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Addresses?
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Author:  Bumfketeer [ Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Addresses?

My dad is in his 80s. In 1961, he made a great catch of a foul liner hit by an obscure player named Ken Walters. (I was there...it was at the old Connie Mack Stadium).

Suddenly he's expressed an interest in getting the ball signed by Walters. Walters is still living, best I can tell, but I am having trouble finding an address to write him to ask if he'll sign it (here's hoping he's not as crabby an old fart as I am).

I seem to recall a book I saw years ago that had lots of addresses for MLB alumni. Is there indeed such a book? What is it called? Where can it be had? Or does someone actually have it and if so can they just shoot me the address?

thanks.

Author:  wordygurdy [ Tue Nov 29, 2005 3:55 pm ]
Post subject: 

Good luck, Bumf.

Might the Major League Baseball Players Association have such information? Walters' career was over long before the MLBPA came into being, but the organization might know how to get in touch with old timers.

Author:  Bumfketeer [ Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:02 pm ]
Post subject: 

I'd considered the players association and wrote them yesterday. Also, I posted on their alumni site's fan message board, and someone gave me the excellent and painfully obvious suggestion of writing to the Phillies, which I did.

thanks....

Author:  Bumfketeer [ Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:18 pm ]
Post subject: 

Ken Walters has been found, thanks to a tip from a member of this very forum.

I spoke with Walters by phone tonight, and he will be thrilled to sign the ball for my dad. Ah, the heroes of yesterday. Good thing dad didn't catch a ball hit by Bobby Bonds.

Thanks for the help.

Author:  Wabberjocky [ Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:27 pm ]
Post subject: 

What a great story, Bumf. Some of my favorite stories to write in my sportswriting days were features on retired ex-major-leaguers. If they were at least ten years removed from their playing days, usually they wouldn't hold back much "inside baseball" information. They made for tremendously entertaining stories.

And it seemed to me that the more marginal their career, the better the story. One of my all-time favorite bylined pieces came a few years ago when I was introduced to a local Babe Ruth coach who, as it turned out, had a major-league baseball career that consisted of just a few game appearances with the Atlanta Braves in late 1974. His career line was three at-bats, one hit. And yes, he was there the day Hammerin' Hank hit No. 715.

What did you learn about Ken Walters and what he's up to?

Author:  Bumfketeer [ Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:09 am ]
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It was kind of funny, actually. I first asked for Mr. Walters, and his wife claimed he wasn't there. I then told her that I was looking for him to sign a ball he hit when he was a major leaguer 40 years ago, and she told me he would LOVE to talk to me.

I only told him the basic story. He laughed and said he bet it was a foul rather than a homer. He was right about that.

IHe said he'd be happy to sign the ball. He didn't ask for anything, of course, but I'll send him $20 with the ball so that he can say he actually got paid for an autograph. Remember, we are talking about someone who played briefly in the majors more than 40 years ago.

I'll also send him an autograph pen to sign it with. Johnny Podres signed a ball for me, and it looks like he did it in disappearing ink.

Author:  Wabberjocky [ Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:26 am ]
Post subject: 

Very cool, Bumf. I bet you made an old man's day.

Author:  wordygurdy [ Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:54 pm ]
Post subject: 

Great story, Bumf! Thanks for telling us about it.

Have you read Lawrence Ritter's *The Glory of Their Times*? Your anecdote reminded me of it. It's a wonderful read.

Author:  SeaRaven [ Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:39 pm ]
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Wow, that’s cool, Bumf. Thanks for brightening the TCE board with that story.

Author:  Bumfketeer [ Fri Dec 02, 2005 8:42 pm ]
Post subject: 

"Brightening."

Author:  Connfused [ Sat Dec 03, 2005 2:37 pm ]
Post subject: 

I wonder if anybody saved the master list of athletes' phone numbers, e-mails, etc. that the AP accidentally sent out on the wire a couple of years ago.

Author:  Wabberjocky [ Sat Dec 03, 2005 4:50 pm ]
Post subject: 

I printed it out, and have it stored away somewhere.

Author:  ADKbrown [ Sun Dec 04, 2005 9:13 pm ]
Post subject: 

Wabberjocky wrote:
What a great story, Bumf.


I agree. Bumf should write about it for his paper.

Author:  Bumfketeer [ Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:37 pm ]
Post subject: 

Ha, ha.

Of course, if they offer to pay me I will. I admit being a whore.

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