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Al Munro Elias and his brother Walter established the world’s preeminent statistical in 1913. Six years later the Elias Sport Bureau was appointed the official statistician of the National League.

Soon the American League and various minor leagues followed suit. Today the ESB officially serves every major North American team sport.

In the collection is this letter from May 4, 1934 signed by Al Munro Elias. The letterhead lists him as president in the top left corner.

Elias writes to Mrs. Harry Stevens, the purported inventor of the hot dog and longtime food vendor at Major League stadiums. Elias extends to the Stevens family his “most profound sympathies.” Elias neatly signs his name at the bottom of the letter.

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In the collection is this letter from early sports agent Christy Walsh dated January 27, 1942 on Samuel Goldwyn Inc. letterhead. He writes to his assistant about securing Bill Dickey and Babe Ruth to appear in the Lou Gehrig biopic Pride of the Yankees.

Walsh wants Bihler to gather publicity information. He suggests that Bihler contact the Yankees and, “Al Munro Elias, or any other source” for “information or figures on Dickey.”

The film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and came away with one Oscar for Best Film Editing.

Interestingly Dickey also appeared in the biopic about pitcher Monty Stratton who lost his leg in a hunting accident. The Stratton Story won the 1949 Oscar for Best Writing, Motion Picture Story, today’s equivalent of Best Picture.

Dickey might be the only Major Leaguer to appear in two Academy Award winning movies.