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Autograph U Yearbook Inspires

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I took the day off to celebrate my wonderful wife’s birthday Monday.

When it comes to gifts, one of the best I’ve gotten lately came from Matt Ray.

I first told you about his amazing “Autograph U” blog back in 2010. Well, he’s still rocking the hobby. As many autograph collectors are stuck on all they’re getting, here’s a guy intent on GIVING.

He published FREE for everyone “The Autograph University 2012 Yearbook.” I’m proud to be one of the featured collectors.

Check out his yearbook now. He’s sharing this quality e-publication. The stories are about all kinds of autograph collectors, not just baseball. As you read, imagine where you’d fit in. Then, ask yourself two questions:

1. What kind of collector are you?
2. What kind of a collector would you like to be?

Jim Abbott’s ‘Imperfect’? Just The Opposite

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“I didn’t want to turn on a tape recorder and simply tell my story.”

— Jim Abbott

That’s from the Acknowledgements section of Imperfect: An Improbable Life. It’s easy to see why a pitcher who retired in 1999 has waited this long to recreate his life story.

This book offers a inning-by-inning and chapter-by-chapter account of the fabled 1993 no-hitter at Yankee Stadium. However, Abbott gives us a whole lot more.

For instance:

Player-turned-Rawlings executive Ted Sizemore gets applause for finding the perfect glove to aid in Abbott’s fielding.

Blue Jays scout Don Welke touted Abbott as a first-round draft choice worth a $200,000 signing bonus. Toronto didn’t listen in 1985, making him a 36th rounder with a $50,000 signing offer. Abbott declined, heading for college.

The contract stand-off with the Angels that led to his trade to the Yankees? Abbott offers a wistful, insightful recount of what went wrong — and how he might have reacted differently today.

My favorite passage in the book tells about a New York City bartender asking Abbott to autograph a baseball. When Abbott sees that Pete Gray, the one-armed outfielder for the 1945 St. Louis Browns, is the other autograph on the ball, Abbott declines. As he writes:

“I had had endeavored to uphold a life above brands that began ‘one-armed’ or ‘one-handed,’ and detested the notion of someone displaying or hawking the Jim Abbott/Pete Gray Two Good Arms Between ‘Em ball. How awful. With Ventura and McCaskill watching stiffly, I told the bartender I’d be happy to sign anything else, which he refused in a huff. I wondered if Pete Gray would have gone along.”
Abbott hasn’t been the best TTM signer through the years. This tale, and others like it, dot the narrative. The hurler tired of all the focus being on his disability. Relatedly, Abbott’s devotion to corresponding with children and parents coping with physical adversity was one of baseball’s best-kept secrets during his career. With autographs, letters and meetings (all far from the media spotlight), he inspired so many in need. For the casual collector, did Abbott tire of the standard stereotyped praise about being a handicapped athlete? Did he assume all letters would be the same? The book hints at the possibility.

I’m delighted at Abbott’s all-star storytelling skills. His humble sincerity and blunt honesty make for a rare combination in current baseball books. Imperfect is anything but. Read it and get a new reason to cheer for one of Michigan’s greatest diamond success stories.

The Envelope, Please: Roger ‘Super RC’ Chen Shares The Autograph Joy On Youtube

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Look for
this RC
on Youtube!

Don’t be afraid to wish.

After viewing another empty mailbox by my front door, I grumbled, “I hope other collectors are getting some responses today.” No, I didn’t run down the street, peeking in other mailboxes.

With Youtube, I didn’t have to!

I’m so happy to see collector videos on Youtube. When I saw a great story about pitcher Ryan Tatusko, posted by “Super RC,” I had to know how “Super” this collector was.

He didn’t disappoint. The “RC” wasn’t a Rookie Card abbreviation. This truly super collector is Roger Chen. I thank him for the e-interview, which I share with you:
“Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share some thoughts about my ‘graphing experience: it’s always been a passion of mine and though my ultimate goal is to have a good collection, I want to be able to show others how to do it; to help them build the confidence that they TOO can have their favorite player’s autograph through the mail (or in person).

The love affair for TTM autos was Will Clark signing my 87 Topps rookie card about 20 years ago. It came full circle last week when I met Will at AT&T park and he signed my ball and I had a 45 second conversation with my boyhood hero.”

Q: How did Ryan Tatusko respond to your tribute, showing all the cards he signed?

A: He was VERY appreciative of the video. I did the video because I wanted to honor him the right way for making the time to sign. I hope I did just that.

Q: Do you have any of the cards left to give out? If so, please offer detailed instructions of how you’d like requests/contacts to be made?

A: I have a few left. Just reach out to me on youtube or this email address and provide a U.S. mail address (limit 1 per person).

Q: What kind of in-person ‘graphing do you do?

A: Primarily at the minor league ball parks: I enjoy the closer quarters and more personal interaction with the athletes because I can spend more time talking with them often times one on one. Most of the guys are generous to sign my entire stack of cards but I try to keep it to 2-3 cards per person per encounter.

I’ve also had success waiting outside the player’s parking lot. It provides a great opportunity for chatter and eye contact without the separation of a dugout, fence or a beam.

Q: You mentioned the response from JW Porter on another great video. Have you gotten by-mail answers to questions from other former players?

