RBI (207) A TTM Letter Answered...

It's been a significant amount of time since I had a letter response from a TTM request so it was nice to start baseball season off with one. Pitcher Ross Ohlendorf was nice enough to take a few moments to sign and share some of his thoughts.

I sent Ohlendorf his 2014 Topps Heritage card to be signed for my set, but he swapped that out and sent back two different cards. We'll get to that after his letter:

What was the biggest difference for you between the Red Sox and Yankees organizations?
Yankees are more "old school" in regards to conditioning and work in the training room.

Did you realize you were throwing an immaculate inning?
Yes

Where is your favorite stadium to play as a visitor?
3 favorites are Padres, Giants, Pirates

Why do you wear #43?
They gave it to me

What do you remember about your 1st MLB win?
I nearly gave up a home run to lose it but stranded the runner at 3rd

Definitely a nice response and I'm surprised again to hear that Pittsburgh is one of his favorite spots. I've consistently heard that response back and now I'll need to putt Pittsburgh on my to visit list as soon as I can.

Ross Ohlendorf autographed a 2008 Upper Deck rookie card and personalized "Ryan best wishes!" on a 2013 Topps card for me. Definitely a nice response and I hope his season goes well.

RBI (71) A Cooperstown TTM for the 365...

I'm sure by the title some of you who read the batch summaries I post before I mail out the 365 letters can guess who responded. Hall of Famer and Red Sox legend Bobby Doerr was kind enough to sign TTM for me.

Of all current players for the Red Sox, second baseman Dustin Pedroia is without a doubt my favorite. He's intense, and leaves it all out on the field and in the batters box. He continues a tradition of excellence at second that Bobby Doerr instilled in the position for the franchise after first appearing for the club in 1937. A tradition recognized by the Red Sox who retired his #1 in 1988 for his service as a player and coach.

Doerr was a generational talent who played 14 seasons exclusively for the Red Sox, though it could have been 15 if he had not been called away to serve in WWII. The 9-time All-Star while being one of the top defensive second basemen in the league, was also a dangerous hitter. When he retired in 1951, his career average was .288 and his On Base Percentage stood at .362. He had assembled more than 2,000 hits, 223 home runs, and 1,247 RBI's. Legendary hitter and teammate Ted Williams asserted Doerr was the "silent captain" of the team, a great tip to Doerr considering Williams' fickle nature about speaking to the public.

After retiring reasonably young at 33 due to injury, Doerr remained around the game as a scout and hitting coach. He is credited along with Ted Williams as being a strong influence in Carl Yastrzemski's evolution mid-career into more of a power hitter. After leaving the Sox he was the first hitting coach for the expansion Toronto Blue Jays from 1977-1981.

Doerr was inducted into the Cooperstown Hall of Fame in 1986 by the Veterans Committee. He was inducted along with Willie McCovey who received 81% of the vote and Ernie Lombardi, also another Veterans Committee inductee.

 Mr. Doerr signed this 2001 Upper Deck Legendary Cuts card for me signed "Bob Doerr HOF 86"

It took me a while to find that legendary cuts card and ironically the day after I bought the card at a card shop I swung through the card aisle at Target. What was sitting at the top of the $4 pack of randomly assorted cards in a clear plastic hanger? Yup. This 1989 Topps commemorating the 1988 All Star Game.
Also signed "Bob Doerr HOF 86"


Mr. Doerr was kind enough to sign these two cards for me from his home address in only 14 days.

RBI (52) A Slammin' Salmon...

That's right folks the Tim "King Fish" Salmon. Angel readers need no introduction to the King Fish, but the rest of you can enjoy the recap to the franchises' greatest homegrown player.

A native of Long Beach, the Angels took Salmon in the 3rd round of the 1989 draft. Salmon eventually made his debut in the bigs in 1992 for a cup of coffee in the form of 23 games.

The Angels would keep him up for the following 1993 season, and Salmon would overcome his 1992 difficulties to mash his way to Rookie of the Year Honors. The power would maintain throughout his career and in 1995, he was given the Silver Slugger award. Salmon would patrol the outfield for years, but in 2001 have a largely disappointing season as his elite power and average would leave him. 2002 would prove to be a bounce back year as the Fish would help the franchise win it's first World Series Championship, and he would claim the AL Comeback Player of the Year award. When he finally hung up his cleats after 14 seasons with the Angels he would have 299 Home Runs, 1016 RBI, .282 average, and an impressive .385 OBP.

