THE SIGNATURES MAY BELONG TO SPORTS LEGENDS, BUT THE MEMORIES BELONG TO THE COLLECTOR WHO WAS THERE TO RECEIVE THEM
By Terry Melia | August 4, 2026
Icollect autographs. More specifically, I collect athletes’ autographs. Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard was my first signature. My sister, Kay, and I came upon him walking through the Olympic Village in Montreal in 1976. We rushed to buy a couple of Olympic-themed postcards at a nearby kiosk, and he graciously signed them both. In fact, he signed mine twice since his first effort was made on the glossy side and the blue ink skipped in a couple of places. He was just 20 years old, so he was on his way up. That same week he won the light welterweight gold medal. Little did I know that a passion for collecting autographs was born that hot summer day.
Since then, I have acquired hundreds of signatures, most of them in person. Many are on trading cards, while many more are on baseballs. The signing surface is important for many reasons, not the least of which is for display purposes later. Trading cards, especially encapsulated examples, and single-signed baseballs in ball cubes prove to be easy artifacts to transport, display, and present for friends and family.
Ted Williams single-signed baseball
All the autographs hold special memories for me. Some of my favorites include Mickey Mantle, obtained during a 1992 public appearance he was making on behalf of Upper Deck Authenticated; Ted Williams, secured after a one-on-one interview in 1993; Joe DiMaggio, acquired at the 1996 National Sports Collectors Convention; Muhammad Ali, at the 1991 National; and Jack Nicklaus, following the 1986 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. A unique, triple-signed item I have in my personal collection is a baseball autographed by NHL greats Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, and Jaromir Jagr. I met them all as they were walking through the 1992 MLB Fan Fest show at the San Diego Convention Center. Luckily, I just happened to have a Rawlings baseball in my camera bag.
Being prepared is always important in one’s quest for signatures: ballpoint pens (baseballs), ultra-fine Sharpies (trading cards), and regular fine-point Sharpies for larger items like basketballs, footballs, jerseys, and posters. It also does not hurt to say, “May I get your autograph, please?” And absolutely end the exchange with a “thank you” once the player obliges. Common courtesy goes a long way in obtaining your end goal.
Signed 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 PSA EX+ 5.5 Auto 8
I’ve always found it fascinating to compare athlete signatures. The “half-moons” that Mickey Mantle incorporated into his moniker later in life are legendary. The sweeping elegance behind Harmon Killebrew’s signature is another marvel to study. The “M” that Michael Jordan morphed into a “23” at the start of his autograph is another great talking point for anyone studying Air Jordan’s signature.
There has also been much debate on whether autographs lend beauty to a card front or somehow detract from it. The decades-old argument about getting a player’s autograph on his rookie card continues to rage; only nowadays it is not necessarily considered taboo. A player’s signature on his rookie card — or any card, for that matter — can add value, certainly sentimentally, if not financially as well. I’ve always believed that a card signed by the featured player is better than one unsigned. That’s just how I roll.
Signed 1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie #216 PSA Authentic, PSA/DNA Auto 9
If you’re like me and have a hard time letting go, you’ll want to display your beauties in the best possible way. At home I have a china cabinet in my dining room (away from direct sunlight) that’s filled with everything but fine dishware. It boasts autographed cards I’ve acquired through the years as well as dozens of signed baseballs. It showcases signed cards from superstars such as Larry Bird, Barry Sanders, and Joe Montana, as well as single-signed baseballs from the likes of Carl Yastrzemski, Sandy Koufax, Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, and David “Big Papi” Ortiz. Every time I look at my china cabinet, it’s a trip down memory lane and always serves as an enjoyable conversation starter whenever people visit.
TERRY MELIA is a longtime hobbyist and veteran sports card cataloger at Heritage Auctions.
