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

[lukevan]

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.

 

Not trying to throw fuel on the fire, but rluz is looking at it from Ueck's perspective. No matter where he is, if Uecker is in public, he is going to be recognized and therefore probably asked for autographs by someone. Some people aren't good at putting on a happy face every time someone approaches them like Gabe Gross. I could probably do it because I work in guest services and am used to having that face on all day. Just because he gets short doesn't mean he's a jerk; my grandpa gets short with everyone almost all the time but he's one of the gentlest souls in the world.

 

I'm sure there are times when Uecker politely declines autographs, but I'm sure it's very difficult for him to do every single time.

 

if you didn't want this, why did you become a teacher?

 

TLB, I don't think anyone goes into teaching wanting what pitch described. Choosing a profession doesn't mean you can't dislike parts of the job.

[pebadger]

Regardless of any rules or protocols autograph seekers have eveoled by which they can determine "good" or "unacceptable" means of going about their task, I think they need to understand that those rules are sort of self-contained within the world of autograph seeking.

 

To those whose constantly signature is being sought, all your own justifications for your approach (whether perfectly reasonable or not) don't mean jack. In effect, you have created your own definitions of "manners" and politeness. Isn't it reasonable that the players and others might have their own definitions of those ideas as well, both in terms of how they are being treated, and how they respond to those seeking autographs?

 

So Ueck doesn't always come across in person like he does on the air? Neither, apparently, did O.J. It's simply misguided for people to think they know very much at all about someone personally based on that person's on-air persona, or even chance personal public contacts.

 

Think of it this way. Many of us have collections of home videos of the hoidays, weddings, vacations and just other random stuff. Take those videos and play them for someone who doesn't know you. Even if you have a huge video library, do you think that stranger would really know you after watching them all? Do you think that stranger would probably come away from a first meeting with you with the same impressions they had coming in?

 

As for booing, I usually understand it, but most of the time it just seems coarse and kind of ignorant. In the case of Ueck at Wrigley, I think a little less than half of it was the good-natured, ribbing kind.

[zurch1818]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbF1_7hP1kk

 

Here is a clip of the booing on youtube.

[pitchleague]

TLB, some other posters kind of stood up for me without asking (much appreciated, fellas!) but I thought about it a little in church this morning (shame on me, I know.)

 

Rluz is correct that I got into teaching to teach children. All through school I never saw teachers getting the love poured out on them as I get it. Most of the teachers at the school I currently work at receive hugs but not in the magnitude or exuberance that I receive them. I love my kids that I teach (over 600 strong, by the way). But that doesn't mean that I want that to encompass my private life.

 

Same thing with Uecker. Everybody loves him. But how about some broadcaster like Brad Nessler? Even though he's in the public eye, do you really think he is hounded for autographs and the like constantly like Uecker is? I highly doubt it.

 

As for autograph collecting vs. autograph hounding (as billyhallfan stated), the only problem I have with collecting autographs is this: if you've got a Ben Sheet autograph, why do you need another one? Why must you have 36 different Corey Hart autographs? Why must you have every single players autograph multiple times? I don't get that. It's just a guy's signature that isn't going to be worth crap unless he's a HOFer and even then that "value" is relative. I personally would never pay for an autograph. And I know there are probably millions of people like me in that regard.

 

That said, I realize many people are willing to shill out the coin for somebody's signature. To each his own, I guess. If they want to spend their money in that way, go for it. To me, it's like my baseball card collection--I collected cards for fun while others collected to make money in the future. I'm still having fun while most of my buddies' collections are collecting dust because they can't sell them for jack squat like they thought they would be able to.

 

I respect autograph collectors. I just don't care to join them. I'd much rather just meet a player and shake his hand and/or have a meaningful conversation for a few minutes about something other than baseball.

[jason21nl]

if you've got a Ben Sheet autograph, why do you need another one? Why must you have 36 different Corey Hart autographs? Why must you have every single players autograph multiple times? I don't get that. It's just a guy's signature that isn't going to be worth crap unless he's a HOFer and even then that "value" is relative.

 

Well the reason why we like to have more than one autograph is because we have more than one different piece we want signed. There are cards, helmets, bats, balls, ticket stubs and many many more pieces to get stuff signed on. You said ben sheets, well I would like to get his on a ball, a team ball, a team bat, his 18 k ticket stub and many more. The guys on this board that collect items could care less what the value of an autograph is because we don't sell them.

