Thursday, February 6, 2025

ARE THESE 3 THE LAST ONES

 

             Are Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, & Pete Alonzo these 3 Gentlemen the last of a dying breed in Major League Baseball. What do these 3 men have in common. Well as of February 5th 2025 when Pete Alonzo came to terms with the Mets he marked his place of staying on the same team & not leaving to play elsewhere as of the time of this blog posting. 

                 All 3 of these men are in careers that have them heading to Cooperstown even though injuries in the case of Trout & Kershaw records reflect. All 3 still showcased being a valuable player for their respective teams by either being a MVP of a All-Star Game like Trout has won to Kershaw winning Cy Young Awards as well throwing a No Hitter as well being a World Champion with the Dodgers to Alonzo winning Rookie of the Year after hitting 53 Home Runs his rookie Season.



        So I think these 3 of these men will be the last to play for 1 team throughout their careers my question is for my readers do you see anyone else that might just do it or do you agree with the 3 players I mentioned. I know that sure Jose Altuve is a dark horse but I think he might jump to another team if the Astros were to struggle & not make a post season run & some team needed a "Little" pop to help them out.  I know that this post isn't a big one but I just thought I would see what others think of this topic. As I am reminded by the great Rajah when he was talking about signing autographs for little kids once said "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."



Monday, February 3, 2025

WHAT IF PART IV

             


             Welcome to another installment of the What If series the last one I did I asked you to tell me what you thought if Roberto Clemente had not passed away on New Years Eve in 1972. Well this time I am asking to make the deal that would have helped out these sluggers would they still been Hall of Famers only time would tell. 

         Our story begins with 2 General Managers in 1947 sharing a drink at a local watering hole they were discussing the 2 biggest hitters in how they wish they could trade for the others before they realize it they made the deal however 1 of the General Managers sobered up the next day & nixed the trade cause he didn't want to include a future Hall of Fame Catcher. Imagine if Ted Williams was sent to the Bronx for all people Joe DiMaggio to be sent to Beantown. Now the group made these notes about the trade & discussed the pros & cons first up was Joe D. 

       They Mentioned had Joe DiMaggio been sent to Boston one of the Pros was that Joe would have had played along his brother Dominic plus Joe was more of a Doubles hitter so the Green Monster would have helped him out on that. Plus Joe staying away from an injury plagued career would have only retired after the 1949 season instead of the 1951 season with a career average of .305 not at .325 like he did & only won 2 MVPs not 3. The only con they figured that Joe's Home Run total would been less than it was. Next up Teddy Ballgame.

       Ted Williams had a short porch in right field so hitting in Yankee Stadium would have benefited his stroke. Much like what current Slugger Aaron Judge has at the moment. The group also said Ted would have more than likely not played until 1960 instead retired in 1952 & not get offered the Managerial job with the Senators in 1968 instead he would just became more of a Pro Fisherman after his 2nd stint in the Military was over & had a career batting average around .380 not at .344 like he did & not won the triple crown in 1947 instead would have only led league in Home runs & RBIs but not average instead that would been reward to Phil Rizzuto. 

        Now my readers tell me what you think would have happened had the trade gone through as for that future Hall of Fame Catcher why that was Lawrence Peter Berra. So put your General Manger skills to work again until then remember that baseball season is 52 days away & that another former 2 time winner of the Triple Crown Rogers Hornsby once said about signing autographs for kids "Any ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, he's a Communist."





Monday, January 27, 2025

2ND SETS & THOUGHTS ON STARTING SOMETHING NEW




         On Friday last week I had it off from both of my jobs from Dollar General & at a school as an instructional assistant it's similar to being a tutor to kids the grades are kindergarten to 3rd grade. Up until April of last year I was working at a school that had 5th Through 8th grade students. The reason I said up until April was there was conflict between myself & the administration mind you I have been working with the district since 1998 & the school since 2009. So they gave me choice I could either quit,get fired, or transfer to another school well....sorry I need the $$$$$$ to support my hobby & interest as well pay my bills & such. So I moved onto another location. 

