Your first in-person Sports Autograph?

[Funky Bunky]

So, who was the first athlete that you got an autograph from, in person? Mine was Shawn Green at a Padres game when he was with the Diamondbacks.

What about you?

[Raysfan12]

During a Spring Training game in 2010 (or 11) between the Rays and Astros in Kissimmee, Florida. I got my Rays cowbell (I actually have one of those) signed by Stephen Vogt, a catcher of the Rays organization at the time (now at Oakland). I still have it in my room and is something I've never forgotten.

[STL_ArchMadness]

well my first one i got "in person" was when i was 3, my parents took my to a charity dinner, and Ozzie smith autographed a retro Cardinals hat for me.

if that ^ doesn't count, i don't know who my first one was, but some really special ones i got when i was like 12-13 (i'm 15 now) in person are:

- Ichiro when he was on the Angels and came to St.Louis

- Albert Pujols in St. Louis

- Adam Dunn on the Reds

- Manny Ramirez on the Dodgers

- Ken Griffey Jr. (on a rookie card ) when he was on the Reds

[Funky Bunky]

Ichiro was never an Angel.

[STL_ArchMadness]

Ichiro was never an Angel.

oh i could've sworn he was at one point. Well i thought it was with the Angels because i got him and an Angels outfielder on the same ball

[Funky Bunky]

Are you sure you're not thinking of Hideki Matsui or something? Ichiro has only been a Mariner and Yankee.

[wonderbread]

Jeff Gordon when I was as young as 3, mom and him use to be friends at the beginning of his career before he became famous. My mom got me one from chipper jones, I got the first autograph adam vinitieri ever gave just because I wanted an autograph from someone at pats training camp. Bill belichick a son played my team in football in highschool and i got his autograph after the game, along with basically everyone else on our team

[Guest]

When I was a kid I had the opportunity to go into the visiting clubhouse at Safeco Field and got a ball signed by Jose Cruz Jr., Raul Mondesi, and Carlos Delgado who were all playing for the Blue Jays at the time... Don't remember why we went into the Jays lockeroom instead of the Mariners but it was still pretty cool.

[TheGiantsFan]

Mine was a signature from the owner of the San Francisco Giants, Larry Baer. I was volunteering at a golf tournament at Pebble Beach and he was there, so I came up to him and asked if he could sign my 2012 World Series Champions cap. He did and that cap remains a treasured part of my Giants collection.

[sportsfan0518]

Jason Collins during a pregame warmup at Continental Airlines Arena in 2004. He signed my 2002 Conference Champions hat.

[Shumway]

I got to meet Manute Bol at an autograph signing when I was 4 or 5. I have no idea what I did with that autograph.

[Tigers6884]

My first in person autograph was then Detroit Red Wings player Jason Williams. I don't remember the exact date, since I was really young at the time. I met him at some Red Wings themed place, but I don't remember the name of it.

[tp49]

I got Willie Stargell's autograph at Pirates spring training in Bradenton the spring after he was co-MVP. I was 3 or 4 at the time. Really nice guy.

[sportstar1212]

My first in person autograph was then Detroit Red Wings player Jason Williams. I don't remember the exact date, since I was really young at the time. I met him at some Red Wings themed place, but I don't remember the name of it.

You may be thinking about Hockeytown Cafe. It's a Red Wings themed sports bar across the street from Comerica.

[pcgd]

Joe Magrane and Fredbird at a grocery store or something in the late 80s. I was 5 or 6.

I think the only other in person one I got was Paul Molitor in High School. He was doing a speaking engagement and I had him sign with the wrong kind of pen and it was ruined in months.

[Muggens]

Jose Canseco when he was on the A's oddly enough even though I'm a Giants fan.

[Still MIGHTY]

First Mighty Duck in the expansion draft, last inaugural Mighty Duck to leave - #31, goaltender, Guy Hebert

[gosioux76]

My first in-person autograph was by Joe Gibbs on Jan. 25, 1992, the day before his Redskins defeated the Bills in Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome. My dad and I were at the Minneapolis Convention Center for the NFL Experience exhibit. We were looking at Joe Gibbs' race car -- I believe it was to be his first season in NASCAR that year -- when my dad noticed Gibbs himself stopped by to check out the car. He graciously signed a couple of NFL Experience programs (which, handily, included space specifically for autographs). I wished him luck in the big game. It's a pretty cool memory.

[STL_ArchMadness]

Are you sure you're not thinking of Hideki Matsui or something? Ichiro has only been a Mariner and Yankee.

damn it, I'm pretty sure it was Hideki Matsui now that i think of it. Sorry for the unintentional racism lol

[BigEd76]

Ronn Reynolds at the Vet, 1986