Header - Baseball by the Letters

Year: 2010

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?

Norm Cash for Minnie Minoso? White Sox Drop the Ball on Pitcher Jake Striker

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Cleveland Indians general manager Frank Lane loved a deal. Any deal. He’d swap players like kids trading baseball cards.

On Dec. 6, 1959, he pulled off a seven-player deal with the Chicago White Sox. Pitcher Jake Striker helped sweeten the deal for Chicago. Striker shared his memories of that transaction in a thoughtful letter:

“As for the big trade, I was disappointed for two reasons. First, I was going to a pennant-winning team, which is hard to crack the roster. Second, Cleveland was short on left-handers, so I felt very confident about the 1960 season. However, with “Trader Lane,” nothing stayed the same very long.

Back then, and still about the same, you first read about it (the trade) in the paper, then you are notified by mail.

I do think I should have been given a better opportunity to make the White Sox. But that’s part of the game.

I enjoyed my career in baseball very much. I played from 1952 through 1962, with two years out for military service.

You get to see and do a lot of things that most people dream about. We had some long bus rides in the early years, but travel improved as you moved up the ladder. You meet a lot of people outside baseball. You get to play with and against some of the great players of the game.”


Two relief outings. Just two. Eager to repeat as A.L. champions, the White Sox abandoned Striker. His upbeat attitude over the team’s impatience shows that his winning record stretches beyond that sole major league victory.

Jake Striker’s Cleveland Dream Came True!

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Jake Striker was meant to pitch in the major leagues.

Either the majors, or starring in a Zane Grey western. Gotta love the name!

Striker the minor leaguer remembers the news of the promotion. The opportunity allowed him to chase just one modest dream. He wrote:

“I was playing in San Diego and was told by my manager that I was being called up to Cleveland when our season ended. I cannot say I was overly surprised, as I had a very good 1958 and a decent year in ’59. Still, it was a great feeling to be called up, hoping that I would have the opportunity to pitch in Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

That was my childhood dream, to pitch in Cleveland, as I only lived 90 miles southwest of Cleveland.”


It happened. At home, at THE PLACE, in front of family members who could share the dream: Striker’s first (and only) victory in the bigs.

These days, umpires call time and fetch the historic baseball from a player’s “first” anything. A coach can be seen in the dugout inscribing the ball with the feat. Instant souvenir! No such luck for Striker, who wrote:

“No, I did not get the game-winning ball. If I had gone the complete game, I am sure I would have had the ball. I do have a team-signed ball from the 1959 team.

I celebrated my win with my wife and parents and two brothers.”

Tomorrow: Baseball’s trading deadline just passed. Striker shares what it feels like to be shipped off as part of a blockbuster deal

(Every day, discovering baseball’s buried treasures, I’m astounded at http://www.retrosheet.org/. Thanks, guys!)

Did the Tigers Ignore Milt & Frank Bolling?

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Milt Bolling exists! With a working address confirmed in a July 26 blog post featuring Baseball Address List compiler and hobby hero Harvey Meiselman, I received a fast, small reply from the former infielder this week.

Small in two ways. First, Bolling offered Dragnet-like Sgt. Joe Friday (“Just the facts, ma’am!”) replies to my questions. Secondly, I was struck by Bolling’s TINY handwriting. His autograph would double as an eye exam.

Bolling’s second baseball career came as a Boston Red Sox scout from 1965-94. Did he have even one or two discoveries that he remembers most, that he’s proudest of?

“All my signees made me proud!!!”

Most importantly, I wanted to know about his relationship with his younger  brother Frank, a major league mainstay from 1954-66. Had they dared imagine having joint careers in pro ball someday?

“We never dreamed of it as kids.”

The sad part of Milt Bolling’s reply revolved around 1958. With Milt at short and Frank at second, they gave the Detroit Tigers only the third brotherly double play combination in baseball history — the first-ever in the American League! What recognition did the team provide?

“No ceremony. Not a big deal in the paper.”

Since the 1980s, team media relations departments have churned out pre-game notes. Imagine getting more than 20 pages of statistics, anniversaries and anecdotes to use, any way you want. After the game, the same PR staff passes out a game wrapup packet. Often, you’ll get just as many pages. Reporters could sleep (or eat and drink) through the game, never paying attention. The team does almost everything, minus putting your byline atop your story.

Additionally, teams make every game a made-for-television event. Near-perfect game pitcher Armando Galarraga gets to present the lineup card to controversial umpire Jim Joyce the next day. Galarraga receives a new car for his sportsmanship. Every second seems like a photo opp.

Baseball didn’t always celebrate every moment. Reporters were all about scores and stats. History escaped their attention. The Bolling brothers gave Detroit a moment in the spotlight. There’s still time for the team to thank them.

Did the Tigers Ignore Milt & Frank Bolling?

by

Milt Bolling exists! With a working address confirmed in a July 26 blog post featuring Baseball Address List compiler and hobby hero Harvey Meiselman, I received a fast, small reply from the former infielder this week.

Small in two ways. First, Bolling offered Dragnet-like Sgt. Joe Friday (“Just the facts, ma’am!”) replies to my questions. Secondly, I was struck by Bolling’s TINY handwriting. His autograph would double as an eye exam.

Bolling’s second baseball career came as a Boston Red Sox scout from 1965-94. Did he have even one or two discoveries that he remembers most, that he’s proudest of?

“All my signees made me proud!!!”

Most importantly, I wanted to know about his relationship with his younger  brother Frank, a major league mainstay from 1954-66. Had they dared imagine having joint careers in pro ball someday?

“We never dreamed of it as kids.”

The sad part of Milt Bolling’s reply revolved around 1958. With Milt at short and Frank at second, they gave the Detroit Tigers only the third brotherly double play combination in baseball history — the first-ever in the American League! What recognition did the team provide?

“No ceremony. Not a big deal in the paper.”

Since the 1980s, team media relations departments have churned out pre-game notes. Imagine getting more than 20 pages of statistics, anniversaries and anecdotes to use, any way you want. After the game, the same PR staff passes out a game wrapup packet. Often, you’ll get just as many pages. Reporters could sleep (or eat and drink) through the game, never paying attention. The team does almost everything, minus putting your byline atop your story.

Additionally, teams make every game a made-for-television event. Near-perfect game pitcher Armando Galarraga gets to present the lineup card to controversial umpire Jim Joyce the next day. Galarraga receives a new car for his sportsmanship. Every second seems like a photo opp.

Baseball didn’t always celebrate every moment. Reporters were all about scores and stats. History escaped their attention. The Bolling brothers gave Detroit a moment in the spotlight. There’s still time for the team to thank them.