           This brings me to where I went on my day off.  I went to the same shop I went to the week before where I located the starter portion of the 1978 Jack Wallin Grand Slam Set. I spent a good 5 hours rummaging through the dime boxes as well the quarters finding some more of my needs which I was very excited to cross off as well get closer to completing some of my needs mainly in my hockey department. Then I thought of some of the sets I have made through the years in some cases I made more than 1 of the same set like I have 3 complete 1983 Fleer sets. Which also brings me to my thoughts currently I have a run in Topps baseball sets from 1971 (which I am still working on) to 2024 with the exception of my 1967 Topps set & the 1964 Topps Giant set. I saw 1 box that had a good portion of the 1970 Topps set I wondered if I should go for it & try to do it or not. I might make up my mind after I finish off 2 more sets on my wants in baseball. 

           I ask my readers of my blog I know most of you aren't set builders but this is for those that are I like to hear from you. Should I do the 1970 set or not & I am tempted to do the 1987 Fleer Set for the second time as well so which one should I do.  Stay tuned to the blog sometime in February I have a great contest challenge again I call BEAT THE CLOCK you'll have to wait & see what happens until then I am reminded of Rogers Hornsby talking about signing autographs for kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign for little kids ain't an American, he's a Communist." 


Wednesday, January 22, 2025

2025 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS in COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!

 


-I-O!!!!!! That's right the nay sayers can talk all they want in how they said THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY!!!!! didn't belong in the 12 field of contenders in the 2025 College Football Playoffs after the losses to Oregon & Muchigan. After listening to the game & watching on ESPN Game Cast cause I couldn't stream the game & I sure didn't want to go out in the cold weather (-4°F) to my parents house to see the game.  Now the Buckeyes are the answer to a great trivia question to the following question. 

What College football team has won a National Championship in the Pre-BCS games(1968 is 1 of many), a BCS game(2002),the first ever playoffs game(2015),12 team entry in the playoffs(2025)? 

                         Now I am not sure but if you ask me but Will Howard could play Mr. Beast of YouTube Fame in a movie cause they look so much alike. He just needs to grow his cheesy 'Stache. to be the perfect clone.

 

Tell me they don't look like.

             As Ryan Day had the boys focus on the game with his Mantra which I discussed on my January 13,2025 post about Plenty of Football left to play. As I type this piece up he's already getting to have the boys geared up for THE GAME in 311 days 11 hours 18 minutes & counting. Now as I bask in enjoying this championship. I leave you with Will Howard running for the sticks in the game so with that I am looking forward to getting a shirt that says 

2025 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY!!!!!!


also remember that Rogers Hornsby once said "Any ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."



Saturday, January 18, 2025

44 REMAINING TO FINISH

 

                  First off I want to thank Mr Night Owl's help in getting in touch with his friend Jeff Scott who lives in Ontario Canada on Thursday after a hard day working my school job as well Dollar General I came home to see that I had a PWE from Mr. Scott. I reached out to Jeff through Mr. N.O. to see if he could send me some of the 1975 O-Pee-Chee for my set that I am building. He was only able to locate 2 of them the 2 you see before you. They are beautiful for turning 50 this year. I am left with 44 to finish off this remarkable set I have enclosed the list of what I need still to finish off my set.


