Header - Baseball by the Letters

Year: 2015

Tipping our caps to Billy Sample

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Sample2BillyCommon question from collectors: 

“He answered my letter. He was great. I don’t like sending thank-you notes, though. I thank them in the letter. Is there something I could do?”

Yes. They support us as researchers and collectors. Support their projects.

Billy Sample rocks as an autograph signer. The awesome www.sportscollectors.net says he’s signed nearly 250 requests, a cool 91 percent.

I wrote about Mr. Sample in the past. He described his career, then told about a movie he wanted to make.

Mission accomplished!

Here’s his recent e-mail:

“There are four former major league baseball players in this college frat-like, strongly R-rated, satirical, baseball clubhouse comedy …http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013ZJ4FOO… … Reunion 108, through Amazon and/or through the movie’s IMDb page, can now be ordered for rent or purchase in standard definition in addition to the established DVD availability. We actually have HD-Blu-Ray capability, but this particular Amazon aggregator, didn’t offer that option. There is another one that does, but in all honesty, the movie was shot on the Red Camera and that was the best definition available, and is of exceptional quality …”

Check the movie out. Write him and tell him that you watched it and liked it.

That may not be a standing ovation, but it’s close.

Oriole Fred Valentine is a hobby all-star

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Want to learn more about a retired player? Check out the SABR Biography Project. Ted Leavengood crafted a fine profile of Valentine! See for yourself here:
Want to learn more about a retired player? Check out the SABR Biography Project. Ted Leavengood crafted a fine profile of Valentine! See for yourself here:

Fred Valentine is a stellar signer. A sparkling 95 percent, says the trusty www.sportscollectors.net.

More than that,  he’s part of the 1960s. (I was, too.)

Here’s some swell memories he shared back in 2010. Enjoy!

Who knows you are writing to former players?

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ostenmuellerWe visited with an 86-year-old friend this morning.

When we mentioned visiting Quincy, Illinois, she lit up. “I attended the Quincy Beauty Academy years ago!”

She told about rooming with the family of Fred Ostermueller. “He played for the Pirates!”

His career stretched from 1934-48, with more than 100 major league wins. Born in Quincy, Fred died there in 1957. My friend’s story checks out.

Decades after his death, Ostermueller made headlines (unwanted ones) when the movie 42 was released. His offspring went national claiming that dad was misrepresented in the movie, and that he was nothing like that racist character who beaned Jackie in the head. In reality, the movie had several errors. Robinson was hit in the wrist. Bruce Markusen did lots of valiant journalistic digging, trying to find any surviving facts beneath the lore. 

So, what does this story have to do with collecting autographs or baseball research?

1. Friends, even relatives, won’t be able to help you if they don’t know what your goals are. “Do you know of any current or former major league baseball players?” Then, tell them why you want to know.

2. Success is out there, maybe closer than you ever imagined.

Sid Bream plays ball: when in doubt, ASK!

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I never got one of these autographed. Why? I thought the set looked like photos from a high school yearbook!
I never got one of these autographed. Why? I thought the set looked like photos from a high school yearbook!

I wanted to offer another look at the past post of my correspondence with Sid Bream. 

Too often, collectors puzzle over new policies retired players enact about fan mail. Instead of assuming the worst, just ask. You never know, unless you ask.

Another St. Louis Brown leaves life’s ballgame

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StLBrownsGoodbye to Bud Thomas, a one-month player for the 1951 St. Louis Browns.

Thomas, who died at age 86, was overlooked by collectors searching for players who appeared in major card sets or played on winning teams.

Sad. I missed him, too. The intrepid www.sportscollectors.net says that Thomas responded to 14 of 15 requests over the years, adding cards and photos as bonuses, along with answered questions and notes.

Our pal Nick Diunte gave Thomas a superb send-off with this feature…

There are good signers still out there, storytellers waiting for your letter. Don’t make them wait forever.