Shoeboxes and Rubberbands

Jim Rice in the Hall

2009-01-12T18:31:00.002-05:00

Congrats to Jim Rice on making the hall of fame. This 1978 Topps card was what started me collecting cards. I can remember getting pack after pack in 1978 often at the Dairy Queen rip off ice cream stand (the Dairy Cream)after little league games hoping for Rice only to get Rudy Meoli and Ed Ott instead. I never did get Rice that summer. I traded for that card and eventually got the whole 1978 set for Christmas a few years later. I still have that set and will always remember the summer I spent trying in vain to score that Rice card.

Jeff Twitty and the Royal Relievers

2008-02-01T09:31:00.001-05:00

Jeff did not have much of a baseball career but he did find later success as a musician. He became a respected country and western singer with ihs band Jeff Twitty and the Royal Relievers. They would be known for wearing matching powder blue rhinestone studded cowboy suits (Perhaps there was some fringe involved) with matching 10 gallon hats. They would play state fairs througout the midwest often opening for Glen Campbell or Kris Kristofferson. Sometimes he would emcee the butter sculpting contest

The Eichelberger

2008-01-28T08:16:00.001-05:00

Before 1981, the name Eichelberger held little meaning. Was it the name of a German general? Was it the new smokey chipolte hamburger from Applebees? But since 1981, the name Eichelberger has been synonymous with giant facial hair. Sure, some civil war generals had tried the bushy mutton chop/fu manchu mustache combo with little success. Sure, they would look intimidating on the battelfield, but they looked silly in normal life. It wasn't until Juan so deftly paired the brown and orange polyester combination that the "Eichelberger" look became complete. Often, Juan would entertain the ladies in the Eichelberger bachelor pad which had zebra patterned bean bag chairs and thick shag carpeting.

The Karaoke King of Seattle

2008-01-22T08:35:00.000-05:00

Here we see Tom engaging in one of his favorite past times, Karaoke. as a matter of fact, Tom is known as the Karaoke King of Seattle. He wows the ladies with his perfectly coiffed hair and slim microphone as he belts out inspired karaoke versions of songs by Paul Anka and Johnny Mathis. If he feels saucy, he will cover Wayne Newton as well.

The Sad Tale of Danny Boone

2007-12-04T08:12:00.000-05:00

Daniel Boone, frontiersmen, patriot, had grown tired of the coonskin caps and the wild frontier of Kentucky. Looking to settle down, Daniel changed his name to Danny and joined the San Diego Padres as a relief pitcher. No one knew his secret identity until the San Diego Chicken revealed it by donning a coonskin cap and then pretending to shoot the Philadelphia Phanatic with a rifle at a late September game. Danny left the bullpen in tears never to play another game.

Lost at Sea

2007-11-27T08:19:00.001-05:00

This comes straight from the back of Bert's card:
Did You know?...
Bert spent the 1980 off season marooned on a desert island in the South Pacific. He existed on a steady diet of crab, lost 40 pounds, and befriended a basketball named Spaulding before constructing a makeshift raft and setting out on the open sea where he was eventually rescued. In his first start since being rescued, he spun a 3 hit complete game shutout against the Minnesota Twins on April 4, 1981.

Mr.1981 Home Run King

2007-11-26T08:04:00.000-05:00

Here we see Mike Schmidt the "1981 Home Run King" and boy does he like his awards. So much so, that he rarely is seen without them. While most players would warm up before the game by doing some light throwing or by shagging some fly balls, Mike instead can be seen in the dugout polishing his trophies. He then wanders the field looking for wayward photographers and asking them if they would like to take a picture of him and his trophies. He is inseperable from those trophies. On thanksgiving, he demands they be given their own seat next to him and his relatives must refer to him at all times as the "1981 Home Run King". Mike is crazy but in that loveable way like the crazy Uncle who drinks too much on holidays and talks a little too loud about the trouble he's been having with his colon; Mike just does it with his MVP and Gold Glove awards at his side.

The Amazing Tridextrious Bradley

2007-11-16T14:23:00.001-05:00

Scott was the 1st tri-dextrous 3 handed player in the history of baseball. He would wear 4 gloves simultaneously, 2 on his left hands, one on his right and for reasons only beknownst to him, one on his left knee. He would simultaneously play the positions of catcher, third base and outfield. He often would draw comparisions to the great Bugs Bunny who played every position by himself in one memorable game. Sadly, Scott had trouble fitting in socially due to his tri-handedness and his penchant for wearing hand accessories on his left knee; he would often be seen eating alone at the local breakfast buffet crying softly into his scrambled eggs.

The Funderburk Express

2007-10-24T08:26:00.001-04:00

Mark missed his calling. Instead of seldom used backup outfielder, he should have been influential funk bass player. He should have fronted his own funk band named "The Funderburk Express" where he would lay down the most terrifying slap bass not heard since the glory days of Parliament/Funkadelic. I can even see the likes of Kent Hrbek and Roy Smalley rocking out to the Funderburk Express at the Twins annual employee cookout.

