auto question for the masses

[easton55]

I was just looking through a Beckett today, and it got me to thinking again about something. With all the complaints there are about players signing habits, being late for returning autos so we get redemption cards etc, who else here thinks that the guy who writes the Signing Session column and others like him are a big part of this problem? I've thought about this for a while now, and think this is a huge deal. Players get uglier all the time about signing things, and people like Mr. Hershowitz cause a lot of this I think. I collect autos too, but have never bugged players in person, at all. He talks about players habits being worse than the last time in town, but to be honest, if he already has their auto, why is he bugging them again? And then getting them to sign 10 items or more? It's no wonder that the players don't care anymore about signing things for fans, with people like this after them all the time. I think I would get pretty miserable too. I realize Beckett has the little rider at the end saying they don't condone his methods, but I think this column should be dropped, as it does little except glorify poor social habits towards the athletes. No one needs twenty autos of the same player, year after year. It's no wonder the players believe everyone is trying to sell their autographs, and therefore don't want to sign anymore. I think in this area, some fans should realize how their actions are affecting others rather than just themselves. Just my opinion though.

 

[penguinsrock93]

I don't agree that just because they are hounded doesn't mean they can justify being late signing cards to be released in products. They are getting paid for these and there is little reason why they should be late. If a regular person was constantly late on deadlines they're canned immediately.

However, that said I agree with everything else. No one needs multiple autographs of the same player. No one needs tp keep asking for more and more every meeting. It's the same deal with TTM requests...you've got guys sending 4 or 5 or 6 or more cards. Hmm, wonder why so many don't return do we. Again though the player can set limits. Just as Hasek will only sign one item per fan.

 

[leafschik1967]

You mean you think following a guy for 6 blocks isn't the greatest idea for improving relations between players and fans?

Me neither, personally, I think if you have to put a disclaimer on something like that, maybe you don't need it in the magazine that badly.

Although I don't feel as strongly about that as I do about them putting the word "pimp" on the cover of their quarterly (but that is another issue antirely.)

 

[quincy]

LOL. I really would like to know when "pimp" became complementary. In most civilized cultures, that's the kind of thing you say when you wanna make sure that fists will fly.

But I digress. I can understand some players feeling violated by the constant intrusions and demands for autographs. Nonetheless - they signed a contract. If their word means anything, they should sign promptly.

 

[sprague11]

LOL. I really would like to know when "pimp" became complementary. In most civilized cultures, that's the kind of thing you say when you wanna make sure that fists will fly.

But I digress. I can understand some players feeling violated by the constant intrusions and demands for autographs. Nonetheless - they signed a contract. If their word means anything, they should sign promptly.

I blame MTV, 50 cent, and Moose. In that order.

 

[easton55]

I agree on the 'paid for the auto so sign and return' thinking, but here I can also understand a players' thinking when they see the same weasel asking for 12 autos, when they've probably already signed for him a month earlier. Being a celebrity of any kind (movie, sports, etc) means there are demands made upon them for autos and such, but to me this is going way overboard. And so even with the money being exchanged for said autos, the players are losing even more tolerance for giving in person autos, or meeting any kind of deadlines for certified auto cards because of this. If you want to be an autograph hound, fine, but take your one auto and move over for someone else who is also there for the same reason. Being an idiot and asking for 10 or more is going to kill autograph collecting for in person collectors and give more headaches to those of us collecting through company released autos, regardless of contracting a player for his signature or not. I still say this column should be pulled as it is doing nothing more than showing one persons bad collecting habits.

 

[Clooch]

easton55, i agree with the fact you think its not right to ask a player for 10+ auto's

i am 16, i have been collecting autographs in person and through mail for 4 years now. i enjoy this hobby more then anything. but i know the limits. i have NEVER asked a player for more then 2 auto's when hounding in person, and this is for my own collection i NEVER sold a thing in my life. i actually feel like a little weird when i even ask for 2 as i do not like taking up too much of the players time.

(i send more then 2 through mail most of the time, its up to the player if he wants to sign one or the 3-4 that i send.)

i have heard some discusting stories about people handing a player 25 photo's and the player sits there for 15 mins signing them all and then the night after the game the same guy tries and asks for some more and the player refuses and the guy calls the player a jerk....


i enjoy reading the Column as i am a collector, but i do not cross the line in my opinion

i went to the team Canada orientation camp, cost me 200 bucks as i had to take the bus and buy tickets for the event, and sharpies and all that, and i ended up leaving with 15 autographs from 40 players. there were over 200+ people wanting autographs. i wanted Martin Brodeur so bad but i didnt get him. i wanted bertuzzi pretty bad as well, but i had adults in their 40's pushing me as i was trying to get big bert to sign my card. and they were handing him sticks and photo's by the dozens.


its just pathetic when you cant have fun meeting your favorite players because people are in it for the money......