Pat Neshek Phillies TTM - Updated Thoughts

[ferronimc]

So I initially posted my mixed feelings when I heard about Pat Neshek's efforts to facilitate Phillies TTM autographs on a fee schedule- i.e. wasn't sure where the money was going (player, charity, etc) and just the idea of the "little man" fan having to pay for autographs. This idea of deterrent came up which I thought was a bit elitist at first as only those who could afford to pay $10-20 could have access to their favorite players. Ultimately it felt worth it to me and I recently sent out a few requests as a lifelong Phillies fan in the hopes of reigniting my TTM addiction and sharing it with my own future children (first one on the way!) Something today caught my attention and completely changed my perspective on this, made me fully realize what an awesome thing Pat is doing and what I think is the true motivation behind it.

A noted absence from Pat's initial fee schedule is rookie 2B Scott Kingery, who has been an RBI machine the first 2 weeks of the season, I noticed on the TTM success forum a bunch of Kingery successes being reported over the past few days none of which mentioned c/o Pat Neshek like all the other Phils successes which led me to conclude Scott is signing TTMs addressed directly to him for free (for now). Obviously I thought "awesome" and jumped on Ebay to buy a card of his to be able to send out as soon as possible. What came up on my search sickened me - a TON of Kingery cards autographed (not insert cards but base cards signed) selling for $20-30!! Now that timing to me seemed way too fishy. I'm not naive, I realize there are many people, probably some reading this, who are always just out to make a buck when they can - but it highlighted to me how that greed can ultimately ruin it for everyone - the fans, the kids. No wonder most players are initially so good about signing in the minors, etc. then hit the majors and never sign again. They're not just overwhelmed with mail, if that was the case they would still sign some of it on occasion. They're disenfranchised and sick of seeing the cards they just signed for "your biggest fan" being sold the very next day for big time money.

What Pat is doing is truly the perfect deterrent - the prices are not prohibitive, certainly reasonable for avid fans to pay, but just high enough that no one is going to waste the effort of TTM and pay $10-20 to flip a card for only a few bucks more. It ensures that if there's any money to be made it goes to the players (who deserve it, kinda like a royalty) and not dealers taking advantage of a player's time and effort. It ensures people sending out requests are doing it for the right reasons. Hopefully this trend catches on with other teams/sports as a way to really bring the experience back to the fans!

[yankeesfan1324]

I wish TTM was mainly free. It can be a great way for collectors on a budget to get cards they like for cheap. It's a shame to see fees for TTM becoming more common but then again, how many of these players signed TTM for free before this year? How many would have quit soon after seeing how many requests they got or how much people try to flip their autographs for? Free TTMs are best but if players won't sign for free, charging for signatures is way better than just not signing at all. For a dedicated collector who loves the player or the team or who is working on a set, the prices are worth it.

Active players also have limited time so this lets them prioritize who to sign for. Presumably anyone who spends the money is a fan and deserves an autograph. Anyone who doesn't want to cough up the money is just a collector who would like an autograph and is of lower priority. Sure, it's not perfect; there will be huge fans who just don't have the money. But if the other alternative is not signing at all, I love this option. I'm guessing many of these players will sign for free once they retire and have more time. Retired guys will always be better signers. Of course that sucks for kids who don't have the money to pay for TTMs and don't know the retired players. I guess if they really want to collect cheap autographs they can do research on older guys and send to the ones they like.

[camsue]

Very well said by all

[JustStartingOut]

Agree with camsue. Great points made by all. I don't like the idea, but understand the reasoning. I would be pissed too sign a card for a "fan" only to see it on eBay a week later. Charging will weed out the resellers with some collateral damage being collectors and kids who can't afford to pay. I'm a Phillies fan and would love to get every player's signature this season but can't pay for that. Outside of Phillies, I wouldn't pay for another player's auto unless it was someone I really liked as a player, like Trout or Utley.
I have already paid for a Nola auto, traded with Pivetta, and last week sent a card and $5 for Eickhoff. I should probably send to Hoskins before he goes from $20 to $50, but I'm still holding out hope that the card and ball I sent him before the charging started will come back.

[mrrosado]

I sent Pivetta some cards i didnt know he wanted to trade. I understand the reasoning for the fees but Im a Yankees fan. I guess that is why im not paying :0). Neshek is my fav. player because he signs.

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