Autographs

I certainly understand why people get autographs, but for some reason it isn't something I collect. However, two different occasions I have received autographs that I treasure...both from HS players. I like them because of the person giving them: They are leaders, classy guys, certainly talented and not jaded by their accomplishments.

- I had Robert Woodard sign a picture from the Charlotte Observer showing his satisfaction after winning the Regional Championship and going to h State Championship. I knew how hard Robert worked in the off season to prepare himself and his teammates for the coming season. He's a special young man and I felt honored by receiving it.

- Tyler Tewell gave me an autograph baseball that means a lot to me. Tyler accomplished everything one could in HS baseball (once hitting the cycle twice in one week)...and winning every award available, but to give you an example of the type person he is happened at a banquet. Tyler just received an award for being the best HS player in the Charlotte area. While everyone anticipated Tyler to discuss his teammates, coach and everyone that helped him; he did all that. But after mentioning those things he took advantage of his opportunity to discuss a close schoolmate that had recently lost her life...and how much his friend meant to him. Tyler Tewell is an unbelievable power hitter that made HS baseball look too easy, but along with his god given talent lies a young man with heart, compassion, loyalty and dedication.

Both of those young men are special...and why their autographs are special to me. They are the only one's I have.

I have recently heard about another unusual young man that really interests me to get to know him...Kirk Morgan. I have a feeling our paths will cross this year and he will be the next one I will ask.


What are the one's that you have and why are they important to you?

 

I have a ball that was signed by Roberto Clemente. He was always my favorite player growing up and now understanding the way he died just makes that ball more special. Great player who who could throw strikes from right fied and ended up with exaactly 3000 hits. First Latin American HOFer and only player to be inducted without having to wait 5 years. Great humanitarian who gave a lot back to his native Puerto Rico and other Latin American countries and died trying to get supplies to Nicaragua after an earthquake.

 

I loved to watch him play. He had a cannon for an arm, and I loved watching him run. His arms would fly all around his body as he accelerated through the bases: He seemed to be at top speed after a few steps. An amazing player and a better person.

 

I have 3 that I have kept. Autograph from Stan Musial I got when I was about 6. An autographed picture from Bobby Knight personalized to me that is on my office wall. And the ball that's prominently displayed in my office is a ball signed by all the members of a 5-6 yr old coach pitch team I helped with several years ago. That's the best, except for the penmanship, lol.

 

Muddy, how did you get Coach Knight's autograph...that's a rarity.

 

Got one for myself, my dad, and my brother. I have an acquaintance that assists in scheduling college basketball games for smaller schools that travel to play larger schools. As an old Indiana boy we have always enjoyed Coach Knight.

 

Favorite autograph

My favorite autograph is from Bill Werber who died in 2009 at the age of 100. He played for the Yankees with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, and later set some records with the Red Sox and led the Cincinnati Reds to the World Series title in 1940. He is the only player in the history of baseball to hit 4 consecutive doubles in both leagues (American & National). I had the great pleasure of visiting with him well over 100 times over the last five years of his life. Here is what I wrote about him for the Charlotte Observer upon his passing:

When a giant falls the rumble is not felt by everyone. Such was the case last week when Charlotte lost one of its’ finest citizens. Bill Werber had only called Charlotte his home for the last ten years of his life, but the final laps of life for a great man were still a time to educate and entertain those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was a man of great achievement and purpose who distinguished himself from an early age in ways that made him stand out as an example of how to live life fully while remaining generous, kind and humble. His childhood in Berwyn, Maryland was normal enough with an occasional splash of mischief to keep things interesting, but mostly he developed himself as a gifted athlete. Most any physical endeavor became a competition. Running, jumping fences, throwing rocks, and diving from bridges were always a measure of who could do it the best. His athletic achievements took him to Duke University where he excelled on the ball diamond and the hardwood, becoming Duke’s first All-American in basketball in 1930. The New York Yankees signed him and he became a professional ballplayer, playing 12 seasons with more than a few special moments.

Werber’s career was often framed in terms of his being a teammate of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. While noteworthy, that wasn’t the measure of the man. He stood on his own and established a few records himself. Known as a tough competitor, Werber didn’t give an inch on the field and he prided himself on working hard and occasionally outsmarting his opponents. He took second base on a walk once while noting that the catcher turned to argue the ball four call. On the long train rides that were common then, he was often called on to be the arbiter in disputes and confer his knowledge upon the less educated ballplayers of the day. In all things he was gracious and dignified.

The Bill Werber most would never know from reading articles about him was a man who possessed the most fantastic vocabulary…and he enjoyed the full use of it. Although he never made the Baseball Hall of Fame, he surely would be a charter member of the storytellers Hall of Fame if one existed. He told vivid tales of moments large and small with a total recall of the little details that made it all so real for the fortunate recipient. Not just stories of the Babe, but also stories about hunting trips with President Eisenhower and caring for his beloved bird dogs…and stories about most everything in between. He was a big talker and he was very good at it. He was also a man of strong opinions and even after his 100th birthday this past June, he would share them with our political leaders and others he thought would benefit from his perspective.

Werber was very successful in business following his departure from baseball in 1942 and amazingly earned over $100,000 selling insurance his first year out of baseball. The most Ruth ever earned as America’s most celebrated athlete was $80,000. In his day, he was a respected businessman and he said his business success was mostly rooted in good listening skills and not being bashful about asking for the order. I’m sure he never asked to have a boulevard named after him, however.

So, a giant fell last week in Charlotte…..and now maybe a few more heard the rumble.


*the boulevard comment was related to Bruton Smith demanding that the City of Concord change the name of Concord Mills Blvd to Bruton Smith Blvd....happened just before Mr. Werber's death.