1975 O-Pee-Chee:


1-Hank Aaron
5-S.Busby/D.Bosman/N.Ryan
16-Frank Tanana
37-Dave Freisleben
57-Davy Johnson
60-Ferguson Jenkins
61-Dave Winfield
80-Carlton Fisk
142-Bob Reynolds
147-Pedro Garcia
150-Bob Gibson
162-Willie Montanez
166-Woodie Fryman
172-Boston Red Sox team(Unmarked)
185-Steve Carlton
200-1962 MVP M.Mantle/M.Wills
219-Ed Herrmann
228-George Brett
245-Mickey Lolich
260-Johnny Bench
266-Sandy Alomar SR.
312 1974 Strike Out Ldrs (N.Ryan/S.Carlton)
323-Fred Holdsworth
373-Bill Sharp
378-Darrel Thomas
386-Checklist (Unmarked)
391-Don DeMola
428-Dave Hamilton
430-Luis Tiant
437-Al Cowens
455-Don Wilson
461-Game 1 of the 1974 World Series
463-Game 3 of the 1974 World Series
471-Bob Stinson
500-Nolan Ryan
519-Jim Todd
557-Larry Gura
579-Skip Pitock
600-Rod Carew
616-Rookie Outfielders (Jim Rice)
620-Rookie Catchers/Outfielders (Gary Carter)
623-Rookie Infielders (Keith Hernandez)
658-Vic Harris
660-Hank Aaron


          I only hope that I can finish it off later this year so if someone wants to help me out I would be very appreciated with the help. It would make my Milestone year extra special knowing I completed this set up. Every show or shop I go to I hope to stumble upon them to get me closer to completing this set. In other news I went to a new shop on Friday that my girlfriend located for me during the holidays when she was trying to locate some of my needs off my Christmas list I waited until we each had a day off together so we could check it out well....mainly me. Soon as I walked in I was surprised to find dime boxes again all I could think about is Nick would be in his glory going through these boxes. I found a good portion of my needs mainly from the `03/`04 Upper Deck Basketball set that I am currently working on cause I found a right vein of singles plus at $.10 I couldn't object the price was good enough that I can't wait to go back again to look for more of my needs when I am not on a time frame. While I was there I happened to stumble up on a good portion of the 1978 Jack Wallin Grand Slam Set. 




This is the Sandy Koufax from the set 1 of 8 that I still need to complete my set.


                  There's 200 cards in the whole set prior to getting the whole lot I did my research & figured 200 cards a small odd-ballish set plus the lot was more than 80% complete I only need 8 cards to complete it so what the heck I'll try to see if I can complete it I said in my head & who knows maybe one of my readers might have some dupes of the ones I need or someone can send me the missing 8 guys left I copied my list for you to look at it otherwise its on my wantlist page.


1978 Jack Wallin Grand Slam:

5-Hank Greenberg
28-Charlie Gehringer
45-Stan Musial
51-Joe DiMaggio
84-Pee Wee Reese
148-Gene Woodling
150-Sandy Koufax
193-Billy Rogell

              As you can see its not filled with high profiled guys unless you count DiMaggio & Musial as well Koufax high profile. While at the shop I also picked up another 1993 Pinnacle set for $25 I had made it once back in 1997 but unfortunately I might had placed it in a tote that was placed into a pod that my late older brother had but eventually lost due to lack of paying the fee for it I had some other sets I lost as well but that's a story for another time & plus I hate thinking about those sets I lost as well. I am also excited about this shop cause it will be a place I can't wait to go digging again at.  

           That brings me to what I have to say is I am not afraid to look at others wantlists its one reason I mainly have traded with some of you like Night Owl,my friend Greg,Bo, Angel Tom, Chef Jeremy whom I had a pleasure meeting last year when he was visiting his family in Michigan & yes Jeremy if you come back & maybe come to my city I can try to send you to this place as well to have you hunt for more Tigers & Rays. I know my lists look complicated but at least take a look at them please. Well I'll just stop babbling about on my blog so it can be published & I can work on the goodies I got at this place as well update my lists & think what I can only hope to find down the road so with that said I am reminded of Rogers Hornsby who once commented on signing autographs for kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."


