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Cal Ripken Poses For Photos for Free, But Bo Jackson Costs $99

In my latest Forbes post I don't begrudge the retired baseball players for charging for their autographs, but do draw the line at them charging for being photographed with you.

http://onforb.es/1N0buw7'

David

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Permalink Reply by Corey Moylan on September 1, 2015 at 8:49am

Ryan - You're famous!

Permalink Reply by Ian Baldock on September 1, 2015 at 10:05am

The charging for photo with is out of control. They used to let you do it free for the price of the autograph. I would suggest people don't pay, but the demand is there so the people will pay.

Permalink Reply by automan on September 1, 2015 at 10:41am

yeah dont pay it on principle

Permalink Reply by David Seideman on September 1, 2015 at 11:29am

I didn't follow the autographs at this year's National, but if I remember, everyone was charging but Ripken. Personally I would pay for the autograph but I agree that the charging for photos is out of control. 

Permalink Reply by Chad B on September 1, 2015 at 12:57pm

I enjoyed the story David.

I want a Bo Jackson autograph but will never pay these prices and never that much for an inscription.

Permalink Reply by David Seideman on September 1, 2015 at 1:06pm

Thanks, Chad. The only time I've spent over $100 for an autograph was five years ago. I had Willie Mays sign a glove which he, happily, recognized as his model. It cost me $350. The problem is that his autograph is worth much less. He and Aaron have priced themselves out of the market, and Willie has health issues. There are rumors that Derek Jeter will be the first $500 autograph. I wonder why he would do it, but Mariano has for $300 a pop. 

Permalink Reply by Null on September 1, 2015 at 2:00pm

Great read David. I personally would never spend more then probably $150 for a signing and that would have to be a BIG TIME name such as Bo Jackson, Koufax, Griffey, etc. Anything $200+ is ridiculous when you can get pack-issued autographs of most these guys for $40. I do treasure all of my in-person autographs 20x more than ones I've just bought, but it's gotten beyond the point of being ridiculous. The only people I'd pay $500 for would be Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Muhammed Ali.

Charging for photos shouldn't be any more than $15-$20 max IMHO. I don't know why anyone would pay $100 for a 15 second rushed photo op with a fat out-of-shape retired player that could care less about you.

The ironic part about it is that a lot of times these athletes act SO MISERABLE at these shows, when in fact they agreed to do them in the first place because they want the money. I went to an Andre Dawson signing and it seemed like the guy would rather be dead than be at that show. Didn't say ONE WORD to anyone, and it was a charity signing! 

I have so much more respect for athlete's who interact and sign for fans at spring training and regular season games. Mike Trout signs for 15-20 minutes before every game interacting with fans. Arguably the best player in the world, chatting with fans, posing for selfies, and signing everything for FREE. I just went to a Dodgers game and Kershaw signed both days for 10 minutes or so. That is when you see the person's true character, not so much when they're behind a table getting paid for each scribble. 

Permalink Reply by David Seideman on September 1, 2015 at 2:25pm

Thanks Ryan. That's great news about Trout. Wow!

Ripken was that  way during his career. I did get a smile and handshake from Willie Mays, which, I understand, is rare. But I would never spend that big money again. I wonder what Mickey Mantle would be getting if he were still alive.  Come to think of it, Koufax has rarely done shows, has he? Jordan and Griffey have never done shows, have they? I was really surprised how many people paid Mariano $300 plus $100 for each inscription last year. 

Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on September 1, 2015 at 5:38pm

I really feel badly for these parents whose kids grew up worshipping Jeter and Rivera.  Imagine having to lay out that kind of money so your kid could have their signature?  I used to get Mantle for 15 bucks.  of course that was before Steiner. one of my teammates has done clinics with Rivera, and he is not allowed to sign anything.  I really do miss the old days, this is a joke and opens the door to more forgeries.

Permalink Reply by Null on September 2, 2015 at 7:26am

Are these clinics recent? That's just sad, I know Mo' was a very good signer at ballparks before the games. I'd love to read some of the "contracts" Steiner has for them. A lot of guys use them as excuses not to sign. Jeter stuff will eventually go down when Steiner realizes they have 2 warehouses full of items signed by him that no one is shelling out $500 each for. 

Permalink Reply by John McGinnis on September 2, 2015 at 7:37am

Griffey and his old man Sr. would do "combo" shows during his rookie and 2nd year. $20 for Griffey Jr. and $10 for pops. I'm an old fart but remember thinking this kid won't last charging this kind of money for an autograph. He He

Permalink Reply by James on September 1, 2015 at 9:27pm
Flashback to June of 1999. The most dominating basketball player of all-time, the late, great Wilt Chamberlain, signed autographs at a show in Overland Park, Kansas on premium items for $125.

When it was my turn, I asked, "Mr. Chamberlain, do you think I could get my picture taken with you?" He replied, "Certainly, I'd be happy to." Well, I quickly went behind his signing table and kneeled down beside this gentle giant. I even put my arm behind his back and rested my hand on his shoulder. We both made big smiles, and the picture was snapped. I was was really lucky because I didn't bring a camera, but the woman behind me, who was from St. Louis, about 3 1/2 hours away, agreed to take it and said she would send me the picture in the mail. A couple of weeks later, I got the picture in the mail from this kind person whom I had never met before.

Wilt didn't ask for a dime for any picture taken with him. He was a first-class kind gentleman with each and every fan. He smiled and spoke to everyone - a great big smile for a great big man! You could tell he was happy to be there, and said, "I'm just happy people still remember me." Sadly, Mr. Chamberlain passed away just 4 months later, but he left a big impression.

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