Header - Baseball by the Letters

Year: 2011

Ballhawk Author Zack Hample Shares Secrets

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Zack Hample snags more than baseballs. He caught up
with baseball commissioner Bud Selig (left) at an
after-party in Arizona’s Chase Field following
the 2011 All-Star Game.

(Photo Courtesy of Zack Hample)

I love the new book The Baseball by Zack Hample. Actually, it’s two great books in one. First, Hample creates a great history of the baseball, even reviewing TV episodes of shows like I Love Lucy or Sesame Street that include foul balls!

Then, for all you collectors, Hample shares all his secrets in how he’s amassed more than 5,000 baseballs. His book is a textbook for frustrated fans who’ve never snagged a souvenir. These aren’t just dogpile prizes of homers or foul balls in the author’s collection, however. Hample has perfected the psychology of baseball. If you’re on the field, this guy knows how to win you over. You will give this ballhawk a baseball.

Hample’s optimism and love of the game are beyond compare. His thoughtful game plan should inspire any fan or collector. I’m grateful that he put down his glove to answer some questions.

Q: All those baseballs. How many autographs?

A: I have 1,076 autographs on ticket stubs plus several hundred more on baseballs, cards, and photos. Most of the balls that I’ve gotten signed were NOT balls that I snagged at major league games. I’ve never really wanted to get those signed. Even at a young age, I felt that the balls should stay in their original condition and not be written on. I’ve broken my own rule by labeling some of my baseballs, but I write small and very neatly, so you almost can’t see my scribbles if you look fast.

Q: Did you ever write to players?

A: In the early to mid-1990s, I probably sent 50 to 100 letters to players, asking for autographs. The only thing I ever sent was ticket stubs. That’s just been my thing. I don’t write to players any more, however. I just don’t have time, and anyway, I think it’s more fun and rewarding to get autographs in person.

Q: You talk with players all the time. Do they talk autographs with you?

A: I’ve never discussed fan mail with a player, but it seems like most guys would rather not have to sign or deal with fans at all. That’s really a shame considering that without the fans, these guys would be nobodies. I’ve been to lots of games where just one or two players will sign before the game starts. That number should be more like 10 or 20, in my opinion, but that’ll never happen — not at the major league level.

Q: How do you dazzle a player at the ballpark when seeking signatures?

When I’m getting autographs, I don’t try to show off my knowledge at all. In recent years, I’ve enjoyed making small talk with the players while they’re signing, but lots of guys don’t even want to do that. The funniest exchange I had during an in-person encounter was with Frank Thomas. It was 2008. He was playing for the A’s. We were on the left field side at Camden Yards, and when it appeared that he might take off before I got him, I said, “Frank, if I don’t get your autograph, I’m gonna cry.” His response was simple: “Please don’t.” But that’s all it took to crack the ice, and he reached for my ticket soon after. Thomas was one of my all-time favorite players when I was growing up, and this was the first time I’d ever been close enough to talk to him, so I truly would’ve been bummed had I not gotten him.

Q: Through your national TV appearances through the years, you aren’t a mere fan any more. How do you feel about signing autographs at games?

A:  I love being asked to sign stuff. More than anything, I see it as a compliment, not to mention a good excuse to talk to the person who’s asking. After having been on the asking end of autographs for so many years, it’s nice to be able to be on the giving end, and to make people happy in the process. The only time I won’t sign is if I’m inside a major league stadium and there’s a chance for me to catch a baseball at that moment — but if the person asking me to sign is willing to wait a few minutes, I’ll always find time. I don’t think I’ve ever turned down an autograph request, and no matter how famous I might possibly get, I don’t think I ever will.

Q: How are you about fan mail?

A: I’ve actually done a lousy job in the last couple weeks, but that’s not because I don’t care. It’s just because I’ve been *so* busy attending games and trying to keep up with writing the entries that I simply haven’t had time to spend an additional 10 or 20 or 30 minutes answering comments. But I still read all the comments, and I hope to catch up on answering them…someday. In terms of where to send stuff to me, the best place to receive mail is at my family’s book store. The website is http://www.argosybooks.com/, and the address is right there on the home page. Just throw a “c/o Zack Hample” in there, and it’ll get to me. I’d also ask that people be patient in waiting for a response. It shouldn’t ever take me months to respond, but depending on my work/travel schedule, it could take a few weeks. If people want their items personalized, they should include a note with as many details and requests as possible. I mean, I’ll sign books differently for a five-year-old than I would for a 55-year-old, you know? So it’s good to know something about the recipient.

Q: You deserve to be on a baseball card. Has that happened yet?

A: Thanks! But yes, I have been on a baseball card. In fact, I’ve been on two, and they’re very rare. My dad made the first one for me in March 1982 when I was four and a half years old, and when I went to baseball camp in 1988, I received 100 of these. I’ve probably given away a dozen of them over the years, but only to relatives, best friends, and girlfriends. It would take some serious work for some random person out there to end up with one, but hey, anything’s possible.

