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Milt Bolling

Did the Tigers Ignore Milt & Frank Bolling?

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Milt Bolling exists! With a working address confirmed in a July 26 blog post featuring Baseball Address List compiler and hobby hero Harvey Meiselman, I received a fast, small reply from the former infielder this week.

Small in two ways. First, Bolling offered Dragnet-like Sgt. Joe Friday (“Just the facts, ma’am!”) replies to my questions. Secondly, I was struck by Bolling’s TINY handwriting. His autograph would double as an eye exam.

Bolling’s second baseball career came as a Boston Red Sox scout from 1965-94. Did he have even one or two discoveries that he remembers most, that he’s proudest of?

“All my signees made me proud!!!”

Most importantly, I wanted to know about his relationship with his younger  brother Frank, a major league mainstay from 1954-66. Had they dared imagine having joint careers in pro ball someday?

“We never dreamed of it as kids.”

The sad part of Milt Bolling’s reply revolved around 1958. With Milt at short and Frank at second, they gave the Detroit Tigers only the third brotherly double play combination in baseball history — the first-ever in the American League! What recognition did the team provide?

“No ceremony. Not a big deal in the paper.”

Since the 1980s, team media relations departments have churned out pre-game notes. Imagine getting more than 20 pages of statistics, anniversaries and anecdotes to use, any way you want. After the game, the same PR staff passes out a game wrapup packet. Often, you’ll get just as many pages. Reporters could sleep (or eat and drink) through the game, never paying attention. The team does almost everything, minus putting your byline atop your story.

Additionally, teams make every game a made-for-television event. Near-perfect game pitcher Armando Galarraga gets to present the lineup card to controversial umpire Jim Joyce the next day. Galarraga receives a new car for his sportsmanship. Every second seems like a photo opp.

Baseball didn’t always celebrate every moment. Reporters were all about scores and stats. History escaped their attention. The Bolling brothers gave Detroit a moment in the spotlight. There’s still time for the team to thank them.

Did the Tigers Ignore Milt & Frank Bolling?

by

Milt Bolling exists! With a working address confirmed in a July 26 blog post featuring Baseball Address List compiler and hobby hero Harvey Meiselman, I received a fast, small reply from the former infielder this week.

Small in two ways. First, Bolling offered Dragnet-like Sgt. Joe Friday (“Just the facts, ma’am!”) replies to my questions. Secondly, I was struck by Bolling’s TINY handwriting. His autograph would double as an eye exam.

Bolling’s second baseball career came as a Boston Red Sox scout from 1965-94. Did he have even one or two discoveries that he remembers most, that he’s proudest of?

“All my signees made me proud!!!”

Most importantly, I wanted to know about his relationship with his younger  brother Frank, a major league mainstay from 1954-66. Had they dared imagine having joint careers in pro ball someday?

“We never dreamed of it as kids.”

The sad part of Milt Bolling’s reply revolved around 1958. With Milt at short and Frank at second, they gave the Detroit Tigers only the third brotherly double play combination in baseball history — the first-ever in the American League! What recognition did the team provide?

“No ceremony. Not a big deal in the paper.”

Since the 1980s, team media relations departments have churned out pre-game notes. Imagine getting more than 20 pages of statistics, anniversaries and anecdotes to use, any way you want. After the game, the same PR staff passes out a game wrapup packet. Often, you’ll get just as many pages. Reporters could sleep (or eat and drink) through the game, never paying attention. The team does almost everything, minus putting your byline atop your story.

Additionally, teams make every game a made-for-television event. Near-perfect game pitcher Armando Galarraga gets to present the lineup card to controversial umpire Jim Joyce the next day. Galarraga receives a new car for his sportsmanship. Every second seems like a photo opp.

Baseball didn’t always celebrate every moment. Reporters were all about scores and stats. History escaped their attention. The Bolling brothers gave Detroit a moment in the spotlight. There’s still time for the team to thank them.

Milt Bolling Mystery? Address King Harvey Meiselman Rides To Rescue!

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I rely on Harvey Meiselman’s superb Baseball Address List for my successes. I double-check his 2010 list with the recent successes listed on the invaluable http://www.sportscollectors.net/.
Recent successes from 1950s infielder Milt Bolling puzzled me. He moved in 2010, after Harvey went to press. I knew the quarterly address updates Harvey e-mails to customers would have the info. However, I didn’t want to wait too long to contact a man Bolling’s age.

The Sports Collectors website postings of responses through the mail threw me a curve. Collectors noted that recent replies came from apartment #203. The first successes came from apt. 302. I didn’t want to squander a stamp and get a “return to sender,” just because of accidentally-transposed numbers. Knowing that Harvey would share the updated address with the hobby world soon, I wanted to make sure he wasn’t getting thrown by a possible cut-and-paste typo.

His findings? Harvey wrote:

“I researched the Milt Bolling addresses and here’s what I found. His correct address is 4363 Old Shell Road Apt 302 – Mobile AL 36608 and he moved to that address in April 2010 right before the June 2010 update was sent out. It’s on the list for the September updates. The apartment number I listed is the correct one. I don’t know where the other was started but obviously he’s well known in the building and the mail gets to him anyway.”

This is more than peace-of-mind over a saved stamp. Seeing this address sleuth in action reinforces my belief in the hobby‘s best friend. All collectors need to own The Meiselman List.