By: Tom Owens

Tom Owens — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:24:14 +0000

Good to hear from you, Tony. I think the replies from Wolff and Williams have one common thread. HONESTY! Both men pull back the curtain on baseball lore, revealing 1950s and 60s stars as real people.

By: Tom Owens

Tom Owens — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:16:21 +0000

Excellent question, Kyle. There's a few variables to consider here. I haven't offered scans (illustrations) of the actual letters, due to the "interesting" handwriting of some of the veterans. In fact, I seem to get weekly apologies for penmanship. (They've never seen MINE! I type my letters to players because my southpaw scribbles are challenging.)Only rarely have I skipped over a sentence due to impossible-to-read writing. I'm grateful to my supportive wife for decoding several baffling correspondences.

I've offered some abridged transcriptions because some of my questions miss the mark. Reds coach George Scherger seemed mystified by a flattering tribute from pitcher Jack Billingham. "You'd have to ask Billingham what he meant," was the basic reply. Other times, a retiree might get wordy, making a short story quite long.

If there's ever a post that seems too abbreviated, please let me know. I'll share why. When there's a juicy memory, I'll do whatever it takes to get it shared.

By: Tony

Tony — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:00:57 +0000

Yay!! Can’t wait to read them

By: Kyle

Kyle — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:46:03 +0000

Tom,
Will you ever be posting the full text of your letters you get back? I know that I would love to read them.

Kyle

Comments on: Coming Soon: A HOFer (?) + Stan Williams!

By: Tom Owens

By: Tom Owens

By: Tony

By: Kyle