Cards/other stuff that Atheletes won't sign

billwaltonsbeard · August 25, 2008 1:38AM

The Nolan Ryan/Robin Ventura thread got me thinking....

I remember as a young Astro fan hanging out after the games looking for autos with my stack of not-so-mint 1987 Topps cards in hand. Bob Knepper wouldn't sign my card "because Topps made Garbage Pail Kids" he said.

I also remember hearing about a player not signing any of his cards picturing him as a Yankee. (Don Baylor, I think)

Anyone else have any interesting stories about stuff that athletes refused to sign?

CDsNuts · August 25, 2008 1:42AM

billwaltonsbeard · August 25, 2008 1:43AM

VitoCo1972 · August 25, 2008 1:43AM

Tiger Woods and a few other won't sign golf balls. (Sergio Garcia, Jack Nicklaus - recently, Tom Watson are others)

Tiger also won't sign Masters items at the golf course.

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · August 25, 2008 1:44AM

Heard Bill Ripken used to refuse to sign the FF error. Though I have seen many FF signed and in different colored Sharpies.

Unsure if it's because of embarrasement or being tired of hearing about it or a rumor I heard that he had a deal to sign some cards with the promise to not sign anymore awhile back.

billwaltonsbeard · August 25, 2008 1:45AM

<< Heard Bill Ripken used to refuse to sign the FF error. Though I have seen many FF signed and in different colored Sharpies.

Unsure if it's because of embarrasement or being tired of hearing about it or a rumor I heard that he had a deal to sign some cards with the promise to not sign anymore awhile back. >>

dude, I would have thought you had a binder full of FF autos!!

ROCKDJRW · August 25, 2008 1:49AM

Back in 2001 I remember David Wells wouldn't sign Sports Illustrated. I would hope that now he would be so happy anyone cares that he would sign anything. Maybe he will sign for you cd's!

clydecoolidge · August 25, 2008 3:35AM

I don't know, but I have a feeling John Havlicek will have a problem signing the 8x10 I have of him in super short shorts (which was the style of the day) and on a boat with a freakin' sailor hat on, pretending to steer the ship. Not a very flattering pic, but I gotta get that one signed for sure, lol.

Writer11 · August 25, 2008 3:40AM

Larry Walker is pictured on the cover of two issues of Sports Illustrated. There is one issue that he won't sign because he signed one for his daughter and wants that to be the ONLY signed copy. At least, that is what he was saying at an autograph signing in Ontario in 2006.

SDSportsFan · August 25, 2008 4:07AM

I've forgotten which one it is, but there's a particular card that Gary Carter won't sign since he signed one for charity during his playing career.

Randy Myers would always refuse to sign anything showing him with one of his former teams. He'd only sign items showing him with the team he was currently on.

Joe DiMaggio would absolutely not sign anything depicting Marilyn Monroe, whether he was also on it or not. Similar to the guy in the Ryan/Ventura thread, one enterprising collector did the old "matte cut out" trick on a Marilyn item (I think it was the Playboy #1), and actually succeeded in tricking Joe to sign it!

Steve

billwaltonsbeard · August 25, 2008 4:09AM

<< Randy Myers would always refuse to sign anything showing him with one of his former teams. He'd only sign items showing him with the team he was currently on >>

Cool! I have a 88 Donruss Randy Myers auto when he was on the Mets!! Is that worth like a million dollars or something?

taka · August 25, 2008 4:11AM

<< Larry Walker is pictured on the cover of two issues of Sports Illustrated. There is one issue that he won't sign because he signed one for his daughter and wants that to be the ONLY signed copy. At least, that is what he was saying at an autograph signing in Ontario in 2006. >>

Supposedly Gretzky does not sign any 89-90 Topps hockey cards. He only signed 1 for his daughter.

Also Marichal won't sign anything that has to do with the Roseboro incident. At least that's what they told me at the signing.

Allen · August 25, 2008 4:17AM

Brent Barry in Jerry McGuire tells the kid that he can't sign that particular brand of trading card, only blue chip exclusive or something like that.

I think there should be another thread about crazy/dirty stuff Mickey Mantle signed. haha

thenavarro · August 25, 2008 4:19AM

Monica Lewinsky would not sign a cigar with the Presidential Seal on it for me. (yes, I actually tried, I handed her a $50 bill as a bribe) She was going to do it for me, and one of her handlers told her "No, Monica" She was giggling like a little school girl. If it hadn't been for her "agent", I would have had an awesome signed piece to auction that year. I bet at that time, I probably would have got $3,000-$5,000 or so for that, from an eclectic collector.

Mike

Allen · August 25, 2008 4:20AM

I met Michael Phelps in London yesterday and he refused to sign my Sports Illustrated with his gold medal picture on the cover. He said he would only sign personalized autographs and asked what my name was, I thought for a second and told him eBay. He got pissed and refused to sign.

ripkenintheminors · August 25, 2008 4:29AM

<< I met Michael Phelps in London yesterday and he refused to sign my Sports Illustrated with his gold medal picture on the cover. He said he would only sign personalized autographs and asked what my name was, I thought for a second and told him eBay. He got pissed and refused to sign. >>

alnavman · August 25, 2008 4:45AM

I ran into Reggie Jackson in Cleveland many years ago and he wouldn't sign the shoe box from the recently purchased shoes I had. And I even offered him a pencil to sign with...go figure

BobaFett72 · August 25, 2008 4:54AM

i asked Tony Gwynn for a sig, and asked for it to be personalized...to Hugh Jass.. he declined.

lsutigers1973 · August 25, 2008 5:04AM

My wife got a pair of her thongs signed by Jenna Jameson.

