Stick and Pep

By Robert Palazzo

This past Sunday I went to a large sports card and memorabilia show in Syracuse NY. Usually, I set up as a vendor at the shows, but this time I was going to spend my time "working the room", talking to vendors about the sports card/memorabilia show I am holding next month, trying to get them to register. Signing autographs at the Syracuse show was Gene "Stick" Michael, "Mr. Everything" for the Yankees.

Dilemma time - do I wait in line for an autograph and photo or do I continue working the room?

Well, maybe I could avoid the line. I had some business to discuss with the show promoter, who was stationed close to Michael. Maybe I could finagle a quick picture and photo while I was talking with him. No such luck. I would have been attacked by an angry mob if I had attempted anything. So I discussed my business with the promoter, while glancing over to Michael, seated at the table right next to me and I couldn't even say hi to him! OK - got that off my chest. You know, it's hard being a lifetime Yankee fan and missing an opportunity to mix it up with a former or current player.

As for Michael, he looked pretty good. Stylishly long, gray hair, wearing a dark sport coat. He chatted with the fans and at one point, got up and walked around to the front of the table to meet and shake hands with a middle-aged wheelchair-bound fan. I wanted to take some pictures, even if I wasn't going to be in them. But I didn't; you never know how these autograph signers are going to react when you take their picture without asking.

So I finished my business with the promoter and continued to speak to vendors. One vendor had a "Blow out" sale. He was going south to live. On his table were all sorts of neat items, including a box of old Baseball Digests from the '60s. On top was one of former Yankee first baseman Joe Pepitone. It was a great shot - he was standing at the plate, bat hanging by his side, and he was looking upward at t he ball he had just hit - a homer perhaps!? Well, it so happened that Pepitine was scheduled to be at an autograph signing event in Utica in several days and I was looking for something for him to sign. Rather than go crazy looking through my immense collection, I would pick this Digest up for a buck and be set for the signing. Good job!

Tuesday evening, I decided to take a look at the Baseball Digest that I was going to have Pepitone sign. Good thing I did. The cover photo was associated with an article inside entitled "The Five Most Over-Rated Ballplayers in Baseball". Yeah, I'm sure Joe would have been real happy to sign that! So off to my collection I went, finding a beautiful 1966 Topps card for him to sign.

Wednesday was the day of the signing, and I was nervous all day. I don't know why. I guess I wanted to say the right thing when I met Pepitone. I do have a history of saying some dumb things to former ballplayers; like the time I handed Johnny Blanchard a copy of the memorial services program for Mickey Mantle's funeral to sign and said, "You know, you were one of Mickey's pall bearers." Yes, I actually said that. Anyway, after work, I drove to the hobby shop where Pepitone was to sign.

There he was, all dapper and handsome. Damn, for 64 years old he looked good. Of course, it helps when you have some "assistance" with your hair, if you know what I mean. Pinstriped suit, white shirt, silver tie, tassled shoes; and every hair in place - no gray. I stood a distance from the table for a while, observing him as he chatted and signed.

OK - my turn. I handed in my ticket, gave my camera to a friend and approached the table. As I shook Joe's hand, I said to him," Joe Pep-i-TONE (emphasis on Tone)". He responded, "Say it right. Not Peperone - Pepitone". Well, I hadn't said Peperone. Anyway, I explained that my father used to call him "Joe Pep-i-TONE". I explained further that my dad was a die-hard Detroit Tiger fan, but he loved Joe P. That seemed to go over well. And then I did it. I was true to form and said something stupid. I told him that I recalled being at a game with my dad when I was young and seeing him hit a right field foul pole home run! Not a towering shot, mind you! No, I have to tell him about a dinky 295 foot home run!

Anyway, after he signed the card, I asked if I could have a photo with him. He smiled and said yes, so I sat in the chair next to him. My friend snapped a shot and I asked him to take a second. Joe looked at me and said, "Did I say it was OK to take two pictures; Did you ask me?" I looked him in the eye and very seriously asked, "Mr. Pepitone, may I have a second picture taken?" "OK", was his response. (I don't think my friend hit the flash button, so they probably won't come out anyway.)

I hung around for awhile, continuing to watch as Joe chatted with young kids and adults alike, signing and posing for pictures. At one point, he sent someone on a mission of mercy - he needed to light up. Within minutes, he had a pack of cigarettes and when the opportunity was there, began taking drags from one. No one seemed to mind and he was careful to not smoke when signing with people. At one point he told the next person in line to hurry up since he had to catch a plane in about 5-15 hours.

When no one was in line, the owner of the hobby shop made sure Joe was busy, continually providing him with boxes of baseballs and photos to sign for subsequent sale. When a celeb signs on for an appearance and he is paid a fee, part of the deal is to sign items for the shop owner or promoter during slow periods. Occasionally, Joe could be heard asking, "Where did you find these photos?"

When I got outside, the limo had just arrived to take Joe to the restaurant where he would be guest speaker at a dinner. I decided to wait for him. I felt like a groupie or a stalker or perhaps some private eye, lurking in my car with my camera. Anyway, soon Joe emerged from the shop, approached the limo, waved to no one in particular, got in, and left.

Gee, I hope those pictures come out!