"Buckner Ball" Fetches $418,250

Last week at this time, the question wasn't "how much" the famed "Buckner Ball" would sell for...it was "if" it would sell at all.

Today...we have an answer to both.

Heritage Auctions says the ball that helped the New York Mets win the 1986 World Series was sold Friday in Dallas to a buyer who wants to remain anonymous. The sale price...$418,250.

"(It) came as a real surprise," the ball's now-former owner Seth Swirsky said.  "It was a true honor to have the privilege of being the caretaker of this storied piece of baseball folklore for the past 12 years."

Following that fateful Game Six, an umpire gave the ball to Mets executive Arthur Richman. In 1992, actor Charlie Sheen bought it for more than $93,000. Swirsky purchased it for nearly $64,000 in 2000.

You can check out the rest of what Swirsky is auctioning off by clicking this link!

Unique Baseball Card Set Up for Auction

This past week,  supercollector Seth Swirsky put his entire baseball memorabilia collection up for auction through Heritage Auctions.

But that’s not the only auction that is of interest to baseball card history buffs.

Over at Robert Edward Auctions, they're auctioning off a 1970 Topps Teammates set.  But here's the catch.  This set was produced only for Topps employees and features pictures of Topps employees working at the company’s headquarters.

You’ve got to love the "Grow Power "70" logo in the shape of leaves on a tree...both the slogan and the layout just scream early seventies. The photos show a fascinating glimpse of the behind-the-scenes workings of a baseball card company, at least how they were 40-plus years ago.

 

***For some more awesomeness, check out Baseball Cards Come to Life.***

"Buckner Ball" Headlines Spectacular Auction

One of my favorite people to talk to in the world is Seth Swirsky.  So, naturally, when I saw that he was partnering with Heritage Auctions and putting his entire baseball memorabilia collection (save one item…more on that below) up for sale, I had to reach out to him.

First, about that auction.  But, where to start?

From jerseys to baseballs.  Handwritten letters to game used bats…Swirsky’s 236 piece auction is full of everything.  There’s a ball signed by both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.  The home run ball from Reggie Jackson’s 1971 All-Star Game moonshot.  There’s even one those hideous, collared Chicago White Sox jerseys.

Oh, and, of course, the (in)famous “Buckner Ball”.

I had a chance to catch up with Swirsky and talk about the auction.

HOVG:  I’m not even going to ask you why you’re auctioning off your collection.  The first thing I want to know is this…what was the reaction from your friends and family when you announced that you were selling your stuff?

SWIRSKY:  They were very supportive. As supportive as when I start projects, they were as supportive as I finished this one. 

HOVG:  We’ve all seen the stories.  Everyone used to write about the “Buckner Ball”, but now…it’s all about the Jose Canseco “Home Run Header” cap.  Seth, when people visit the house and look at your collection…what was the most popular piece to your collection?

SWIRSKY: Everyone loved the ball all four Beatles signed the night they played the famous Shea Stadium concert in August 1965. Obviously, the “Buckner Ball” drew a few gasps as did Reggie Jackson's third home run from Game Six of the 1977 World Series. I tried to collect pieces that told stories (and elicit a few gasps!).

HOVG:  Is there a piece you’re going to miss more than another?

SWIRSKY: I love the letter that Babe Ruth wrote when he retired. He gave a young boy some advice: not to take money for things from his parents. To work for things. he wrote, "the most successful men I know started as poor boys". It shows what a true Horatio Algier, rags-to-riches, uniquely American story Babe Ruth's story was.  He came from nothing and became the most famous man in the world and one of the most beloved. I enjoyed sharing his great advice with my three children.

HOVG:  What do you think is going to fetch the most money? 

SWIRSKY: Possibly the letter written by Kenesaw Mountain Landis to Shoeless Joe Jackson telling him that he won't be reconsidered for reinstatement into baseball because of his “throwing of the World Series of 1919”. An incredibly historic baseball artifact.

