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Goodbye, Steve Sax

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Don’t like the facsimile?
The real one’ll cost you!

No, this isn’t an obituary.

However, hobbyists might be better off thinking that Steve Sax is dead and gone.

As search engines post their “most searched topics of 2011,” the popular http://www.sportscollectors.net/ has been buzzing over “No More Free Steve Sax Autographs.” This news post on the website message board brought 136 posts and nearly 3,900 views.

The “successes” section of the site noted that Sax had signed 123 of 264 recorded requests, a 46 percent success rate.

That number is bound to plummet. Sax has entered into a deal with a fan mail handler. It costs $20 for one signed card now.

Angry responses flew on the hobby website. Just one collector pointed out that, in the past year, Sax was sending solicitations with autographs, noting that he could help collectors with an investment opportunity to “expand your income base.”

The man who contracted to handle Sax autograph requests said that Sax made a deal with him. Sax, despite sending out notes for collectors who want to be investment customers to contact his secretary, claimed that he was unable to handle the number of letters? Ironically, in a web search, I found that Sax has a website touting his skills as a motivational speaker.

My advice? Let Steve Sax go. Ignore the hobby dealer who’s handling the mail. Spend the $20 on writing to 22 more retired players. More retirees will follow Sax’s path. Write now.

Collecting Baseball Autographs: An Update

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It’s time to try again.

More than 20 years ago, I wrote this book. Long out of print, I realize that the world has changed.

However, some things stay the same. I still believe this is a great hobby, one that a newcomer can enjoy. When I had a comment posted this week for any tips, I decided to see if I could condense my advice from a book down to one feature. Here goes:

HOW TO COLLECT AUTOGRAPHS THROUGH THE MAIL

1. Always enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope
2. NEVER risk sending something you’d hate to lose. Even if the signer signs it, you have to get the item returned safely from the postal service. Because some signers get hundreds of letters a year, they may return your valuable card to a lucky, unknown collector. You could get their poor-condition common.
3. Use the most current home addresses possible. Join http://www.sportscollectors.net/. Buy the “Baseball Address List,” compiled yearly from Harvey Meiselman.
4. Send a personal letter, not a form letter. Show you know about the person you’re asking for an autograph.
5. If you send different cards, send no more than three. Two would be better. Most people who get duplicates of anything think you’re selling the extra on eBay.
6. The oldest retirees may prefer a hand-written letter. Because these people spent more time playing sports than learning how to type, they may suspect that you’re letter wasn’t real.
7. Any time you get something extra in a response (added photos, a letter, etc.), write another note of thanks. These strangers are trying to make you happy. Let them know you are.
8. Be ready to help other collectors. If you have news, share it. Likewise, don’t be shy. There are many in the hobby who remember what it was like to be a newbie. They’ll respond to a thoughtful, sincere question.

These are the basics. Print out the list, or forward the tips to someone who’d like to try TTM autographs.

Are there other tips that need to be included, readers?

Coming Friday: Hank Foiles shares his baseball story.

Write To Every Charlie Lea NOW

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The website http://www.signedautographed.com/
had this and lots of Leas for $20.40 each.
Through October, he was an easy
sig for two stamps.

Former pitcher Charlie Lea, a Memphis Rebirds broadcaster since 2002, died last week of a heart attack at age 54.

Lea pitched a 1981 no-hitter for the Montreal Expos. He started and won the 1984 All-Star Game.

According to http://www.sportscollectors.net/, the results board logged 119 successes in 134 attempts for Lea. He was signing 88 percent of the time.

When I first began collecting autographs by mail during the Stone Age, veteran collectors suggested I get the old-timers first.

That game plan doesn’t always work. Write to your favorites NOW, no matter what the age.

Coming Thursday: Dick Adams, a member of the 1947 Philadelphia Athletics, remembers the team he managed in the Army and a guy named Joe DiMaggio.

San Francisco Giant Phil Nastu Wows A Hobbyist

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Nastu has been a faithful
autograph signer for 30-plus years!

Remember Mike “Tiger Nut” Micho? He’s shining the spotlight on one of the greatest responses I’ve ever imagined recorded by a collector.

As first shared on http://www.sportscollectors.net/, Mike relayed this fascinating story:

“Earlier this month I sent 2 cards to former Giants pitcher Phil Nastu. After nearly a month, I wondered if I`d get them back again, as usually he signs and returns cards quickly.Well, what I received back in the mail yesterday just floored me.

It seems Mr. Nastu had signed the cards quickly and had sent them back out a few weeks ago. However, the Postal Service had totally destroyed the envelope (it was ripped in half) and the cards.This pile of waste was returned to Mr. Nastu as he had placed a return address sticker on the envelope.What he did for me was unbelievable!

I received this huge white envelope in the mail yesterday, addressed from him.When I opened it, he had wrote me a short note explaining what happened. It read:

‘Michael, I received these cards I signed for you back from the Post Office. They were destroyed, so I replaced them for you. I searched the web for your correct name and address from the letter you sent me. Hopefully, I`ve sent these to the right person, since I couldn`t read the full name. If not, I tried my best. Phil’

I was shocked that he cared enough to replace the cards, search the web for my name and addy, and send everything back to me (including the destroyed cards and envelope).

He is for sure going to receive a Thank You card from me for this one! Thanks so much Mr. Nastu.”

I wrote a note of thanks to Phil Nastu, too. Hey, everyone should. When one collector wins, the hobby wins. Amazingly, I found that Mike’s story had another side…

Coming Friday: Phil Nastu replies, explaining his amazing kindness.

Birthday For A Baseball Blogger

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“Clear the dining room table?
Why? For cake? For me?!?”

Old age creeps up on me.

Today, 10/20, is the birthday of Mickey Mantle and one “Baseball By The Letters” blogger.

In my delight over the Lon Simmons letter (and anticipation of cake…) I leaked the first part of Lon’s revealing comments.

I wanted to interrupt this newscast for a suggestion:

Print out this column and leave it for any potential gift givers:

MEMO: GIFT IDEAS FOR A COLLECTOR

1. Postage stamps
2. Membership to www.sportscollectors.net
3. The Harvey Meiselman Baseball Address List, available at www.sportsaddresslists.com

Good luck, hint droppers!

Truly coming Friday: Lon Simmons Remembers Russ Hodges