Take Me Out to the Ballgame ... Baseball Autographs

Why collect baseball autographs? Well, because they’re there of course, but the reasons go much deeper than that. Back prior to 1960, the universal technique was to mail a 3X5 index card to a player. Autographs were for cherishing then, as there was really no intrinsic value to the autograph regardless of how “big” the player had become.

Most often, in the comfort of his own home, the athlete produced a fountain pen and unhurriedly signed the autograph in bold readable penmanship, compared to today when autographs may occur while the athlete is running to get away from clamoring fans! Back then the collector carefully noted on the back of the card various statistics as well as the date the autograph was obtained. The card was then carefully stored away from debilitating sunlight. Many such index cards are still highly cherished in their pristine condition, but of course they now are accompanied by the highest monetary value.

Today, collectors of baseball autographs more often show a preference for a signed baseball or even a signed photograph or baseball card of renowned athletes; therefore the cost of collecting these 3X5 index cards is much lower. Thus, if you are on a tight budget, you might start such a collection.

What makes baseball autograph collecting so great? Well, yes, there’s the fact that the prices of such collections keep skyrocketing, as more and more adults find that collecting is relaxing and mentally rewarding. But, beyond that, it brings joy to one’s heart when you find an autograph that you’ve been seeking, at a price that you can afford, for most of your life. It also brings with it a sense of accomplishment that cannot be beat.

There’s still more reasons as to why you might like to collect baseball autographs. For example, when a Dad and son get together and they seek autographs jointly, it seems to create a bond between father and son that will never be forgotten. There are now actually third generation kids collecting whose collections include their Granddad’s and their father’s legacy of baseball autographs. Fond memories grow each time such a child peruses his collection.

What to collect? Well, if you are a follower of a specific team, collect the autographs of those team members. What if you are very low on funds? Remember the description of how autographs used to be collected by mail? Well, that system still works, and works well. You can send team-issued postcards, small pictures or baseball cards to have autographed by your favorite players.

Posters, magazines, books, and index cards are also good items to send, but never send something that is irreplaceable, and do insure more expensive items against loss. Another tip is that you should choose lesser known and retired players as the more popular, still active players are besieged for autographs. It is unlikely that a top star is going to have the time to sign autographs though the mail even if he wanted to.

On the other hand, the better-known players whose autographs have already commanded high prices theoretically should continue to rise in value. Also if a player has evinced a historical accomplishment or some unique feat in his career, that autograph will carry more value and will continue to do so. If you are fortunate enough to already own such an autograph prior to the accomplishment or said feat, you probably are ten times prouder to have gotten it then.

Of course, you can also personally attend games and “haunt” the players at ballparks. One of the best times to do so is to attend Major League Baseball spring training games where the fan volume is less, and the players are less “pumped.” My son, the one who used to study all of those showcases, travels to Florida every year for spring training. After several years of trips, he has amassed a collection of over 200 signed baseballs and so many signed cards that he has stopped counting.

You can also out and out purchase autographs through your local shopping malls, or sports stores. In addition, there is always online shopping, such as eBay, or many other tremendous online sites, such as online forums and even sites specifically covering the excitement of autograph collecting. There are even web sites that run auctions of nothing but sports autographs.

Shopping online, especially auctions, yields the most consistently good rewards, but extreme caution always has to be exercised. If you are just getting into collecting, it is wise to spend time studying the market and "window shopping" the net.

After awhile you will gain enough knowledge to separate most of the good baseball autographs from the bad, but even the "big boys" take a hit occasionally. It is important to remember that buying and selling sports memorabilia is just like all business transactions - there is the possibility of coming out on the wrong side of the deal, but it is the net return from "all the deals" that matters.



Visit Our Autographs Store

Mickey Mantle Autographs

Go to Baseball Spring Training

Don Sutton Autograph Signing

Jason Heyward Autograph Signing

Interview with Chris Coleman, Collector of Signed Baseballs

Scroll below the invitation and read what others have said.

Tell Us About Your Baseball Autographs

Do you have a great story about this? Share it!

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...