Brian and Pingy

2007-10-23T08:13:00.000-04:00

There's no truth to the rumor that Brian "The Enforcer" Downing had a second career as low level mob enforcer using his aluminum bat "Pingy" to dispense justice to people who were late on their payments to their loan shark.

In the Pursuit of the Defeat of John Saxon

2007-10-22T08:27:00.000-04:00

Al Holland is not a man to be trifled with. He means business and you can tell by his enormous mutton chop sideburns. Not content to let just the sideburns do the talkin', he compliments them with a bad ass mustache. You could expect one thing when Al came into the game to pitch: Pure Intimidation. Al spent the summers of his formative years studying martial arts under the master himself, Bruce Lee. He would often train at Bruce's island retreat with the goal to defeat John Saxon.

Andre Thornton's X-Ray Glasses

2007-10-05T08:14:00.000-04:00

Andre is wearing his specially designed orange sunglasses. Andre needed to get an advantage during his at bats, so he designed the perfect glare blocking orange sunglasses. He went on to have a very successful hitting career. Things turned sour once he was retired and he invented a pair of Xray orange sunglasses. He formed Thornton Industries and built a secret lair where he perfected the glasses and used them to begin a life of crime. He was ultimately defeated by Spider Man.

The Steve Garvey Workout Routine

2007-10-04T08:06:00.001-04:00

Here we see Steve Garvey in action. He is right in the middle of his patented Steve Garvey Workout Routine. This was part of a 4 hour daily regimen to get ready for that days game. It started out with Steve waking up, then going to the orphanage and cooking the orphans breakfast. Then, he would arrive at the ball park where the hair preparation took place. Vidal Sassoon would arrive and personally begin the 1.5 hour ritual. First, Steve's hair is coated in a fine protective covering of hair spray. Next, a mold of his head (which was made during spriing training) would be worn to hold the hair in place. Once this was completed, it can be assured that no matter how much he sweats, Steve's hair would remain impeccably in place. Next he would go out on the field for some light stretching. Then he would invite more children on the field for a game of catch. Finally, the game itself. Later, Steve would pick up the best looking blonde stewardess/TV anchor woman/TV commercial actress/or nearest runway model and father a child out of wedlock. He did this routine for 19 seasons and it almost got him into the hall of fame.

Strike a managerial pose

2007-09-27T08:44:00.000-04:00

Chuck was the Atlanta Braves manager in the late 80's. Here we see him trying his best to act "managerial". In baseball terms, this means either one of 2 things, 1) put on your best shades and stand with lineup card and pen at the ready, or 2) Sit placidly on the bench and gaze reflectively on the field of play. Chuck opted for the more fan friendly put on your best shades and stand with lineup card at the ready. Chuck looks like he spent 30 years in middle management for Coca-Cola or something and was living a simple retired life in Florida where you wouldnt be surprised to be caught behind his 1988 Oldsmobile as it goes 35 mph down the highway with his left directional on. As you passed him, you wouldnt see the steely nerve in his eyes as they would be covered by those damned sunglasses. It was these qualities that made the Braves come knocking for his services.

Rance from accounting

2007-09-26T10:24:00.000-04:00

It must have been tough playing for the Blue Jays. 1st off, the team name is the Blue Jays. Yep, named after a bird you may just see in your backyard. Then you have to wear a cute bird logo on both your cap and uniform. Fortunately, the uniform colors predominantly feature the color sky blue. Wearing these uniforms make you look like you are playing in a company sponsored after work softball team. Rance Mulliniks here looks less like a major leaguer and more like Rance from accounting who is playing in his companys softball league where he is most likely to suffer a serious knee injury from trying to recapture some of his glory days.

Dennis Leonard's Wild West Show

2007-09-25T10:53:00.000-04:00

Nothing says "Intimidation" like the mutton chop sideburn/fu manchu mustache combo. And in the early 1908's when one talked about mutton chops and fu manchus, the conversation started with Dennis Leonard. Dennis won the 1980 Mutton Chop Fu combo award barely edging out Ken Landreaux and Al Holland. It started out as a way to amuse the other pitchers on the Royals of the time, particularly Renie Martin who had a tough time growing one of his own. It soon turned into a lucrative side project as Dennis opened Dennis Leonard's Wild West Show in Tombstone, Arizona. Dennis is the star of the staged cowboy action shootout show where he kills Black Jack Shellac every 3 pm for the entertainment of the kiddies.

The Joy of Painting with Bob Forsch

2007-09-24T10:00:00.001-04:00

Baseball players probably shouldnt have perms. I mean, it's bad enough that you have to wear a powder blue uniform with little birdies on the front, but it just adds insult to injury when you have a perm hairdo to boot. I dont think Bob is going to strike fear into any batter's heart as he approaches the mound with curly locks protruding from under his cap. He looks more suited to host his own PBS sunday morning painting program, The Joy of Painting with Bob Forsch, where he teaches youngins how to paint Happy Little Trees.

