Cub fans booing Uecker thread on NSBB.com...

[rluzinski]

How can it be that "those" people in the 80's drove him nuts when he didn't sign then either. I can see your point of view I just don't agree with it, Uecker has never really signed during his whole career, this isn't a new thing.

 

Just because he doesn't do official signings doesn't mean he isn't hounded for autographs daily.

 

Also, I don't care if people collect autograhs, but I am really getting sick of people treating the people that do around here like it is pointless.

 

I don't think it's pointless anymore than any other hobby. I've seen pictures of your collection (at least I think it was you) and I think it's great. I just think that autograph seekers tend to be more aggressive than the average person when seeking autographs because they feel entitled to them (obviously, to very differing degrees). I don't think that Uecker's celebrity status entitles me to a darn thing, which is why I would feel uncomfortable asking for his autograph (or any celebrity) if he wasn't at a public signing.He doesn't owe me anything.

[DougJones43]

I met Bob Uecker last fall. I talked to him for about 5 minutes. He was really nice, although he cursed like a sailor which surprised me a little, but it was pretty funny. I didn't ask him for anything, and I didn't tell him he was awesome in Major League. He approached me. I made a point to never go up and bother him, because I figure it happens to him all the time and he probably gets sick of it. Anyway, I figured I'd share a story that showed that he's not a mean old man all the time.

[RockCoCougars]

Regarding autographs... I've heard that Ueck is a pretty good signer through the mail in care of the Brewers (at least he used to be). If he answers his mail, he must think something of his fans- maybe he just doesn't dig interacting with them face to face.

 

One other thing. I always thought that has let his big ego show somewhat whenever he drops that "I could have went anywhere, but I stayed in Milwaukee line". I've heard this several times over the years. I'm sure it's true and he's done us a big favor by not bolting, but I'm just saying....

[billyhallfan]

Just because he doesn't do official signings doesn't mean he isn't hounded for autographs daily.

 

where would he get hounded? Everyone else except Uecker parks in a lot outside, Uecker parks in and under the stadium, he then is unaccessable until he walks from the elevator to the pressbox in where he has two security guards with him. So for a thirty second walk, one or to people might ask him.

 

That doesn't exactly seem like being "hounded" the guy has never signed autographs his whole career, which is fine, they don't have to, but Gabe Gross has told me know 4 or 5 times a whole lot nicer and freindler than Bob Uecker does. No one is required to sign, but they can be nice about signing and not signing, and so far I've heard and seen nothing but rudeness from Uecker. Also, it is Uecker's choice as to how he wants to act. Don't tell me that because people ask him for autographs and like him and that makes him rude and grumpy that is ridiculous. If someone asks me for an autograph every day, it is my choice and decision as to how I want to act and respond to the request. If I say no, it is not the autograph seeker's fault that I am rude. Or in football or any sport when a guy taunts a player whenever the player reacts it is the player's fault as to who reacts.

 

Whenever Frank Francisco threw that chair, I didn't hear or read anywhere that it was the fan's fault that he threw the chair.

 

Whenever Kenny Rogers slugged the camera man, who said that was the media's fault?

 

Whenever the Piston's and Ron Artest went into the stands in Detroit, no one blamed their actions on the fans.

 

Whenever Derek Lee tried to punch Chris Young, who's fault was it that Lee decided to punch him? It's Derrek's.

 

Just because someone annoys you does not mean that you have to react in a bad way, it is everyone's own decision as to how they want to act. To try and blame someone's rudeness in this case (Uecker) on his fans is ridiculous, it is his decision on how he wants to act.

 

Everyone has control over their actions and responses, it is their choice and only their choice, I don't control the way that Uecker, Hart, Hall, or anyone that I have an autograph of acts.

 

That being said, most people don't "hound" people for autographs. We ask them, it is really rude I think on your part to suggest that I or anyone else for the matter "hound" people for autographs. I ask, if they say no, I normally say thanks anyway, and no I'm not kidding, that is what I say, that isn't hounding...

[Ennder]

That being said, most people don't "hound" people for autographs. We ask them, it is really rude I think on your part to suggest that I or anyone else for the matter "hound" people for autographs.

