Appreciation from Ed Mayer

 

Correspondence date: Nov. 2011

In writing to Ed Mayer, I knew that I was writing to a fan-friendly ballplayer. He has long been known to respond to autograph requests quickly, and to include a personalized response of his own as well. As you know, I like to write to ballplayers with specific questions about their playing careers, and I was confident that the two I asked Mr. Mayer would provide me with the excellent responses that I received. However, the following hand-written note was a generous bonus from the grateful Mr. Mayer and further reinforced my confidence in the questions I ask:

“Hi Juan,

Thank you for your beautifully written letter. I appreciate real fans like you. I agree that my generation of players loved the game.

You really researched all of my career. I have enclosed some articles & stat pages. I have a nice story on the internet. Go to Google Search and and put in EDDIE MAYER . Look for Ed Mayer/Cubs Southpaw in the 50’s.

My email is *edited out*

*What field of work are you in? What education do you have? Your letter is one of the very best I have ever received. Good luck and best wishes to you & yours.

Sincerely,

Ed Mayer

Chicago Cubs 1957 & 1958″

I have since shared a couple of back-and-forth e-mail exchanges with Mr. Mayer. Needless to say, the fact that he would praise my letter so highly was worth more to me than any autograph could ever be, and this return is one of the best I’ve ever received.

The story Mr. Mayer referred to regarding his career can be found here. It provides a detailed look into his time in both amateur and pro ball, as well as some of his hobbies off-the-field. I highly recommend it to any baseball fan in general, whether you are a fan of Mr. Mayer’s generation of players or not.

On deck:  Jake Gibbs tells me the greatest part of being on the World Champion 1962 Yankees team.

Ed Mayer’s Major League Debut

Correspondence date: Nov. 2011

As I mentioned in yesterday’s entry, Ed Mayer made his Major League debut at Wrigley Field for the Cubs on September 15, 1957. Going against a mighty New York Giants lineup that featured Bobby Thomson, Hank Sauer and Willie Mays, Mr. Mayer would get a no-decision as his team would go on to win the game. Despite not picking up the pitching victory, however, Mr. Mayer would get a hit in his first Major League at-bat, a single off Mike McCormick in the 4th inning.

A big league debut can bring about a wide range of emotions in a ballplayer, such as nervousness, stress, excitement, happiness and pure exhilaration. As he paid his dues in the minors for 5 seasons before his Major League call-up, I was curious to get Mr. Mayer’s take on how he felt against the Giants on his big day.

“It was the most thrilling moment of my baseball career. The field at Wrigley is so beautiful with the ivy covered outfield. Just knowing that I was a big-league player gave me so much pride.

It was so new, but once the game started, I was OK. I have been back to Wrigley Field many times, but the thrill is still there.”

Ever the focused competitor, Mr. Mayer didn’t allow himself to be star-struck by Wrigley’s friendly confines upon his call-up. Despite giving up a run to the Giants in the first inning, he pitched well in his debut, leaving the game in the 5th inning with only a 2-run deficit. As he indicated, having the opportunity to wear the Cubs uniform, and to pitch in a Major League venue, filled Mr. Mayer with an immense amount of pride. This is the type of feeling that lasts for a lifetime…one that will forever remain with Mr. Mayer.

On deck: Kind words of thanks from Mr. Mayer

Lefty Ed Mayer, on Being a Cub

Correspondence date: Nov. 2011

Ed Mayer was a southpaw tho pitched parts of two seasons in the Major Leagues with the Chicago Cubs. An amateur star in high school and college, Mr. Mayer would go on to spend 5 seasons in the minor leagues before getting called up by the Cubs in 1957. While known primarily as a reliever during his time in the Majors, he would be called on as the Cubs’ starting pitcher in his debut game. 

Although the day would not go completely as planned for Mr. Mayer- he gave up 7 hits and 5 earned runs in 5 innings pitched- the Cubs would go on to beat the New York Giants 7-6. Additionally, the 2 homers Mr. Mayer would allow during the game (to Willie Mays and Hank Sauer) would be the only round-trippers he would give up in his Major League career.

In total, Mr. Mayer would appear in 22 Major League games in 1957 and 1958, all with the Cubs. He ended his career with a 2-2 record and a 4.31 ERA. Additionally, Mr. Mayer finished with a 64-59 minor league record in 202 games, twice winning 17 games (1953 and 1954).

Having played all of his Major League games with the Cubs, I asked Mr. Mayer what “being a Cub” means to him.

“It is interesting, I have traveled all over the country, & I wear my Cubs hat, people all come over & ask me if I am a Cub fan & I tell them I am a REAL Cub! My license plate on my car is OLD CUB. I have made many friends over the years. I will be 80 years old on Nov. 30th this year. I have a big family & we are celebrating BIG TIME.”

As you can see, Mr. Mayer is extremely proud of his time with the Cubs. Given the rich tradition associated with the franchise (as well as the other franchises that have been in existence since baseball’s early years), it seems as though, for some, the Cubs are not merely a baseball team, but a state of mind.

On deck: Mr. Mayer tells me how it felt to make his Major League debut.