Bip Roberts Jazz Quartet

2007-09-23T12:14:00.000-04:00

With a name like Bip Roberts you could really only be a baseball player. Or perhaps Jazz musician. But otherwise, it would be hard to be taken seriously if you went by the name Bip. You wouldn't get your taxes done by Bip Roberts, CPA...But you would buy a CD from the Bip Roberts Jazz Quartet.

The Great One

2007-09-13T12:29:00.001-04:00

Here is my first non-baseball card of the day! When talking hockey, one must start with the greatest player of all time, the Great One, Wayne Gretzky. Here we see Wayne shortly after his trade to the Los Angeles Kings. It was after this trade, that Wayne cut his hair and styled it after the new wave bands of the 80's. (No one said Wayne was cutting edge musically). He then began a short stint as lead singer of Kajagoogoo replacing former lead singer Limahl on their '91 reunion tour. Wayne soon blew out his voice singing a particularly emotional version of "Too Shy" and he was forced to return to hockey.

Heavy Metal Parking Lot with Steve Trout

2007-09-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

It was good to be Steve Trout in the 1980's. Notice the perm hardo and the BluBlocker shades that he bought of some dude at the boardwalk in Atlantic City. Steve is the epitome of cool. After games, Steve would don his BluBlockers and hop into his Camaro where he would blast Motley Crue from his speakers and try to pick up chicks in acid washed jeans. It was his way, and he knew it well.

Trout with his Camaro

The Powder Blues

2007-09-09T12:51:00.000-04:00

Believe it or not there was a time when powder blue was a popular color for baseball uniforms. Instead of road greys, teams like the Royals, Cardinals, Brewers, Mariners, Twins, and Expos were donning the powder blues. But no one pulled off the classic power blue vibe like the Phillies. The Phillies had the foresight to match powder blue with burgandy forming a look that says either "My God, I've stumbled upon the wardrobe of a flight attendant from the late 1960's" or "My God, I've stumbled upon the wardrobe of the ice cream man"

Phil Niekro Appreciation Post

2007-09-07T10:40:00.000-04:00

The world needs knuckleballers. They are my favorite type of pitchers. This is probably the case because they throw about as fast as I can throw giving all us armchair players an "I can do that!" kind of feeling. Imagine being a hitter in 1986 and seeing 47 year old Phil Niekro on the mound. Your first thought would be, "How did my Grandfather get on the mound?" Your second thought would be "boy, did I look foolish missing those pitches by four feet". The baseball world is a better place with knuckleballers such as Tom Candiotti and Tim Wakefield around but the master of them all was Phil Niekro. Phil once won 21 games and lost 20 games in the same season! He pitched 212 innings when he was 47!! He looked like he should have been wearing sandals with black socks and shorts and living on a golf course in Florida but instead he was winning 300+ games. Here's to you Phil Niekro, the best of all the knuckleballers.

Mr. Clutch

2007-08-16T10:16:00.000-04:00

As you can see, Pat's nickname was Mr. Clutch. He recieved this nickname due to his ability on the drag racing track. He was the NHRA's Drag Racer of the year for 1983 and 1985. He later starred in his own drag racing TV show with his family which involved his family racing team (Team Tabler) consisting of his wife and kids in which he solved crimes with the help of his talking car Drag Racer.

Humes

2007-08-15T07:52:00.001-04:00

Tom is wearing a perfect example of the 1980's glasses. Notice the large rectangular frames, this was the classic signature style of glasses which began to be called "Humes". Humes became the fad of the summer of '86 as everyone from politicians to musicians started wearing them. Humes also became extremely popular with the skateboarding crowd of the late 80's who would show up in vans sneakers with walkman's blasting punk music. Humes became a symbol of the skateboarding scene and you really weren't legit unless you had a pair. Tom became sort of a cult figure in this scene and could often be found skating with his humes on much to the delight of his many fans.

Smokey and the Bandit: The Musical

2007-08-14T07:45:00.000-04:00

Todays card is from the oft-forgotten Fleer Star Stickers set of the late 80's (1986 in this case) Represented here by a dashing Ron Guidry. Ron never was quite the same pitcher after losing out to Burt Reynolds for the lead in Smokey and the Bandit. However, he did find some solace when he landed the coveted role of Smokey in the off broadway version of Smokey and the Bandit: The Musical.

An Evening With Grimsley

2007-08-10T07:52:00.000-04:00

Ross is sporting the Ultra70's Perm look. Which should be noted as he was fresh off his stint as touring rhythm guitarist in Queen. Eventually Queen had to distance themselves from Ross despite his look because he had trouble with the high harmonies in Bohemian Rhapsody. Also, deep in my mind, I secretly wish that Ross Grimsley would demand that everyone simply call him Grimsley. I see him officially changing his name to just Grimsley. I think it suits him. He would then go on a stand up comedy tour billed as "An evening with Grimsley"

These Kellogg's cards were my favorite cards growing up. I would demand my parents by me Frosted Flakes just to get the cards, then I would save my money and box tops and send away for the complete set. They havent held up too well through the years as the acrylic coating tends to crack and the cards curl too. But the 3-D effect made it all worth while. The sets had all the superstars and I think Kellogg's tried to represent all the teams so there would always be some weird representative from those awful A's and Mariners teams of the late 70's. Does Mario Guerrero ring a bell?