HOVG:  Of all the 236 pieces up for auction, is there one item that you’d consider a “hidden gem”?  Personally, I like the handwritten pieces…the letters, notes, Pete Rose’s “black book”.

SWIRSKY: The 1912 check written to Boston Red Sox manager Jake Stahl when the Sox won the Series that year. It comes with a Boston newspaper that shows the actual $88,000 check. (It’s) an amazing piece of baseball history and extremely undervalued at this point. We're talking about the World Series check from one of the storied franchises in the history of the game.

HOVG:  Be honest, Seth…you’re keeping something, right?

SWIRSKY: My 1969 Topps set of cards. They were the cards I collected as a nine-year-old. They aren't about value; they're about memories.

HOVG:  I feel the same way about my 1983 Topps set.  I was also nine.  It isn’t complete, but it’s about as close as I could get before the next season’s cards came out.

Seth Swirsky is an American pop music songwriter, recording artist, author, filmmaker and, obviously, a memorabilia collector. His music credits include working with the likes of Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Air Supply, Michael McDonald and Al Green.

Most recently, he has recorded with The Red Button alongside Mike Ruekberg. Their second album “As Far As Yesterday Goes” was released in 2011 to critical acclaim.

Swirsky’s three books "Baseball Letters: A Fan's Correspondence With His Heroes", "Every Pitcher Tells A Story: Letters Gathered by a Devoted Fan" and "Something to Write Home About: Great Baseball Memories in Letters to a Fan" are half of the books I’ve read in the last two years.

The "Buckner Ball" is For Sale

25 years ago, a slow chopper went under the glove of Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner...and history was made.

Now...you can own that piece of "The Saturday Night Massacre".  That's right, the famed "Buckner Ball" is up for sale (check out the listing HERE) and owner Seth Swirsky has set his prize.

One.  Million.  Dollars.

"I love my collection. I don't think I've ever sold anything from it," Swirsky told The Associated Press. "But that ball, it's time to pass it along, to let someone else enjoy it."

You  remember our good friend Swirsky, right?  He bought the ball back in 2000 for $64,000 when he outbid Keith Olbermann and one of its former owners Charlie Sheen.

Well, I caught up with the musician/author/envy of all men and on this, the 25th anniversary of Game Six of the 1986 World Series...I bring to you the five favorite balls from his personal collection.

And, yeah, you can click on the picture of the ball to get the full story.

Reggie Jackson becomes "Mr. October"

October 18, 1977

In Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, Reggie Jackson made history when he hit three home runs off of three pitches from three separate pitchers. This ball is the third home run ball that Jackson hit that night. After he hit this home run, people started calling Jackson "Mr. October."

The longest home run in All-Star Game history

July 13, 1971

In the second inning of the 1971 All-Star game, Reggie Jackson, who was a last minute substitution for the injured Tony Oliva, hit, what is considered, through serious scientific analysis, the longest home run ever recorded in professional baseball history.

The ball hit the light tower at Tiger Stadium over 400 feet from home plate and was seen to still be rising. A study done by Wayne State University says the ball was on a trajectory to travel 650 feet!

The Beatles play Shea Stadium

August 15, 1965

This baseball was signed by all four Beatles -- John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr...on the night that they played their historic concert at Shea Stadium on August 15, 1965.

The "Last Ball of Dodgers 1955 Season"

October 4, 1955

From 1941-1956, the Brooklyn Dodgers played the New York Yankees in the World Series seven times. Of those meetings, the Dodgers lost all, but the 1955 World Series. That year, they beat the Yankees in a seven game series and gained the only World Championship for that storied franchise.

And, of course..."The Buckner Ball"

October 25, 1986

Certain distinguishing marks on an historic baseball help tell the true story of the event. After the exciting game, Arthur Richman, the Mets' traveling secretary, showed the winning ball to Mookie in the jubilant clubhouse. Mookie then wrote on the ball: "To Arthur, the ball won it for us. Mookie Wilson, 10/25/86."

