Cub Kris Bryant wants to be close to his fans.

No one’s deserved a headline this year more than Kris Bryant.

Still available on eBay: do you think this game-used bat could have been Mitterwald’s “Wonder Boy” bat? Buy it now, only $795???

New Cub George Mitterwald stole the show early with his new team in 1974.

Check out the power-hitting highlights from the fine folks at www.Retrosheet.org. Three home runs and eight RBI in one game only begins to tell the story. Mitterwald recalled:

“My three homer, one double and eight RBI game was so memorable it is and was really hard to explain. It was only my fifth home game with the Cubs, and needless to say, a good start with a new ball club. I got at least eight standing ovations during the day. That was fun, also.”

This was an epic, fun letter from a player worth remembering. Thanks, G.M.!

Mitterwald maintained that great tight cursive. Glad to hear from him!

Don’t give up.

I wrote to the Twins/Cubs catcher back in 2010.

In one of many phases of doubting my letter-writing skill, my timing and the eternal “handwritten or typed?” debate, I chalked up Mr. Mitterwald as one of my many misses.

Maybe not…

Saturday, a superb two-page handwritten reply to my questions came, along with the apology of not responding sooner. He’s faced health problems plus a family loss.

I’ll share the great insights from “The Baron” beginning Thursday. Meanwhile, don’t assume that one non-response is the beginning of the end. Devote the time to sending out more letters, not staring at a barren mailbox.

I confess. I listen to Chicago Cubs radio broadcasts!

Praising a first-place team would seem easy. Finding words for a struggling ballclub? Good luck, Pat and Keith…

One of the guys I feel most for is Judd Sirott. He does only the 5th inning of games. A starter gets several at-bats to shine. Judd is like a pinch-hitter. One chance. How could he not feel cursed to get two “three up, three down” frames when it’s his turn?
He made the most of his chance to contribute some great memories to the book Ron Santo, A Perfect 10.

I reached Judd to ask one pressing question:
What’s fan mail like for the Cubs team? How do they cope?
He replied:

“I haven’t really talked to guys in the past about how they handle fan mail. Ronny would sit in the booth, reading and signing before games.”

Thanks to www.bobblebums.com for the scoop on this Judd gem, from a minor league HOCKEY giveaway!

As Judd’s Cub gig could be the springboard to a higher-profile baseball job, I asked him if he’s been depicted on any regional sets. I couldn’t imagine him on an ordinary index card.

“I’m not on any card sets that I’m aware of.”

Looking on the Internet, the same studio mugshot seems to be the main view we get of Judd.

I know some collectors use team logo stickers to dress up index cards. His autograph in a sea of whiteness? Nah…

I wanted to see if his face existed somewhere.
Ideas? Suggestions?

Coming Friday: A pinstriped bonus, Yankees fans! Hart Seely provides some color commentary for the making of Juju Rules!

Gary Pressy might be the Charlie Brown of team organists.

Legend has it that he lobbied the team for eight years before he landed the gig.

In 2010, Cub players asked for pre-recorded song clips instead of Pressy’s organ for “entrance (at-bat) music.” Thankfully, fans rallied to his aid, circulating online petitions.

For 2,000 games, he’s waited to be part of a World Series.

Now, I misspelled his name! I’m sorry.

“Tom:

Thank you for the kind words. The only thing is my name is spelled PRESSY.”

I wanted to know about musical Cubs. He replied:

“I have not spoken to Darwin (Barney) about his piano playing. But I do remember Carmen Fanzone playing the Anthem before a Cubs game in the 1970s.”

Wayne Messmer sang the National Anthem at the only Wrigley Field game I attended. I’ve loved his renditions on the radio, too. Pressy’s thoughts?

“I agree Wayne is the best. He and I are like brothers and grew up 4 blocks from each other. (What a small world.) Patrick Blackwell is an excellent singer and his rendition of God Bless America is great.

It’s sad, but most Anthem singers do not use the organ to accompany them. I wish they would sing it like it’s written, but they don’t.”

Pressy accompanies for Take Me Out to the Ballgame. He saw Harry Caray croon for crowds many times. What’s his favorite Caray memory?

“Harry was a Pied Piper. People in their 80s and people that are 5 years old would follow him down the ramp after the game. He was such a symbol at Wrigley Field. He took a lot of pride in singing the song.”