 

but Gabe Gross has told me know 4 or 5 times a whole lot nicer and freindler than Bob Uecker does. No one is required to sign, but they can be nice about signing and not signing,

 

To me that is hounding, seemed like an odd pair of statements to have in the same post. If he doesn't like to sign autographs he doesn't like to, its no big deal. If people asked me about it in public etc all the time for 30+ years I'd probably get pretty sick of it too. Sounds like if you walk up to him and have a conversation he's a nice guy, if all you want is an autograph to sell or add to your collection he's not willing.

[billyhallfan]

how is that hounding, I simply ask him, he says no, I say thanks anyway and stop. Wouldn't hounding be:

 

"Hey Gabe, can you sign for a second."

 

"No, not today."

 

"Please Gabe, just one, real quick."

 

"Gabe, just one, please."

 

and you keep going, that is hounding, IMO

 

if all you want is an autograph to sell or add to your collection he's not willing.

 

NO, gabe is unwilling because he doesn't like to sign, but he is nice and polite about it. Uecker either ignores you, makes a smart remark, or just keeps walking. All he has to do is not be so mean and rude, why is that so hard to understand, am I not explaining it well? I'm not mad for him not signing, I'm mad for him being mean about not signing.

 

When gross, or jenkins, or anyone says no, they say, sorry don't have time, not today, or something to that effect, in a nice way.

 

Uecker just ignores you or says, I'm not signing that!

 

How is that not being rude?

 

I guess I'm by myself on this one, but I don't know what else to say or type, I've seen and heard of the guy being a real jerk to people, and everyone wants to not believe it. It isn't the autograph seeker's fault that he is rude, it is his, if he doesn't want to sign, fine, be nice about it and not mean...

[Ennder]

I dunno, I'd say by the fourth time Gross told you no you should have gotten the point and stopped asking him every time you see him. I guess I just don't get it. To me asking once is probably hounding them, asking 5 or 6 times and being told no every time is most definitely doing it. I have no problems at all with someone being a bit curt when asked, especially if it takes 5+ polite no's for people to get the point.

[billyhallfan]

but that isn't all in one day, and half the time he says I don't have time today, one time he said, not today, but I'll get you tomorrow, I'm not rude about it I simply ask. Most the time he just says not today, plus, those 4 or 5 times have been from april to yesterday at the player's lot, if I was there everyday perhaps I would be hounding him, but asking him 5 times throughout the season when he probably doesn't remember me is hounding?

 

I don't think so, it is hard and probably not fair because you don't see how I ask for an autograph, but I don't harass the players or be jerks if they don't sign.

[Ennder]

Well I think its rude in general unless its a public signing or he is out actively signing autographs, but then again I think the majority of people I meet are rude in general so what do I know. If I were Uecker I'd probably be pretty snippy about it too.

[jason21nl]

ennder, i'm assuming you don't collect autgraphs at all? What bhf does is no different than anyone else that collects them. Its not rude and its not hounding. When you go at different times, you ask, hey will you sign? if they say no, you try for him a different day and ask again. Some days they will sign, some days they will not. I have been lucky enough to get Uecker a few times, and he did take a quick picture with the gf once. I was amazed. He however wasn't exactly thrilled when he signed and posed for the picture. I'm not going to complain though, I was super excited that he did sign, and took the time to take the picture.

[TooLiveBrew]

I think the 'who cares about this' crowd is really trying to portray the autograph seekers as something they're not, at the expense of actually discussing the question at hand. I personally don't care about autographs for myself, but I can respect that some really dig it. That's not the issue, nor is the propagandizing of the word "hounding." BHF has gone out of his way to explain his beef in a straight-forward, objective manner, and he's pretty much just getting cast aside as this annoying pest that he seems to go out of his way to not be. That's the way to go after an autograph, imo, and pretty much all you can do.

 

His example of Gross's respectful demeanor is all it seems he'd like to be met with when declined. There's no reason to not be at least neutral - or to just flat-out be a prick - other than that such a person just doesn't care how he/she treats people. I'm so tired of reading, "Oh, come on - he gets hounded everywhere he goes." No one is expecting Uecker to decline by jokingly saying, "Get outta here -- I'm gone!" or any 'funny' variation of his on-air personality. Just some common curteousy, which, unless the seeker isn't acting in kind, is not out of line to expect in any way, shape or form. Unless the person who says no feels like he has to go further, and say no in a way to make the other person feel low, which is trashy.

