Discussion: Bryce Harper Signing Habits

I have followed the various threads about the signing habits of Harper and some are hammering him for not signing, while others are praising him for signing. Yes, it is nice to go to the ballpark and get a fresh signature from a stud prospect but as some have said, he is not obligated to sign anything.

Imagine for a moment if your job called for you to face 90+ mile hour fastball with off spead stuff thrown in there. You then have to go out into the outfield and stay focused so that you don't hurt the team with your defense. Factor in the interview request from the media and now you are on your way home and people expect you to stop and sign. That kis really unreasonable.

Here is the discussion. If Harper personalized his in park auto's would you be pissed? If you are a fan and not a flipper this should not bother you, but many are not fans of the player, just looking to make a buck off the guy. I never wish anybody failure and I would not with Harper either. Give the kid a break. IF he does not sign just try again on another day.

As for the guy who was in the wheelchair trying to get autos, it has been stated that some autograph hounds hire these people to try to take advantage of thier disability.

I cannot speak for the "arrogance" statements because I have never met the guy, but I am sure there has to be some of that to excel in competitive sports.

I happen to be a pastor and following a Sunday worship service the only thing I want to do is relax. MAny times there are members who want to chat about something that happened early in the week, but instead of calling to get an appointment, they wait until Sunday after service. I love the membership and make time, but my body is drained. If you have ever been to a Black Baptist church you know what I mean. There is nothing "low-key" about the worship service.

If someone wanted my signature I would give it to them, but if 75 wanted it, that could present a problem.

Blue Hodges Reverend said:

I have followed the various threads about the signing habits of Harper and some are hammering him for not signing, while others are praising him for signing. Yes, it is nice to go to the ballpark and get a fresh signature from a stud prospect but as some have said, he is not obligated to sign anything.

Imagine for a moment if your job called for you to face 90+ mile hour fastball with off spead stuff thrown in there. You then have to go out into the outfield and stay focused so that you don't hurt the team with your defense. Factor in the interview request from the media and now you are on your way home and people expect you to stop and sign. That kis really unreasonable.

Here is the discussion. If Harper personalized his in park auto's would you be pissed? If you are a fan and not a flipper this should not bother you, but many are not fans of the player, just looking to make a buck off the guy. I never wish anybody failure and I would not with Harper either. Give the kid a break. IF he does not sign just try again on another day.

As for the guy who was in the wheelchair trying to get autos, it has been stated that some autograph hounds hire these people to try to take advantage of thier disability.

I cannot speak for the "arrogance" statements because I have never met the guy, but I am sure there has to be some of that to excel in competitive sports.

Click to expand...

If I had a JOB, that required me to play a game every day.....I would be happy to sign. Period. Whether it is personalized or not. Just my opinion though.

I'd not be upset if the auto was personalized. More often than not, if I was trying to obtain an auto like that it would be for myself.....and even if that wasn't the case, maybe I'd be a little bummed, but overall I'd be pleased that he was taking the time to sign and I'd be appreciative for the auto.

I'm obviously part of the hobby and collect cards/autos, but to be honest - If a guy was asking me for an autograph and I saw him with multiple items he wanted signed, or he had stacks of cards and/or photos he was going through, I'd think he was a huge D-Bag. I'd be inclined to sign for everyone within my proximity first.....maybe that's unfair, because there are some here that probably fit that description and aren't doing it to cash in......but that would be my initial reaction and I can certainly see why that would be the case as well for many athlete's.
(Again, I realize that's a generalization - there are other factors that could change that possibly - charity event, maybe having a discussion with player before hand, etc.)

I just wanted 1 signature to add to my collection of IP autos. I could care less it he wrote "to Jason" on it.

Guys like Big Mac and others screw it up for other people. Do you really need 4 Harper autos? If those people didn't constantly go back for more things would have balanced out and let other fans get their share.

jdacunha said:

I just wanted 1 signature to add to my collection of IP autos. I could care less it he wrote "to Jason" on it.

Guys like Big Mac and others screw it up for other people. Do you really need 4 Harper autos? If there people didn't constantly go back for more things would have balanced out and let other fans get their share.

Click to expand...

I agree man!

