Son,
I wanted to give you an update on my health condition.
As you know, I have cancer that is slowly and steadily spreading through my body. The doctor told me that I have between a year and three years to live.
Plenty of time to see my boy pitch for Boston, right?
Son, I know this is hard. It's hard for us to not have you here, but I want you to realize something that I have realized. Maybe this all happened for a reason. I know this...this disease has changed me for the better. I was so consumed with my version of success and never once thought about what would make you, your brother, your sister, and a lot of the times my own wife...what would make them happy.
The main thing I want you to know is this: Please don't let this affect you. I know it's hard. But I want you to know what I am okay. I'm not bitter and I'm not angry, so you shouldn't be either. This has been a blessing in disguise for me.
Clay, one day I will see you pitch in that Shipbuilder uniform and it will be one of the happiest days of my life. I love you, son.
Love,
Your Father
Sunday, May 17, 2009
May 15, 1916
Father,
Your appointment was yesterday. How did it go? To be honest, I have been scared to write about it. I must admit that I often pretend that you are fine. It is extremely hard to be on the road all of the time and not be able to spend precious time with you.
It's been harder to keep it bottled it up. Sometimes I'm angry about it and I pitch harder than ever. Sometimes it just makes me upset and I can't concentrate.
Anyway, I'm sure you are interested in how I've been doing. We've been in Boston for two series, but in between them we traveled to Kansas City. They have a team called the Packers.
Actually, I just realized that I never updated you on the rest of my time in St. Louis. I pitched there a few days after writing you and we lost 5-1. I only struck out three and gave up nine hits.
Then, in Kansas City I pitched one game and it was the highlight of my short career. I got the win! My first as a professional. We won 6-1 and the run they scored was because of an error. I let up six hits and struck out nine.
We had a long stretch of games at home after getting back. I've pitched three times since.
I'll quickly sum it up by saying we lost all three but I pitched well in two of the three games. In one game, I had eleven strikeouts.
Write me back as soon as you can to let me know about your doctor's visit.
Love,
Your Son
Your appointment was yesterday. How did it go? To be honest, I have been scared to write about it. I must admit that I often pretend that you are fine. It is extremely hard to be on the road all of the time and not be able to spend precious time with you.
It's been harder to keep it bottled it up. Sometimes I'm angry about it and I pitch harder than ever. Sometimes it just makes me upset and I can't concentrate.
Anyway, I'm sure you are interested in how I've been doing. We've been in Boston for two series, but in between them we traveled to Kansas City. They have a team called the Packers.
Actually, I just realized that I never updated you on the rest of my time in St. Louis. I pitched there a few days after writing you and we lost 5-1. I only struck out three and gave up nine hits.
Then, in Kansas City I pitched one game and it was the highlight of my short career. I got the win! My first as a professional. We won 6-1 and the run they scored was because of an error. I let up six hits and struck out nine.
We had a long stretch of games at home after getting back. I've pitched three times since.
I'll quickly sum it up by saying we lost all three but I pitched well in two of the three games. In one game, I had eleven strikeouts.
Write me back as soon as you can to let me know about your doctor's visit.
Love,
Your Son
April 29, 1916
Son,
Sounds like you are doing good. I'm sorry that your team is playing poorly.
Did I ever mention to you that I've been to St. Louis? It was when I was younger, about 23 or 24, just a little older than you. It was about three of four years before you were born.
The fair really did impact the development of the city.
It's interesting to see you mention the food. Did you know that the ice cream cone, frankfurters, and peanut butter were invented at the World's Fair? Well, no one really knows, but they certainly became popular there.
You should see your little brother Jack. As soon he heard about you joining the baseball league he immediately asked for a mitt and a baseball. He's always looked up to you. Imagine what I would have done a few months ago if BOTH of you boys wanted to play baseball for a living.
Your sister is doing very well on her own. She's finally introduced us to the man she has been seeing recently. Seems like a swell fellow. He owns that drugstore down on the corner of Central, McCormick's Drug Store. That's him, McCormick.
Anyway, your mother and I are doing well. I have an appointment with the doctor next Monday. I will write you to tell you how it went.
Love,
Your Father
Sounds like you are doing good. I'm sorry that your team is playing poorly.
Did I ever mention to you that I've been to St. Louis? It was when I was younger, about 23 or 24, just a little older than you. It was about three of four years before you were born.
The fair really did impact the development of the city.
It's interesting to see you mention the food. Did you know that the ice cream cone, frankfurters, and peanut butter were invented at the World's Fair? Well, no one really knows, but they certainly became popular there.
You should see your little brother Jack. As soon he heard about you joining the baseball league he immediately asked for a mitt and a baseball. He's always looked up to you. Imagine what I would have done a few months ago if BOTH of you boys wanted to play baseball for a living.
