ITEMS Players Won't Sign
AND OTHER QUIRKS AND ODDITIES

NOTE: This section is consistently under construction...

Sometimes you run into a player who won't sign a certain card for some reason. The worst is when that card is all you're carrying for that player, or-- nearly as bad-- if it's a card for a set you're working on. Some may charge more to sign certain items or have various quirks about things.

I have seen various lists out there before but many are in need of updating. So here, I hope to assemble a full list in ALL major sports (and even non-sports items) of items players refuse to sign. If you run into any in your TTMing and IP graphing, or if you find a person has changed their policies, please let me know!

I am going to keep this only to players who are currently living. Some deceased players may have had policies about certain items as well, but I'll limit this to those who are currently 'graphable.

I also am not including the growing number of players who refuse to sign items like blank index cards or blank photo paper. That would take this already-long list and make it straight-up overkill. Some player are also charging premiums to sign rookie cards. I have only noted those where it is a significant increase (such as Ron Kittle signing most cards for free but asking $25 to sign his 1984 Topps card).

Also I know in some cases these players have signed these cards/items before. Sometimes they change over time. This should be seen more as a warning of "he may not sign that card" not a "he will absolutely never sign that card."

Baseball

Jimmy Anderson: 2001 Fleer Tradition; photo is Mike Williams

Rolando Arrojo: 2000 Upper Deck Victory: photo is Scott Aldred

Carlos Azuaje: 2015 Bowman Prospects

Floyd Bannister: 1985 Donruss; photo is Tom Seaver

Marty Barrett: 2004 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites; claims some sort of contractual agreement TTM, but will sign through private signings

Steve Bedrosian: 1982 Topps; wrong photo

Craig Biggio: bats; had several game-used bats stolen, and will no longer sign ANY bats

Tim Bogar: 1993 Stadium Club; photo is Aaron Ledesma (will sign back)

Brian Bohannon: New York Mets items

Archie Bradley: 2012 Topps Heritage Minors, 2012 Bowman Platinum; photo is J.R. Bradley

Milton Bradley: 2004 Topps; will sign but notes it's Matt Lawton

Tom Browning: 1991 Fleer Ultra; photo is Norm Charlton (will sign back)

Mark Buehrle: 2000 Bowman

Steve Busby: 1975 Topps; signs but also writes "Not My Photo" on it, as the photo is Fran Healy

Ernie Camacho: 1985 Donruss; photo is George Frazier

Mike Cameron: 2004 Topps Gold Glove; photo is Randy Winn (will sign back)

Stephen Cardullo: 2017 Topps Heritage

Rod Carew: Silver Slugger photo with Joe Mauer and Tony Oliva

Tony Castillo: 1994 Score; photo is Luis Sojo (will sign back)

Francisco Cervelli: 2009 Topps; photo is Austin Jackson (Jackson will sign front; Cervelli will sign back)

Wes Chamberlain: 1991 Topps error; photo is Louie Meadows

Stubby Clapp: 2001 Bowman; used the wrong printed signature

Brady Clark: 2004 Topps Total; photo is Wes Helms

Keith Comstock: 1991 Topps error and 1988 Topps error

Greg Deichmann: 2018 Bowman Draft; photo is Kevin Merrill (Merrill will sign it)

Elmer Dessens: 2009 Bowman Draft; wrong photo

Tom Dettore: Will not sign any cards

Miguel Dilone: 1978 Topps if signed by others already

Brandon Drury: 2016 Bowman; photo is Jake Lamb

Mike Dunne: 1987 Topps Traded

Deck Ellsworth: 1966 Topps; photo is Ken Hubbs

Danny Espinoso: 2017 Topps Heritage

Shawn Estes: 2001 Bowman Heritage; photo is Tim Worrell

Chone Figgins: Seattle Mariners items

Fritz Fisher: Will not sign any cards

Carlton Fisk: 1991 Score Record Breaker

Dave Flemming: 1994 Flair

Doug Flynn: 1986 Topps; has signed a few for a $400 donation.

