Check out this video from a fanfest that was set up at the 2010 MLB All-Star Game for people who paid a $25 admission. The idea was for fans to walk around and meet Hall of Famers, as well as get their autographs.
But apparently former Met Gary Carter threw a wrench in the works by claiming that he was only going to sign a white piece of paper. One fan (who was attending the event with his son and young brother) videotaped his experience with Carter, which, uh, didn’t end well.
More times then not, these fanfests aren’t what they’re advertised. Whoever puts them on draws people in with the promise of autographs from players, but what usually happens is you stand in line for hours hoping that the athlete doesn’t get up and walk out before you’ve reached the stage that they’re signing on. And if you’re lucky enough to meet the athlete, some of them (like Carter) have restrictions on what they’ve sign because of endorsement deals or because they’re total ass hats.
But while Carter doesn’t come off looking good here, the man who taped the video reeks of douche-baggery, too. He clearly was looking for a clip to put on YouTube and once he heard about Carter’s autograph rules, he used the kids as bait to cause a scene. I’m sure Carter deserves the negative attention (this probably wasn’t the first time he’s stiffed fans for autographs), but the owner of the video doesn’t escape ridicule in this situation after he manipulated the situation.
Pretty soon fans aren’t going to be able to take video cameras into these events because of morons like this who are just looking for attention.