When the Angels hosted the 2010 All Star Game they were sure to include Salmon in the festivities and he won the celebrity softball game's MVP award. He also flexed his muscles in a home run derby contest to wow fans with his ability to still drive the ball.

I was able to get Tim Salmon's autograph on those at Angel stadium during the 2011 season when he began doing pregame broadcasts for the team. The first is a 1994 Upper Deck, a 1996 Score, and lastly a 1996 Topps signed "To Ryan Tim Salmon ROY '93" When I asked Mr. Salmon if he could "Please sign 'ROY'," he asked "Why?" I couldn't think of a response beyond the most obvious and truthful, "Because you're awesome and it'd just look really cool."

I was able to get this Tim Salmon's autographed ball during his signing during the Angel 50th Anniversary celebration.

There is some debate as to whether Salmon's numbers are worthy of entry into the Hall of Fame when comparing his numbers to those of his peers. However if you realize that he did them clean in a era of baseball highly in debate, it's a tough sell to deny him entry. Especially as a broadcaster he's been media friendly, so unlike some candidates there shouldn't be an overwhelming lockout for personal reasons/clashes. I wouldn't be surprised to eventually see him get a plaque in Cooperstown....except it won't happen via the BBWAA vote. On Salmon's first year of eligibility he was given 5 votes, well below the minimum needed to stay on the ballot. I like how 5 voters shared the same wave length that I did, but any trip to Cooperstown will have to be as a vacation unless the Veterans Committee decides to give Salmon a nod.

RBI (36) This butcher sure has some skills...

But not in the deli, Angel pitching coach Mike Butcher has his skills working with guys on the mound. Though I've learned that apparently Mike has some skills in the kitchen as last year he put out some pretty seriously tasty chili at an Angels charity cook off. It may help that he's had some professional help in the form of  his cooking assistant/sister-in-law who is a trained chef.

When it comes to pitching Mike needs no assistance as he's got a fairly extensive background in it and especially in Angel baseball. Mike's about as homegrown as they come considering his 4 seasons in the Majors were all spent with the halos as a reliever. In 115 games Butcher posted a 4.47 ERA with 96 Strikeouts, good enough for a 11-4 record with 9 Saves.

From 2000-2005 Butcher served as a pitching coach or consultant within the Angels minor league system before he was called up to the big show to join former Angel bench coach Joe Maddon in Tampa Bay for the 2006 season. Since the 2007 season he's come back home at the "Big A" as Mike Scioscia's pitching coach. Angel starters are thriving under his tutelage as they consistently are among league leaders in Wins, ERA, and Strikeouts. Fans have seen the consistent emergence of front line starters and homegrown relievers with Butcher in the system with Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana, Jordan Walden, and Tyler Chatwood being among the prominent names coming from the system.

Having Butcher as pitching coach is definitely something Angel players have acknowledged as a pleasant benefit of being in the organization. Ace Jered Weaver went so far as to acknowledging Butcher as positive reason for staying in his recent press conference announcing his extension. As an Angel fan, I'd hate to see Butcher developing the arms of the prospects emerging from the Texans, Rays, or Braves.

Mike was nice enough to go the extra step to sign these cards for me before a game at Angel Stadium. I asked him to sign them on the way to watch a Dan Haren bullpen session, but he had to get going and told me he'd get me on the way out. Unfortunately the session went on a little longer than normal and I got distracted by batting practice and wandered away from the bullpen area. Luckily when rookie Tyler Chatwood was warming up for the game Butcher had a free minute and came over when I called out to him. He told me "There you are. I was looking for you earlier," when I passed him my pair of cards.

Butcher has a really legible signature and I was pretty happy to see him take his time signing the cards. It's not too often I see anyone handing him a card, normally it's an Angel hat or ticket so I was happy to get these Mike Butcher autographed cards. I was especially happy about the cards, since I've had the Upper Deck 1994 card since I was 6 as a souvenir team set from an Angel game. The 1993 Topps card I was able to get through the Diamond Giveaway and there is a sweet little golden emblem marking the inaugural season of the Rockies embedded into the card.