 

 

this discussion has gone way away from where it started, so I'm going to be done with trying to defend my hobby

[pitchleague]

but can't you be proud and happy to just have that one autograph? Why do you HAVE to have every piece of Ben Sheets memorabilia autographed? Is it to show off to your friends? You said they have no monetary value to you, since you won't sell it, so what is the reason that you must have so many?

 

I'm trying not to be goading about this, but I'm genuinely curious. I have a friend who is a big Cardinals and U of Iowa fan, and he always seems to get one or two new trinkets that he paid a ton for and then makes sure we all check it out when we go over to his place. It drives me nuts because it's like he's so insecure in himself that we don't like him for who he is but for his stuff.

 

I'm not saying you are like this. But if you've got all this stuff autographed . . . I don't even know what I want to say or ask after that. I'll just drop it.

 

back on topic, Cub fans would boo the pope if he sang the 7th inning stretch in Italian or something.

[jason21nl]

but can't you be proud and happy to just have that one autograph? Why do you HAVE to have every piece of Ben Sheets memorabilia autographed? Is it to show off to your friends? You said they have no monetary value to you, since you won't sell it, so what is the reason that you must have so many?

 

I'm trying not to be goading about this, but I'm genuinely curious. I have a friend who is a big Cardinals and U of Iowa fan, and he always seems to get one or two new trinkets that he paid a ton for and then makes sure we all check it out when we go over to his place. It drives me nuts because it's like he's so insecure in himself that we don't like him for who he is but for his stuff.

 

I'm not saying you are like this. But if you've got all this stuff autographed . . . I don't even know what I want to say or ask after that. I'll just drop it.

 

back on topic, Cub fans would boo the pope if he sang the 7th inning stretch in Italian or something.

I'll reply to this then drop it. Its a hobby, its collecting something. Just like if someone collected shot glasses from every place they went to. Do they need them? why do they need them? Is it showing off to their friends because they have been to all these places? no, they want them to have them. To remind them of something. I get different things signed because each thing reminds me of something different. I could tell you when and where I got every autograph from. Its not something for my friends to see, its something my gf and I like to do. My autographs are in a part of my apt that nobody goes into, so nobody sees them but me. Collecting autographs are no different from any other hobby there is out there.

[TooLiveBrew]

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.

 

Sure, of course, rluz. Which is why I stated that my assumption was so he could positively impact the lives of as many children as possible over the years. It's not that anyone necessarily 'wants' a large amount or overload of adoration, but it certainly is quite likely to come with the territory. Bob Uecker doesn't owe me a darn thing, but I don't owe a bum asking for change anything either. That doesn't mean I need to go out of my way to be a jerk to him - simply saying, "sorry, don't have any," or, "here you go, sure," is the minimal amount of human kindness, and doesn't cost me anything or take away from my own personal happiness.

 

Pitchleague, I didn't want to pick on you or make you have to 'stand up for yourself,' I just wondered if the adoration you receive isn't part of the territory. Your Nessler analogy is very interesting, I'll admit. So if I may, I'll take the license to propose that there are teachers who are less effervescent and engaging as you, and they don't have similar attention paid to them outside of school. Would you be happier overall by toning down what you call your 'performance' at school - so as to not be approached as frequently? Or do you take a large amount of satisfaction and pride (which is my guess - this is how I would feel, I think) in providing an enthusiastic, happy classroom atmosphere?

 

While I by no means suggest anything about you or your character or personality, since the happy classroom seems to be quite important in your teaching philosophy, isn't it also expected that the extra-curricular attention is part of the package? Perhaps this is where I miss the boat. To me, both in your example & in Uecker's case, it seems such adoration comes with the territory. And while it may not be desired, in my own humble opinion it should be expected. I can relate this to the way I interact with my numerous younger cousins. While I may not always want to entertain them, they love me, and I don't want to simply brush them off - much as you always (sometimes begrudgingly) greet your past & present students. It's not the desirability of said attention that is at issue here (I think), it's how the person handles the attention. You seem to do it admirably, while Uecker seems more often than not to fail to do so.

[pitchleague]

tlb, exactly right. I embrace the hugs and love and stuff from kids but it does wear on me at times. Would I rather be a "blah" teacher that the kids just accept but I get nothing out of it? No way.

 

I'm pretty sure Uecker would do take the great announcing gig and commericials and the like with a little less of the stuff from fans, just as I would love to keep teaching the same way I am now with a little less attention on me at In and Out Burger or somewhere else in town.

