Header - Baseball by the Letters

Big Red Machine Coach George Scherger Salutes Sparky Anderson

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George Scherger may not read Wikipedia. That’s why I shared a glowing quote about him:

He was my first manager I ever had in 1953 when I broke into the Dodgers organization. I begged him to come with me. I used to say, ‘George, what does that sign say over there?’ He’d say, ‘Manager.’ I said, ‘Funny thing it’s on my door. I got the title, and you’re the skipper.’

— Sparky Anderson


Caught in the glow of the spotlight, Scherger turned the focus back to his Hall of Fame boss, writing:

“No way, I couldn’t tie his shoes. I never told him anything. In fact, I learned from him. when I left the club, I won a pennant at Nashville (1979) and Indianapolis (1982). That’s because I listen to Sparky.

When I had Sparky at Santa Barbara, Calif., he was a good player and wanted to win. He had great baseball instincts. He loved the game. He got his nickname in double A ball in Texas.”

If you write to Scherger, be sure to thank him for his World War II service. As July 4 approaches, it’s a great time to remember all the men who wore BOTH uniforms.

Write to American Heroes While You Can

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There’s a king of address finders. His name is Harvey Meiselman. Every day, I use his talent for locating retired players. He’s prepared another list I used in 2007. Retired players are great patriots. They know their place in American history. Here are more history makers. This address list is a great investment for collectors who’d like to reach aging American heroes.

Harvey sent his great news yesterday:

“I am proud to announce to all my customers that I will be publishing, once again, my extremely popular Men and Women of Distinction Address List. This list has been completely updated for 2010 and is now available for purchase. All the details follow below.

2010 MEN AND WOMEN OF DISTINCTION ADDRESS LIST

In 2007, unfortunately, I had to discontinue this very popular address list due to severe time constraints. At that point it was one of my most popular address lists.Since then, I’ve received several hundred emails from customers requesting that I bring back this list and beginning immediately it will, once again, be available for sale. You will get the first opportunity to purchase this new updated list for 2010.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Almost 3,000 names and addresses including:

ARCHITECTS – ARTISTS – AUTHORS – CARTOONISTS – WORLD FAMOUS CHEFS – ACTORS, ACTRESSES AND DIRECTORS – ASTRONAUTS – AVIATORS – FLIGHT SCIENTISTS – INVENTORS – JOURNALISTS – LEGAL – FIGHTER ACES – CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR – MILITARY INCLUDING SURVIVING MEMBERS OF DOOLITTLE’S RAIDERS, BOCKS CAR, BAND OF BROTHERS, FLYING TIGERS, AIR FORCE THUNDERBIRDS AND BLACK SHEEP SQUADRON, MUSIC, NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, POLITICIANS, SCIENTISTS AND FORBES 400, COMPANY EXECUTIVES AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED

THEMSELVES IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

Most have career notations as to how they distinguished themselves.

The cost of this over 60 page list is $15 delivered to the US by first class mail (please add $9 for shipment to Canada and $12 to all other countries by Global Priority Mail).

HOW CAN YOU ORDER?
The easiest way would be to order through PayPal to my PayPal ID which is chickenparm2go@bellsouth.net

OR

send check or mail order for the appropriate amount to: Harvey Meiselman – 9723 Lemonwood Way – Boynton Beach FL 33437 (checks held 5 days to clear). US funds only”

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No, I’m not getting any commissions. All I know is that the deceased sign no autographs. Time races on as collectors consider writing to Americans they admire. You won’t have forever to reach our country’s heroes. Harvey’s list would be a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July!

St. Louis Brown Don Gutteridge Shocked Over 1944 Play Ball Card

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I’ve just read the eye-opening Mint Condition: How Baseball Cards Became an American Obsession

This is more history of the card INDUSTRY than I ever imagined.  The book is not a love letter to card makers.  Readers will recoil over some early behaviors of Bowman and Topps. For instance, Jim Bouton shares how he felt a Topps exec bullied minor leaguers into signing away their exclusive card appearance rights for a $5 retainer. Bouton didn’t bite, insisting his father should review the contract first.

Instead of interviewing card company officials, I’d rather know more about how it felt to be a face on those cards. When I wrote to former St. Louis Brown Don Gutteridge in 2000 about his 1944 “Play Ball” card, I got a surprising letter in return:

“I do not even remember giving anyone permission to use my name on a card. In fact, I did not see the 1944 (Play Ball) card until a few years ago (in the 1990s) when someone sent me the card and asked me to please sign it for them. The company never contacted me. In fact, I would like to have a couple of those cards for my own mementos. I think it’s very nice to have your picture and data on a card. It is so nice to be remembered.”

Touring Ebbets Field With Brooklyn Dodgers GM Emil “Buzzie” Bavasi

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I’ve been to Brooklyn Ebbets Field.

In my imagination, at least.

I found that so many former Dodgers couldn’t describe the whole ballpark. They might remember superfan Hilda Chester or the ad signs, but that was it. Ex-players often limit themselves to outfield dimensions.

That’s why I sought out former general manager Emil “Buzzie” Bavasi. Here’s what he recalled about Brooklyn’s baseball landmark:

“The rotunda really wasn’t very much. A large dome entrance to the stadium with six ticket windows operating daily.

We had no offices at Ebbets Field. Our offices were on Montague Street just opposite City Hall.

Players usually drove cars to the ballpark. Usually shared rides with each other. We had a special parking lot for the players. However, the subway station wasn’t more than a 150 feet from the ballpark.

The best thing about Ebbets Field was the fanatical fans and the Dodger “Symphoney” band made up of five ticket holders.

The clubhouses were both no more than fifty feet from the field.

Fred Fitzsimmons, former Giant pitcher and later a Dodger, owned and operated a bowling alley across the street from Ebbets Field. Was a meeting place for many after the games.

Good to hear from you.

‘Buzzie’ Bavasi”

I offer my sincere thanks to the awe-inspiring www.Ebbets-Field.com for the image. Stop by to get more of what “Buzzie” was remembering.

Touring Ebbets Field With Brooklyn Dodgers GM Emil "Buzzie" Bavasi

by

I’ve been to Brooklyn Ebbets Field.

In my imagination, at least.

I found that so many former Dodgers couldn’t describe the whole ballpark. They might remember superfan Hilda Chester or the ad signs, but that was it. Ex-players often limit themselves to outfield dimensions.

That’s why I sought out former general manager Emil “Buzzie” Bavasi. Here’s what he recalled about Brooklyn’s baseball landmark:

“The rotunda really wasn’t very much. A large dome entrance to the stadium with six ticket windows operating daily.

We had no offices at Ebbets Field. Our offices were on Montague Street just opposite City Hall.

Players usually drove cars to the ballpark. Usually shared rides with each other. We had a special parking lot for the players. However, the subway station wasn’t more than a 150 feet from the ballpark.

The best thing about Ebbets Field was the fanatical fans and the Dodger “Symphoney” band made up of five ticket holders.

The clubhouses were both no more than fifty feet from the field.

Fred Fitzsimmons, former Giant pitcher and later a Dodger, owned and operated a bowling alley across the street from Ebbets Field. Was a meeting place for many after the games.

Good to hear from you.

‘Buzzie’ Bavasi”

I offer my sincere thanks to the awe-inspiring www.Ebbets-Field.com for the image. Stop by to get more of what “Buzzie” was remembering.