To Autograph or not.....THe End of the BOB GIBSON Saga

lostdart58 · January 17, 2006 12:56AM

Hall Of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson is supposidly playing golf at my club tomorrow. It will not be any problem, assuming he is willing, to hit him up for a few autographs.

I have two Gibson cards, his 59 rookie card and his 1972 card.

The 59 card is raw and would probably grade out as a PSA 6

The 72 card is graded PSA 8 encapsilated.

Both cards are parts of complete sets i own........

What is my question?????.......................I guess i am going to break the 72 out of it's case and get both cards autographed......Right???

Is there any reason i shouldn't?

......and yes I would then send them to PSA/DNA and get both authenticated and graded.

Stone193 · January 17, 2006 1:06AM

What is his auto worth?

That's my first thought.

mike

fsjeter · January 17, 2006 1:07AM

It's just personal preference but I'm not a fan of getting vintage RC's autographed (unless you are working on a '59 Topps autographed set). Breaking your '72 out of the slab sucks but that's the one I would get signed.

Scott

envoy98 · January 17, 2006 1:12AM

I agree with the above posts. The '72 is the way to go, however I might think about an Index card or finding a different card at the local shop before I'd pick either of your other two options. Just my opinion though.

To answer your question Mike, his auto'd cards tend to be in the $25 range, even from a high end product like Sweet Spot, Leaf Limited etc.

lostdart58 · January 17, 2006 1:24AM

.....there is no local card shop...................

.....value is not a factor for me......I would keep the autograph cards .........

bigjed · January 17, 2006 1:33AM

Personally I think autographed rookie cards are great but it isn't exactly the best bang for your buck. Your best bet would be to break out the 72.

ArchStanton · January 17, 2006 1:40AM

What's wrong with having him sign the holder? What's the difference? If it is for your personal collection, then it is just cool to have his signature. If you sent it to psa/dna, they could authenticate it and put their sticker on the back of the slab. I'm not an autograph guy, so it wouldn't hurt my feelings if you all tell me I'm an idiot.

Allen · January 17, 2006 2:06AM

Get him to sign either and then buy a replacement for your set off the bay. Or get him to sign an index card and get Knuckles to make you a cut.

scooter729 · January 17, 2006 3:14AM

Something to keep in mind, before you make plans for either card....

Bob Gibson is one of THE BIGGEST jerks you could encounter, unless you are specifically paying him for an autograph. I used to collect autographs at Fenway Park growing up during the 80s, and often would hang around pre- and post-game for autographs. I saw him a few times, at old-timers games and also when he had some role with the Brewers (pitching coach?). He was as rude as possible, especially considering I was about 15 at the time. He once told me, when I was by myself (so you get the idea - not a big crowd around him) to go to a show he was doing the next day, and I can pay for his autograph, but he wouldn't sign it for free.

I've heard similar stories from other people when encountering him outside of the show setting. He's OK at shows when he's getting paid, but signing for free at events like this??? Best of luck to you tomorrow - you'll need it.

fsjeter · January 17, 2006 3:17AM

<<Or get him to sign an index card and get Knuckles to make you a cut.

A Knuckles cut. Now that sounds like a good idea!!

Scott

NewJerseyMeatHook · January 17, 2006 3:21AM

What Scott said.

lostdart58 · January 17, 2006 12:38PM

So I did a little home work.......Bob Gibson will be playing on my golf course at 7:45 tomorow morning. ....I will be there............I just spoke to his playing partner..............I am going to break out the 72 cardfrom its PSA holder to get an autograpgh and not get an autograph from his rookie card...........

Griffins · January 17, 2006 1:12PM

Best of luck. I've heard Gibson is second only to Mays on the jerk scale when it comes to autographs. Never know though, you may catch him at a good moment.

Stone193 · January 17, 2006 1:21PM

I saw Gibson at the Mercedes dealership when I was stationed in St. Louis. To be honest, I didn't recognize him at first - then I saw his "vanity" tag - Oh.

We were in the customer service area - my friend was getting his car serviced - I drive a Ford P/U - more my class.

