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Get that autograph

By Tim Tibbitts
From the August 2005 Boys' Life magazine

It’s not as easy to get an autograph in person as it was when your dad was your age.

Professional athletes today tend to keep their distance, and some will sign autographs only for money. Still, there is a way to get autographs both from current players and from players who have been retired for years: the U.S. mail.

HERE’S HOW:

• Go through your sports trading cards and identify a player you would like to ask for an autograph. It’s probably best to start with less well-known players, because they’re less likely to receive as many requests.
• Write a polite, friendly letter asking the player to autograph your card. Remember that athletes, like all celebrities, receive many requests from fans. Writing a thoughtful letter is key.
• If the player is still active, simply mail him your request in care of his team. Addresses for all Major League teams can be found at www.mlb.com. For retired players, most libraries will have a book or two containing player addresses. Try Jack Smalling’s “The Baseball Autograph Collector’s Handbook,” available in some libraries or at www.baseballaddresses.com. This book, updated periodically, contains more than 11,000 addresses of players, coaches and umpires.
• Once you have a player’s address, mail the letter and the card with a self-addressed stamped envelope, and be patient. It can sometimes take months to receive a reply. Good idea: Send only cards of which you have duplicates. Some players won’t respond, and you’ll never see the card again.

When you do get a signed card back, be sure to send a thank you note.

WHAT AUTOGRAPHS DO YOU HAVE?

Tell us which autographs you’ve collected and how you got them in the comments field below.

Read 71 comments about “Get that autograph”

Comment page:   « 8 7 6 5 4 3 [2] 1 »

1. 11 - Dude1234567890 says:
   May 1st, 2007 at 3:01 pm

   I have a card worth 10$ my friend has one worth 15$

2. 10 - hoegy says:
   April 30th, 2007 at 5:34 pm

   can it be NASCAR cards?

3. 9 - JOE says:
   April 30th, 2007 at 3:24 pm

   I have a Rick DiPietro, and an Alexi Yashin autographed New York Islanders Jersey.I realy want to get Denis Potvin’s and Billy Smith’s autograph.They don’t play now, but are legends in the Islanders history.

4. 8 - jhgdujnd says:
   April 29th, 2007 at 2:33 pm

   i have hahnah montans autograph he he he he

5. 7 - Boyslife.org says:
   April 28th, 2007 at 8:07 pm

   Sure thing, Mike. You can use these tips with any cards. For current NFL players, write them in care of their teams. Find addresses at http://www.nfl.com

6. 6 - spider man says:
   April 28th, 2007 at 8:00 pm

   I want two of arods cards

7. 5 - Mike says:
   April 28th, 2007 at 7:57 pm

   Can it be football cards to?

8. 4 - Monky Man says:
   April 27th, 2007 at 5:50 pm

   Ask Him if you can have his autograph. Then tell him that you are his NUMBER ONE FAN. Then of course tell him you ROCK.

9. 3 - dude says:
   April 26th, 2007 at 10:18 am

   I have a sid bream card that is auto graphes

10. 2 - Rex says:
    April 25th, 2007 at 11:04 pm

    The only atograph I want is a Manny Ramirez card, and he is the beast on his team!

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