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A Reminder From Frank Pastore

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The autograph grew loose
and loopy over time. Pastore’s
appreciation for collectors
remained strong.

Black Friday. Cyber Monday. It’s about getting it all NOW.

Ironically, we put off non-shopping choices until later. Autograph collectors know this well.

Frank Pastore was a generous, even easy, autograph by mail. A man in his 50s. Collectors could get him any time, right?

One motorcycle accident has changed everything. Pastore’s future is uncertain.

Forget methods and systems, ages and availabilities. If you want an autograph, or if you want to thank a player from YOUR past, don’t wait. You heart may know more than your head.

Coming Monday: Thoughts on Christmas cards.

The Ballad of Jeff Ballard

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For years, it seemed like
facsimile sigs would be
the only thing collectors would see.

Chris James, Jeff Ballard…now Dave West.

BEEP BEEP BEEP.

Who are former players who didn’t like mail sent to their homes?

Alex Trebek is smiling. So are collectors who guessed that other addresses exist for these men.

I’ve seen the saga on www.sportscollectors.net. TTM autograph requests fall into a black hole. Then, someone figures out a mailing address for the guy. A family business. A “work” address that works.

Suddenly, the autographs start flowing again.

The moral? Pay attention to the “Whatever happened to…” features. Some retirees may be non-signers only some of the time.

(Secret?) Stamp Prices for 2013

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Note to USPS:
more baseball stamps
= MORE PROFIT!

Why does it seem that the official approval for U.S. stamp increases always get announced on a weekend?

The commission ruling on Friday (after Happy Hour?) was shared by sources like MSN on Sunday.

So the skittish decision makers can get a running headstart from possible protesters who don’t hear until Monday morning?

A one-cent increase isn’t that shocking. Even better, the USPS is doing one great move. There will be a FOREVER global stamp. Any country $1.10. I’ve seen the anguished looks postal counter workers flash when looking up the assorted rates to different countries. Plus, collector friends like Kohei Nirengi in Japan won’t have to ponder what to do about the multi-year responses from America costing more on their SASEs.

Kohei mentioned that pitcher Larry Andersen got back to him this month after a mere seven years.

Getting back to the postal service: be proud and loud. I can’t afford UPS or FedEx-ing former players. I’m not planning expecting retirees in their 80s and 90s to start e-mailing me. You’re the only game in town, in my book.

Coming Wednesday: sometimes-signers TTM.

Send Virgil Trucks Your Thanks

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Mister T loving
the cards at his
birthday party.
Let’s do it again!

Do you have room for one more name on your Christmas card list? Do you have an extra thank-you card needing a home?

Thanks to the reader who mentioned the sad irony of having all of Virgil Trucks’ mail RTS-ed. There seemed to be no way to mail a note of gratitude to one of the game’s greatest ambassors.

I pointed this out to Virgil’s daughter. She replied:

Tom,

I think that would be wonderful. I know he read every get well card and was so blessed by them.
Thank you on behalf of my Dad too.
 
Carolyn
 
Here’s our chance to fire up “Fire” one last time. Please, do not ask for an autograph. No SASEs. If you’re wanting a chance to be thankful before Thanksgiving, here it is.
 
Mr. Virgil Trucks
c/o Carolyn Beckwith
55 Salser Lane
Columbiana, AL 35051
 
Thank you, everyone. Meanwhile, check out the heroic effort by James Webb. Yea! Add your name and your support to this online petition.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Be Santa For Your Mail Carrier, Collectors!

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It’s time to think about holiday gift giving.

Don’t forget the person who keeps your hobby thriving: the mail carrier.

I checked with my local postmaster. Postal regulations limit carriers to accepting gifts (cash or equivalent) of no more than $20.

“What? Tip the postman? I spend a ton on postage.”

Gifts come in all forms. Do you know your carrier’s name? Have you ever gotten to thank them personally?

When I spoke to the postmaster, I said how happy I was with Angela. She treats our mail like it’s her own. She’s that careful.

Go to usps.gov. Fill out the consumer response form. Your appreciation will make a difference for your carrier, and your collection, in 2013.

Coming Friday: A way to thank Virgil Trucks!