(Formerly Mark McGwire signed photo thread) - Ozzie Smith plus other HOF signatures. Scans added.
Thanks to all who have put in their input on the McGwire signed baseball thread. I was wondering if I could get some objective opinions on this signed photo.
Here is a closeup of the auto and a full size scan of the photo.

Here is a closeup of the auto and a full size scan of the photo.


Shane
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Comments
Fake just like your ball.
Thanks for the input.
Shane
Shane
If a person is going to forge a sig, at least make an attempt to make it look real.
Ripken in the Minors * Ripken in the Minors Facebook Page
(I promise that this is asked in a very sincere way) - would you please educate me on this? I can tell that you are very sure that this one is fake. How do you tell (not just on McGwire) that it wasn't just done in a hurry or done sloppy? I know if I signed autographs alot, if I was sitting at a table in an ideal situation, it would be very consisten. However, if I'm in a hurry, or walking while signing, it would vary greatly. Am I right, or way off? It this a situation where you can point of different individual things wrong about this signature, or is it just not right by looking at the whole thing? Thanks.
Shane
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<< <i>MacMuseum,
(I promise that this is asked in a very sincere way) - would you please educate me on this? I can tell that you are very sure that this one is fake. How do you tell (not just on McGwire) that it wasn't just done in a hurry or done sloppy? I know if I signed autographs alot, if I was sitting at a table in an ideal situation, it would be very consisten. However, if I'm in a hurry, or walking while signing, it would vary greatly. Am I right, or way off? It this a situation where you can point of different individual things wrong about this signature, or is it just not right by looking at the whole thing? Thanks. >>
Just read this after I replied. I will show you whats wrong with the ball with some pictures and explanations. The 8 x 10, I wont. Lets just say the 8 x 10 is as far away as you can get. McGwire changed his signature about 4-5 times, but every example of his signatures are VERY consistent to each other within the different eras.
Edited to add that it'll take me a moment to get the pics up. Also, I know what youre saying if he "was in a hurry", but McGwire always took time signing his autograph. If he was in a hurry, you will see a "ballpark" signature, but the full auto is never sloppy
He has also promoted shows with Don Mattingly and Brooks Robinson.
Here are some of the things that I got from him. Let me know what you would like to see (and what you SHOULD see).
Don Mattingly signed baseball
Eddie Mathews signed baseball
Warren Spahn signed baseball
Willie Stargell signed baseball (2)
Duke Snider signed baseball
Alex Rodriguez signed baseball (this one came from Ebay and I have my doubts about it after research)
Willie Mays signed photo
Catfish Hunter signed HOF plaque
Bobby Doerr signed HOF plaque
Rick Ferrel signed HOF plaque
Don Drysdale signed HOF plaque
Carl Hubbell signed HOF plaque
Early Wynn signed HOF plaque
Luke Appling signed HOF plaque
Cool Papa Bell signed Perez Steele
A. B. Happy Chander signed Perez Steele
Charlie Gehringer signed photo in frame (came directly from Ozzie Smith's house)
Joe "Ducky" Medwick signed index card (cut sig pasted next to a picture of him).
Ozzie Smith signed instructional video
Ozzie Smith commemorative farewell season calendar book signed in silver sharpie (very nice - looks like a high school yearbook)
Ozzie Smith signed photo (awesome photo of him diving for a ball)
I could have gotten tons more Ozzie signed stuff.
Shane
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Ripken in the Minors * Ripken in the Minors Facebook Page
and call it a day. Mac stuff is very hard to find certified
Kevin
Wonder if Ozzy knows this "friend" is selling off items he personally, allegedly, got.
Hmmm...
<< <i>My apologies if this sounds harsh, but have you ever seen any pictures of your friend with any of these athletes? >>
Yes, I have seen pictures of him with Ozzie, Brooks Robinson, and Don Mattingly. Brooks Robinson did a commercial for his business back a few years ago, and I saw a picture of them shooting it. I have seen invoices and copies of checks from Ozzie Smith. One copy of a check that he showed me to his business was signed "Osborne E. Smith". I thought that was neat. The commemorative signed book that I have is one that he and Ozzie did together. They had 700 published to give out to different people in St Louis. My friend kept approximately 100 of them.
Stown, I don't think it would matter to Ozzie. As a matter of fact, he had some game used bats signed by Ozzie and Ozzie signed an authentication certificate knowing that they would be sold.
I will post some pictures tonight when I get home.
