When Ty Cobb was playing in the 'bush' leagues as a youngster, he wrote several postcards and letters under different alias' to Grantland Rice of the Atlanta Journal praising the young phenom's playing abilities. Rice finally relented and mentioned him in an article, Cobb went on to sign with the Tigers in a HOF career.
On a side note, Cobb won the Triple Crown in 1909 leading the league in homers with 9, all inside the park. The only player to be season's home run leader without ever hitting a ball over the fence.
Not sure how all this applies, but little of what I post makes much sense anyways....