You see more from Swirsky's personal collection (and learn about his other passions) over at his website.

Do You Remember?

With the World Series kicking off tomorrow night, we're reminded of some of baseball’s most memorable moments played out on what proved to be the biggest stage possible...the postseason.

From dramatic homeruns (who can forget Kirk Gibson in 1988 or Joe Carter going deep five years later?) to the straight up weird (we were treated to two in 2003…Steve Bartman in Chicago and the Pedro Martinez throw down of Don Zimmer), baseball fans have pretty much seen it all.

Many an October ago, (October 25, 1986)…the world bore witness to a routine ground ball that changed the course of the World Series for one team, prolonged a curse for another and overshadowed what was a pretty good career for Bill Buckner.

Much like the Bartman incident or Gibson hobbling around the bases, that ball going under Buckner’s mitt is one of baseball’s most widely known images and to one man…it is the cornerstone of a rather unique collection.

Seth Swirsky is the keeper of, if you ask me, one of the best privately owned baseball collections. Last year at this time, I had the privilege to talk to him.  Here's that interview in its entirety once again.

Check out "Watercolor Day"

From The Beatles rocking Shea Stadium in 1965 to "Sweet Caroline" being piped through the speakers at Fenway Park...baseball and music have gone together like peanut butter and jelly.

Seth Swirsky is the embodiment of that music and baseball sandwich. In addition to being the keeper of, if you ask me, one of the best privately owned baseball collections, he is also a talented musician and songwriter.

With his latest effort, "Watercolor Day", Swirsky seems to summon the spirits of a bygone era by channeling John Lennon and Brian Wilson. Last fall, I had the privilege to talk to him.

HOVG: You’ve accomplished plenty. Songwriter, artist, author, filmmaker…but, I’m cutting right the chase on this one. How did you end up in possession of the “Buckner Ball”? It was owned by Charlie Sheen before you got your paws on it, right?

SETH: Yes. Charlie was the first owner of the ball. He bought it at auction, in 1992. He auctioned it in April, 2000 and I thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get one of those iconic pieces. The underbidder to both Sheen and me was Keith Olbermann.

HOVG: Okay…now that that is out of the way, let’s talk some baseball and not just about one ball. If someone were to head over to your site and look at your collection, what would be the first piece you’d want them to see…the crown jewel?

SETH: There are many. The letter from Commissioner Kenesaw “Mountain” Landis that banned “Shoeless” Joe Jackson; Reggie Jackson’s 3rd Home Run Ball from Game 6 of the ’77 World Series: Tom Seaver’s ’69 World Series Home Jersey; The "Buckner Ball"...rare autographs of the midget Eddie Gaedel and “Shoeless” Joe (who was illiterate); a baseball signed by The Beatles on the night they played their famous Shea Stadium concert, in August, 1965. Too many “favorites” to mention. They all are part of the many themes in my collection.

HOVG: How did you get started with collecting? What was your first piece?

SETH: In November 1994, I bought, off of QVC, a baseball signed by the living members of the ’69 Mets. I grew up loving that team, so I bought the ball. I found that I really enjoyed looking at the ball with all those signatures. I then saw a 1952 N.Y. Yankees team ball with Mickey Mantle on it. It was a beautiful ball. I bought it and still have it. I then got to spend an afternoon with the famed collector, Barry Halper and I saw the quality of his things. Every piece told a story. Barry loved themes and truly historic pieces. I was very fortunate to have met him and become a good friend of his.

HOVG: Any recent finds?

SETH: I just picked up the first home run hit at Wrigley Field in it’s first-ever night game. It was hit by Lenny Dykstra in 1988. It goes with a theme I have called “Like Night and Day” and includes a baseball used in baseball’s first-ever night game (in May, 1935, in Cincinnati), a program from that game, a letter from the starting Reds pitcher that night and a ticket to that game. I also have a ball used in the first night game in Brooklyn Dodgers history that also happened to be the occasion of Johnny Vander Meer’s 2nd no hitter. Along with those things, I have a ball used in the first night game in St. Louis history (a Browns game in 1940) along with a very old photograph of Thomas Edison...whose invention of the lightbulb made baseball at night possible!

