MLB

Athlete Autograph Requests Can Border on the Bizarre

Ballplayers are used to their fans requesting autographs on cards, but now and then a collector throws them a curve.
Athlete Autograph Requests Can Border on the Bizarre
Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Leyland signing autographs during 2025 spring training in Florida. Courtesy of Don Laible
Donald Laible
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When you think you’ve heard it all about items fans asks ballplayers to sign, think again.

Besides being a fun hobby, the sports trading card market can be a financial boon. A Mickey Mantle rookie 1952 Topps card sold in 2024 for $12.6 million. A T206 Honus Wagner card graded in near mint condition sold for $6.5 million. If you have a Shohei Ohtani rookie card from 2018, hold onto it tightly. A 2018 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor with his signature went for $900,000.

Donald Laible
Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.