August 11, 2002

The Power Of The Pen (On The Ball)
by Steve Lombardi

If a baseball player wants to make someone their fan for life, all he has to do is sign a baseball for them.  It works.  Conversely, if a player wants to make someone's "list" for life, not signing a ball (when asked) is a good head start towards being list-worthy.

Six years ago, I began sending out baseballs to (then) minor leaguers in search of autographs.  Every other year, I would select six players whom I felt were excellent prospects.  In the Spring, I would mail out the balls (accompanied by a letter which explained I was a fan - and not an autograph dealer).  The vast majority of players are great in signing and returning the balls.  Through this year, I have sent out two dozen balls and all but three came back autographed.  A return rate of 88% "ain't too shabby" (in my humble opinion).

Below is a snapshot of who I have sent baseballs to date, whether they signed or not, where they were, and where they are now:

True to the opening statement here, I can confirm that I am now always interested in following the travels and progress of all those who have signed for me.  No matter if they excel or struggle, I always maintain the highest regard for them.  Why?  Again, it is that magic spell that comes with an autographed baseball.  By signing, they were nice to me.  And, I will always return that favor.

What about the players who did not sign/return baseballs for me?  Well, albeit right or wrong, they do carry my version of a hardball scarlet letter.  Without fail, every time I see them play (usually on television), I immediately think of one word - "bum."  Sorry Lance Berkman, Troy Glaus, and Pat Burrell - you have made my list.  And, if anyone is in the room with me (when I see these players), I usually launch into a "I sent this guy a ball when he was in the minors and he was too full of himself to sign it for me" soliloquy. (Unluckily for some, I frequently repeat this whether or not they have already heard the rant on a previous occasion.)  

Another interesting realization from an exercise such as this is the illustration of player movement.  Of the 24 players I have chosen over the last 6 years, 11 (46%) are now with organizations other than the one they were with when I asked them to sign.  In fact, two "signees" from this year have already moved on:  Brandon Phillips (from the Expos' to Indians' system) and John-Ford Griffin (from the Yankees' to A's system).  All of these movements came as the result of trades.  No wonder why players are so anxious to gain some control over the right to choose their place of employment.  If you follow this small sample, even top prospects have nearly a fifty-fifty chance of being peddled in their first six years.

Lastly, an additional "they don't always finish where they start" observation can be made by comparing positions played at the time of the signing versus now.  Note that in this small time period, one-third of the players have already switched their primary fielding position.

Regardless, no matter where they play - in terms of affiliation or position - I will remain a fan of "my guys" and will continue to track them.  

Hopefully, the majority of players do realize the potential of an autographed baseball and the allegiance that can be attained by wielding that power.  

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*Major League Baseball games played through the 2001 season.
**Gabe Alvarez last played for the AA Huntsville Stars in 2002 before being released this Spring.

JUNE 2004 UPDATE:  As mentioned in the above feature, which was penned in August 2002, every other season, a batch of a half dozen balls is sent out.  As the ritual was started in 1996, this season (2004) is one of the "send them out" years - and, on April 10th, the lot went out.  Below is a chart indicating to whom a ball was sent, where they played, and the result.  The overall return rate is now 87% - down by just 1% from before this year.

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