HOVG: Is there anything that your wife Jody looks at and wishes you didn’t purchase?

SETH: No. She digs my passion.

HOVG: Despite your allegiance to the New York Mets, your baseball hero was, if I’ve done my homework correctly, Mickey Mantle. Tell me about your 1994 meeting with “The Mick”.

SETH: It was the first autograph “show” I went to. It was in San Francisco, around Thanksgiving, 1995. I remember shaking Mickey’s hand. A warm, huge hand. He was such a nice man. And so nice to everyone in line. A real good guy. I asked him, of all the rings he’s won, which was he wearing? He said “my Hall of Fame ring...you know, I went in with Whitey”, referring to his great friend on the Yankees, pitching great, Whitey Ford. He showed it to me. It was a neat experience. He died about 10 months later. I was so glad to have met him. He really made an impression...of a warm, nice, real human being!

HOVG: Which brings me to your books. You said in a 2000 interview that Mantle’s was the one letter that you wished you had gotten in return. For those that aren’t familiar, you’ve authored three books where, basically, you re-print letters that you’ve received from baseball players, as well as some of the game’s more popular fans. Where did you ever come up with the idea? Did it start as another way to get some cherished memorabilia or fodder for a book? Or both?

SETH: No, I wrote those letters because I started to delve deep into the rich history of the game and I simply wanted answers to some questions from the players that participated in some of the great moments. Tons of players wrote back...very famous players and not so famous players. I just loved their stories, in their handwriting, with other people.

HOVG: Of all the replies that you’ve received…do you have a favorite?

SETH: I love Cal Ripken Jr.’s letter about how he became close to his dad. He wrote that he had five brothers and sisters and his dad, who was a coach with the Orioles, would take him to the ballpark with him as none of his other siblings wanted to go. I used to love to “go to work” with my dad growing up and it reminded me of that poignant moment. But, there are so many. Handwritten letters from Sir Paul McCartney, President George W. Bush, Ted Williams, Tom Seaver…they run the gamut.

HOVG: You’re a huge baseball fan, clearly. But as you’ve said, your “soul is in music”. Tell me about that letter you received from McCartney?

SETH: I saw him on TV at a Yankees game. During the seventh inning stretch, the organist played The Beatles great song, “I Saw Her Standing There”. Paul got up and sang it out loud. I thought, I’m going to write to Paul to get the story of how he got into liking baseball and what it was like for him to hear Beatles songs over huge loudspeakers while he’s a spectator at a baseball game. A week later, I got a Fedex from London, opened it and out pops a two paragraph, handwritten letter from Sir Paul for my third book of letters called "Something to Write Home About: Great Baseball Memories in Letters to a Fan". It was thrilling to get his letter.

HOVG: Let’s talk music and that love of The Beatles. Great artists and songwriters, who, collectively…are, quite possibly, are one of the greatest bands ever assembled. In your estimation…who would be the baseball equivalent of The Beatles?

SETH: The closest I can think of is the 1976-1981 New York Yankees. They went to the World Series four times in those years. They had a cast of "cool" characters (“Reggie”, “Sweet Lou” Pinella, Bucky Dent) and they could beat you in many ways...like the many ways The Beatles could make you feel when listening to their albums.

HOVG: One last Beatles-related question…when are we going to be able to see the documentary, "A Year in the Life", you’ve been putting together?

SETH: It is being edited now with a hopeful release next year.

Seth Swirsky is an American pop music songwriter, recording artist, author, filmmaker and memorabilia collector. His music credits include working with the likes of Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Air Supply, Michael McDonald and Al Green.

You can purchase his CD "Watercolor Day" over at his website, through iTunes or at Amazon.com.