Hank Foiles: 1991 Crown Orioles card only for a large sum; was not paid for his appearance in the set

Darren Ford: Bowman cards, Milwaukee Brewers items

Dexter Fowler: 2008 PROjections; photo is Chris Nelson

Juan Francisco: 2006 Bowman (photo Chris Valaika, who will sign it), 2014 Topps Heritage (photo Martin Maldonado)

Marvin Freeman: 1989 Donruss

Ron Gant: Will not sign items showing David Justice

Steve Garvey: 1982 Fleer

Bob Geren: 1989 Topps Traded; photo is Mike Fennell

Dan Gladden: Sports Illustrated cover if already signed by Greg Olson

Ed Glynn: 1983 Fleer; photo is Bud Anderson

Wiki Gonzalez: 2000 Skybox Dominion; with Mike Darr, does not sign it as a memorial to him

Terrance Gore: 2015 Panini Prizm, 2018 Topps Heritage (if signed by Finnegan)

Khalil Greene: 2003 Fleer Tradition; name misspelled

Rusty Greer: 1997 Skybox Metal Universe; wrong photo (will sign back)

Tommy Gregg: Atlanta Braves items, claims the team "did [him] wrong"

Kelly Gruber: any Leaf cards; only signs for family

Andy Hawkins: any Fleer cards; only signs for family

LaTroy Hawkins: San Francisco Giants cards, insert cards, Japanese cards

Kyle Heckathorn: 2010 Topps Pro Debut; photo is Caleb Thielbar

Rickey Henderson: Bases

George Hendrick: ONLY signs Rays and Cardinals items (will sign others at paid signings)

Bill Henry: 1980 TCMA '61 Reds; unauthorized card

Jonathan Hernandez: 2021 Topps Heritage; photo is Taylor Guerrieri. Will sign the back.

Keith Hernandez: Cleveland Indians items charged a premium; did not like his time playing there

John Hiller: 1966 Topps

Daniel Hudson: 2013 Topps Heritage

Orlando Hudson: 2008 Allen & Ginter; photo is Alberto Callaspo

Pete Incaviglia: 1993 Donruss

Bo Jackson: 1990 Score bat and shoulder pads; copyright issues with the photo

Danny Jackson: 1985 Donruss; photo is Frank Wills

Ron Jackson: 1991 Crown Orioles; depicts the wrong Ron Jackson

Jason Jaramillo: 2010 Topps; photo is Ramon Vazquez

Reggie Jefferson: 1992 Triple Play; photo is Stan Jefferson

Steve Jeltz: 1988 Donruss; photo is Juan Samuel

Kevin Jordan: 1990 Score; photo is Ricky Jordan

Ron Kittle: 1984 Topps gets charged a premium; fee goes to a charity

Frank LaCorte: 1981 Donruss

Pete LaForest: 2003 Topps Traded, 2004 Topps Total; photo is Toby Hall (will sign back)

Cory Lee: 1999 Just Minors; photo is Mike Venafro

John Littlefield: 1981 Topps; photo is Mark Riggins (will sign the back)

Scott Livingstone: 1992 O-Pee-Chee Premier; photo is Travis Fryman

Sparky Lyle: 1976 SSPC; unauthorized card

Mike Maddux: Minor league cards

Jose Malave: 1997 Fleer; photo is Alex Delgado (Delgado will sign front; Malave will sign back)

Ketel Marte: 2016 Topps Heritage

Octavio Martinez: 2011 Bowman; wrong photo

Doug Mathis: 2008 SP Authentic Rookie Exclusives; only signs for family

James McCann: 2016 Topps Heritage

Oddibe McDowell: Cleveland Indians items

Andy McGaffigan: 1990 Upper Deck error; #48 photo is Rich Thompson (will sign the back)

