Los Angeles Dodgers – Baseball by The Letters

Walter O’Malley Dodgers correspondence inspires

Tom Owens — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 01:37:07 +0000

You are not alone.

Baseball by the letters matters to everyone, not just fans and collectors.

Check out the official website of Walter O’Malley, the former Dodgers owner.

It’s great to see peeks at real correspondence, not just scribbled signatures.

Collect those letters. Save them. Read between the lines. You might find a special bit of baseball history tucked away, just for you.

Baseball-Crazy Cartoonist Scott Hilburn Shares ‘Argyle Sweater’ History

Tom Owens — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 18:23:00 +0000

From Feb. 11, 2011. Did the Flyin’ Hawaiian
ever know he was a comics all-star, too? Visit
www.theargylesweater.com to keep daily tabs
on this funny fellow fan!

Last week, I wrote about seeing Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt appear in the “funny papers.”

I pondered whether cartoonists were well-connected folk who knew anyone and everyone. Would it matter saying to a major leaguer that you saw them honored in the comics?

Here’s the kind reply from creator Scott Hilburn himself:

“Hi Tom,

I’m not specifically a Dodgers fan – but a huge baseball fan in general.

I’ve never been to a Dodgers game (I live in Dallas) but only because I haven’t had the opportunity yet.

I try to catch the closest ballgame when I travel and I hope to, one day, visit every stadium.

I’ve included a few players in my comic before. Shane Victorino immediately comes to mind.

No feedback from any of the players though.”

Thanks to Scott for his time, and for funny stuff worth sharing with any real-life counterpart.

Creativity Pays When Writing For Autographs: Grab Some Scissors & Think Comical!

Tom Owens — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 19:28:00 +0000

Players, past and present, are human. If you
see them mentioned in an offbeat way, share it.
Good luck finding more offbeat fun than what’s
offered by “The Argyle Sweater.”

Many new collectors ask the best way to write a letter to a former major leaguer.

The late Virgil Trucks told me once that fan mail writers tried to tell him things about his career. Rarely could someone surprise him with a factoid or stats.

I’m talking about SHOWING someone when you write.

How many people saw this 6/23 comic panel. It’s called Argyle Sweater, by Scott Hilburn. Funny stuff. Rarely does a cartoonist reference a specific person.

In case you can’t read the pitching coach’s number, Hilburn even has Honeycutt’s correct #40. Any Los Angeles Dodgers fan would love seeing broadcaster Vin Scully co-starring in the gag.

Cut out the comic (or print it out). Say you thought his family might like an extra. Send one to the coach.

Players and retirees think that collectors are all about taking. Give a little.

‘The 34-Ton Bat’ Is 2013’s Buried Treasure

Tom Owens — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:36:00 +0000

How did I miss this one?

Author Steve Rushin has unearthed untold diamond history in The 34-Ton Bat: the Story of Baseball, As Told Through Bobble Heads, Cracker Jacks, Jock Straps, Eye Black & 375 Other Strange & Unforgettable Objects (Little & Brown, $25).

This is a “Me, too!” book, answering questions we’ve all had about baseball’s beginnings. He’s captured classic stories about the PEOPLE behind these baseball traditions.

Here’s one that stands out.

Years ago, I landed an assignment to write about history of Dodgers souvenirs for the team yearbook (you can look it up!). A huge part of that story was the late Danny Goodman, the merchandising wizard who showed the world all the logoed goodies Los Angeles Dodgers fans could enjoy. In the early 1970s, I’d save my allowance to mail-order team memorabilia that was 10-15 years old, at bargain prices. Little did I know that the man sending out the price list helped invent these collectibles!

I spoke to a high-ranking team employee, someone who’d been in the Dodgers family since the L.A. transplant.

“Why do you want to know about him? He died years ago,” I was informed.

Therefore, I know Rushin’s task wasn’t easy. Writing about baseball’s unsung heroes is one huge challenge.

Here’s something autograph collectors should consider. Many of these history makers are still alive, and would be easy to track down. Write to them. Do they know they’re getting recognition, at last? Tell them you read about them. They may not be baseball cards of them, but that doesn’t lessen their claims to fame.

Spring training isn’t here yet. If you need a book to get you through the last days of baseball-less winter, Steve Rushin is your author.