Shane
This is McGwires earliest signature (besides his 1982 Anchorage Pilots days). You will likely find this on his 1985 Topps, both his 1986 cards, the 1987 Barry Colla Rookie photos, and 1987 cards that were actually signed in/before 1987. (photo taken from one of the PSA/DNA links provided)
Here's his first change in his autograph. Notice its more "fluid" and rounded in spots, the absence of the "r" in Mark, and the "g" is now an elongated oval.(Photo taken from PSA/DNA eBay auction)
Notice how close they look even though 2 different pens were used, and on 2 different surfaces. (Photo from personal collection)
Heres the next change. First notice the loops in "Mark". They become more round and symmetrical, and the second loop is ALWAYS bigger than the first. Also notice the 'g' again. It now comes pretty much straight down before looping up.(This I got signed in person, on the back of a business card as he left his/my brothers eye doctor.)
Two more examples, both from personal collection:
Pulled From 1992 Barry Colla Set
Bought from McGwires agent's shop, Talkin' Baseball, in the 90's when I lived in California.
This is a "ballpark sig" that he starting using in spring training of 1996. He would also use it at the ballpark up through the end 1997 season. This is a sig you will see if he is in a hurry. (photo from PSA/DNA link provided)
Here is another ballpark sig. This was used from 1998-2002 after he became hugely popular with the fans. Very rare to see a full signature from this era unless it was acquaintance or was caught away from the ballpark, excluding the Steiner Deal and UD deal.
This is what McGwires full sig looks like today. Notice it is pretty much unchanged for the past decade, except for the "a" in Mark usually has no circle, its almost a spot, a sharper point at the bottom of the 'g', and now the huge loop isn't symmetrical in "Mark", it is now always higher on the right side.(photo from personal collection)
Theres many things to point out about thats wrong with the ball you bought, because for the most part none of the sections are correct. A really easy one to spot is the forger came from behind the "a" in Mark. If you notice he always leads into the "a" from the front. With the pictures I provided I hope you can now spot the MANY inconsistencies with the ball. The "M" in Mark is not looped enough, the Huge loop 'leans backwards' and the tail is too long and doesnt loop upwards, the second "M" is in the shape of a "w" (Mcgwires M's look like w's, but they dont have the shape of a w), and the "g" is way off as Im sure you'll now be able to see.
Hope this helps. let me know if you have any other questions
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Shane
Here are the baseballs. Again, I have some doubts on the A Rod. He got it off of Ebay.
Shane
<< <i>Stown, I don't think it would matter to Ozzie. As a matter of fact, he had some game used bats signed by Ozzie and Ozzie signed an authentication certificate knowing that they would be sold. >>
I assume that Ozzy got paid for the things he authenticated.
Playing devil's advocate, I'm guessing the friend used that as leverage to gain confidence in the other items he was selling.
I will start with some things that are not signed. He gave me some copies just to have because I thought that they were neat.
First, we have a copy of a check that Ozzie wrote to Paul's business.
Next we have a copy of a photograph of Ozzie in his trophy room. Take a look at all of those gold gloves. This photo is in the commemorative book a few pictures down.
Next is a signed SI by Ozzie.
Next is a signed photo of Ozzie at his best.
Next is the cover of the commemorative book signed in silver sharpie.
Next is a COA that Paul's business, along with Ozzie issued for the auto on the commemorative book.
Next are a few signed HOF plaque cards.
Next is a Joe "Ducky" Medwick signature.
Next is a Charlie Gehringer signed photo that came from Ozzie Smith.
Next is a Willie Mays photo with a close up of the signature following.
And finally, here is a video that was signed by Ozzie with the signed COA following. He had several of these. All of them were still sealed like this one, except for the plastic that was neatly cut away so he could sign it.
Shane
Awesome.
Also, I would love for you Mays experts to chime in out the Willie Mays auto. I have researched it, and it looks very real to me, though I am not an expert. Would it be worth sending it in to PSA DNA?
Shane
<< <i>One thing that I have a question about - when did Sharpies come out? That Joe Medwick looks as real as it gets, but he died in 1975. If "Sharpies" weren't out then, I guess it could have been signed with some kind of magic marker or something like that.
Also, I would love for you Mays experts to chime in out the Willie Mays auto. I have researched it, and it looks very real to me, though I am not an expert. Would it be worth sending it in to PSA DNA? >>
I think if you go to Sharpie's web-site, you'll see their company history. The Mays looks good to me.
Shane
hope that Mcgwire stuff pans out.....keep us updated
1996 Select Certified Mirror Gold Ozzie Smith
2006 Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor Chris Carpenter
Let me just ask this - if you guys were going to sell some of this, what things would you send to PSA DNA and it being financially sound? I am thinking the Mays, Stargell baseball, Mattingly baseball, and possible the Medwick. Thoughts?
Shane
Shane
J