VitoCo1972 · August 25, 2008 5:19AM

HA - I actually have a Masters pin flag signed by Bob Goalby and Roberto Devicenzo. If you know anything about Masters history - that was the year that Roberto signed an incorrect scorecard and missed out on a playoff because of it. I sent it to Goalby and asked him to inscribe year and score (1968-277) and then I sent it to DeVicenzo and asked him to inscribe 1968-278...Needless to say I don't think he's ever gotten over it because he also wrote 277 - which would have been his score if he didn't sign for a par instead of a birdie on the 17th hole. I still love the piece though

lawnmowerman · August 25, 2008 5:20AM

joestalin won't sign the check he owes perkdog

Goot · August 25, 2008 5:53AM

Glenn Hubbard won't sign baseball cards in person. He'll sign bats, balls, etc. but not cards. I've never tried but someone said that he'll sign TTM.

Allen · August 25, 2008 6:14AM

Vito- That is really cool. You have a great golf collection and really know the history of the sport.

Ironmanfan · August 25, 2008 6:17AM

<< Glenn Hubbard won't sign baseball cards in person. He'll sign bats, balls, etc. but not cards. I've never tried but someone said that he'll sign TTM. >>

I know he won't sign that '84 Fleer card with that snake around his neck

hotmush · August 25, 2008 6:18AM

Well, if Buckner now signs photos of him booting the ball in the 86 WS, maybe there's hope for all of the above.

VitoCo1972 · August 25, 2008 6:33AM

<< Vito- That is really cool. You have a great golf collection and really know the history of the sport. >>

Thanks Allen, I was bummed out that the New Zealand guy won the U.S. amateur yesterday. Getting him for all of my US Am stuff is going to be a major pain. When an Italian won it 3 years ago i had to fly cross country to the US Open to get him!

Tedw9 · August 25, 2008 6:44AM

<< Joe DiMaggio would absolutely not sign anything depicting Marilyn Monroe, whether he was also on it or not. Similar to the guy in the Ryan/Ventura thread, one enterprising collector did the old "matte cut out" trick on a Marilyn item (I think it was the Playboy #1), and actually succeeded in tricking Joe to sign it!

Steve >>

Actually, Joe did sign one copy of the first Playboy willingly and that was for his close friend, Barry Halper. I believe it was sold when all of Barrys other items up for auction a few years back.

I've read that Danny Ainge will not sign his Blue Jays card, only basketball items.

Knuckles · August 25, 2008 7:01AM

<< Monica Lewinsky would not sign a cigar with the Presidential Seal on it for me. (yes, I actually tried, I handed her a $50 bill as a bribe) She was going to do it for me, and one of her handlers told her "No, Monica" She was giggling like a little school girl. If it hadn't been for her "agent", I would have had an awesome signed piece to auction that year. I bet at that time, I probably would have got $3,000-$5,000 or so for that, from an eclectic collector.

Mike >>

A picture of her with it in her mouth after signing it would have been the topper..

Off the top of my head Gerry Cheevers won't sign anymore replica's done of his mask..

Brian48 · August 25, 2008 7:07AM

<< joestalin won't sign the check he owes perkdog >>

zep33 · August 25, 2008 7:44AM

Mike Schmidt wouldn't sign a baseball for me in 1995 at a gold tournament cause he was under contract with Upper Deck at the time. Instead he scribbled something horribly on my program cover

yankeeno7 · August 25, 2008 7:55AM

When Mantle was alive, Willie Mays would sometimes refuse to sign anything Mickey already signed, depending on his mood.

There was a guy in cooperstown this summer who asked Mays to sign his vintage store bought glove...Mays refused to sign it insisting that was one of his game used gloves. No joke.

SDSportsFan · August 25, 2008 8:31AM

<< 

<< Joe DiMaggio would absolutely not sign anything depicting Marilyn Monroe, whether he was also on it or not. Similar to the guy in the Ryan/Ventura thread, one enterprising collector did the old "matte cut out" trick on a Marilyn item (I think it was the Playboy #1), and actually succeeded in tricking Joe to sign it!

Steve >>

Actually, Joe did sign one copy of the first Playboy willingly and that was for his close friend, Barry Halper. I believe it was sold when all of Barrys other items up for auction a few years back. >>

I remember reading about that in SCD. I think Joe reluctantly signed it with the stipulation that Barry never let anyone see it until after Joe's death.

Steve

Robb · August 25, 2008 8:38AM

Dr. Mike Marshall won't sign a damn thing for any one.

WinPitcher · August 25, 2008 8:38AM

Whatever Lee had deleted.

Steve

GDM67 · August 25, 2008 8:59AM

Julius Erving and Larry Bird refuse to sign photos of their fight.

mikeschmidt · August 25, 2008 9:18AM

<< Dr. Mike Marshall won't sign a damn thing for any one. >>

He has down a handful of private signings over the past 5-10 years.....usually at $200+ a pop....but he did change his mind on that.

m

bdunndchi · August 25, 2008 9:31AM

<< When Mantle was alive, Willie Mays would sometimes refuse to sign anything Mickey already signed, depending on his mood.

There was a guy in cooperstown this summer who asked Mays to sign his vintage store bought glove...Mays refused to sign it insisting that was one of his game used gloves. No joke. >>

Wow. That's insane.

Cards/other stuff that Atheletes won't sign

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