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Twins Collectors Near Baltimore? Be On TV!

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Strange, but true.

Minutes ago, an e-mail arrived. Is there a Twins collector in the Baltimore area who wants to be on TV?

To start at the beginning, here’s the background on the TV show pilot…

“My name is Danielle Gervais. I’m a Casting Producer with a production company called Leftfield Pictures in New York City. They’re the producers of History Channel’s hit new series, Pawn Stars and American Restoration! They’re currently casting an exciting new series based in and around Baltimore, MD that will be 100% dedicated to sports fans, sports memorabilia and the people who collect it! We’re currently looking for true Minnesota Twins fans living in the area for a special segment we’re doing about the team –
CALLING ALL TWINS FANS AND SPORTS COLLECTORS LIVING IN AND AROUND BALTIMORE/DC!

FROM THE PRODUCERS OF HISTORY CHANNEL’S PAWN STARS COMES A BRAND NEW NETWORK SERIES DEDICATED TO SPORTS FANS AND SPORTS MEMORABILIA!

New network sports memorabilia series is currently looking for TRUE Twins fans living in or around Baltimore, MD for a special segment we’re doing for the team!!! In addition, we’re also looking for sports-related items that have historic significance and a great back story. If you or someone you know is a dedicated Twins fan OR owns a unique piece of sports history, we want to hear from you!

Here’s a brief synopsis of the show….

Whether you’re looking for a Babe Ruth autographed baseball or an autographed Sidney Crosby worn-jersey, there’s no better place to find it than ROBBIE’S FIRST BASE in Baltimore, Maryland. A family-run shop, Robbie’s has built itself into a booming business and collectors, professional athletes and sports nuts can’t seem to get (or buy) enough of it.  At Robbie’s, sports drives more than the family business; it instills a passion that brings  out the best and worst in everyone. The atmosphere is akin to a sports barbershop, because when it comes to sports, everyone has an opinion. Every incredible item bought and sold at Robbie’s tells a story and prompts a sports debate, where both buyers and sellers spit stats and opinions like a sports radio show. When the item is right for the customer, all of the big arguments can add up to big dollars!
Here is our casting notice….

“Do you have an amazing piece of sports history – a rare autographed baseball, signed stadium seats, or even a championship ring that you are looking to sell?? Are you a collector with tons of sports memorabilia or just dedicated fan with a gem?

The Producers of History Channel’s Pawn Stars and American Restoration are bringing you the best sports memorabilia show out there!!

If you have a unique, rare, or awesome piece of sports memorabilia that you’d like to sell of just show off, please e-mail us with a picture of the item, a brief description of what it is and why it is special, and tell us how you got it!!!”

Danielle GervaisCasting Director,
Left Field Pictures
Danielle.Gervais@leftfieldpictures.com
212.564.2607 x 2365

The producer, who noted that the segment films next week, adds: “We’re open to just about everything else. That being said, the back-story that accompanies an item is JUST as important as the item itself. We definitely want folks who have a connection to their items. Bottom line – back-story is VERY important.”

I’d love to see an autograph collector on the segment, someone who could tell about making personal contact with former Twins. Someone who could tell the world that autographs aren’t just quantity, but QUALITY. 

Let us know how it turns out. We’ll be able to collect YOUR autograph!

Cincinnati Reds Pitcher Ted Wieand Rewarded By Topps, Stiffed By Sport Magazine!

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He never forgot Topps.

Reds pitcher Ted Wieand may have mixed emotions about his 1960 Topps card.

Back in the 1960s, Topps had a prize redemption catalog for players to use. Much like S&H Green Stamps, Topps offered merchandise as payment for appearance in a set.

Wieand remembered:

“I got a living room suite. I was grateful for that honor.”

His 1960 card designated him as a “Sport Magazine Rookie Star.” Surely, honorees got a ceremony, right? A trophy? Or, a gold watch?

“No. Nothing.”

Even S&H Green Stamps beat nothing.

Coming Thursday: Address king Harvey Mieselman prepares for 2012 directory.

Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams Will Grace Envelopes For 2012 All-Star Break

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Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams are “forever” All-Stars. They’ll have their own “forever” stamps starting in July, 2012.

Co-starring will be commemorative stamps of Larry Doby and Willie Stargell.

Artist Kadir Nelson, who painted the elegant 2010 Negro Leagues stamps, is creator of these four portraits.

I hope collectors stockpile these beauties. There’s nothing better for baseball correspondence!

Coming Wednesday: Ted Wieand shares good and bad news.

Happy Labor(less) Day, Autograph Collectors!

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If it seems like “work,” make it fun.
Construction workers can become
“players” at the website
http://www.mlb-hardhats.4ursafety.com/

Happy Labor Day!