Mark McGwire: will not sign items with Jose Canseco

Mark McLemore: 1994 Score

Jackson Merrill: 2022 Bowman; wrong player in photo

Butch Metzger: 1991 WIZ Mets

Rick Miller: 1984 Donruss; name is wrong on it

Craig Monroe: 2007 Topps Heritage; photo is Roman Colon

John Montefusco: Atlanta Braves items

Bob Montgomery: 1975 SSPC; unauthorized card

Mike Moore: 1990 Score w/ Dave Stewart; neither player will sign it

Nyjer Morgan: Washington Nationals items

Jim Morrison: 1981 Topps; doesn't like the photo

Jason Motte: Colorado Rockies items

Chad Mottola: 1994 Ted Williams The Campaign; photo is Jason Moler

Al Nipper: 1985 Donruss; photo is Mike Brown

Hector Noesi: 2011 Bowman Prospects; photo is Ivan Nova

Rougned Odor: photos fighting Jose Bautista

Jonathan Ornelas: 2018 Bowman Draft (listed as Diamondbacks; never played for them)

Jayhawk Owens: 1995 Score; card depicts Jim Tatum

Orlando Palmeiro: 2006 Topps Heritage

Gary Pettis: 1985 Topps; card depicts his brother Lynn

Brandon Phillips: Cleveland Indians items; did not like his time playing there

A.J. Puckett: Chicago White Sox cards; had issues with the organization

Scott Radinsky: 1992 Score (wrong photo) and Jewish Major Leaguers (not Jewish)

Hanley Ramirez: 2006 Topps 52; photo is not him

Rafael Ramirez: 1981 Topps if signed by others already

Eric Rasmussen: 1976 Topps; listed as "Harry"

Edgar Renteria: 2006 Upper Deck

Rich Reese: 1965 Topps; name is listed as "Dick"

Luis Rivas: 2001 Bowman Heritage; photo is Jacque Jones

Brandon Roberts: Reds and Twins Bowman cards; wrong photo

Kerry Robinson: Tampa Bay Devil Rays items

Trayvon Robinson: 2005 Bowman Draft, 2010 & 2011 Tristar cards

Fernando Rodney: 2007 Topps, 2009 Topps Tigers Team set; photo is Roman Colon

Steve Rodriguez: 1995 Upper Deck; only signs it for family

Ryan Rolison: 2019 Panini Stars & Stripes

J.C. Romero: 2011 Topps Update; never played for Yankees

Kevin Romine: 1989 Fleer; photo is Randy Kutcher

Pete Rose: charges more to sign 1963 Topps RCs (often a 500-700% premium over other cards)

Bob Scanlan: 1991 Line Drive AAA

Jeff Schaefer: 1992 Donruss; photo is Tino Martinez (Schaefer will sign back)

Mike Schmidt: Rawlings bats

Dick Schofield: 1960 TCMA; photo is Gino Cimoli

Rodney Scott: 1982 Fleer; photo is Tim Raines

Magneuris Sierra: 2019 Topps Big League; wrong photo

Ruben Sierra: Oakland A's items

Jason Simontacchi: 2003 Fleer Tradition Banner Season; only signs for family

Bill Spiers: 1990 Topps; photo is George Canale (Canale will sign it)

Denny Stark: 2002 Upper Deck; photo is Caleb Balbuena

Dave Stewart: Rangers and Phillies cards; off-field issues in this era (has been signing them recently)

Bob Stinson: 1976 SSPC; unauthorized card

Steve Stone: 1974 Topps Traded; bad airbrush job

Josh Stowers: Any unlicensed photos

Stephen Strasburg: Tristar cards

Greg Swindell: 1991 Studio; photo is Tim Costo

Mark Teahen: 2005 Upper Deck SP; photo is Chris Lubanski

Rowdy Tellez: 2019 Topps Heritage with Reese McGuire; will not sign due to McGuire's 2020 arrest

Derrel Thomas: Senior League cards

Joe Thurston: 2006 Upper Deck; photo is Bobby Scales (Thurston will sign back)

Mike Trout: September 2012 Sports Illustrated

Jason Varitek: photos fighting Alex Rodriguez

Robin Ventura: photos fighting Nolan Ryan

Oscar Villareal: 2005 Topps Total; name misspelled

Arodys Vizcaino: 2015 Topps; photo is Yoanner Negrin

Ryan Vogelsong: 2017 Topps

Turner Ward: 1998 Fleer Ultra

Jarrod Washburn: 2003 Topps Heritage

Rico Washington: 2000 Upper Deck; photo is Adrian Brown (Washington will sign back)