Your opinion acknowledged, but baseball is a business and not just a game. if there was no money to be made in his auto he would be a non-issue. I am not harper, couldn't hit curve ball so took my talents to Austin on academic scholarship, but if I were I would personalize everything that is not ceritified. I would be viewed by some as a good signer and others as sorry because who really would want an IP graph signed "To James" if their name were not James. I would try to sign some, but as he continues to get more popular to the general public, it will be almost impossible to please most people.

jdacunha said:

I just wanted 1 signature to add to my collection of IP autos. I could care less it he wrote "to Jason" on it.

Guys like Big Mac and others screw it up for other people. Do you really need 4 Harper autos? If there people didn't constantly go back for more things would have balanced out and let other fans get their share.

Click to expand...

Not targeted at any one person and having an IP in your collection would be cool, but you are in the minority for sure. Actually if he signed to Jason it would make it even more special.

Big Mac has an advantage being so close that he will have multiple opportunities and I will not fault him for getting as many as he can, but the comment "Get their share" speaks to the financial gain in his auto.

Anyone complaining about the signing habits of ANYONE (including an 18-year-old prodigy) should shoot themselves in the face because clearly you're not well-adjusted enough to make it too much longer in this cruel, unfair world.

Blue Hodges Reverend said:

jdacunha said:

I just wanted 1 signature to add to my collection of IP autos. I could care less it he wrote "to Jason" on it.

Guys like Big Mac and others screw it up for other people. Do you really need 4 Harper autos? If there people didn't constantly go back for more things would have balanced out and let other fans get their share.

Click to expand...

Not targeted at any one person and having an IP in your collection would be cool, but you are in the minority for sure. Actually if he signed to Jason it would make it even more special.

Big Mac has an advantage being so close that he will have multiple opportunities and I will not fault him for getting as many as he can, but the comment "Get their share" speaks to the financial gain in his auto.

Click to expand...

i wasn't referring to financial gain, just meant let them get a damn ball signed!

alexs64 said:

If I had a JOB, that required me to play a game every day.....I would be happy to sign. Period. Whether it is personalized or not. Just my opinion though.

Click to expand...

Clearly he signs. Maybe not everyday but it seems that a lot of the time he does and he seems to be fairly happy to do so. I wanted to talk about if you had a JOB that made you play a game everyday and the fact you would be willing to sign. I don't mean to call you out personally but just wanted to make a point off your statement. I've heard it many times.

Before the game (outside):
If there are 2-3 people and he doesnt sign it sucks. But, say he is coming into a game and facing a pitcher he has never faced before and wants to watch film on the guy? That takes time. If he is in a slump and wants to hit off a tee? Takes time. Just take extra swings in the cage because he loves baseball and loves doing it? Takes time and its also his duty to stay on top of his game.

Before the game (inside):
It seems he likes to sign for people inside but you can't get mad if he signed 10 autos and you werent one. He signed. You didnt win. Oh well. He still has to get focused for the game and maybe do his personal pregame preps that get him ready. Takes time.

After the game (outside):
Like I said before, 2-3 people and doesn't sign, it sucks. After playing a 9 inning game I would imagine everyone would be quite tired. I don't know what kindof media stuff he has to do after the game but I imagine he does have to do interviews. Couple that with shower, eating, and doing rehab/cold tub/hot tub and you're looking at a late night. If you went through all that then had to deal with people wanting to make a buck (some people, I certainly won't say all) off your autograph and just hounding you, would you want to? The kid is probably tired.

Overall, it sounds to me like Harper is doing well. He signs a majority of the time and does it with a smile on his face. I hope he stays that way and doesn't go the way of Strasburg (I've never seen touch a pen in DC). Give the kid a break

Just seeing him play would be enough for me. There are many guys that I have watched play at many levels (and when I am older, I can probably say played with/against) that I don't have IP autos, even certs for. I am just happy to have watched them play. Harper would be one of those guys. That doesn't mean I wouldn't try, for ONE, but if he didn't sign I wouldn't call him a jerk or whatever, I would move on with life and be happy I at least saw him play.

If I said "they are a jerk" for every person that didn't sign, I would hate 3/4ths of the Twins, including Mauer, Morneau, Liriano (who does in fact sign at games), etc. Mauer is actually a very nice guy.

alexs64 said:

Blue Hodges Reverend said:

I have followed the various threads about the signing habits of Harper and some are hammering him for not signing, while others are praising him for signing. Yes, it is nice to go to the ballpark and get a fresh signature from a stud prospect but as some have said, he is not obligated to sign anything.

