I sent out a big wave of autograph requests though the mail today. A good portion were players who are currently playing, but who I suspect will be inducted into the Hall of Fame when their playing career is over.
This raises a question in my mind - is it important to just simply have the player's autograph, or do I want to obtain it after they have been inducted? The obvious benefit to post-induction is that the player will often include their induction year in their signature (as shown in a few examples I've posted on the site). The downside is, as soon as a player is inducted, their popularity skyrockets and it can become almost impossible to obtain their signature (see Cal Ripkin Jr., a fantastic player who rarely signs, and never through the mail).
I also sent out some more requests to players who have already been inducted.
I gotta spend the week at my parents' because they're going out of town. I will dig around and see if I can find my old autographs. I have Johnny Bench somewhere - you may have it if I find it. Or do you have to get autographs directly from the player for it to count?
ReplyDeleteDude, that would be amazing! I'll take them anyway I can get them.
ReplyDeleteHere's the thing - I haven't seen my autographs in at least 15 years. I think I know where they are, but it could just as easily be the classic mom-didn't-know-what-they-were-and-threw-them-out story. I had Bench, Canseco, Todd Worrell, Orel Hershiser (I got that at a card shop in Temple City when I was 8, before he became a star), Eric Davis, and probably a few others I've forgotten about.
ReplyDeleteThe one I definitely do have is Rance, in my old sock drawer at my parents. But he ain't making the Hall anytime soon.
Ha ha - no sweat. I won't hold my breath on Bench, but if you can find them I'd be delighted!
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