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| I found this gem at www.zazzle.com
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A prediction:
Those “My Mom Threw Out My Baseball Cards” T-shirts may be a thing of the past.
Try “Kobe Bryant’s Mom Threw Out My Collection.”
True. Imagine a parent or spouse growling, “Pick up these autographs, or I’m having Kobe Bryant’s mom call the auction house!”
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| Rescued from the reach of Hurricane Sandy, this labor of love is going to THE SHOW! |
“Start Spreading the News!!! The Yankees called and asked Brother Beans to bring his stadium to Yankee Stadium. We did it!!! We want to thank everyone for all of your help and support. We will be at Yankee Stadium on May 14th. If you want to come with us please let us know. We are renting a bus and having tee shirts made. thank you for writing the great article to help get us on our way.”
For those of you who just tuned in…
In December, this blog reported on 86-year-old Bill Becker, wanting to share his matchstick-made model of Yankee Stadium with fellow Yankees fans.
What does this have to do with writing letters and collecting autographs?
Plenty! Dreams still come true.
Don’t ask WHY.
Try “Why not?”
Trying is the secret.
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| I found this superb specimen on www.Baseball-Almanac.com. Check out Lesley’s page and others for some fine tributes and great signed artifacts. |
These are the infrequent wake-up calls all TTMers must heed.
Brad Lesley and Rick Camp have died. Respective ages: 54 and 60.
Lesley, a first-round draft pick for the Reds once upon a time, made it into only three card sets I know. Plus, he lived in Japan for 10 years. Two reasons to be overlooked by many collectors.
The esteemed www.sportscollectors.net had just 17 recorded TTM requests for Lesley, with 10 succeeding. The SCN count for Camp was 62 of 93.
Note that Camp had a two-year stretch of never responding, due to time in federal prison.
This message can never be repeated enough. Write to the guys you want to contact NOW. Age won’t help you determine how long you have to seek a signature, or how long they will (or won’t have) to respond.
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| If there’s a sure thing TTM, it’s this fine righty! |
Pitcher Bobby Locke doesn’t disappoint.
He’s a fast, dependable signer. According to www.sportscollectors.net, most replies come in 2 weeks or less. And, how many retirees send thank-you notes when you enclose an extra of a custom or a duplicate Topps card?
Locke homered in his 1959 debut against the Red Sox. Imagine the visiting team’s pitcher, in his first ever game, smashing one over the Green Monster!
That nugget and more came from a tribute to Locke, honored for his high school sports stardom.
For me, I wanted to know most about 1964. He spent part of that season with the ill-fated Phillies, the can’t-miss team who did.
How did the pennant escape the Phils?
“Manager did not use the pitchers as he should have,” Locke wrote. “Some pitched with two days rest.”
The former hurler closed with “Tom! Wishing You My Very Best.”
Back at you, Mr. Locke. I’m sure he’d do the same for you.
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| Once upon a time, Dykstra, and most Mets, signed for super-collector Lee Harmon! |
The always amazing Harvey Meiselman, our hobby’s star address list compiler, sent an update to his list purchasers of Len Dykstra’s new mailing address.
The former Met and Phillie known as “Nails” is now an inmate at a California prison.
I understand how set collectors collect. I understand about goals. A team collector may want EVERYONE’S signature.
But, does personal admiration have anything to do with a collection?
I don’t have an easy formula or litmus test. I’m unsure how to answer this question.
I’ve sought some other thoughts on the subject. I found this great 2012 essay from Matt Raymond at Autograph University.
I’ve never written to someone in prison. I did discover great discussions on www.sportscollectors.net.
Different institutions have different rules. Most are strict about not allowing SASEs, cards or Sharpies to be mailed, let alone money. Prison websites should outline policies about writing to inmates.
Readers: Are any current or former players not collectible because of their pasts?