TTM Question
Sethro
Posts: 671 ✭✭
Hi all. A few months ago I began sending out various cards though the mail for autographs. I didn't have much of a focus. I just went through my doubles of 81 Donruss, 79, 81, 84, 86, and 88 Topps, picked out the players I liked as a kid (not any major names though, as I wasn't looking to spend more than the cost of envelopes and stamps) and sent them out. I have gotten back around 60%, including Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Bob Boone, Juan Samuel, and Will Clark. With each solicitation I wrote a page long letter detailing my interests and a memory or two of watching them as a kid.
Now I am shifting my focus to getting my 2007 Topps Heritage doubles signed. I think an autograph would look pretty cool on these cards, maybe because of the solid background. Anyway, now I am not sure what to write when I send the request. On the one hand I feel it would be impolite to just ask someone to sign the card without a reason like I put in my previous requests. On the other hand I feel wrong to BS someone for an autograph. As much as I want to try and eventually complete the set eventually with autographs (yes, I know at some point I will have to spend money on some of them) I have nothing much to say to someone like Frank Catalanotto, who until I saw his card didn't know existed.
I am sure many of you have sent requests to players who you may not know very well, or have such short time playing or limited situations (set-up men for instance) that it is difficult to comment on their careers. So how do you request an autograph from them? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
Now I am shifting my focus to getting my 2007 Topps Heritage doubles signed. I think an autograph would look pretty cool on these cards, maybe because of the solid background. Anyway, now I am not sure what to write when I send the request. On the one hand I feel it would be impolite to just ask someone to sign the card without a reason like I put in my previous requests. On the other hand I feel wrong to BS someone for an autograph. As much as I want to try and eventually complete the set eventually with autographs (yes, I know at some point I will have to spend money on some of them) I have nothing much to say to someone like Frank Catalanotto, who until I saw his card didn't know existed.
I am sure many of you have sent requests to players who you may not know very well, or have such short time playing or limited situations (set-up men for instance) that it is difficult to comment on their careers. So how do you request an autograph from them? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
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I am writing to ask you to autograph the enclosed card for me. I am an autograph collector working on collecting an autographed version of the XXXXXX set and would really appreciate it if you would autographed the enclosed card for me. Thanks.....
Not sure whether players would be less inclined to sign since I didn't kiss there butt, but I decided that was sufficient for me.
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<< <i>I sent 3 cards and asked to sign two and keep one if they wished. Most sent the 3 cards backed signed and a few kept one for themself. >>
Never would have thought to do that. I would probably send 2 so they didn't think I was going to sell one and tell them to keep one if they wished. Obviously, if you are like Doug, sending 2 1952 cards in any condition may get expensive. I guess it depends on the set getting signed and how many are involved.
I agree with everyone to just tell them you are completing a signed 2007 Topps Heritage set and would appreciate their signature. You can make it a little more personal by asking what there favorite baseball highlight was or something along those lines.
Good luck with the TTM.
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 sent out eight cards on June 1. I received 2 back so far. Luis Gonzalez sent the card back signed in a week. Woo hoo. I thought I was off to the races! Then hometown hero Shane Victorino sent the card back unsigned with a form letter talking about how much fun it is to play on the Phillies. Also enclosed was a picture of himself having fun playing baseball with the Phillies. No signature. I guess he knew I was going to be selling that 2007 Topps Heritage Victorino auto for $1000 on eBay.
Anyway, as I wait on the others and decide what to do, I have one more question that will help me decide my course. Does it take longer for players to sign during the regular season? On the surface the answer would seem to be yes, as I am sure the players aren't sitting in front of their lockers hoping for fan mail. But in three weeks to get no active players back yet is kind of discouraging. I know it's a small sample size, but I am sometimes a bit impatient, and would like some guidance from those more experienced. Do modern players even sign stuff? Every TTM auto I have is from a retired player. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
<< <i>A quick update and another question for those who have been so kind in helping me out so far:
I sent out eight cards on June 1. I received 2 back so far. Luis Gonzalez sent the card back signed in a week. Woo hoo. I thought I was off to the races! Then hometown hero Shane Victorino sent the card back unsigned with a form letter talking about how much fun it is to play on the Phillies. Also enclosed was a picture of himself having fun playing baseball with the Phillies. No signature. I guess he knew I was going to be selling that 2007 Topps Heritage Victorino auto for $1000 on eBay.
Anyway, as I wait on the others and decide what to do, I have one more question that will help me decide my course. Does it take longer for players to sign during the regular season? On the surface the answer would seem to be yes, as I am sure the players aren't sitting in front of their lockers hoping for fan mail. But in three weeks to get no active players back yet is kind of discouraging. I know it's a small sample size, but I am sometimes a bit impatient, and would like some guidance from those more experienced. Do modern players even sign stuff? Every TTM auto I have is from a retired player. Any help would be greatly appreciated! >>
First of all you can't feel that you are owed anything by any player. If a player doesn't want to sign an autograph for you he doesn't have to. Also you need to sign up at a place like sportscollectors.net. By using a website like that one you can see what kind of success rate a certain player has. Victorino was a pretty decent signer until August of 2009. Since then only a couple or returns.