 

EDIT: Take the way you, me, or Joe Schmo treat a bum asking for change, which is quite a stretch to say that's what autograph seeking is - just take it in the 'how you treat someone you don't know' category. Some people won't respond, because they think they're above this request. Some people take that a step further, and mock or belittle the beggar, or decline in a rude manner. Others actually make eye contact, politely decline, and treat that human being like a human being. I try to abide by the third manner, and almost never receive the scorn of the person asking - as many who take the first two steps do. It's the way I'd want to be treated if I were ever in such a horrible position, so I try to behave that way. I don't see why people are trying to excuse the laziness of not making an act of the simplest kindness - not asking anyone to 'perform' or do anything more than just not be a jerk.

[brewman04]

good luck to stocker speed does kill

[sbrylski]

I'm just glad I'm not in the public eye. Not to offened anyone, but I think just asking someone for an autograph is rude.

[pitchleague]

I kind of know how Uecker feels. Kinda.

 

As a teacher (and a very popular one at that), I probably get at least 100 hugs per school day. If not more. On top of that, I have kids that constantly want to tell me something--a story, a joke, just say hi, show me something new, etc. When I am working, I am a performer as well as a teacher. And I really have a performer's style when I'm working with students, parents, or peers.

 

But that's not the real me. When I go to Walmart, I will routinely be spotted by students, former-students, and parents, and, sorry to say, I grumble to myself about it. In a "why can't I go anywhere in town without anybody recognizing me?" kind of way. Now, I will admit that even though I'm grumbling on the inside, I smile on the outside and turn my performer charm and greet them, talk with them and, usually, receive hugs with open arms.

 

In short, I'm a likable guy like Uecker, but sometimes if you're in the "spotlight" a lot of the time, you crave anonymity. Some of you may not agree with this, but it's the way it is.

 

****POINT OF CLARIFICATION****

I am in no way stating that I am in the same boat as Bob Uecker and that he and his situation is anywhere identical to me and my situation. I think it is very similar, though.

[TooLiveBrew]

Meant in no way to incite or be cruel, if you didn't want this, why did you become a teacher? I'd imagine you have an interest in positively affecting as many students' lives as you can. Does this not come with the territory? And, as you stated, although you do somewhat dread the resultant 'contacts', you find that it's still more important to be pleasant and kind - rather than tell them to 'go shove it' or 'leave me alone' or whatever. Do you find it difficult to be kind? To me it seems that - at worst - it's just as easy to be kind as it is to be rude.

[mls4]

Well I have to put in my two cents in defense of Uecker. I don't know how he is now, if it's different- but in the mid-80s, we went to the press box during a rain delay and asked if Uecker signed autographs, and gave whoever answered the door my baseball. He not only signed, but he also came out with the ball and talked to us for a couple minutes. He was polite, and it was unexpected, and more than he needed to do. Maybe he's changed in the past 20 years, but that obviously has always left a good impression on me.

[Ennder]

ennder, i'm assuming you don't collect autgraphs at all? What bhf does is no different than anyone else that collects them. Its not rude and its not hounding. When you go at different times, you ask, hey will you sign? if they say no, you try for him a different day and ask again. Some days they will sign, some days they will not. I have been lucky enough to get Uecker a few times, and he did take a quick picture with the gf once. I was amazed. He however wasn't exactly thrilled when he signed and posed for the picture. I'm not going to complain though, I was super excited that he did sign, and took the time to take the picture.

That is hounding though... you are systematically hounding every player on the roster to see who will sign an autograph that particular day and annoying every player that doesn't want to randomly sign one outside the normal times. Just because lots of people do it doesn't make it any less annoying. I wouldn't sign autographs either if you guys did that to me.

Seems like you guys have a serious case of entitlement about this because there is no way its not hounding them to come up to them at random and ask for an autograph, there are times and places for that.

[rluzinski]

where would he get hounded?

 

Certainly not in his day to day activities of living his life... like at a hotel swimming pool. Come on man, think about it. This guy can't go anywhere, ever, without being hounded. And the fact that you say he's never in a position to be asked for autographs, yet you don't like him because he won't sign autographs when asked.... You don't see a problem with that position?

Meant in no way to incite or be cruel, if you didn't want this, why did you become a teacher?

