Get to meet my childhood hero Saturday. Pics of cards and my experience with Eric Davis.
1980scollector
Posts: 2,036 ✭✭✭
When I was kid I loved Eric Davis.
I had posters on the wall, over 300 cards of him(back when that meant I had about twenty of each card that was made) and just loved his batting stance.
I would read the box score daily in my paper just to keep up with Magnum 44.
My parents went their separate ways in 1989 so that World Series run really meant a lot to me in 1990.
He truly was my baseball hero.
When he left the Reds it broke my heart and I even followed the Dodgers and later the Orioles.
Still can remember when he would do Chemo treatments during the day and play ball for the Orioles at night.
It is $20.00 per autograph and he will make one inscription so I plan to get three or four autographs.
I had posters on the wall, over 300 cards of him(back when that meant I had about twenty of each card that was made) and just loved his batting stance.
I would read the box score daily in my paper just to keep up with Magnum 44.
My parents went their separate ways in 1989 so that World Series run really meant a lot to me in 1990.
He truly was my baseball hero.
When he left the Reds it broke my heart and I even followed the Dodgers and later the Orioles.
Still can remember when he would do Chemo treatments during the day and play ball for the Orioles at night.
It is $20.00 per autograph and he will make one inscription so I plan to get three or four autographs.
** Working on the following sets-2013 Spectra Football Hall of Fame 50th Anniversary Autograph set, 2015 Spectra Football Illustrious Legends Autograph set, 2014-15 Hall of Fame Heroes autograph set. **
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Topps/OPC Hockey 1966-Present base sets
Take some good pics
Mike
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
Best wishes on a great meeting
<< <i>I never followed the Reds closely, but always like E. Davis as a player. In my mind he had the greatest power to inverse waistline ratio I have ever seen. It always seemed to me the guy could hit monster HRs with what looked to be a 24 inch waist.
Best wishes on a great meeting >>
He had a strange stance. He would stand very straight and held onto the bat very loosely and it almost seemed to dangle. Once the ball came and he swung, they said he had one of the quickest swings in the game.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Collecting:
Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
<< <i>Nathan I hope you have a great time. He posted two amazing season in 86 and 87. It's truly amazing he finished 9th in the NL MVP voting in '87 with 37 bombs 100 RBI and 50 steals >>
safety bump
IMF
Just kidding. Hope the experience blows away your expectations.
I always loved Eric The Red as well. The guy was a freak of nature. I never (to this day) watched a player that had his power, his leaping ability AND HIS SPEED. When I say he was fast, he was stupid fast. Go online and try and find highlights of him stealing 2nd or 3rd. I can't remember how many times the catcher never threw the ball to 2nd because he was almost to 2nd by the time he got the ball. He missed time because of his aggressive play (punctured his kidney making a diving play in the 90 WS). He will end up like Bo Jackson as the "what could have been" but I for a few years he showed signs of a massive HOF'r.
Mark
T206 Set - 300/524
<< <i>I am gonna get a bat signed today and maybe a card.I will see you there Nathan. >>
Adam, better keep an eye on Nathan and make sure he doesn't pass out or something.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Collecting:
Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
So here is a question: How does one not come off as a total idiot, ala Chris Farley interviewing Paul McCartney on SNL, when you do get to meet your childhood hero? I plan on a similar experience soon at an autograph show....do you engage the player? What do you say as to not again come off as an obsessed crazy fan?
My #2 Ranked Michael Jordan PSA Basic Set
<< <i>
<< <i>I am gonna get a bat signed today and maybe a card.I will see you there Nathan. >>
Adam, better keep an eye on Nathan and make sure he doesn't pass out or something.
Mike he made it thru the signing with flying colors.Eric Davis I think is gonna be a VIP signer at the national this year.
I am going to be honest. We actually had a pretty big area because the person I set up with does modern wax so he had a larger booth up front. Eric came in and was right next to our booth and I asked to have my picture with him. He was kinda miffed by the request. He then shrugged it off and said "Yeah, after I sign all these autographs. "
Well, I when I get up to him with my two rookies I asked him to sign "1996 NL Comeback P.O.Y." The reason I wanted it that way was because one of the things I was most proud of Eric for doing was winning that award. He would take Chemo by day and play ball at night. I really liked that award. His response was " Man, do you want me to write you a book?" I was kinda shocked but after the photo request pissing him off I just explained right there in the line that when I was a kid from TN, that had his posters all over my room and followed him in the paper daily. At that moment he did seem kinda surprised and perked up and was nice from then on out.
Of course, I didn't ask in the autograph line and when he got done signing he walked right by us.
My child hero was being a richard or was having a bad day.
Again, maybe I was out of line for asking for a picture but I was just going to post it on here.
Either way, not a big deal but the truth. I do like my autographs and I still will hold a special place in my collective heart for Magnum 44.
I'll try again at the National and led off with the "Remember when you hit a HR off Dave Stewart? That was awesome."
