Header - Baseball by the Letters

My Favorite Mariners Minor Leaguer

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Spring training is here!

Everyone loves looking at prospects. Get their autograph now, before the world finds out.
The Pulaski Mariners (rookie affiliate, Appalachian League) has a star who isn’t in uniform.
I knew Lynn “Chipper” Cripps first as a gung-ho, always-smiling catcher for my Marshalltown, Iowa high school team. Later, he served with honor as a local police department sergeant, only to face early retirement from being injured in the line of duty.
Lynn never forgot baseball, and baseball never forgot him. After working as clubhouse manager for the Clinton Lumber Kings, he’s signed on for the same role in Pulaski to be near relatives.
Gearing up for a new season at a new address, Lynn still found time to answer some questions. Knowing that he may be the one who gets fan mail to everyone on the roster, I wanted to ask him what he’s seen.
Q: How were your Midwest Leaguers in signing autographs?
A: These young Minor League players that I had the honor to be around were fantastic about signing autographs in person and through the mail. The only difference is when they had time to sit down to do it some would do them right away while others would wait until they received more quantity and then do them.


Q: Do you know if they get any coaching regarding autographs?


A: The only guidance I say they would get from management would be to try and be as professional as you can be all the time.

Q: Does anyone teach the abbreviated, short-hand autograph?

A: Some are really neat about it and some are not what I have noticed as they move up the ladder is that YES the autograph gets condensed.

Lynn’s story is important for another reason. Those behind-the-scenes heroes who keep the farm teams thriving, who help today’s minor leaguers become tomorrow’s stars, are often as devoted to the sport as we are. They have pasts as inspiring as any player. A tip of the M’s cap to you, Chipper!
Coming Thursday: Talking autographs with fabled pitcher Ned Garver


Valentine Strategy For Autograph Collectors?

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I think autograph collectors send their symbolic pink and red hearts to the wrong people.

When you write a current player at home or a retiree, family members are gatekeepers. They support the signers, keeping them signing FOR US. 
Therefore, writing to someone and saying, “You can keep an extra card if you want” may not have the desired effect.
These men still believe they have ice water in their veins. Shrug. Shrug. Seen it all.
They may be unphased at your offer.
Instead, in a salute to the family who tolerate fan mail (and I was once told by a weary Al Kaline that his family’s property tax bill got lost in a basket of autograph requests), write, “I’ve enclosed __ extras for you to share with your family or fans.”
Then, put the yellow sticky note on each with the words: “For you to share.”
Some collectors groan, “But it’s okay when all 11 cards come back autographed to me…”
Make a real effort. Truly give. Retirees re-gift extras to other collectors. (Ever get a custom card, thinking it was meant for someone else? Nope. Some generous creative collector shared, and you benefit, too.)
Besides, the suspicious wives, mothers, kids and grandkids may change their tune about those supposedly greedy-selfish autograph collectors.
Happy Valentine’s Day!

2013 In Autographs: Collector Rich Hanson’s Review

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This autograph is
on display at
www.Baseball-Almanac.com.
It’s a great site to find
tons of  choice signatures.
Happy spring training, everybody!
Before looking ahead to the 2014 season, I wanted one last look at 2013 through the eyes of a hobbyist.
One of the smartest, most talented autograph collectors I know is Rich Hanson. Here’s his take on the hobby year that was.
“Regarding baseball, my first love:  Autographing through the mail is getting tougher and tougher with more and more players charging fees for what used to be a fan-friendly courtesy.  TriStar was one of the early culprits, charging hefty fees for top prospects signatures, and now Chris Potter has lined up an impressive stable of retired players.  
Don’t get me wrong;.I’ve done business with Potter and find him professional and accommodating, and I’ve used him to fill in some of the fan unfriendly players who would never sign before and now only do so for a fee.  The trouble is, the formerly good signers see these guys getting paid and say “why shouldn’t I?”  Overall, it’s been bad for the ‘through the mail’ autograph hobby.
I’m having a great deal of fun writing to authors and poets, putting together double-sided 8x10s about them and their work.  I get a lot of real nice, personal responses.  The one that blew me away was a lady (whom I won’t mention to spare her mailings in hope of receiving the gift that I did) who was one of the finalists for the National Book Award in poetry.  Not only did she sign my sheet, but she sent me an inscribed hardcover copy of her newest book.
My favorite baseball response was Eddie Gamboa’s. I put together a double-sided 8×10 about him and his feat of hurling a no hitter.  Not only did he sign the sheet I sent him, but he sent me back the lineup card from the day of the no-hitter.
My favorite baseball autograph of the year.  The Christmas present of the paper signed by Gabby Hartnett and 5 other 1930 Cubs that Nancy got me for XMAS.”
Thanks, Rich! 
Rich didn’t mention the poetic irony of Hartnett’s 1930 signature. The next year, photographers caught Hartnett signing an autograph for Al Capone. The commissioner warned the catcher about having his picture taken with shady characters. Today’s players may have sworn off signing all autographs (at least freebies).
Speaking of spring training, now is the time to fine-tune your letters. While it’s unlikely you’ll get a bonus hardcover book of poetry from any players, your letters make a difference. First, they convince someone from baseball’s family that a response matters. Secondly, your quality letters keeps the readers reading. They’ll keep opening more envelopes, wanting to keep the good feelings flowing

