Header - Baseball by the Letters

Year: 2014

Manny Ramirez Update: Iowa Cubs Do The Right Thing

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I spotted this surprise in the Sunday Des Moines Register newspaper.

Someone still wants an autograph from the controversial one-time slugger.
Most of all, I was glad to see that the Iowa Cubs take fan mail seriously. In fact, the “special to the Register” photo credit hints that someone from the I-Cub front office might have provided the picture to the newspaper. I thought an impatient clubhouse man anxious to tidy up could RTS envelopes, simply because ManRam is not there (yet? still???) to claim the mail.
By the way, none of the envelopes are mine. How about you?

A Reminder From Pitcher Bob Welch

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Gone from a heart attack at age 57.

Reaching former players isn’t a game by the numbers.
Anyone. Any time. 
Assume nothing.
If someone’s on your wish list, contact him NOW.

Did Don Zimmer Sign Fan Mail?

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A smoking gun
regarding autographs?

Don Zimmer’s death at age 83 may give new life to some lingering hobby doubts.

In his book ZIM, Zimmer told about how he discovered his wife had ghost-written letters in reply to celebrities. He noted that she signed his name convincingly well. In a later book, he trotted out the standard line about autographs being big business.
From the wise hobbyists on www.sportscollectors.net, they deciphered that the only giveaway between an autograph between Zimmer or his wife “Soot” was whether or not the “D” was closed — the case for the “Mrs.” signature. Her version was slightly more tidy.
For those of you sad that you never got a chance to write to Zimmer, know that your response may have been questionable.

Goodbye, Milwaukee Brave Jack Dittmer

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Iowa lost a part of baseball history in the death of 86-year-old Jack Dittmer this week.
I enjoyed the letter he shared in 2011. The super signer kept in touch with teammate Hank Aaron years after his retirement.
I liked the last line in the obituary to the Cedar Rapids Gazette that Dittmer’s family provided. I hope you will, too.

Does’ CBS Sunday Morning’ Know Catcher Ken Retzer?

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I’m a fan of “On the Road With Steve Hartman.” 

On the most recent CBS SUNDAY MORNING, he profiled a retired salesman with a hobby of phoning people on their birthday every year, just to wish them well. He doesn’t know many of them personally. Nevertheless, if he finds out when someone’s birthday is, he jots it down. BRIIING!
I remembered catcher Ken Retzer, looking up my phone number from my return address label in 2010. I don’t think I sent him the greatest letter in history. However, he’s a fellow fan. No sales pitch. Just someone who was part of baseball history willing to share. He was someone grateful that someone still cared about the era he played in.
How many collectors and fans have gotten the same greeting? It’s time for Steve Hartman to head to Las Vegas to catch Retzer in action. Maybe Ken will give the reporter a call?!?