Collection of four letters, each signed by a different Hall of Fame player: Joe McCarthy, Pie Traynor, Stan Coveleski, and Burleigh Grimes. The most significant is an amazing letter from Joe McCarthy to his longtime coach Jimmy Burke in which he tells Burke his services are no longer required. In his undated two-page typed letter, written on McCarthy's personal letterhead, McCarthy breaks the bad news. In part: "Dear Jim; I really don't know how in the world I am going to start this letter, but I suppose I will have to get up courage enough to do so, so here goes. Jim, I'm awful sorry that I will have to let you out and certainly you know how I feel about this matter - - the office wanted to make the announcement but I told Mr. Barrow that you had requested that in the event that you were let out, you would like to make the announcement yourself as it would look nicer for your part if you resigned or retired, so Jim I wish you make this announcement soon as possible for my sake; I feel very bad about this whole thing and I'm sure you won't hold an ill feeling towards me as I want you to know that I am always your friend and in the event that you need a friend, don't forget to call on me; certainly I am going to miss you, more than you will ever know, as you were the best and most loyal friend I ever had in baseball.... there is so much to say Jim, that it would be impossible for me to write it, so I suppose I will have to wait until we see one another as I have so much to tell you...." The letter is signed simply "Joe" in black fountain pen (grading 9/10). Jimmy Burke enjoyed a seven-year Major League career and later managed both the St. Louis Cardinals (1905) and St. Louis Browns (1918-20). In 1926 Joe McCarthy hired him to join his coaching staff on the Chicago Cubs, where they remained together through the 1929 season. In 1931 McCarthy took over as manager of the New York Yankees and he brought Burke with him. Burke remained with the Yankees through the 1932 season, until, as we see here, he was let go. The decision was not McCarthy's, but that of the New York Yankees' front office. It was done as a cost-cutting measure. The team felt two coaches were sufficient and that Art Fletcher and Cy Perkins were more valuable than Burke. The move backfired because Burke was well-liked by the players, but when the team tried to hire him back after the 1933 season it was too late. Burke suffered a stroke in the spring of 1934, which left him debilitated for the remainder of his life and he died in 1942. Each page of the letter (8x11") displays tears along the fold lines that have been repaired with clear tape on the reverse. A stain appears at the base of the second page. GD-VG. The remainder of the collection consists of the following: 1) One-page typed letter, dated July 6, 1950, signed by "Pie Traynor" in blue fountain pen (signature has since been enhanced). Traynor responds to a fan requesting a photo and autograph. The letter (8x9"), on Allegheny Broadcasting Corporation letterhead, has been irregularly trimmed to its current dimensions. GD. 2) Three-page handwritten letter, dated March 11, 1956, signed in blue ink by Stan Coveleski (signed simply "Stanley"; grading 9/10). Coveleski writes to a friend, thanking him for his many kindnesses. The letter (5x8") remains in Excellent to Mint condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope (6.5x3.5; VG) bearing Coveleski's printed return address label on the reverse. 3) One-page handwritten letter, dated November 14, 1970, signed by Burleigh Grimes in black ink (grading 9/10). Coveleski declines an invitation to attend a function because of his wife's illness. The letter (8.5x11"), on an unlined sheet, remains in Very Good condition.