A: Though I haven’t gotten responses from former players, I did a personalized response from Leilani Munter: race car driver and environmental activist. As you can see in the video, her care package was really awesome.

Q: I’ve never tried Twitter. What type of responses have you gotten tweeting current and former players?

A: I’ve reached out to prospects during spring training and got more responses then as opposed to the regular season: simple ask to send stuff & get signed, wait for a response.

Q: I’m sure other collectors jumped at asking for a Ryan T card. You made a very generous offer. But what other kind of feedback have you gotten from other Youtube videos of yours? How has it helped connecting with other collectors?

A: Fellow ‘tubers have given me a lot of support and encouragement for the gesture, and my main goal was to share in Ryan’s generosity. A lot of people I’ve sent to are also TTM and IP auto collectors as well.

Q: What’s your current focus or specialty for baseball autograph collecting?

A: Right now I focus on the in-person autograph: I enjoy that instant gratification and personal interaction. I have also dabbled in the TTM auto of former players as well turning old baseball cards into signed beauties.

Q: Future goals?

A: I see myself doing more TTM’s and trading fellow graphers for their IP or TTM autos 50/50.

Q: Advice for other collectors thinking about posting their own Youtube hobby video?

A: Absolutely DO IT: you are on a platform to let the original signers know that the package was recieved, and you appreciate their time for signing your stuff… also, people who see how generous a signer is may follow suit and send stuff to that person as well.

Roger is an “old school” hobbyist. I’m grateful that he’s sharing all he knows. You’ll see in his Tatusko video a helpful aside about using Staedtler pens. Anyone with other questions, write him at superrc@gmail.com. His twitter handle is @roger_chen.

Coming Friday: A Review of Jim Abbott’s “Imperfect: An Improbable Life.”

D-backs Pitcher Brad Ziegler Reveals A Shocking Stat For TTM Autograph Collectors

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If you get Brad by mail, be assured that a
Bible verse will be attached!

There may have been a few groans when Pat Neshek shared May advice for autograph collectors. Don’t forget the SASE? Some veteran hobbyists snorted. Who wouldn’t enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope? Where was the advanced, top-secret formula for guaranteed autographs?

I decided to cross-check Pat’s concern. Could it be? I sought out Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brad Ziegler. How many fan letter autograph requests does he get NOT including a SASE? I told him that veteran collectors hope to get the word spread, to reduce the number to ZERO.

He replied:

Thank you 🙂 5%. Most have SASE.
 The ones that don’t, I keep the cards.

Five percent is five percent too many.

I’m grateful to Stephanee (Mrs. Pat) Neshek, who asked the same question to her talented husband. She wrote:

Pat loves the hobby himself so he tries to be as accessible as he can be. He said about 1 out of every 10 requests don’t have a SASE.

Come to think of it…one out of 10 is one too many.

Why? That one could push a current or former player into finding the needed scapegoat. Imagine. “I hate it when they do this. I’m not going to do fan mail any more!”

I salute everyone who’s learned the rules of TTM collecting. To everyone who shares those rules, I offer an extra cheer.

Coming Wednesday: Youtube, the next stop for autograph enlightenment!

Japan’s Masanori Murakami Shares Memories!

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Living in Japan, baseball fan Kohei Nirengi is anything but typical. Approximately, 95 percent of his collection consists of American major leaguers.

He had reached Masanori Murakami years ago, wanting an autograph because of the pitcher’s Jackie Robinson-like fame in being the first Japanese barrier breaker to reach the majors.
Kohei writes autograph requests by hand. Anyone who hears from this collector knows the purpose of the letter:

“Baseball is the most beautiful game.”

Helping add such touches in translating David Patton’s words, Masanori Murakami included an additional response to questions.

Here’s the translation of the response Kohei helped secure:

Q1: Are you a Giants fan?
Murakami: “Of course! I go to San Francisco almost every year. I saw Willie Mays in person last year.  I sent his 80th Birthday gift to him. Mays’ and my birthday is May 6, but he is older than me by 13 years.”

Q2: I would be interested in hearing of your favorite memory of your U.S. playing days.

M: “Willie Mays and Tom Haller invited me to each of their homes. I still treasure to keep a cuff links which was a gift by Mays. Also I got a chance to talk with Roberto Clemente at a locker room, especially I was impressed by his volunteer works. Lastly, I got a ‘save’ as Marichal hit Roseboro over the head with his bat  and then we had a brawl against the L.A. Dodgers at Candlestick Park.”
I asked the humble Kohei if he was prepared for other collectors clamoring for his skills.

His answer? Kohei has contacted Murakami again. Kohei’s charities of choice have been his local animal shelter and Japanese organizations aiding tsunami and earthquake survivors. He’s asking the fabled pitcher what charities he supports, in hopes of the two of them combining on a private signing to help causes they both favor.

Kohei assures me that BBTL readers will be among the first to learn of the details of how and when such an opportunity could happen. Please, add a comment below if you’d be interested in Murakami’s autograph while aiding Japanese charities.

Coming Monday: Do all TTM collectors include a SASE? What happens when someone doesn’t? Diamondbacks pitcher and collector Brad Ziegler explains.