Header - Baseball by the Letters

Month: March 2012

A P.S. From WLW’s Tracy Jones

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Tracy Jones (left) with
his afternoon co-host

(Photo courtesy WLW)

It never hurts to say thanks, or to write a thank-you note.

Want proof? I sent former Reds outfielder Tracy Jones a link to my previous blog post expressing amazement and gratitude over his autographed card giveaway. As a bonus, he added these comments:

“Tom,

Thanks for the awesome shout out on the blog. It’s people like you that make me wanna get the cards out afterall….even if it was way late! To answer your questions…

(Q: How many people got autographed cards from your offer?)

1. i have sent out well over 300 cards

(Q: How did you get so many cards of yourself?)

2. i like to keep them in stock

(Q: Why did you go through with your plan, even when you announced you were shutting down the offer in December?)

3. awesome fans like you

have a good one and thanks again.

Tracy”

Tracy Jones sent me more than an autograph. He sent me proof that “why not?” beats “why?” for anyone wanting to have more fun in this hobby.

Coming Thursday: Meet Bruce Robinson, musical major leaguer!

When Controversy Fills Your SASE

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Sports celebrities have
known for years that
their autograph could
help sell their views. I
wrote about Ali’s
plan in 2010.

Red Sox. No, Yankees. No, Red Sox!

Not everyone agrees — especially in an election year. I’ll never forget hearing Curt Schilling in a Good Morning America interview blurt that he was voting for George W. Bush. Surprise!

Be prepared for religious, political or other extreme material — in your eyes. Perhaps, the former player is selling a product or service you don’t appreciate. What to do?

1. Head for the recycling bin.

2. Donate to a beginning collector. To many, an autograph is an autograph.

3. Put the offending autograph in your “for sale or trade” collection. Some hobbyists collect controversy.

I would NOT suggest sending back the questionable signed item, simply because you disagree with the content.

You invited this person into your home via your self-addressed, stamped envelope. If they write to you unsolicited or ring your doorbell unannounced, then it’s fine to share your feelings.

Starting a debate will only drag innocent collectors into the muck. If this former player still autographs cards he’s on, some in the hobby will be grateful.

Instead, tell other hobbyists. You might save them the shock you felt. Meanwhile, don’t be surprised if both political parties recruit autograph ambassadors prior to the 2012 election.

Coming Wednesday: Tracy Jones tells about his autographed card giveaway!

Autograph U Yearbook: Don’t Miss It!

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From 2011: Non-signing Red Sox hurler Josh Beckett (right)
still found time for collector Matt Raymond.
(Courtesy Matt Raymond & Autograph University)

Matt Raymond is the Dean of Autograph University.

That’s Matt’s blog/website, the one I raved about at the start of 2011.

Matt has a deadline of March 31 for his first annual Autograph U Yearbook, which he promises will be a free, downloadable e-book. He’s inviting collector stories with photos.

When we share our stories in the hobby, we share our knowledge. As we look at who we are, we can see who we can be.

Everyone will rave about the idea of the e-book after it appears in May. Send in your story now. You’ll be glad you did later. Let me be the first to applause Matt’s kind gesture. I’ll be sending him my story this month. I hope you’ll add your own hobby tale, too.

Firefighter Jeff Schultz Talks Autographs

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A message with cards?

Ever wonder what kind of letter grade a player might give your letter?

Often, it’s just a “pass or fail” situation for collectors. As long as he signed. If there’s an extra or a personalization, that’s extra credit.

Well, Jeff Schultz shared this story in January on www.sportscollectors.net. He wrote to Jose Morales, asking for three cards to be autographed. He included two for Morales to keep.

Just two of the cards came back. The back of the envelope had the message: “Only because you are on the Fire Dept. God Bless you and your boys.”
I started thinking about the types of people who write for autographs. Jeff may never be on a trading card. He may never sign an autograph. But Morales pointed out that the retired players might admire him as much as Jeff does them. I asked Jeff about his hobby background. I’m thankful for his reply, which includes:

Q: What’s your current job title? Where do you serve? How many years service do you have?

A: I am a captain. I’ve been in public service since 1987.

Q: What’s life like for home vs. firehouse, days on and off? I ask because of whiny collectors
like me who complain about a lack of time. Your free time might be far more uncertain!

A: Home? Days off? I work 12 hours shifts plus respond on calls after my shift is over.

Q: How long have you collected? How much is TTM vs. in person? Who was your first autograph?
Do you have a specialty (sets, favorite team, etc.)

A: On and off since the 80’s. I do the MWL IP and may do AAA this year. First auto? Willie Hernandez, Steve Dillard and Mick Kelleher. I’ve talked to Dillard and Kelleher about it.

Q: What are letters you send like? Do you tell about your career?

(By the way, I think you SHOULD. I think it helps to be personal in a letter. Helps the guy understand WHY the autograph is meaningful to you.) Do you ask questions about someone’s career?

A: My letters are the same format I’ve always used, just updated my job and age. For tougher ones I send a personal letter, but it hasn’t helped.

Q:. I mentioned Frank Tepedino, who became a firefighter after baseball. Have you written to other retired players who are firefighters? Any special responses about the connection?

A: There are a lot of ballplayers who come from firefighting backgrounds. Had a 20 minute conversation with Chuck Crim before a game. No real special responses.

Q: Autograph goals?

A: Complete the 1983 Topps baseball set.

Thanks, Jeff, for all you do. I hope other humble heroes from daily life aren’t shy about mentioning their careers in letters. Players invent so many reasons not to sign. Let them know who they might be turning down.

Thanking Tracy Jones & WLW

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Those hopeful Reds fans at
www.omgreds.com covered the
Jones Autograph Promise
from the start. They got theirs, too!

Even this blogger saw Tracy Jones deliver in the clutch.

My mailbox had an autograph 1987 Topps Wednesday. Just like he promised to everyone who e-mailed.

What impressed me most?

No WLW advertising. A blank white envelope addressed by hand.
No worry that my address has been entered into an advertiser’s database
and will be on mailing labels for eternity.

I would have understood if TJ had included a note asking for
listeners. Or, “I hope you like the card. If you can, donate to ____.”

This was a pure gift. A promise fulfilled.

It’s time for another e-mail from me. This was the e-mail address he shared when he first made the offer:

tracy@700wlw.com

Thank him for the autograph. It seems that most people in the states who wrote him should have their autographed card in the next few days. Even the plentiful 1987 cards aren’t free. Postage sure isn’t. This gesture took plenty of time, as well as money.

Tracy came through for us. Let’s look good, too. Represent the hobby well.

Coming Friday: Meet Jeff Schultz, autograph collector and firefighter.