Roger Clemens

[autocollectr79]

If it was over the line he would have made it clear, he instructed me to follow them to the car and trust me if not for being persistent it wouldn't have gotten done I have no regrets about how I went about it.

gotta do what u gotta do

[lambeauleap87]

Big grey area on what people would consider overboard in this hobby. Some have a strict way to doing things where others may not. To each their own.

I think this is a great way of putting it...personally, I would've stopped after asking once. But if you want to keep on asking, by all means, that's your decision.

[cyberer]

I hate to beat a dead horse, but hey maybe someone on here values my opinion so I'll weigh in.

I try to hold myself to some pretty strict rules about this sort of thing, I don't bother guys when they are with their wives/kids, I generally take no for an answer, etc. However there are times when I will bend those rules, like when I got Prince Fielder when he was with his wife and kids. He wasn't happy about it, but he signed. I agree with the OP, if it was that inappropriate then Prince wouldn't have done it and rocket wouldn't have done it. But they did, so they obviously thought it was ok on some level.

Since he asked you to follow him to the car after your second request, the only thing you did that was questionable was to wait around after he said no to you the first time and ask him again. I personally don't really think there's much wrong with it, not to say I would have done it.

It also depends on the degree with which you need/want the graph. When I was trying to get Halladay to finish off my SI cover, I would have pulled out all the stops to get him. Luckily I wound up getting him in a rather low key manner in the parking lot after a game in clearwater. If you did this to every player every day it might be an issue, but you seem sincere in your desire to get Rocket, so it's also hard to judge you in that regard. Can any of us really say we wouldn't be persistent in the face of being 1 on 1 with our favorite athlete?

So long story short, yes each person has to define what is right for them and not right for them. I'm finding it interesting seeing everyones' opinions for good and bad on this, and hope the discussion can continue, but perhaps in another thread besides the one that this guy designed to share his excitement over what we all can agree is an awesome success.

[Vladfan27]

Big grey area on what people would consider overboard in this hobby. Some have a strict way to doing things where others may not. To each their own.

I hate to beat a dead horse, but hey maybe someone on here values my opinion so I'll weigh in.

I try to hold myself to some pretty strict rules about this sort of thing, I don't bother guys when they are with their wives/kids, I generally take no for an answer, etc. However there are times when I will bend those rules, like when I got Prince Fielder when he was with his wife and kids. He wasn't happy about it, but he signed. I agree with the OP, if it was that inappropriate then Prince wouldn't have done it and rocket wouldn't have done it. But they did, so they obviously thought it was ok on some level.

Since he asked you to follow him to the car after your second request, the only thing you did that was questionable was to wait around after he said no to you the first time and ask him again. I personally don't really think there's much wrong with it, not to say I would have done it.

It also depends on the degree with which you need/want the graph. When I was trying to get Halladay to finish off my SI cover, I would have pulled out all the stops to get him. Luckily I wound up getting him in a rather low key manner in the parking lot after a game in clearwater. If you did this to every player every day it might be an issue, but you seem sincere in your desire to get Rocket, so it's also hard to judge you in that regard. Can any of us really say we wouldn't be persistent in the face of being 1 on 1 with our favorite athlete?

So long story short, yes each person has to define what is right for them and not right for them. I'm finding it interesting seeing everyones' opinions for good and bad on this, and hope the discussion can continue, but perhaps in another thread besides the one that this guy designed to share his excitement over what we all can agree is an awesome success.

These are both great posts. I don't get many IP autograph opportunities, and when I do, it's usually a public signing or at a parking lot/sideline before or after a game or 2 per year. I've never been in a situation to ask an athlete for an autograph, as ridiculous as that sounds. If the athlete wants to sign, they'll sign. If not, they won't. That's how I look at obtaining IP autographs.

With that being said, my view on what is right/wrong when seeking an IP autograph will be different from someone who has been getting IP autographs at hotels/parks/restaurants/spring training etc for years. Personally, I would accept no for an answer. Do I think it's wrong to be persistent? Absolutely not. Would I have been as persistent as bigticket401? Probably not. Regardless of how it was obtained, nice success!

[everythingcollect]

Nice Sig! Actually With Clemens thats a Rarity If he Signs with his Kids around hes a very big Family Man I know for a Fact if hes not in a rush he will sign at the Ball park. glad it worked out for you.