Header - Baseball by the Letters

Jim King

Outfielder Jim King’s quiet excellence

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One autograph. Not a word more.

I know that I’ll never hear from 100 percent of the former players I contact with questions. However, I’m never sure when I get my letter returned with a signature. 
Jim King (1955-67) did that. In 2011, he responded in less than two weeks. 
I wasn’t alone. There were 192 successes in 203 attempts recorded on www.sportscollectors.net, the last coming in May, 2014. 
King’s February obituary from his family said little about his 18 years of pro baseball. I guessed that his survivors were just as proud of his 24 years of working for two telephone companies. 
Additionally, I smiled at seeing the cap-wearing picture of King in the obit. His cap sported no MLB team logo.
From what I read, I’m guessing the accomplished major leaguer was a soft-spoken man. The “afternoon coffee drinkers” who met at a McDonald’s were listed as his honorary pallbearers. 
When a retiree has little (or nothing) to say about his baseball career, don’t assume the worst. I’m betting many of his fellow Elkins residents never dreamed of asking King for an autograph. He may have working too hard trying to be just another coffee drinker to take the time to reflect on such a stellar career.

Cubs Glenn Beckert Responds…I Think

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Got a ‘graph,
hoped for more!

Two Cubs have been speed bumps in my TTM hobby this month.

Glenn Beckert was the first. I swung for the fences with “Beck.” After the death of Ron Santo, I wanted to see if his roommate and close friend had any memories to share. Specifically, I asked about his support after Santo’s parents died in a spring training car accident.

I’ve seen on http://www.sportscollectors.net/ that Beckert has taken up to two years for some responses. I heard from him in less than two weeks.

His huge, flowing signature on the letter read:

Glenn Beckert #18
4-Time All-Star
1968 Gold Glove

I’m sad to say, no mention was made of Ron Santo.

Secondly, I heard from Jim King, the outfielder who played 1955-67. He returned my letter, as well as the stationery I included for his reply. Both had his autograph. Nothing else.

For those of you just tuning in, here’s my game plan. I do NOT ask for an autograph. I do not enclose a photo, card or index card. I make it clear that I’ve studied up on a player’s career. Then, I ask three questions. That’s all.

Home run kings strike out. Sometimes, they struck out A LOT. I chose to swing for the fences with Beckert, instead of lobbing him a softball question like “What was your greatest thrill?” Other times, I’ll reach aging retirees not healthy enough to respond. Or, a person won’t want to relive their baseball memories.

I only count my hits, not my outs. That’s what a batting average is. Onward!