It all started a couple of years ago with Lester Hayes, the former Oakland-Los Angeles Raiders’ defensive back known for using Stick-um (and loads of it) to help intercept passes.
Joshua Morrow — best known as heartthrob Nick Newman of CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” — had Hayes sign a golf score card and, to this day, still has that souvenir, as well as many others.
In real-life, Morrow is an autograph-chasing 22-year-old determined to get every popular sports figure’s signature he can.
“It kind of encompasses my life,” Morrow said of his passion. “I have this vision of my Dream Room, with the big-screen TV and my sports memorabilia everywhere. That’s what drives me. I want my (future) son to see and appreciate the stuff I have . . . I always remember my dad talking about the athletes who he met or were important to him.”
You can bet Morrow will give his son and/or daughter trading cards, just like his dad did in the early 1980s. The elder Morrow owned a convenience store and gave Joshua his indoctrination to trading cards, in the form of a box of 1981 Donruss baseball cards.
“I still remember opening (that box),” Morrow said. “We had bunk beds and I would lay under the bottom bed, with my feet hanging out, and I would put (those ’81 Donruss cards) in numerical order. I don’t know why I did that . . . I didn’t know anything about (storage) boxes, plastic sheets or binders back then.” Morrow flaunts his collection with a peacock’s pride. He loves to show off his wares — and offer the tale of how, when and where he got every item signed.
“I started as a baseball card collector, with thousands and thousands of cards, and I still have those cards,” Morrow said. “Now, though, I’m really into autographs . . . Hey, I wanted to be a pro baseball player. Sports always made me tick. This is just an extension.”
Morrow once was competing in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s annual charity golf tournament, and hockey great Wayne Gretzky also was scheduled to play. So Morrow spent $90 for a hockey helmet to be signed by Gretzky. However, Gretzky was not there. Morrow’s caddy pointed out Gretzky’s house and, lo and behold, the hockey superstar was actually watching Morrow in action.
“I yelled to him to see if he would sign an autograph for me, and he agreed,” Morrow said.
“I ran about 50 yards to his house and all of a sudden Wayne says, `You are Nick Newman from “The Young and the Restless.” (my wife) Janet and I just got done watching you.’ “
Gretzky not only signed Morrow’s helmet, but also gave him a game-used, signed stick. Morrow said he is now friends with the couple, and he and Gretzky have played golf together. Morrow also has snagged Gretzky signatures on a few Sports Illustrated covers and a hockey puck..
And the Gretzky-signed stick? It leans against Morrow’s nearly seven foot display case of souvenirs, a case that is filled with baseballs, basketballs, footballs, hockey pucks and more.
“I honestly have to pinch myself almost daily. I always say, `I still can’t believe how charmed my life has become,’ ” Morrow said. “Meeting these guys, like Gretzky, is one thing . . . but really getting to know them is incredible. These guys are my heroes. I still can’t believe it . . . I get kind of choked up talking about it. Those guys are so cool.”
Guys like, oh, Michael Jordan.
Morrow’s prized collectible is a signed, framed Jordan poster. “It’s kind of freakish how huge it is. . . . I still remember buying (it) at a baseball card shop for $10.”
He had Jordan sign the souvenir at the basketball player’s annual golf tournament, which Morrow has competed in for the past couple of years. “Every time I see (Jordan), I will get two or three items (signed by him). He’s the sports icon of history to me.” Morrow’s signed Jordan collection includes baseballs, basketballs, jerseys and Sports Illustrated covers, among other goodies.
Morrow’s interest encompasses about every sport, including boxing. He once accompanied a friend to work at ESPN when the cable station was filming a segment on Evander Holyfield. Morrow watched the interview with the eyes of an 8-year-old , then asked Holyfield to sign a glove which he had brought along. “Evander told me he doesn’t usually sign gloves, but would make an exception. That was cool,” Morrow said.
Almost as cool as Morrow’s late-September appearance on Terry Bradshaw’s nationally syndicated talk show.
Morrow had Bradshaw sign some sports magazines and books. Bradshaw gave him a signed football and book. On the book, Bradshaw inscribed: “To Joshua, thank you for making me feel very important.”
“It’s funny, every time I travel, I’m always so worried about my luggage getting lost, because I always have sports memorabilia inside,” Morrow said.
“Every time I get an autograph, I feel like I’m taking home a little piece of that star. What drives me is the intrinsic value. Without bragging, I have enough money to buy the `valuable item.’ But, I don’t collect for (economic reasons). I just love it when people come into my house and say, `Wow . . . that’s cool and you got to meet so-and-so!’ “
