DR. WALLACE: I went to a Sports Memorabilia Show and saw several ex-major league baseball players signing autographs — for a fee. They charged $10 per autograph and this bothered me. Ballplayers make a lot of money. Even though older players were not paid quite as much as today's players, they didn't play for peanuts!

My brother thinks it's all right for ex-players to charge for autographs because it's a business deal and today's $10 autograph might be worth $1,000 someday. What do you think? — Mitch, San Diego, Calif.

MITCH: I believe strongly in the free enterprise system. If a player today can earn $15 million playing baseball, basketball or football, I'm all for it. If anyone is to be scolded for allowing players to "escalate off the chart," it's the owners, not the players.

However, it does bother me a bit to see an ex-athlete charge $10 for his signature, no matter how good he was, or is, but I guess his time is worth something. That "something" could amount to $600 per hour at the rate of one signature per minute. Not a bad wage!

GRANDMOTHER MEANT WELL

DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and my whole life is music. I'm a very good piano player and hope to be a concert pianist. Because I spend all of my spare time practicing and studying, I don't have time to date, even though I'd like to.

I have a grandmother who is a wonderful lady, but she also happens to be a busybody. Whenever she comes to visit, she always shows concern that I'm not dating. Last week I got a call from a guy who asked me out. I was shocked that a stranger would call me. When I asked how he got my telephone number, he said that Mrs. Smith (my grandmother) had given it to him and asked him to call me. This boy was 18 and the grandson of one of her friends.

Of course, I was polite, but I told him I didn't have the time to date. I am totally upset with my grandmother. I want to let her know I didn't appreciate it one bit that she gave my telephone number to a stranger. My mom says I should "consider the source" and keep quiet because, "After all, Grandma meant well and she was only trying to help."

Please give me your opinion. Should I keep my mouth closed, or should I nicely inform Grandma that her effort to fix me up with a date was not appreciated? — Upset, South Bend, Ind.

UPSET: Your grandmother had no business giving your telephone number to a boy and asking him to call you for a date. Maybe she means well, but there are limits of involvement even grandmothers must respect. She's jeopardizing her relationship with you.

She should be told nicely, but firmly, not to act as a dating service on your behalf. Your mom is the best person to tell her, but if she won't tell her, then you should. There is no need to express anger — she does, after all, mean well. Just be honest. Let her know that you'll get around to dating when you're good and ready.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.