Collecting Autographs in the good old days

[canjond]

Growing up I was an avid TTM autograph collector. I recently sent out a few letters again to get some unique items signed. Bobby Doerr continue to be a class act and is very generous, responding to every letter he receives.

[Heritage Sports]

Just curious, as I've never tried it, but what even happens if you try to get modern stars (A-Rod, Pujols, etc.) through the mail today? Do you even get back an "Are you kidding me??" note from their handlers? Absolutely nothing? A flyer with their price lists?

[prewarsports]

I had tremendous success in the late 1980's and it was one of my favorite hobbies. I remember having the least success with Basketball players, however and most sent back the cards unsigned or just never returned them. I did beat the odds and got back a signed Michael Jordan in 1989. I had a ton of success with hockey players (growing up in Maine) and I cant remember anyone sending me back the cards I sent unsigned. Wayne Gretzky sent me back my cards unsigned but sent me an 8X10 signed, and I remember Lemieux, Yzerman, Brett Hull etc all signing. I never wrote to retired stars, just current players at the stadium and it was really fun.

Rhys

[packs]

When Rick Ankiel was just coming up I sent him a copy of the Beckett he was on the cover of. I didn't even have his address, so I just sent it to the Cardinals. To my surprise, he sent it back to me with a nice signature. It's too bad he didn't pan out, but it shows his character even then when he was on top of the world.

A few years ago I also sent Don Mattingly some items from Don Mattingly Day at Yankee Stadium, a ticket and a couple of 8 x 10's the Yankees handed out at the stadium for the event. He signed everything. It made me happy that my favorite player as a kid was a stand up guy too.

Last year I sent David Price tickets from his ML debut against the Yankees. I sent them to the Rays but have never seen them again. Wish I could have those back.

[Writehooks]

In 1980 I sent a ball to Catfish Hunter, c/o "General Delivery, Hertford, N.C." I also enclosed a short note requesting that he personalize the autograph, and a money order for $10 to cover return postage. A few weeks later, I was thrilled to receive a package marked "special delivery." Inside was the ball — beautifully inscribed — along with two signed color photos and the UNCASHED money order, along with a handwritten note from Hunter that said he was "just happy to have fans up in Canada." Truly a classy guy.

[danc]

I wrote TTM's from 1980 to roughly 1986 with great success as well. I would have success (usually a 1927 Yankee) and hound them until they told me that they have signed enough for me. I would then use another address. I apologize to James "Cool Papa" Bell, Mark Koenig, George Uhle and George Pipgras.

Today, through StarTiger, I still do a little as "side fun", but mostly non-baseball as all you get with baseball it seems nowadays is "no success" or a a dreaded price list.

A few years ago I wrote to every pitcher (that I could) that gave up Maris' home run ball (no stars unless you count Pappas and Larsen) and I actually got 80% back, to my surprise. Those were the days though.

DanC

[slidekellyslide]

back in the early to mid 1980s I used to send some TTM requests and got back quite a few...I think they were mostly rubber stamps. What made me mad though was that I sent probably 10 requests to the Boston Red Sox...my favorite team and I didn't get a single one back. I sent Pete O'Brien three cards to sign..one each of his rookie cards from 1984..he signed the Fleer, but sent the other two back unsigned...maybe he thought I was going to try to sell his autograph for a whole 25 cents or something?

Last year I tried an experiment and sent out about 20 requests to players who played for Lincoln in the minors from 1947 to 61...I only got one back signed - Larry Shepard who managed in the mid 1950s and went on to manage the Pirates and coach for the Reds. In May I saw a newspaper article on a guy who played for Lincoln in 1948 and I just happened to have a photo of him so I had the photo copied and sent him a few which I told him he could keep. He sent me back the signed photo and even typed up a letter to me which he also signed. I thought that was awesome. He's 89 years old.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by Heritage Sports

Just curious, as I've never tried it, but what even happens if you try to get modern stars (A-Rod, Pujols, etc.) through the mail today? Do you even get back an "Are you kidding me??" note from their handlers? Absolutely nothing? A flyer with their price lists?

They go into a very large black hole never to be seen again. I have been in a major league clubhouse before and the amount of mail in the tubs for the fringe guys would surprise you.

[HRBAKER]

I restarted ttm in 1986 after a long layoff from childhood and have sent some out every year since. I have about 400+ out in 2010. I have always kept a record of who, what, when and when rec'd back. Started out on a legal pad and migrated to an excel spreadsheet once I entered the computer age in 1994. I have a wall calendar that hangs in my office and I write down each day on it who i get back if any. I believe the most I ever sent out in a year was about 1200.