UCLA Baseball’s Gary Adams Pens Stellar ‘Conversations With Coach Wooden’

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I had a hunch.

I had never written to any college basketball legends before. I heard famed coach John Wooden reciting poetry on a public TV special. That did it.
I was stunned to get a letter back containing answers to questions. He READ his mail. 
When Conversations with Coach Wooden: On Baseball, Heroes, and Life by former UCLA baseball coach Gary Adams appeared, I was smug.
I was sure Coach Wooden would speak the language of another sport. This proved it!
Coach Adams shared an office with the retired coach. “You know, Gary, you’re coaching my favorite sport,” Wooden said when the pair began sharing space in 1975. The friendship lasted until Wooden’s 2010 death.
Adams recaps thoughtful conversations the pair enjoyed. He tells of a photo Wooden personalized to him: “For Coach Gary Adams, who teaches my favorite sport.” Wooden considered himself a teacher first.
Adams wrote in passing of a 1976 memory: “Coach Wooden sat at ‘our desk’ when I walked in. He was in the middle of answering fan mail, a common sight.”
The author found other autograph insights. “I used to sign autographs ‘John R. Wooden.’ But I don’t write very fast and didn’t want to take up people’s time, so I eliminated the ‘R’.” Later, Wooden told his friend that a strict third-grade teacher, who inspected every letter of a student’s penmanship, inspired his meticulous autograph.
At a 2010 barbeque, Wooden apologized to Adams after autographing his book. “My signature doesn’t look like it used to, Gary.” These were the words of a 99-year-old!
Coach Adams, in charge of the UCLA baseball program for 30 years, shared discussions he and Wooden enjoyed about former Bruin baseball stars. After all, 163 of Adams’ players signed pro contracts. Eric Karros, Chase Utley, Eric Byrnes, Troy Glaus and speedster Dave Roberts are samples. Refreshingly, the book shares how Adams and Wooden appreciated the personalities and work ethics of each star.
Adams took his time crafting a tribute to his basketball contemporary. His narrative sparkles with old-fashioned sincerity. He writes as a learned follower of baseball, UCLA and John Wooden. The all-star attention to detail is something Wooden would savor. The $24.95 book is a worthwhile addition for fans of either sport.
I called the publisher, asking if they have books autographed by Coach Adams. They said they’d contact him for details of how book buyers could get their copies signed. For an update, write books@santamonicapress.com.

Pete Seeger Scolded Some TTM Autograph Collectors

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How many baseball
autographs include artwork?
Found at www.PeteSeeger.org,
this site offers a book
and related CD of a radio
documentary profiling
the epic balladeer!

I’ll miss Pete Seeger.

The acclaimed folk singer and activist, who died last week at age 94, cared and he shared.

More than one baseball collector has confessed to seeking a Seeger signature through the mail.

Surprisingly, Seeger complied, only to scold several hobbyists.

Instead of writing for autographs, couldn’t you be making a difference in the world? He’d send such a message to chosen collectors.

Here’s where I think Seeger didn’t understand. I think collectors ARE changing the world.

Each letter is an opportunity to make a personal connection. It’s the chance to say thanks to a kindred spirit, to encourage someone admired to keep on keepin’ on.

You’re only as good as your letter. Why do you collect? Make your case on paper. Keep the signers signing.

Meanwhile, here’s some baseball-related footage of Seeger conversing with collectors.