Spoiled, Overpaid Babies

[OldSkool]

Mike.
I understand what you are saying but fans don't see sponsor/owner controlled athletes. All they know is that this is their guy and he shunned them.
BTW someone else wrote that and used my profile. No way could I spell that badly.:lol:

 

[MonacoMike]

Mike.
I understand what you are saying but fans don't see sponsor/owner controlled athletes. All they know is that this is their guy and he shunned them.
BTW someone else wrote that and used my profile. No way could I spell that badly.:lol:

...But they are being maligned by the title of this thread, "Spoiled, Overpaid Babies", like they have some obligation to sign autographs.

MM

 

[Gofirstclass]

Times have really changed. I can remember when players showed up for a game dressed in a suit and tie. Now it's jeans down around their arse and many of them look like gang bangers.

Many years ago my son and I (he was about 9-10 at the time) attended a Seahawks vs 49'ers game. We were down in the corner of the stand watching Jerry Rice (my son's hero!!) run pass patterns in the pre-game warmup. He ran one to our corner of the end zone and my son called out to him. Jerry stopped for about 3-4 minutes and came over to talk with my son. My son was absolutely enthralled by him and I admired him for taking his warm-up time to spend a few minutes with a young fan.

A true class act he was! We need more sports figures like that.

 

[shuizen]

All points are quite valid. I like that it is still a civil thread.

If a pro athlete can make a kid happy signing an autograph sometimes it would be nice to do so. If they signed more items, their mere signature would be worthless, since many already make a good paycheck, a worthless signature probably would not affect their lifestyle, and if they were in touch with the fans their endorsement price tag would probably increase.

If the signature did not have value, the money hungry parents would not be so pushy and the other parents would be happy for their kids to have a signature.

If you do not like that pro athletes from a team do not interact with fans vote with your $. Do not buy tickets to see them for pay for merchandise. If enough people do it the attitudes will change.

The best ball sport experience I have ever had is Arena football, and those guys do not make a whole lot.

 

[MonacoMike]

Times have really changed. I can remember when players showed up for a game dressed in a suit and tie. Now it's jeans down around their arse and many of them look like gang bangers.

Many years ago my son and I (he was about 9-10 at the time) attended a Seahawks vs 49'ers game. We were down in the corner of the stand watching Jerry Rice (my son's hero!!) run pass patterns in the pre-game warmup. He ran one to our corner of the end zone and my son called out to him. Jerry stopped for about 3-4 minutes and came over to talk with my son. My son was absolutely enthralled by him and I admired him for taking his warm-up time to spend a few minutes with a young fan.

A true class act he was! We need more sports figures like that.

It would be great if they were more like that.

If the signature did not have value, the money hungry parents would not be so pushy and the other parents would be happy for their kids to have a signature.

I think that is a problem that has gotten worse in the last 20 years ago or so. The memorabilia market is insane today, I still do not understand the attraction for adults. Many of the kids seeking autographs are pawns of professionals seeking profit not a cherished souvenir. This is what really hurts your kids chances of getting an autograph.

From Wikipedia:

