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Rogers Hornsby

Would Rogers Hornsby Sign TTM For You?

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I spotted this autographed magazine
page on ebay, offered for $1,234.05.
Would “Rajah” sign more in the
off-season? Hmmm….

“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”

— Rogers Hornsby

The more I read about “The Rajah,” the more he sounds like Billy Martin supersized. Nope, Hornsby would not have been “Miss Congeniality” on most teams. Sample the awesome collection of quotes from the Baseball Almanac website for a great taste (or distaste) of the man.

Many of you have gotten Al Worthington’s autograph. When this Christian pitcher protested teammates stealing signs, Hornsby was the first to go to challenge Worthington’s manhood in print.

I think many collectors may feel like Hornsby, the first week after the World Series ends.

Hornsby wasn’t the easiest autograph to get. However, I’m thinking he may have signed more in the off-season? After all, baseball fans can make any season baseball season (on paper, at least).

Questions I’ll be asking retirees in coming letters:

1. Did you play winter ball? Players with minimal MLB stats often sparkled on foreign diamonds. Who did they play with, and against? What was life like living outside the USA?

2. If you didn’t play winter ball, where did you work in the off-season? Imagine Joe Garagiola and Yogi Berra working together in Sears in St. Louis. Sound like a TV sitcom, or reality show? It happened! Imagine considering your status as a major leaguer a “part-time job,” needing a winter paycheck to provide for your family. Imagine being waited on by a St. Louis Cardinal or New York Yankee!

Make your by-mail plans now. This is the season for signers.

Coming Tuesday: How Red Sox pitcher Boo Ferriss gives back to baseball — and collectors.

When Would Rogers Hornsby Sign The Most?

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“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”


— Rogers Hornsby
I couldn’t help but think of Hornsby’s famous quote. That’s the reason I accelerate my TTM letter writing after the regular season ends. I know that minor league coaches are back home (as evidenced by Mark Dewey’s reply). Also, some current players are famous for letting the letters pile up during the regular season.
I’m thinking of the retirees, however. Come World Series time, they may start missing their past life. Signing autographs and sharing memories may be the next best thing to being there. I think October is a fine time to start amping up the fan mail quantity.
Readers: when do you get the most replies from retirees?
By the way, you need to stop by the Baseball Almanac quotes page to see the other tidbits of wisdom “Rajah” left behind. He even talked about autographs!