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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 73 comments about “Get that autograph”

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1. 23 - only someone as cool as NIVEK says:
   May 3rd, 2007 at 7:55 pm

   I have jackie robinson, babe ruth, and lou gehrig

2. 22 - 1302Bear says:
   May 3rd, 2007 at 1:45 pm

   I have collected 25 Hockey Hall of Famers, 25 Football Hall of Famers, and 40 Baseball Hall of Famers. I have met: Johnny Unitas, Magic Johnson, Jaromir Jagr, Gordie Howe, Y.A. Tittle, Larry Doby, Rollie, Fingers, Goose Gossage, Al Kaline, Ralph Kiner, Cal Ripken, Sergei Federov, Lem Barney, Eddie Matthews, Scottie Bowman, Phil Esposito, Tony Esposito, Ted Lindsay, Guy LaFleur,Dale Hawrechuck,Marcel Dionne, Craig Monroe, Placido Polanco, Bob Feller, Ralph Kiner, Brooks Robinson, Boog Powell, Earl Weaver, Bob Gibson, and many more that slip my mind!

3. 21 - oh yea?! well i have...... says:
   May 2nd, 2007 at 10:24 pm

   i have a kobe bryant atograph. it also has the whole laker team on it. yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

4. 20 - whizzey says:
   May 2nd, 2007 at 7:25 pm

   I got a Jackie Robinson Autograph Card…. I know you’re jealous…

5. 19 - jack says:
   May 2nd, 2007 at 6:35 pm

   ortiz. manny, yaz, ted williams, clemens

6. 18 - redice says:
   May 2nd, 2007 at 5:58 pm

   I have a mickey mantle! $ and a genuine one with calvin

7. 17 - Shaggy says:
   May 2nd, 2007 at 2:48 pm

   I Have a Hank Aaron 1965 topps

8. 16 - danon9 says:
   May 1st, 2007 at 8:31 pm

   awessssssssssssssssssommmmmmeeeeeeeeeee!

9. 15 - danon9 says:
   May 1st, 2007 at 8:29 pm

   I never though you could

10. 14 - yo yo yo says:
    May 1st, 2007 at 7:58 pm

    i have nate robinson, bradon inge, justin verlander, vance wilson, jole zumia, placio polonco, craig monroe, chris shelton, jim leland and i really want maglio ordoyez and
    PUDGE RODRGUEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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