"Some celebrities still enjoy signing autographs for free for fans, keeping it an interesting hobby. Art Carney also enjoyed signing autographs until his death in November 2003.[SUP][citation needed][/SUP]Many people who will stand outside premieres etc. and ask for autographs are actually professional autograph traders, who then sell the autographs for full profit, rather than fans interested in the star itself or in even keeping the autograph. This is one reason why some celebrities are not willing to distribute their signature unless paid to do so. Joe DiMaggio was able to command more money on signing fees than he made in his playing career, though he also gave individual autographs. Bill Russell does not sign at all in public, and only sparingly at private sessions. Michael Jordan reportedly did not sign for most of his career because of safety concerns about frenzied attempts to get his signature, which is worth hundreds of dollars. Jordan has frequently signed at more peaceful events, such as golf tournaments. Pete Rose was paid to sign 30 baseballs with the inscription "I'm sorry I bet on baseball." Actor/comedian Steve Martin carries business cards which he hands to fans requesting an autograph; the cards read "This certifies that you have had a personal encounter with me and that you found me warm, polite, intelligent and funny."[SUP][9][/SUP]
Realizing the potential profit in the sale of pop culture autographs, many dealers also would wait for hours for a celebrity to emerge from a location, present several photos for the celebrity to sign and then sell most of them. Michael Jackson's experience was typical; he often signed just a handful of autographs as he rushed from his hotel to his vehicle. Some collectors take note of which celebrities are the most gracious or the least forthcoming.[SUP][10][/SUP] Some dealers would locate a celebrity's home address and write to them repeatedly asking for autographs. The celebrities soon grew tired of the practice and limited their responses. Because of the many autographs a celebrity might sign over time, some check requests against a record of past requests. Boxer George Foreman, for instance, records the names and addresses of every person requesting an autograph to limit such abuses. Canadian sculptor Christian Cardell Corbet has his assistant research all requested autographs and also records all sent out."

 

[Pack66Dad]

Really? You would be disappointed if your son was a superstar if he did not give away autographs until the last person in line had one? How many hours a day would that take? A simple Derek Jeter signature is worth over a $100, The line would be miles long if he said he would sign for all comers. If your signature was worth that you would give it away whenever someone asked?

See Mike that's why we disagree all the time. In your mind everything is for sale, to me some things are priceless. Things like integrity and decency..... they cannot be bought and if they are real they will never be sold.

 

[MonacoMike]

See Mike that's why we disagree all the time. In your mind everything is for sale, to me some things are priceless. Things like integrity and decency..... they cannot be bought and if they are real they will never be sold.

No not everything is for sale, your are right on that, but neither can, what you describe "integrity and decency" be demanded in a free society. Who is the "god" that decided that autographs were by definition "integrity and decency"? Some of the comments here were blaming and name calling the players without any blame being placed on the public that abused the courtesies that have been offered. That is why many of the players give the autographs at the children's hospital or youth league events rather than when some of you think they should. Is it not their right to do that as they see fit?

MM

 

[Pack66Dad]

Mike, I'm not saying they should be forced to sign autographs. I'm saying IF they were worth a pinch of **** as human beings they would want to.

Just my opinion, but that is how I was raised and its how I raised my kids.

 

[Woody]

These guys may have given thousands of sigs in the past year but because today they don't they are seen as having diminished value as human beings:smt043:smt043. Hey you guys should discuss the 'role model' aspect of celebrity life...I'll be right back...gotta make some popcorn.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Woody, if I had witnessed only one player walk by the kids without acknowledging them, I'd say that you were possibly correct. Maybe they were late for a flight or a meeting or something.

But what I saw were the entire rosters of two professional baseball teams and the coaching staff and other people in uniform (except for the one Mariner player) walking past the kids without even so much as a wave...which, by the way, would not have cost him anything in terms of time or energy.

I stand by my earlier assessment....Spoiled, Overpaid Babies. They may be overpaid, but they certainly lack decency and integrity, as Packdaddy mentioned.

 

[OldSkool]

We have a minor league team here in Asheville. The Asheville Tourists are a farm team for the Colorado Rockies. We have always gotten sigs from the player when we go to see them play. These guys know that this may be the only time they will sign anything related to pro ball so they are eager to be noticed. If they get called up and make something of their selves then they should remember those kids during their training years and man up for some sigs.

No one said they have to but respect for where you came from should mean something. As far as making money off of and signature, it happens. So what, who makes their merchandise sell. Not the team but the fans.

Michael Jordan makes more money from promo's than he ever did playing b-ball. Think he's worried about some guy going to out sell his net worth with one signature? My cousin bought a box full of machine autographed Michael Jordan framed pictures to give to his employees at a large food chain. Ordered them under his name and used his credit card as personal gifts to his employees.
Inside the box were 2, signed in gold, authentic autographed pictures in gold frames. Jordan included these pictures as a gift to my cousin and to whom ever my cousin wanted to award the other one to.

