Header - Baseball by the Letters

Year: 2011

Free Tools For Autograph Collectors?

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Here come the Valentine’s Day cards!

Huh?

The news should be music to an autograph collector’s ears. Pay attention to the store selling (and restocking!) greeting cards. I won’t name the good people at the nearby drugstore, because they might get scolded by management or the card distributors.

My wife and I saw a stack of empty envelopes on the counter. The checker smiled.

“Help yourself. Take all you want.”

Big, red envelopes. Greeting card sized envelopes! I assume these were headed for a recycling bin.

Yes, envelopes aren’t expensive. The point is finding an expressive envelope. If a retiree is sorting mail, your odd-sized letter will need to go in a festive pile of its own.

Plus, using unwanted greeting card envelopes is cheaper than sending chocolates!

Tomorrow: Tony Oliva’s Christmas gift to a collector!

Dick Bosman Tells of 1974 No-Hitter Rewards

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Same Signature,
Same intensity!

Dick Bosman spent most of his career toiling for struggling teams.

Nevertheless, he gave the Senators many thrills, including a pair of one-hitters in 1969-70. History didn’t find the hurler until 1974. (Thanks, www.retrosheet.org.) His July 19 gem against the mighty Oakland Athletics wasn’t forgotten. The Cleveland hurler was acquired by the A’s that next season.

When did Bosman’s mind switch from “good game” to “possibly making history?” How did the Indians honor his accomplishment? He replied:

“Fifth inning.

$1,500 raise and engraved pocket watch.”

Beginning in Washington, Bosman had the opportunity to pitch for manager Ted Williams. What did he learn from Williams that influenced him as a player, and later, as a coach?

“The mental game of pitching.”

Williams witnessed Bosman’s transformation, including a league-leading 2.19 ERA in 1969. How did he feel about winning an ERA crown?

“It was my first good year. It gave me a lot of confidence.”

Tomorrow: Dick Bosman sums up nearly five decades in pro ball.

Pitcher Dick Bosman: ‘I Had A Ball!’

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Bosman: “It gave me a
lot of confidence.”

Some players and coaches have mere careers.

The lucky ones have LIVES in baseball. Dick Bosman may head this list. He wrote:

“I achieved more than I thought I could, had a great time, learned volumes about life, myself, and of course, how to pitch in the big leagues.

I’m proud and humbled to have played with and against some of the best ever to have played the game.

There’s not much I would do differently. I had a ball!

I still enjoy the game. I’m the pitching coordinator for Tampa Bay.

Thanks for your interest,

Dick Bosman”

Marc Hill Thanks Candlestick Park

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Taken in a place warmer,
less windy than Candlestick!

You know you’re getting a special letter when the former player apologizes:

“Sorry about my writing. I had my left hand smashed. Finger still sore.


Best wishes,
Marc Hill“

Despite the pain, the autograph has the same sparkle as it did during his career.

I asked about Candlestick Park. Hill replied:

“The ballpark was cold and windy, but gave me six years in big leagues. Pop Ups [his emphasis!] could start off behind the plate and end up down 1st base or 3rd base line. It was tough.”

Did he have a best home run memory? Hill chose three:

“The first homer was the best. [Against Carl Morton, April 12, 1975.] Got it behind me.


Then, when we played the Cardinals, my former team, hit homer off John Denny.


And home run off Tom Seaver.”

Best wishes to Marc Hill and all his fingers.

Tomorrow: how much did a no-hitter pay in 1974? Learn from Dick Bosman.  

Giant Marc Hill Honors Willie McCovey

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Same ‘graph today!

What makes Willie McCovey a real Hall of Famer?

Forget the stats. Beyond home runs, he left a lasting impression on the game. Just ask his teammates.

When I wrote to Marc Hill, I remembered McCovey devising a nickname for the newcomer.

Essentially, “Big Mac” surveyed the young catcher. He stated that he had heard of Boot Hill, Bunker Hill, but not Marc Hill. The veteran first sacker combined the best of both worlds. Thus, the legend of Marc “Booter” Hill was born.

I hoped Hill might have more insight about his legendary teammate. “Booter” didn’t disappoint.

“Willie McCovey: Great leader. Gentle Giant.

Someone to look up to. Help me take one game at a time.

How to forget the day before if it was a bad game.

Treat people with respect.”

Tomorrow: Hill recalls three notable homers, along with the mixed blessing of Candlestick Park.