So, you come on ebay, you find an autograph you really like on it and you bid on it. Unfortunatly you don't win. Well don't worry. Theres a simple, easy and most importantly, a fun way to get that autograph for a fraction of the price.

The first thing you are going to need is 2 stamps. I would suggest that you get a book of ten. Next your going to need a large envelope. Next you are going to need a small envelope that can fit inside the larger one. Mead sells such envelopes for around 99 cents for a 100. The large are in the blue box and the smalls in the red.

The next step is to find a sports card, note card or other item that can fit in both of the envelopes. Now write a letter, IN HAND, on loose leaf paper to the athelete who's autograph you want. This athelete should either be playing currently on a pro team whos season is currently happening or should work for a team like John Paxson on the Bulls or Mark Grace for the DBacks. REMEMBER to address the player who you are writing to as Mr. (So an So) on both the letter and on the front of large envelope.

Your note to your player should follow this template. Dear Mr. (BLANK), I am a big fan of your career. I am glad you are on the (CURRENT TEAM). I know you will have an all star season. I have enclosed my favorite card (OR OTHER ITEM) and it would mean alot to me if you would sign it. I have also included a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) for you to mail it back. Thank you very much for your time and the card, (YOUR NAME).

Your note doesnt and shouldnt be long and should be personal and polite. Place your player note inside the large envelope with the player card. NEXT, get your small envelope and place a stamp in the corner. On this small envelope, write only your address on the front. Leave this envelope empty and unsealed and place it in the big envelope where the card and note should already be.

Finally, go to the front of the large envelope and write your name and address in the upper left (your left) corner and the stamp on the upper right. Your going to want to mail the whole package to that players current team stadium so it gets to him in the locker room. If you were writing to Derek Lee, it would go something like this.

Mr. Derek Lee
c/o Chicago Cubs
Wrigley Field
1060 W.Addison St.
Chicago, IL
60613

If you dont know where to find your favorite players current team stadium address, then go to Wikipedia. They have pages set up for most major stadiums past and present.

Just some tips here. Don't mail to the Yankees. The Yanks dont give their players their fan mail.You will waste your time and money. I know of no other teams who follow this trend. Also, don't start out with Barry Bond and Roger Clemens. While I have gotten some borderline Hall of Fame autos, these players don't usually sign and if they do, it usually takes almost a year to get your card returned. Start with a player who is a middle of the road pro. If you are a Mets fan, write to Steve Trachsel. Chances are almost 100% that you will get a nice autograph back.

This can be done with all major sports. I have had little luck with basketball though. I have gotten cards back from Steve Trachsel, Tony Womack, John Mabry, Chris Speier, John Paxson, Larry Kristkowiak, Cubs GM Jim Hendry, David Cone, Fred McGriff, Mickey Morandini, Eric Karros, Mark Grace, Jim Thome, Kerry Wood, and Kenny Lofton to name a few.



And finally, if your favorite player is retired then your not out of luck! Many former players either work as coaches in either the minor or major leagues or in broadcasting. They also might be scouts or have other positions with a major league club. Look them up on Wikipedia. If you live in Arizona and are a big Dbacks fan, you can mail a card to Bob Brenley who is an announcer for the Cubs.

Many people also sell books with former players addresses and whether they respond to autograph requests or not. If your favorite player is retired such an autograph can be optained through one of those books.

My final tip is to BE PATIENT! I have gotten cards back many months later. Some don't come back at all, I won't lie to you. Baseball players go on long road trips for weeks at a time. They get injured, traded, brought down, called up, and released. This COULD happen to your player. Don't send out a card that has alot of worth either sentimentally or monitarily. It may be gone forever.  Also, have fun. Once you get your first card back in the mail, you will want to mail out much more.