[Big Six]

56 Claremont Park
Boston, Massachusetts

Mr. Nile Kinnick
530 North Dubuque Street
Iowa City, Iowa

October 21, 1939

Dear Nile,

I'm very sorry that it's taken so long for me to write back to you. I confess that I didn't feel much like writing when your letter arrived and, as supportive and friendly as your words were, I simply didn't have the heart to reply.

Now I've played in an NFL championship game and a World Series, and I have had the experience of winning as well as losing. I can honestly say that I was unprepared for how much losing the World Series hurt. Perhaps it's the fact that we didn't give the Cardinals a bigger fight. Or maybe it's because we played so poorly for our fans in the two games in Boston. I honestly thought we'd win the Series; I sure didn't expect to lose it four games to one!

Martin Dihigo's injury didn't help matters. He did everything he could to get ready to play, but his shoulder was simply too painful. And, as swell a guy as Judy Johnson is, and as great a player as he has been all these years, he's unable to cover as much ground at short as he once did--or as much as Dihigo can, either.

All the Cardinals pitchers threw well except that loudmouth Dizzy Dean. I was glad to see us rough him up in Game Three. I laughed out loud when Gehrig hit that long home run off him, and it actually shut him up for a while.

Sure, I wish I'd had a chance to pitch more. It would have been great to start a game, or come in to one in relief with the outcome in doubt. I'll always be able to say that I pitched perfectly in my first World Series, though. Two batters faced; one ground ball to short; one fly ball to right. And I retired two of the tougher batters in the National League this season, too. Trey Martin is going to be a good one, and Willard Brown? He already is a good one!

Thanks for all the news about the beginning of your season. I read about that great game-winning pass you threw against Indiana, and I got another excellent report about your performance from my little sister (with whom I believe you spent quite a bit of time on the telephone that evening). I was sorry to hear about your loss at Michigan. You're right; Tom Harmon is a great player, and I would have liked to see you two go head to head.

And I suppose you've heard by now that I'm giving football a rest this season. I haven't told many people this, but I think I'd be with the Lions right now if we'd won the Series. As it turns out, I think I owe the Red Sox my very best next year as we try to win the pennant and make the Series turn out right. Personally, I had some success this year, and some failures, too. I wonder if a more restful fall, without big linemen slamming into me a few hundred times, will help me prepare for baseball season.

Besides, if I'm not playing for the Lions, I might be able to take a train out to Iowa and watch you play. I think your idea is swell, and I think I can probably persuade Mary Kate to come along, too.

I can see you smiling from here, buddy! Enjoy your day off today, because you'll need it with a game against Notre Dame next week.

Your pal,
Mike