'Baseball Letters: a Fan's Correspondence with His Heroes.'

His love songs have been recorded by Air Supply and Olivia Newton-John. Most recently, he's written songs for Al Green, Celine Dion and Tina Turner. He wrote global top 10 hits, "Tell It To My Heart" and "Prove Your Love." Seth Swirsky is a songwriter, and thus has a passion for things. The juices in him flow a bit differently than in other folks. He also loves baseball, really loves it. So in 1994, when two monster events were about to take place in his life, a creative combustion took place like never before - a players strike hit baseball and the Swirsky's were expecting their first child. The thought of having a child without baseball had Swirsky singing the blues. He began to work out of his funk by starting an autographed baseball collection and writing letters to players of yesteryear. Oh, he didn't merely ask for an autograph. Too casual, insincere. Swirsky's passion for baseball history prompted questions to lesser known heroes about various aspects of their experiences. He asked Red Sox reserve Dave Stapleton whether he should have been in the lineup for Bill Buckner on the day of the Mookie dribbler in 1986? Bud Thomas shared his recollections about giving up Ted Williams' first home run. Enos Slaughter wrote back, adamantly denying stories about spiking Jackie Robinson. Sal Durante, who caught Roger Maris' 61st home run, recalled the hoopla surrounding the catch. (Durante volunteered to give the ball back to Maris, but the Yankees slugger insisted that he keep it.) Woody English, asked about Ruth's "Called Shot," clarified the myth.

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