Imagine for a moment if your job called for you to face 90+ mile hour fastball with off spead stuff thrown in there. You then have to go out into the outfield and stay focused so that you don't hurt the team with your defense. Factor in the interview request from the media and now you are on your way home and people expect you to stop and sign. That kis really unreasonable.

Here is the discussion. If Harper personalized his in park auto's would you be pissed? If you are a fan and not a flipper this should not bother you, but many are not fans of the player, just looking to make a buck off the guy. I never wish anybody failure and I would not with Harper either. Give the kid a break. IF he does not sign just try again on another day.ou go really cant

As for the guy who was in the wheelchair trying to get autos, it has been stated that some autograph hounds hire these people to try to take advantage of thier disability.

I cannot speak for the "arrogance" statements because I have never met the guy, but I am sure there has to be some of that to excel in competitive sports.

Click to expand...

If I had a JOB, that required me to play a game every day.....I would be happy to sign. Period. Whether it is personalized or not. Just my opinion though.

Click to expand...

This is an easy comment to make and for the most part a reasonable expectation but unless you have been in the shoes of these players and have dealt with the great fans as well as the a-holes, jerks and others you really cannot go there.

I had seven years of up close views of this happening working with a major league team. People call the players names for not signing even after you signed 200 graphs for others. The same guys that were calling you names from the stands and telling you that you suck are trying to get your autograph by the players gate. There is also the guy standing off to the side who is handing children items to be signed just because he knows he has a better shot at getting an autograph with the kids than by himself. What you have to remember is that these guys are human and things affect them. Maybe the guy had a fight with his wife or girlfriend before he left for the park. Maybe there is illness in the family. Maybe there are financial troubles..and no matter how much they make there are financial troubles. Each and everyone of these things affect us all when we are at work so why should it be any different for ballplayers? Because we pay their salary they owe us something? We pay the salaries of the grocery store clerks and the auto mechanics but do we demand any more from them beyond the service they provide for us?? Not usually!!

The point being is ballplayers provide entertainment to us all...nothing more, nothing less. The ticket we purchase allows us to be entertained for 2-3 hours and after the game is complete the players owe us nothing more. Autographs are icing on the cake....an extra that they DO NOT have to provide to anyone. It is good public relations for the team for the players to sign autographs but what we have to remember is that the players owe us nothing but a 100% effort on the field, a good entertainment value for our dollar and that is it! If a player signs an autograph for me I am grateful because I know he didnt have to do it but I will never begrudge a player for not signing especially if he is out of uniform as that is his own time.

jdacunha said:

I just wanted 1 signature to add to my collection of IP autos. I could care less it he wrote "to Jason" on it.

Guys like Big Mac and others screw it up for other people. Do you really need 4 Harper autos? If those people didn't constantly go back for more things would have balanced out and let other fans get their share.

Click to expand...

I will disagree with this to an extent. I don't know BigMac, but someone going to 4 straight games and getting one item each day doesn't really bother me, nor do I think it increases the problems of excessive autograph seekers - there will always be a certain number of those at every game. The thing that to me cripples what should be a fun exercise for both player and fan, as well as just a nice way to interact, are the guys who show up with multiple items. If you're willing to buy a ticket to four straight games I'm not going to begrudge you trying to get one item every day, but if you are trying to do one game and load up on ten items, and throw a tantrum when you don't get everything signed: that hurts everyone involved. Just my two cents though.

When I ran the corporate promotions for HQ Air Force Clubs, I escorted AF troops to FB games 3 times a year. A regular season game, the Super Bowl and then Pro Bowl. While at the Pro Bowl we stayed at the same hotel a lot of players stayed at and was able to get a bunch of autos. I remember when I got Eddie George to sign a mini for me so and I asked him to sign it to Kenny (slugger22). He kind of looked at me weird like "why aren't you going to sell this"?

Some guys wouldn't sign unless they personalized it, but alot of guys knew how to remove it from mini helmets with nail polish and a q-tip.

I saw that a couple of people quoted mine reply and I have one reply for both. This is not meant in a dick way so please do not take it that way.

