Post pictures of the most illegible baseball autographs from 1990 and earlier

[Scott Garner]

Who had the most illegible baseball autograph from 1990 and earlier?
Post your top picks here.

One that I certainly think fits this description is Ryne Sandberg. Great guy, crappy signature...

I got Ryno to sign a ball back in 1990 or 1991. When he finished signing it and handed the ball back to me, I couldn't believe that that was his signature. I don't believe at any point before that, I ever had received an autograph from a baseball player that was literally illegible. To this day, when I look at it, I still don't know how you ever get "Ryne Sandberg" out of a sloppy "R", hump, hump, hump, sloppy "S", hump, hump, hump, loop.

Looking back, this was a watershed moment. Maybe, Ryno was a "trendsetter", or maybe "The Godfather" of all crappy signatures??

Just a thought:

I'm curious, what other first tier players, say 1990 and before, do you recall having notoriously illegible signatures?

It might be fun to post pictures of some of the worst. Current players should be excluded because this thread may never end....

[MooseDog]

I wish I still had it, but I got Sandberg on a 3x5 in spring training in 1982 and you could read every letter.

[Ejm1]

I paid at a tri-star show about 8 years ago to meet him and get his auto. It looks just like the ball in post #1, I like him but maybe since your being paid give a little more effort.

[isaac2004]

Some people might hate me for saying this, but Willie Mays autograph always bothered me. If you didn't know what it looked like, you would have no idea who it was. Just my 2 cents

[benderbroeth]

yeah willie mays needs help lol

[packs]

Here are some beauties.

First we have good old Joel Zumaya. Remember him?



Next is the illustrious JD Drew. A real artiste.




Last, my personal favorite. Here is Manny Ramirez.




Bonus Greg Maddux. For all the grace he showed on the mound none of it translated to his handwriting. Looks like Terry Terry to me.

[isaac2004]

Originally Posted by packs

Here are some beauties.

First we have good old Joel Zumaya. Remember him?



Next is the illustrious JD Drew. A real artiste.




Last, my personal favorite. Here is Manny Ramirez.




Bonus Greg Maddux. For all the grace he showed on the mound none of it translated to his handwriting. Looks like Terry Terry to me.

After 1990 fail.. read the rules

[packs]

Ah! Well Greg still counts.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by packs

Ah! Well Greg still counts.

Packs,
Greg Maddox definitely qualifies and is an excellent example! Some of his earlier examples were a tad better though...
That's what I have in my collection, BTW

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by MooseDog

I wish I still had it, but I got Sandberg on a 3x5 in spring training in 1982 and you could read every letter.

The early Sandberg autos differ so much from what he is signing now it is almost hard to tell it is the same guy signing. Even his "relaxed" signature looks like a rushed version. As you said, his early sig you could read every letter.

As a side note, if you see an early Sandberg you might want to be wary as a few of the marketing guys for the Cubs at that time (1982 to 88 or so) were very adept at signing Sandberg's name. I saw them with my own eyes signing 8 X 10's and baseballs to give to clients and others. Their versions of a Sandberg sig were dead on to my untrained eye at that time.

[frankbmd]

Hint.......born in Cuba

[TyrusRCobb]

Have any of you stayed away from certain players because their autographs were so illegible? Or is it the case that the legibility isn't an issue as a player's auto is a player's auto?

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by TyrusRCobb

Have any of you stayed away from certain players because their autographs were so illegible? Or is it the case that the legibility isn't an issue as a player's auto is a player's auto?

If it's a no-hit pitcher, I still collect it even though the modern guys ain't pretty...

[chaddurbin]

i like sandberg's modern sig because he's able to replicate it every time, so it's not chicken scratch. the worst gotta be ichiro, it's different every time and it looks like crap.

[MooseDog]

Originally Posted by TyrusRCobb

Have any of you stayed away from certain players because their autographs were so illegible? Or is it the case that the legibility isn't an issue as a player's auto is a player's auto?

