Header - Baseball by the Letters

Why Would Mariners Manager Lloyd McClendon Charge For Autographs?

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Back in spring training, the M’s Community Relations
Dept. showed ML Blogs that the entire roster
was signing items that could be auctioned
by charities — even McClendon. The skipper hasn’t mentioned
charities in his latest autograph change, though.

Address king Harvey Meiselman does a good job updating his customers about new addresses or signing changes.

Here’s one that gave me a shock.
A Michigan-based fan mail handler has made a deal with M’s manager Lloyd McClendon. The signing fee is $15 per card or baseball, $20 for bulky items.
This isn’t a former player now dealing with wages of real-world jobs (like us).
He’s remained employed as a manager or coach for years. I’d guess the autograph broker made the deal with McClendon after meeting the latter back as a hitting coach for Detroit.
According to the website “Baseball Reference,” McClendon made more than $2 million in his seven-year playing career. Although MLB teams are trying to keep managerial salaries secret, numerous sources estimate that the low end of the 2014 pay scale for skippers is at the $500,000 mark.
There’s no details from the McClendon go-between that part of the fee goes to charity.
I’d think the Seattle front office might want to have a fast talk with their field boss. As of right now, McClendon gives the impression that he’s had to pick up a second job to make ends meet.

Manny Ramirez Update: Iowa Cubs Do The Right Thing

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I spotted this surprise in the Sunday Des Moines Register newspaper.

Someone still wants an autograph from the controversial one-time slugger.
Most of all, I was glad to see that the Iowa Cubs take fan mail seriously. In fact, the “special to the Register” photo credit hints that someone from the I-Cub front office might have provided the picture to the newspaper. I thought an impatient clubhouse man anxious to tidy up could RTS envelopes, simply because ManRam is not there (yet? still???) to claim the mail.
By the way, none of the envelopes are mine. How about you?

A Reminder From Pitcher Bob Welch

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Gone from a heart attack at age 57.

Reaching former players isn’t a game by the numbers.
Anyone. Any time. 
Assume nothing.
If someone’s on your wish list, contact him NOW.

Did Don Zimmer Sign Fan Mail?

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A smoking gun
regarding autographs?

Don Zimmer’s death at age 83 may give new life to some lingering hobby doubts.

In his book ZIM, Zimmer told about how he discovered his wife had ghost-written letters in reply to celebrities. He noted that she signed his name convincingly well. In a later book, he trotted out the standard line about autographs being big business.
From the wise hobbyists on www.sportscollectors.net, they deciphered that the only giveaway between an autograph between Zimmer or his wife “Soot” was whether or not the “D” was closed — the case for the “Mrs.” signature. Her version was slightly more tidy.
For those of you sad that you never got a chance to write to Zimmer, know that your response may have been questionable.

Goodbye, Milwaukee Brave Jack Dittmer

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Iowa lost a part of baseball history in the death of 86-year-old Jack Dittmer this week.
I enjoyed the letter he shared in 2011. The super signer kept in touch with teammate Hank Aaron years after his retirement.
I liked the last line in the obituary to the Cedar Rapids Gazette that Dittmer’s family provided. I hope you will, too.