Bonds refuses to sign #713

[abailey3313]

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

I can't quite decipher what this means.

[Skipaway]

Originally Posted by abailey3313

I've never watched the show, so I'm asking this based off of things I've read here and there.

Isn't the show supposed to make Bonds look good?

If so, it seems dumb to include this in there. It's pretty obvious (to me, at least) that it isn't a big deal. But there are obviously people who are looking for extra reasons to hate him that would cite this as yet another one. Doesn't seem to make sense in the show if the goal is to make him appear more fan-friendly.

I don't think it would look bad for Bonds, if what really happened is that Bonds talked happily to the fan, and they two really enjoyed the moment. I don't really get what you mean by this would be bad.

[abailey3313]

Originally Posted by Skipaway

I don't think it would look bad for Bonds, if what really happened is that Bonds talked happily to the fan, and they two really enjoyed the moment. I don't really get what you mean by this would be bad.

Well it depends what they are going to include. If they include the conversation between the two, it's not bad.

But if they include the "will you sign my ball?" and then the neglected response, that'd be bad.

[Tribe Fan 24]

Forgive me here, but I am REALLY tired of hearing about BB every time I turn on the tv. He is an admitted cheater who doesn't help himself by being a jerk to most that he meets from what I have seen. He apperars so egotistical. I hope that he does not break Aaron's record and retires immediately. I get the impression that he thinks that he is bigger than the game (head size not withstanding.) I would be perfectly happy if he just dropped off of the planet.

[Skipaway]

Originally Posted by abailey3313

Well it depends what they are going to include. If they include the conversation between the two, it's not bad.

But if they include the "will you sign my ball?" and then the neglected response, that'd be bad.

Since it's quite possible Bonds didn't know who that guy is at the time he asked for the signature, I don't think it's that bad. They surely can share a hearty joke for that if they did have more exchanges later.

[andymac]

Originally Posted by abailey3313

Well it depends what they are going to include. If they include the conversation between the two, it's not bad.

But if they include the "will you sign my ball?" and then the neglected response, that'd be bad.

That is exactly what I was saying...I don't know why they would include the news conference part either. However, I agree with Skipaway that the only if they did include that it shouldn't "make Bonds look bad", unless the viewer has already got a pre-determined opinion of Bonds and then it wouldn't matter what he does.

[Cooleyvol]

Originally Posted by Skipaway

Since it's quite possible Bonds didn't know who that guy is at the time he asked for the signature, I don't think it's that bad. They surely can share a hearty joke for that if they did have more exchanges later.

I'd think Bonds would know the guy was in the room, given that the events that were transpiring were going into the TV show.

[andymac]

Originally Posted by Cooleyvol

I'd think Bonds would know the guy was in the room, given that the events that were transpiring were going into the TV show.

Why would that matter one way or the other? This press conference happened less than an hour after the game finished. I really doubt there was any big prep or whatever that he went through beforehand. Plus, as far as I know, Bonds hasn't signed any of his record breaking or milestone balls before, why would (or should) he have changed now?

[Luis_Rivera]

I would wager that he hasn't signed it... and won't... because like many professional athletes, he doesn't sign balls outside of shows. If he did, then the value of paying money to get into those shows to see him would be lowered.

You can debate the merits of that all you want (I, personally think it's a greedy motivation) but the fact of the matter it's far from just Barry who takes this stance.

[Luis_Rivera]

Oh, let me throw the disclaimer that I don't know this to be true... It's just my educated guess.

[andymac]

Originally Posted by Luis_Rivera

I would wager that he hasn't signed it... and won't... because like many professional athletes, he doesn't sign balls outside of shows. If he did, then the value of paying money to get into those shows to see him would be lowered.

You can debate the merits of that all you want (I, personally think it's a greedy motivation) but the fact of the matter it's far from just Barry who takes this stance.

I have always thought that it was pretty dumb to ever pay for (or even want) another person's autograph...no matter who they are. I just don't really understand it, it is just ink on a piece of paper or ball or whatever. Why is that worth money? I can understand for nostalgic value or something, but the fact people profit from it (especially people who aren't the signers) is rather strange in my opinion.

[abailey3313]

Originally Posted by Skipaway

Since it's quite possible Bonds didn't know who that guy is at the time he asked for the signature, I don't think it's that bad. They surely can share a hearty joke for that if they did have more exchanges later.

