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Billy Crystal

Kid Blogger Matt Nadel Bodes Well For Baseball’s Future

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Sincerity.


That’s the secret sauce of success for collectors.

Yes, some envelopes will never get opened. Some players will never listen or look up for a collector.

However, when that moment comes, you better be the real deal. 

If you think getting an autograph might be tough, imagine being the kid who wants more.

Consider 15-year-old Matt Nadel, a young blogger who writes “Baseball With Matt.” He’s scoring interviews with names from baseball’s past and present. Best of all, he’s got a baseball book coming out this fall from Summer Game Books. I’m grateful to include the details he shared.

Q: You’re writing great baseball history features. How many people have you interviewed?

A: I have done over 50 interviews including 10 hall of famers, bud selig, george w bush, hal steinbrenner, billy crystal and many others. My favorite interview is probably the one that I did with jim palmer since it was my first live one.  here’s a link: 

Q: Do you write to the people you interview?

A: I have never written letters to any interviewee by the way.

Q: What’s a good question that works for you, no matter who you’re interviewing? (Some collectors are unsure about what to ask when they write to someone.)

A:  A question I usually ask is what sports did you play/watch as a kid? and who is your favorite hitter and pitcher in MLB history?

Q: Your passion for, and knowledge of, baseball is impressive. Some might say it’s unique from someone so young. Do you tell interviewees about your age before you connect?

A: Yes. they always know that I am 15 and the youngest baseball history pro blogger on MLB.com.

Thanks, Matt!

Billy Crystal’s New Book Is A Baseball Love Letter

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Billy Crystal can’t fool me.

His new Still Foolin’ ‘Em: Where I’ve Been, Where I’m going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys? book purports to be about turning 65. Sure, he covers the bases on aging issues.

However, I think he might have wanted to call the book Baseball and Other Stuff. His words sparkle when discussing his favorite sport.

He writes adoringly but honestly. Crystal encountered Mickey Mantle at his best…and alcoholic worst.

Joe DiMaggio dissed Crystal’s wife when she tried to get a vintage jersey signed by the crankiest Yank. Joe D brushed her aside, saying that he had an exclusive signing deal with a card company. (We’ve heard that one before, right?)

At least, the Hall of Famer never punched YOU in the stomach. Crystal relives both moments in fan-friendly fashion.

I love the chapters about the movie *61, and Crystal’s one-day career as a New York Yankee. Somehow, he fudges on only one detail about his single at-bat in a spring training game against the Pirates.

“My wife made fun baseball cards of me as a present…” he recaps, telling of the gifts he left for each teammate.

These were no homemade knock-offs. Topps produced the 1952-style cards of Billy. A year later, he’d autograph a few for inserts, found in just one of an estimated 60,000 packs. (Did his Yankee brothers get the facsimile autograph version?)

Of course, there’s choice material about Crystal’s acting, too. He ties in Hollywood lore with his baseball passion. How could he have agreed to wear a Mets cap instead of a beloved Yankees topper in City Slickers? There was a $40,000 licensing issue! Again, in baseball terms, Crystal does both play-by-play and color commentary in his career recounting.

G-rated readers, take note: Crystal seems to launch at least one F-bomb per chapter. Aside from the frequent off-color color, readers can soak up chapters of gleeful gratitude from this senior funnyman.

The book can be summed up in Crystal’s recounting of a phone call from Ted Williams. Teddy Ballgame praised Crystal’s Oscar hosting in baseball terms.

“Ted, is everything hitting to you?”

“You bet,” he said. “It’s a great metaphor, isn’t it?”

Crystal’s book is a great metaphor for fans, collectors and viewers. He enjoys every day and every game. I enjoyed every word.