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Jun 1, 2022·edited Jun 1, 2022Liked by John Canzano

A second story... in the 70s, I was one of those kids you used to see outside the stage door at the old Coliseum following Blazer games. I met everybody back in the day, but my dream was to go through that door myself. In college, I was the sports director at KBVR at Oregon State. I convinced John Lashway of the Blazers to give me a press pass, and I'll never forget the thrill of going into the locker room and interviewing Clyde, Terry, and Kersey. Maybe the best part was walking out that stage door past all the kids. I was on cloud nine when one kid asked for my autograph -- then in a split second -- another kid said, "You don't want his autograph. He's nobody."

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I reckon you handled that situation about right, JC. The only autograph I ever got was from Steve Prefontain, after the Munich Olympics shortly before he died. Not sure where it is today.

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Jun 1, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Great column!! My story: When I was about 8 years old, my dad presented me with a baseball signed by Ted Williams (supposedly given to my dad by a relative who worked for the Chicago White Sox). This was right around the time when The Splendid Splinter retired. I had no clue then that a signed baseball from famous players was a "collector's item." So what did I do? Heck, took it out and played catch with it!! Over and over again, fading the autograph until you could barely see it. What an idiot! But I was only 8.

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Jun 1, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Good read!

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Jun 1, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Good story… no matter the age of the reader!

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Jun 1, 2022Liked by John Canzano

My only sports autograph is Sabrina's, now if I can just get Ruthy's and Satou's, I'll be a lucky Duck.

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I have a few sports memorabilia items: Have Hank Aaron and Bob Feller signatures on the same baseball... watched them both sign the balls. My daughter has a Buster Posey baseball that a team staffer obtained for her... Dad was broadcasting for Buster's minor league team, but it was considered bad form to ask him as a broadcast professional. I also have autographed photos of Geoff Petrie (Blazers rookie of the year), and Clyde Drexler in his Olympic uniform as part of the dream team, courtesy of a cereal company (Kelloggs, if I remember correctly). Fun stuff to have, but never got caught up in it. Great topic, John. Again.

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Jun 1, 2022Liked by John Canzano

I love your stories and the honesty that comes with them. Thank you for always enlightening us on all levels.

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Jun 1, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Hi John. I got a question for ya. In your early career as a sports journalist did you ever run into or have contact with Howard Cosell? Did u ever see him at a sporting event? He was such an interesting character and so many people have stories about him - just wondering if you did too? Mike from Beaverton.

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Great stories 😊👏

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Jun 1, 2022Liked by John Canzano

That soooo sucks. Sorry buddy.

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Will you still display the baseballs?

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Great story! It reminded me of a somewhat similar situation. In the early 70’s, I played American Legion baseball in Billings, Mt. for the legendary coach Ed Bayne. One night in the summer was designated as Little League night where the kids could dress in their uniforms and March around the field, cheer the Billings Royals on to victory and then storm the field in search of autographs from the players…although the biggest attraction was Coach Bayne! I remember the initial awkwardness of these kids asking me to sign something for them, especially given that I didn’t play a single inning that night. That feeling quickly passed as I remembered being the kid asking for the autograph and happily signed every glove, hat, baseball and program handed to me. One kid even handed me a dollar bill to sign! I couldn’t tell you who had the bigger smile that night, me or the little leaguers.

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Thank you, John, I really enjoyed the column. I think I might have been a little suspicious that I could get signed baseballs by DiMaggio and Williams for only $150.

I have signed one autograph in my life. As a 12 year old Little Leaguer I had a 5 for 5 game including a home run. After the game a young boy approached me for an autograph. I'm confident the man that boy grew up to become still cherishes it.😉

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Jun 4, 2022·edited Jun 4, 2022

Great read, John. A friend of mine ended up on a plane seated next to Mark Marquess. He had nothing but good things to say about the coach. Said friend went to Witchita State and Mississippi State so they were able to talk a lot of college ball. Of course, this was well before the days of the crazy good Pat Casey OSU teams.

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JC, you had me hooked at $8/hour!! What a great story my friend👊🏾

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