Or any-freaking-other-place-any-fan-asks-you-to-sign-no-matter-what it is. I don't care. Tired of the whining about how many fans want autographs and how impossible it is to honor every request and who knows when that autograph will end up on eBay for however much. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care. You sign the autograph. PERIOD.
Got it? If that's the downside of your profession, deal with it. Sign it. Don't care. Sign it!
Picked up one of my neighbor's sons from camp today. They went to the Home Run Derby last night at Yankee Stadium. Got in around midnight. Had fun. Jeter was signing. Morneau was not. The kid got an autograph from Milton Bradley. The same guy who the media is always kicking and screaming about because of his kicking and screaming. Where were they last night when he was signing this kid's (and so many others) baseballs, hats, gloves, pieces of paper, whatever. While A-Rod wasn't participating because he doesn't want to screw up his swing. Are you freaking kidding me?! And I'm a Yankee fan. Mess up his swing!? Too bad. Let it. Then go and get it back. You have got to be friggin kidding me. Mess up his swing!? And he wasn't signing last night either. Cannot take it anymore. What a bunch of wussified pansies. Get up there and hit you freaking pretty boy. Christ, you're making how much to do what? Are you serious?! Are you freaking serious?!
In case you didn't hear me the first time: here's my autograph signing policy for all professional athletes: YOU SIGN EVERY MF-ing THING SOMEONE ASKS YOU TO SIGN. PERIOD. NO EXCEPTIONS. THAT'S YOUR JOB. THE JOB THAT ALL SPORTS FANS PAY YOU TO DO. IT'S PART OF THE DEAL. DON'T LIKE? GET OUT? OR GET KILLED IN WORDS BY THE LIKES OF ME? NOT WORRIED? DON'T CARE? FINE. I'M STILL GONNA WRITE IT.
Time we stop giving these guys a pass and holding them accountable. And to a higher standard. Don't care if that's not part of the bargain. It's part of my bargain. I demand that the teams and players I support bring it. And if they don't: see ya!
Faces at the U.S. Open
Comments (12)
Good blog, good to have you back bloging in FN
*LSU* Charles Scott!!! | 07/15/08, 02:17 PM
Report Offensive CommentI agree with you completely. I've actually never seen Morneau sign anything myself, but I've talked to Mauer and Nathan multiple times before. When Mauer was a rookie and Nathan wasn't even closing, and later after Mauer was a star and Nathan was an All-Star closer. Morneau seems like a nice guy, he just doesn't seem like the autograph type. But I guess two out of three isn't bad...
0x NBA/NFL Champion | 07/15/08, 02:23 PM
Report Offensive CommentWord! Sign the damn ball!
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 07/15/08, 02:31 PM
Report Offensive CommentI couldn't add another thing to that. If you can't take the time to sign an autograph for an adoring fan, get the heck out of the game. This is why kids should be discouraged from making athletes their heroes, idols, or role models. Great blog.
smoothsandy - fading dreams | 07/15/08, 02:32 PM
Report Offensive CommentWell said RUGator. It boggles the mind that some of these people can behave like that. I recently saw a "Legends of Hockey" video about the great Bobby Hull in which he talked about the importance of signing autographs and relating to the fans. He had the right idea!
Oilers - NHI | 07/15/08, 03:31 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood blog and very true. First Cards game I went to I got an autograph from John Mabry, who was the only player signing. I was disappointed that we got there that early and that so many other players were there but only one would sign.
c note | 07/15/08, 03:33 PM
Report Offensive CommentAMEN, RUGator. Very good to read the part about Bradley......I know his temper gets him in trouble sometimes, but I don't think he is a bad guy.......not nearly as bad as the media makes him out to be
TenRingsSTL | 07/15/08, 06:21 PM
Report Offensive CommentMilton Bradley is not perfect, nor is any player, but this guy continues to get an unfair shake from the media. I've told this story repeatedly here, but it hits the point. Long story short: I sat in left field of a Padres-Phillies game last August in Philly and watched Bradley get abused with racial slurs by fans for 9 innings. Bradley turned around once because some drunken fool threw a ball of foil at him. How does SportsCenter describe the next day? Bradley taunting Phillies fans...
Great blog RUGator. Glad to hear someone else witness Bradley in a way different than we're told to view the guy.
EastCoastKeith | 07/15/08, 07:33 PM
Report Offensive CommentI hate that when I go to a Bucks game and ask for an Autograph I get by-passed.
Every time I have gone to a Brewers game, and wanted an autograph, I get it. How? BEING ASSERTIVE!
I went to the Packers training camp 4-5 years ago. I got Aaron Kampman's autograph when he was still a nothing. You know how? BEING ASSERITVE!
You gotta be assertive to get these autographs. The athletes should sign the autographs though.
Dyhard -- Badgers vs Marshall | 07/15/08, 11:11 PM
Report Offensive CommentMilton Bradley isn't even a bad person...if the media and news would actually broadcarst GOOD news...we would have a LOT better of an opinion on athletes.
A-Rod getting divorced. Is that news that should be ALL over ESPN? NOOOO!
Dyhard -- Badgers vs Marshall | 07/15/08, 11:13 PM
Report Offensive CommentYou shouldn't have to be assertive to get an autograph. The athletes should be grateful enough that they made it to the big time that someone actually wants their signature. Some forms of assertiveness borders on annoyances.
Red Zone | 07/16/08, 08:31 PM
Report Offensive CommentI can see not wanting to sign baseballs, bats, gloves, or jerseys somewhat (not only is it a money thing, which I can't hold against anyone, it keeps these items special for collectors, non profit auctions, etc.)
...but pictures, magazines, programs, scrap pieces of paper, even hats - rediculous - I have seen celebrities give autographs at airports without even speaking to the fan or breaking the conversation/phone call they were involved in - they just reached out to the fan holding the paper, pulled out a pen, sign it, usually nodded and replied "thanks for your appreciation" or something similar in response to the fan thanking them. That's it. That's all it takes.
I also think they all are missing the obvious. Just make up some business cards with their picture and some text (stats, etc.), sign a bunch ahead of time for when they are in a hurry, and have unsigned ones as something neat to substitute for the ball, bat, etc. they don't want to sign.
...just 1 more reason NOT to get too excited about pro sports...
Prove It | 07/21/08, 02:42 AM
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