Header - Baseball by the Letters

PBS "Extra Innings" Failed This Fan

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Hmm…add cheese to the leftovers and it becomes a NEW casserole?

I couldn’t help but think that Ken Burns wanted to pump new life into his 1994 marathon documentary by adding “Extra Innings” chapters. A new complete set to buy?

Yes, I know that Pedro Martinez, Joe Torre and Ichiro were included in this sequel. Nevertheless, I saw the exercise as something I’d call “Punditpalooza.”

I gasped to see Keith Olbermann appearing. Keith wrote the backs of my SSPC “Pure Card” set, noting in a note from years ago that Bob Stinson was the only one (now there are others) who wouldn’t autograph the unlicensed card for K.O.

I found on the Olbermann blog an explanation (of sorts) on how he could appear on “Extra Innings” after blasting the original production.

This blog is about baseball STORIES. Not the shiny, sophisticated vignettes from today’s media, but the heart-felt recollections from those who lived the diamond history. If an invisible Midwest fan can glean these on-the-field memories for a couple of stamps, the famed documentarian shouldn’t have trouble reaching the same sources. For instance, Red Sox he mentioned like Kevin Millar and Curt Schilling are fellow media types, right? Did Burns think they were too shy?

Sorry, I didn’t stand up and cheer for these extra innings. I felt more in a college lecture hall than back in a ballpark. When Burns updates his update, I hope he gives more actual team members a chance to speak for themselves.

Is It Walt “No-Neck” Williams Or Mr. No-Neck?

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“Call me anything: except later to supper!”

That old one-liner made me think. If no one notices you in the majors, you won’t get a nickname. Even a questionable title means you’re getting recognized.

So, how did Walt Williams feel today about the nickname that stemmed from a critique of his physique from White Sox manager Paul Richards? Williams responded:

“At first I didn’t like it, but as the years pass, it was okay.”


Williams racked up five hits in a 1970 win against Boston, a 22-13 slugfest. How did that feel?

“It always feels good when you get hits in a win.”


Surveying Williams’ 1968 Topps card (as seen AUTOGRAPHED on the nifty http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ link above), I saw he made Topps’ All-Rookie Team. Was this a real award, or just a doodad slapped on your card? He confirmed that Topps gave a trophy, like the one in the photo. (No, I didn’t ask if the trophy was bigger than the one on the card…)

Lastly, I was pleased to praise Williams on his post-baseball career, working with youth back in his Texas hometown. His reply inspired me:

“I always wanted to give something back, for being blessed with all the things. Baseball was a part of things I had and things that baseball helped.”

Is It Walt "No-Neck" Williams Or Mr. No-Neck?

by

“Call me anything: except later to supper!”

That old one-liner made me think. If no one notices you in the majors, you won’t get a nickname. Even a questionable title means you’re getting recognized.

So, how did Walt Williams feel today about the nickname that stemmed from a critique of his physique from White Sox manager Paul Richards? Williams responded:

“At first I didn’t like it, but as the years pass, it was okay.”


Williams racked up five hits in a 1970 win against Boston, a 22-13 slugfest. How did that feel?

“It always feels good when you get hits in a win.”


Surveying Williams’ 1968 Topps card (as seen AUTOGRAPHED on the nifty http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ link above), I saw he made Topps’ All-Rookie Team. Was this a real award, or just a doodad slapped on your card? He confirmed that Topps gave a trophy, like the one in the photo. (No, I didn’t ask if the trophy was bigger than the one on the card…)

Lastly, I was pleased to praise Williams on his post-baseball career, working with youth back in his Texas hometown. His reply inspired me:

“I always wanted to give something back, for being blessed with all the things. Baseball was a part of things I had and things that baseball helped.”


Share your customized index cards!

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For years, I’ve gotten apologies in my autograph responses.

The signer has no photos.
OR…
He’s out of photos.

For all of you talented customized index card (CIC) makers
out there, stop being humble. Your work rocks! Make an
extra. Tag it with a post-it note that says FOR YOU TO KEEP.
Note in your letter that you are including an extra so they
can share with another fan. I’m not talking about rookies who’ll
be in dozens of sets in the next year. Look at the overlooked
men of baseball’s past, those snubbed by Bowman and Topps.

Watch your success rate go up. You may even get a
printing order from a retiree.

Let me know how it turns out.

Mike Bielecki Remembers Harry Caray

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When I heard former pitcher Mike Bielecki singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at a 2010 Cubs game, I wondered what he thought of broadcaster Harry Caray. I asked him about Harry, a great day against the Pirates and the benefits of appearing on baseball cards. He wrote:

“Harry was a great man, Cub fan and baseball fan. he many times would come to the back of the plane and have a drink and B.S. with the players. Loved to talk Cubs and baseball!”


Remembering April 13, 1991 — in front of the Wrigley Field faithful, former Pirate Bielecki beat his old team. He helped his own cause with four RBI. (Thanks, http://www.retrosheet.org/.) Bielecki noted:

“I remember the 4 RBI game because it was my first start of the season that year. I was a terrible hitter in my career.”


I’ve counted 48 different Bielecki cards. I’m sure there’s more. He explained that appearing on cards pays in a different way.

“We didn’t get paid per card. Companies that print cards, shirts, games, etc., have to pay Major League Baseball a licensing fee for using their trademarks and it gets divided evenly among the active Major League players for that year. Money is also saved for strike funds and fees for every time the owners and union need to negotiate a new Basic Agreement contract!”