Swirsky’s three books "Baseball Letters: A Fan's Correspondence With His Heroes", "Every Pitcher Tells A Story: Letters Gathered by a Devoted Fan" and "Something to Write Home About: Great Baseball Memories in Letters to a Fan" are half of the books I’ve read in the last two years.

2009: The Year That Was

About a week and a half ago, we said “adios” to 2009 and whatever “hello” is to 2010.

Many sites across the interwebs filled the end of the year with their “best of” lists…this is another one of those sites. You see, I’d have been a little more timely, but I was, um…being timely by breaking down the 2010 Hall of Fame ballot.

So, with a big “congrats” to the Baseball Hall of Fame’s newest member Andre Dawson and his supporters and an huge thanks that gave The Hall of Very Good, first, its biggest year to date and second, its biggest day (January 6) to date…here are the Top Ten* stories to hit this site in 2009.

10. On the Eve of 300 (June 4). The night before Randy Johnson notched his 300th career victory, I was able to compile the thoughts of three former Major Leagues that faced off against “The Big Unit”.

9. Talkin’ Baseball with Jeff Cirillo (August 28). The “Talkin’ Baseball” is one of my favorite things to do and they’re pretty popular on the site. I had no idea Jeff played in Mexico.

8. Hall of Fame ballot...2010 style! (December 3). A month before the Hall of Fame announcement was made…The Hall broke down the class of 26. Related, and also popular, was The Hall of Fame Class of 2011 (July 21). It seems people love themselves some Hall of Fame previews and talk of Bert Blyleven (more on that later).

7. Talkin’ Baseball with CJ Wilson (June 22). Talking with CJ and following him on Twitter is what pretty led to me starting “Twitter Tuesday”.

6. Jon Adkins signs Minor League deal with Reds (December 1). When good friend of The Hall Jon Adkins inked his deal with the Reds, I was curious what the Louisville GM had to say. Within minutes he responded and I committed it to the site. Shortly after that, one of my favorite sites, MLBTradeRumors.com, picked up the story.

5. Hall of Fame 2010: Kevin Appier (December 15). Mix together a Hall of Fame profile, a tongue-in-cheek Bert Blyleven reference and the chimps over at Baseball Think Factory and you know what you’ve got? A boatload of hits, gang!

4. Talkin’ Baseball with Seth Swirsky (October 25). Before the season started, I picked up a book by Seth Swirsky at the library. After buying, then reading, his other two…I started exchanging emails with the author and memorabilia collector. On what was the 23rd anniversary of (sorry Red Sox fans) Bill Buckner missing a slow roller up the firstbase line, Seth shared the story of how he came to owning that ball.

3. Twitter Tuesday (every Tuesday). “Infield Chatter”, “The Buzz”, “Follow Friday (Tuesday Style)” and now…“The Wisdom of Tommy Lasorda”, Twitter Tuesday has become a staple over at The Hall.

2. Mustache May (the ENTIRE month of May). Mustache May was conceived years ago when some friends and I decided to celebrate the ‘stache by growing one out. This year, it manifested itself with an endorsement from The American Mustache Institute, interviews with Fergie Jenkins (May 12) and Rollie Fingers (May 29) and, ultimately…an appearance on WGN 720 Radio (May 17).

1. Ten Milestones to Watch for This Season (April 6). The most popular post of the year was one that was initially a slideshow that was conceived to drive traffic (and it did) over at Bleacher Report. One appearance in Hot Clicks and on CBSsportsline.com later…a traffic generator was born.

Honorable Mention: Jim Thome now a Dodger...Hall of Fame next? (September 1). A couple years back, I posted that I didn't think Jim Thome was a first ballot Hall of Fame guy and the Baseball Think Factory chimps lost their collective mind. Almost two years later, I basically say it again...and Rob Neyer links to it.

What story (stories) did you enjoy most? Click on “comments” below and go bananas.

*-“Top Ten”…as defined at The Hall of Very Good’s Facebook page as “a combination of stories I enjoyed combined with the stories that had the most traffic”.