Q: Your blog “Snagging Baseballs” is amazing, as is your http://www.zackhample.com/ website. Will you have time to write more baseball books in the future?

A: I have no clue. I’m officially taking a break this year from any serious writing. Beyond that, I haven’t made any plans, but if I had to guess, I’d say I’ll end up writing more books in the not-terribly-distant future.

Q: Any words of inspiration for autograph collectors?

A: You have to be dedicated if you want to amass a spectacular collection, not just with autographs, but with anything.

Pitcher Dooley Womack Helps Set Houston Team Mark; OTHER Teammates Rewarded

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Still smiling, more
than 40 years later!

I knew Dooley Womack first from his 1969 Topps card. I knew him as an Astro.

In my letter, I confessed to Womack that I believed he was meant to play for a Texas team, having a cowboy-like name.

One of Womack’s best games in Houston was an eight-strikeout affair on April 24, 1969. Thanks to http://www.retrosheet.org/, here’s the details!

Even better, Womack supplied some color commentary of those Texas times, writing:

“The eight strikeouts against the Padres: my curveball was working great, [Padres struck out] mostly swinging. Managers do their thing about managing the game.


Also something not known: at Houston, Sunday afternoon game against the Giants. I went in for Denny LeMaster. Runners on, one run in.


I threw a double play, inning over. In the next innings, I threw 3 more double plays. Fred Gladding came in and 3 more double plays, for a total of seven double plays. A record.


Our manager Harry ‘The Hat’ Walker gave gold watches to all the infielders and catcher, with all 7’s on the face; Fred and I got nothing. But we have the memories.


Thanks,
Dooley Womack”

Coming Friday: Meet veteran ballhawk Zack Hample, author of The Baseball.

‘Feel The History’ — Pitcher Dooley Womack Relives His Arrival In Yankee Stadium

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His “D” still breaks
like a sharp curveball!

Pitcher Dooley Womack is like a superhero. Different name, different person.

For elementary-schooler me, I thought the name sounded like a movie star cowboy. When I found out he pitched for a team in Texas, it made even more sense.

I asked the hurler how he went from his birth name to DOOLEY. He replied:

“Horace Guy Womack is my given name. ‘Dooley’ is a nickname. When I reported to spring training in 1966, the reporters wanted to know which name I wanted to be called. I told them, ‘Dooley.’ I told them that Horace was a guy in a three-piece suite, dark horn-rimmed glasses, briefcase and umbrella. I’ve articles written about my name. In school I was Horace. In sports, I was Dooley.”

How did that spring training turn out, by the way? Womack added:

“When we left spring training, headed to New York, I was happy to have made the team after eight years in the minors. When we arrived at Yankee Stadium, instead of going in the clubhouse, I turned right, down the long tunnel to the dugout. I stood on the top stair and said, ‘I finally made it to the House That Ruth Built,’ whether it be for 30 days or longer.


The stadium was old, but you could feel the History.


Mantle’s 500th homer won the game for me. I pitched 3-1/3 innings in relief. Back then, we went as far as we could. I started the last triple play in the old stadium — Womack to Cox to Mantle. It lasted for 42 years, until last year in Oakland.”

Our friends at Baseball Almanac.com share this box score!

Coming Thursday: The record Womack helped set in Houston, along with the prize he did NOT receive.

Kansas City Royals Collector Dave O’Brien Knows Personal Letters Make A Difference

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A classy card and autograph
from Topps in 1999.

One of the many benefits of membership to http://www.sportscollectors.net/ isn’t just in the abundance of information of hobby information. One of the perks of SCN for me is getting to find like-minded collectors.

The past week, I discovered Dave O’Brien posting a question on the SCN member forum. “Letter Ever Make A Difference to An Athlete?” was his question. A dozen responses and more than 600 readers later, his question still rings true for me.

A personalized signature is one clue. The signer had to check your name on the envelope or letter. However, a note that refers to your comments, even thanks for you sending them? A sign that a current or former player cares what a fan thinks? Amazing! That’s the priceless value of baseball correspondence.

I wanted to know more about Dave, his hobby background and collecting philosophy. I’m grateful for his fast, thoughtful response. His all-star attitude is worth checking out:

Q: Tell us about your start collecting autographs? What’s your current specialties?

A: I have been collecting autographed baseball cards since the age of 14. I started in person going to Omaha Royals games at Rosenblatt Stadium around 1994, and would wait for an hour after the game where the players walked out to get cards signed. Around this same time, I heard of this address book from R.J. “Jack” Smalling that would allow me to write to players at home, and boy oh boy, was I hooked! I’d also drive down to Kansas City and stay after for Royals games 2-3 times a year waiting for autographs. I would say back then, it was 80% mail, 20% in person, just because I lived in neither Omaha or Kansas City, and the Royals were pretty much (and still are) my only interest.

