I'd Rather Call Miss Cleo

[NetShrine]

Dave Winfield's picture is on the Call of Fame card, but he's not taking your calls.

Wednesday, October 3
Call of Fame a shameful disappointment so far
by Darren Rovell
ESPN.com

On paper, the concept looks pretty cool, but so did New Coke.

Call of Fame, the $5-per-minute phone service for fans to speak to former Major League Baseball players, has been embraced about as well as Coca-Cola's idea to change its soft-drink formula.

The executive roster boasts Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, who is listed as president of Professional Athlete Systems’ baseball division and featured on the company’s advertising, including its brochure and calling card. Problem is, fans can't talk to Winfield since the company’s plan to roll out 10 former Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and Phillies has yet to come to fruition after it debuted on June 18.

Instead, only a small roster of 10 former Dodgers and 10 ex-Cubs, all lesser-known players, has been answering calls.

"We're doing some reorganizing right now," said David Marshall, comptroller of Professional Athlete Systems. "We're bringing in some pretty heavy people within the next 30 days, so we're definitely not going out of business."

Marshall admits his company's current sales volume is weak. Approximately 1,700 10-minute calling cards, at $49.95 each, have been purchased since the concept started 3½ months ago. The poor results are due to the fact that the company has spent less than $80,000 on marketing while it has paid players more than $1 million, Marshall said.

After fans call to register and make their initial payment, they receive the card by mail in about a week. The fans then call the toll-free number and choose a team. But that last step has been impossible for the past few days, because the main number has been busy.

According to the Call of Fame brochure, Dodgers fans can get Steve Garvey, Don Newcombe or Steve Sax. Cubs fans have a chance of getting Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins and Joe Niekro. But such ex-players as Dennis Lamp and Jody Davis are answering the phone most of the time. Garvey and Jenkins work five to 10 hours a month, while others work 40 to 120 hours per month, Marshall said.

The company also had plans to roll out a football division with regional vice presidents in 27 NFL cities, including Franco Harris in Pittsburgh, Anthony Munoz in Cincinnati and Gale Sayers in Chicago.

[mainsr]

Paying $5 minute to talk to an ex-jock is a "cool idea?" God, what a debased society. PT Barnum must be shaking his head, muttering, "I never realized how right I was."

[NetShrine]

Only thing worse would be calling John Benson at $4.99 a minute.

[hmrsf]

That is an idea to take to the Jimy Fund. I will make sure Netshrine gets the credit.


I would gladly pay 4.99 to Dewey. Ten minuts only, it is too hard to hide >$50 in the house hold budget.

[satchel]

I'm sorry, Winfield, but this just sounded like a really dumb idea to me the first time I heard it.

$50 to talk to baseball players on the phone? At least go to a memorabilia convention and talk to one in person.

[NetShrine]

Plus, with the phone, who knows? Same deal as those "Call Girl" lines - - Pamela Lee is really Roseanne.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by NetShrine
Plus, with the phone, who knows? Same deal as those "Call Girl" lines - - Pamela Lee is really Roseanne.

Don't tip your hand, dude.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
Don't tip your hand, dude.

This from the man who once complimented Mr. Met for having a nice butt.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Did I ever tell you about the time I hugged Mr. Met and it was on the jumbotron at Shea?

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
Did I ever tell you about the time I hugged Mr. Met and it was on the jumbotron at Shea?

Think I saw it?

Mr. Met - - Buzz
- -

[BuzzBuzzard]

2nd to last game of '99 season. Mets/Bucs. Mets need to win to stay alive. Reed on the mound. 12K, CG.

Buzz and Mex sitting in the upper deck, but directly behind the plate. Bottom of the first, Mr. Met sneaks in behind me and next thing I know, they are playing the theme to the Jefferson's in the stadium. There I am on the jumbotron, huggin Mr. Met 'cause he just gave us primo tix on the field, right behind the dugout. My moment of glory.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
Bottom of the first, Mr. Met sneaks in behind me and next thing I know, they are playing the theme to the Jefferson's

Be grateful they didn't play the Beatles' "Come together" or Sam & Dave's "Hold On! I'm Comin."