Mike Schmidt On Autograph Collecting

[metrotheme]

Mike Schmidt On Autograph Collecting
http://www.baseballhappenings.net/2009/08/mike-schmidt-autograph-craze-is-out-of.html

Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt weighs in on his take on autographs after the recent Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown. How far over the line have autograph seekers gone in their quest to obtain signatures? Read Schmidt's analysis at the link above.

If you don't believe Schmidt, read this exchange on another autographing website, and you can see the stalker / annoyance tactics people use to try to get autographs.

Here's 1 .. standing in the middle of traffic begging Derek Jeter to sign, and stalking Pedro Martinez all over Florida for an autograph
http://www.sportsgraphing.com/ip-autographs/61165-ryans-2009-ip-graphs-8.html

Here's 2 - People sneaking into the Vinoy hotel to try to find out what floors the Yankee players are staying on, and then hiding out on those floors to bumrush the players before they get in the elevator.
http://www.sportsgraphing.com/ip-autographs/73229-yankees-series-tampa-hotel-field.html

[LongoriaMVP08]

Thats crazy! I've never seen those stories before. I read the Schmidt story, it sounds true. Now standing outside Jeter's car is one thing, but following A-Rod to the gym when he's with his girlfriend or hanging out by the elevator on the actual floor they are staying on is stalking. Not only were you kicked out, but you go back up and are kicked out again. Then you run when you see security. It is obvious you arent welcome there and you are asking for the police to find something to book you on...

I've never understood this. If you want autographs so bad, get these guys when they are at least at the stadium or outside the hotel. Stadium is fair game, hotel is pushing it but as long as you stay in the lobby or outside I dont see how it should be a huge deal... They should expect them anyways.

Thats just my take on it.

[machinehead11]

I visit that website (with the Jeter story) often as a lurker, as I used to be a big-time autograph collector. That person who posted the Jeter story came off as a huge tool with all his posts. It's idiots like that who make athletes not want to sign.

[ipitch]

If I were famous, I'd autograph index cards on my own time and carry them with me when I went out. If someone asked me for my autograph, I'd personalize the index card and give it to them. Most people that really wanted my autograph (to keep) would be happy with that. The people that sell autographs on ebay probably wouldn't be.

[metrotheme]

Stan Musial used to do that. Those postcards that he sends out, he used to carry them on him already pre-signed to hand out because he was recognized that much.

If I were famous, I'd autograph index cards on my own time and carry them with me when I went out. If someone asked me for my autograph, I'd personalize the index card and give it to them. Most people that really wanted my autograph (to keep) would be happy with that. The people that sell autographs on ebay probably wouldn't be.

[AutographCollector]

That moron who bothered Jeter should but punched. If anyone bothered me while I was stopped at a light would get knocked out. Plain and simple.

[LongoriaMVP08]

Haha! I dont know why people will go to the trouble of running a guy down on the street. I hate those people.

[Rockhound]

I think this has been brought up before, but if people wanted my autograph, I'd only sign my custom cards that I made, personalize them, and give out only one per request. I wouldn't sign those blank autograph cards, which I commonly use myself. But those guys who follow the players everywhere all the time are just losers who are ruining the hobby and the whole experience altogether. It's unfortunate that it's gotten this bad. I recently heard someone tell me that Scott Elbert doesn't like to sign too many autographs because he sees people selling them on eBay. Well I looked on eBay and found a bunch of his autographs for sale....his CERTIFIED autographs! hahaha
If I were famous, I'd autograph index cards on my own time and carry them with me when I went out. If someone asked me for my autograph, I'd personalize the index card and give it to them. Most people that really wanted my autograph (to keep) would be happy with that. The people that sell autographs on ebay probably wouldn't be.

[newboy119]

I've seen these guys before.
Once or twice a year my son, my friend, his son, and I will all try to either see the Mets in ST or play a regular season series in another stadium we've never been to (last year it was Cincinnati). Well my son is very good with computers for his age and knows which hotels the Mets stay at. We usually book a room in that certain hotel ahead of time, and when we arrive my son and the other boy, a year older, will hang out and wait for guys to come and sign. We do this for them because they're still young and idolize almost every guy on the Mets roster. If it were up to my friend and I, we'd save money staying somewhere else and just go the games. So, the two boys will ask players for 1 autograph when they don't look busy. They won't hawk around their every move. They'll sit on a coach and wait for someone to pass by. Then they will casually get up and ask for a signature or a picture. But sometimes there are these middle aged bums that come running into the hotel, pushing them out of the way with binders full of cards and boxes of balls. The players will frown and walk away as the security guards come yelling at all of them. It's pathetic 'cause none of these guys even have rooms at these hotels. And is it really that important for them to get 4 of the same inscribed autographs? The answer's no. They have no right to spoil the fun for kids who just want to have a few minutes with their role models.