David Wells: Any cards other than Blue Jays ones; only signs others for family

Randy Wells: 2012 Topps (NOTE: he has been signing them recently as of 2021)

Dave Wickersham: 1978 TCMA; unauthorized card

Keith Williams: 1996 Fleer Excel; photo is Jacob Cruz

Herm Winningham: 1990 Upper Deck; name misspelled on back (signs, but charges a premium)

Jay Witasick: 2004 Topps Total; name misspelled

Vance Worley: Minnesota Twins items; signs, but blacks out the logo

Ricky Wright: 1987 Topps

Dmitri Young: 1993 Upper Deck; doesn't like photo

Gregg Zaun: 2006 Topps; photo is Jason Phillips

Brad Ziegler: 2018 Topps Heritage

Basketball

Lou Carnesecca: 2000-01 Fleer Greats of the Game; has the wrong logo

Julius Erving: photos fighting Larry Bird

Blake Griffin: Topps cards

Football

Eric Allen: New Orleans Saints items

Marcus Allen: 10/5/81 Sports Illustrated

Albert Bentley: 1992 Fleer Gameday

Lyle Blackwood: 2004 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites (claims "contractual obligations")

Bryan Cox: Rookie cards

Len Dawson: photos smoking in locker room

Kenny Easley: Rookie cards

Franco Harris: Seattle Seahawks items

Andre Hastings: Will not sign cards

Qadry Ismail: 1992 Wild Card; name misspelled

Bo Jackson: Heisman items; Tampa Bay Buccaneers items; Auburn items signed by Pat Sullivan and Cam Newton; shoulder pads and bat photo

Billy "White Shoes" Johnson: 1997 Legends; wearing black shoes (will sign back)

Eddie Kennison: St. Louis Rams items

Dick Lebeau: Goal Line art cards

Peyton Manning: Sports Illustrated "Gator Bait" issue; Will not sign rookie cards TTM but will IP

Ed Marinaro: 2005 Topps All-Americans

Dennis McKinnon: 1986 Topps

Stanley Morgan: Rookie cards

Scott Norwood: 1991 Pro Set Super Bowl Highlight

John Offerdahl: Rookie cards

Jerry Porter: Oakland Raiders items

Andre Rison: 1990 Topps; photo is Clarence Weathers

Jackie Smith: 1990 Pro Set Super Bowl Supermen

Lynn Swann: Will not sign cards

Carson Wentz: Panini Super Bowl 52 card

Aaron Williams: 2011 Topps Rising Rookies; wrong photo

Steve Worster: 2011 Upper Deck U. of Texas; photo is Jim Bertlestein

Alvin Wyatt: 1973 Topps; wrong photo

Hockey

Kevin Adams: 2007-08 Upper Deck

Brent Ashton: 1991-92 O-Pee-Chee/Topps; only signs for family

Ken Baumgartner: 1990-91 Upper Deck

Radek Bonk: Las Vegas Thunder items

Mel Bridgman: 1983-84 O-Pee-Chee

Randy Carlyle: 1987-88 O-Pee-Chee and Topps

Bob Carpenter: 1989-90 Topps; will only sign back

Kevin Collins: 1990-91 Pro Set

Yvan Cournoyer: 2005-06 In The Game Heroes & Prospects; not him pictured

Russ Courtnall: 1991-92 Pro Set

John Davidson: 2001-02 Fleer Greats of the Game

Kevin Dineen: 1995-96 Edge Ice; only signs for family

Pelle Eklund: 1994-95 Parkhurst

Bob Errey: 1989-90 O-Pee-Chee

Craig Fisher: 1990-91 Upper Deck; Jay Wells on front, but will sign back

Mike Foligno: 1993-94 Upper Deck; only signs for family

Adam Foote: any Upper Deck Victory

Ron Francis: cards with him pictured with the Stanley Cup

Garry Galley: 1991-92 Pro Set (All-Star); only signs for family

Aaron Gavey: 1993-94 Upper Deck

Doug Gilmour: 1990-91 Upper Deck

Martin Gerber: licensed NHL photos

Chris Gratton: 2003-04 Topps Traded

Mike Green: 2003-04 Pacific Prospects; photo is Andy Reierson (maybe?)