I definitely specialize in Royals, especially minor leaguers, which we will talk about later.

Nowadays, I’d say I’m still at about 80% versus 20%, mail to in person. I’m 30 years old and feel a bit odd waiting for autographs very often. I will do it 2-3 times a year here in KC and 2-3 times in Omaha and Northwest Arkansas, and Spring Training. Since I only collect Royals, I can get AA, AAA and MLB covered IP simply from those amounts of visits. I like to have 3-5 autographs of each player, but don’t need more than that. I also don’t sell them, outside of the time I purchased my first house and needed a little extra for a down payment.

Q: Some collectors might ask, “Why do minor leaguers matter?” I think they have even greater tales, such as Cliff Pastornicky, the fine 3rd baseman trapped in AAA behind George Brett. Your thoughts?

A: I’m proud of you for mentioning Cliff Pastornicky. His son, Tyler, is in the 2011 Topps Pro Debut set. Cliff was a scout for the Royals and did you know, he was responsible for finding and signing Billy Butler and Zack Greinke? He was also a VERY difficult autograph for me to get for awhile, then all of a sudden he became easy. Nice guy.

But anyway, why do minor leaguers matter? They don’t, outside of the Royals. But I follow the entire Royals organization, and the way its built, is we have to grow our own players. So the hope is, approximately 15-20% of these guys might make the Big Leagues someday, and I like to have ALL of their minor league team set cards signed. I really don’t collect sets like Pro Debut or Just or such – rather, I like the team set cards. They don’t have gloss, don’t require prep, are all the same (the whole teams cards), and look AWESOME together in an album. Most of these guys will never make it and will disappear out of memory 2-4 years after they’re gone, but I imagine myself someday sitting in my sports room when I’m 75 and looking at all of these old minor leaguers and just being in awe. “Yes, I remember him, wow.” And maybe even googling them and seeing whatever happened to them.

For an organization to be a winner, it requires EVERY player and affiliate in the organization to work hard, play together and “buy in.” I believe every minor leaguer should be treated equally and are all important. I enjoy getting those cards signed WAY MORE than the Big League cards.

Q: Here’s another skeptical question. Someone might ask, “Won’t form letters work?”

A: Form letters are tacky and the players can see right through them, especially the guys I’m writing to, who mainly get 1-100 letters a year, tops. I’d say 90% of players I send to in the minor leagues – I’m the only guy who writes to them all year. They get asked plenty of times IP, but not through the mail. I can’t tell you how many letters I’ve gotten in return from minor leaguers who appreciate my time and attention. I try to mention stats, where they went to college, grew up, welcome them, etc. I want them to know they are a huge part of the organization I love so much.

Q: Can you recall Royals who’ve shown they appreciated your personalized letter?

A: Man, I can’t even begin to name all the guys I’ve gotten great letters from. A TON. All Royals, pretty much. As I mentioned above, writing a passionate, detailed and “true” letter stands out, and they appreciate it.

Here are some guys who have written back extremely kind letters and some of which I’ve heard from multiple times. All are former Big League or Minor League Royals:

Chris George, Kris Wilson, Brad Voyles, Gary Martz, Mike Loggins, Danny Garcia, Crawford Simmons, Ed Lucas, Brian Johnson, etc, etc. I could go on for 20 minutes.

Thanks for having me and I hope all collectors will start trying a bit harder to write passionate and detailed letters. It is healthy not only for our hobby, but will make checking the mailbox everyday WAY more fun.

Coming Wednesday: Pitcher Dooley Womack describes his alter ego.

Enjoying A Letter From Grateful Johnny Grubb

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Expect the same tight,
neat handwriting today!

Outfielder and designated hitter Johnny Grubb enjoyed a 16-year career in the majors.

Was it his hitting or fielding that gave him enduring value to teams?

Or, was it his humility and gratitude?

His letter proves that he appreciated every opportunity. Likewise, I think that attitude guaranteed that he made the most of every opportunity. Grubb began:

“Tom,

Thanks for your nice letter and love for the great game of baseball.

It was a wonderful experience to be part of the 1974 National League All-Star team…what a great group of people and players.”

Grubb flirted with history in 1979, posting a 21-game hitting streak. I asked for the most joyful, or dramatic, moments of the streak. He replied:

“I was aware of my batting streak, but winning games was top priority. My teammate, Jim Sundberg, had a 22-game streak that at one time was the Rangers record.”

Lastly, I had to ask about being part of the 1984 Detroit Tigers World Championship. What did Grubb learn from leader Sparky Anderson?

“Sparky Anderson was a very special person. he was a great motivator and knew the game as well as anyone. He was a great person to learn from, whether it was baseball or life in general. I was fortunate to have Sparky as a manager.”

I loved this Grubb profile. I hope you do, too. Another hit feature from Todd Newville of http://www.baseballtoddsdugout.com/.

Coming Tuesday: Kansas City Royals collector Dave O’Brien tells why personal letters matter.