That Signature May Be a Fake

At least half and possibly 90% of the celebrity and sports collectibles sold in the United States are fake, federal authorities say.

An investigation has resulted in charges against 25 people and the seizure of thousands of items with forged autographs, including a baseball supposedly signed by Mother Teresa.

“This is by far the largest memorabilia fraud investigation in the FBI’s history,” special agent William Gore said Wednesday as authorities put the confiscated goods on display in San Diego.

Authorities estimate the total U.S. market for autographed memorabilia at about $1 billion. Fake merchandise is sold over the Internet and through national catalogs, but also through retailers across the country.

*

The struggling Tampa Bay Devil Rays fired pitching coach Rick Williams and replaced him with Bill Fischer. The Devil Rays (2-7) had given up 50 runs in their last four games before Wednesday night’s 7-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox. . . . The San Diego Padres will take the field today against the Arizona Diamondbacks dressed in camouflage jerseys, white pants and green caps with a khaki interlocking SD. It’s the team’s way of saluting the huge concentration of sailors and troops at numerous Navy and Marine Corps bases throughout the county.