Every autograph can tell a story.

Harvey Meiselman, intrepid compiler of baseball addresses, sent customers an update about catcher Bob Stinson.

Stinson has upped his signing fee by mail to $10 per autograph.

Back in 2010, I wrote about Stinson’s dislike of the fabled SSPC set. The 1976 edition was unlicensed. College student Keith Olbermann (long before ESPN or political fame) got his first national taste of baseball journalism, writing the card backs.

Stinson was the final holdout for Olbermann, protesting to the TV personality that the set was unlicensed.

Yes, you guessed it, Stinson’s updated policy states he’ll sign Topps cards only.

Nothing personal, Keith!

By the way, Stinson may just be repaying Topps for the huge faith the company showed in him. From 1970-72, he was on a “Rookie Stars” card…for three different teams.

Hmm…add cheese to the leftovers and it becomes a NEW casserole?

I couldn’t help but think that Ken Burns wanted to pump new life into his 1994 marathon documentary by adding “Extra Innings” chapters. A new complete set to buy?

Yes, I know that Pedro Martinez, Joe Torre and Ichiro were included in this sequel. Nevertheless, I saw the exercise as something I’d call “Punditpalooza.”

I gasped to see Keith Olbermann appearing. Keith wrote the backs of my SSPC “Pure Card” set, noting in a note from years ago that Bob Stinson was the only one (now there are others) who wouldn’t autograph the unlicensed card for K.O.

I found on the Olbermann blog an explanation (of sorts) on how he could appear on “Extra Innings” after blasting the original production.

This blog is about baseball STORIES. Not the shiny, sophisticated vignettes from today’s media, but the heart-felt recollections from those who lived the diamond history. If an invisible Midwest fan can glean these on-the-field memories for a couple of stamps, the famed documentarian shouldn’t have trouble reaching the same sources. For instance, Red Sox he mentioned like Kevin Millar and Curt Schilling are fellow media types, right? Did Burns think they were too shy?

Sorry, I didn’t stand up and cheer for these extra innings. I felt more in a college lecture hall than back in a ballpark. When Burns updates his update, I hope he gives more actual team members a chance to speak for themselves.

Hmm…add cheese to the leftovers and it becomes a NEW casserole?

I couldn’t help but think that Ken Burns wanted to pump new life into his 1994 marathon documentary by adding “Extra Innings” chapters. A new complete set to buy?

Yes, I know that Pedro Martinez, Joe Torre and Ichiro were included in this sequel. Nevertheless, I saw the exercise as something I’d call “Punditpalooza.”

I gasped to see Keith Olbermann appearing. Keith wrote the backs of my SSPC “Pure Card” set, noting in a note from years ago that Bob Stinson was the only one (now there are others) who wouldn’t autograph the unlicensed card for K.O.

I found on the Olbermann blog an explanation (of sorts) on how he could appear on “Extra Innings” after blasting the original production.

This blog is about baseball STORIES. Not the shiny, sophisticated vignettes from today’s media, but the heart-felt recollections from those who lived the diamond history. If an invisible Midwest fan can glean these on-the-field memories for a couple of stamps, the famed documentarian shouldn’t have trouble reaching the same sources. For instance, Red Sox he mentioned like Kevin Millar and Curt Schilling are fellow media types, right? Did Burns think they were too shy?

Sorry, I didn’t stand up and cheer for these extra innings. I felt more in a college lecture hall than back in a ballpark. When Burns updates his update, I hope he gives more actual team members a chance to speak for themselves.

No, this isn’t about politics. I like the idea of a college student
saying “Oh, yeah!” when asked if he’d like to write the backs for a 630-card
set. Each back of the SSPC set came from Mister KO, long before his fame at ESPN
or MSNBC. These weren’t 1953 Bowmans, but they may be the closest “Pure
Card” I will ever see again in my hobby lifetime.

I wrote Olbermann back in 2001 about his achievement.

Back then, he wrote that he had every card in the set autographed, excluding
Bob Stinson.

Long before Olbermann’s politics were known, Stinson still shunned Keith’s requests. For years, Stinson was the first to protest being pictured on an unlicensed set. In other words, he wouldn’t endorse via an autograph any product that didn’t pay him.

If Olbermann could open a pack of 1967 Topps on his TV show, it seems
logical that “Scrap Iron” could come on and autograph his card. Collectors
report that the former catcher has charged $5 per sig. Originally, he said
the money went to the softball team he coached.

I wonder how much Olbermann would have paid for his card to be signed?