Header - Baseball by the Letters

Month: August 2010

Cleveland’s Jack Heidemann, Teen Shortstop

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While many teens are working on their first car (or first beer), Jack Heidemann set his sights higher. The 19-year-old went from first-round draft pick in 1967 to major leaguer at age 19. By age 20, he owned Cleveland’s starting shortstop position.

I was intrigued with his youth. Legal drinking ages. Older teammates who might see him more as a little brother than a peer. Would teammates include him in post-game socializing? Heidemann responded:

“My roomie was Eddie Leon, All-American shortstop out of Arizona. Cleveland put him at second base for me to become their shortstop.

Being the youngest on the team, I just hung out…sometimes I got to go…sometimes I was by myself.”

Part of Heidemann’s stellar 1970 season included a 5-for-5 game. What did he recall?

“5-5 for five-five — well, I went 0-4 2nd game of doubleheader. Yuh!!!”

Looking at his career stats, I pointed out that his nine career homers were nine more than I hit in Little League. Did he savor details on one or two memorable blasts?

“Blue Moon Odom…Knuckleballer Jack Samford. I probably would have to look up to see when/where I hit ’em.”

Thanks to the baseball braintrust at http://www.retrosheet.org/, I did. In order, the nine pitchers Heidemann blasted homers against included:

John Cumberland; Chuck Dobson; Dick Bosman; John “Blue Moon” Odom; Eddie Fisher, Jim Hannan, Ken Frailing, Rudy May; Bill Lee

By the way, Heidemann’s autograph still looks like the facsimile on his Topps cards!

Pirates Pitcher Ron Necciai Won’t Brag

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READ MY BOOK, PLEASE!

I received those sentiments from Negro League great Buck O’Neill and basketball star Bob Cousy in response to questions.

Ron Necciai, the man who pitched his way to baseball history in 1952, isn’t bragging about it. I was stunned when his letter didn’t mention the book he stars in: Rocket Ron

That was my biggest question. On May 13, 1952, he struck out 27 batters in an Appalachian League game. The problem? In the days before ESPN or the Internet, how could the world know quickly of such a feat? How fast could word spread? I’ve seen some tiny minor league attendances, too. Imagine setting a record for only a few hundred people! Necciai’s only comment:

“Sporting News and most papers did cover story.”

The majors called. However, control problems limited Necciai to just one win. The last-place Pirates didn’t help. I found a loss and a no-decision for Necciai against Cincinnati in September (thanks, http://www.retrosheet.org/), in what might have been his finest outing of his one-season stint in the bigs.

“No particular game stands out. Good and bad all the same.”

How sad…

Lastly, I asked about his health. He coped with stomach ulcers. A rotator cuff injury ended his career. Has he wondered if his fortune would have been different with today’s treatments?

“Medical care given me by Pirates and Branch Rickey Sr. was finest available.”

Necciai closed on an optimistic note:

“Baseball is a great way to make a living. I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Loved Cardinal Willie McGee? Scout Hal Smith Brought Him To St. Louis!

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Fans in the late 1950s seemed to have double vision. Wasn’t there a catcher named Hal Smith?

Which one?

Two names. One position. Hal R. Smith wrote a fun letter, acknowledging that he wasn’t alone in baseball.

“The first time I met the ‘other’ Hal, he was with Kansas City and we played them in a pre-season exhibition game. And would you believe — I was on third base and he picked me off! Of course, I got a little lecture from (manager) Fred Hutchinson for that little event.”

I asked about his three hits and six RBI versus the Giants on May 8, 1957. He told me of his fleeting fame:

“The thing I remember about that is this: I was invited to be on Frankie Frisch’s post-game show. I figured I’d get a gift of maybe $25 or a pen and pencil or even a pair of slacks, which was usually what they did back then. Well, I got a six pack of Brylcream. I am bald-headed so that really came in handy. I still have a ‘five’ pack left!!”

Smith worked for years as a Cardinals scout. His insight scouting the Yankees’ AAA team compelled the Cardinals to ask for Willie McGee in a trade. Smith remembered:

“When I saw Willie in Nashville, he really impressed me with his speed and his defensive ability and he was a switch-hitter. Whitey Herzog was manager at that time and I knew that Willie was his kind of player.”

To learn more about this storytelling catcher, including details on his book, check out his website. By the way, his book is titled The Barling Darling: Hal Smith in American Baseball

Wouldn’t you like to have a nickname based on your hometown, too?

Bill Renna Savors Red Sox Pinch-hit Fun

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“Big Bill” Renna is still smiling. Just read between the lines of his letter.

His love of the game kept him going, even when pinch-hitting work was all he could find. In 1958, he converted 15 hits into 18 RBI for the Red Sox. Imagine Renna’s joy as he recounts one success off the bench:

“Against Washington In Washington, I was put in to pinch-hit. the count was 3-0 — and I looked down at the third base coach. He gave me the hit sign. Pinky Higgins was our manager and he let me hit. I hit a home run on the next pitch!!!”


Even though his last game for Boston happened more than 50 years ago, Renna still savors every inning.

“I was very fortunate to be able to play pro ball. I wanted to be a ball player from the first time I was a kid!!! I feel bless that I was able to play — and play in the period of time that I did.

I think it was wonderful.”

So are you, Bill.

Seth Swirsky Baseball Correspondence Books Continue to Inspire Collectors, Fans

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Never give up. Collectors rejoiced in the 1990s with the publication of the first of three books featuring correspondence from current and former players. Swirsky took fan mail to a whole new level, showing that former players might be eager to provide more than an autograph.
Although the books seemed to be out of print, Seth is selling autographed copies of his books by mail. These books are musts for fans and collectors. Don’t assume he has an umlimited supply. The last book was published in 2003.

While the author/songwriter/filmmaker has moved on to non-baseball projects, his website maintains a wealth of baseball material that the author has collected. He presents many of the vintage letters from players on his site.

When I look through Seth’s dazzling trilogy of books, I’m reminded how everyone has a story to tell and share. Then, as I see so many amazing letters from now-deceased correspondents,, I hear the clock ticking. How much baseball history disappears weekly, simply because we aren’t writing and asking in time?