Zimmer needs food!

2007-08-09T07:54:00.001-04:00

You have got to love manager cards. Who wouldnt want to look at balding overweight lumpy men in ill fitting uniforms? They were born to be on baseball cards. Take Don Zimmer here, he really could only be a baseball manager. But he also seems like the kind of guy you would see devastating the all you can eat buffet at your local Country Buffet restaurant. Zimmer needs FOOD!!

755

2007-08-08T07:55:00.001-04:00

The timeless headband

2007-08-07T07:43:00.001-04:00

The headband. Vital piece of sporting equipment or unnecessary fashion accessory? The debate has raged on for years. Here we see Rod Carew who plainly falls into the vital piece of sporting equipment camp. One must wonder how much Rod sweats if wearing a baseball hat alone is not enough to keep the sweat out of his eyes. Perhaps it was his pre-baseball life of doubles partner to John McEnroe that enamors him to the headband? We may never know.

I'm Your Huckleberry

2007-08-06T07:49:00.001-04:00

Todays Card of the Day is Andy McGaffigan 1988 Topps

Andy doesnt look like he belongs in the 1980's, he looks like he would fit right in in the 1880's; wearing a cowboy hat and perhaps extracting some teeth in his spare time. He would have friends named Wyatt and Morgan and would often proclaim to people "I'm your huckleberry" before engaging in an old fashioned shootout with them. People would call him "Doc" McGaffigan and he would shoot a man in his sleep for snoring too loudly.

Favorite Closers Part Deux

2007-07-11T18:07:00.001-04:00

Another in the continuing series of my favorite closers I present: Dan Quisenberry. Like Tekulve, Quisenberry was a submariner who didn't even look like an athlete never mind a closer. But all he did was save games. He was an old school closer, who (along with his bushy mustache) routinely pitched over 100 innings a year.

Favorite Closers

2007-07-09T19:32:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite closers of all time is Kent Tekulve from the Pirates. Kent didn't really look the part of intimidating closer with his rail thin frame and dark sunglasses pitching the ball submarine style but he got the job done. He was an integral part of the We Are Family Pirates of 1979 (my favorite team of all time). The submarine style was perfectly suited for him as it would not have been nearly as effective if he had been a starter. Think of facing one of the Pirates overhand starters of the era like Bert Blyleven or Jim Bibby for 8 innings then having to try to pick up a ball thrown from someone's ankles; 184 career saves proves how effective he was.

Mickey and His Giant Glove

2007-06-11T07:41:00.000-04:00

Todays card of the day is Mickey Hatcher 1986 Fleer

Mickey has a large glove. Don't ask him about it though. Once he gets going, he just cant stop. He brings it out at family outings and everyone has to hear the story of Mickey and his Giant Glove. It's bad enough that Pixar made the animated feature Mickey and His GIant Glove starring the voices of Matt Damon, Cameron Diaz and Gilbert Gottfried.

Feathered Hair & Big Glasses

2007-05-30T07:59:00.000-04:00

Today's card of the day is Dave Collins 1986 Donruss

Dave has perfected that mid-80's feathered hair and big glasses look. This look has since dissappeared and now sits firmly in the nostalgia camp. But back in 1986 Dave Collins had it goin on. He seems to have that slightly nerdy yet still clueless and bewildered Dad look about him. If he was an actor he would compete for those roles Rick Moranis would get, perhaps he would have fit right in as the Dad in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids or perhaps he lost out in final auditions to Joel Grey for the role of Ricky Schroeder's Dad in Silver Spoons. Such are the burdens that Dave Collins must live with.

Patrolman Gossage

2007-05-24T08:13:00.000-04:00

Today's Card of the Day is Goose Gossage 1986 Topps

Goose Gossage. The name means pure intimidation. Look it up in the dictionary, under the term "Pure Intimidation" you will see a picture of Goose. Goose was one of the greatest closers in baseball history. He was intimidating to batters in his baseball days and he is intimidating to drivers in his new career, California Highway Patrolman. Imagine the sight one would see upon being pulled over as a man with tinted shades and a huge Fu Manchu mustache walks over to their car. You know Goose means business except you would never call him Goose. You would call him Mr. Gossage, sir.

The George Foster Vibe

2007-05-23T09:30:00.000-04:00

Today's card of the day is George Foster 1986 Topps

George Foster is the epitome of cool in this card. Look at him. He didnt even take his sunglasses off to bat. That is how cool he is. Add in some killer sideburns and you have a man as cool as the other side of the pillow. George would look right at home operating a pool hall in New York City. Perhaps he runs some sort of shady side business out of there, who knows. But George can often be seen in the pool hall with sunglasses on beating all comers while wearing a garishly colored suit. He would sometimes spend time in the back room dealing with people who have names like T-Bone and The Wiz but no one really knows what they are up to.

