Header - Baseball by the Letters

Month: July 2010

Johnny”Double No-Hitter” Vander Meer Despised Deadbeat Collectors

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Don’t assume why some former players who sign for pay have a “cash only” policy..
(Yes, I count a donation as a payment.)

I met former pitcher Johnny Vander Meer at a 1980s sports collectors show. At that time, he wanted a donation to the Baseball Assistance Team (BAT).

He growled to Luke Appling about the hassles of dealing with personal checks. I could see that he felt that collectors bounced checks on purpose, trying to cheat “Double No-Hit” out of a signature and BAT out of a donation.

“Cash is easier!” he proclaimed.

Sure, the temptation of a retiree to “forget” to tell the IRS about all the fivers that come in the mail weekly is a possibility. I won’t assume that all autograph signers have tax fraud on their minds. Avoiding problems with the bank could be another motivation.

Readers: how do you feel about sending cash in the mail for an autograph?

Johnny"Double No-Hitter" Vander Meer Despised Deadbeat Collectors

by

Don’t assume why some former players who sign for pay have a “cash only” policy..
(Yes, I count a donation as a payment.)

I met former pitcher Johnny Vander Meer at a 1980s sports collectors show. At that time, he wanted a donation to the Baseball Assistance Team (BAT).

He growled to Luke Appling about the hassles of dealing with personal checks. I could see that he felt that collectors bounced checks on purpose, trying to cheat “Double No-Hit” out of a signature and BAT out of a donation.

“Cash is easier!” he proclaimed.

Sure, the temptation of a retiree to “forget” to tell the IRS about all the fivers that come in the mail weekly is a possibility. I won’t assume that all autograph signers have tax fraud on their minds. Avoiding problems with the bank could be another motivation.

Readers: how do you feel about sending cash in the mail for an autograph?

Chuck Essegian Proves Good Letters Matter

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I may call former Dodger Chuck Essegian my hobby “professor.”

Months ago, I wrote to him with my three questions relating specifically to HIS career. Each question was answered in “Password” fashion (remember that cool TV game show?), done in less than one sentence.

However, he sent me a passing grade! Yes, Prof. Essegian proved I’m on the right track:

“Tom —

May you stay warm and young.

Chuck Essegian”


I had concluded my letter with:

“Thank you for your time. My ‘career’ ended in Little League, but those baseball memories keep me warm in the winter and young year-round.”


I DO NOT write to former players saying, “I’m a blogger who’ll publish your words. Want to be famous again? Send me your best quote!” I am sharing what one ordinary fan and collector can do with a heart-felt letter. No, you won’t connect every time. However, a batting average counts only successes. Focus on your hits, not your misses, for a great hobby career.

Readers: do you have examples of inscriptions or personalizations proving the autograph signer connected with your letter? Please, share!

Big Red Machine Coach George Scherger Salutes Sparky Anderson

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George Scherger may not read Wikipedia. That’s why I shared a glowing quote about him:

He was my first manager I ever had in 1953 when I broke into the Dodgers organization. I begged him to come with me. I used to say, ‘George, what does that sign say over there?’ He’d say, ‘Manager.’ I said, ‘Funny thing it’s on my door. I got the title, and you’re the skipper.’

— Sparky Anderson


Caught in the glow of the spotlight, Scherger turned the focus back to his Hall of Fame boss, writing:

“No way, I couldn’t tie his shoes. I never told him anything. In fact, I learned from him. when I left the club, I won a pennant at Nashville (1979) and Indianapolis (1982). That’s because I listen to Sparky.

When I had Sparky at Santa Barbara, Calif., he was a good player and wanted to win. He had great baseball instincts. He loved the game. He got his nickname in double A ball in Texas.”

If you write to Scherger, be sure to thank him for his World War II service. As July 4 approaches, it’s a great time to remember all the men who wore BOTH uniforms.

Write to American Heroes While You Can

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There’s a king of address finders. His name is Harvey Meiselman. Every day, I use his talent for locating retired players. He’s prepared another list I used in 2007. Retired players are great patriots. They know their place in American history. Here are more history makers. This address list is a great investment for collectors who’d like to reach aging American heroes.

Harvey sent his great news yesterday:

“I am proud to announce to all my customers that I will be publishing, once again, my extremely popular Men and Women of Distinction Address List. This list has been completely updated for 2010 and is now available for purchase. All the details follow below.

2010 MEN AND WOMEN OF DISTINCTION ADDRESS LIST

In 2007, unfortunately, I had to discontinue this very popular address list due to severe time constraints. At that point it was one of my most popular address lists.Since then, I’ve received several hundred emails from customers requesting that I bring back this list and beginning immediately it will, once again, be available for sale. You will get the first opportunity to purchase this new updated list for 2010.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Almost 3,000 names and addresses including:

ARCHITECTS – ARTISTS – AUTHORS – CARTOONISTS – WORLD FAMOUS CHEFS – ACTORS, ACTRESSES AND DIRECTORS – ASTRONAUTS – AVIATORS – FLIGHT SCIENTISTS – INVENTORS – JOURNALISTS – LEGAL – FIGHTER ACES – CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR – MILITARY INCLUDING SURVIVING MEMBERS OF DOOLITTLE’S RAIDERS, BOCKS CAR, BAND OF BROTHERS, FLYING TIGERS, AIR FORCE THUNDERBIRDS AND BLACK SHEEP SQUADRON, MUSIC, NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, POLITICIANS, SCIENTISTS AND FORBES 400, COMPANY EXECUTIVES AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED

THEMSELVES IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

Most have career notations as to how they distinguished themselves.

The cost of this over 60 page list is $15 delivered to the US by first class mail (please add $9 for shipment to Canada and $12 to all other countries by Global Priority Mail).

HOW CAN YOU ORDER?
The easiest way would be to order through PayPal to my PayPal ID which is chickenparm2go@bellsouth.net

OR

send check or mail order for the appropriate amount to: Harvey Meiselman – 9723 Lemonwood Way – Boynton Beach FL 33437 (checks held 5 days to clear). US funds only”

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No, I’m not getting any commissions. All I know is that the deceased sign no autographs. Time races on as collectors consider writing to Americans they admire. You won’t have forever to reach our country’s heroes. Harvey’s list would be a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July!