Andy Michael
Encyclopedia
Andrew "Andy" Joseph Michael Sr. (June 3, 1924–June 1, 2007) was a baseball memorabilia
collector. He was known as "Mr. Baseball", "Duke", and "Flash". Born in Concord
, New Hampshire
, Michael served in the United States Army
during World War II
. Later, he became a scout
for the New York Yankees
and a collector
of baseball memorabilia.
, in Concord
, New Hampshire
. The family legally changed their surname to Michael in 1927, and Anthony's name was changed to Andrew to sound more American. Andrew Michael's brothers, Johnny and Tommy, also served in the Army, while his brother, Frankie, worked at the Navy Yard.
, and receiving and offer to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals
, Michael joined the United States Army
on March 8, 1943. During World War II
, he served in Germany
and France
. As a Private First Class
, Michael, an explosives expert, was primarily responsible for destroying roads and bridges.
Michael was a highly-decorated veteran
, being awarded seven medals in just 14 months, who was severely injured by enemy shrapnel during combat operations in 1943. These injuries ended his military service as well as any hopes for a professional baseball career. Michael returned to Concord after being honorably discharged and married his wife of 58 years, Doris "Gasper" Michael. The couple met as Michael got off the bus as he was returning home.
Michael and Doris started a family three years later. Their first-born was a daughter, Bonnie Lena Michael, born in 1947. Their next child was a son, Andrew J. Michael Jr., born in 1951, followed by twin boys born in 1955, Frank Joseph Michael and Robert Joseph Michael. The couple also took in their grandson, Andrew J. Michael III, at the age of 13, after the death of Andrew Jr. in 1983.
and Red Rolfe
, who introduced Michael to Joe DiMaggio
in 1936 when he was 12 years old. The two became lifelong friends, and Michael began meeting players and management for the New York Yankees
as he traveled with DiMaggio and the team. Michael received many personal letters from DiMaggio over the years.
for the New York Yankees from 1978 to 1982 and was responsible for the signing of Bob Tewksbury
and Joe Lefebvre
who were both drafted by the Yankees out of Concord, New Hampshire. Michael left the Yankees in 1982 to pursue full time his lifelong love of collecting baseball memorabilia
.
Over the next 25 years, Michael amassed one of the largest baseball memorabilia collections in the United States, including many pieces that he personally traveled the country carrying to get autograph
ed by dozens of "old-time" baseball stars. His trademark
is his Yankees cap, which he removed only when he showered and slept.
Michael became nationally recognized for his collection and declined dozens of offers to purchase it as a whole. Michael refused to sell anything until after the death of his wife in 2004.
While Michael sold much of his collection to private investors, the location of some of the most valuable pieces remains unknown.
Michael was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 as a lifetime member for his numerous donations to the museum of rare baseball memorabilia over five decades.
on June 1, 2007. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, his first son, Andrew Michael, Jr. and his daughter Bonnie.
Sports memorabilia
The term sports memorabilia usually refers to anything that can be directly connected to a sports event or personality. These items are generally gathered by the fans of the particular sport, athlete or team that the item signifies or by collectors who find value in the rarity time-value of these...
collector. He was known as "Mr. Baseball", "Duke", and "Flash". Born in Concord
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, Michael served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Later, he became a scout
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and a collector
Collecting
The hobby of collecting includes seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloging, displaying, storing, and maintaining whatever items are of interest to the individual collector. Some collectors are generalists, accumulating merchandise, or stamps from all countries of the world...
of baseball memorabilia.
Early life
Andrew Joseph Michael was born Anthony Joseph Minichiello on June 3, 1924, to Frank and Lena Minichiello, both Italian immigrantsItalian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
, in Concord
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. The family legally changed their surname to Michael in 1927, and Anthony's name was changed to Andrew to sound more American. Andrew Michael's brothers, Johnny and Tommy, also served in the Army, while his brother, Frankie, worked at the Navy Yard.