Where are they now? Kelly Leak

2007-05-22T08:21:00.001-04:00

Today's Card of the Day is Mike Brown 1986 Topps.

Mike was an outfielder for the Pirates but his most successfull sports highlights came leading the legendary little league team known as "The Bad News Bears". Back then Mike was known as Kelly Leak and led a life of juvenile deliquency which often included activities such as riding his dirt bike onto baseball fields, smoking cigarettes at 11 years old, and playing air hockey. His love of baseball got him back on the straight and narrow but due to an unfortunate incident involving Engleberg, he was forced to change his name to "Mike Brown" which enabled him to continue his promising baseball career.

Stoddard's Stein

2007-05-21T08:10:00.001-04:00

Today's Card of the Day is Tim Stoddard 1986 Topps.

Tim looks like the type of guy who would be right at home drinking beer out of a porcelain stein. He actually had a porcelain beer stein made with his face on it that he would take with him to the bullpen and drink beer out of on those hot San Diego summer nights. Perhaps Tim enjoyed a bratwurst or two in his time too.

The Buddy Biancalana Hour

2007-05-18T07:46:00.000-04:00

Today's card of the day is 1985 Topps Buddy Biancalana.

Buddy Biancalana: the man with the sweetest smelling name in the major leagues. Buddy wasnt much of a ballplayer but he made his mark on American pop culture after his career was over. He had an afternoon talk show in the style of the old 1970's talk show style like the Merv Griffin show called "The Buddy Biancalana Hour". Buddy would have guests from Hollywood on and they would swap stories. The show usually ended with Buddy crooning a pop standard such as "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "In the Still of the Night"

The Knuckle Brothers

2007-05-17T07:51:00.000-04:00

Todays Card of the Day is The Knuckle Brothers 1986 Leaf

The knuckle brothers occupy a unique spot in baseball history. Phil (L) and Joe (R) Knuckle were siamese twins joined at the knuckle. They were the first pair of siamese twins to play in the majors. They were especially adept at their knuckle ball which they could throw with much skill due to their 8 knuckles they could utilize to throw the pitch. The Knuckle Brothers had a successful acting career after baseball and often appeared as drug kingpins in a recurring role on Gamble & Bake.

Leyland's hat

2007-05-16T07:45:00.000-04:00

Today's card of the day is 1986 Topps Jim Leyland

Jim was a rookie manager of the Pirates when he decided to replace the normal cloth caps the Pirates wore with his new wire mesh caps. These were designed to allow better airflow to the head to keep you cool during the games. The Leyland-Flow 6000 was patented. Unfortunately, the design never took off due to the uncomfortableness of wearing a wire mesh hat that would often rust when it rained.

Sherman Corbett, CPA

2007-05-14T07:53:00.000-04:00

Today's Random Card of the Day is 1989 Fleer Sherman Corbett

Sherman was more well known as Sherman Corbett, CPA. He was the accountant for the California Angels. He showed up for team photo day in full uniform and somehow he found himself winning a spot in the Angel bullpen. Displaying a vast knowledge of the tax codes, which he often passed on to his teammates while they spent countless innings in the bullpen, he ended up appearing in 34 games that season for the bullpen depleted Angels.

Sasser's Salon for Men

2007-05-10T07:47:00.001-04:00

Today's Random card of the day is Mackey Sasser 1991 Score

Mackey was a catcher for the NY Mets who soon tired of the every day grind of catching in the major leagues. He then turned his attentions toward his first love: hairdressing. Trading his shin guards and facemask for combs and hair dryers, he founded his own saloon called Sasser's Salon for Men. He followed this up with a line of hair care products Sasser's Salon Products. He has since amassed a worldwide hair salon empire.

The Hampton Pocorobas

2007-05-09T07:57:00.000-04:00

Todays Card of the day is 1978 Topps Biff Pocaoroba

It is a miracle that Biff ever made it to the major leagues. He comes from the famous Pocoroba family from the Hamptons. The Pocorobas made their fortune in the ship building industry when Biff's great great great grandfather Horatio Pocoroba came to America. Once amassing their fortune, they became one of America's most rich and influentiial families. Biff's great great grandfather, Biff Pocoroba I, was vice president during the Rutherford B. Hayes administration. Biff grew up in luxury often spending hours hitting baseballs off the family yacht. To this day he is a big hit at the annual Pocoroba family reunion as he will often don his catching gear and regale the guests with stories from his days on the 1970's Atlanta Braves particlarly the time when he and outfielder Rowland Office had that sunflower seed spitting competition.