[LongoriaMVP08]

I've seen these guys before.
Once or twice a year my son, my friend, his son, and I will all try to either see the Mets in ST or play a regular season series in another stadium we've never been to (last year it was Cincinnati). Well my son is very good with computers for his age and knows which hotels the Mets stay at. We usually book a room in that certain hotel ahead of time, and when we arrive my son and the other boy, a year older, will hang out and wait for guys to come and sign. We do this for them because they're still young and idolize almost every guy on the Mets roster. If it were up to my friend and I, we'd save money staying somewhere else and just go the games. So, the two boys will ask players for 1 autograph when they don't look busy. They won't hawk around their every move. They'll sit on a coach and wait for someone to pass by. Then they will casually get up and ask for a signature or a picture. But sometimes there are these middle aged bums that come running into the hotel, pushing them out of the way with binders full of cards and boxes of balls. The players will frown and walk away as the security guards come yelling at all of them. It's pathetic 'cause none of these guys even have rooms at these hotels. And is it really that important for them to get 4 of the same inscribed autographs? The answer's no. They have no right to spoil the fun for kids who just want to have a few minutes with their role models.


Thats the way it should be. They ought to check and see if your actually staying at the hotel before you're allowed inside whenever a visiting pro sports team is staying there. Maybe it's just what I've seen, but they dont really check to see who's coming in and out. In your case, you're actually staying in the hotel so you have every right to be in that lobby. Those idiots who you are talking about ought to be taken away for some made up reason! Now no offense to any of you who go to hotel as I am not talking about you. I am talking about the idiots that are crazy and stalk them and arent calm about getting an autograph. Those are the ones that need to be hauled away in a cop car for disturbing the peace or something made up. They are the ones that wont be leaving any time soon. They will stalk the team and cause trouble in the hotel as long as they are allowed there.

[SDL]

I can see why some hotels now have no-autograph rules on their property...even for guests.

Me..I'll ask at the ballpark or TTM...or if a player is making an public appearance. I usually get 3 pics signed AT THE MOST and I laways ask to personalize so they know I'm not a seller.

[AutographCollector]

One more thing I forgot to add:

These hardcore collectors need to realize that the players do not owe anyone anything. If player A goes 0-5 during a game do you think that he will be in a good mood to stop and chit chat? I know I wouldn't be.

[RedSox15MVP]

That is true. I asked Weyinmi Efejuku of the PC Friars basketball team for an autograph and he said after the game. People around me told me he actually would sign after the game he's a cool guy. So I watch the game and they lose. It was the NIT tournament. All the players especially the seniors were heartbroken. That was their last game. Weyinmi was a senior. I had the common sense to not go and be like hey Weyinmi how about that auotgraph. Those guys would have asked. I care more about the players and sport than the autograph.

[yankees21]

i watched that game on tv. cool you were there. some people would go up to a player leaving the stadium with a arm full of stuff and ask for a sig. all i did was say nice game to him an let him be.

[RedSox15MVP]

Yeah there wa no way I would have ever asked. I love that team and was crushed when they lost. In the end I talked to weyinmi on facebook a few months later and he gave me his address to send him the picture. He is a wicked cool guy.

[yankees21]

thats awsome he gave you his address on facebook you got to love the internet

[NateMan]

Metrotheme,

Thanks for sharing the link to the Mike Schmidt article. It was an interesting read, and I have to say I found it quite disappointing. Since I've never been a superstar like Mr. Schmidt, I have no idea what it's like to become jaded by the fame, the money, and the autograph hounds. However, it still kind of made me mad. He invokes his memories of himself as a kid--"Little Mike"--but then goes on to say that he'd rather disappoint all the Little Mikes out there than take two seconds to sign something that might be sold on ebay. If you can make a kid happy and the only risk you take is someone making a few bucks off your two seconds of effort...so what? While the fans who've crossed over into the lunatic fringe certainly carry much of the blame for the greed that has invaded the hobby, it seems to me that players who adopt Mr. Schmidt's point of view are equally to blame. He mentions not signing for little kids because he knows his autograph is valuable. He can't see past the dollar signs, and that's disappointing.

