Legends gather at Tropicana

Tim Graham

Thursday, May 8, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

No matter how legendary they were, the greats of yesteryear earned pennies compared to the most marginal of today's athletes. They were pioneers of their respective sports, but were paid like paupers.

Unable to cash in during their primes, the stars of the past do what they can to capitalize on the big-money sports industry they helped create. Many find the lucrative memorabilia market a boon in obtaining what they feel they deserved, signing autographs and authorizing special items for sale to their fans.

Not Rick Barry. The basketball hall of famer is a rare breed compared to his contemporaries. He refuses to charge a cent to anyone asking for his autograph.

"If it weren't for fans, I never would have enjoyed the life I had," Barry said. "Not everyone gets a chance to work in a profession where someone wants an autograph as a souvenir. Athletes are very, very fortunate, and I wish many more would appreciate that fact."

Barry will be one of nearly 60 hall of famers appearing at the Living Legends of Sports Weekend Friday through Sunday at the Tropicana. Muhammad Ali headlines the event, which also includes all-time greats Ernie Banks, Duke Snider, Jim Brown, Dick Butkus, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Bobby Hull and Mike Bossy.

"I only do a few of these shows a year, but this is the most impressive list I've ever seen, no question," Barry said. "These are the top people in all of sports, the greatest people who participated in their respective professions."

The autographs range from $10-30 for flat items (cards, photos, publications) and as high as $95 for balls and jerseys. Ali items cost $99. Rates are discounted for those who buy multiple signatures.

Barry's policy, however, is never to accept money for his autograph. He was upset to discover the event promoter, Houston-based Tri-Star Productions, was charging $15 for Barry's scrawl.

"It better be free," said Barry, who is being paid an appearance fee by Tri-Star and asserted the matter would be resolved by Friday. "Selling my name is not something I do. If people are willing to go ahead and buy (someone else's autograph), I don't blame the players. I just do what's right for me."

The most Barry made in one season was $500,000. Translate his 10-year NBA career stats (23.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game) into today's dollars, and Barry becomes a wealthy man.

"I really don't look at it that way," said Barry, who has three sons -- Jon, Brent and Drew -- with NBA experience. A fourth son, Scooter, played for the Las Vegas Silver Streaks of the defunct World Basketball League.

"Everybody that plays sports has it better than the guys who preceded them. (The money made today) is an extreme that's almost incomprehensible at times."

Barry is looking forward to fraternizing with the other legends in the lineup, most of whom he considers friends. His signing is Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

"It's fun to do it," Barry said. "It's work, but it's fun work. Sitting down and signing autographs for two hours nonstop is not my idea of a lot of fun, but if people are willing to step in line to see me at this stage of my life, it's an honor to give them my signature."

Times for the show are Friday from 3-9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily admission is $6 in advance, $8 at the door. A three-day pass costs $15.

The festivities kick off at 2 p.m. Friday at the All-Star Cafe, where several hall of famers will make a memorabilia presentation. The list includes baseball legends Brooks Robinson and George Kell, football greats Art Donovan, Deacon Jones and Herb Adderley and hockey heroes Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion and Gerry Cheevers.

The lineup

* FRIDAY: Brooks Robinson and Catfish Hunter (4-6 p.m.); Enos Slaughter and Marion Motley (4:30-6:30 p.m.); Deacon Jones and Y.A. Tittle (6-8 p.m.); Frank Mahovlich and Rick Barry (6:30-8:30 p.m.).

* SATURDAY: Willie Stargell, Rollie Fingers, Roosevelt Brown, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe and Gerry Cheevers (11 a.m.-1 p.m.); Nate "Tiny" Archibald, Bob Lilly, Mike Bossy and Fred Biletnikoff (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.); Muhammad Ali (noon-2 p.m.); Gaylord Perry, George Kell, David Thompson, Walt Bellamy and Pierre Pilote (1-3 p.m.); Stan Mikita, Steve Van Buren, Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch and Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion (1:30-3:30 p.m.); Ernie Banks, Monte Irvin, Dick Butkus, Ed Macauley and Dave DeBusschere (3-5 p.m.); Brad Park, Clyde Lovellette, Henri Richard and Art Donovan (3:30-5:30 p.m.)

* SUNDAY: Marcel Dionne and John Bower (10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.); Dolph Schayes and Fergie Jenkins (11 a.m.-1 p.m.); Bobby Doerr, Bill Sharman, Dick "Night Train" Lane and Don Maynard (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.); Muhammad Ali (noon-2 p.m.); Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Jerry Lucas and Alex Delvecchio (1-3 p.m.); Jim Brown, Jean Beliveau, Bobby Hull and Herb Adderley (1:30-3:30 p.m.); Duke Snider, Juan Marichal and Paul Hornung (3-5 p.m.); Nate Thurmond, Bernie Parent and Ted Lindsay (3:30-5:30 p.m.)