Anyway, we were just about to go talk to him when the service mgr told us not to bother him - that he gets indignant when people approach him at the dealership - "he's on 'his' time" - well considering we're both on planet earth - isn't more like "our time?" I thought - what a tool!

Next best - as was said - the great Willie - 1992 - National - my son forked out 35 of his hard earned buckos for that jerk - he didn't even look up and acknowledge the presence of a 9 yr old!!! Another tool!

But, I still love this shit!!!

mike

Allen · January 17, 2006 1:22PM

7:45 Tee time is probably not going to be his best moment...good luck though

pandrews · January 17, 2006 1:25PM

<< <i>What is my question?????.......................I guess i am going to break the 72 out of it's case and get both cards autographed......Right???

Is there any reason i shouldn't?

......and yes I would then send them to PSA/DNA and get both authenticated and graded. >>

have him sign the outside of the slab, then send it to GAI for authentication.. they'll slab the slab..

Boopotts · January 17, 2006 1:42PM

If you can get him to add 'Mickey Lolich is my daddy' I'll break the bank and pay you whatever you want for that card.

DaddyRich · January 17, 2006 2:14PM

I'd just hate to hear you bust out a card from a slab and have PSA/DNA not gie it the "authentic" seal of approval. Best of luck either way you do it - I still tink Knuckles could make something better; just have Bob sign a scorecard.

divecchia · January 17, 2006 2:57PM

<< <i>So I did a little home work.......Bob Gibson will be playing on my golf course at 7:45 tomorow morning. ....I will be there............I just spoke to his playing partner..............I am going to break out the 72 cardfrom its PSA holder to get an autograpgh and not get an autograph from his rookie card........... >>

Judging by what most people are saying here about his approachability, I don't know if I would take the chance on cracking a card open for him to sign. He may not sign it or if he does it may look like crap so PSA does not even authenticate it. That would really suck. I would do an a 3X5 or something that can framed or made into a nice signature cut by Knuckles.

JMO...Donato

lostdart58 · January 21, 2006 1:02AM

Wednesday morning has come and gone...I knew Bob Gibson had a 7:30 tee off time on my golf course......( he is here on vacation)

We had rain here on wednesday and the course was closed untill 9:30 that day. I went to the course about 10AM to get my regular tee time for saturday morning. Low and behold Gibson was there getting ready to play. He was teeing off with some local folks. He was very nice to chat to.....but I did not bug him for autograph..........

At the end of his round I happen to be there again with the two cards I have..........the 59 rookie card and the 72 card still in its PSA case. I showed him and his playing partners the two cards that I had, in the hopes he would volenteer to auto the cards. I WOULD not have wanted him to auto the rookie card...........but had some of my business cards ready for him to sigh the back of wwith sharpie. there was no autograph that day.......

Today is saturday......I played my usual 7:07 tee off time and knew he was playing at 7:45 am. I chatted him up a little on the practice green..........played my round after which I was sitting up at the clubhouse restaurant. he showed up witht the group he had played with.......chatted him up again without asking him for auto.

At this point he was sitting there with his playing partners and now his wife.....I notice he was signing some autographs for his playing partners..... i walked over and said that I was not going to bother him but seeing him signing some auto I asked..............HIS WIFE said NO........and I walked away dejected...........

Five minutes later, I had my back to him sitting at the bar and recieved a tap on my shoulder from Bob Gibson with an unsoliced auto on a coaster. He was then kind enough to sign two of my business cards.....................

One of these autos will be going to Knuckles........

Kudos to Bob Gibson.........a fine gentleman!!!!

cardinarky · January 21, 2006 1:11AM

SSSsssssssOOOOOoooooooo.......as usual, all this time, it is the WIFE who is the JERK.

Ray Romano is correct as usual.

jskirwin · January 21, 2006 1:20AM

Glad it worked out for you.

I don't understand the auto thing - why some players are complete jerks about it. I understand that there' s now a business built around it, but let's consider this:

These guys are famous for chasing a ball around a park. My poodle does the same thing; he just can't hit worth a damn.