By the way it was a food store chain not a clothing outlet store. The only Jordan picture in the store was on a box of cereal that had nothing to do with the chain.

That's some class to include the signed pictures with no hoopla or promo attached.

 

[tdschafer]

I agree that the athletes should remember why they are so sought after. If it weren't for fans they'd be working for a living on the meager wages we all share in regular society.
I went to the NY Giant's preseason camp years ago when it was held upstate at Pace University. When the first session ended almost all of the players came over and signed autographs and exchanged friendly banter with the crowd that was gathered. This while they were still pouring sweat after finishing some physically demanding drills.

I also remember going to a Yankees game (yes, me the Mets fan) in the '80's. After getting booted from some sweet seats above the dugout (which were obviously not ours) we settled out in our right field bleacher seats. During a pitching change Dave Winfield came back behind the wall to get a drink. We gave a friendly shout out to him. He turned around and actually had a great conversation with us for several minutes. He then wished us a good day and went back to the game.

Another time one of my good friends went down to the door used by players after a Rangers Game. There he encountered Adam Graves as he exited the building. He asked for an autograph and Mr. Graves was happy to comply. He even signed extras personalized to each of his young children at home. Adam then continued to hang around and talk to my friend and his buddies about his family, their families, what their plans were for the rest of the evening etc. My friend said they spoke for close to 30 minutes and that Mr. Graves acted just like one of the guys, not a pretensious bone in his body.

Heck, I even was able to score some nice autographs from the Rangers. In 1994, at the last game of the season, I met my friend at the Flyers VS Rangers game. He was high up in Phizer's HR department and one of their doctors was also a staff physician for the Rangers. We met him at the tunnel between periods and he said to come back after the game ended. When we did he came out and stated that Mike Keenan, their coach at the time, was "freaking out" and refused to let anyone in the locker room including the press. This doctor then said to me "Give me your hat and wait here". About 20 minutes later he came out with my hat covered in signatures and a NY Rangers Puck, autographed by Mark Messier!!! I couldn't have been happier and I still have that hat from the Stanley Cup winning team!!

Another friend of mine works for the Riverhead parks department. Last year they were having a street hockey clinic and the NY Islanders agreed to send a player there. Well, when this thing begins who shows up but Matt Moulson!! Not only an Islanders player but one of their best! Upon his arrival an elderly woman explained that her grandson wanted to come but was too ill due to his chemotherapy as he was battling cancer. Mr. Moulson went back to his car to grab a game stick. He then personalized it to this young ill boy. He gave it to the grandmother and wished her well. Matt then signed EVERY autograph request that he got. Following that my friend thought Mr. Moulson would pose for a few pics and book out of there but to his surprise that was not the case. After the obligatory photo's with town board members Matt Moulson stayed around playing hockey and teaching the youngsters for over 3 hours!! My friend stated to me after " I might not be an Islanders fan, but I'm certainly a Matt Moulson Fan!". I couldn't agree more! To this day every time he scores a goal against my Rangers, I still say "Well if they had to score on us, I'm glad it was Matt Moulson!".

It's a shame that there are not more stories like these today. I don't give a sh!t what peripheral reasons that the athletes give. If it weren't for fans, there would be no demand for there signatures other than on checks and contracts as Mike states. The good athletes still recognize this. the others, well they will fade into the history books without people sharing these stories of their other greatness, as human beings, as I just have above.

 

[CV-23]

I was at an Indy Car Race at Pocono....yea years ago....and was at the Drivers meeting with Rick Mears, Bobby Unser, Michael & Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, etc....I was shooting video for GMC and they were all very approachable and we all started talking about hunting....it was a blast. Rick Mears was the first guy I approched since I read an article he wrote in a hunting magazine. Everyone just joined in. Hope those guys are still as real as back then. Those Indy Cars are real small up close, Mike.