If you’ve ever chased a baseball player for an autograph, there’s a new book out that you might want to put on your summer reading list.
“Waiting for a Sign” was written by Kevin Keating, a long-time collector/dealer and the current Principal Autograph Authenticator for PSA/DNA. A native of suburban Chicago, Keating spent much of his youth acquiring thousands of signatures from major leaguers who came to play against his hometown Cubs or White Sox. By the time he graduated from high school, he had amassed more than 10,000 autographs.
One of Keating’s favorite locations to acquire signatures was the entrance to The Executive House hotel (now the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront) where the visiting teams stayed. He also wrote to retired players through the mail, enclosing a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of items he’d send.
“Waiting for a Sign” chronicles Keating’s personal journey through decades of encounters and correspondence with some of the sport’s most important and colorful personalities.
In the 348-page book (Volume 1 of 2) with more than 100 illustrations, Keating describes many memorable meetings and some near misses with such Major League Baseball legends as Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Hank Aaron, Rod Carew, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. He recounts how he befriended many of the game’s greats including Hall of Fame members Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Johnny Mize and Joe Sewell. In fact, the book includes a foreword by Ford and a cover blurb from best-selling baseball author George F. Will.
Keating aims to share the off-field character and personalities of the players and the appeal of establishing a personal connection with athletes through the hobby.
“Waiting for a Sign” is being produced in paperback and is now available on Kindle. It can be ordered through this page on Amazon and through major book stores.
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