The Jose Cruz Workout

2007-05-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

Today's card of the day is Jose Cruz 1984 Fleer

Jose was the 1st major leaguer to jump on the excercise bandwagon of the 1980's. He would often be seen before games doing stretching and 'jazzercize' routines in the outfield. Never one to sit idly by, he would lead the bench in dumbbell curls while the opposing team batted. He would often wear red, yellow and orange striped legwarmers while he shagged fly balls in the outfield during batting practice and he released a series of workout tapes modeled after "The Jane Fonda Workout" entitled "The Jose Cruz Workout".

Pasqua Being Pasqua

2007-05-03T07:51:00.000-04:00

Todays Random Card of the day is Dan Pasqua 1991 Score

Dan didnt much like the uniforms of the White Sox in 1991 so he decided to take matters into his own hands by wearing the uniforms of the early 1900's era White Sox. At first this was just a cute idea, Kind of a "Pasqua being Pasqua" thing. But then he started taking things too far. He would arrive at the ball park wearing the latest fashions fo the day (and by day I mean early 1900's), complete with straw hat. He eschewed all technology. He started using those really thick bats they used back then and fielding with no glove. He talked in the vernacular of the early 1900's such as referring to lights as electric lamps and so forth. He was eventually released due to the dramatic loss of power and batting average that occurred from using the extra thick bats. He was last seen wearing his beloved tattered uniform pumping gas at a gas station off the NJ turnpike.

The Fergie Bar

2007-05-02T07:47:00.000-04:00

Today's Card of the Day is Donruss 1981 Ferguson Jenkins

Fergie Jenkins is holding one of his famous "Fergie" bars. It is a candy bar named after him. It has all the essential ingredients that ball players love. It starts off with a layer of chewy nougart, followed by a fine layer of caramel which is filled with sunflower seeds, then add a layer of the finest in hand picked Virginia chewing tobacco topped off with a coating of rich milk chocolate. The new Fergie bar can be found at all the finest sporting goods stores.

The Mysterious Tim Jones

2007-05-01T07:47:00.001-04:00

Today's Random Card of the Day is the memorable Tim Jones 1990 Topps

"Tim Jones", eh? One wonders why "Tim Jones" wasn't able tp play baseball under his real name? Why the alias? Is he on the lam? Was he involved in a sort of ballplayer version of Thelma and Louise with Clay Carroll? Was he a witness in a government mob trial? Was there a hidden ball trick episode that went horribly wrong? Did he steal Pedro Guerrero's glove? Why the secrecy? I'm on to you, "Tim Jones"!!!!!

Moose Stubing

2007-04-30T07:48:00.000-04:00

Today's random card of the day is Topps 1989 Moose Stubing

Moose Stubing managed the Angels for the last 8 games of 1988 compiling an amazing 0-8 big league managerial record. Luckily he is known for better things; such as his hit TV sitcom Stubing & Stubing which starred Moose as Moose Stubing baseball manager and all around slob and Gavin MacCleod as former Captain of the Love Boat and super neatnik, Merrill Stubing. Moose is forced to take his brother in after he reties from the Love Boat and the two of them share a small apartment where they get on each other's nerves due to their opposite personalities. For a short time, the show also featured fellow Love Boat alum Fred Grandy as the nosy neighbor, Mr. Crabbe.

A season one episode of Stubing & Stubing

The Master Contortionist

2007-04-27T07:58:00.001-04:00

Todays Random card of the day is John Cerutti 1990 Bowman

Notice anything strange about John? That's right, he has a freakish way of contorting his body for this is John Cerutti, Master Contortionist. He has been known to bend his arms in unnatural 90 degree angles in an effort to confuse the batter. Because of this, he virtually can have a different windup on every pitch. He was also known to enter games inside a 3' by 3' box where he would then pop out and start pitching.

1984 Mustache of the Year

2007-04-25T07:46:00.000-04:00

Today's Card of the Day is Dick Tidrow 1984 Topps

Dick won Topps' prestigous Mustache of the Year Award (MOY) in 1984 for obvious reasons. Dick spent many years perfecting his mustache and his hard work culminated in a hard fought but well deserved Mustache of the Year award victory after edging out 7 time winner Rollie Fingers. Dick later went on to much greater success as part of the platinum record selling disco group, The Village People.

Mr. Tunnell's 7th Grade Biology Class

2007-04-24T07:58:00.000-04:00

Today's card of the day is Lee Tunnell 1984 Donruss

Lee Tunnell was a spot starter and mostly inneffective middle reliever for some very mediocre mid-80's Pirates teams. He doesnt have that typical bullpen reliever look; Lee looks more suited to teach 7th grade biology than playing major league baseball. In fact, he was the most popular teacher in Vincent P. Gallagher Junior High School. Mr. Tunnell's biology class would often fill up right away as the kids just loved his easy going teaching style and bad puns he would tell them.

