In person graphing attitudes

[Cincyfan79]

Just thought I would see what kind of attitudes you guys have gotten in person?
I can understand they wouldn't want to graph for a big group of like 20 people before games but if there are only a few I mean really. I know we shouldn't look up to players but is it too much to ask some players to at least acknowledge you by a wave? Some of the players that passed me yesterday acted like they wouldn't even pour water on me if I was on fire in front of them. Just wanted to see what kind of attitudes you people have had in person graphing before and after games?

[JerseyInk]

Don't take it personal. Won't last long in the IP side of the hobby. Win some, lose some. Even if they don't sign, give em a " 'preciate it". I've had that turn the player around and sign. Talking trash to players will alienate you from the other graphers.

[Cincyfan79]

Thanks for the tip. I don't ever talk trash to them I just say good luck even if they don't sign. I just couldn't imagine totally ignoring a couple people saying hello to me when I was walking by them. Oh well that is society today. I still usually get a few whenever I go.

[lizard-jd]

I love to do IP graphing but you certainly can't take the failures and/or the ignore tactics personally or you will never get who you may want. Whoever it is I'm trying for, I will "ask if they please have time to sign something". There is some good advice already here, "never talk trash to them" if they don't stop (they will & do remember you!). If they are in a group and you can get one to stop to sign for you, I always thank them for stopping loud enough so that the others that are just walking by can hear it. I've had some that normally just walk by actually come over to me after hearing me.

[indyreds]

You never know how an IP will go and players do change from day to day and situation to situation. Most of my IP experiences have come before and after baseball games. Before the games I never ask before they get their work in. Waiting after games I never ask a player who is with their family or on the phone. To me that is just rude.Be polite and even if the person says no today it might be a yes later. I remember years ago Bill Madlock was a coach in AAA. His team was in for a four game series. I went to all four games and stayed after all four games. I asked nicely before and after each of the first three games and was hardly noticed by him. I did not even ask before game number four and when he came out of the stadium that night I assumed he was going to just be another no. I gave the old "Bill do you have a minute?" college try and sure enough he stopped and signed for me. I just about did not even say anything as I thought he was just a guy who did not sign. One out of seven attempts was not great, but his signature is in my collection now. I still consider him a great player and a great autograph. Just remember your please and thank yous and realize that some guys may be more difficult.

[cyberer]

A good example of this was my uncle and I in spring training. Teixiera snubbed us at the yankee facility- it was just us and like 4-5 little kids and their parents i.e. not a big crowd, at the practice field where he was alone. He snubbed us. My uncle flipped out and has been bashing Tex to me ever since. Swisher on the other hand signed like 100 autos that night, and my uncle always raves about swish.

My uncle doesn't graph though, so he doesn't get what others have said, i.e. you win some you lose some. I just shake off failures anymore, whereas before they used to bother me a lot.

The entitlement and attitudes of players towards the people who technically make them what they are is pretty detestable, but with so many people hounding them everywhere they go I do have a certain amount of sympathy. Imagine not being able to go get your morning coffee without a dozen dudes asking for you to sign something claiming theyre your biggest fan and then seeing them end up on ebay that night... it would probably get old fast.

Just have fun, and don't take the failures personally.

[mrveggieman]

Yeah I do alot of basketball graphing at atlanta hawks games. Marvin Williams was famous for refusing to sign then all of a sudden he did an about face and does sign prior to games from time to time. Another is hawks assistant coach tyrone hill. He is a funny one. Whenever I say coach hill get I get your auto he ignores me. One day a guy said hey tyrone can you sign and he signed for all of us. I tried again another game calling him tyrone and he signed for me. Mabey he dosen't like to be called coach hill. You never really know dealing with these ball players what's on their mind from day to day but I always come to games prepared.