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MLB Players asking prices for Autographs.......Agree or disagree???

I don't mind paying for an autograph from Players in any sport, but don't ask for insane prices....Don't forget who helped pay your salary your whole career (your fans)... With out fans you would never have received those insane salaries to begin with!! I agree with ball players trying to cash in on their own autographs, because let's face it there are a lot of people that ask for those autographs through mail or in person that are trying to cash in on them..I collect autographs for the fun of it and to give something to my kids, that they help collect with me something when i pass away...I will continue to collect autographs through the mail, but I will not pay $50.00 to david Cone for his autograph, maybe if you had 6 no hitters and was inducted in the Hall of Fame!!!

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Comment by Null on January 6, 2013 at 7:36pm: This is a toss-up for me. The ones that require donations for charity I have no problem with. That being said, $20 is the most it should cost. The ones that charge $50+ is a bit ridiculous IMO. I understand their fear of people reselling them, but all they have to do is write "To Ryan" and it kills resale value. And if they're going to charge 50+ they better be a legend. Cone should charge $10 max! LOL.

Comment by Rich on January 7, 2013 at 8:40am: $50, sadly, represents a pretty moderate price. If you're a top star, there's decent chance you can command over $100, especially if you play for a big market team (i.e. New York, LA, etc). Even our small market star here, the Brewers Ryan Braun, charges well north of $100 now.

It's all sports in general really. NFL prices are no better. Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers all command more than $200, as do many other big names. I don't even want to get into what Tom Brady is charging for his butt-ugly autograph. Even rising stars routinely charge unjusttifiable prices: I saw people pay $100 -150 for Sam Bradford (!) a couple years ago at a MM show. I've seen Colt McCoy (whose present job is holding a clipboard) charge $70-80.

Comment by Null on January 7, 2013 at 9:16am: Rich are you talking about in-person autograph sessions or TTM?

I would have no problem paying $100+ if I got to meet the star. I'm saying strictly TTM I think $50+ is ridiculous unless they are an absolute legend...

Rodgers signed free TTM for awhile, then suddenly quit signing at all. Peyton still signs through his foundation occasionally. No donation required.

Comment by Null on January 7, 2013 at 9:18am: I should've cleared my earlier statement, for some reason I thought this was specifically about TTM autos.

TTM: max I think should be $20 unless they are an absolute LEGEND (and the ones that charge $50+ better be quick at returning them.)

IP: I have no problem with this going up to $200 depending on the star

Comment by Rich on January 7, 2013 at 9:22am: Well, I guess I was talking in general. But my statements still apply, as some of the athletes I mentioned above don't even do public signings (Braun , Rodgers, Brady). I'd put private signings in the same category as TTM.

Comment by Chad B on January 7, 2013 at 10:52am: The autographs are worth whatever someone will pay. I wish many were cheaper as well, though.

Comment by Rich on January 7, 2013 at 10:55am: Absolutely. And I think that many of them will struggle to hold that value. I'd venture to say that most of these players' careers likely won't live up to their asking prices.

Comment by david loner on January 7, 2013 at 11:57am: I just don't understand that David cone asked for $50.00 through the mail, while I received Wade Boggs, Goose Gossage ,Josh Hamliton and Randy johnson for free through the mail..

Comment by Rich on January 7, 2013 at 12:49pm: The problem with them selling it cheap is that in many instances, others will inflate the price and make a killing if they don't. I guess they feel like they're getting jipped then.

Comment by Null on January 7, 2013 at 12:53pm: Most of the time if they charge $50+ TTM you can get it cheaper on eBay with PSA/DNA or JSA cert. If that's the case I get it off eBay and save them the "hassle".

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