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Bob Schmidt

The answer to back-signed autographed cards?

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I heard from a reader this week asking about two retirees who autographed his cards unexpectedly.

One signed on the reverse. Another signed the penny sleeve-holder, instead of removing the card.
When writing to the elderly, don’t hesitate to use post-it notes or diagrams to help indicate how you’d like the item autographed.
In fact, I’ve wondered if anyone has ever explained about using baby powder to remove the gloss from a card. If a former player has suffered one skipping Sharpie or ink-bubbled autograph, they may never want to sign the front of an item again.
In the previous post, I wrote about Mrs. Bob Schmidt. Chances are, a wife may be helping to open mail. Make it easy on both of them.

Catcher Bob Schmidt’s greatest teammate ever?

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It’s been 50 years since he
was on a baseball card. One ailing
catcher isn’t ready to forget
fans yet.

I’d nominate Mrs. Schmidt.

Justin Evans at the popular Baseball Autographs Facebook group posted a questionnaire response from Schmidt’s wife.
Justin hadn’t gotten the word that Schmidt’s health lessened in 2013. 
A stroke and Parkinson’s disease make autographs impossible for Schmidt. However, despite not being able to sign, there’s no stopping his devotion to the game.
After all, this is someone who ranks at 101 replies in 106 collector attempts at the amazing www.sportscollectors.net website.
Five questions were answered, followed by the closing in a wife’s handwriting:
“We thank you for being a fan. Sincerely, Mary Ann Schmidt.”
When you get an autograph or a note back, remember that two people may be deserving of gratitude. A wife may be just as delighted as you with the idea of an autograph. Why?
Because she remains that retiree’s biggest fan.

Catcher Bob Schmidt’s Final Autograph?

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Years of service, to baseball
and the hobby. Thank you!

Thanks to Reds collector Ron Martin for sharing the news, via www.sportscollectors.net.

Former catcher Bob Schmidt, part of Cincinnati’s 1961 team, suffered a stroke and is unable to sign autographs.

Schmidt’s greatest statistic?

According to SCN, he signed 97 of 99 TTM requests.

Before everyone crosses him off their baseball address lists, I have one question:

When a retiree has to stop signing because of health matters, do any of you (who own his autograph) ever send a thank-you note? I’d think a note saying, “I kept your autograph all these years” would be quite meaningful.

Just a thought.