Modern players are just not as good as the retired guys when it comes to obtaining auto's TTM. Many guys wait until spring training every year and send stuff out to the teams then. Players have more free time during spring training then during the regular season. And if you are getting down after waiting three weeks, this hobby might not be for you. I have waited and written requests off, only to have them show up six, nine or twelve months later.
Personally, I do.
Shane Victorino makes $7,500, 000 a year. He could play just this one year and make three times what the average American will make in a lifetime. I feel giving some back to the fans is appropriate. If you do not, fine. That is your opinion. Not mine.
And thanks for also telling me what hobbies might be good for me, or not, as the case may be. Again, your opinion only. Unsolicited, may I add.
I understand that this is an open forum, and as long as we stay within certain limits of decency we are free to say whatever we want. However, just because we are able to say whatever we want does not mean that we should. There was some useful information in that post. Information which answered the questions asked. I am not sure why it had to be sandwiched with such negativity.
<< <i>I think what you meant to say was that you, Brainwintersfan, do not feel that players owe fans anything.
Personally, I do.
Shane Victorino makes $7,500, 000 a year. He could play just this one year and make three times what the average American will make in a lifetime. I feel giving some back to the fans is appropriate. If you do not, fine. That is your opinion. Not mine.
And thanks for also telling me what hobbies might be good for me, or not, as the case may be. Again, your opinion only. Unsolicited, may I add.
I understand that this is an open forum, and as long as we stay within certain limits of decency we are free to say whatever we want. However, just because we are able to say whatever we want does not mean that we should. There was some useful information in that post. Information which answered the questions asked. I am not sure why it had to be sandwiched with such negativity. >>
Who are you and why should I care? lol
Sorry but you are not owed anything when it comes to autographs. His job is busting his ass on the field every game he plays. And if a player signs at the park or TTM then it is an added bonus. Stop with the "Im entitled because player xyz makes a ton of cash".
Some players won't sign because they are tired of their autographs being sold on eBay, and some just don't want to be bothered. It's their life and they can do as they please. You will enjoy collecting auto's more if you don't expect every player to send you what you want. Go after players with good signing habits and you will be less disappointed.
I feel part of a celebrity's job is to reasonably accommodate the public, without whom there would be no celebrity.
However, that is my opinion. Not a fact. Why does it anger you that someone thinks differently than you?
I disagree with your opinion, but I did not say you were wrong to think the way you do. Nor did I try and belittle you based on that opinion.
So please leave it alone. You had your say. Thanks for the derailment.
Good thing for me, I'll be lucky to sell more than 10
<< <i>Why is it so important to you for me to think the same way you do?
I feel part of a celebrity's job is to reasonably accommodate the public, without whom there would be no celebrity.
However, that is my opinion. Not a fact. Why does it anger you that someone thinks differently than you?
I disagree with your opinion, but I did not say you were wrong to think the way you do. Nor did I try and belittle you based on that opinion.
So please leave it alone. You had your say. Thanks for the derailment. >>
You can think and feel however you want to, but you posted on a public forum so I didn't think I needed to check with you first about what I was going to post. The thing I dislike the most is your entitlement attitude. Shane Victorino makes 7.5 million a year so somehow that means he owes you something. He is paid that money to play baseball. Nothing more nothing less. Anything off the field is his private life and he can live it as he pleases.
I'm hoping your attitude comes from the fact that you are in your early 20's, and were raised with the idea that whatever you want you need to have it handed to you.
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.
<< <i>I have a book coming out in 2012 and will sign a very limited number of copies. Probably less than 10.
Good thing for me, I'll be lucky to sell more than 10
Is it about that scar you got?
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>HERE WE GO ... HEY POPCORN GIRL ... WHERE ARE YOU??? >>
No popcorn girl needed. I've made my point. Time to move on and look at my awesome ttm collection.
<< <i>HERE WE GO ... HEY POPCORN GIRL ... WHERE ARE YOU??? >>
I love popcorn girl!!!
To get back on point. Sethro, I think you would do better to send them out in late February as you will get a quicker response rate. I know from Doug and a lot of the other TTM guys that they sometimes get cards back after 6 months or more and that's for retired players who like that people remember them and have lots of time on their hands.
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>
<< <i>HERE WE GO ... HEY POPCORN GIRL ... WHERE ARE YOU??? >>
I love popcorn girl!!!
To get back on point. Sethro, I think you would do better to send them out in late February as you will get a quicker response rate. I know from Doug and a lot of the other TTM guys that they sometimes get cards back after 6 months or more and that's for retired players who like that people remember them and have lots of time on their hands. >>
I love her too!
You're that guy who always says, "That's not in my job description!" It doesn't matter if it helps the team/organization/an individual/etc. You do not believe in going the extra mile. You come in exactly when you are supposed to, leave exactly when you are supposed to. Never trying harder. Never being grateful for what you have been given, and not willing to give back.