Ron Greschner: 1978-79 Topps; will only sign O-Pee-Chee Rangers version

Wayne Gretzky: 1988-89 Topps, cards with his son Ty on the back; only signs for family

Greg Hawgood: 1993-94 Leaf; only signs for family

Phil Housley: 1990-91 Upper Deck; only signs for family

Mark Howe: 1989-90 Topps

Tim Hunter: 1997-98 Pacific Dynagon Best Kept Secrets; 2002-03 Fleer Throwbacks (refused to sign from 2003-2018 due to lack of compensation from Fleer, but signed one for me in 2018)

Gord Hynes: 2000-01 Upper Deck DEL; photo is Wayne Hynes

Peter Ing: 1990-91 Score; says he was not compensated for the card

Arturs Irbe: 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Red Army

Mike Keane: Montreal Canadians Centennial cards; was not paid for his appearance in it

Petr Klima: 1992-93 Score

Alexei Kovalev: NY Rangers items

Milan Kraft: 2000-01 Upper Deck Reserve

Niklas Kronwall: 2012-13 Score; photo is Tomas Holmstrom

Guy Lapointe: 2001-02 Fleer Greats of the Game, 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends

Gary Leeman: Montreal Canadiens items

Reggie Lemelin: 2006-07 Parkhurst; photo is Yves Belanger

Mario Lemieux: cards with him pictured with the Stanley Cup

Mike Liut: 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Upper Deck; only signs for family

Jack Lynch: 1977-78 O-Pee-Chee; photo is Bill Collins

Al Macinnis: 1991-92 Upper Deck (All-Star); only signs for family

Sergei Makarov: 1991-92 Upper Deck; only signs for family

David Maley: 2002-03 Fleer Throwbacks

Dave Manson: Toronto Maple Leafs items

Kip, Kelly, and Kevin Miller: 1991-92 Upper Deck Bloodlines

Stanislav Neckar: 1994-95 Upper Deck

Brian Noonan: 1990-91 O-Pee-Chee Premier; photo is Dan Vincelette, Noonan will sign the back

Teppo Numminen: Adds the year he signed it to all rookie cards

Steve Ott: 2005-06 In The Game Heroes & Prospects; hated playing for Hamilton

Robert Reichel: 1993-94 Leaf

Gary Roberts: 1992-93 Pinnacle Heroes

Stacy Roest: Cards that have wrong player pictured

Christian Ruuttu: 1991-92 O-Pee-Chee/Topps, 1992-93 Upper Deck, 1992-93 Bowman

Tommy Salo: 1995-96 Edge Ice; photo is Milan Hnilicka (Hnilicka will sign it)

Al Secord: 1990-91 Bowman; photo is Duane Sutter (Secord will sign back)

Alexander Semin: 2003-04 Topps C55

Darryl Sittler: 1990-91 Pro Set; only signs for his kids

Billy Smith: 2006-07 In The Game Heroes & Prospects

Ryan Smyth: 1997-98 Upper Deck Collectors Choice

Mario Tremblay: 1975-76 Topps; photo is Gord MacTavish

Marty Turco: 2015 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions

Darren Turcotte: 1995-96 Pinnacle

Wes Walz: Cards that have wrong player pictured

Doug Wilson: Rookie cards and reprints of them

Tyler Wright: 1998-99 Upper Deck; only signs for family

Paul Ysebaert: 1991-92 Stadium Club; photo is Mike Sillinger

Other

GOLF

Bruce Crampton: 1992 Pro Set; only signs for family

Phil Mickelson: 2002 Upper Deck; only signs for family

WRESTLING

Dan Gable: 2008 Upper Deck Goudey; biographical error on back

NON-SPORTS

Elizabeth Berkley: Topless photos from Showgirls