August 6, 2020: Summer Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/6/2020
Extremely rare two-page handwritten letter from tragic Milwaukee Brewers prospect Dan Thomas to Brewers’ owner (and future Hall of Famer) Bud Selig. The letter reads, “Dear Mr. Selig, I would like for you to know of my deepest appreciation and feeling of intense gratitude to you personally and to the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club. The Milwaukee Brewers have been outstanding to me since the day I signed. I thank you as a friend (hopefully), and as my former employer, for staying with me and not deserting me when I was down. I ask that you relay my feelings of appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Jim Baumer, Mr. Tony Siegle and Mr. Alex Grammas for the help that they offered - and to the others - who had to sacrifice time, energy and money to help me. I am truly sorry for the many problems I have caused you and the organization. Once again, from myself and my family, we thank you. Sincerely, Dan Thomas.” Thomas was a highly regarded outfield prospect when promoted to the Big Leagues in September, 1976 after winning the Triple Crown in the Eastern League. Slotted in Milwaukee’s lineup as a cleanup hitter and left fielder, Thomas batted .276, swatting 4 homers and 15 RBIs. The future seemed bright. During Spring Training of 1977, Thomas announced he had joined the Worldwide Church of God, and would not play baseball on the Sabbath (from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday). This basically meant that Thomas refused to play at least two games a week. After only twenty-two games, Thomas was demoted. His baseball career sputtered after that, and before long he was out of baseball. Troubled since youth with mental health issues, Thomas’s life spiralled out of control. By 1980, he had landed in prison for the rape of a 12 year old girl. It was there that he committed suicide at the age of 29. The offered letter, penned sometime after his release from the Milwaukee Brewers, shows the appreciation he had for the organization that gave him his shot. Due to the very brief nature of his career and early demise, signatures of Dan Thomas are extremely scarce. It is in fact considered one of the rarest baseball autographs of the 1970s. Handwritten letters are unheard of. The offered letter with its historic content and incredible association is a unique memento of this baseball player’s lamentable story.
Danny Thomas Signed Handwritten Letter To Bud Selig with File (BAS)
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