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Posted By: Bill Stone

The nicest ballplayer I ever met was Dale Long. I first met him in 1953 when I was playing little league baseball in Burbank, California and he was playing for the Hollywood Stars. I got his autograph at the park and followed his baseball career for the next ten years. Ocassionally I would correspond with him and I still cherish the original letter he sent me on Hollywood Stars letterhead from Bobby Bragan dated November 5, 1955 to Dale and Dorothy Long saying he was looking forward to seeing Dale in the spring and to coaching the Pirates. Dale Long had his moment in the sun from May 19-28,1956 when he hit 8 homeruns in 8 consecutive games but he never let his career go to his head . I think he was always greatful that he could make a living playing baseball and he was as kind and generous when he was having a good year or a bad year. Not a Hall of Famer but still #1 in my book !