| Birthdate | 12/25/1927 |
| Death Date | 12/1/1975 |
| Debut Year | 1947 |
| Year of Induction | 1997 |
| Teams | Astros, Athletics, White Sox |
| Position | Second Base |
Nellie Fox was a 12-time All Star, 1959 AL MVP, a three-time Gold Glove Award winner. His uniformed #2 was retired by the White Sox in 1976.
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Nellie Fox was an 18-year old private first class stationed in Korea when he composed this letter to Joanne Statler. Postmarked November 4, 1946, the letter is sent the month before their Christmas Day engagement the same year. December 25th was a big day for Fox, not only for his engagement and Christmas but also because it was the day he was born. Fox’s autograph can be found on the return address portion of the envelope with his signing, “Jacob N. Fox”.
The envelope has a San Francisco postmark likely from where military mail would go out after being sent to the states from Korea.
“Dearest Darling,” Fox starts out to the girl he’s eventually marry. A tinge of jealousy is found as Fox writes, “You said in your letter that you had some plans for Oct. 28. I hope it was not to go out with some boys. If I hear that you are giving too many boys a break I don’t think you will see me when I get out of this hell hole.” Fox made 11 straight All Star games and 12 overall.
Nellie Fox asked Joanne Statler to marry him 52 days after the envelope was postmarked. The first page reveals jealousy while this second letter gets a little racy. “Darling I wish I was there to keep you warm. I am afraid I would do more than keep you warm. What do you think?” Fox and Statler would marry in June, 1948 and remain together until Fox’s death on December 1, 1975.
Yogi Berra had a way with words. Just ask his battery mate of 12 seasons Whitey Ford.
One of the pitcher’s favorite tales to tell was “Yogi Berra and the four-ball story”. Ford delivered it many times.
Like many of the best baseball stories, this one is a mixture of truth and fantasy.
It’s a quick and easy read that’s sure to give you a chuckle.
Read More >"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball…"
~Jacques Barzun, 1954
He’s my favorite. Loved watching him when I had a chance