Update

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.

Update

I haven't had anything in the mailbox since Bruce Sutter's RTS on August 6th.  Currently I'm waiting on 19 HOFers, to whom I've mailed but have had no response.  A little disheartening, although I've heard that it can take months before you hear back from some.

Al Kaline appears to be one that returns items quite quickly - sometimes as soon as four or five days after sending it out.  I sent an envelope out to Mr. Kaline on July 13 - a full month ago.  I'm wondering if he doesn't sign blank 3x5 cards.  Hmmm...

At this point I'm not sure whether to send out another wave of autograph requests, or just hang tight and be patient.  Maybe something will come in soon.

Failure #5: Bruce Sutter

Ugh.  The string of failures continued today with the arrival of a Return To Sender from Bruce Sutter.  This was only the second time I've received one of these.  At least when a player sends back a request for money you know that it arrived at the right place.  This one however, leads me to believe that either the address I have is wrong, or Mr. Sutter just isn't accepting mail right now.

Failure #4: Rich "Goose" Gossage

The autograph attempts are sadly turning into a string of rejection letters.  This time one from Goose Gossage arrived with a small note card with a pre-typed apology note, as well as a photocopied signature (a nice touch that I wish more rejection letters would include).  The note points the autograph seeker to his website, which plays "Bad to the Bone" when you visit.  Wow.

Somewhat ironically, the note included a HAND WRITTEN request for $20.  I suspect he hires someone to do this - wouldn't it just be easier to stop paying them and sign whatever comes in instead of paying someone to do this?  Ah well, I'm just angry at another failure.

Failure #3 (sort of): Brooks Robinson

Could it be?  Two failures on one day?  Yep, on the same day that I received the return from Rollie Fingers, I also received this letter.

While this wasn't quite as frustrating as Mazeroski's return to sender, it was rejection never-the-less.  Brooks Robinson included a kind letter saying that because of technology, more people have his address than ever before.  He apologized and pointed me to his website if I would like to purchase an autograph.

It did soften the failure a little bit to receive a Brooks Robinson postcard, but alas, it was not signed - not even with a printed signature.

Failure #2: Rollie Fingers

I missed getting Rollie Fingers' autograph at the recent All Star Fan Festival because I was in line to get Gaylord Perry's autograph.  Not to worry I told myself - Perry is the older player (and thus, probably will stop signing before Fingers) and I figured I could get Fingers' autograph through the mail.

Sadly, I was mistaken on the latter.  I received this form letter on the same day that Lee MacPhail's autograph arrived.  The small card informed me that in order to obtain an autograph, I must include $10 with my request.

Maybe someday when we have a little extra income I'll try again.

Lee MacPhail (1917-2012)

On July 30th I received three return envelopes in the mail.  The first one I opened was the above package from Lee MacPhail.  Mr. MacPhail was a big league front office executive and is the oldest living inductee in the Hall of Fame. 

I was pleased to find that he had not only signed the card I sent, but also included a signed postcard showing his Hall of Fame plaque.  Both items were signed in blue sharpie, and his induction year was included on the card stock.

Update: Mr. MacPhail passed away on November 8, 2012.