You’ve Got Mail

In a time where life seems to be abbreviated, we have shortened so many phrases as typing out a few words is just not worth the time. From BRB to LOL we just do not seem to have the time, though we really should take the time to occasionally laugh out loud as it can be good for the soul. Should you be feeling extra giddy, feel free to take it to the extreme of ROFL — rolling on the floor laughing.

Scrolling through my Facebook feed earlier in the summer, as a card collector, a couple of groups were suggested that featured the abbreviation TTM and autographs. What could TTM be? Totally Tubular Members that features autographs of 1980’s bands as couldn’t we all use a signature or two from the Flock of Seagulls? Didn’t you just love their hair?

Being a Boomer and one who still writes out most abbreviated phrases I curiously clicked the link. What I discovered was a group that shared experiences of sending their cards to primarily former players for autographs. There would be posts from the administrators on how to respectfully ask for autographs. Members of the group will post pictures of the signed cards and success stories noting the player’s address, how long it would take to receive the card back and if there were any signing fees involved. Some groups just post the name of the player and a picture leaving you to track down the address.

Many players sign for free, others will ask for a nominal fee while notable players, especially the Hall of Famers will charge a fee ranging from $10 to $50. The other costs occur in the postage, both in sending and on the return envelope as you need to make it easy for the players. Sending multiple cards require the sender to check on the postage cost for the weight of the envelope. Large envelopes are needed to send out the request and a smaller envelope for the return. Some seekers will make cardboard holders for the cards to help protect the card from damage in the mail, while others use stiff plastic top loaders.

With more cards than I am willing to admit, I stuck my toe in the water sending out a request for an autograph to Don Kessinger, who is an idol from my youth. The former 5-time All-Star added a beautiful signature to my 1972 Topps card and I was hooked.

Many seekers will add a note card with a question or two and one of my next requests went to Claude Osteen. A well-traveled southpaw who once resided in the Dodgers starting rotation during the 1960’s alongside Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, he was reduced to a bad airbrushing in his 1975 Topps card. Asking his thoughts on the card, the response “this looks like me after I pitched 9 1/3 innings I relief in a game in Shea that went 26 innings.” We can imagine that the gazed look on the 1975 cardboard was similar to Osteen’s look after his extended relief outing of 9 1/3 innings of shutout ball on September 11, 1974 against the Mets that didn’t even net him the victory in the Cards’ 4-3 win. Other responses from the winner of 196 big league games during 18 seasons noted that his nickname of “Gomer” came from his resemblance to Gomer Pyle, the gas station attendant from The Andy Griffith Show.

Affixing a sharp signature to his 1972 cardboard, Jim Lonborg flashes a toothy smile with a gaze that looks like he knows something. Former Yankee southpaw Ron Guidry gives a nice autograph and is a quick turnaround as the “Louisiana Lightning” is also quick with the pen.

Manny Mota strings together several “M’s” in a signature as the former pinch-hitter extraordinaire after suffering health issues earlier this year is back signing. While Ryne Sandberg was battling cancer he signed up until his passing as fans posted both signed cards and return to sender envelopes received after his death by the second sacker who was a Hall of Famer both on and off the field.

As mentioned earlier, Hall of Famers generally request a fee for their John Hancock. I surprised an Oriole-loving nephew with a Jim Palmer card. Dennis Eckersley’s blue pen signature stands out beautifully against the crisp green and gold on his 1992 Topps cardboard. I really didn’t need an Andre Dawson autograph, but his signature is just so beautiful and the Hall of Famer does such a great job with the placement on his cards that I happily plunked down the ten dollars for the work of art.

Lastly, throughout the years, baseball fans have spent countless hours attempting to decipher the great Leo Cardenas/Chico Cardenas mystery. Is he Leo or is he Chico? Or are they identical cousins, in what many consider the baseball version of a Patty Duke Show flashback?

While Cathy adores a minuet, a bally roost and crepe suzettes; our Patty loves her rock and roll, a hot dog makes her lose control, what a wild duet.

The 1966 card continues to confuse us all, as Chico dons the front, while Leo is on the back. Listed as Leonardo Lazaro (Alfonso) Cardenas by Baseball Reference.com we can only assume that Topps was legally obligated to put Leo on the card, because everywhere else on the card they refer to Cardenas as Chico, even bringing to light the slick fielding shortstop’s other nickname, “Mr. Automatic.” Luckily they chose not to put that nickname on the front.

In another surprise move, the Topps folks highlighted Chico’s .333 World Series average, which is impressive until research exposes that fact that he was 1-for-3, connecting on a double in Game 3 of the ’61 Series against the Yankees, one of three pinch-hitting appearances. It would be years later, when handling shortstop duties for the Minnesota Twins in 1969 and 1970 playoffs, did the real Cardenas bat show its colors. During two playoff series, Leo went 4-for-24, and a .166 average. Seems to us the card maker would have noted that Chico, or Leo or Mr. Automatic, won the Gold Glove in 1965 over his post-season bat handling from 1961.

So, is he Chico or Leo? Through the miracle of TTM and five dollars, I finally uncovered the truth… LEO!

Thanks For Reading – or TFR.