I wish you, on what seems the last guaranteed day of summer, more “happy” and less “labor.”

In case you missed it, please take another look at the words from U.S. Marine Tony Moore. Autograph collecting through the mail could be a whole lot harder.

I’ll never forget the thrill of being an elementary schooler who realized that past and present major leaguers might care who I am and what I thought. Knowing that I could be as good as any fan through the U.S. Mail, and that I could get an autograph as proof that I mattered? Wow!

The chance, the hope, of communicating with baseball history-makers with each letter I send? I can’t imagine any better hobby. I’m grateful to the men and women of our military for their courageous labors, the Tonys of our nation who deserve a family picnic today and an overflowing mailbox tomorrow. Thank you for helping me better appreciate my hobby, and my country.

If your hobby is a labor, make sure it’s a labor of LOVE.

Rangers Cards Blogger Rob ‘Spiff’ Matlack Specializes In One Pitching Relative

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What does YOUR cousin’s
autographed card look like?

It’s one dream for a hitter to bat 1.000. A goal almost as good is a blogger who hits 1,000 posts.

Rob “Spiff” Matlack has done that at his Rangers Cards blog. I spotted some autographs and one surprising correspondence during his first thousand posts. Also, he revealed why he collects one certain player.

Rob’s story follows:

Q: You collect one certain player. A relative?

A: Jon Matlack is actually a distant cousin and that is what inspired the collection. I have never met him though. Back in the mid-90’s my younger brother wrote him and asked him if he was a descendant of Timothy Matlack (inscriber of the Declaration of Independence). He wrote back a short note stating that he was and commenting that must make us relations of some sort. I have never let Jon know about my collection of his memorabilia but I have taken to sending him a card to keep each time I write and ask for an autograph. I try to make it a different card each time.
Q: What kind of autographs do you collect?

A:. I started collecting Rangers autographs in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s when my Grandfather would take my brothers and I to Arlington Stadium. The first ones I got were in person. I later started sending cards to players care of the team after seeing a list of team addresses in Beckett. Only in the past few years have I started sending to players at home. Active Rangers have been decent signers for me in the past. Of course you have to avoid the big names for the most part (Young, Tex, Kinsler) and know who won’t sign (Andrus). Currently Wilson is very good and Hamilton will sign if you give him enough time. A couple of years ago I even got Jon Daniels to sign. There are several others who will also sign. For home addresses I use a section of The Bench forums and other autograph collectors.

Q: Do you tell about your blog or your fandom in your letters?

A: The letters I send out are usually not very personal. I explain that I am requesting the autograph for my personal collection and thank the player in advance for their time. A particular favorite will get a few additional words. The reason for the shortness of the letter is to save the player time. These guys are signing a lot and doing it as a service to their fans. If the letter is short they don’t have to take much time to read it. Depending on the player I will ask for up to two autographs at a time. Any more falls under the category of why my letters are short.

Q: You interviewed a former major leaguer, someone who found you and your blog. How?

A:  Hearing from Willie Lozado was awesome. Easily one of the high points of my blogging experience. I exchanged several emails with him during the process and he was never anything less than gracious. Very impressed that he would take time from his schedule to answer my questions.
Q: Did a Rangers minor leaguer respond to your blog?

A: Joe Wardlow is a bit of a mystery. I would love to interview him but am doubtful it will happen. Recently I received an email from a person claiming to be Joe’s cousin. He provided me with enough information that I think it was a legitimate email. The cousin verified that the original comment on my blog came from Joe. He has also passed on my email address to Joe along with a request for an email interview. So far I have not heard anything back.

Q: I’ve gotten Rangers Alumni “Legacy” cards autographed from Frank Lucchesi and Rich Billings. What do you know of them?

A. I think the alumni cards were/are handed out during autograph appearances and other team sponsored events. Not sure of the time period. I also got a Lucchesi one back with an autograph request. It appears that some players/managers kept a supply to give away.
Q: Are any other former Rangers writing?

A: I really haven’t gotten too many personal notes back from autograph requests. Kevin Elster’s wife (?) sent some cards back unsigned with a note that he would be gone until a certain date. After that date I resent the cards and he signed them. Billy Sample included a note apologizing for not responding to an earlier request and claiming that the cards must have been lost in his “dungeon”. Several players have included tracts and business cards along with their autographs.

Q: Future goals as an autograph collector or blogger?
A: Right now I am in a dry spell with the autograph collecting. Haven’t sent out many requests this year. Planning on changing that sometime soon I hope. As far as the blog, I really don’t know. After three and a half years and a little over 1,000 posts I still have a lot to write on. It is time consuming though and there are times that I doubt anyone is reading it. For now I am planning on sticking with it. Can’t see any major changes in the near future but one never knows.

Thanks, Rob. I think you and the Rangers have bright futures!