With the passing of Dr. Mike Marshall

[byrone]

Mike Marshall (the longtime pitcher) recently passed away.

He was known as one of the rarest and most difficult of autograph signers for modern players

I'm wondering if there are any interesting stories of dealings with players like Mike Marshall, those guys who just seem to not want to sign

[packs]

Good luck ever getting a Michael Jordan.

[egri]

We had a thread here recently about Barry Bonds that morphed into a Bonds and Willie Mays horror story thread. The bottom line is neither of them like to sign, and with the health problems he's having, Mays is probably done even if he wanted to sign. If you're a member of SCN, there are a few threads over there from members who tried to set up signings with him, and Mays's handlers would always ghost the promoters, usually after the nonrefundable deposit was paid.

[tazdmb]

Originally Posted by egri

We had a thread here recently about Barry Bonds that morphed into a Bonds and Willie Mays horror story thread. The bottom line is neither of them like to sign, and with the health problems he's having, Mays is probably done even if he wanted to sign. If you're a member of SCN, there are a few threads over there from members who tried to set up signings with him, and Mays's handlers would always ghost the promoters, usually after the nonrefundable deposit was paid.

My arguments is that Bonds has done shows since retirement and Mays has done plenty of shows. I would argue the toughest living player (assuming he is still living) to procure any autograph from since retirement is Byron McLaughlin. Last year was 1983, fled the country in 1984 and whereabouts are since unknown. I THINK someone once tracked him done for a (very) private signing, but I could be wrong.

[dgo71]

A set collector did indeed track McLaughlin down. He found him before the FBI did. He only had a handful of cards signed for his sets, and I believe his collector friend. McLaughlin is super rare.

Ricky Wright, especially on his 1987 Topps, would have to occupy the #2 spot on the toughest living signatures list, IMO.

[bjerome]

Add Rich Chiles to the rare group!