Seeking 10 Overlooked 1960s Dodgers

One of the all-time great
baseball card poses!

A dozen Rookies of the Year.

Even into the 1990s, it seemed that coming up with the Los Angeles Dodgers seemed to guarantee career prosperity.

But not every wearer of Dodger blue was granted such an opportunity for success.

I went back to 1960, when Frank Howard became the first Dodger ROY winner. Who were the L.A. cup-of-coffee candidates from that decade, those who never found the same spotlight?

My latest letters are to:

Jim Barbieri
Dick Calmus
Roy Gleason
Jim Golden
Derrell Griffith
Tim Harkness
Dick Nen
Bart Shirley
Hector Valle
Carl Warwick

Two New Looks At Mariner Dave Valle

In 1985, Fleer Update
had the same high hopes
for Valle that
Vivan Barning did!

Psst…don’t tell Frank Barning I’m telling you this.

I’m still fans of Frank and Vivian Barning. I was when they published Baseball Hobby News (1979-93) and I am now. I’m a regular reader of Frank’s “Barnstorming” blog. Vivian guest-blogs there.

Here’s the disclaimer: the Barnings write about whatever they choose, not just baseball. I’m not calling their updates baseball or hobby blogging. Their diverse topics include their home in Las Vegas, slot machines, their travels…you name it. They’re always fun to read, no matter what the subject. Good writing is good writing. Days that include baseball themes feel like finding an extra prize in my cereal box. (Yes, it happened. I was a lucky kid!)

However, when I spotted Vivian’s great memories about a young Dave Valle, I had to share it.

You want a former player to give you something when you write. What are you giving them (besides a possible paper cut)? Even if the retiree has heard the story before, he’s never heard it from YOU. Your sincerity and motivation in asking for a signature or an answered question comes through in the way you tell YOUR story.

Sure, you may not have encountered young Dave Valles like the Barnings did. That doesn’t stop you from expressing yourself in a letter. I received a great note back from the late Dick Williams, telling him how I loved sitting on the couch, watching my Dad watch Game 3 of the 1972 World Series. I told how I loved seeing my Dad predict the fake intentional walk to Johnny Bench. Most of all, I wished that Williams (and I) could see video of my Dad falling off the couch, collapsing in a laughing fit.

By the way, I have a Valle memory, too. During his Seattle playing career, I ‘graphed outside the Kingdome following a night game versus the Orioles. Valle lectured a group of elementary school boys when they didn’t tell him where their parents were. He told them they were too young to be out alone so late. He didn’t sign!

I hope those boys turned out okay. I hope they write Valle to see if he’ll sign NOW. Sharing the story wouldn’t hurt.

Coming Wednesday: My ’10 Most Wanted’ – the Dodgers edition.

Howie Nunn Has Left The Game

An elusive signer leaves us…

In January, I shared the story of Howie Nunn not signing. His wife was moved by the sincerity of Ron Martin. Mrs. Nunn called the hobbyist, telling him about her husband’s failing health.

Weeks later comes news of Howie Nunn’s death. Additional thanks go to Ron.

Two things stood out from this obituary. First, only one sentence mentioned the teams Nunn played for during his major league career. His second career as manager of a machinery and electronics company got the same space.

Secondly, the survivors included his two cherished poodles.

Former players are still people. They have other jobs, careers which they might have gleaned more pride and satisfaction from than their major league employment. They have pets and family.

Honor the whole person when you write.

Coming Tuesday: Learning from Mariner Dave Valle.

‘The Autograph Card’ Guys Understand

I spotted this gem at
http://www.freewebs.com/hofautographmaster/hofsportswriters.htm
Sportswriters aren’t regulars on baseball cards.
This is one classy alternative for any collection!

“Never miss an autograph opportunity” tugs at a hobbyist’s heart.

Who hasn’t been there? A guy who MIGHT be somebody might sign.

If only I had a collectible. No, not a hot dog wrapper! He’s gone. Too late!

The slogan is the battle cry of “The Autograph Card,” one of the greatest hobby products I’ve ever seen.

Company partners Brian Flam and Russell Miles speak the language. They are collectors, too.

“Some autographs are not ball worthy,” Brian explained, noting the cost of league baseballs.
“Besides, my wife would kill me…all those baseballs!”

Brian hoped to get something besides the blank index card for signatures, wishing for something less expensive than Rawlings baseballs, something that wouldn’t fill up a house. He talked about adding the red lines of baseball stitching to simulate a ball’s sweet spot on an index card. Graphic designer Miles listened, telling (or needling?) his buddy: “I could design something that looks good!”

Some eight seasons ago, the pair were ‘graphing the Arizona Fall League. (Brian’s passion is minor league signatures, by the way…) They had created a small amount of “signature cards” for themselves.

When other collectors spotted what Brian was using, they wanted some, too.

“I don’t have extras,” Brian told them. “I need them for myself.”

People begged to buy his extras. Others got angry that Brian wouldn’t sell any.

“Those strong reactions convinced us we had to make more,” Brian said. “People wanted to buy what we made.”

Brian and Russell have branched off. They’ve printed custom cards for Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and the late Hall of Famer Gary Carter.

Brian’s still using what they make. Last week, he got two Signature Cards back by mail from Bobby Shantz. Brian fills out the reverse of each card, which has lines for the signer’s name and date. When Brian sent two to the former pitcher, he included the notation “AL MVP” and “8 Time Gold Glove Winner.” Sure enough, Shantz added the same words below his autograph on the front.

Check out The Autograph Card website. Along with the 3-by-5 baseball image, their other creations (including a bat barrel) are all on 16-point matte cover stock. The other designs are baseball CARD sized, 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches. They’re perfect for instant signing. No deglossing with baby powder or erasers needed.
Is that a new first-round draft pick at the ballpark, someone with a card? No idea who that scout or roving instructor might be? Brian and Russell have our backs!

Visit their Facebook page, too. They plan on running Facebook specials in the future.

Write the guys. They’ll listen if you have ideas for other products — things you’d like to have autographed in your collection. Most of all, cheer them on. This is affordable quality, something all collectors need. When it’s time for a hobby hall of fame, I’ve got two nominations.

No Fat Lady Singing Yet: Did Red-Turned-WLW Host Tracy Jones Really Just E-Mail Me?

Free, authentic autographs?
Some WLW listeners claim
he made the same offer a year ago
and never delivered. Hmm…

Tracy Who?

I blurted those words as I looked at my e-mail inbox today.

However, I’m not going to disregard any possibility in this hobby.

Supposedly, Tracy Jones responded to my Jan. e-mail. I answered his on-air offer to send an autographed card, postage paid, to any listener.

The only difference was that I included a link to my Jan. 3 column about his offer. The subject line for my e-mail was entitled “Autographed cards? Really?”

No, I’m not the only one. I saw a copy of the e-mail received from another collector. Our messages were different.

Both notes do begin with “Sorry for the delay” and say that signed cards will be mailed out this month.

As Tracy himself might say —

Stay tuned!

Coming Friday: Learn the inside story of “The Autograph Card.”