Pressy forgave me for my spelling, it seems. He closed a kind letter with a hopeful wish:

“Once again, thank you for your interest, and here’s hoping the Cubs will play well into October next year.


Sincerely,
Gary Pressy”

Let’s hope that Pressy is there at the keyboard for each of those dream games!

Don’t forget to see Pressy’s Q&A with the Chicago Tribune this season!

Coming Friday: Learn how Phillies fan Gregg Kersey turned an old ballpark seat into an autograph adventure.

I was on the Sunday WGN Radio broadcast of the Cubs versus the Cardinals.

No, not me. My note.

I wasn’t trying for instant fame. You’re supposed to wear the rainbow clown wig for that, right?

I just wanted to thank Pat for his summer of optimism. Also, I shared my gratitude for the impressive work he did on the tribute book Ron Santo, A Perfect 10.

Pat and Keith Moreland read the note and commented on the air. I’m glad for that. However, I mainly wanted to say goodbye to another season by being grateful. I know Pat’s great tribute CDs of legendary announcers, his “Baseball Voices” series, will keep me warm throughout a long winter.

Whenever writing letters to current and former players seem to be a chore, take a break. Write a thank-you note to someone in baseball, someone who’s made being a fan sweeter.

In other words, stop thinking about what the letter will get you. Instead, think of what your letter has to GIVE.

Coming Tuesday: Pitcher Tom “Blade” Hall tells how he got his nickname.

The 1963 Topps set marks Bob’s
last card, not his last appearance.

Former Chicago Cubs outfielder Bob Will (1957-63) died Thursday at age 80.

I had the honor of speaking with Bob more than once. I wrote about Bob back in February. Bob wrote multi-page letters to collectors. He spoke of his illness. He told of his plans to write about his career, envisioning a book.

But…he’s…

This isn’t football or basketball. There’s no time clock here.

Currently, the score is:

Cancer 1, Bob Will 0.

The game isn’t over. Bob left behind a completed manuscript. I’ve seen the chapter describing highlights from his 1961 season. He tells tales I’ve never read anywhere. Tipped pitches. Stolen signals. Cubs fans, prepare yourselves. This man was an all-star storyteller.

Bob didn’t live to see a finished book. However, he retained that famed Cub optimism. This book has to happen. He knew it would. I’ve encountered a whole team of kind, talented supporters, people who’ve offered their wisdom and enthusiasm. The roster who wants this book to become a reality keeps growing.

You can join the team, too. Your voice of support will be heard at bobwill28book@gmail.com.

The Will family is in mourning. There won’t be any immediate responses about publication. Nevertheless, Bob’s legacy will be preserved. No “if.” It’s just a question of “when.” For now, just remember the title Bob selected:

#28 On Your Scorecard, #1 In My Heart

He said, “That’s you, the fans. I’ve always felt that way.”

I believe in Bob Will and Nancy Will, his best friend and best teammate of a wife. I believe in baseball.

Former Chicago Cubs outfielder Bob Will isn’t leaving the bat on his shoulder. He’s getting his swings.

I wrote about Will back in February. I’m grateful to Kyle Smego of The Autograph Addict for telling me what a friend Will has been to collectors and children’s cancer charities.

When the phone rang Wednesday night, I heard from Will the Gamer. Conventional thinking says that Will is trailing late in the game. I say otherwise.

Will has a plan that kicks cancer’s ass. The Cubs veteran is intent on leaving a legacy. He’s completing his life story. This biography/memoir is something any Cubs fan would treasure. Will is preserving team history, not just his own life story. He endured the College of Coaches. Will has memories of newcomers Ken Hubbs, Lou Brock, Ron Santo and Billy Williams. (He remained friends with the man who took over his outfield job, by the way!) If it happened from 1957-63, this talented storyteller knows about it.

Will plans on sharing his personal collection of photos in the book, too. I’m thinking many of these are unpublished, maybe never been seen by any fans.

Bob asked, “We’d like to know how many would like such a book, and how much they might pay.” The Wills are looking at a self-publishing effort.

Let the Will family know your thoughts, please. Cheer them on. Would you buy a book when it’s completed? How much would you pay for such a collectible? Your indication of interest will help them prepare a book budget and decide on the size of the print run. Share your contact info, and you could be among the first to own these untold stories.

Write to them at bobwill28book@gmail.com

Meanwhile, enjoy this fine article by Jason Learman about Will’s career.

Coming Monday: Pitcher Dennis Bennett ponders his potential.