The Meet and Greet Group
I met Steve Renko last week. Who is Steve Renko and why should I care, you ask?
The first question (who?) is easy, mostly thanks to Baseball-Reference.com. Renko is a former major league baseball pitcher. Pitching for seven teams during his 15-year career, he lost more games than he won. Some would call him a journeyman.
The second question (why?) is a bit harder to explain. Renko is among a growing number of ex-athletes (and minor celebrities) who have developed a second career and a second income on the celebrity ‘meet and greet’ circuit. My friends cannot believe people actually pay these celebs for autographs, and how much they pay.
A few years back, a friend and I went to an old-timers wrestling convention. (Okay, yes, old-time wrestling was a guilty pleasure of mine.) Laurie was stunned by the size and passion of the crowd, as well as the amount they were paying for signatures and pictures with their wrestling heroes. During a four-hour session, wrestlers would accommodate a line of 300 fans, paying $20+ for each item signed, and most bought several items. She was continually amazed at the lines (lines which she somehow managed to circumvent for me, but that is another story).
Laurie and I also went to a Hollywood Collectibles Convention, featuring Robert Englund. She knew what to expect, but it is still odd seeing the huge lines. Englund had the biggest line, but he played Freddy Krueger, a movie icon. How do you explain long lines for P.J. Soles and David Naughton? Yet, the lines were there, a continual stream of giddy fans, wads of cash in hand, waiting for their time with the celeb(s) of their choice.
I am not criticizing these people. I already admitted I attend these conventions (however, due to some working relationships with the promoters, I have been spared the usual expenses at times). I even have a wall of photos taken with stars.
I just think it is a fascinating concept. An obscure player like Renko can conceivably earn more money in a year now than he did pitching. Actors like Adam West (television’s Batman) and Butch Patrick (tv’s Eddie Munster), who would otherwise be forgotten, command top dollar. Even basic one-hit wonders like Larry Thomas (the Soup Nazi) and Tiffany (’80s pop sensation) have jumped on the gravy train.
I don’t begrudge the celebs either. I just wonder what the going rate is for the co-owner of the 3rd largest publication distribution company in the Midwest.
-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
February 27th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I used to think that only kids did this, until my son dragged me to one of the shows. My gosh. I saw grown men getting 5, 10 even 20 things signed by players I had barely heard of. It is amazing.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Who was the nicest celebrity you have met?
The meanest?
What was the oddest experience?
February 27th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I try to plan business trips around so I can attend some of the national conventions. I don’t pay the ridiculous prices for some of the stars. I find the lesser known stars are very friendly and have great stories to share. I did see one man bring about 25 things for actor Bruce Campbell to sign. I think he had an 8×10 of Bruce from every movie he ever did. I’m not that fanatical.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:39 am
I have met many stars at the hotel. Did you know they also get rooms and meals in addition to their appearance fees? You are correct. This is quite a nice ‘job’ if you can get it.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:53 am
I just cannot believe that people pay so much for autographs. It’s just someone’s signature. These people are really fanatical.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I would like to see GT publish a book on celebrity travel tales. Surely actors, sports stars (and yes John, even wrestlers) must have some interesting stories. I think a book like this would be great.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Why would anyone want PJ Soles or David Naughton? Do these people just want anyone and everyone? I can sort of understand the big stars, but then again I cannot see paying the big money for the big stars.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I travel all over the country to attend these conventions. I make it a full vacation. I have met hundreds of stars. I think it is a great hobby. I meet interesting people. I hear great stories. I relive great times. I travel to new places. I love my hobby.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:44 am
A few years ago, I was at a baseball clinic where former major leaguer Al Hargesheimer was an instructor. He was so cool. I took a picture with him. I framed that picture. My mom suggested I get a few more. That started it all. I was also at the appearance by Steve Renko and Randy Martz. Martz is also a former Cub and a coach at Lewis and Clark College, where I met him a bunch of times, because my friend was on the team.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Twenty five years ago I met Keith Moreland of the Chicago Cubs at some local store. He was so nice. I was hooked from that day. I still try to attend as many such appearances as I can. It’s just fun to meet these ex-players and hear their stories.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Do you know of any good websites which list events like this around the country. I always seem to find about them too late. I love meeting old stars. I met Linda Blair at a convention. What a sweetheart she was.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I always go to the Hollywood Collectables Show in Burbank. It is like stepping back in time. I have met so many old tv stars. They all have fascinating stories to tell. I do have to laugh at some of the really fanatical people who ask them such specific questions about individual episodes from 30 years ago.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I met Val Kilmer. What a hunk and what a gentleman he was. I agree that GT should do a book on celeb travel tales.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Moreland, Martz, Renko, Hargesheimer, great names from the past. I love meeting these players from my youth, even though they weren’t huge stars. They seem to have better stories than the stars.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I don’t care for sports, but I usually go with my hubby to take his pictures. I do enjoy the shows with actors. I enjoyed meeting Eddie Mekka (the Big Ragoo). I see Larry Thomas at a lot of these shows. He seems like a genuinely nice guy. He makes his money, but doesn’t take himself too seriously.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Yes, to the book. If not a book, how about a special section in an upcoming issue? Surely we can’t be the only people who would like it. If there’s 15 of us here, how many more are out there? There are hundreds at the shows.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I’d love to hear more of the older stars. Butch Patrick? Wow. I see reruns of ‘The Munsters’ all the time. Has he done anything big since that?