You're also the guy who nobody wants to deal with. In group conversations, people groan when you open your mouth. You spit out your opinions where they are not wanted or are inappropriate. You feel you must be heard because your thoughts are so important everyone must hear them and agree with them. You get angry at the thought that anyone could think differently than you, because you feel your thoughts and feelings are always correct.
Hope you all finished your popcorn!
<< <i>I love her too! >>
I guess you were here first so I'll step aside.
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.
Edited to add:
How cool/funny/timely is this! I sent a card out to Scott McGregor on January 28. It was actually one of the first cards I sent out and I wrote a whole page about how he pitched in the first (and only) World Series game I ever saw live and how he shut down my Phillies. It was a terrible game! I have to say I was disappointed that I hadn't received the card back. Until just now!
Pretty nice!
<< <i>Why is it so important to you for me to think the same way you do?
I feel part of a celebrity's job is to reasonably accommodate the public, without whom there would be no celebrity.
However, that is my opinion. Not a fact. Why does it anger you that someone thinks differently than you?
I disagree with your opinion, but I did not say you were wrong to think the way you do. Nor did I try and belittle you based on that opinion.
So please leave it alone. You had your say. Thanks for the derailment. >>
I dont have a dog in this fight but I think I have a unique insight into the major leagues and the amount of mail these guys get.
1st off I worked for a major league team for 8 years and even arranged for my sister, who was confined to a wheelchair to assist with answering mail for one of the superstar players of the team at that time. So I saw the amounts of mail that came in and what the players had to deal with.
The players understand its part of their job to sign autographs. They sign at the park, the sign at the hotel and they even sign in airports and restaurants. Many draw a line at taking mail home and signing it there because that is their time. They will not take mail home to sign any more than you or I would take work home as this is time for relaxation and family. Just as you and I have work to do when we are at our jobs, the ballplayers have to get ready for their job. There is not as much downtime as you would expect for a major leaguer at the ballpark so answering mountains of mail is just not possible. Thats why they hire people to assist with answering their mail because they DO care about the fans. The ballplayer my sister worked for would sign thousands of team issued post cards and give them to her with his mail and she would return any cards that were sent to him along with a signed postcard so they at least got something. Its not a stretch to say this guy got 10-15 thousand pieces of mail during the season and not all were autograph requests. Some were hate mail, some were asking for money (after all, he made 10 million dollars that year he could at least give some to them) and some were...well of a personal nature that were not solicited by the player. Let me just say, to get any response from a player should make you feel lucky. I saw anumber of players who pitched fan mail when they received it.
To demand that its part of a celebrities job to reasonably accomodate the public...yes I agree. But its their job so if you want an autograph go to their place of business and get it at the ballpark. At the ballpark its part of their job to provide you a reasonable accomodation for an autograph. The player owes nobody an autograph through the mail as answering mail is done on their own time and nobody should be expected to use their own time to accomodate someone else's hobby.
All kidding aside, the majority of older players really appreciate the fans and even those that do charge usually ask for donations to a charity which isn't so bad as those tax deductions can add up. I personally do not collect signatures, but I would love to meet Brooks Robinson as I have heard so many wonderful stories about him.
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.
However, please understand that I do not "demand" that it is a celebrity's job to reasonably accommodate the public. I just feel they should. If they don't, well, I think they're just jerks and let it go at that. It's not like I am righteously indignant when I don't get an autograph. Just disappointed.
And I didn't expect that a player would bring things home to sign. Although I don't think that is a horrible thing to do (I take work home all the time) I can see how it would be an imposition. I did not know they had such limited time at the park.
Again, much appreciation for these facts! They are a great help!
Mike: Not a bad thought, however not really sure how much I want to invest in this. (subscribing, etc) The auto collecting thing was to me just a cheap way to do something with all the 80s commons I have. It has been fun so far, so maybe I will expand in the future.
<< <i>
<< <i>I have a book coming out in 2012 and will sign a very limited number of copies. Probably less than 10.
Good thing for me, I'll be lucky to sell more than 10
Is it about that scar you got?
yuup
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I have a book coming out in 2012 and will sign a very limited number of copies. Probably less than 10.
Good thing for me, I'll be lucky to sell more than 10
Is it about that scar you got?
yuup
Sign me up for a copy then. Only 9 left to sell.
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>Mccardguy: Thank you for the well thought out response and chance for that bit of insight. It was eye-opening to say the least! For example, I did not know it was OK to go up to these guys at a restaurant, airport, etc. I always thought that was rude. I live in downtown Philadelphia, and I see players quite frequently. When Jayson Werth played here he ate at the restaurant next to my work about once a week. I never thought to interrupt his meal. I know others did, but I never thought that was appropriate. Usually when I see a player, I just kind of nod and smile or give a thumbs up. From now on, I'll ask! I'll just have to keep some cards on me at all times!
>>
DO NOT INTERRUPT THEIR MEAL!, especially if there with the family. It is rude. The polite thing to do is wait until there done and have walked out of the restaurant.
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