So I met Randy Johnson today...

[COEFOR]

Randy Johnson was doing a USO tour around Germany and today he stopped by our base. I've been planning this out for a month in preparation of getting awesome things signed.

Being a Giants fan, I thought to myself that I have never seen a Randy Johnson autographed Giants jersey before. Nobody sells Johnson Giants jerseys as he only played his last year there so I had to get a custom made one through MLB that ran almost $300.

I didn't stop there, I also purchased an unused game ticket from his 300th win in DC. And then an 8x10 for my son.

I read stories about his signing habits and his personality, but I didn't think anything of it as he was coming to see the Troops for free so he must be pretty motivated. So I can't complain too much as it was free...but it didn't go well.

I was in line for about 30 minutes and I was the very first person in uniform to meet him (there are a lot of DA Civilians and dependents here). It was so amazing that there was this dude in uniform there that Stars and Stripes Germany edition will have me in it getting the jersey signed apparently. So I get up there with my 7 year old son and say "Hey Randy we are from the Bay Area and are huge Giants fans." I thought this might crack a smile or something as he's from Walnut Creek, but nothing.

I hand him the jersey and point to exactly where I wanted him to sign it (there were people in front of us who had jerseys signed and he signed below the numbers). Right in the middle of the 5 and I hand him the special silver pen. So he signs it.

Then my son hands him the ticket and 8x10 and he signs those also. Never said anything to us. I had planned on asking him to put some inscriptions on it but I could tell that he wouldn't. He also refused to sign balls on the sweet spot from what I could tell.

I was hoping for a full autograph at least on the jersey but he did his partial. I don't know what the heck he did to that ticket, upside down. So we leave and I'm looking at all this stuff, and just kind of disappointed.

So again, I'm not mad or anything as it was all free and he came all the way out here.

But dang these autographs are fugly. There were many disappointed faces today.

I was hoping to get the ticket encased by PSA, do you guys think they will authenticate it?

[TWard]

That ticket.... what the hell.

[RandysHobby]

LOL. He never talks when he signs autographs. Wonder his thinking behind that...

Beautiful jersey!

[LincecumPC]

I can understand your disappointment, despite it being a free signing. Seeing as you are a collector as well, the fact that he was not at all personable makes the experience sour. He's always been a grump but I thought he had kind of come out of that reputation as he has been a little more open to the public and media ever since he retired. The jersey auto you got isn't perfect but it doesn't look too bad and is a unique item to have.

Born and raised from Walnut Creek here as well.

[bronxbomber33]

Lucky you got him on the Jersey. Any signing I have seen him do, he will not sign jerseys unless they have 4 or more signatures already on them. That being said, the jersey looks nice!!

[awz50]

Is that even an autograph on the ticket?

[poppincurbs]

Yikes... I know he has a rule at shows where he will NOT sign a jersey unless it has like 10+ other signatures on it? (aka a "team" jersey project)... Really weird and paranoid about it I guess. I'm actually surprised he signed it at all, but given the situation and being servicemen I cannot believe he was hitting people with such ugly sigs. If anything make the jersey the nice one, then rush the rest if time is an issue.

[Soxrule111]

Wow, I'm soooo sorry. Even if the Signing is free, its basically a damaged $300 jersey now. That's just horrible.

Still Nice as YOU know its signed, but if you ever tried to move it, good luck. I know I would pass on that even for $100

So sorry. Ive had this happen once before, but luckily it was a $20 signature on a $10 Mini Helmet.

[IndySportsCards]

12 Reasons You Should Never Meet Your Hero comes to mind.

and THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!

[mgugs46]

I know someone else who was there and he said RJ was as miserable as could be.

[SDcardguy24]

I would have went in with low expectations knowing how he is.

I don't think I've seen the signature he gave on the photo and ticket, his quick sig doesn't usually look like that. But the jersey is a nice get and a unique one at that!

Is the USO flyer signed too or is that a preprint?

[Triple B]

After having a similar experience with a FORMER childhood hero, I've made a point of not trying to meet players that I like. Sounds stupid, but you're only setting yourself up for disappointment. If this a-hole isn't even willing to put some effort into meeting military personnel, then he's beyond help.

Sorry it didn't go as hoped. Certainly YOU deserved better. Instead, you got Randy Johnson.

[rainmaker]

man thats a bummer you deserved better brother.

[rcgdodge]

Wow that's rough.

For like 10 years I was all about getting in person autos. But experiences like this have steered me away.

I've had one too many smeared autos.

[Whodey14]

Originally Posted by poppincurbs

Yikes... I know he has a rule at shows where he will NOT sign a jersey unless it has like 10+ other signatures on it? (aka a "team" jersey project)... Really weird and paranoid about it I guess. I'm actually surprised he signed it at all, but given the situation and being servicemen I cannot believe he was hitting people with such ugly sigs. If anything make the jersey the nice one, then rush the rest if time is an issue.

This was the first thing that came to mind for me. Sorry to see and hear your experience. I would be rather upset myself. Would prefer the jersey without the autograph honestly.

[mlbfan10]

Yea they will more than likely pass authentication since he actually signed them. Just a bummer that he didn't take the time to sign full. However he is human too so may just be having an off day, may not like large crowds, never know.

[hofcollector2]

I mean why agree to these signing if your not going to have a good attitude. I mean in Randy's case he doesn't need to do it. He has money. It's better that he doesn't if he's gonna have an attitude like this. Sure it may be his "personality " but Randy cant be so dumb to not think people save up or spend their whole lives wanting to meet their player. I mean he's gotta know.

[hofcollector2]

Originally Posted by rcgdodge

Wow that's rough.

For like 10 years I was all about getting in person autos. But experiences like this have steered me away.

I've had one too many smeared autos.

There are plenty of signers that have good attitudes, just do a little research on the player/players that you are considering getting something signed from. It's not baseball but Bill Walton is one of the nicest /talkable guys to go and meet and get something signed from.

[LincecumPC]

Originally Posted by hofcollector2

I mean why agree to these signing if your not going to have a good attitude. I mean in Randy's case he doesn't need to do it. He has money. It's better that he doesn't if he's gonna have an attitude like this. Sure it may be his "personality " but Randy cant be so dumb to not think people save up or spend their whole lives wanting to meet their player. I mean he's gotta know.

Agreed. It's totally optional and if he's not going to have the right frame of mind to do it, then don't do it. Everyone has bad days but surely he could have put on a polite face for an hour or so.

[TarjetasBéisbol]

Sad to see this, sure you got his auto but I am sure you will never forget how disappointed you are. Many celebrities and sports figures do things "for free" but you can bet their accountants figure out a way to have it reflect on their taxes.

[lisu]

Man, I'd be so disappointed too. Sorry to hear and see this.

[oldgoldy97]

Did he take a knee while signing?

[msink28]

I think the jersey looks decent with the pen and is a reasonable attempt at a signature. I would be happy to frame/display it. He didn't ruin the jersey in any way. I know it's a partial, but it's also free and he normally doesn't do single-signed jerseys.

The photo, on the other hand...

[89Giants]

I've met randy twice, and this doesn't surprise me. Did you guys get a picture with him? The 2nd time I met him I just got a pic and that experience was better lol

[TheWrightStuff]

There have been a few sports figures or celebrities that have left positive impressions.

Great experiences
Chuck Norris
Josh Hamilton
Matt Serra
Dana White
Nomar Mazara

Negative experiences
Matt Hughes
Forrest Griffin
Emmit Smith
Nate Newton
Ian Kinsler