Like I said, I've never been in Mr. Schmidt's shoes. The only time my signature is ever worth anything is when it's on a credit card slip. But as a fan, I was sorry to see him talk that way.

By the way, in his article he uses the word "collector" like it's a dirty name or something. What's wrong with being a collector?!?

Anyway, thanks again for sharing the link. These thoughts have been simmering for a day or so, so I figured I'd dump them here.

[metrotheme]

Nate -

It is because of the fradulence. It's the grown men that send their 3,4,5 year olds to get guys to sign that won't sign for them. As much as some would like to admit, a small child puts no value on collecting the autograph, it's driven by the parents. Some of these adults are dealers and will send / pay kids (maybe not 3-5 young .. but under 13) to do their work for them because they adult knows that the player will not sign for grown men.

I guess Schmidt's point, is the kids aren't so innocent. Ebay has made everyone a dealer. I've done some IP graphing and I see kids looking at these players basically with dollar signs in their eyes. Walking around with a book full of 8x10's, binders full of many cards for each player, bags full of baseballs, etc etc.

It's like, if you can't tell who is who, either sign for everyone, or sign for nobody. He's chosen the latter and I can't blame him. If you want the autograph, go to a show and pay. This way, there is no confusion.

It's not wrong to collect, but if you checked the other links I posted, listen to some of the tactics these "collectors" use. I've been out IP graphing and some of these collectors are just the most pushy / arrogant / no social skill having types I've ever met. Alot of them lie right to the player ("oh, I need another one for my set", "this one is for my mom", "this is the only time I'll be able to get your autograph", "I won't be back here tomorrow", "you can personalize it (knowing they're going to remove the personalization with an eraser)") basically do anything to get them to sign.

Guys will brag about "double dipping" which means that they got 1 autograph and then instead of letting others get autographs, they'll like mix back in with the crowd and try to sneak another item in, hoping the player doesn't notice. Like 1 auto is never good enough.


There are a few kids in NYC here that will chase cars down the block to a red light in Manhattan traffic. They'll see guys get in cabs and knock on the window to see if they'll roll down the window. They'll follow them to restaurants, etc etc.

It's become this bad. Schmidt just wants to relax. Maybe he just wants to come and go without having to stop to sign. There is nothing wrong with that.

[Mike D.]

Two thoughts on Schmidt, based on personal experience:

1) He hasn't always been against signing. I got him TTM way back at the end of his playing days. A beauty of a sig on an 1989 Score card. I still have it, it's one of my oldest signatures.

2) Schmidt will still sign if HE'S the one making the money. I got him at a minor league baseball game last summer. His appearance was sponsored by one of those new medicines for old guys who can't pee, or pee too much, or something. He signed for a few hours, but would only sign the advertisements for that company they gave out.

[Allie Fox]

What to do?!?!?

Schmidt points out the dichotomy but offers nothing in the way of relief. As the Dad of two kids I've found it easier to get autographs with them present (it's for them anyway) and I really hate to ask when I'm alone because I FEEL like a stalker/autograph sniper.

I always ask for the autograph to be personalized but some guys won't do that.

One of the coolest things I ever saw was Tom Lasorda telling-off two guys after they nearly knocked over two little girls trying to get him to sign a bunch of cards.

[Captain Cold Nose]

What to do?!?!?

Schmidt points out the dichotomy but offers nothing in the way of relief. As the Dad of two kids I've found it easier to get autographs with them present (it's for them anyway) and I really hate to ask when I'm alone because I FEEL like a stalker/autograph sniper.

I always ask for the autograph to be personalized but some guys won't do that.

One of the coolest things I ever saw was Tom Lasorda telling-off two guys after they nearly knocked over two little girls trying to get him to sign a bunch of cards.

Someone told the LaSorda story here not too long ago. I'm glad he saw that and did what he did.

