Longtime autograph collector Jim Taylor received correspondence from many of the game’s greatest stars. His son Jeff had boundless enthusiasm for his father’s collection and spurred others to collect as well. Shown here is an envelope addressed to Jim Taylor of La Canada, California with a 1960 postmark. Sam Crawford has neatly signed his name in the return address portion.

In page one of this letter Hall of Fame outfielder Sam Crawford writes about what it takes to make it as a pitcher. “Control is the first thing. All great pitchers had control and were continually working at it…When he can curve the ball over at 3-2 then he will be a pitcher.” Crawford goes on to write about the recently concluded Fall Classic in which Bill Mazeroski walked off Casey Stengel’s Yankees. “As to the World Series of course I was rooting for Casey and am sure he had the best team. Pretty even when one pitch decides it.”

Baseball’s career leader in three-base hits, Sam Crawford tallied 2,961 career hits to go with 458 doubles and 309 triples. He played 15 of his 19 big league seasons for the Detroit Tigers. At the bottom of the second page shown here, Crawford signs “Mary and Wahoo” before adding a post script. “Mary says you will know how I feel when the other league wins the series.”

On the back of this postcard, Sam Crawford again writes to friend and autograph collector Jim Taylor. “Dear friends, a card to send greetings. Very fine weather here and no rain in sight. We hope the Taylor’s are all O.K. With all good wishes, Mary and Wahoo.”