I have had the pleasure to speak with Andre Ethier's brother on several occasions, he and I work at the same place. We have had the autograph discussions, and I think I would follow Andre's rule of thumb when signing. He basically picks a number for that day and signs that much. When I answered what I answered, I didn't mean I was going to fullfill every persons wish in the stadium, that would be impossible. What I did mean, is that I would happy to sign for the folks/kids... I am not trying to start any controversy...

I would be honored that's all.

JWC - I hear what you are saying, I hope I explained my initial post well enough.

mchenrycards - I undertand and hear your points. I hope my post explained my initial post as to you as well.

I don't why the hating on Big Mac? Sure the guy got 4 autographs but he did ONLY get one per day, its not like he was getting 10 per day or something, besides this is a guy that truly loves the hobby and its not like he was getting these autos and flipping them on ebay immediately for cash.

I understand that its upsetting that some got multiple Harper autos and some got shut-out but thats just the way its gonna go (some can say the same things about you buying about all the Montero cards, you already had a bunch of Monteros, why didn't you leave the others on Ebay for other people to bid on that didn't have a Montero card yet?) theres no getting around that and id much rather see a true hobbyist like Big Mac get the multis instead of some big dealer who took the neighborhood kids to the game and started selling the autos on ebay. Just my opinion

G $MONEY$ said:

I don't why the hating on Big Mac? Sure the guy got 4 autographs but he did ONLY get one per day, its not like he was getting 10 per day or something, besides this is a guy that truly loves the hobby and its not like he was getting these autos and flipping them on ebay immediately for cash.

I understand that its upsetting that some got multiple Harper autos and some got shut-out but thats just the way its gonna go (some can say the same things about you buying about all the Montero cards, you already had a bunch of Monteros, why didn't you leave the others on Ebay for other people to bid on that didn't have a Montero card yet?) theres no getting around that and id much rather see a true hobbyist like Big Mac get the multis instead of some big dealer who took the neighborhood kids to the game and started selling the autos on ebay. Just my opinion

Click to expand...

I know this wasn't intended for me but it rings true. This comparison is way off base. Getting a free signature at a ballgame and paying for one is totally different. eBay is an auction site meant for the buying and selling of items. Getting an autograph at a ballgame implies a limited opportunity and each additional autograph that you get limits the time that somebody else could get one.

alexs64 said:

I saw that a couple of people quoted mine reply and I have one reply for both. This is not meant in a dick way so please do not take it that way.

I have had the pleasure to speak with Andre Ethier's brother on several occasions, he and I work at the same place. We have had the autograph discussions, and I think I would follow Andre's rule of thumb when signing. He basically picks a number for that day and signs that much. When I answered what I answered, I didn't mean I was going to fullfill every persons wish in the stadium, that would be impossible. What I did mean, is that I would happy to sign for the folks/kids... I am not trying to start any controversy...

I would be honored that's all.

JWC - I hear what you are saying, I hope I explained my initial post well enough.

mchenrycards - I undertand and hear your points. I hope my post explained my initial post as to you as well.

Click to expand...

You really dont owe me an explanation but I do totally understand what you are saying. Sadly there are many out there that feel that since they purchased a ticket they deserve something from the players involved in that game! I think thats what bugs me the most...the sense of entitlement.

mchenrycards said:

alexs64 said:

I saw that a couple of people quoted mine reply and I have one reply for both. This is not meant in a dick way so please do not take it that way.

I have had the pleasure to speak with Andre Ethier's brother on several occasions, he and I work at the same place. We have had the autograph discussions, and I think I would follow Andre's rule of thumb when signing. He basically picks a number for that day and signs that much. When I answered what I answered, I didn't mean I was going to fullfill every persons wish in the stadium, that would be impossible. What I did mean, is that I would happy to sign for the folks/kids... I am not trying to start any controversy...

I would be honored that's all.

JWC - I hear what you are saying, I hope I explained my initial post well enough.

mchenrycards - I undertand and hear your points. I hope my post explained my initial post as to you as well.

Click to expand...

You really dont owe me an explanation but I do totally understand what you are saying. Sadly there are many out there that feel that since they purchased a ticket they deserve something from the players involved in that game! I think thats what bugs me the most...the sense of entitlement.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

He gets paid to play baseball, not sign autographs. If he feels like signing autographs, good on him. If he doesn't, good on him. The sense of entitlement behind those who feel it is a player's duty to sign autograph is so odd to me.