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Month: July 2010

‘The Angels, In Order’ — All-Star Effort Of Autograph Collecting Done Right!

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Nolan
Cowboy
Tom

Okay. Angels fans might not recognize that many personalities on a first-name basis. However, the blogmaster of The Angels, In Order is a role model for all autograph collectors.

This blog showcases autograph collecting done right.

Decide what NOT to collect.

That’s it. Some hobbyists sweat over setting goals. They try to get as many autographs as possible from EVERYONE. Often, hobby burnout is the result. Abandoned blogs and forgotten collections mark such a demise.

“Tom” makes it personal. Choose a team, era or card set and stick to it. Achieve one victory at a time.

He shows his collecting is meaningful by sending customized index cards. I’ve never seen the letter he mails, but I’m betting it’s not a boring form letter. Any retiree would be touched by his devotion to the Angels. I’ve seen great memories jotted down by Julio Navarro and Don Lee. I know Tom will be getting more of these priceless bonuses.

Sure, if a busload of lost Hall of Famers knock on your door asking for directions, get their autographs. Just try to keep a focus in the hobby. Better results and more fun are awaiting.

Tiger Larry ‘Bo” Osborne Dueled Carl Yastrzemski For (Another) Triple Crown in 1960

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Triple Crown winner Carl Yastrzemski nearly ruined another player’s Triple Crown chances in 1960.

Larry “Bo” Osborne bashed 190 home runs in his minor league career. However, with the Tigers and later the Senators, he couldn’t hold a full-time job.

The son of pitcher “Tiny” Osborne, “Bo” noted his epic minor league achievement as his career highlight, writing:

“Signed a football scholarship at Auburn University in January, 1953. Then signed a baseball contract with Detroit Tigers in May, forgoing college scholarship.

Started my baseball career at class A Montgomery, Ala. June, 1953. Class B Durham, N.C. 1954. Class A Augusta, Ga. 1955 and 1956. Started at class AA Birmingham, Ala. 1957. Called up to Detroit in June, 1957. Bill Tuttle CF on disabled list. Al Kaline took over in CF. I played RF. During my ML career, I played several positions. ‘Jack of all trades, master of none.’ First base was my primary position. Also played 3B, LF, RF and caught, all at the Major League level.

Winning Triple Crown in 1960 at Denver was the height of my career. Beat Carl Yastrzemski for batting title last two days of the season. He went 1 for 9. I went 5 for 7.

Best regards,
Larry ‘Bo’ Osborne”

Tiger Larry ‘Bo" Osborne Dueled Carl Yastrzemski For (Another) Triple Crown in 1960

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Triple Crown winner Carl Yastrzemski nearly ruined another player’s Triple Crown chances in 1960.

Larry “Bo” Osborne bashed 190 home runs in his minor league career. However, with the Tigers and later the Senators, he couldn’t hold a full-time job.

The son of pitcher “Tiny” Osborne, “Bo” noted his epic minor league achievement as his career highlight, writing:

“Signed a football scholarship at Auburn University in January, 1953. Then signed a baseball contract with Detroit Tigers in May, forgoing college scholarship.

Started my baseball career at class A Montgomery, Ala. June, 1953. Class B Durham, N.C. 1954. Class A Augusta, Ga. 1955 and 1956. Started at class AA Birmingham, Ala. 1957. Called up to Detroit in June, 1957. Bill Tuttle CF on disabled list. Al Kaline took over in CF. I played RF. During my ML career, I played several positions. ‘Jack of all trades, master of none.’ First base was my primary position. Also played 3B, LF, RF and caught, all at the Major League level.

Winning Triple Crown in 1960 at Denver was the height of my career. Beat Carl Yastrzemski for batting title last two days of the season. He went 1 for 9. I went 5 for 7.

Best regards,
Larry ‘Bo’ Osborne”

Joining the 1953 Detroit Tigers

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Third baseman John Baumgartner really existed.

No baseball card documented this fact.In fact, few photos of any form may exist of the seven-day big leaguer. However, the Alabama native lived a dream for one week with the 1953 Detroit Tigers.

How did he find out? Baumgartner wrote me:

“On the way north from spring training, I had a good night with one home run and one double. I did not have a Major League contract before that game. My contract was waiting at the hotel desk for me when I came in. I signed it and took it to the G.M. room. I didn’t even look to see how much I would be paid. It was my Major League contract, something I had wanted all my life and I was beyond happy!”


From the always-awesome http://www.retrosheet.org/, I found the rookie treated a hometown crowd to a three-hit day against the Cleveland Indians. He remembers it all, even laughing about some of the outcome.

“One of the hits was up against the left center field wall. I thought it was out but it hit the top of the fence and I was held to a single. Embarrassing!”


In his battle to win a job, Baumgartner didn’t forget to appreciate his surroundings.

“I thought Briggs Stadium was beautiful. Ted Williams hit one out of the stadium, over the fence, over the second deck and over the press box going around right field. The ball went over the road outside the stadium and through a window of the bldg. there. It was so marked when I was there.

“My career in baseball lasted six years. It was all I ever wanted it to be — to do — I loved it and had a wonderful time playing.”


Full of gratitude and free of regret. John Baumgartner and his all-star attitude offer autograph collectors a noble name worth collecting.

Braves Hurler Norm Roy Recalls 1951 Bowman

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Pitcher Norm Roy is an eyewitness to the waning days of the Boston Braves.

Although he worked 19 games for the 1950 club, Roy didn’t seem shocked when the Braves migrated to Milwaukee in 1953.I hoped that he could have had friends and family see him perform, being one of the closest things to a hometown hero that year’s Braves might have. He wrote:

“I was born in Newton, but lived in Waltham, Mass. In those days, the stands were never filled. Because of attendance, the Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953.”


Try to look up Roy, and you’ll see the names “Jumbo” or “Normie” attached to his career credentials.

“The manager of the Milwaukee Brewers (then AAA) Nick Cullop gave me the nickname because my feet were size 12-1/3 EEE. My mother called me ‘Normie’ when I was a child.”


(Only after Roy’s reply did I learn that manager Cullop was known as ‘Tomato Face’ when he was a player. Obviously, he believed in physical nicknames!)

Lastly, I had to know about appearing in the 1951 Bowman set. He replied:

“The picture for the card was taken at spring training in Bradenton, Florida. You were offered $100 or a ladies watch.


Being a 20 year old kid, I really didn’t grasp the situation.


Sincerely,
Norm Roy”