Your sister is doing very well on her own. She's finally introduced us to the man she has been seeing recently. Seems like a swell fellow. He owns that drugstore down on the corner of Central, McCormick's Drug Store. That's him, McCormick.
Anyway, your mother and I are doing well. I have an appointment with the doctor next Monday. I will write you to tell you how it went.
Love,
Your Father
Saturday, May 16, 2009
April 25, 1916
Father,
I've decided that when I'm on the road, I'm going to write you on postcards with images of local scenery. Today, I'm in St. Louis getting ready to play the Class A Terriers tomorrow.
I'm enjoying this city very much. As you know, twelve years ago the World's Fair was hosted here and the city is very much influenced by it. Some of the food here is food I have never seen before.
I've pitched in three more games since we've last talked.
In one game in Boston, we played the Chicago Orphans Class A team. We lost again. I lasted six innings and gave up way too many hits. It wasn't my best showing.
Then, we traveled to Philadelphia. It was a crazy game. I pitched 12 innings, but in the 13th they scored a run to win. It was a 0-0 game until then! I struck out 14 batters which was very good.
Finally, two days ago, the Chicago Whales A team came to play us in Boston. We lost yet again. I went 9 innings, but only gave up five hits and struck out eight.
I will write you again soon. We head back to Boston after this.
Love,
Your Son
I've decided that when I'm on the road, I'm going to write you on postcards with images of local scenery. Today, I'm in St. Louis getting ready to play the Class A Terriers tomorrow.
I'm enjoying this city very much. As you know, twelve years ago the World's Fair was hosted here and the city is very much influenced by it. Some of the food here is food I have never seen before.
I've pitched in three more games since we've last talked.
In one game in Boston, we played the Chicago Orphans Class A team. We lost again. I lasted six innings and gave up way too many hits. It wasn't my best showing.
Then, we traveled to Philadelphia. It was a crazy game. I pitched 12 innings, but in the 13th they scored a run to win. It was a 0-0 game until then! I struck out 14 batters which was very good.
Finally, two days ago, the Chicago Whales A team came to play us in Boston. We lost yet again. I went 9 innings, but only gave up five hits and struck out eight.
I will write you again soon. We head back to Boston after this.
Love,
Your Son
April 17, 1916
Son,
That's great news. You'll be in the big league in no time.
Your mother wanted me to tell you to make sure you eat well. Are they paying you enough to eat decent food?
I'm assuming you've pitched again since your last letter. Let me know how it went.
Love,
Your Father
That's great news. You'll be in the big league in no time.
Your mother wanted me to tell you to make sure you eat well. Are they paying you enough to eat decent food?
I'm assuming you've pitched again since your last letter. Let me know how it went.
Love,
Your Father
April 13, 1916
Father,
Thank you. I can't tell you how much it means to have your blessing. I will make you proud.
After a month of camp with the entire organization, the big league team started on the 1st with games against the Pittsburgh Keystones.
For us young guys, we practiced for another week and then my team, the Class A club, went to Pittsburgh to take on their Class A team.
I'm a little surprised that they placed on the Class A team. There are two lower leagues, the C and B squads. Hopefully I'll play well enough to stay there. If I play well, I'm only one step away from the big league club.
I started in our first game. We lost 2-1, but I pitched well. I went eight innings, walked two, gave up six hits, and struck out four.
To be completely honest, our team isn't too good. I'm not entirely surprised, but at the same time it is a little discouraging that even our young players aren't playing well.
I will be traveling a lot, so I may not be able to write as often but I will certainly try.
Love,
Your Son
P.S. Apparently this "Graveyard" nickname has followed me to the big leagues.
Thank you. I can't tell you how much it means to have your blessing. I will make you proud.
After a month of camp with the entire organization, the big league team started on the 1st with games against the Pittsburgh Keystones.
For us young guys, we practiced for another week and then my team, the Class A club, went to Pittsburgh to take on their Class A team.
I'm a little surprised that they placed on the Class A team. There are two lower leagues, the C and B squads. Hopefully I'll play well enough to stay there. If I play well, I'm only one step away from the big league club.
I started in our first game. We lost 2-1, but I pitched well. I went eight innings, walked two, gave up six hits, and struck out four.
To be completely honest, our team isn't too good. I'm not entirely surprised, but at the same time it is a little discouraging that even our young players aren't playing well.
I will be traveling a lot, so I may not be able to write as often but I will certainly try.
Love,
Your Son
P.S. Apparently this "Graveyard" nickname has followed me to the big leagues.
April 6, 1916
Son,
Follow your dreams. I want to see you pitch your first game in the big leagues, so get to work.
I love you and always remember that I am proud of you.
Love,
Your Father
Follow your dreams. I want to see you pitch your first game in the big leagues, so get to work.
I love you and always remember that I am proud of you.
Love,
Your Father
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