Friday, January 17, 2025

MY MR. BASEBALL STORY

 

                 This is a post in a tribute to a great guy in baseball. This is my Bob Uecker Tribute that hasn't been said by many considering that yes its another story about my friend Greg of The Collective Mind Blog. It takes place 2 years ago at The National Sports Card Convention in Chicago where it is again this summer.  You see Bob's 1964 Topps card on the top of the page it was on Greg's most wanted list so usually on the first night of the show I usually do a walk around looking around seeing what deals I can get for the next 2 days respectively.  I noticed as I was walking around this dealer had some vintage cards one being the 1964 Bob Uecker it was at a price I figured that Greg would pounce on it if he saw it $40 was a steal so being a nice friend I picked it up for him sending him a quick text telling him Bob is off your list unfortunately as I was picking this card up Greg was at another booth picking it up as well. 



                      He got my text responding by what did I mean that's when I asked where can I meet up with him to show him. So we met at the booth where he was going through some of his 1962s needs when I showed him Bob he then showed me what he picked up as well. He got a better deal on his but now he has 2 of them I am not sure if he still does or not maybe he'll say on his blog if he still has 1 available. 


          Now the 1967 Topps is my only Uecker card I have that was during his playing career. The other thing I own & will cherish everytime I listen to it is this CD that Hall of Fame Announcer & former partner of Bob's on the Radio Pat Hughes produced It talks about Bob's career as a player as well his Broadcasting career that came to be when he was fired as a Scout for the Milwaukee Brewers after turning in a scouting report that had KFC gravy stains as well other foods on the unknown report of a player. Its part of his series called Baseball Voices I recommend anyone who follows the game to listen to these legendary baseball broadcasters from the likes of Mel Allen,Harry Carey,Jack Buck, & even Bob Uecker. Pat talks about the careers of these great men with famous calls that made the announcer famous for as well great stories their careers as well each announcers speech he made when inducted to Cooperstown after being awarded to Ford C. Frick Award. 



                      As I conclude my piece of remembering Bob Uecker we can only imagine what the conversation would be like once Bob appeared before the golden gates & God lets take a peek.


Bob: Say God is this Iowa.

God: No Bob this is Heaven. 

Bob: Man I knew I didn't see any corn when I arrived.

God: Bob you'll be covering the Angels now.

Bob: I guess I best be moving on to the front row eh!!!

God: No Bob Juuuuuuust a bit outside!!!! & Get up!!!! Get up!!!!! Get Outta here!!!! Gone!!!!

Bob admiring the pearly gates from afar watching new entries awaiting to go into heaven: Great view eh!!! God!!! are ya there!!!!!  I am missing my halo!!!! my halo!!!!!


Bob Uecker will be missed by this baseball fan thanks Ueck!!! With that I am reminded by Rogers Hornsby when talking about autographs to little kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, he's a Communist."










Monday, January 13, 2025

PLENTY OF FOOTBALL LEFT

          


      Then there was 1 game left as I type out this post around 6:45 am est. Outside the building in the town of Livonia,Michigan where I pilgrimage every month to the show where I have gotten some great stuff in the past. I only wish that my boss at Dollar General would have let me start work later than 1pm but it is what it is.

           I'm gearing up for the National Championship Game on the January 20th where THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY is going to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Ever since THE GAME!!!!! Coach Ryan Day had a new Mantra saying during his press conference once the playoff pairings were announced "There's Still Plenty of Football left to play." The players taken Coach Day's words to heart. So they took down the Voles giving them the rematch that they wanted in playing the Little Ducklings from Oregon. Those poor little ducklings were shocked to see that THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY wasn't the same team that they beaten back in October. Next up were the Longhorns of Texas giving a sneak preview of Next year's season opener. Unfortunately Capt. Jack Sawyer said excuse me while I Scoop it & score it.





         So that's what brings us to say again "There's Still Plenty of Football Left."  I know that some Muchigan fans say they're still the National Champions but I didn't see them in the playoffs nor did THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY have 4 losses like them. So to them I say you had a chance to have a dynasty but you didn't make the playoffs so bring on those Irish Little Peoples Capt. Jack & Coach Ryan Day are waiting to show you again for the 3rd year in a row that THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY will be ready to play on the 20TH. With that I will say this O-H !!!