Those damned butterfly collars

2007-04-23T07:55:00.000-04:00

today's random card is Clay Carroll 1978 Topps

Clay is angry. It's tough to say why exactly. Could it be his name? Could it be the fact that he has to wear the 1970's White Sox uniform complete with butterfly collar making it the only baseball uniform in history to feature that garish fashion accessory? I am not sure; although I believe that could be at least partly to blame. Clay looks like he would fit right in as a bouncer at some roadside dingy dive bar that truckers frequent. Perhaps he is known to be a little too friendly with the local bar fly Candy who wears too much makeup, smokes unfiltered camels, has a voice to match, and is fond to wearing halter tops and spandex despite the fact that her girlish figure dissappeared many moons ago. Either way Clay will kick your butt just for fun.

Hello, McFly!

2007-04-19T07:45:00.000-04:00

Todays Card of the Day is Boog Powell 1972 Topps Boog Powell

Boog was a big, power hitting first baseman for the Orioles who to this day remains extremely popular in Baltimore. People remember him for his prodigious home runs and his early 80's Miller Lite commercials, but he is perhaps most fondly remembered for his role of Biff Tannen in the Back to the Future movie trilogy. And to this day he is still serenaded by crowds chanting his famous line "Hello, McFly!" whenever he makes his way to an Orioles game at Camden Yards.

Johnstone's Budweiser Umbrella Hat

2007-04-18T07:59:00.000-04:00

Today's Card of The Day is Jay Johnstone 1984 Fleer

Jay has found a way to combine his two loves, drinking vast quantities of Budweiser Beer and umbrellas in a new and exciting way. An Umbrella Hat! Johnstone's Budweiser Umbrella Hat is a new and exciting way to show everyone your love of Budweiser beer and staying dry in the rain without having to hold up an umbrella with your hand. Free your hands to do exciting tasks as drinking beer, hitting a baseball, clapping for your teammates, walking out in your robe and bunny slippers to pick up your morning paper, and more! The new Johnstone Budweiser Umbrella Hat comes with Budweiser pattern, a 6" radius of dryness, and an adjustable band to adjust to any size head from Freddie Patek size small to Barry Bonds size gargantuan!

Hubbard's Wild World

2007-04-17T08:06:00.000-04:00

Today's card of the day is Glenn Hubbard 1984 Fleer

This picture was taken on mascot day. Here , if you look carefully, you can see both the Phillie Phanatic and Barney Rubble in the background (And I say any card with both the Phillie Phanatic AND Barney Rubble on it puts it in the running for greatest baseball card ever) Glenn apparantly dabbled in reptiles. One may wonder what would qualify you to handle reptiles if your resume says you are qualified to play second base for the Atlanta Braves, but this is Glenn Hubbard, Master Reptilian Expert.Glenn hosted his own wildlife show called "Hubbard's Wild World". He would often explore strange, exotic locations wearing his vintage powder blue Braves uniform and wearing his pet snake "Reggie" around his neck.

Jackie Robinson Day

2007-04-15T21:17:00.000-04:00

This is the only card of the great Jackie Robinson that I own. It is from Donruss' 1983 Hall of Fame Heros set which featured paintings of many hall of famers.

The Mariner Blues

2007-04-14T12:15:00.000-04:00

The 1984 Mariners had special uniforms. The pairing up powder blue and neon yellow was a masterstroke. If you just throw in some polka dots here and there you would have the perfect clown costume; the kind you see on the clowns that make balloon animals at childern's parties.

And you really can't get enough of the flying pitchfork bursting thru a star. Nothing says "I'm a Mariner" more than a flying pitchfork shattering a star like a supersonic jet shatters the sound barrier. As a matter of fact, I am pretty sure these uniforms do shatter the sound barrier in their own right.

Pascual Perez: Rap Star

2007-04-13T08:22:00.000-04:00

Let's see all the things Pascual has going for him. Gold tooth? check. slightly askew NY Yankees hat? check. Jheri curls? check. slits for eyes ? check. It appears as if Pascual could be a member of Public Enemy. Pascual joined Public Enemy shortly after being traded to the NY Yankees. He previously had been on the Atlanta Braves and tried to join the Atlanta based rap duo Outkast but they scoffed at Pascual's propsed name Perez and the Outkasts. He then was welcomed with open arms by the NY based Public Enemy upon his trade to the Yankees. He took the stage name Double P and is featured on the album Fear of a Black Planet.

1984 Fleer Larry McWilliams

2007-04-12T07:55:00.000-04:00

today's Card of the day is a 1984 Fleer Larry McWilliams

Notice Larry is holding a baseball card of HIMSELF that he is showing off. It makes me wonder why he carries around a baseball card of himself. Does he always have a supply on him no matter where he goes? Does he keep a stack in his wallet like business cards so he can give them out to anyone he meets. "HI, I'm Larry McWilliams, here's my card" and he hands over his 1981 fleer card. I envision Larry at some sophisticated New Yorker magazine style dinner party dressed in his yellow and gold pirates uniform complete with 1800's pillbox hat style cap regaling the young ladies with tales of his adventures in the 1981 Atlanta Braves bullpen (particularly the time when Al "The Mad Hungarian" Hrabosky ate all those sunflower seeds and got sick in the bullpen) while he hands out his baseball card in an effort to impress them.