Makes you wonder, though, as I'm sure a signer can get so busy with that they may not notice such behavior. And the guys get away with it.

[Allie Fox]

Someone told the LaSorda story here not too long ago. I'm glad he saw that and did what he did.

It might have been me. I love to tell that story. ;)

Makes you wonder, though, as I'm sure a signer can get so busy with that they may not notice such behavior. And the guys get away with it.


The real sad thing is that it has even effected MY view of other fans. At an Astros game a few years ago I was watching the crowd gather around Biggio when a guy pushed his way through and asked about signing a bat for his (relative) in a wheelchair. I rolled my eyes and thought, "Yeah. Right. Wheelchair." Biggio signed the bat and the guy returned to the back of the crowd and handed the bat to another guy in a wheelchair. Even after seeing that I thought to myself, "I wonder where they got the wheelchair."

I guess I shouldn't have thought that but who is willing to give some of these scumbags the benfit of the doubt?

[17YearsofFutility]

I believe that players have a right to be left alone once they're off the field of play. This is why I have never been into autograph collecting. It's not worth the trouble for me or the player.

But I don't begrudge anyone who does collect autographs.

[nyyankfanken]

That guy going after Jeter was an idiot, No wonder some guys are the way they are. Its like going to a game and hearing Hip Hip Jorge over and over again. Dont you think Posada is sick of that? Not like he acknowledges it or anything.

[icee82]

I am an autograph collector but I will not do crazy things like knocking people down. For instance, I need the autograph of a particular minor league player. On Saturday, I was outside of the park waiting for the players to come in. He walked in but he had his new born baby. I never even looked at him because it was the wrong time. I will get him later. Some of these guys that collect autos are just jerks. There is one guy that gets to the park at 5:30 or so and stands at the gate so he can be the first person in the park. When the gate opens, he practically bolts into the stadium and perches at the visitors' dugout. He throws his right leg onto the wall so that he takes up about five feet of area. He will always be the first one to get an autograph even if 20 kids are standing there. In fact, it is almost impossible to get around his out of shape body to get to the player and he refuses to move. He knows something about everything and is quick to give his opinion to anyone that is in earshot distance. I have always waited after the kids get their sigs and then I proceed from there. I always get the auto by waiting.

[hallzee]

Man that autograph site is amazing. Truly a lot of people posting there that really need to get a life.

I was never into autographs, even as a kid. One of the first MLB players I got to meet was Clyde Wright, back when he pitched for the Angels. Every other kid wanted his sig., but when he got to me, I just stuck out my hand and said, "I'd just like to shake your hand, please!" He looked at me a little funny, then smiled, and shook my hand.

My son is an autograph hound; he has a knack for getting them - but he is always polite, calls them "Mr.", and says thank you! You do see a lot of rude people though; name calling and such when a player will not sign.

[Mike D.]

Deleted. . . .

[SDL]

Mike Schmidt On Autograph Collecting
http://www.baseballhappenings.net/2009/08/mike-schmidt-autograph-craze-is-out-of.html


Here's 2 - People sneaking into the Vinoy hotel to try to find out what floors the Yankee players are staying on, and then hiding out on those floors to bumrush the players before they get in the elevator.
http://www.sportsgraphing.com/ip-autographs/73229-yankees-series-tampa-hotel-field.html


I just read the stuff on those links.

Crazy people.

I'm not surprised about the security at Vinoy. In fact, I'm surprised the 'graphers got as much as they did.

I've mentioned this before so I will do so once again. In December '06, my wife's then-boss threw a Xmas party at the Vinoy. The Atlanta Falcons were in town to play the Buccaneers (Falcons were staying at the Vinoy) and security came to the ballroom where the party was and told us that getting autographs from the players was strictly forbidden and even if we had a room there, we would be ejected from the Vinoy.

What stunk was that I saw former Patriot Lawyer Milloy there and I just wanted to go and say Hi...at the most buy the man a drink, but I didn't even dare go up to shake his hand. You could see the house dicks all over the place that night.

[RaoulDuke]

I find it amazing the difference in players across sports. If hockey players ever acted like this they would be bashed to no end. Last year a couple young stars Andrew Cogliano and Sam Gagner were at an event where the organizers were charging money for their signature. The backlash was harsh, not just from fans, or the media - but players across the league as well. Big taboo in hockey, and these young kids learned it hard.

