HOFer Waite Hoyt Celebrates Thanksgiving

I think the Hall of Famer never stopped being grateful. Cincinnati Reds fans loved radio broadcasts. A rain delay turned into a celebration, with Hoyt sharing memories of his days as a pitcher.

I’m grateful for Kyle and Tyler Smego, the father-son team behind The Autograph Addict. They show that baseball, and autograph collecting, is best when shared. I first mentioned the pair in an April post.

Kyle uncovered a letter from Hoyt, and a note from Claude Berry, catcher to the stars at the turn of the century. Hoyt died in 1984, Berry in 1974.

These artifacts may be slow to appear. I’ve feared that some collectors never saved notes and letters from former players. One-of-a-kind items aren’t found in set checklists or price guides. How could they be displayed?

My applause to Kyle and Tyler for seeing the historic value in such correspondence. Who couldn’t feel what Hoyt felt when he learned of his Hall of Fame induction? In just a few words, Hoyt set the scene well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jim “Long Ball” Lonborg No DH Fan

Authentic Facsimile!

Pitcher Jim Lonborg was no slouch at bat.

He connected for105 hits and three home runs in his career. A 1974 bases-clearing blast versus the Expos at Parc Jarry highlighted his slugging potential. Lonborg wrote:

Montreal Grand Slam was most memorable. Off Ron Taylor, almost ran by man on first.

Not a big fan of DH.

Love the challenge of substitution necessary with pitchers hitting.

Have a great day,
Jim Lonborg”

Thanks for all the great days, and great memories, “Lonnie.”

Jim "Long Ball" Lonborg No DH Fan

Authentic Facsimile!

Pitcher Jim Lonborg was no slouch at bat.

He connected for105 hits and three home runs in his career. A 1974 bases-clearing blast versus the Expos at Parc Jarry highlighted his slugging potential. Lonborg wrote:

Montreal Grand Slam was most memorable. Off Ron Taylor, almost ran by man on first.

Not a big fan of DH.

Love the challenge of substitution necessary with pitchers hitting.

Have a great day,
Jim Lonborg”

Thanks for all the great days, and great memories, “Lonnie.”

Boston Cy Young Winner Jim Lonborg Credits Pitching Coach Sal “The Barber” Maglie

Handwriting matches!

Pitcher Jim Lonborg’s work ethic impresses me. I wrote to him to praise his 90 complete games. I asked him what role Boston pitching coach Sal “The Barber” Maglie played in his early success and 1967 Cy Young award. Lonborg replied:

“Loved Sal Maglie. Taught me how to pitch inside and when it made you more effective. We could do it more often in those days. He also taught me a cross-seam fastball that would not move as much.”

Unlike Maglie, Lonborg sported more than one nickname. Titles included:

1. Gentleman Jim
2. Lonnie
3. Doc (from his pre-med college days)

“Teammates usually called me Lonnie. The ‘Gentleman Jim’ came from media as I always answered their questions. I preferred ‘Lonnie.'”

After retirement, Lonborg became a dentist. People Magazine wrote about his transformation in 1984. Warning: beware of the magazine’s baseball (attempt at) humor.

Tomorrow: Lonborg recalls one of his best days as a HITTER, while weighing in on the DH rule.

Boston Cy Young Winner Jim Lonborg Credits Pitching Coach Sal "The Barber" Maglie

Handwriting matches!

Pitcher Jim Lonborg’s work ethic impresses me. I wrote to him to praise his 90 complete games. I asked him what role Boston pitching coach Sal “The Barber” Maglie played in his early success and 1967 Cy Young award. Lonborg replied:

“Loved Sal Maglie. Taught me how to pitch inside and when it made you more effective. We could do it more often in those days. He also taught me a cross-seam fastball that would not move as much.”

Unlike Maglie, Lonborg sported more than one nickname. Titles included:

1. Gentleman Jim
2. Lonnie
3. Doc (from his pre-med college days)

“Teammates usually called me Lonnie. The ‘Gentleman Jim’ came from media as I always answered their questions. I preferred ‘Lonnie.'”

After retirement, Lonborg became a dentist. People Magazine wrote about his transformation in 1984. Warning: beware of the magazine’s baseball (attempt at) humor.

Tomorrow: Lonborg recalls one of his best days as a HITTER, while weighing in on the DH rule.