Header - Baseball by the Letters

Year: 2011

Reds Hall of Fame Pitcher Jim O’Toole Reveals A New Story From Broadcaster Waite Hoyt

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Sad Topps didn’t include
facsimile autographs for
“rookie” cards in 1959.
O’Toole has a Willie
Stargell-ish quality to his…

I needed just a week for my pitch to pitcher Jim O’Toole to find its mark.

O’Toole debuted with Cincinnati in 1958, in plenty of time to experience the wonder of broadcaster Waite Hoyt. A Yankee Hall of Fame pitcher, Hoyt is treasured by just as many fans who knew him only as a classic storyteller. One fan told me he loved rain delays during Reds radio broadcasts, because Hoyt would share tales about his time with Babe Ruth and other legendary teammates.

What did O’Toole and Hoyt chat about? Pitching?

“My wife asked Waite to tell my five sons what was his best pitch. He said: ‘What are you doing tonight, honey!'”

Crosley Field was O’Toole’s “office.” I asked him what he remembered about the ballpark:

“You had to go through stands to get to the clubhouse. The terrace in outfield was unique.”

Lastly, I wanted a comparison of 1961 and 1963. The latter season marked O’Toole’s All-Star year, although his stats shined more in 1961. Likewise, he pitched his Reds to the World Series that season.

“61 — Was unique. Played where Babe Ruth played. 63 — started All-Star game ahead of Koufax.”

Other collectors have found that O’Toole has signed one autograph free. It may be best to check with him regarding his current policy. He closed his letter with:

“Jim O’Toole, Red’s Hall of Fame
$5 fee”

Write O’Toole at:

1010 Lanette Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45230

Tomorrow: Pitcher Howie Koplitz, a man of “delight.”

Twin Michael Cuddyer’s Best-Ever Autograph? The Best Memorabilia Has Memory!

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He may sign a lot more photos, but
he’ll never know how special
this one is!

Congrats to Dan Cote of the blog “Signed D.C.”. His Michael Cuddyer photo may be worth more than any autograph the Twin will ever sign.

Worth more to Dan, that is.

I love the story of why Dan wanted the autograph. Someday, I’m hoping Dan gets a personalized signature for his daughter. Someday, I’m hoping Mister C learns this whole great story.

I encourage Dan to keep the tale of Charlotte’s birth next to the photo. Together, they’re worth more than any price guide can calculate.

Think this is a good hobby? Try sharing it with someone else and watch that good turn into GREAT.

Lew Krausse’s Greatest Win Came Off the Field!

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Lew still has that
ornate “L” in his sig!

Same name.
Both pitchers.
Both Athletics.

Like father, like son.

The second Lew Krausse enjoyed a longer career than Dad. I asked if Lew’s father (who died in 1988) ever got to attend.

“Yes, he was at my first game and many more.”

Krausse bypassed an invitation to brag, when I asked for details on any of his six home runs.

“I think the first was the most memorable.”

With thanks to http://www.retrosheet.org/, I see that Krausse is referring to a blast off White Sox pitcher Jim O’Toole July 22, 1967.

Milwaukee fans remember Krausse as the team’s 1970 Opening Day pitcher. The Brewers had him back in 2010 for a 40th anniversary celebration. Memories of 1970?

“It was difficult being on an expansion team.”

I didn’t ask about his greatest achievement as a player, but Lew added this career reflection:

“It was a great experience. I met my wife on a flight.”

Tomorrow: Speaking of Jim O’Toole, enjoy the Reds Hall of Famer’s memory of announcer Waite Hoyt!

How Did I Get Pirate R.C. Stevens to Sign?

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Veteran Collectors and
One Kind Teammate Helped
Me Get This Once-Shy Signer
in the 1970s

My, how by-mail autograph collecting has changed in almost 40 years!

I wanted to share a short tale of how the hobby used to be. As a beginner, I asked questions. One collector named Gene Leggett seemed impressed that I wanted to write to retired players.

“Bob Oldis and R.C. Stevens were teammates on the 1960 Pirates. Look Oldis up in your Smalling address list. He’s kept in touch with Stevens, who’s retired in Iowa, too,” I seem to remember him saying. “Write a nice letter to Oldis. Ask for his help in getting a Stevens autograph. R.C. hasn’t answered fan mail at his address. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for each.”

Sure enough, it worked!

Oddly, Stevens became a decent, consistent signer in the last years before his 2010 death.

I was years ahead of other collectors.

I’ve never imposed on a retired player again. But I wrote a thank-you to Oldis.

I’m not telling this story to encourage hobbyists to try to take advantage of today’s retirees. The message I do want to share?

GIVE
then
RECEIVE

Before I asked other Iowa collectors who I should write to, I volunteered that I could tell them who had signed for me. With my tiny bit of collecting knowledge, I proved that I would share any autograph possibilities with others. The veteran collectors remembered that someone helped them get started once, too.

Pitcher David Nied Issues Wake-Up Call

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Fast reply,
no details…

In today’s mail, I found a partial reply from David Nied.

Yes, the first pick of Colorado’s expansion draft. While he added his #17 to his signature (on my letter) in this one-week turnaround, I did not get any questions answered.

That’s when I keep mulling over the eternal hobby question: typed or hand-written letters?

In my January post quoting hobby buddy Rich Hanson and his “thanks for making the effort to write me by hand” reply from 1960s pitcher Larry Miller, I’ve kept this choice fresh in my head.

Here’s one possibility: even though you can’t throw a 100 m.p.h. fastball or hit a 500-foot homer, you still might scare retired players with your power.

Your computer power!

Someone in their 70s might believe that you’re churning out hundreds of autograph request letters nightly. You’ve programmed your computer to act in evil-robot fashion and fool the recipient into thinking this is personal correspondence.

I had a pompous high school college prep English teacher. He warned, “A whiff of the Cliff and you’re dead!” Meaning: if he had any inkling that a student used the Cliff Notes synopsis to save time on a report, he’d issue an F.

I think a few retired players resemble my teacher. They’re seeking a reason NOT to reply. Other times, a spouse or family member might help sort the mail.

Is your letter different than all the others? I say, if it’s legible and personal, someone will want to read it — no matter what the format is. If you want to receive, first GIVE. If you have even one personal sentence about yourself and one more about that player or retiree, that may be the competitive difference you need.That’s why I haven’t abandoned typing.

I’m averaging only a letter of day mailed. I don’t want to do more. I’d rather spend the time researching each individual and writing the best, most personal letter possible.