Header - Baseball by the Letters

Month: November 2010

Why Did Senators Catcher Steve Korcheck Choose Baseball Over San Francisco 49ers?

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Same Artful Autograph!

College football star Steve “Hoss” Korcheck turned down the San Francisco 49ers for baseball. He wound up as a backup catcher for the 1950s Washington Senators. How did he choose his career? This mountain of a man offered a kind, thoughtful reply to my letter:

“I thought that I would have a longer career in baseball. Also looked at the long-term health of each sport, injury-wise and long-term effects.”

Remarkably, he remembers his days in baseball in relatively-painless terms, writing:

“Two collisions that stand out — one with Jackie Brandt of the Baltimore Orioles and one with Hank Bauer of the New York Yankees. Pretty much injury free — a few broken fingers.”

Korcheck, who praised the artistry of batterymates Jim Kaat, Pedro Ramos and Camilio Pascual during his tenure in D.C., reflected on his playing days and unique ties to this year’s post-season rosters.

“Enjoyed my time in baseball. Enjoyed the atmosphere and the many friends that I made. Roomed with Ed Yost, whom I am in contact. My best friend became Jim Lemon, who passed away a few years ago.


After baseball, went back to school and obtained my doctorate degree in education. Taught and coach baseball for many years. Coached Ron Washington, manager of Texas Rangers and Sam Perlozzo, 3rd base coach of the Phillies.


Finished my educational career serving as president of Manatee Community College (now State College of Florida) for 17 years (1980-97).


Good luck and God bless,


Steve Korcheck”

JUST “a few broken fingers?” That’s one huge optimist!

1956 Orioles Landed Minnesota All-Stater (And Some Kid Named Brooks Robinson?)

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Here’s a treasure from my archives, circa 2000. At the time, I began looking hard at all the Minnesota natives who had made the majors. Among that list was Gordie Sundin, a teen who savored the smallest cup of coffee with the 1956 Orioles. He wrote:

“Hi, Tom —

Thanks for your inquiry and interest. It’s hard to believe you found me.

I did grow up in Mpls. I was ALL STATE in football, basketball and baseball at Washburn HS. I signed with the Orioles right out of HS and was on the active roster when I was 17 yrs old (in 1955, I was born 10/10/37).

Brooks Robinson and I signed together and remain good friends.

My elbow went bad (nerve damage) my first season and I was operated on in Baltimore in 3/56. Again, my elbow went bad and I was cut on in 1959.

I had some great experiences and for awhile I threw well out in the coast league for Vancouver 1957-59. I was on the Orioles Active roster  in ’55 and all of ’56.

I married my H.S. sweetheart, the former Mary Ann Dorsey — who was on the ’56 Olympic and world figure skating teams. We were also married in ’56. Big Year.

God bless. Thanks for the inquiry.
Gordie”

Famous Jackie Robinson Collection Proves Baseball Letters Equal Baseball History

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Are you making baseball history?

Before you run to your autograph collection to judge the quality of signatures, consider what you’ve been writing to those signers. I believe YOUR letters are historic, too.

On an Internet search, I stumbled across a record of the Jackie Robinson papers archived at the Library of Congress. Robinson’s letters to, and from, baseball notables, are part of his lifetime collection of papers. However, one sentence jumped out from the LOC website:

“Fan mail from home and abroad offered Robinson support and encouragement in his efforts both on and off the field, while often providing a glimpse into the writer’s own struggle with racial intolerance.”

You might be collecting autographs. The baseball legend might be collecting YOUR letter. Years from now, historians might look at what you wrote to a famous baseball name, hoping to get idea of that star’s popularity and impact on society.

Think twice about what you say. Your letter may have a longer life than you do!

Mike Sadek’s Co-Stars: Why I Write This Blog

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Same Sig, Same SF Pride!
Better than any Halloween candy I received was this sweet treat: a blog comment from P. Goldman regarding the Sept. 20 Mike Sadek post. I wanted to share it here, too, with my gratitude:

Mike and I grew up in Park Forest, Illinois. Of course we played baseball all day, at least till the snow came. We probably had the best Pony league team of all time. Mike of course the catcher, his Dad the coach…boy did he know baseball. As an added plus Mike’s brother Bob, a great athlete, also coached the team.

We were surrounded by great players but none with skills that made Mike a major leaguer!!!

Too bad that the next year Mike’s Dad was transferred back to Minneapolis and we lost our #1 catcher. The only good thing that resulted…I became the #1 catcher!!! Mike and I reconnected in 1977 at Wrigley Field, what a treat after 10 yrs. no Internet then we got caught up. So glad for him that the Giants won the World Series…to everyone who has ever played the game…its the best…our pastime or whatever you want to call it…we love it!!!

Thanks to everyone who shares my vision, for baseball and this blog. I don’t believe baseball is just a game by the numbers. It’s a game by the letters. By the stories. By the people. For all the Mike Sadeks, for all the fans and friends, this is Hot Stove League season. I’m seeking your stories. Stay tuned!

A Grateful Goodbye To Sparky Anderson

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How many pre-Sparky autographs
did he sign?

The autograph collecting hobby has lost a superstar.

The late “Sparky” Anderson was more than a Hall of Famer. Until this summer of faltering health, he remained among the most patient of signers. Even then, his photocopied note of apology still contained a real “Sparky” signature.

The ever-amazing website http://www.sportscollectors.net/ noted a 96 percent success rate among TTM collectors. More than 2,000 successes were logged. Special requested inscriptions? No problem. It was obvious Sparky read and appreciated what fans wrote.

We don’t have forever to reach our baseball heroes. Appreciate them while you can. All it takes is one letter.