The Singing Jackson

2007-04-11T07:55:00.000-04:00

1984 Fleer Roy Lee Jackson

Now at first, this card may appear to be a ploy from the cheapskate owner of the Blue Jays to save money by forcing his players to sing the national anthem. And in most cases, you would be correct to assume that. But this is Roy Lee Jackson. A man who had a considerable musical career before undertaking his baseball career. Roy Lee was a successfull musician along with his brothers Michael, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito. It was the financial disaster of the Victory tour that forced percussionist/vocalist Roy Lee to take up middle relief for the Blue Jays.

Sparky Lyle 1981 Topps

2007-04-10T07:46:00.000-04:00

Baseball player is one of the rare professions where you can have some sort of crazy mustache and people will think its either normal, or perhaps even enhances the job performance. Ringmaster is another of these professions. so is eccentric exotic dog breeder (perhaps one who sepcializes in small breeds like toy poodles for instance), so is Australian Outback guide, and so is Civil war re-enactor. I am pretty sure Sparky did at least one of those things (if not many of these things) during the baseball offseason.

1978 Doug DeCinces Topps

2007-04-09T08:04:00.000-04:00

Doug has combined his love for baseball with his love for bushy mustaches and has created one of the all time greatest posed cards. The mustache is important to Doug in his other hobby: Civil War Re-enactments. On weekends Doug can be found re-enacting important Civil War battles as famed Union General George McClellan.

Doug as McClellan

Catfish Hunter 1975 Topps

2007-04-08T08:12:00.000-04:00

Today would have been Catfish Hunter's 61st birthday. I offer up his 1975 Topps card as a tribute to the man with the perfect baseball name: Catfish Hunter. (Even though Topps inexplicably chose to put Jim Hunter on the front of the card)

The Missing All Star

2007-04-07T10:11:00.000-04:00

Recently, while going thru the 1981 Topps set, I was noticing the all star designation put on some players cards. I started to see the lineup Topps picked that year and noticed that the American League was one player short. Topps designated a player from each position and 3 pitchers (one righty starter, one lefty starter and a closer). The National League has a full lineup that consists of :
C Johnny Bench
1B Steve Garvey
2B Davey Lopes
3B Mike Schmidt
SS Bill Russell
OF Reggie Smith
OF Dave Parker
OF Dave Kingman
RHP Jim Bibby
LHP Steve Carlton
CL Bruce Sutter

However the American League only has:
C Carlton Fisk
1B Rod Carew
2B Paul Molitor
3B George Brett
SS Bucky Dent
OF Reggie Jackson
OF Fred Lynn
RHP Steve Stone
LHP Larry Gura
CL Goose Gossage

Notice there is no 3rd outfielder. Why was this? Topps seemed to have just followed the actual starting lineups for the 1980 All Star Gane. If that is the case there was an injustice served to Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ben Oglivie. Ben had a career year in 1980 leading the AL in HRs (along with Reggie) with 41. He also had 118 RBIs and batted .304 on his way to a silver slugger award. So what does Topps have against Ben Oglivie? Are we to expect the AL to play with only 8 starting All Stars? No! So I present to you, Ben Oglivie's card the way it should have been in the 1981 Topps set. Ben finally gets his due!

Gorman Thomas 1981 Fleer

2007-04-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

First things first, Know this: Gorman Thomas WILL kick your ass. Maybe just for fun. Gorman's claim to fame is his recurring role as Gorman, the street thug on Gamble and Bake seen Wednesday nights on CBS. He was Gamble and Bake's main nemesis on the series which often got its highest ratings when they were fighting Gorman. The final episode of Gamble and Bake was a two parter when Gorman kidnapped Oscar Gamble Jr. and held him for ransom and made him play the part of the San Diego Chicken at the final Milwaukee Brewers game of the year versus the Cleveland Indians. Oscar and Bake ride their purple hemicuda on the field and save the day. Gorman went 3 for 4 with 2 homeruns and 3 RBI's in that game.

Oscar Gamble

2007-04-05T07:58:00.000-04:00

First off, Oscar is the man. He exudes cool. Even when dressed in the brown and gold of the mid 1970's San Diego Padres uniforms, he looks cool. He wears gold chains and pulls off the large afro hairstyle. If Bake McBride was a PI then Oscar Gamble would be his ultra cool sidekick/street informer. Oscar would wear garish leisure suits with large butterfly collars and go to the places Bake dare not go. The show Gamble and Bake would probably anchor CBS' Wednesday night lineup from 1975-1978. It would compete directly with The Streets of San Francisco and the Rockford Files. A typical TV Guide entry would say:Wed 8pm Gamble and Bake- Oscar has to save Bake from a gang of drug dealers when Bake starts asking questions about a neighbor's murder. Guest starring Telly Savalas as Tiny.