Marriage, military career and family life
After growing up playing baseballBaseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, and receiving and offer to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Michael joined the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
on March 8, 1943. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. As a Private First Class
Private First Class
Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
, Michael, an explosives expert, was primarily responsible for destroying roads and bridges.
Michael was a highly-decorated veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
, being awarded seven medals in just 14 months, who was severely injured by enemy shrapnel during combat operations in 1943. These injuries ended his military service as well as any hopes for a professional baseball career. Michael returned to Concord after being honorably discharged and married his wife of 58 years, Doris "Gasper" Michael. The couple met as Michael got off the bus as he was returning home.
Michael and Doris started a family three years later. Their first-born was a daughter, Bonnie Lena Michael, born in 1947. Their next child was a son, Andrew J. Michael Jr., born in 1951, followed by twin boys born in 1955, Frank Joseph Michael and Robert Joseph Michael. The couple also took in their grandson, Andrew J. Michael III, at the age of 13, after the death of Andrew Jr. in 1983.
Joe Dimaggio
Michael had grown up around many baseball greats including Ray DobensRay Dobens
Raymond Joseph Dobens [Lefty] was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox during the 1929 season. Listed at 5' 8", 175 lb, Dobens batted and threw left-handed. He was born in Nashua, New Hampshire.Dobens recorded a 3.81 ERA with four strikeouts and 28 ⅓...
and Red Rolfe
Red Rolfe
Robert Abial "Red" Rolfe was an American third baseman, manager and front-office executive in Major League Baseball. A native of Penacook, New Hampshire, he is one of the most prominent players to come from the Granite State...
, who introduced Michael to Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio , nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper," was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak , a record that still stands...
in 1936 when he was 12 years old. The two became lifelong friends, and Michael began meeting players and management for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
as he traveled with DiMaggio and the team. Michael received many personal letters from DiMaggio over the years.
Baseball
Michael was a scoutScout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
for the New York Yankees from 1978 to 1982 and was responsible for the signing of Bob Tewksbury
Bob Tewksbury
Robert Alan Tewksbury is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Tewksbury's talent was initially discovered by Andy Michael in Concord. Michael contacted the New York Yankees and Tewksbury was drafted by them out of Saint Leo University in the 19th round of the 1981 draft...
and Joe Lefebvre
Joe Lefebvre
Joseph Henry Lefebvre is a former American professional baseball player and coach. He played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees , San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies , primarily as an outfielder...
who were both drafted by the Yankees out of Concord, New Hampshire. Michael left the Yankees in 1982 to pursue full time his lifelong love of collecting baseball memorabilia
Sports memorabilia
The term sports memorabilia usually refers to anything that can be directly connected to a sports event or personality. These items are generally gathered by the fans of the particular sport, athlete or team that the item signifies or by collectors who find value in the rarity time-value of these...
.
Over the next 25 years, Michael amassed one of the largest baseball memorabilia collections in the United States, including many pieces that he personally traveled the country carrying to get autograph
Autograph
An autograph is a document transcribed entirely in the handwriting of its author, as opposed to a typeset document or one written by an amanuensis or a copyist; the meaning overlaps with that of the word holograph.Autograph also refers to a person's artistic signature...
ed by dozens of "old-time" baseball stars. His trademark
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
is his Yankees cap, which he removed only when he showered and slept.
Michael became nationally recognized for his collection and declined dozens of offers to purchase it as a whole. Michael refused to sell anything until after the death of his wife in 2004.
While Michael sold much of his collection to private investors, the location of some of the most valuable pieces remains unknown.
Michael was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 as a lifetime member for his numerous donations to the museum of rare baseball memorabilia over five decades.
Death
Michael suffered a stroke and died a few days later at Concord HospitalConcord Hospital (New Hampshire)
Concord Hospital is an acute-care hospital located in Concord, New Hampshire. It has a capacity of 295 beds and is a Level II trauma center.-History:The Concord Hospital Association was founded in 1884, to provide care to the poor and sick of the Concord area...
on June 1, 2007. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, his first son, Andrew Michael, Jr. and his daughter Bonnie.