Header - Baseball by the Letters

Minnesota Twins Fan Collects By (His) Heart

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The First TTM autograph
Daniel received after the
October birth of his child.
Double congrats!

There are hobby role models out there.

I just found a swell blog by Daniel Cote:

http://signeddc.blogspot.com/

I love the guy’s mission statement, telling how he started collecting as a kid in the 1980s. However, because the collection didn’t have a lot of sentiment attached to it, he sold much of it on ebay. Daniel adds:

“Now, I have decided to start again. This time around, no filler. I’m only sending requests to players who I want to add to my personal collection. That means there will be a big focus on Minnesota Twins and North Stars, as well as other Minnesota-born and affiliated athletes. This blog will chronicle my successes.”

Daniel has harnessed one of the most powerful words in the hobby.

WHY

Keeping this in mind, he’ll be sure to have lasting fun this time around. Most importantly, I think he’ll get more autographs by mail. I think all collectors should have at least one sentence in their autograph request letter. Something like:

I’m writing to you because ______________________.

Only you can fill in that blank. Daniel is finding Minnesota natives, Twins farmhands with obscure minor league cards — all the signers that would matter the most to HIM. He’s thrown in a few fun names from his youth, such as pitcher Brian Barnes. Someone stocked up on Barnes rookie cards once, thinking the Expo would be the next big thing. I think Barnes would have loved a letter knowing that someone believed so much in him!

I’ve seen that Daniel’s slipping a question into some letters. You never know until you try!

I wish Daniel Cote lots of fun in his second hobby go-round. Sharing his TTM exploits with others will be a good guarantee to make this collection one for the ages.

Phillies Del Unser Shares Pinch-Hit Wisdom

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“Then look for it!”

Was Del Unser a born pinch-hitter?

I love http://www.retrosheet.org/. Looking there at Unser’s top performances, I see that he spread his 87 career homers out evenly — 87 different games!

Phillies fans remember the key roles he played in the team’s 1980 World Series championship. However, Unser flashed the under-pressure tools in 1979, coming off the bench when it mattered most.

How did he manage three consecutive pinch-hit homers? Unser replied:

“All were at the end of games. You have to know what pitch a pitcher is willing to get beat with. Then look for it!”


A father who caught in the 1940s. A brother who played minor league ball. Unser lived the game.

“I grew up in baseball — it seemed natural to play; but we had very exciting moments and a lot of disappointments.

Family is my greatest achievement by far!”

Tomorrow: a Twins fan collects with his heart.

Senator Del Unser Talks Triples

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He still has
the sweeping “D”

Del Unser is one forgiving guy.

I regretted a question as soon as it dropped in the mailbox. At the time, I wished I was Fred Flintstone, able to stuff Barney Rubble in the box to retrieve the questionable question. (Remember that episode?!?)

Back to baseball: I learned that Washington Senator Del Unser led the American League with eight triples in 1969. However, that was the lowest-ever league best. His high was a record low. I asked why he thought there weren’t more three-base hits that year.

 I imagined a “What? Have you ever led the American League, or even your Little League, in triples?!?” Thankfully, Unser did reply, offering some thoughtful insights.

Regarding the dearth of three-baggers that season, Unser reminded:

“There was only one .300 hitter that year…the year of the pitcher.”

I asked about his dad, catcher Al Unser, who served with the Tigers and Reds in 1942-45.

“He never coached much — always on the road. He told me to always hustle if you put that uniform on.”

Tomorrow: Del Unser relives three consecutive pinch-hit home runs from 1979.

Jerry Moses Honors Tony Conigliaro

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How Does He Spell
His First Name?

Jerry Moses served nearly a decade in the majors. Time stands still for Boston fans, who’ll forever remember him as the baby-faced catcher made of steel.

“I only went to bat four times in 1965. The older guys were great to me. Some of those guys are still my friends.”

Moses saw limitless potential in one teammate: Tony Conigliaro.

“Tony was a great friend. He was a confident person and player. He would have been a Hall of Famer.”

I thought Moses would remember a highlight of his Fenway days as the homer from April 20, 1969 off Steve Hargan.

“Grand slams are unique. It was great.”

Did he watch it clear?

“Yes.”

I dared to ask: if that wasn’t your favorite homer ever, what was?

“I hit a home run as my first hit. I was 18 years old.”

That wasn’t the only surprise in the letter from Moses.

“I should have had a better career. I worked hard, played hard and did was I needed to do. I listened too much to some coaches who tried to change my way of hitting.


I never had a problem hitting and was a home run hitter. By using the coach, I became a line drive hitter.


I hope to write a small book called ‘How to Screw Up a Great Career.'”

Moses reveals much more in this fine Red Sox blog feature interview (at least the Boston parts), “At Home At Fenway”!

Moses allowed one mystery to remain. When I asked him to settle the baseball history debate of whether his first name should be GERRY or JERRY, he passed. I’m sure Topps is still puzzled. Initially, the company pulled his full name “Gerald” off his appearance contract, using it as a facsimile autograph. However, the catcher has always signed with a “J.”

Smile With Pitcher Al “Stretch” Grunwald

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Still Looking Up!



 Al Grunwald led two baseball lives.

First, anyone spotting his nickname should be clued in that this was no ordinary pitcher. Grunwald was one of baseball’s good sports. Imagine being in an organization seven years, suddenly being told that you might be of more service at another position.

That’s how a first baseman gets relocated.

Upon reading that, I expected Marlon Brando’s “I Coulda Been a Contendah!” Nope. No moaning about finding work in Japan as a first baseman after the majors gave up on the converted hurler.

Instead, Al Grunwald’s still filled with wonder!

He debuted with the 1955 Pirates. Grunwald recalled one talented young teammate:

“What I recall about Roberto Clemente, he was the greatest ballplayer I ever saw! I never talked to Roberto, but watching him play was remarkable!!!”

A 1955 highlight had to be his 5.1 scoreless innings against St. Louis May 1. Grunwald shared:

“Tom, there is always tense moments in baseball. Pitching against Stan Musial was a great thrill! He hit a line drive single over my head.”

Grunwald’s only career save came as a Kansas City Athletic. He shut down the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park on Sept. 11, 1959. How did that feel?

“Looking at the left field wall, it felt like you could reach out and touch it. Ha! Ha!”

Grunwald opened and closed his letter thanking me. He wished my family ‘Happy New Year’ and prefaced his autograph with “As Ever.”

I hope more former players like Al Grunwald remain “as ever.” That would make a new year happier for all fans and collectors.