Check out www.stlcardinalspostcards.com. Fans would write in to get free photos of their favorite players. However, when a player like Damaska returned to the minors, the photos were pulled. Therefore, his “postcard” is rarer than stars like Gibson or Brock.

I thought any Redbirds newcomer back then would know they had arrived when they were featured on a radio broadcast. Who talked with him?

“I was introduced to Harry Caray, but I was interviewed by Jack Buck on the radio. Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to be invited into the broadcasting booth to talk with my ex-teammate Tim McCarver. I talked with Joe Buck at Yankee Stadium.”

Thanks to author George Rose, who suggested that I contact Damaska (one of the great profiles in the One Hit Wonders book).

Coming Monday: Beating a Hall of Fame pitcher.

Who should I collect?

That’s one question I get a lot from beginning collectors. Or, advanced collectors get in slumps.

Even team collectors complain sometimes.

Here’s an idea:

If you want to collect one team (such as the St. Louis Cardinals), don’t limit yourself to men who wore the uniform.

There are great fans everywhere. Fans who’ll share their stories.

Living in Iowa, I found this out prior to the 2004 presidential election.

Missouri Congressman Richard Gephardt appeared. Often, crowds ignore candidate spouses.

Jane Gephardt appeared.

“You’re from Missouri,” I said. “Of course, you’ve seen lots of Cardinals baseball.”

She asked if I was a fan, too.

I countered, “How big of a fan are you?”

She grinned. “When the team fired Harry Caray in the 1960s, I protested in front of the ballpark carrying a picket sign!”

If you’re not having any luck getting responses from baseball players by mail right now, consider adding a few baseball fans to your collection. You’d be surprised who shares your passion. Best of all, these famous fans could have swell stories to share.

He finished second to Tom Seaver in 1967 National League Rookie of the Year balloting. A rotator cuff injury snuffed out his rising stardom in just three seasons.

Nevertheless, pitcher Dick Hughes remains a control master. He says so much in so few words.

Hughes debuted in St. Louis in September, 1966. I asked if he recalled interviews with broadcasters Jack Buck and Harry Caray, and the resulting impressions of each.

Before Tim McCarver logged decades as a broadcaster, he served as a batterymate. As a catcher, did Hughes find him either wise or witty during conferences on the mound?

Hughes served as part of the inaugural class of Redbirds breaking in “new” Busch Stadium. Having pitched nine minor league seasons, did Hughes consider the new ballpark a luxury?

The what-if career of Dick Hughes is fully described in this fine profile by Bob Netherton, found on the http://www.i70baseball.com/ website.

Joe Cunningham raised an interesting point about broadcaster Harry Caray.

I asked about the former Cardinals mikeman. I assumed Joe and all the Redbirds owned a funny story about the boisterous broadcaster.

Cunningham replied:

“Harry Caray was a good announcer. Just don’t go into a slump –“

Sounding like a fellow fan remained Caray’s famed style. Until Joe, I had never thought how it would have felt (or sounded) having the “fan” with the microphone disappointed in you.

Speaking of disappointments…

I risked a question asking about 1959. Cunningham received all-star honors for his career year at the plate. His .453 on-base percentage astounds me. How close was the Cardinal to a batting title at .345? He answered:

“I was batting against Aaron in 1959 and we went down to the last game. Then, he went into a playoff and got a few hits and beat me out.”

When I heard former pitcher Mike Bielecki singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at a 2010 Cubs game, I wondered what he thought of broadcaster Harry Caray. I asked him about Harry, a great day against the Pirates and the benefits of appearing on baseball cards. He wrote:

Remembering April 13, 1991 — in front of the Wrigley Field faithful, former Pirate Bielecki beat his old team. He helped his own cause with four RBI. (Thanks, http://www.retrosheet.org/.) Bielecki noted:

I’ve counted 48 different Bielecki cards. I’m sure there’s more. He explained that appearing on cards pays in a different way.

That’s what I did writing to another keyboard artist, Nancy Faust. She’s been the team organist for the Chicago White Sox since 1970. She’ll be retiring at season’s end. In my Hall of Fame, I’d give Nancy some real estate for introducing Steam’s Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) as a ballpark standard.

Everybody gets three strikes. Therefore, I asked three questions:

1. You were Harry “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” Caray’s first accompanist. What are your memories of creating a new baseball tradition?
2. What are your memories of the 2005 World Championship season?
3. Besides Jack McDowell, what White Sox players have impressed you most with their musical knowledge or abilities?

My reply in care of the team included a personalized 4-by-6 color photo and a signed team-issued card. Thoughtful bonuses I received with gratitude. However, no answers.

That’s okay. I took my cuts. Play on, Nancy!