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Congress Honors George Kell’s Hall of Fame Autograph Signing Talents

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Class of 1983!

George Kell was a superstar among autograph signers. This week, the U.S. Congress agreed.

On Thursday, Kell (who died in March, 2009) received an honor collectors can appreciate. The Post Office is now officially, legally named the George Kell Building.

I spoke with John Putt, Swifton’s Postmaster.

“Mister Kell was a very humble man, just another man in town,” Putt remembered. “He never wanted any special attention.”

Putt recalled that the Hall of Famer averaged 10 to 15 pieces of fan mail daily, sometimes more. “He’d pick up his mail every morning. He’d return by noon to mail everything back.” In other words, collectors always got same-day service from Kell and his post office.

Putt says that his post office did more than hold a ceremony to honor Kell. To commemorate the day, Swifton has offered a special cancellation showing a baseball and 10 stars (noting Kell’s 10 All-Star team appearances). To get the special cancellation, send to:

Post Office Dedication Cancellation
Attention: Postmaster
Swifton, AR 72471

The post office can offer the special cancellation for only 30 days, meaning all requests must be received by Friday, October 1.

I’d suggest sending Kell’s HOF postcard or a Tiger Stadium/Comerica Park postcard in a larger envelope with appropriate postage and a removable address label. Or, use a plain envelope. (More room for signatures!) Then, you’d have something that would be great to get autographed by “Skeeter” Kell, George’s younger brother. See my June 28 blog post, “Everett ‘Skeeter’ Kell Remembers George, One Hall of Fame Brother.”

In fact, you could get your Kell-cancelled collectible autographed by any diamond contemporary of his.

It’s too late to get George’s autograph. However, it’s never too late to remember that there’s still great signers out there. They do more than please hobbyists. Those autographers keep a grateful USPS in business!

What breed of humble hero was George Kell? Check out his 1983 Cooperstown induction speech here to find out.

Tomorrow: I share my 1997 correspondence with George Kell!

Twin Garland Shifflett Is One Lucky ‘Duck’

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Art by Dugald Stermer,
courtesy Good Nature Publishing

Pitcher Garland Shifflett is a league leader in my eyes. He didn’t have the longest career. Nor, did he send the longest letters. He did make every word count, showing his care in corresponding with a fan.

Shifflett tasted a bit of success in his “cup of coffee.” He earned his only career save on June 11, 1964, stopping the Tigers. (Thanks, http://www.retrosheet.org/!)

First, I wanted to decode his nickname. Shades of “Ducky” Medwick!

“‘Duck’ came from my high school years! I am bow-legged. The name stuck through my career and I had no problem with it.”


Tucked between his 1957 Senators debut and his 1964 stint with the Twins was a busload of minor league action. Why did he log all those seasons for a second chance at the majors?

“What gave me the drive to keep going was the 1st and the 15th (paydays). HA! Honestly, I just purely loved the game.”


Part of Shifflett’s return hinged on the inclusion of a new pitch. He became a knuckleballer in 1963.

“I created the pitch myself. Good catchers [Garland’s underlined emphasis] really don’t care what you throw as long as you strike the batter out.”


I closed my letter with:

 “Thank you for your time. My ‘career’ ended in Little League. However, I can close my eyes and I’m back on the field again — like it was yesterday.”
Shifflett replied:

“Thanks for your questions. I also close my eyes and I’m on the mound again!”

I’m grateful to publisher Tim Colman, the force behind Good Nature Publishing. His company offers a great print of “The Slider,” showing the proper grip. These would look great autographed by your favorite pitcher. (This is not a paid affiliate link. I’m just delighted with this art, knowing that other fans and collectors will love it, too!)

Why Pirate Ted Beard Matters

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Ted Beard is a real player and real hero.

Beard delayed his career serving as an Army medic in World War II. He faced a four-year exile in the minors before earning a comeback with the Chicago White Sox. He owns more than a dozen years of AAA experience. Others may have bigger numbers in the bigs. However, no one should doubt Beard’s determination or love for the game.

We may never know Beard’s whole story. My letter was returned with a note:

“Ted is 89 and does not remember specifics of his playing career. We are sorry that we can’t fill your request.


Laura Beard
(wife)”

Beard is still signing autographs. On http://www.sportscollectors.net/, I see he’s 51-for-51. Even if he doesn’t remember his stats, Beard hasn’t forgotten why people collect.

Look at Beard’s career highlights on the ever-amazing http://www.retrosheet.org/. Beard debuted in a 1948 doubleheader, posting a triple in both games! Yes, Mrs. Beard, there are many specifics fans will remember about your husband. You’re both winners on my scorecard.

Dodgers Pitcher Clyde King Coached Himself!

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If a cat could play baseball, it might be Clyde King. He may not have lived nine lives in the sport, but King came close. Pitcher, coach, manager, general manager, special assistant to Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

I asked him about his six-hitter against Cincinnati in 1947. King starred on the mound and at bat, helping his own cause with a double and three RBI. His thoughts were of survival, however.

“I was worried about the ninth inning. I really wanted to finish that game!”

He debuted with Brooklyn in 1944 at age 20. Some historians sniff at the supposed diminished level of play, considering that so many baseball stars were serving in World War II. Eager newcomers like King may have plunked a fastball in the ribs of such critics.

“Happy to be playing, not worried about it being replacement players!”

Most telling in King’s note (on New York Yankees letterhead!) was a response to his successes as a coach or manager. Did he feel that he aided a career comeback, or gave a promising player the formula to shine? Instead, King noted his rookie experiences:

“In 1944, we had no pitching coach, so learned by asking many questions.”

Thanks to http://www.retrosheet.org/ for the account of King’s silencing of Cincinnati. King’s life and career were subject of a 1999 book, which seems to be out of print. (Reviews, anyone?)

Recalling Padre Bob Barton’s Big Blast Of 1971 (Or, The Win That Got Away)

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Grand Salami Time!

Bob Barton may have been one of baseball’s most chatty catchers.

Judging from his awesome letter, the receptive receiver seems capable of engaging any hitter in conversation. I think pitchers would have loved facing distracted batsmen.

Barton noted that some umpires were happy to converse, too. He noted one in particular, writing:

“Had a lot of conversations with Doug Harvey. He was just elected to the Hall of Fame. Great umpire. Good guy. We became friends.”

I discovered that Barton belted a 1971 grand slam. That was only the beginning to an epic story. Barton continued:

“I hit the grand slam against my old teammates, the Giants, in Candlestick Park in the top of the ninth with two outs to put us in front, 9-5, as the score was obviously tied. In the bottom of the ninth, the Giants scored five runs to beat us, 10-9 (I was with the Padres).

“We got 2 guys out in that bottom of the ninth before a dear friend of mine, Dick Dietz, hit a 3-run, 2-out double to clear the bases and drive in the 8th, 9th and 10th runs to beat us. The two hitters we got out before Dick hit the double were a couple of pretty good hitters — their names — Willie Mays and Willie McCovey!

“True Story! Enjoy!”

Barton noted his career potential:

“Nine passed balls in eight years in the M.L. with a throwing-out potential base stealers of 43%. Might be an all-time best of the two together. Proud of that.

“But I got caught behind two all-star catchers, Tom Haller in S.F. and [Johnny] Bench in Cincinnati. Frustrating not getting to play more. Made five all-star teams on my way to the M.L. in the minors.”

Old catchers are sponges. They soak up all the game’s details. The Bob Bartons of baseball history have so much to share. I hope someone keeps asking.

(If you hadn’t guessed, www.retrosheet.org did it again. Barton’s big day brought to life. Thanks, guys!)