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
<< <i>I'm really sorry it didn't go better. I always look to give my guys the benefit of the doubt, though, and Eric was my favorite non-Padre in the mid-80s. I also like to try to maintain mental ideal of them, even if off-base. In their defense, I think these guys get so used to adults trying to make a buck off them game after game and year after year, that sometimes they view true fan requests as just another person looking to take advantage. I am hopeful the next encounter will be more positive! >>
Spot on. Putting ourselves in their shoes - they probably meet 10,000 greedy middle-ages WoW players trying to make a quick buck for every true childhood fan. It makes it almost impossible not to become jaded. Nice autos - he has very interesting and artistic penmanship.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
<< <i>I could understand players becoming jaded if being approached in public for free autos, but most of these guys make nice money just to sit there and sign their name. If they want to be sour, don't take the cash to sign at the show. Can't have it both ways. >>
Exactly, and Eric Davis isn't some punk kid. Makes me wonder if maybe he is doing it because he 'has to'...$$$. Either way still not acceptable imo. If you don't want to interact with people (fans at that) go collect bottles on the side of the road. 1980- I think you are right just to take the high road. It would be cool to get along really well with someone that you idolized (as an athlete) but ultimately you didn't look up to him because you thought you guys could be best friends. You got some cool signed cards and you have the memories, I wouldn't go out of my way to be disappointed again. I really would have though be would have appreciated your inscription request... he's just disconnected I guess.
Then I would have got a refund for the autographs & inscriptions paid for.
<< <i>As soon as he complained do you want me to write a book, I would have ripped up the cards in front of him & said no, I want you to give me a refund. Then I would have got a refund for the autographs & inscriptions paid for. >>
No, you'd get escorted out of the building by security and everyone would be pointing at you and saying "look at that crazy fool!"
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
Why would security have to intervene? What sort of danger or weapon appeared?
I'd love to see your reaction when sitting down at a restaurant & while ordering drinks the waiter says "do you want me to drink it to for you?"
Lol, you would go crazy & demand a free check to the manager.
Same scenario here. The guy paying for the autograps & inscrptions is a customer but Eric davis's ego tells him that he doesn't need to treat the paying customers in line with respect cause he's better than them cause they are "just fans"
but I'd watch Davis interact with others who were. He was up there with Bonds when it came to disrespecting his fans.
Jeremy
<< <i>Escorted out for what exactly, wanting a refund?
Why would security have to intervene? What sort of danger or weapon appeared? >>
Ripping up cards IN FRONT OF THE PLAYER and demanding a refund FROM THE PLAYER HIMSELF would be construed as a disruptive confrontation, and the behavior would be seen as that of a mentally unstable person. They don't need to wait for you to pull a weapon or assault someone before they can ask you to leave.
<< <i>I'd love to see your reaction when sitting down at a restaurant & while ordering drinks the waiter says "do you want me to drink it to for you?"
Lol, you would go crazy & demand a free check to the manager. >>
It'd take a lot more than a little lip from a server to make me "go crazy."
I guess you'd dump the drink out on the table in front of the server before asking to talk to the manager for your refund.
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
They would have been my cards, I could rip them up in front of him or behind his back, wouldn't matter either way.
Asking for refund from whoever issued it wouldn't call for security to get involved.
Maybe it would seem mentally unstable, or just a guy who would let a someone treat him like Eric Davis did to this collector. He was an above average multi millionaire player for 6-7 seasons. His ego tells him it's ok to treat people like that and no doubt he gets away with it cause very few people have called him out.
Me spill my drink? Nah, I've never had any problems with any servers before. I'm sure they're all trained though to treat customers nice because they're getting money off them.
Sorry Eric wasn't as friendly to you. Growing up, my favorite player was Tom Seaver but I knew better than to try to get an autograph from him. Still, I admired his pitching ability and all the memorable games he pitched. However, if I say him in a room, I wouldn't even bother to talk to him as it wouldn't be worth my time and effort.
Not surprised you took the high road buddy and maybe he'll be in a better frame of mind at the National.
I never collected autographs as a kid, but the one autograph I have is from Wayne Cashman, who was coaching with the Rangers at the time. I used to like to say hello to the Rangers players after the games and one day he came out completely sh*tface. He asked me if I wanted his signature and I said no which kind of stumped him at first. Then he said, well then I'll buy you a drink and while we were at the bar he gave me his signature anyway. Maybe I'll bias, but I think hockey players on the whole are much more approachable and friendly towards the fans. Even though he was a Bruin, Wayne Cashman is tops in my book.
Edit in bold.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Collecting:
Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
1952 Topps
IMF
That was his number and nickname.
Do you want Nathan to write you a book too?
On a side note I was happy to see Eric go to LA. Cub killer indeed
My Sandberg topps basic set
My Sandberg Topps Master set
<< <i>I can't read the inscription for the card on the left...what does that one say?
Do you want Nathan to write you a book too? >>
I see what you did there
Topps/OPC Hockey 1966-Present base sets
<< <i>I assume you had this poster on your wall?
That was one of them.
Again, thanks to all that responded and understood me being a little salty. However, it is what it is and no big deal in the grand scheme of things.