As I stare out the window at the melting snow, waiting to send letters to spring training, I noticed another milestone.
Fresh from a New Year, I want to celebrate every day. Reaching 800 posts sounds like a good excuse for another mug of dark-roast coffee.
This year, I promise to keep sharing my ideas and mistakes with all of you. We learn from each other. Together, this hobby will remain strong.
This blog would be nothing without you, the reader. I am grateful.
I never thought I’d see a dark side to this entertaining PBS show that seems to be shown nightly on our nearest station.
Happy stories. Happy people.
However, I think the show’s “value” virus has afflicted too many collectors.
One of the happiest parts of this blog has been spotlighting fellow collectors. Collectors who build collections around their own interests, not a price guide.
I’ve been in contact with more than one collector who is afraid to be profiled. They think I want to write about their net worth, not their hobby specialty.
“I don’t want to discuss the size of my collection or the value of my best autographs.” Then, they add that they fear for the safety of their collection and their family.
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| The stories I seek are the “What is it?” and “How did you get it? along with WHY? I don’t do values. Watch these guys for a “How much???” |
I am not ANTIQUES ROADSHOW. I am not an appraiser.
Here’s my brand of appraising. Your autographs are worth as much, or as little, as you care about them. Or, for someone with visions of dollar signs and sugar plums dancing in their heads, the autograph could be worth as much as the next guy will pay.
Ages ago, I received a phone call that interrupted my dinner. (No, it wasn’t a political candidate…)
“I saw your name in Sports Collectors Digest,” the caller began. “You gotta help me.”
Sigh. Yes?
“I want to know how much a Ty Cobb autographed baseball is worth.”
Looking back at my lukewarm-plate, I blurted a fair figure.
“Wait. That can’t be.”
I began to say how I based my estimate range on several factors. He interrupted.
“I paid $300 more than that. My wife’s gonna kill me.”
I paused, stared at the ceiling, then lied — for a good cause.
“Tell her it’s a good price…but do your homework next time, okay? My dinner’s cold. Good luck.”
Coming Friday: a Harmon Killebrew biography, plus the world’s biggest autograph?
Announcer Ryan Lefebvre grows on you.
I heard him first do Twins games. “Tell us what you REALLY think,” I’d mutter to the radio. He wasn’t the typical rah-rah “homer” type announcer. I always felt smarter after hearing his commentary.
I was floored learning about the personal challenge of depression that Lefebvre battled. His courageous book The Shame of Me, One Man’s Journey to Depression and Back is something every fan could appreciate.
I appreciated learning that Lefebvre hasn’t forgotten true fans. Life gets in the way for all of us.
In his case, an eight-year gap separated the TTM autograph request sent by Rich Hanson and the response.
Of course, the classy broadcaster included a note of apology and extra signed photos in his reply.
I wrote about Rich Hanson for the blog back in 2010. He’s a talented hobbyist zoned on giving, not just getting. He’ll shoot photos at a minor league ballpark (or a winter league banquet for the minor league Royals affiliate in Burlington, Iowa). Then, he’ll send a photo for the guy depicted, asking for an autograph on the extra.
Was this eight-year turnaround a new record for longest response ever? Rich confirmed the mark, adding these thoughts:
“Probably was the all time record for me. I was really impressed that he took the time to seek me out, to apologize for misplacing the letter and pictures, and for taking the time to respond. So many people would’ve felt embarrassed by and just chucked their oversight or figured that after all that time it didn’t matter anymore. It was very kind of him.”
Well done, Rich. Never give up!
Coming Monday: Former player J.W. Porter’s fascinating autograph commentary!
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| The real guy is a great TTM signer! |
Be prepared for the following eBay listing:
“Great Pretender Braves Autograph of ‘John Sullivan’ — RARE”
Baseball meets the Catch Me If You Can story! This will be a TV movie of the week.
Check out the Atlanta coverage of a bold actor taking on the personna of a Braves coach at a team reunion.
Will this mystery man be appearing at hobby shows? Or, were the products of his solo signing session, albeit bogus, limited editions?
Move over Morganna the Kissing Bandit. You may have company on the team of baseball pseudo-celebrities!
One last P.S. for this story? The incredible site www.sportscollectors.net reports that the REAL John Sullivan has signed 26 of the last 28 TTM requests. As the song promises, “Ain’t nothin’ like the real thing…”
I took the day off to celebrate my wonderful wife’s birthday Monday.
When it comes to gifts, one of the best I’ve gotten lately came from Matt Ray.
I first told you about his amazing “Autograph U” blog back in 2010. Well, he’s still rocking the hobby. As many autograph collectors are stuck on all they’re getting, here’s a guy intent on GIVING.
He published FREE for everyone “The Autograph University 2012 Yearbook.” I’m proud to be one of the featured collectors.
Check out his yearbook now. He’s sharing this quality e-publication. The stories are about all kinds of autograph collectors, not just baseball. As you read, imagine where you’d fit in. Then, ask yourself two questions:
1. What kind of collector are you?
2. What kind of a collector would you like to be?