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1105 St. Gregory St.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Mr. Christopher Howlands
Hotel Green
Danbury, Connecticut
May 5, 1930
Dear Chris,
I had to wait a few days before I replied to your letter, because I learned some time ago that it is never best for a man to write something when he is angry, unless he's damn sure he wants the recipient to know how angry he is. I suppose I've cooled off enough to reply now.
The arrogance of your letter to me surprised me, because I had never known you to be that kind of man. Certainly, you have never displayed that kind of demeanor in your relationship with Margaret, or I might never have consented to her marrying you. I realize a pitcher must feel confident in order to do his job well, but you are taking that confidence much too far!
Before I continue, allow me to thrust my credentials into your face. I pitched in the major leagues for eighteen seasons. I won 337 games and struck out over 3300 batters. There is a World Series ring on my finger, and a second one on a chain in my wife's jewelry box. And there is a plaque with my name on it in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Would it not be fair to say that it is possible that I might know a bit about pitching, Chris? Might I know a bit more about it than a fellow who pitched a year in the Southern Association?
One lesson I learned very well is that no matter how good you believe you are, the game of baseball has a way of putting you into your place. I lost 260 games in my career, too. I allowed over 5700 hits, and almost 2200 earned runs. I walked almost 1500 batters. That amounts to a lot of battles lost to talented players who got the better of me. Are you so cocky that you think this can't--and won't--happen to you sometimes?
Son, I haven't been out to watch you pitch, so I can't offer an opinion on how good the competition in the Yankee League really is. However, this I can say: if Pat O'Farrell says a man can play baseball, then he can play baseball.
What's Archie Graham batting? .340 or so? Graham played in the big leagues, and he's how old? 26? 27? If the league was as poor as you make it seem, he'd be batting .500. I hope your teammates aren't aware of your opinions of their ability. If they are, you're probably a lonely young man. And, if your opponents have learned what you think of them, don't dig in at the plate. Someone's going to send one at your bean and, while I hope it doesn't hit you, a close one that puts you on your seat wouldn't do you any real harm, and you'd deserve it!
I hope you receive this letter in the spirit in which it is written--a warning against letting your head get too big over a wonderful month's worth of success on the ball field. Please try to cultivate the appearance of humility, even if you can't cultivate humility itself. While I want you to do well on the field, I want you to be a good man even more. You are family now, and I care about you very much.
I've gone on too long. Please think about what I have written to you, Chris.
My best regards,
Roy
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