Header - Baseball by the Letters

Between The Lines With Coach Alex Grammas

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I was never a fan of fractions, except for common denominators.

Manager Sparky Anderson’s Hall of Fame formula included common denominator coach Alex Grammas. In Cincinnati and Detroit, Grammas was at Anderson’s side.

I looked beyond Grammas’s coaching, discovering that he had more than a few good days at bat. Here were my three questions:

1. Whether winning the World Series in Cincinnati or Detroit, Sparky Anderson had you on his team. Besides hiring good coaches, what was in his personality and attitude that made him a Hall of Fame manager?

2. You seemed like a bench coach in Cincinnati and Detroit, but never had that title. How do you feel about the position being “official?”

3. Six four-hit games. A four RBI game versus the Cubs. Twelve career home runs. You were more than just a slick fielder. What moment at bat do you enjoy remembering most?

In just under three months, this was his response:
 

“Tom,

I’ve always enjoyed every team I was on. The secret is giving it 100 percent every day.

The best to your and your family.

Alex Grammas”

I like asking questions. I like giving former players a chance to get the last word on their careers, describing their diamond days in any way they choose. Although Grammas seemed lean on details, his grateful perspective on the game is an outlook I can appreciate. I’d like to be able to borrow his words someday to describe my collecting “career.”

Jerry Seinfeld Inspires A Collector

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Jerry Seinfeld knows humor. However, there’s nothing funny about this productivity advice that he used in his career.

Beginning in 2007, the Internet buzzed with reports that Seinfeld gave advice to a budding comedy writer. Do something. Every day, do something. Mark your efforts on a calendar. The successful days link together.

“Don’t break the chain!”

I read on a hobby website this week several collectors writing about getting sick of writing letters. They’d write and send a bazillion autograph requests in one month, then let the hobby slide.

Not me. One a day. One letter a day. Every day.

Sure, I’d like a tsunami of responses in the mailbox. I’m not going to ignore the rest of my life, though, only to combust from hobby burnout. Pacing! Link by link, my hobby chain grows and strengthens.

Thanks, Jerry.

Dodgers President Walter O’Malley, HOF Pen Pal

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Class of 2008
(courtesy, BBHOF)

Walter O’Malley is a mysterious Hall of Famer. Some fans have reviled him for moving the team from Brooklyn. Others assume that he was just a shrewd businessman who stayed in the game for the money.

Take a look at http://www.walteromalley.com/ for another side of the baseball executive.

I found the collection of personal correspondence fascinating. O’Malley seemed giddy that his transplanted team was attracting fans from the world of entertainment. Here is a collection of their letters to the Dodgers owner, along with his replies.

Look close at the 1957 offerings. A boy named Jimmy Hahn sent O’Malley a drawing. The future Hall of Famer took time to thank a fan in writing. He promised the boy one of the first “new” LA caps in his size.

O’Malley died in 1979. There’s a lesson in his correspondence, though. There’s still time to reach the unreachable in baseball. Don’t assume that someone won’t respond, just because they’re running a team. Chances are, they might be as big a fan as you!

Bob Powell Battled White Sox Tradition

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Bob Powell went from collegiate All-American at Michigan State to invisible bench-rider for the 1955 and ’57 Chicago White Sox.

Even Powell’s one baseball card appearance brought frustration. He wrote:

“Dear Tom,


Thanks for your letter and I’ll answer as best I can.


1. I did not like being addressed as ‘Leroy.’ Who knows why.”


(The 1956 Topps card identified him by his middle name. Look close to see his full autograph.)

“That is not me sliding as shown on the card. I don’t remember what was paid for being on the card (very little) and I cannot remember the first time I saw the card.”


Due to Powell’s signing bonus, the team had to keep him on the roster through the season. The White Sox challenged Powell to convert to pitcher for the 1957 season. Despite all the training, he never got a chance on the mound, either.

“Referring to pitching, Ray Berres was the coach to oversee pitching and was very helpful. Starting or relieving either was okay as long as one is playing. The Sox went with veterans and not rookies.”

Powell explained that his $36,000 wasn’t a bonus, but his entire contract for three years.

“‘Bonus Baby’ was anyone signing for more than $7,200 a year and I signed for three years for $36,000. At that time, the Major League minimum salary was $7,200 year. Anything over that amount was considered a bonus.”

I noted in my letter that I was touched at how he paid off the mortgage on his parents’ home and bought clothes for his siblings.

“I helped the family any way I could but the good Lord was the one to open all doors and provide.”

He closed his letter with words of faith and gratitude.

“I thank the good Lord for all of my ability and paving the way for a college degree. It has paid off in my life.


“I still correspond to mail requests and give praise to the Good Lord for all the help from different people (high school coach and grandfather mainly) who never gave up on me.


The game is sure different today (more teams and money).


God bless you, Tom, and keep up the good work.


Christian Love,
Bob Powell”

The SABR Bio Project featured a great profile of Powell, showcasing the interviewing and writing talents of member Jim Sargent.

An Important P.S. From Don Johnson

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Thanking a Fan!

Don Johnson worked both as a starter and closer in his career.

I imagine him closing games like he closed my letter:

“P.S. – Thank you for remembering me.

Your pal,
Don Johnson”