February 28th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Ex-hockey players are usually the nicest. Maybe they don’t get as much fan attention. Most old time tv stars are pretty nice. I have met Burt Ward (Robin), Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke), Ron Palillo (Horshack), Erin Moran (Joanie Cunningham) and David Faustino (Bud Bundy) among others. They have all been very personable.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Good to know I am not the only star chaser. I keep an ever-changing top 20 list of stars I want to meet. When I meet one from the list, I have another ready to move on the list. I have waited to meet Pam Dawber for years. I hope she does a convention someday.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
How much would Steve Renko make at one of those shows?
How many people showed up for Renko?
February 28th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
I go to the celebrity conventions. They are fun in that you usually get to spend a few minutes with each star, except for the really big ones because their lines are too long.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I always go to the Hollywood Collectors show in Burbank. It is a wonderfully run event. I cannot believe the great stars that are there.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
There are a bunch of books of short stories about sports teams called “Tales from…” Why not do a “Tales of Celebrity Global Travelers”? I agree with the rest. It would be a great read.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:48 am
John, I agree with you about old time wrestling. It used to be theater-like, two talented performers telling a story. Men like Roddy Piper, Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Dusty Rhodes, they were entertainers. The new stuff is just quick bouts of acrobatic maneuvers, with no drama. Boy, those oldtimers have some great travel stories.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Questions answered:
Jack
The nicest? Many have been very nice. Alan Ruck and Genie Francis were 2 of the nicest.
The meanest? Nobody was ever really mean. Some just seem a bit disinterested.
Odd stories? Buddy Hackett wore knit purple gloves at a show. That was a little strange.
Joey
There are all sorts of websites out there which list autograph conventions. One which lists book signings and some conventions is www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/8944/
Zak
Renko would probably make about $1500 (including meals, flight & hotel)
About 150 people were there to see Renko and Martz
About the book/special section
Interesting idea, but that is for our Publisher and/or Editor to decide. Feel free to contact them and plead your case (having a few advertisers lined up to sponsor it wouldn’t hurt either).
February 29th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I am a Beatles fan. I have a collection of signed photos from anyone Beatles related. I have actors from their movies, musicians from their albums, wives, relatives, and on and on. I have about 250 signed photos. This is where the really minor star fits in. If you’re an actor and you are in the right movie (no matter how small the role), you will be in demand. PJ Soles was in Halloween, so anyone collecting Halloween stuff or even horror would want her.
February 29th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I can understand collecting something specific like Beatles stuff, but I don’t understand the people who just get everyone, unless they are getting them to sell. If I was a celebrity I would personalize the pictures to prevent reselling.
February 29th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
I have a big “Rocky” collection. I am only missing a few small role actors. The first star I ever met was Burt Young aka Paulie.
March 1st, 2008 at 6:17 am
I can understand wanting to meet some of the stars, but I never understood getting autographs.
March 1st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
This is big business now. Some fans would want a guy like Renko on every bb card he has (that would be about 20). Some would want differently signed balls honoring various achievements in his career. The hardcore autohounds are very particular and they have lots of cash to spend.
March 1st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Erin Moran is such a cutie. I’d love to meet her. I met her brother Tony, who was in Halloween.