 Historical
Society Gets Straight A’s
By Fran Zimniuch
Christmas morning came a little early for me last week. That’s
when my collection of 45 autographed baseball cards from the 1930’s
through the 1960’s arrived in the mail. There were a few players
I’d never heard of, while others were quite familiar. As a
kid, collecting baseball cards was a favorite pastime of mine. It
seems I’ve come full circle as I’m doing it again. Geez,
do you think those leisure suits tucked away deep in the back of
a closet will ever come back?
A special treat was that some of the autographed cards in my new
collection included John Hancock’s from Jack Baldschun, Carl
Erskine, Curt Simmons, Frank Thomas, Mickey Vernon and Bill Werber,
all former players who I had the opportunity to interview for three
baseball books I’ve written.
How did I find such a great collection of memorabilia? Through an
organization that honors a baseball team that left the Philadelphia
area before I was even born. But while the Philadelphia Athletics
skipped town for Kansas City in 1954, the folks that make up the
Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society have kept the memory of
that team and its players alive since 1996. The organization is
comprised of a special breed of baseball fan that you seldom come
across. Their love of baseball and passion for the Philadelphia
Athletics is quite evident.
The A’s Historical Society is a non-profit organization with
a museum and shop located on North York Road in Hatboro PA. While
their principal focus has always been to preserve the legacy and
honor the accomplishments of the old Philadelphia A’s, the
group really does much more. They actually are in the business of
preserving the history of baseball in the Philadelphia area. That,
in turn, gives us a rare look back at the way of the world in those
long ago days.
The museum sports showcases galore, with enough artifacts and pieces
of baseball memorabilia to make even the most serious fan sit up
and take notice. There are old yearbooks on display, along with
team photos, individual photos, commemorative pins, baseballs, other
novelty items, a Wall of Fame and a timeline of Philadelphia Athletics
uniforms. There is also an extensive library and research section.
That’s how I first got involved with this great group. While
doing research for my baseball books, two dedicated gentlemen who
love the game of baseball, Max Silberman and Ernie Montella, were
always there to help a frustrated author get in contact with an
old player, or unearth some statistic that meant nothing to most
everyone except me. Another member of the group, Dr. Steve Harlem,
is an old friend from years ago. These friendly folks make you feel
safe at home right from the start.
A visit to the museum, or the society’s web site, offers a
wonderful glimpse of how baseball and our world were different so
many years ago. A trip to the museum will not disappoint as it is
the closest thing to the Baseball Hall of Fame this side of Cooperstown.
Did you know that Shoeless Joe Jackson began his major league career
with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1908? Me neither.
The A’s have been called the most successful sports franchise
in Philadelphia and for good reason. They won nine American League
Pennants and five World Series titles in 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929
and 1930. Kind of makes my shining moment with the 1980 Phillies
seem a little lean, doesn’t it?
Baseball Hall of Fame members who played for the A’s are an
impressive lot that includes Chief Bender, Ty Cobb, Jimmie Foxx,
Nellie Fox, Lefty Grove, Napolean Lajoie and good ole’ Connie
Mack, who managed the team from 1901 to 1950. After that, Jimmy
Dykes and Eddie Joost were skippers of the A’s.
For a great look back at the way things used to be, the Philadelphia
Athletics Historical Society is a can’t miss proposition.
And for my money, you can add the names of Silberman, Montella and
Harlem to that aforementioned list of Hall of Famers.
SOLD OUT
 Special
offer: Purchase the Diamond Signatures card set at $299 and your
price for the Connie Mack Hartland Figurine will be $9.95 and we
pay the shipping and insurance. Don't hesitate since we have less
than 20 of the original 200 Diamond Signatures Autographed sets
still available.To reserve your set while still in inventory contact
the Gift Shoppe at 1-800-318-0483 Monday-Saturday 10am-3pm EST.
SOLD OUT
The A's Society is proud to announce a special limited edition
of only 600 Connie Mack figurine's designed by the world famous
Hartland, LLC to replicate the Connie Mack statue that was dedicated
in 1957 at Connie Mack Stadium and later moved to its second home
outside of Veterans Stadium. Today it is visible at its third home
site near the Phillies new Citizens' Bank Park. Watch this site
for details on how you can own one of these limited edition figurines.
Only 600 numbered will be cast including a Certificate of Authenticity
from Hartland LLC.
CARD SET TESTIMONIALS
It is my pleasure to sign these cards for the Society.Also many
thanks for the more than 700 duplicates that were sent for my own
personal use.I wish you well with the sets and if I can help any
way for the Historical Society just let me know..Virgil Trucks
There are two mistakes in the back of my card.I was born in 1921
not 1925 and I was a left handed hitter not right. Otherwise the
cards are fantastic and thank you for the 700 cards you sent for
my own personal use..Dave "Boo" Ferris
Many thanks for the extra cards they are really great.Glad I was
able to contribute.
Jack Baldschun
Thank you so much for the Bozman/Joyner new baseball cards. They
are absolutely great. Hope all goes well. They are terrific. and
it was a pleasure to sign the ones you sent and include me in the
set....Roy Sievers
I was surprised that you used an L.A. photo. One of my great memories
was having Mr Mack congratulate
me on my World Series Strike Out Record breaking Howard Emhke’s
record of 13 when the A’s played the Cubs in 1929.We were
both (Mr Mack & me) on the Ed Sullivan show. Here are my signed
cards and I think they are simply terrific .Carl Erskine
The Bozman/Joyner cards you sent me to sign are simply fantastic,
in fact, they flatter me .It is my pleasure to be a part of this
wonderful fund raising effort...Johnny Pesky.
WOW, simply a wonderful and classy style card .I’m so pleased
I am included here .I know the complete sets won’t last too
long for sure. Joe Astroth
Happy to sign the Bozman/Joyner cards and I hope your organization
makes lots of money. The cards are unbelievable. Don Lenhardt.
The cards are signed. I like my picture you selected.. Thanks again
and give my regards to the gang
.Johnny Logan
The cards are beautiful. I hope they become a huge success .It’s
an honor to be part of the new card collection....Lou Limmer
This is one of the finest cards of me that I can recall. Bill &
Ronnie did a fantastic job. I know that Curt (Simmons) was just
as pleased as well and proud to be included......Bobby Shantz
Simply great. I’ll bet this set won’t be around too
long. Bozman & Joyner did an outstanding job . One thing for
certain it is only available through the A’s Society. What
a nice tribute..... Eddie Joost
Bill Bozman and Ronnie Joyner outdid themselves on these cards.
I plan to write to all of the other players
and have them sign one for me.What a great great design. Spook Jcobs
Editors Note: Would you believe Spook’s idea has taken off?
Many of the players in this set are exchanging their signed cards
for the others signed cards. How about that, baseball players trading
baseball cards ? Sounds like this could make for a great hobby..collecting
baseball cards ....
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