 

Because maybe he wanted to teach children? And maybe Uecker wanted to be an announced and a part time actor? That doesn't mean that either has given themselves to the world and should be great full to get their attention. Bob Uecker doesn't owe me a darn thing and he doesn't owe anyone else anything either.

[jason21nl]

Seems like you guys have a serious case of entitlement about this because there is no way its not hounding them to come up to them at random and ask for an autograph, there are times and places for that

 

 

you mean like at the ballpark? since thats when I ask the players for their autograph. I think the autograph crowd and the non autograph crowd isn't going to see eye to eye on this. I didn't want to go here, but I am. Signing autographs comes with their job. If they are at the ballpark, they are going to get asked for their autograph. Asking for a persons autograph away from the park might cross over into hounding, but not at the park it doesn't.

[Paul77]

That is hounding though... you are systematically hounding every player on the roster to see who will sign an autograph that particular day and annoying every player that doesn't want to randomly sign one outside the normal times. Just because lots of people do it doesn't make it any less annoying. I wouldn't sign autographs either if you guys did that to me. Seems like you guys have a serious case of entitlement about this because there is no way its not hounding them to come up to them at random and ask for an autograph, there are times and places for that.

Since when is autograph seeking at the ballpark not fair game? Seriously, it comes with the territory doesn't it? Now if your doing something like staking out the players hotel, I'll agree with you, that is too far. As a matter of fact I have a problem with anyone approaching a player for an autograph outside of the stadium grounds.

I'm what you might call a collector, but you'll never catch me trying to score a signature when one of these guys comes walking into Martini Mike's or some other bar. Part of the reason I've been able to build such a large collection is through respecting the fact that these guys are just people. Believe me it's done wonders for my collection, more that any amount of "hounding" could ever have. I certainly don't feel a single ounce of entitlement. I'm happy for every signature I get, for every player I get an opportunity to chat with - I appreciate it all - but I never feel like they "owe" me anything. And for the players that won't sign or that really are jerks, oh well. Sometimes its disappointing but thats life.

 

And please, do me a favor. Don't lump "autograph collectors" in with "autograph hounds". They are two completely separate groups. We've had some discussions in one of the other topic boards about this. I personally cannot stand some of the "hounds" at Miller Park. Those are the guys that give the practice a bad name.

 

 

 

[billyhallfan]

rluzinski, the only time in day to day activities at the park when Uecker can be reached is at the elevator accross from the press box, it takes him less than a minute to get from the elevator to the press box and that is the only time he is approachable. Those stories that I've heard and seen have come from spring training, where he is very approachable...

 

I'm sorry, and this shouldn't be said, but I find it really annoying that you believe so passionatlly about this topic, but yet you have never even talked to the guy have you? it seems like you chime in on every single topic on this forum no matter what it is, and this one, you don't even know what you are talking about. I know this sounds jerkish, and it is, but I DO NOT HOUND players, nor does 20fry, jason21nl, mattsr0625, Hart of Milwaukee, or anyone else that gets autographs. It is really annoying that people like you come in here and tell me that what I am doing is wrong and rude and I am annoying to the players. When you have never seen what I've done. You may have 13,000+posts, but who do you think you are. And this is not the first time that you've chimed in on a topic without having knowledge about the opinion, but no one says anything because you are a long time veteran and one of the most "statistical" smart members here. I know what I'm talking about, I've not had a good experience with Uecker twice, he signed for me once, I've had a nice experience with Gross, he's never signed. It is not about getting an autograph, it is about how they treat people, it is their decision and only their decision as to what actions they portray, it is like right now, I am going off on you because you are "hounding" me, according to you "working theory" -- you've made me this way.

 

if you are so sure that Uecker is a nice guy, give us an example, I'd loe to hear it.

[iluvlamp]

Bob Uecker is my father.

[billyhallfan]

what an intelligent post, thanks for contributing.

[iluvlamp]

Trying to lighten the mood big guy. People have differences of opinion and it seems to me this thread has gone completely off the original topic. Why this has become personal and vindictive is beyond me. Life and death this is not. I just wonder if I will be able to go to sleep. I am tired, yet I'm not smart enough to realize it.

[billyhallfan]

I am tired, yet I'm not smart enough to realize it.

 

sadly enough i am the same way, at least someone agreed on something.