I met a retired gentlemen once who as a kid met Red Schoendist and Stan Musial after a game. He asked Red for an autograph, and he brushed him off. Stan saw the disappointed look on the kid's face and immediately chatted him up while he signed for him.

The kid grew up and became a man who STILL remembered the story and was willing to share it with a fellow Cardinals fan.

Now that is a gentleman.

pandrews · January 21, 2006 1:32AM

<< <i>I met a retired gentlemen once who as a kid met Red Schoendist and Stan Musial after a game. He asked Red for an autograph, and he brushed him off. Stan saw the disappointed look on the kid's face and immediately chatted him up while he signed for him.
>>

that happened to me with Dale Murphy & Ron Gant.. it was after a braves pre-season exhibition game (i think 1987 or 88, dont remember) at our local minor league team's park..

murphy was the big star and he was being hounded for autographs, he brushed me off when i asked him to sign my program, then yelled at the rest of the crowd to let us know he wouldnt be signing anything else, he was tired..

when i walked away, some guy came up and patted my shoulder, grabbed my program and signed it.. i didnt even know who he was until i was able to look through my program and saw it was a rookie named Ron Gant.. ive been a fan ever since, im glad he ended up having a decent career..

DaBigHurt · January 21, 2006 1:51AM

<< <i>Glad it worked out for you.

I don't understand the auto thing - why some players are complete jerks about it. I understand that there' s now a business built around it, but let's consider this:

These guys are famous for chasing a ball around a park. My poodle does the same thing; he just can't hit worth a damn.

I met a retired gentlemen once who as a kid met Red Schoendist and Stan Musial after a game. He asked Red for an autograph, and he brushed him off. Stan saw the disappointed look on the kid's face and immediately chatted him up while he signed for him.

The kid grew up and became a man who STILL remembered the story and was willing to share it with a fellow Cardinals fan.

Now that is a gentleman. >>

It's like with any profession. You have some people who are more giving of their time and helpful than others. I'm sure you have some people with whom you work who have different personalities too, right?

MuckyMutt · January 21, 2006 1:53AM

lostdart, thanks for filling us in on the happy ending. Glad you got your auto's too. It's always cool to hear a good story with a happy ending. I like that Mr Gibson took that extra effort to come to you to sign.

theczar · January 21, 2006 2:33AM

i have lived in st. louis all of my life and gibson has an ego out of this world. i recall the story that I read a few years back of a young child who got gibson's autograph and was so excited he blurted out "gee mr. gibson, i'll always treasure this. i would never sell it like some people would." his response "i don't give a damn what you do with it kid"

then we have the famous road rage incident about four years ago

Bob Gibson--Angry Man

JackWESQ · January 21, 2006 3:47AM

pandrews,
I have a vivid memory of Ron Gant. I was watching ESPN and Guillermo Mota was pitching to Gant. When the ball left Mota's hand, ESPN froze the scene and the pitch gun showed the pitch to be 101 mph. No matter. Gant turned on it and smacked it to kingdom come. That was something else!

/s/ JackWESQ

Writer11 · January 21, 2006 4:54AM

Not to get off topic here, but I live near Toronto and the Blue Jays players have never been so accomodating when it comes to signing. I've been going to Spring Training in Dunedin since 1990 and last year my dad got 18 different players autographs. I think it's just a great group of guys, most of them easy-going. I hate to hear Jays fans boo Eric Hinske because he spends hours - literally hours - signing autographs in Dunedin. A real modest, humble and genuinely nice guy - a guy you sit there and cheer for just because he's so nice. Vernon Wells is another generous signer, as is Alex Rios and Reed Johnson. The Brewers got two of the best signers when they acquired David Bush and Gabe Gross in the Lyle Overbay deal.

Just thought I would chime in here. The Blue Jays have been great signers in the past few years.

Twolvesfan · January 25, 2006 9:13AM

Glad to hear you got some auto's from him. Gibson lives in Omaha and I do as well. He does have the reputation
of being a jerk. Sounds like you did a good job of peruzing him at the golf course. Congrat's again.

To Autograph or not.....THe End of the BOB GIBSON Saga

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