I don't think it's bad either. I do, however, think that those predisposed to disliking Bonds are less likely to see it that way.

I'm not saying I think it's bad -- I don't.

Originally Posted by andymac

That is exactly what I was saying...I don't know why they would include the news conference part either. However, I agree with Skipaway that the only if they did include that it shouldn't "make Bonds look bad", unless the viewer has already got a pre-determined opinion of Bonds and then it wouldn't matter what he does.

Exactly what I was saying.

[Luis_Rivera]

Originally Posted by andymac

I have always thought that it was pretty dumb to ever pay for (or even want) another person's autograph...no matter who they are. I just don't really understand it, it is just ink on a piece of paper or ball or whatever.

This reminds me of another famous athlete who refuses to sign autographs. Bill Russell has forever refused to sign autographs because he considers them worthless.. he maintains that he thinks having an interaction along with a handshake is infinitely worth more. You don't see stories like this about Russell though.

(I'm actually second guessing myself now, was this actually Ted Williams??... I might be getting my Boston sports legends mixed up.)

[abailey3313]

Originally Posted by Luis_Rivera

This reminds me of another famous athlete who refuses to sign autographs. Bill Russell has forever refused to sign autographs because he considers them worthless.. he maintains that he thinks having an interaction along with a handshake is infinitely worth more. You don't see stories like this about Russell though.

(I'm actually second guessing myself now, was this actually Ted Williams??... I might be getting my Boston sports legends mixed up.)

That's why a lot of athletes (or celebrities in general) will sign the autograph personally for each person. Instead of just "Mark McGwire" on a baseball, it'll say "To: Luis_Rivera, Mark McGwire".

Obviously it brings the ball down in value, but it also makes selling it near impossible unless a person sells it to someone with the same name. But, even if a Luis_Rivera sells it to another Luis_Rivera, the sentimental value is completely stripped for the new owner. He'll always know it's not signed directly to him.

[andymac]

Originally Posted by Luis_Rivera

This reminds me of another famous athlete who refuses to sign autographs. Bill Russell has forever refused to sign autographs because he considers them worthless.. he maintains that he thinks having an interaction along with a handshake is infinitely worth more. You don't see stories like this about Russell though.

(I'm actually second guessing myself now, was this actually Ted Williams??... I might be getting my Boston sports legends mixed up.)

Yea, that is pretty much my point of view. I would take a handshake over an autograph any time. I also, as an athlete, wouldn't exactly be a fan of spending hours wearing my wrist out when that time could actually be spent visiting with people instead. I realize Bonds doesn't do much of that either, but thinking he should be required to is pretty demanding of the American public.

[GoCubsAndJays]

If this were any other player, there would be no thread about it.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by GoCubsAndJays

If this were any other player, there would be no thread about it.

"

does anyone other than Barry Bonds play, or has ever played baseball? From the media you'd wonder sometimes. Yeesh

[andymac]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

"

does anyone other than Barry Bonds play, or has ever played baseball? From the media you'd wonder sometimes. Yeesh

Well, there is that guy in New York who tries to please everybody (so is obviously an ass) and the one that is retired but might come back, but those two are the only other ones I can think of.

[Luis_Rivera]

Originally Posted by andymac

Yea, that is pretty much my point of view. I would take a handshake over an autograph any time.

I'd like both! Well, only because I collect all that ****, so it's worth it to me. My Cam Neely autograph is one of my most prized posessions.

I also, as an athlete, wouldn't exactly be a fan of spending hours wearing my wrist out when that time could actually be spent visiting with people instead. I realize Bonds doesn't do much of that either, but thinking he should be required to is pretty demanding of the American public.

This is one point of view I can understand. I have a lot of respect for a guy like Cal Ripken who goes out of his way to sign things for fans. It must be tiring to sit there for an extended period of time doing so.

I also don't know how I'd feel about someone making money off my name... I mean, it's one thing if it's for a charity or a child (or even adult) that you know is going to appreciate it for more than just the monetary value... but to be signing something wondering if it's just going straight into the guy's wallet isn't what I call rewarding.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by andymac

Well, there is that guy in New York who tries to please everybody (so is obviously an ass) and the one that is retired but might come back, but those two are the only other ones I can think of.

Omar Minaya and Pete Rose?!