mysql does not display string variables only numerical

Just experimenting with mysql and batch file (call me nostalgic :-) )

echo SELECT some_field FROM some_table WHERE some_field like '%needle%' G > command.sql
mysql -s -q -h %svr% --user=%user% --password=%pass%  %database% < command.sql

This command works perfect for numerical results, but for string results, it is just blank. even if I list the complete table result, it shows all the numerical values, but the field that has strings it is just blank.

example 2 rows have "jane doe", and mysql displays

************* 1. row ***********************
Name:
************* 2. row ***********************
Name:

but age works

************* 1. row ***********************
Age: 33
************* 2. row ***********************
Age: 105

Is there a setting I can use?

ps this is obvious a simplified version of what I am working with. Most my tables have over 40-50 fields. I can do all this in pasca/qb64/VB/php etc. Just wanting to expand some batch skills

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