Talkin' Baseball with Seth Swirsky

Postseason baseball is shaped by the iconography that is baseball itself. In the last quarter century, some of baseball’s most memorable moments played out on what proved to be the biggest stage possible.

From dramatic homeruns (who can forget Kirk Gibson in 1988 or Joe Carter going deep five years later?) to the straight up weird (we were treated to two in 2003…Steve Bartman in Chicago and the Pedro Martinez throw down of Don Zimmer), baseball fans have pretty much seen it all.

On October 25, 1986…the world bore witness to a routine ground ball that changed the course of the World Series for one team, prolonged a curse for another and overshadowed what was a pretty good career for Bill Buckner.

Much like the Bartman incident or Gibson hobbling around the bases, that ball going under Buckner’s mitt is one of baseball’s most widely known images and to one man…it is the cornerstone of a rather unique collection.

Seth Swirsky is the keeper of, if you ask me, one of the best privately owned baseball collections. Recently, I had the privilege to talk to him.

HOVG: You’ve accomplished plenty. Songwriter, artist, author, filmmaker…but, I’m cutting right the chase on this one. How did you end up in possession of the “Buckner Ball”? It was owned by Charlie Sheen before you got your paws on it, right?

SETH: Yes. Charlie was the first owner of the ball. He bought it at auction, in 1992. He auctioned it in April, 2000 and I thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get one of those iconic pieces. The underbidder to both Sheen and me was Keith Olbermann.

HOVG: Okay…now that that is out of the way, let’s talk some baseball and not just about one ball. If someone were to head over to your site and look at your collection, what would be the first piece you’d want them to see…the crown jewel?

SETH: There are many. The letter from Commissioner Kenesaw “Mountain” Landis that banned “Shoeless” Joe Jackson; Reggie Jackson’s 3rd Home Run Ball from Game 6 of the ’77 World Series: Tom Seaver’s ’69 World Series Home Jersey; The "Buckner Ball"...rare autographs of the midget Eddie Gaedel and “Shoeless” Joe (who was illiterate); a baseball signed by The Beatles on the night they played their famous Shea Stadium concert, in August, 1965. Too many “favorites” to mention. They all are part of the many themes in my collection.

HOVG: How did you get started with collecting? What was your first piece?

SETH: In November 1994, I bought, off of QVC, a baseball signed by the living members of the ’69 Mets. I grew up loving that team, so I bought the ball. I found that I really enjoyed looking at the ball with all those signatures. I then saw a 1952 N.Y. Yankees team ball with Mickey Mantle on it. It was a beautiful ball. I bought it and still have it. I then got to spend an afternoon with the famed collector, Barry Halper and I saw the quality of his things. Every piece told a story. Barry loved themes and truly historic pieces. I was very fortunate to have met him and become a good friend of his.

HOVG: Any recent finds?

SETH: I just picked up the first home run hit at Wrigley Field in it’s first-ever night game. It was hit by Lenny Dykstra in 1988. It goes with a theme I have called “Like Night and Day” and includes a baseball used in baseball’s first-ever night game (in May, 1935, in Cincinnati), a program from that game, a letter from the starting Reds pitcher that night and a ticket to that game. I also have a ball used in the first night game in Brooklyn Dodgers history that also happened to be the occasion of Johnny Vander Meer’s 2nd no hitter. Along with those things, I have a ball used in the first night game in St. Louis history (a Browns game in 1940) along with a very old photograph of Thomas Edison...whose invention of the lightbulb made baseball at night possible!

HOVG: Is there anything that your wife Jody looks at and wishes you didn’t purchase?

SETH: No. She digs my passion.

HOVG: Despite your allegiance to the New York Mets, your baseball hero was, if I’ve done my homework correctly, Mickey Mantle. Tell me about your 1994 meeting with “The Mick”.

