Letter dated 6/17/88 from Tom Riley to Joe Clabby announcing entry:

Carroll Gardens
Brooklyn

Dear Mr. Clabby:

Well, yes yes yes, the ol' proverbial check is in the mail.  So I didn't get around to it as promised, but now you find yourself a man richer by the sum of $44. You can thank me later.

As stipulated on the beautiful and, as always, creative invitation, my wife and I will each be bringing a date.  I will be accompanied by the King Family Singers and Mary will have as her escort members of the Joseph Smith Family of Brigham Young, UT, just outside Salt Lake.  We have gone ahead and rented portable bleachers so as to ease your worries in regard to proper party accomodations.  Just trying to think ahead.

The invitation also noted that certain members of last year's tournament were eligible this year for induction into the Gold Ball Club. As allowed, I am officially protesting the omission of my name from that slime-riddled list. Don't you realize that the number three has much greater mythical, spiritual, and traditional strength, value and import than the number four?  Where did you go to school?  I propose that Gold Ball memberships be extended following the completion of the players third consecutive tournament.  Four years is just too much, just too much.  I trust this idea will receive your most careful and kindest condieration.  C'mon, Mr. Clabby, make me a happy man, a man who can sleep proudly at night.  Do something for the little guy for once, OK?  Thank you from the bottom of my cold and shallow heart.

Good luck with the unpacking, settling in, and final party preparations.  If Bill Charpek wins this year we should beat him with grease-coated head covers and cold hot dogs, agreed?

In case you are taking measurements for your own version of the green jacket, I am a 41 regular.  Again, thank you.

With respect and gratitude,

Thomas Riley