I think Jeremy Roenick put it best on the situation when he said "These people are the reason we're millionaires, and you want to squeeze another handful of bucks out of their budget to scribble your name?"

And that's just it. You're scribbling your name, it's not like people are asking for you to hang out with their family, so stop acting like it's such a chore. Who cares if they're making money off it? If I could take 0.2 seconds of my time to scribble my name and make someone else $400, I'd be doing it all day long.

Then you see how they react to autograph signing in baseball and they make it seem like the people who ask are the scum of the earth. I wonder if Jason Bay is like that having grown up in a culture of hockey.

[SDL]

I find it amazing the difference in players across sports. If hockey players ever acted like this they would be bashed to no end. Last year a couple young stars Andrew Cogliano and Sam Gagner were at an event where the organizers were charging money for their signature. The backlash was harsh, not just from fans, or the media - but players across the league as well. Big taboo in hockey, and these young kids learned it hard.

I think Jeremy Roenick put it best on the situation when he said "These people are the reason we're millionaires, and you want to squeeze another handful of bucks out of their budget to scribble your name?"

And that's just it. You're scribbling your name, it's not like people are asking for you to hang out with their family, so stop acting like it's such a chore. Who cares if they're making money off it? If I could take 0.2 seconds of my time to scribble my name and make someone else $400, I'd be doing it all day long.

Then you see how they react to autograph signing in baseball and they make it seem like the people who ask are the scum of the earth. I wonder if Jason Bay is like that having grown up in a culture of hockey.

During the spring, I was hanging with the Dutch team as they prepped for the WBC (I know some of the people with the KNBSB very well) and they were very cordial about signing stuff. Blyleven was great. He signed and kidded with fans.

Some pro-football player (forget who it was) once said that it was time to worry when they don't ask you for your autograph. I think some players should heed that.

True, there are jerks (dealers/stalkers) who ask, but don't ruin it for the kids. That's where I disagree with Schmidt about the "Little Mikes" of today.

[RaoulDuke]

If players actually signed a number of autographs here and there - I doubt they'd ever have to deal with people running in to traffic.

[Gary Dunaier]

True, there are jerks (dealers/stalkers) who ask, but don't ruin it for the kids.

Or the adults. (Yes, adults like autographs too! Not all of us are dealers.)

[edsachs1]

If players actually signed a number of autographs here and there - I doubt they'd ever have to deal with people running in to traffic.

Yea, they could sign enough that their autograph becomes worthless. That would cut down on alot of the stalking. But I guess the million of dollars alot of these atheltes already make is not enough.

Now don't get me wrong some of these autograph chasers are nuts. The ones that stalk players and cut off kids are just as greedy. I'm sure it can be a real pain to deal with. But I've read stuff where Babe Ruth would sign for everyone and anyone that showed up (or at least all the kids). If he could do it, then today's players can do it. Most of them probably don't recieve 1/100 of the attention the Babe did.

[Mike D.]

The stalkers are lame, and really give the hobby a bad name. I have to admit, though, I always get a chuckle when players talk about "guys making a lot of money off my name" or whatever.

In some cases, it's true...if you got Willie Mays to sign a ball on the sweet spot, sure, that's probably worth some money. The 28 year old AAA veteran who you got to sign your program, though? Or the average major leaguer you got on a ball or a card? Or the average major leaguer from 20 years ago that you got to sign your card TTM?

Nobody is getting rich off that stuff, and if they are, they should write a book or something because they're finanical geniuses! :lookitup

[SDL]

The stalkers are lame, and really give the hobby a bad name. I have to admit, though, I always get a chuckle when players talk about "guys making a lot of money off my name" or whatever.

In some cases, it's true...if you got Willie Mays to sign a ball on the sweet spot, sure, that's probably worth some money. The 28 year old AAA veteran who you got to sign your program, though? Or the average major leaguer you got on a ball or a card? Or the average major leaguer from 20 years ago that you got to sign your card TTM?

Nobody is getting rich off that stuff, and if they are, they should write a book or something because they're finanical geniuses! :lookitup

I recently had Phil Regan give me grief along similar lines when I asked him to sign some card blowups.

Sorry Phil. You were a great pitcher back then, but I just don't see your memorabilia showing up on The Wall Street Report...