Inside Sports: The Hunt, The Hobby, The Business (Pt. 1)

In this new periodic series, Patch will take readers on an inside look at some aspects of the sporting world which are rarely explored. The concept is to offer a first-hand perspective and account of each subject, making each reader seem as if they are along for the journey themselves.

A recent holiday weekend excursion to baseball's Mecca, the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., as well as a sports memorabilia show in suburban Boston, makes our first topic the hobby of autograph collecting. Or should it be, the business of "graphing" as it is known in the industry? Perhaps it will be a little, or a lot, of both.

Since there is so much material to cover, this first column will be published in three installments, analyzing the basic means of obtaining signatures - in person, via mail and online. We will examine how much those procedures have changed over the last 40 years.

Getting autographs in person

To ensure complete disclosure, I collected autographs as far back as 1972, and as a teenager, amassed more than 600 signatures, mainly by mailing out letters containing cards and a self-addressed stamped envelope. I held on to them for more than 20 years before they fell out of my possession around 1995 (long ugly story).

Since becoming a professional sportswriter, I no longer collect, but my two kids, who share my passion for sports, began collecting themselves when my son was around 8 years old. When he was 11, he began mailing letters - each handwritten - and his sister joined in when she was around 10. I can't even begin to count how many actual autographs they have, but their signed cards are housed in approximately a dozen full-size binders, plus a few others are filled with photos and assorted oddball items.

The three predominant ways of collecting signatures of athletes and celebrities, and the only way to actually know that the autograph is 100 percent authentic, are at a ballpark, arena or venue; at a hotel where the celebrities are lodged; or at a paid signing, usually in connection with a memorabilia show or convention.

At the park or venue

Prior to games, autograph seekers can be found near the dugouts or benches of both the home and visiting teams. In recent years, many major league stadiums have imposed restrictions on access to those areas, but a few autographs are usually signed. A few years ago, at a Tampa Bay Rays game at Tropicana Field, my kids obtained about six autographs, the most prominent name being All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria.

Many seekers wait by the players' entrance after games, hoping to catch a star heading home. In the old days (my time), players in many cities parked in lots across the street from the stadium and were briefly open to fans for a few minutes as they crossed. However, that has also changed considerably, as most venues now provide player parking within the confines of the building, and few stop their tinted window vehicles to sign.

The best chances for success are at minor league games, where young up-and-coming prospects are more apt to sign for fans, as well as former big league stars who are now managing or coaching teams. Due to the considerably less fame enjoyed by these players, with some exceptions, security is less likely to intervene with a fan's quest to meet a player and/or get an autograph.

Waiting by the visiting team's bus following a contest proved to be the greatest source of success for my kids. At times, they would garner the signatures of every player and coach from a team; on average, they would get to meet about 80 percent of the players, as some always seemed to find a way to slip by.

(Current Colorado Rockies left fielder David Dahl signs for a couple of young fans during his minor league days in 2015. Photo credit: Tim Jensen)

(Mia and Alex Jensen with 8-time All-Star Lance Parrish in 2014, when he was a manager in the Detroit Tigers minor league system. Photo credit: Tim Jensen)

Staking out the hotel

In the Internet age, fans can easily find out just about any information they want about their favorite teams, including where they stay during road trips. Crowds of autograph hunters gathering near hotels has become an everyday occurrence.

On Memorial Day weekend, the Baseball Hall of Fame hosts a multi-day event called the Hall of Fame Classic, which includes a 7-inning game featuring recently-retired players representing all 30 Major League clubs, plus six Hall of Famers who act as coaches for the teams. All players stay at the gorgeous 110-year-old Otesaga Hotel, located on 700 feet of Otsego Lake shoreline. I decided to become one of "those" hounds for first-hand information for this story.

I wandered to the hotel portico around 8:30 a.m. the Saturday of the Classic, where a half-dozen "graphers" had already gathered, loaded for bear. Artist pads equipped with self-adhesive photo corners were in abundance; each page holds up to eight cards, and some were spotted with eight of the exact same card on them (we'll discuss pro eBayers in the next installment). Baseballs, magazines, bats, hats, pennants, helmets - every type of memorabilia imaginable was there.

Most of the guys (there was just one woman in the group of about 30, and only one kid) were respectful to their fellow collectors, but a few were a bit, shall we say, overzealous. As one of the first to arrive, I occupied a prime spot in the first row behind the black plastic barrier, safeguarded by four security officers and two sheriff's deputies. Not only did that give me prime access to the players who actually wandered the 10 feet away from the hotel entrance, but it also resulted in my being struck in the eye by a binder shoved at the athlete by a seeker behind me, resulting in a bit of a shiner for a few days. Ah, the price we pay.

Less than half the 35 players participating in the game signed at the Otesaga; in fact, Bert Blyleven was the only one of the Hall of Famers to approach the group, saying, "I'll just sign a couple," which he did - exactly two. At least Tim Raines acknowledged the seekers' requests, saying, "They got us running all around here" as he boarded a small bus transporting the legends to an event at the Hall of Fame itself. The other four did not even look in the crowd's direction, save for a small wave from Rich "Goose" Gossage.

(Former Cleveland Indians star Cory Snyder signs autographs in Cooperstown, N.Y. Photo credit: Tim Jensen)

(Former All-Star shortstop and 12-year Major League veteran Jack Wilson obliges the fans. Photo credit: Tim Jensen)

Fulfillment, with a price

The explosion of online selling (as mentioned, see a discussion of eBay in the next installment) has led to many athletes charging for their autographs. Athlete appearances at memorabilia shows and conventions give collectors the opportunity to not only obtain signatures, but also chat a bit with the player and get their photo taken with them.

At regular shows, such as the monthly gatherings in Mansfield, Mass. run by Doug Keating of Cardboard Promotions since 1991, at least two and as many as eight former athletes are on hand to sign autographs and meet admirers. Prices at this show are very reasonable; with few exceptions, costs range from five bucks to about $50 for high-end athletes or current players. A recent show featured guests ranging from longtime Boston Red Sox catcher Bob Montgomery ($9 per autograph) to Hockey Hall of Famer Johnny Bucyk ($20) to former New England Patriot Rob Ninkovich ($39).

I took my kids to numerous events like this in the past, where they had the chance to see dozens of Hall of Famers, great athletes and even some celebrities. Among the nicest people they met were actor Bill Murray, basketball great Bill Walton, comedian George Lopez and World Golf Hall of Famers Hale Irwin and Nick Price, who actually invited them to go under the ropes into the middle of the course itself.

NOTE: Part 2 of this column will be published next week, covering the acquisition of autographs via U.S. mail.

(Ashley Reid of Enfield, Conn. met Super Bowl XXXV champion Sam Gash at a recent memorabilia show in Mansfield, Mass. Photo credit: Tim Jensen)

(Actor/comedian Bill Murray spent some time engaging with youngsters Mia and Alex Jensen at a 2007 celebrity golf outing. Photo credit: Tim Jensen)

(The Jensen kids were invited onto the course at world-renowned Westchester Country Club in New York to meet World Golf Hall of Famer Hale Irwin in 2011. Photo credit: Tim Jensen)