would seem easier to manipulate.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by packs

I’m trying to understand the signed card aspect to this. Are they saying they manipulated certified autographs too? That seems difficult since they carry pre-printed identifiers that the card is an autograph insert as opposed to an after market signed card, which would seem easier to manipulate.

I'll guess we'll know if they ever make the evidence they impounded public or if it's just a large stack of Jerseys, Helmets, Hats, Balls, Bats and 8x10's.

Maybe he was getting his exemplars for his autopen from legitimate certified autographs, maybe he was just blowing a lot of wind into the air. I don't know.

I also think he got a lot of satisfaction out of spewing "estimated values" for fake autographs that were essentially worthless. In today's aspirational society, he wanted to be able to say he ran a "Billion $" business through nothing but grit, determination and hustle...and who gives a shit who got hurt by him along the way.

[scooter729]

Slightly off-track, but worthy of sharing I thought.....

One of the hottest prospects in baseball right now is Roman Anthony, who was recently called up to the Red Sox. My kids had an opportunity last week to spend some time at batting practice on the field and meeting the players, one of which was Anthony. He was very nice and signed a few things for them.

I don't collect modern cards (other than to buy a few for the kids to get signed last week), so I wasn't familiar with Anthony's autograph. There are tons of his signed cards on eBay, and the signature on all of those looks like what you see in the first pic - an illegible squiggle. These players likely are signing hundreds (or likely, thousands) of cards for the companies at a time, so the autograph becomes a quick scribble to get through the massive pile they need to sign.

Now compare that to the two cards he signed for my kids. Not exactly Williams or DiMaggio, but totally legible.

I'm the first to squawk about how players don't take pride in their signatures any more, but after seeing the different versions Anthony used and considering the vast quantities they likely have to sign, it did make me think about it a bit differently for a bit.....

[Brent G.]

I look forward to law enforcement’s pics of the seized goods. A whole lot of dealers sure aren’t.

[aljurgela]

In the off case that i am collecting autographs...

And a few vintage baseballs...

I have a few modern autos, but most were obtained in person or pack pulled from the major card companies. I would still think that most of those are legit... but who knows.

[BioCRN]

Autograph evolution happens, especially in this era where players/people are paid to sign 1000s of cards.

Sometimes it takes a step forward, sometimes it takes a step back. A lot of guys will have various signatures depending on the era they're signing.

Derniche Valdez 2023 vs 2024 auto...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/317080243218
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226761140850

...and here's a reality check for why some people have those sloppy scribble autos. We're losing Andre Dawson and Mariano Rivera level autographs for scribbles because of things like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j8F3_rKCU8

[nolemmings]

The use of Sharpies doesn't help matters. Way too wide so that the letters become indecipherable. Here is one of Harmon Killebrew, who had one of the most beautiful signatures I have ever seen (not mine):