The Beckett Blog

For the past two days we have had a guest editor roaming the hallowed halls of Beckett.  He is here to set a few things straight, get a few cards graded, and generally have a good time (oh, and I think play some golf yesterday, the office seemed so…vacant).

As guest editor, he is in charge of much of the next issue of Beckett Sports Card Monthly , making some important decisions (like the cover design), hiring strange people off the street, writing for the monthly   magazine, and most importantly not firing me writing for Behind the Scenes.

Meet Scott Schwartz, an avid collector and celebrity autograph obtainer.  Besides helping his father out with one of the nicest card and memorabilia stores around, one of Scott’s current gigs is rounding up the celebrities to autograph cards for the Donruss Americana line.

Oh, you think you might recognize Scott from somewhere?  Think back to those warm and fuzzy times of the Cold War, and if you are under 30 I hate you you should go check these movies out at Netflix, or whatever it is you darn kids do these days.

For those “in the know” like me (old), you may also know Scott as (*ahem*) ‘Mister’ Bates from The Toy, starring alongside some fella named Jackie Gleason, and some other guy who was reportedly kind of funny named Richard Pryor, may God rest their souls.

For those of you who don’t (or can’t) remember that far back, be sure to check the TV around Christmas time to see one of the most famous tongues in the history of mankind.  No, not Michael’s.  You might know Scott as Flick, from A Christmas Story. I triple dog dare you to find a better holiday movie, now or ever-ever-ever.

It has been very enjoyable having Scott here.  For sure it broke up my monotonous routine, and kept me from bugging Tracy Hackler too much.

Look for more of what Scott has to say in the September issue (#282) of BSCM, and in future posts here.

————S. Schwartz Transmission Follows—————–

Hi Beckett fans!

As a guest Editor this month, I feel it’s time for someone to say some things about the industry (cards & sports); things that are really on our minds!!

I hope you respond with letters & emails, maybe I’ll be invited back to share more of the “true” collector’s opinions!!

As someone who obtains the celebrity autographs for Donruss for their Americana and Celebrity Cuts series, it has upset me the past few years to see so many athletes scribble a few initials or a check mark or “whatever” on their sports cards as their autographs! How dare they!

What are the card companies and players associations going to do about this?

I sat with the 90+ year old Ernest Borgnine, an Academy Award Winner, while he signed his Donruss Americana. Mr. Borgnine sat down and took the time to sign EVERY letter of his name, a few hundred times!  That’s how it should be done!

Shame on superstars like Matt Leinart, LeBron James, and almost every rookie who feels that getting back to their Xbox is better use of their time!  Take Kenneth Darby of the Bucs, what the heck kind of signature is that on your National Treasures Card?  Just LOOK at it!

Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Joe Namath…they do it the right way!

It’s time for all 3 major card companies to stand up and say something!  If a player won’t write their “real” signature, then they shouldn’t get paid “real” money!

It’s as easy as that, they sign 500 to 1000 autographs with their initials or wiggly lines…they don’t get paid! Take the few extra moments and do the right thing, instead of embarrassing yourself!  Seeing an “M7″ tells me this athlete may of gone to USC, but he certainly didn’t go to class!!

Who wants to see FULL signatures, NOT some scribble?

I’ll even take a first initial with a last name & jersey number.

Who agrees with me?  Collectors, what do you think?