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Tracy Jones

No Fat Lady Singing Yet: Did Red-Turned-WLW Host Tracy Jones Really Just E-Mail Me?

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Free, authentic autographs?
Some WLW listeners claim
he made the same offer a year ago
and never delivered. Hmm…

Tracy Who?

I blurted those words as I looked at my e-mail inbox today.

However, I’m not going to disregard any possibility in this hobby.

Supposedly, Tracy Jones responded to my Jan. e-mail. I answered his on-air offer to send an autographed card, postage paid, to any listener.

The only difference was that I included a link to my Jan. 3 column about his offer. The subject line for my e-mail was entitled “Autographed cards? Really?”

No, I’m not the only one. I saw a copy of the e-mail received from another collector. Our messages were different.

Both notes do begin with “Sorry for the delay” and say that signed cards will be mailed out this month.

As Tracy himself might say —

Stay tuned!

Coming Friday: Learn the inside story of “The Autograph Card.”

A Letter to Ex-Red Tracy Jones

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I give up! I realize this
1989 Bowman facsimile
signature may be the
closest I ever get to
your autograph!

Dear Tracy Jones:

I write a blog for fans and collectors at

https://www.baseballbytheletters.com/

Several of my readers were perplexed by your second straight year of promising autographed cards to anyone who e-mails you. The hobby knows that you SELDOM sign fan mail c/o your WLW workplace, even with the SASE enclosed.

Yes, we listen online.

You said you needed listener phone numbers? Why? Are you telemarketing on the side?

Scott Sloan, your broadcast partner, responded to one listener, saying that he should share the e-mail with his friends. However, you, Mr. Jones, blamed a website for spreading the message and ruining it for everyone, requiring you to shut down the offer?

I’ve yet to find someone who received an autographed card from their e-mail. Is this just an effort to measure your ratings or popularity?

I’d be happy to share any of your thoughts about autographs or collectors with my readers.

You are a great on-air personality, outspoken, lively and unique, with refreshing points of view. I’d just hate to think you and “Sloanie” were using collectors as pawns to boost listenership. I’d welcome your explanation.

Sincerely,
Tom Owens
https://www.baseballbytheletters.com/