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The Best and Worst Show Guests Sweet Spot recently asked more than 50 autograph show promoters from coast to coast to name their "best" and "worst" show guests. Clearly, not all of them have had (or could afford) every top name in sports. Indeed, over time, many have played host to top Hall of Famers from various eras. This inaugural Sweet Spot Poll showed that Muhammed Ali, "The Greatest" in the boxing ring, received the most votes as king of the autograph shows. Willie Mays was the "worst." To read the entire article,press Read More if you are an Online subscriber or Subscribe Now! |
Not every sports celebrity is as cheerful as Doris Day. Neither do
they motor around in public like Babe Ruth did to sign autographs. Fans
plan their autograph assaults by crowding hotel lobbies, ready to pounce on
athletes for a chance free autograph. Others are willing to pay to
attend autograph shows, which bring to autograph collecting a method to the
madness, particularly to those with the ability to pay. For the money,
autograph collectors have certain expectations. They expect a good,
clean signature on a particular item. They expect some courteous level of
responsiveness -- a reply to a question, a greeting, perhaps a
handshake or a quick photo. The paid guest expects compensation and protection from
an occasionally rowdy sports fan. The experience often reveals new sides
to sports celebrities, quirks that have become part of the chatter
surrounding the sports collectibles business. Most sports celebrities, past and
present, are solid, pleasant folks; others are notoriously nasty. To
the promoter, a pleasant guest meets the fans' demands, lives up to his
agreement, and is most agreeable when autograph seekers are still
waiting after signing time has expired.