Quest for Baseball Cards

Even if you can’t meet certain athletes in person, you can still collect their autographs—often for free.

I started collecting baseball cards when I was eight. By the time I turned 11, I began seeking autographs. With so many cards in my collection, getting them signed made sense. My first experience came at a car show in Boston, where my dad wanted to browse, and I wanted to meet Justin Masterson. Shortly after, I began researching more events, looking for any player willing to sign.

In seventh grade, I expanded my strategy. While reading about autograph collecting online, I found a popular method called through-the-mail (TTM) requests. Collectors would mail cards, a letter, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to former and current pro athletes. It created new opportunities, and distance wasn’t a barrier.

My TTM quest began in 2010 with some retired Red Sox players known for responding to fans. Cy Young winner Jim Lonborg, nine-time All-Star Fred Lynn, Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr, three-time All-Star Luis Tiant, and colorful lefty Bill Lee were among my first attempts. At the time, my card collection didn’t go much further back than 1980, so I often sent pieces of paper for signatures. Some players—Lonborg and Doerr—recognized that I was a kid and went beyond expectations, sending back signed cards, plus what I originally mailed.

Fifteen years later, a few of those players are still signing. Though Tiant and Doerr have passed away, Lonborg continues to respond to fans. Bill Lee remains active, though he’s specific about his limits: one free autograph on a Red Sox or Expos card per request, and a $5 fee for additional cards. Fred Lynn will sign an index card at no charge, but requests payment to sign cards or baseballs. That’s reasonable. Having anything signed by Lynn is a highlight of my collection.

Beyond baseball, several Massachusetts sports legends are just as generous. Basketball Hall of Famer Robert Parish signed four cards for me last week. Former Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan and Hockey Hall of Famers Johnny Bucyk and Brad Park are also consistent signers. I met Bucyk outside The Ming Dynasty in Marshfield in March and got a card signed in person. We know a few people in common, and both appreciate New England-style Chinese food.

I’ve collected autographs from players with no local ties, including those unlikely to make public appearances near Boston. Former MLB All-Star Pat Neshek, an avid autograph collector and signer, once signed 52 cards I mailed him in a single request. I’d heard he was generous and wanted to test the limits. None! Neshek remains the only player I have more signed cards from than Manny Delcarmen, the 2007 Red Sox World Series champ. I’ve collected over 40 Delcarmen signatures, nearly all obtained in person, one at a time.

Some players only sign during brief windows, and there’s luck involved. During 2011 spring training, I managed to get then–Cardinals hitting coach Mark McGwire, one of my all-time favorites. His mail return rate was terrible before and after that spring, so I caught a rare moment.

Former Vice President Mike Pence signed for a short time last year. I sent him a Leaf trading card and got it back, along with a small signed photo. He personalized the photo, which makes me think he enjoyed my letter.

Plenty of players charge for autographs by mail. Nearly every living Baseball Hall of Famer who signs asks for a fee, though several offer great deals. Wade Boggs, Dennis Eckersley, and Ryne Sandberg charge just $10 per card. Lou Piniella, who’s likely to reach Cooperstown soon, charges just $5—a price that might increase once he makes it. That’s a far better deal than a former minor leaguer I saw recently in a Facebook group saying he’ll start charging $5 because people supposedly flip his autograph for profit. Given the choice, $5 for Piniella feels like money well spent. I’m not collecting autographs of guys who never made the big leagues.