SETH: It was the first autograph “show” I went to. It was in San Francisco, around Thanksgiving, 1995. I remember shaking Mickey’s hand. A warm, huge hand. He was such a nice man. And so nice to everyone in line. A real good guy. I asked him, of all the rings he’s won, which was he wearing? He said “my Hall of Fame ring...you know, I went in with Whitey”, referring to his great friend on the Yankees, pitching great, Whitey Ford. He showed it to me. It was a neat experience. He died about 10 months later. I was so glad to have met him. He really made an impression...of a warm, nice, real human being!

HOVG: Which brings me to your books. You said in a 2000 interview that Mantle’s was the one letter that you wished you had gotten in return. For those that aren’t familiar, you’ve authored three books where, basically, you re-print letters that you’ve received from baseball players, as well as some of the game’s more popular fans. Where did you ever come up with the idea? Did it start as another way to get some cherished memorabilia or fodder for a book? Or both?

SETH: No, I wrote those letters because I started to delve deep into the rich history of the game and I simply wanted answers to some questions from the players that participated in some of the great moments. Tons of players wrote back...very famous players and not so famous players. I just loved their stories, in their handwriting, with other people.

HOVG: Of all the replies that you’ve received…do you have a favorite?

SETH: I love Cal Ripken Jr.’s letter about how he became close to his dad. He wrote that he had five brothers and sisters and his dad, who was a coach with the Orioles, would take him to the ballpark with him as none of his other siblings wanted to go. I used to love to “go to work” with my dad growing up and it reminded me of that poignant moment. But, there are so many. Handwritten letters from Sir Paul McCartney, President George W. Bush, Ted Williams, Tom Seaver…they run the gamut.

HOVG: You’re a huge baseball fan, clearly. But as you’ve said, your “soul is in music”. Tell me about that letter you received from McCartney?

SETH: I saw him on TV at a Yankees game. During the seventh inning stretch, the organist played The Beatles great song, “I Saw Her Standing There”. Paul got up and sang it out loud. I thought, I’m going to write to Paul to get the story of how he got into liking baseball and what it was like for him to hear Beatles songs over huge loudspeakers while he’s a spectator at a baseball game. A week later, I got a Fedex from London, opened it and out pops a two paragraph, handwritten letter from Sir Paul for my third book of letters called "Something to Write Home About: Great Baseball Memories in Letters to a Fan". It was thrilling to get his letter.

HOVG: Let’s talk music and that love of The Beatles. Great artists and songwriters, who, collectively…are, quite possibly, are one of the greatest bands ever assembled. In your estimation…who would be the baseball equivalent of The Beatles?

SETH: The closest I can think of is the 1976-1981 New York Yankees. They went to the World Series four times in those years. They had a cast of "cool" characters (“Reggie”, “Sweet Lou” Pinella, Bucky Dent) and they could beat you in many ways...like the many ways The Beatles could make you feel when listening to their albums.

HOVG: One last Beatles-related question…when are we going to be able to see the documentary, "A Year in the Life", you’ve been putting together?

SETH: It is being edited now with a hopeful release next year.

HOVG: Anything you want to add? What’s going on currently in your life and what is next?

SETH: I’m finishing up my new solo record called “Watercolor Day”. 15 pop songs. Due out, this January. Check out www.seth.com. Also, my band, The Red Button, will have a new album out in the spring and we’re going on a European tour in April-May.

Seth Swirsky is an American pop music songwriter, recording artist, author, filmmaker and memorabilia collector. His music credits include working with the likes of Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Air Supply, Michael McDonald and Al Green.

Most recently, he has recorded with The Red Button alongside Mike Ruekberg. Their debut album “She's About To Cross My Mind” was released in 2007 to critical acclaim.

Swirsky’s three books "Baseball Letters: A Fan's Correspondence With His Heroes", "Every Pitcher Tells A Story: Letters Gathered by a Devoted Fan" and "Something to Write Home About: Great Baseball Memories in Letters to a Fan" are half of the books I’ve read in the last two years.