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Charlie Grimm is in the Hall of Fame discussion because of his long and distinguished playing career followed by a successful 19-year run as a manager. Grimm amassed 2,299 career hits and a .290 average over his 20-year career.

As a first baseman, Grimm hit .300 or better in six seasons. Twice he hit over .330, including a career-best .347 in 1923. He received support in MVP balloting three times.

Grimm signed this agreement with the Atlantic Lithograph and Printing Co. on April 28, 1928. It reads, “Permission is given herewith to use my portrait for reproduction as per letter of Frederick G. Lieb, this permission not to be used as a testimonial.”

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As a manager Charlie Grimm guided the Cubs to three National League championships, only to lose in the World Series each time. First Grimm’s club played the Yankees in the 1932 Series that was highlighted by Babe Ruth’s supposed called shot.

Three years later it was the Tigers that turned back the Cubs. Grimm’s final appearance in the Fall Classic came at the helm of the 1945 squad that again dropped to Detroit.

Overall, Grimm’s teams won 1,287 games. Many see his 20 years as a player and 19 seasons as a skipper as worthy of Cooperstown.

Grimm’s Hall of Fame case gets muddled because voters must consider either his playing or managerial career rather than the merits of the combined case.

Shown here is a vintage magazine photo signed by Grimm.

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Hank Aaron broke into the big leagues in 1954 with the Milwaukee Braves and made an immediate impact. For the first four years of his career, the manager of the Braves was Charlie Grimm.

Over that four-year span, Aaron was a three-time All Star and league MVP. By the time Grimm was fired, Aaron had twice led the league in doubles and total bases, and once each in hits, runs, homers, runs batted in, and batting average. He was well on his way to a Hall of Fame career.

After Aaron was voted into the Hall with 98.7% of the vote Grimm at that time 83 years old, sent Hank a congratulatory telegram. In the collection is this letter from Aaron to Grim thanking him for the “kind thoughts” of the telegram.

Grim died the following year in 1983.

One can only imagine how many positive letters, cards, and telegrams Aaron must have received after gaining admission to Cooperstown. Though the ceremony would take place later that summer, Aaron wrote the letter in January, showing a strong bond between him and Grimm.

Aaron letters are difficult to find, especially with content as strong as this example.