It seems like every few years — whether it is Orioles FanFest or now the Birdland Caravan — an odd issue arises that ticks off some fans who are planning to attend the organization’s winter celebration.
There has been outrage in the past over the way the organization handled its autograph sessions. There was an uproar in 2018 when Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop blew off the event, with Schoop’s offering no public excuse and Machado’s missing it because he wanted to be with his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, who was scheduled to give birth that weekend.
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And then there was the all-timer in 2012, when executive vice president Dan Duquette criticized star second baseman Brian Roberts for using a concussion as his reason to miss FanFest, with the executive saying, “I don’t really know any reason he can’t show up to sign autographs for 10-year-old kids.”
That statement hit the proverbial fan. And got Orioles fans stirred up.
So, it seems the timing is about right for the club to have another weird hiccup with its annual feel-good winter extravaganza. And this time it has to do with their budding superstar Adley Rutschman.
Truth is, this one is tiny, tiny potatoes when it comes to other Orioles issues. But here goes.
The club is holding its second Birdland Caravan this week — the first was in 2020 — starting Thursday and running through Sunday, with 14 stops/events in various locations. I like the idea of the players and organization members going to fans all around Maryland and into Central Pennsylvania. But there is a cost to attend at some of these stops, such as for autograph sessions, bowling and Topgolf, and, therefore, some fans pine for the lower-cost, single-day FanFest event.
I get that.
And I also get that $50 for autograph session tickets — for two players’ signatures and photos — seems a little pricy. It’s way more than I would pay, for sure.
I’m not a collector, though. Or a fan. And this is why I don’t really share in the outrage that bombarded me on social media Tuesday afternoon.
That’s when the Orioles let fans know that Rutschman, who was supposed to sign autographs at the caravan’s stop Saturday in Bowie, will not be doing so. Instead, those who bought tickets will receive a pre-signed picture of the young catcher and have time to take a photo with him. But fans will not be able to bring in an individualized item for Rutschman to sign. Infielder Terrin Vavra is also part of the same session, and he will sign one individualized item for each fan with a ticket.
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The Orioles are offering refunds for the sold-out session in Bowie, so long as the request is made by 5 p.m. Wednesday.
If you bought tickets for Adley Rutschman appearance Sat in Bowie you won’t get personal items signed. Only pre-signed picture cards provided by O’s. He’ll pose for pictures. Adley has a memorabilia contract that doesn’t include these events. But he got permission for cards Sat. pic.twitter.com/MDi11TEBLv
— Dan Connolly (@danconnolly2016) January 31, 2023
The club didn’t give any specific reason for the change with Rutschman except citing “various circumstances.”
The Orioles and Rutschman’s representation had no comment on the situation Tuesday.
But here is the deal: Rutschman has an exclusive memorabilia contract with Fanatics Inc., a licensed sportswear and sports memorabilia dealer. What that means is the company owns the rights to sell his autographed merchandise. A Fanatics Inc. representative could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.
A prolific autograph-signer since he was in college, Rutschman often gives autographs before games on his way to the bullpen to warm up the night’s pitcher. Sometimes he signs after games. He can sign for whomever he wants. It’s the sale of those items that is exclusive to Fanatics.
And since the Orioles were charging for the autograph sessions, that’s where the problem comes in. Bound by contract, Rutschman is not supposed to sign items of sale not approved or licensed by Fanatics at established events. Ballparks are different.
Why the Orioles didn’t know this ahead of time, why they didn’t check with Rutschman to make sure he was available to sign autographs at the Birdland Caravan, we don’t know. This isn’t an unusual contract for top-level athletes these days. So, I’d imagine the oversight won’t be made with any of the team’s players going forward.
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Regardless, the sides found a compromise. Rutschman received approval to give out the pre-signed cards. And there is no conflict, under his Fanatics contract, to meet with fans and have photos taken. So, he’ll do that.
To me, that works. A picture with Rutschman seems like a better keepsake than a signed ball or signed jersey. But I’m not a collector. And I certainly am not someone who collects these items and then sells them. My guess is a chunk of the outrage here comes from that contingent.
But I’m sure it is galling for people who bought Birdland Caravan tickets — or even things to be autographed, like bats or jerseys — to learn a few days before the event that Rutschman isn’t signing individual items.
The frustration for fans is this snag was seemingly easily avoidable with a phone call or email. That’s the rub. Because it also seems like this agreed-to resolution should be good enough.
(Photo: Tony Quinn / Sipa via Associated Press)
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