In the early 80's, I saw an add for Jack Smalling's baseball address list in SCD. It talked about writing to players for autographs. I was skeptical but decided to give it a try.
I saved my allowance for a couple weeks, sent it off and decided to test it out with some players when the book came in. I sent to Mickey Mantle, Pete Rose and Ted Williams to see if this would work.
Alas, nothing came back after a few months of waiting. Then one day, six months after I had sent my requests, my Dad comes home from work and calls me from my room. He said I had some mail. Ted Williams had signed and returned the 1976 Topps All Time All star card I had sent him. The thrill I had opening that from Ted Williams was and still probably today is my greatest hobby memory.
I ended up sending to players for a couple of years after that. Instead of spending all of my whopping $6 allowance on cards, I started spending it on stamps for requests.
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