L.A. Dodger Dick Gray Delighted Autograph Collectors

Tom Owens — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 01:55:00 +0000

www.Baseball-Almanac.com
has an awesome collection of
autographs, including those
many of us missed out on!

Dick Gray, the man who hit the first-ever homer for the L.A. Dodgers, has died at age 81.

The ever-impressive www.sportscollectors.net noted that Gray never disappointed. He was a perfect 63-for-63.

The most common notation from collectors? Gray would add a “thanks for writing” note. Answering questions, adding requested personalizations — Gray did it all.

The part-time third baseman remained a class act, personifying the fan-friendly tradition known as “The Dodger Way.”

Hobby heroes are still out there ready to sign, but they won’t last long.

Seeking 10 Overlooked 1960s Dodgers

Tom Owens — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:11:00 +0000

One of the all-time great
baseball card poses!

A dozen Rookies of the Year.

Even into the 1990s, it seemed that coming up with the Los Angeles Dodgers seemed to guarantee career prosperity.

But not every wearer of Dodger blue was granted such an opportunity for success.

I went back to 1960, when Frank Howard became the first Dodger ROY winner. Who were the L.A. cup-of-coffee candidates from that decade, those who never found the same spotlight?

My latest letters are to:

Jim Barbieri
Dick Calmus
Roy Gleason
Jim Golden
Derrell Griffith
Tim Harkness
Dick Nen
Bart Shirley
Hector Valle
Carl Warwick

Roy Campanella, Rolling Stones, Superfans: Dodgers Coach Mark Cresse Remembers

Tom Owens — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:45:00 +0000

Los Angeles Dodgers fans marvel at the years served by Bill Russell. Another overlooked team fixture during those many glory years was Mark Cresse.

Cresse served as bullpen coach for 22 seasons. A third-round draftee by the Cardinals in 1971, he went on to found the Mark Cresse School of Baseball.

I wrote to find out his views about Dodger Stadium, bullpen misadventures and his overlooked talent.

What did he remember most about Dodger Stadium? Interestingly, Cresse recalled the people before the sights:

“I enjoyed daily talks with the season ticket holders near me in the bullpen. I was always amazed with the passion they had for the Dodgers!”

What’s the craziest thing Cresse ever witnessed by relievers trying to amuse themselves?

“I promised Jesse Orosco that if we were ever ahead by 15 runs in a game, he could bring his stereo down to the bullpen. Sure enough, it happened and here came his giant stereo playing the Rolling Stones’ Satisfaction.”

During his years with the Dodgers, Cresse gained secondary fame as a baseball woodworker. He made lamps out of broken bats. Did any famous names ever collect his work?

“The best bat lamp I ever made was an eight-bat lamp that I made for Roy Campanella. He gave me eight bats from his last team in Brooklyn and I made him a cool table lamp.”

Coming Monday: Givings, and misgivings, by collectors at Christmas.

Who Invented "Handsome Ransom" Jackson?

Tom Owens — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 05:11:00 +0000

Same Sig, Almost 60 Years Later!

Ransom Jackson never found the culprit. But he has his hunch.

Although Topps preferred to dub the infielder “Randy,” historians know him as “Handsome Ransom.”

I asked Jackson if such an epic title was used on the bench, or even the dinner table. Wouldn’t an opposing team delighted in taunting such a finely-named foe? Jackson replied:

“Sportswriters are always looking for nicknames. So, somewhere along the line, someone hung that on me. Have no idea who did it. But it’s kinda fun. Nobody has even teased me about it.”

I asked what the biggest difference was in transforming from a Brooklyn Dodger to a Los Angeles Dodger. He wrote:

“Biggest change, going to L.A., was playing in a fastball stadium. Very weird.”

Lastly, I wondered what being an All-Star meant in the 1950s. As a two-time honoree, did he receive any kind of plaque, trophy or ring? Jackson recalled:

Maybe, the Chicago media invented Jackson’s Hollywood image. I’ve found more than one source indicating that Cub teammates thought he looked like Gregory Peck!

“One year for the All-Stars, I got a watch. The other year was a sterling silver coffee set with tray.”

Who Invented “Handsome Ransom” Jackson?