Personally I all but stopped picking up new autographs after about 1995 as the scribbles are a joke. If the A's end up moving I'll probably do my long put off "A's in Oakland" autograph project and have to bite the bullet, I guess.

[Jay Wolt]

I know this is modern, but I saw this the other day, and if it wasn't on the player's card.
You would have no idea who the signature is of.

[mcgwirecom]

I knew Manny's signature had gotten pretty bad, but early on it was decent. So I try to grab the early ones.

[tazdmb]

can't post image from ipad, but for early HOFers, google Kenesaw Landis

[TyrusRCobb]

Originally Posted by tazdmb

can't post image from ipad, but for early HOFers, google Kenesaw Landis

Some of his earlier autos aren't that bad. However, the latter stuff, especially as his health failed him are rough.

[TyrusRCobb]

Originally Posted by TyrusRCobb

Some of his earlier autos aren't that bad. However, the latter stuff, especially as his health failed him are rough.

My apologies. My lack of computer skills can be evidenced by my inability to post a simple image.

[tazdmb]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/AutographsOr...kenesaw+landis

[mschwade]

I like this one... any guesses first as to who it is (IF YOU KNOW WHO IT IS, PLEASE DON'T ANSWER)

[TyrusRCobb]

Originally Posted by mschwade

I like this one... any guesses first as to who it is (IF YOU KNOW WHO IT IS, PLEASE DON'T ANSWER)

I haven't a clue but I like the looks of it.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by tazdmb

http://www.ebay.com/sch/AutographsOr...kenesaw+landis

Kenesaw Mountain Landis is definitely one that qualifies. Yikes!

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by mschwade

I like this one... any guesses first as to who it is (IF YOU KNOW WHO IT IS, PLEASE DON'T ANSWER)

Wow! This is another "unusual" one. Is it written in Swahili?

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by mschwade

I like this one... any guesses first as to who it is (IF YOU KNOW WHO IT IS, PLEASE DON'T ANSWER)

Looks like it has some Picasso in there at the end.

[mschwade]

That is an in-person autograph from over the weekend that my buddy got at Yankee Stadium from Tampa Bay Rays 1B/DH Carlos Pena.

[scmavl]

Since this has kind of gotten off topic, here is a modern Torii Hunter card. He's one of the few that actually signs his name nowadays.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by mschwade

That is an in-person autograph from over the weekend that my buddy got at Yankee Stadium from Tampa Bay Rays 1B/DH Carlos Pena.

I never would have guessed....

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Cuddy (Michael Cuddyer) has a great one too. Killebrew yelled at him early, along with Hunter, to sign your name so people can read it, now they have gorgeous signatures.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by mschwade

That is an in-person autograph from over the weekend that my buddy got at Yankee Stadium from Tampa Bay Rays 1B/DH Carlos Pena.

Not legible as a name, but this could be the most artistic autograph I have ever seen. Really cool. I want one now!

It must take him 30 seconds to draw that.

[scmavl]

Originally Posted by HOF Auto Rookies

Cuddy (Michael Cuddyer) has a great one too. Killebrew yelled at him early, along with Hunter, to sign your name so people can read it, now they have gorgeous signatures.

I heard Killebrew laid it on Mauer too. Not sure if that stuck...

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by scmavl

I heard Killebrew laid it on Mauer too. Not sure if that stuck...

Well I mean Joe's name is so short, he does a "J" and a couple bumps after. Then usually an "Mau"

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by mschwade

That is an in-person autograph from over the weekend that my buddy got at Yankee Stadium from Tampa Bay Rays 1B/DH Carlos Pena.

He can't hit or write.

Some of the newer players take their time but their "work" bears little resemblance to their name. Another example.

[william_9]

I was just browsing through a thread about a Manny Ramirez item and I felt this was a better place to post a minor observation.