 

Would I want the Brad Nessler type of life with quality publicity but not overwhelming adoration from fans? Sometimes. But what I've got now is probably better, even with the nearly-constant attention.

 

I guess you can ask me in 35 years when I'm 70 how I feel about it. Ten years of this is nothing compared to the 50 years that Ueck has put in.

 

jason, thanks for your analysis of the autographs. I don't know for sure, but I'd venture a guess that you're in a minority (maybe not on this site) that puts their stuff up for their self in a private location.

[berniebrewer4life]

but can't you be proud and happy to just have that one autograph? Why do you HAVE to have every piece of Ben Sheets memorabilia autographed? Is it to show off to your friends? You said they have no monetary value to you, since you won't sell it, so what is the reason that you must have so many?

 

I'm trying not to be goading about this, but I'm genuinely curious. I have a friend who is a big Cardinals and U of Iowa fan, and he always seems to get one or two new trinkets that he paid a ton for and then makes sure we all check it out when we go over to his place. It drives me nuts because it's like he's so insecure in himself that we don't like him for who he is but for his stuff.

 

I'm not saying you are like this. But if you've got all this stuff autographed . . . I don't even know what I want to say or ask after that. I'll just drop it.

 

back on topic, Cub fans would boo the pope if he sang the 7th inning stretch in Italian or something.

I'll reply to this then drop it. Its a hobby, its collecting something. Just like if someone collected shot glasses from every place they went to. Do they need them? why do they need them? Is it showing off to their friends because they have been to all these places? no, they want them to have them. To remind them of something. I get different things signed because each thing reminds me of something different. I could tell you when and where I got every autograph from. Its not something for my friends to see, its something my gf and I like to do. My autographs are in a part of my apt that nobody goes into, so nobody sees them but me. Collecting autographs are no different from any other hobby there is out there.

I can see your point. I have a few autographed items, but everything is in my room, in a corner. They only people who see it are myself and my girlfriend.

[bigjase]

I collect some autographs, and I have to agree with some of the non-autograph collectors. Some collectors get upset with someone and call them rude because "they never sign." If someone asked Ueck everyday for 2 months to sign and he politely said no everyday for 2 months, some would say he is a grumpy old jerk because he never has time for the fans. Heck, Ken Griffey Jr, who happens to be my favorite player, was called a jerk earlier this year because he never signs. Sure, I would love to get something signed by Ken, but just because he doesn't want to sign something for me, or even if I would ask and he got annoyed by it, doesn't make him a jerk. 2 days after I was told he was a jerk, he was laughing and talking to me and the people around the on deck circle during the 8th inning of the game.

 

Yeah, its fun to meet your favorite players and get something signed to remember it by, but if they don't do it doesn't automatically mean they are a jerk. My girlfriend was at the Fan Fest thing too and got Ueck to sign a bobblehead of ours, and she said he didn't seem excited to be doing it, but he did crack a joke to the Miller Park worker when she reached down towards his lap to help stabilize the head. Guys like him and Griffey are Hall of Famers and have to deal with the attention all the time. To judge them by the 30 second interaction you had with them out of their comfort zone, or trying to do something like prepare for a game is just unreasonable.

[billyhallfan]

Some collectors get upset with someone and call them rude because "they never sign." If someone asked Ueck everyday for 2 months to sign and he politely said no everyday for 2 months, some would say he is a grumpy old jerk because he never has time for the fans.

 

did you read any of the posts that jason or I typed? I said that Uecker was a jerk because he is rude about saying no, Gabe Gross says no every time, but he isn't a jerk, it has nothing to do with wheather they sign or not, it has to do with how they act. Ken Griffey Jr. doesn't even ackowledge fans, he just ignores them.

 

if you think that anyone in this thread was calling Uecker a jerk because he doesn't sign, you need to review a few pages back...

[sbrylski]

I think the average person in Uecker's position would also act like a jerk after 50+ years of people bugging him for autographs, whether you believe the seekers are entiltled to it or not. So I would definately not base my opinion on interactions in that setting.

[bigjase]

If you think that anyone in this thread was calling Uecker a jerk because he doesn't sign, you need to review a few pages back...

