Mike Schmidt On Autograph Collecting

[metrotheme]

http://www.baseballhappenings.net/20...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.

[Oxxon]

Thanks for sharing.

[Glebe]

good read-All TTM autos I get are put into a binder or framed.

[wmhc28413]

great read.... thanks for sharing mike has some good points....

[Scobes]

Wow, what a coincidence. In 1987, here I was, little Scott, just 7 years old. Mike Schmidt was in Reading, PA, being inducted into the Reading Phillies HOF. I remember how crowded the place was and how excited everyone was to have the big-time star Schmidt in our little minor league ballpark. Now I was a huge Mike Schmidt fan, just as was every other young boy in the Philly area in the 1980s. I remember playing little league baseball and everyone clamored to be #20 (Of course, on my team, the coach's son always got it...)

My dad and I were standing among the crowd on the 3rd base side, where Mike was making his entrance to the field. My dad managed to make his way to the very front of the crowd. Mike made his way slowly to the field, waving to the fans, shaking some hands. All of a sudden, Mike Schmidt was only a few feet away from us and my dad said to him "Hey Mike, how about an autograph for the kid?" and there was little me holding out a pen and a program or a ball or whatever it was I had. Mike gave us a half-smile, shook his head no, and continued on his way. I was dejected. My childhood hero walked right by me and said no to me.

To this day, whenever my dad and I see Mike Schmidt on the TV or wherever, we always recall how he walked right by us and wouldn't give me an autograph. Here was Mike Schmidt's chance to give little Scott a great memory, not a collector, not a dealer, not someone who wouldn't cherish this moment with his baseball hero, but a little boy who wanted a memory.

Thanks, Mike, you gave me a memory, just not the one I wanted...

Scobes

[deeakay]

Nice article, I don't like dealers and hounds are making this sort of impact on signers BUT! these guys (these Pro Athletes) are paid and supported by US! They play because we pay! They represent our towns, states, and "dreams" if you will.
Sorry, Mr. Schmidt it comes with the territory. You could have decided to be an "average Joe".
When I go down to Miller Park at the players parking lot, on my lunch hour, for autos and see guys turn us fans down (5-15 people), it makes my stomach turn and I'm tempted to shoot something about "not to forget they only have a job because of us"!, or "it will only take 2 stink'n minutes"!!!!!
I personally have a heart for the dealers and hounds. There is a demand for signatures, and they are willing and able to supply them. And everybody needs to make a living.
I don't agree however with popping out from behind pillars when guys are walking to get a rental car as Mr. Schmidt says in the SI article.
I don't believe the times are as sad as Mr. Schmidt paints them, but when "little Mike", as Mr. Schmidt refers, is "squashed in this mess" for recent/current players that's unfortunate.
Keep in mind, "little Mike" doesn't know who HOF MLB 3rd Baseman Mike Schmidt is! "Big Mike" does. And "Big Mike" is somebody who collected cards and watched baseball in the '80s-'90s and they are around 30 years old (like me); LOL.
Lastly, people/dealers aren't making millions off these guys. Even when I see a guy that gets ONE $29 Black Rawlings bat signed in Silver Sharpie by Prince Fielder, and I know the guy is going to sell it on Ebay, BIG DEAL! He'll make $30-$50 MAYBE.
Again, I think the only sad state of affairs is when real fans, like most of us, don't get a signature because of what Mr. Schmidt talks about.... but in the end a real fan does get a signature because they bought it from the guy that got it and sold it.

[metrotheme]

There is a time and a place for an autograph. I'm surprised how people are "hurt" when the athlete says "no". Right before he is about to start a ceremony on the field isn't the time to be asking for an autograph. You being 7 at the time wouldn't know that, but an adult should have some more tact. Did he sign for anyone else at the time? You should have your answer there ..

Wow, what a coincidence. In 1987, here I was, little Scott, just 7 years old. Mike Schmidt was in Reading, PA, being inducted into the Reading Phillies HOF. I remember how crowded the place was and how excited everyone was to have the big-time star Schmidt in our little minor league ballpark. Now I was a huge Mike Schmidt fan, just as was every other young boy in the Philly area in the 1980s. I remember playing little league baseball and everyone clamored to be #20 (Of course, on my team, the coach's son always got it...)

My dad and I were standing among the crowd on the 3rd base side, where Mike was making his entrance to the field. My dad managed to make his way to the very front of the crowd. Mike made his way slowly to the field, waving to the fans, shaking some hands. All of a sudden, Mike Schmidt was only a few feet away from us and my dad said to him "Hey Mike, how about an autograph for the kid?" and there was little me holding out a pen and a program or a ball or whatever it was I had. Mike gave us a half-smile, shook his head no, and continued on his way. I was dejected. My childhood hero walked right by me and said no to me.

To this day, whenever my dad and I see Mike Schmidt on the TV or wherever, we always recall how he walked right by us and wouldn't give me an autograph. Here was Mike Schmidt's chance to give little Scott a great memory, not a collector, not a dealer, not someone who wouldn't cherish this moment with his baseball hero, but a little boy who wanted a memory.

Thanks, Mike, you gave me a memory, just not the one I wanted...

Scobes

[Scobes]

metrotheme -

This was well in advance of when the ceremony was to start. He made his way through the crowd and stood away from the fans on the side of the field for at least 15 minutes before the ceremony. And, yes, I do believe he gave out a few (not many) autos....

Scobes

[metrotheme]

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-aut...-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-aut...tel-field.html

[rainman67ko]

My kid get's autos at PNC Park after BP. The players seem to like to sign for the kids as they line the end row nearest the field. He has one Pirates hat with about 7 signatures on it. I've had a couple of things signed IP but only when purchased at a show. I liked the fact that I paid for it, was not rushed, and did not feel I was imposing on the signer. Most other things I've bought on the open market. I want to try TTM.

Mike Schmidt waxing nostalgic over little Mikey is a nice little story but the dichotomy of him being part of the machine is rich. Typical SI story and point taken. Thanks for sharing the link.