Header - Baseball by the Letters

Mike Veeck Goes Beyond Disco Demolition

by


Yes, it’s tempting. But it’s been done.

Who doesn’t want to ask one MORE “Shot Heard Round The World” question of Bobby Thomson? The same holds true for Mike Veeck and Disco Demolition.

Mike has discussed his day of infamy from July, 1979. He’s a good sport who relives the promotion in countless interviews. One enterprising collector even hit the TTM jackpot, getting Veeck to autograph a baseball in which he recounted the highlights and lowlights of the idea gone haywire.

But Veeck worked as director of marketing for the team and his Hall of Fame father Bill Veeck for more than one game. Read Veeck–As In Wreck: The Autobiography of Bill Veeck or The Hustler’s Handbook to fully appreciate the passionate creativity of this baseball-loving maverick.

What else does Mike remember about the “Veeck and Veeck” days of the 1970s White Sox?

Mike Veeck replied:

“We invented suites on the South Side. Harry (Caray) started singing ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame.’

“Both have their pluses and minuses.

Thanks for making me think.

See you in the bleachers.

Mike Veeck”

Mike Veeck, Baseball’s King of Fun, Reveals His Inspirational Teammate

by


Whenever I get a letter from a former Browns, Indians or White Sox player, they mention two Veecks: team owner Bill and his wife Mary Frances. Appreciating players and fans became a Veeck family affair.

I wrote to Mike Veeck, sharing this insight. I feel that the plaque in the Hall of Fame was earned by two people, not one. Did he find the same sources of inspiration in his leadership of the St. Paul Saints and three other minor league teams? Does his wife Libby offer the same support? Could you find Mike in the stands, just like his father?

Mike Veeck wrote:

Thank you for the kind note and the opportunity to talk about my favorite person…Libby. She collects art, and as a result, all of the decorations at Midway (and the other parks) have been influenced by her love of the visual. I even write commercials that are visibly different from my “pre-Lib” days. If she doesn’t laugh, we don’t use it.

I spend a lot of time in the stands and at the gate. If you make EVERY decision with the people who come to your parks’ best interest, you can’t go wrong. Fans know much more about your product than you do — or in this case, than I do.”

I believe in Mike Veeck. I think his upbeat philosophy, captured in the delightful book Fun is Good, could transform Major League Baseball and other stodgy, sluggish sectors of society.

Tomorrow: go beyond Disco Demolition, and find out any other White Sox highlights Veeck savors from working for his Dad.

Make Autographs Count on Memorial Day

by

Who should I collect?

What do I say in a letter?

Two good questions asked by many a collector. My answers are:

1. Anyone with personal meaning in your own life is a hero. Seek their autograph.

2. Tell the person why they matter. Thank them for what they’ve done.

On this Memorial Day, I’m thinking about my late father, who served in the Air Force just after World War II. My memories of him confirm that I’m doing the right thing. I’m hoping to make contact with baseball’s surviving World War II vets.

There’s more than one book published about baseball’s role in World War II. For a quick start, I’d point everyone to a league-leading historian. For the last 10 years, Gary Bedingfield has been remembering baseball’s wartime contributions. His patriotic website and blog have kept me writing to these men still here with tales to share.

I’ve even sought the great Bill Mauldin stamp out this spring. Ask any vet what “Willie and Joe” cartoons meant to them. You’ll be amazed at their answers.

Thank you to every veteran reading this today. Thanks to all supporters of “Baseball By The Letters.” Upon this 100th post, I’m still delighted to be here.

The Secret Nickname of John “Mitty” Gray

by


The nickname “Mitty” had nothing to do with the defense of pitcher John Gray.

This 1950s hurler explained the history of “Mitty” in a generous reply, writing:

“‘Mitty’ came from the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. In the show, a sound poc-de-poc-de-poc would come on and Danny Kaye would go into a trance, daydream about himself doing wonderful things. Well, in college, I had a 1940 Ford coupe and I would sit waiting for a frat brother to get into the car. The car would go poc-de-poc-de-poc.

The movie came out in the late 1940s. You would have to see it to make sense to you.

No one in the last 50 to 60 years knows my Mitty story.”

Although it seems that amazon.com doesn’t have the movie on DVD currently “in print, you can find copies of the great story by James Thurber, Secret Lives of Walter Mitty and of James Thurber (Wonderfully Illustrated Short Pieces) (No. 1)

Gray was a “Mitty.” Both were dreamers. Both never gave up. I’m betting both would say their stories had happy endings.

The Secret Nickname of John "Mitty" Gray

by


The nickname “Mitty” had nothing to do with the defense of pitcher John Gray.

This 1950s hurler explained the history of “Mitty” in a generous reply, writing:

“‘Mitty’ came from the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. In the show, a sound poc-de-poc-de-poc would come on and Danny Kaye would go into a trance, daydream about himself doing wonderful things. Well, in college, I had a 1940 Ford coupe and I would sit waiting for a frat brother to get into the car. The car would go poc-de-poc-de-poc.

The movie came out in the late 1940s. You would have to see it to make sense to you.

No one in the last 50 to 60 years knows my Mitty story.”

Although it seems that amazon.com doesn’t have the movie on DVD currently “in print, you can find copies of the great story by James Thurber, Secret Lives of Walter Mitty and of James Thurber (Wonderfully Illustrated Short Pieces) (No. 1)

Gray was a “Mitty.” Both were dreamers. Both never gave up. I’m betting both would say their stories had happy endings.