 

No, I said SOME people will say he is a jerk because he doesn't. I don't understand how everyone can judge a guy for the 30 seconds you are by them. Like others have said, maybe he is sick of signing autographs. The guy is in his 70s. He was fine when he signed for my girlfriend, and others have had great experiences with him outside of a "can you do this for me," setting. And to say Griffey doesn't even ackowledge anyone is pretty false in my experience. I'm sure everyone gets sick of being constantly begged to sign something.

[billyhallfan]

well the two three times that I've seen Griffey, he has ignored everyone, so that is a pretty safe opinion...

 

nice avatar by the way.

[bigjase]

The husband of one of the girls I work with made it. Its pretty awesome.

Well, the 2 times I've been by Griffey, he has smiled and talked with us. Of course, I wasn't asking for an autograph, so that may have helped. Doesn't really matter either way, this thread wasn't intended to be about Ken anyway.

[Tailgat0r76]

I don't want to get into this topic at all, but I just don't want Gabie Gross' name tarnished here.

 

Gabe Gross says no every time

 

I know what you're trying to say but he does sign, and although I only seek autographs maybe four or five times in a given year, he is always one of the best. When we were in Florida this year after the makeshift double header; we got stuck in the stadium for a while after the game. We decided to stop by their bus to see how it was and to try our luck. Gabe came over right away (second one out of the locker room) and started making small talk with everyone. He refused to sign the sweet spot but only for good manner's obviously for the manager. He's also one of the only guys that will say "I'll get you guys after I bat" before the game, and actually come back. Of course there are some times when he has to refuse during warmups, but like you said he does it politely as heck.

 

 

Just another note, I don't know who was all there for autograph friday this week, but did anyone see how long Suppan signed? Man is he a class act, I was the last person to get Corey Hart's signature on my 8x10 and I could have gotten into Suppan's long line and still get his John Hancock. He stayed a good 20 or so minutes passed what the duty called for.

[snyttri]

Just another note, I don't know who was all there for autograph friday this week, but did anyone see how long Suppan signed? Man is he a class act, I was the last person to get Corey Hart's signature on my 8x10 and I could have gotten into Suppan's long line and still get his John Hancock. He stayed a good 20 or so minutes passed what the duty called for.

It was good of Suppan to sign so late. He did that partly because he got an extremely late start to signing for the people who were waiting in his Autograph Friday line. Instead they had Suppan signing for people who had been let on the field behind home plate. That took up most of his alloted Autograph Friday time. But he signed so long after his late start that no one could complain. I noticed he signed late at another Autograph Friday where he did not have home plate rope line duty.

 

[Paul77]

Just another note, I don't know who was all there for autograph friday this week, but did anyone see how long Suppan signed? Man is he a class act, I was the last person to get Corey Hart's signature on my 8x10 and I could have gotten into Suppan's long line and still get his John Hancock. He stayed a good 20 or so minutes passed what the duty called for.

It was good of Suppan to sign so late. He did that partly because he got an extremely late start to signing for the people who were waiting in his Autograph Friday line. Instead they had Suppan signing for people who had been let on the field behind home plate. That took up most of his alloted Autograph Friday time. But he signed so long after his late start that no one could complain. I noticed he signed late at another Autograph Friday where he did not have home plate rope line duty.

 

_

I have been told, directly from someone with the Brewers, that Suppan (their quote) "drives us crazy" because he "doesn't follow the rules" (again, their quote). Apparently the rules are, you sign for 20 minutes, keep conversation to a minimum and of course no pictures. The person who told me this said that during the Brewers On Deck Event he wanted to stay and sign for everyone, but she finally had to get him. He regularly signs longer than most on Autograph Fridays. He even pre signs some of those photo cards for those he can't get to on Fridays. I agree, class act.

 

This same person told me that Ryan Braun is the same way. Although she wouldn't say it explicitly, she implied that it was "suggested" to him to back off a little bit. Apparently to actually tell a player what to do during a signing session is a big no-no, at least thats the way she made it seem. During his first Friday session, he was talking to each person and even posing for pictures. Needless to say the line moved a bit slow. I met Braun once outside of Miller Park and I talked to him again at the park and both times he was very personable and friendly. He talks baseball, even if you don't ask. He seemed very down to earth, like fame hadn't hit him yet. I remember thinking "I wonder how long that will last?"

[Tailgat0r76]

he even pre signs some of those photo cards for those he can't get to on Fridays

 

I forgot about that. He did that on Friday. I'm not sure how many he did but I know a lot of people walked away happy as an usher gave out the player cards after he left and a lot of them were signed. That's just awesome