Autograph Hounds

[greenback44]

I visited Fort Wayne to see Pete Kozma and Nick Additon, among others from the Cardinals' A-ball affiliate in Quad Cities. When he trotted down to the LF bullpen, if I hadn't know who Kozma was, I could've figured it out from the four or five autograph hounds hounding him. These weren't 8 year old boys looking for mementos of their encounter with their heroes. Well, Kozma was a visiting player in the freaking Midwest League, so you probably could've guessed that there aren't 8 year old boys in Fort Wayne who regard him as their hero. Judging by the binders and the clipboards and the freshly minted baseballs, these were pros.

They didn't have any interest in the fringy guys on the Quad Cities roster, but last year's first round pick was another matter. That's not a surprise, since the 23 year old first baseman probably will be out of baseball in a year or two, while Kozma's a decent bet to be a major leaguer in a couple of years, maybe even an above-average major leaguer. Kozma's autograph could be worth a lot of money then. This is not subtle behavior. They're trying to make some dough off Kozma's future.

It didn't hurt Kozma, beyond missing a couple of minutes of warm-ups, and it's hard to see how a couple of extra long tosses would matter much. I'll also ignore the economist's point that this devalues his autograph down the line. But it has to be incredibly annoying to take time every day solely so some folks he doesn't know can cash-in on his fame. I don't understand why the teams allow this nuisance at the ballpark, and beyond that, I don't understand why players are expected to cooperate with these people.

[jim]

No way I would sign anything for an adult.

[JCShutout]

I'm sure for 95% of those guys, you're dead on Greenback, but you never know. Maybe someone has a big collection or maybe he's on a business trip and wants a future Cardinal's signiture for his kid.

I was in my senior year of college after the pennant in 04. After going downtown to party, I saw Yadi in his truck, and he signed my Steve Kline "dirty" cap. I was 23 or 24 when I had Al MacInnis sign the back of my Al MacInnis jersey (he's my favorite non-goalie), and I also have the Blues' coffee table book and I had some current players and Blues alum sign it for me. (at the Blues draft party last June) I'm technically an adult, but now I can talk to my kid (if I have one someday) about that Bobby Plager autograph.

I think I'm responding to Jim more than you GB on that second paragraph. I didn't go out of my way to get autographs, I just happened to be next to Yadi, and at the draft party, the Blues said they would be signing so I brought my book.

[Simbagal23]

We saw plenty of the clipboard hoards at spring training. I was happy to see the players completely ignore them and go straight for the kids. An obnoxious Cub fan (at the Cards-Braves game) tried pushing kids out of the way to get Pujols autograph. So, I sent my 6' 10" husband down to the fence to block him......success! I love my husband....

[cardsfansince82]

Some of those guys that sell the memorabilia will even use their kids to get the autographs for them. I can totally understand why a lot of players won't sign for hardly anyone, since there is really no way of knowing what the autograph is for.

[cardinalkarp]

I never ask for autographs but who really cares if someone else does. I can see if they're pushing kids out of the way to get them (and that definitely happens) then its out of line but really, who cares if they want to make a few bucks off someones autograph.

[jim]

I know we've had this discussion before and people have differing opinions. It would bother me to know that someone turned a charitable act that I did into profit for themselves. I don't know why exactly it would bother me, but it would. I would not sign for adults, and I would for kids. For adults, I'd error on the side of not giving an autograph to a well meaning fan, whereas with kids I'd error on the side of giving an autograph to a kid getting one for his Dad to sell.

[MrCrowesGarden]

I've got to echo JC's sentiments. I know most of those guys are just in it to turn a profit, but occasionally there's an adult who just wants an autograph because he still feels like a kid.

About nine times out of ten when I go to a Royals game at Rosenblatt, the adults asking for autographs are the ones greenback described--binders in hand and making sure that the player signs it on the sweet spot (I guess that's a rant in itself).

Last year though, I went to a Royals-Redbirds game and saw a guy about my age there (I'm 22 FWIW). He was decked out in his Cardinals gear. Ankiel saw him and signed his cap for him, and the guy couldn't have been more excited. I'm guessing that Rick was one of his favorite players when he was about 14 or 15. I guess that little experience gave me hope.

[Hungary Jack]

Frankly, I hate the US culture of pop-star worship, and I think at least some of the autograph-hounding by adults is a manifestation of it. And doing it for personal profit is pathetic, IMO.

But then again, I'd like Eva Longoria's feet if I had the chance...

[cardinalkarp]

I wouldn't mind getting a couple autographs on a couple jerseys I have so I could frame them for my sports room. The only time I'd even try asking was if I made the trip to ST where the players have time to do that kind of stuff.