If Judge Judy Read Your Baseball Letters…

she’d want to know what you’re talking about.

When you write to former players, don’t be shy about mentioning that you read about them. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to mention the name of the book or newspaper
(No, don’t worry about date, page and other footnote-format microscopic details. I still have flashbacks about ibid usage.)
Why do I add such a mention in my letters?
1. It shows I made the effort to really think about a guy’s career, if it in lasted just one game.
2. I never assume that the retiree knows he’s mentioned in the book. Imagine being able to find yourself in the index of The Boys of Summer or some famed baseball title. 
Make the extra effort. I think you’ll be rewarded in the quantity and quality of the responses.