The Quest

The Baltimore Orioles have been in town since '54 and have had over 900 men don their uniform. My goal is to obtain a signed card of each player. If you have something I need, or see something you want, don't be shy, we can make a deal.

Collection Statistics

Total Players 877/977 = 89.25%
1991 Orioles Crown Set
Total Players 309/465 = 66.45%
Alive Players 274/369 = 74.25

Friday, January 17, 2014

Big Leagued By A Journeyman

My only trip to Camden Yards last year was met with an interesting request.  Chris Snyder, journeyman catcher met my request for an autograph with an unusual amount of animosity. 

He signed a ball for another collector and I patiently waited my turn as he was walking to the park.  I handed him my custom autograph card.  He looked at it, handed it back and said :do you have anything else".  I politely responded that I had nothing else because he hadn't been featured as an Oriole yet.

His next response threw me for a loop. "Well, you get my bootleg signature then".
My initial reaction was "HUH".  Eventually I came back with, "OK.  It's just going into my collection".

But his perspective got me thinking.

Players have "bootleg" signatures?  Journeymen catchers that have spent a lot of time in the minor leagues have "bootleg" signatures?  What, exactly, is a "bootleg" signature?

Well, this is a "bootleg" signature:
Chris Snyder Orioles Autograph Card
Here is his normal signature:

Whatever.  I have his autograph and I have a story, but seriously.  Obviously he thought I would be selling this autograph in some way.  So I did a little research.  There have been a grand total of five sold autographs on eBay in the last two months.  The most expensive, one whole dollar, and that was a dual autograph. 

If this was indeed my way to make money, I would be better off panhandling for change.  Come on man.

5 comments:

  1. Players have odd ideas about autograph collecting, for a variety of reasons, such as.
    1) Most of them were too busy playing baseball to get into the whole "collecting" aspect, so it just doesn't make sense to them
    2) Agents, teammates, etc. put it into their heads that selling autographs is a big money endeavor
    3) It is annoying to be pestered for autographs when you go to & from your job every day.

    I've noticed that too many players don't want to sign those blank cards, so I won't even bother with them anymore. If you are having similar problems, I suggest stocking up on the old Fleer logo stickers.

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    1. I have been having a little trouble, but not too much. I would understand if it were an index card or blank piece of photo paper I have seen a lot of guys with.
      Funny that a few players told me "The team said I can't sign those" and then the manager signed one without hesitation.

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    2. The older, retired former players and coaches don't really think twice about signing them, but it's preached to most active players [probably as they go up the minor league ladder] not to sign blank cards or anything resembling them.

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  2. That's nuts. It's not completely blank or anything, it says "Baltimore on it"...not sure what the difference between that and a blank baseball.

    I've never loved the "signature" cards, so I decided to buy a stack of Yankee Stadium cards from 2009 OPC. I've gotten a few of those back signed, which I like a little more. Just a personal preference though.

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  3. WOW all I have to say Chris Snyder was great last year outside the stadium he signed every card I had of him thinking one time he did like 6. As for the blanks it seems like it is a big deal for the minor leaguers of certain teams I've noticed that some organiztions which the O's are won even the A ball guys don't do them and other teams if there signing they will sign anything think the white sox last year every guy said no to a 3x5 card except one guy because I asked to personalize it then he signed. I heard that they are being told that the blank can be used to aid in identity theft????? sure you can pull a signature off anything if you know what your doing. lol

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