Fun stuff to do
Get that autograph
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 »
Comment page: « 8 [7] 6 5 4 3 2 1 »
February 13th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Since spring trainning is comming. This is the best time to try to get rokies.
Good players don’t sign.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
i hav 20,000 cards and 40 autographd baseballs and 1,000 jersey and autographed cards ive ben collectin card since i was 7
February 4th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
i have a babe ruth autograph bat jersy pant 1 of 1 card beat that
February 4th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I have a Barry Bonds autograph
December 6th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
I have Aaron Harang’s (of the Cincinatti Reds) autograph. I got it for joining the Reds Heads kids club (Yes, I am a kid). It is for people 14 and under.
October 21st, 2007 at 6:41 pm
I have the signatures of former Texas Rangers baseball players Chris Young and Rafael Palmerio. I also have 2 other Rangers atuographs but I cant recognize them
October 15th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
I really want to get Travis Hafner’s autograph. One time I went to a kent state baseball game. I wish I had 100 baseball cards. My favorite player is Travis Hafner.
I have Barry Bonds. I only have 2006 baseball cards.
September 1st, 2007 at 3:13 pm
August 16th, 2007 at 5:57 am
i have a tampa bay lighting uniform signed from when they won the stanly cup
August 7th, 2007 at 9:40 am
I have 70 hockey autograph’s.