Anyone read this Chief Meyers book?

[Brent G.]

In picking up a T200 NY Nationals card and reading about the players, it seems John Tortes Meyers had one fascinating life, including being born to a Civil War vet from my home state. Has anyone read this book? Seems like it's the only one on him -- wanted to see if it's a good read before I commit.

[JJ McGraw]

Got it a few weeks back……finishing up Black Prince then on to the Chief!

[Hankphenom]

Can't go wrong with the Chief! And be sure to give his segment on the "Glory Of Their Times" audio set a listen, you'll be glad you did!

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

He's the earliest player I can think of who was a very strict "one per" if you wrote him an autograph request. "I don't like to be traded." This explains why his autograph is seen in far lesser quantity than the rest of his Glory of Their Times bookmates, all of whom were inundated with requests after the book's release. Goslin didn't sign much himself due to poor health, leaving his female family members to ghost sign 99% of that latter-day material. And, of course, Jimmy Austin passed shortly beforehand, thereby missing the deluge of requests.

In case anybody wondered if greedy autograph collectors were a newer phenomenon, I can think of at least a couple of 1960's collectors/dealers who would routinely mail 50 or 100 index cards to be signed all at once, with no compensation to the player, and even had the gall to do so on a repeated basis. Then, to prove they weren't at all embarrassed by this, they would sell index cards with notes penned by players, questioning why they would need so many (AKA the ridiculously classy reply) or "My autograph isn't for selling" (AKA the player predicting the future of the hobby) or "I never want to hear from you again" (the logical, angry reply). I heard one story about one of these collectors setting up at shows into the late 1980s with 6 inch thick stacks of index cards of the same player, including Eddie Cicotte. Wonder where all those Cicottes drifted off to. He's not a huge challenge, but also not toilet paper common.

[Brent G.]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

He's the earliest player I can think of who was a very strict "one per" if you wrote him an autograph request. "I don't like to be traded." This explains why his autograph is seen in far lesser quantity than the rest of his Glory of Their Times bookmates, all of whom were inundated with requests after the book's release. Goslin didn't sign much himself due to poor health, leaving his female family members to ghost sign 99% of that latter-day material. And, of course, Jimmy Austin passed shortly beforehand, thereby missing the deluge of requests.

In case anybody wondered if greedy autograph collectors were a newer phenomenon, I can think of at least a couple of 1960's collectors/dealers who would routinely mail 50 or 100 index cards to be signed all at once, with no compensation to the player, and even had the gall to do so on a repeated basis. Then, to prove they weren't at all embarrassed by this, they would sell index cards with notes penned by players, questioning why they would need so many (AKA the ridiculously classy reply) or "My autograph isn't for selling" (AKA the player predicting the future of the hobby) or "I never want to hear from you again" (the logical, angry reply). I heard one story about one of these collectors setting up at shows into the late 1980s with 6 inch thick stacks of index cards of the same player, including Eddie Cicotte. Wonder where all those Cicottes drifted off to. He's not a huge challenge, but also not toilet paper common.

There was a recent conversation on here about unwashed card dealers and customers. In my experience, there's no one scuzzier than the average "grapher," including their complete lack of tact in public (and via mail).

[Vintagecatcher]

Purchased the book when it was first published. Enjoyed it.

Patrick

[cdn_collector]

Read this book many years ago, and really enjoyed it.

[Brent G.]

Thanks for the reviews everybody!

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Can't go wrong with the Chief! And be sure to give his segment on the "Glory Of Their Times" audio set a listen, you'll be glad you did!

Agree with Hank. Chief was such a character. Really liked The Glory of Their Times. Highly recommend.

[Beercan collector]

The cover alone makes it a cool display piece

[J-Yo]

Originally Posted by JJ McGraw

Got it a few weeks back……finishing up Black Prince then on to the Chief!

How are you liking Black Prince? I have it just haven’t read it yet


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[J-Yo]

No I didn’t know he had one. I’m reading the Mike Donlin one that came out recently and enjoying it.


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[Mark17]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Agree with Hank. Chief was such a character. Really liked The Glory of Their Times. Highly recommend.

There are accounts of Mathewson, in the final game of the 1912 World Series, calling for Chief to take the foul ball Speaker hit down the first-base side. Matty could've easily taken it, or Fred Merkle. But Matty called for Chief, who was notoriously slow afoot. The ball dropped, Speaker supposedly called out to Matty, "You just called for the wrong man. Now it's going to cost you this ball game..." Speaker spoke, and the Sox went on to win Game 8 of the 1912 Series.

I always thought it was appropriate Chief's middle name was pronounced "tortoise."