Kaline is a willing signer in person and thru the mail. The same comments about your Niekro failure apply here. Past performance (signing for free,etc.) does not guarantee that he will in the future. I personally have gotten him for free in person, however I would send him the
$10 to insure that any item I sent would be signed. Remember that you are asking him to take the time to answer your request and that he has set the terms for obtaining his autograph to be $10.
Now, if you would like a reality check go to this website and see,what some of these guys who sign for $20 or less....Kaline, Fingers, Niekro, Irvin, Perry and Bob Lilly sign for at a show. Case in point with Jim Bunning and Whitey Herzog who sign for free.
http://www.signinghotline.com/Yes, I understand that $10 + $15 + $10 + $10 + $20 + $5 + Free + Free = $70 vs. Kaline $69 + Fingers $25+ Niekro not signing + Monte Irvin not signing + Perry $30 + Bob Lilly (?) + Bunning $50 + Herzog $49. So my point is that the fee he charges thru the mail is small compared to what they ask at a show in most cases. You also don't have to stand in line nor do you have to travel to the show they are at.
Yes I understand that an autograph should be free in a perfect world. Look at what todays players are asking and some will not be selected for the hall of fame or have a outstanding career. They want more than these formar players are asking through the mail.
Enough with the rant.