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Billy Cowan’s Halo Remains

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Found at
http://droidtrader.blogspot.com/,
a fun locale for
overlooked autographs!

How can a reliable TTM signer just stop?

Sometimes, health gets in the way. Billy Cowan played for six teams in eight major league seasons (1963-72). Simply wearing the uniforms of the Cubs, Mets and Yankees have put him on many want lists.

As first reported on www.sportscollectors.net, Cowan was sidelined by a stroke in May.

A son wrote to a collector to explain the delay in signing. The man famous for his 1972 Topps card (hint: look up, and you’ll know why) is on his feet, making a slow but determined recovery.

Who’s up for sending a kind autographer some encouragement and thanks? Please, don’t make any autograph requests. Just encourage a gamer to return to action soon.

Write to Billy Cowan at 1539 Via Coronel Palos, Verdes Estates, CA 90274

Coming Wednesday: One smart investment all TTM collectors should make.

COPS: Autograph Edition…Or, Why The Hobby Needs Another Don Mossi

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Would FOX show us
errant autograph signers?

I still see the words on the www.sportscollectors.net messageboard.

Switched
Didn’t return
Kept
Stole

A collector sends more than one card for an autograph. Not all the cards come back.

Is it time for COPS: Collector Edition?

Imagine it…law enforcement appearing at the mailbox. “Sir, did you keep a card without permission?”

Retiree: “I don’t think so. I’ve signed two dozen requests this week. I try to keep them straight.”

Scene change — officers watch elderly man scuttling into hobby shop.

“Hold it! You’re trying to fence cards sent by unsuspecting autograph collectors.”

Such serious verbs make it seem like hobbyists suspect such a storyline.

I’d welcome the honesty of more ex-players like Don Mossi. Years ago, he told Sports Collectors Digest that he’d sign one, then give the rest to grandkids.

Check out his near-flawless return record these days, and you’ll see Mossi signs EVERYTHING. “No more, grandpa. We’ve got all your cards. All our friends have all your cards. We want someone else’s cards!”

Originally, I envisioned this problem like laundry. Socks disappear from the dryer. Maybe, former players are taking them, too?

Solutions? If you’re working on a set, don’t send extras. Dumb luck dictates that the signer always loses the card you want back most. He’ll send back the so-so cards.

Then, if you get a card that wasn’t yours, post a note on a hobby forum like SCN. I wouldn’t say, “Got a 1952 Topps high number signed by mistake. Is it yours?” Just say, “Card mixup. Did I get yours? Write me.”

My wife and I mixed up thank-you notes at our wedding 30 years ago. One woman was sure some tag-switcher hawked her expensive gift, then claimed that salad bowl came from her. Like us, I think former players are human.

Coming Friday: A review of the book Pinstripe Empire by Marty Appel.

Will Sing For Food…Or Autographs!

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Don’t know this cool set? I
found lots of singles
at www.baseballcardsoutlet.com.
 

I’ll say it again. I think it’s worth repeating:

Think of what you’re giving, not just what you should be getting.

Sure, your autograph might not appeal to a former player. There’s still ways to get noticed. It’s possible to convince someone of your sincerity.

Enter Steve Katzenmeyer, who is working to get the 121-card Elite Senior League card set (circa 1990) signed.

Don’t remember the short-lived baseball brainstorm, the idea of an Old-Timer’s Day taken seriously? Check out this summary from www.baseball-reference.com. Go on, we’ll wait for you.

Welcome back. Neat stuff, huh? Now, back to Steve’s story. He wrote:

“I’m a music teacher and musician, so I’ve written and recorded, “It Was The Senior League”, made 10 cds, sent one to each of the 10 with “Song About You Enclosed”, autographed each CD, and put a sticky note on each CD case that says, “If you like the song, will you please sign my card?”. Plus a SASE.”

Through his last update on the www.sportscollectors.net website, Steve reports that he’s down to needing only 13 signed cards. The toughest of the tough may be cracking under Steve’s musical pitch.

Steve hasn’t gotten any reviews back from former players. Frustratingly, autograph signers don’t send back notes saying, “I signed your request because…”

I hope Steve keeps writing, singing and collecting. He’s doing all three quite well.

Coming Friday: The curious case of Dirk Hayhurst.

Getting Your SASE Forwarded?

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The USPS has been kind
through the years delivering
my SASEs missing postage.
However, if moving, I want
to know I’ve done everything
to keep the autograph SAFE!

One hopeful bit of recent news on www.sportscollectors.net centered around former Seattle Mariner Alvin Davis. Collectors who wrote to the former first baseman in 2008 were seeing autograph results materialize.

I’ve been pondering how to contact a former player who takes YEARS to respond.

There’s a strong possibility I could be living in a different state in 2013. The U.S. Postal Service forwards for only six months?
My only solution has been to include in the return address section of my SASE the address of my parents. I’m sure they’ll be rooted to the same spot.
Readers, is there a better way? I’ll be grateful to share any other ideas.

Coming Wednesday: Antiques Roadshow, Part 2

Scott Pose Clues In Collectors

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He looks like an
all-star in this
action pose!

I read about journeyman outfielder Scott Pose in the Sunday newspaper.

What jumped out at me was an answer to people asking about his role in baseball’s past.
He said, in part:

“On occasion they will. I keep it pretty low-profile. I rarely bring it up.”

Although www.sportscollectors.net noted that he had signed 14 of 19 TTM requests, Pose has gone through long dry spells, taking months to respond.

Like Terry Mathews, discussed in yesterday’s post, Pose may have more pride in his current work (baseball analyst for Big Ten Network and Durham Bulls).

I’m guessing Pose might be skeptical of a letter raving about his 1990s playing time. Mention his current contributions, even writing to him c/o Durham Bulls, might hike your chances for a reply.
I’ll be trying him soon.

Of course, it pays to read every note in a bio. Pose is a Hall of Famer. He belongs to the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association HOF. Let’s hope my Iowa postmark gets his attention.

Coming Thursday: Tom’s newest ’10 Most Wanted’ list.