While I agree that there are definitely examples of pre-1990 scribbles, mostly executed by guys who I'm sure had rough handwriting to begin with, the vast majority seem legible. On the flip side, I'm constantly amazed at how much worse it continues to get year after year. Especially over the last 10-15 years. One thing that always makes me laugh is that although Joe Jackson was illiterate, when necessary, he would still sign his name with a dignified effort. Granted it probably took some time to execute, but he managed to actually write his name. Manny Ramirez may be illiterate, he may be a genius, who the hell knows, but he's never signed his name the same way twice. With his carefree style, he doesn't even draw the same letters or shapes each time.

Beyond the scribbles, my favorite part of modern autographs are the inscriptions. There, you get a perfectly clear view of the disproportionate amount of time spent "perfecting" one's mark, versus actually learning to write with their hands. Scribble loop for a signature followed by grade school level, block printed d'nealian inscription. It's beyond embarrassing.

That's all. Moving on.

[7nohitter]

When I was 14 in 1990-91 went to many games at Fenway.... Cecil Fielder was one of the most gracious signers ever....he would go from 1st base to 3rd base dugout signing whatever people had...this was at the HEIGHT of his popularity...I got his auto 4 times over those two years and they are BEAUTYS!!!!!!!!!!!! On ball, hat, card and program....all in different places in line...every single one the same!

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by 7nohitter

When I was 14 in 1990-91 went to many games at Fenway.... Cecil Fielder was one of the most gracious signers ever....he would go from 1st base to 3rd base dugout signing whatever people had...this was at the HEIGHT of his popularity...I got his auto 4 times over those two years and they are BEAUTYS!!!!!!!!!!!! On ball, hat, card and program....all in different places in line...every single one the same!

Reminds me of Giambi. Best signer I've experienced. He would sign for 30+ minutes every game for everyone to ensure everyone got an autograph. Loved seeing the player/fan connection. But, his auto is sloppy lol

[danielsheaffer]

anybody know who this may be??unknown baseball.jpg

[earlywynnfan]

That's Jeff Bagwell, he's not as bad as some.

Ken

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

That's Jeff Bagwell, he's not as bad as some.

Ken

Ken is correct- Jeff Bagwell.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

That's Jeff Bagwell, he's not as bad as some.

Ken

+1 not nearly as bad. His rookie sigs were very legible

[isaac2004]

Originally Posted by HOF Auto Rookies

+1 not nearly as bad. His rookie sigs were very legible

I knew who it was and to be honest I'd never seen his signature before.

[Cfern023]

Here's one of mine, not exactly one from the 80's but comparing them to each other and it's laughable, my favorite player or not. It's a shame.

The top one if my bat, the bottom is a random google image.

[tazdmb]

Did you get that Piazza IP? It is almost too neat to be believed. I got him at a paid signing a few years ago, and his sit down signature was no where close to that.

[earlywynnfan]

I was wondering the same thing. I have an early Piazza sig, where you can at least read the M and P, but nothing close to seeing all the letters.

Ken

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by tazdmb

Did you get that Piazza IP? It is almost too neat to be believed. I got him at a paid signing a few years ago, and his sit down signature was no where close to that.

I recall getting Piazza at a paid signing in Anaheim across from Disneyland in his rookie season. BTW, the cost was a whopping $5. At that time I noted that he had one of the worst IP signatures that I had ever seen.

I had Piazza also date the ball, which would have been pretty cool if I had kept it looking back in retrospect. Somebody offered to trade me a Roberto Alomar SS ball for it, and I made the swap. Oh well...

[yanks12025]

Speaking of Piazza, here's the in-person autograph I got during the WBC in 2006. Isn't it a beautiful one...lol

[bnuts70]

I have several signed baseballs that I simply cannot make out. I was hoping that you folks might lend a hand.

Thanks

TB

[Bigdaddy]

Not baseball, but def pre 1990. This one is the Steelers Jim Smith. Looks like he was trying to get the pen to write.

[jcmtiger]

This is what an autograph should look like.