Can't Have Too Many Cards

Fan Pack Fun 2011 -- DC United

2012-01-31T16:10:00.000-06:00

I received this great fan pack from the DC United Soccer team:

Notecard

Decal

Sticker

Mascot card

Fan

This is a nicely made pin. Gallardo only played the one year for DC United but had the third highest salary of any MLS player, behind only David Beckham and Cuauhtémoc Blanco.

The whole package came in a white plastic mailing envelope. Inside I found this large shopping bag.

Here's what was in the bag. It's a five foot long scarf. Very cool! Seeing it gave me vergnügen.

Blow Out the Candles January 31

2012-01-31T08:22:00.000-06:00

If today is your birthday you share it with a trio of baseball's elite.

#42, Jackie Robinson was born on this date in 1919.

2009 Topps #PR-2

2009 Topps American Heritage #26

Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks is celebrating his 81st birthday today.

2008 UD Goudey #324

I grew up knowing Ernie as a first baseman. Here are a couple of photos of him at this first position, shortstop.

May 5, 1960

August 15, 1955

Statue of Ernie outside Wrigley Field

Part of an interesting interview with Ernie

Nolan Ryan is 65 today.

1975 Topps #500

Nolan and Tom -- Then

Nolan and Tom -- Now

Gil Hodges, Koozman, Seaver and Ryan

Nolan was traded by the Mets to the California Angels after the 1971 season. This picture was taken on April 27, 1973.

June 16, 1975

Nolan became an Astro in 1980. This photo is from 1985.

May 1, 1989

Ryan joined the Rangers for the 1989 season.

Nolan liked the Rangers so much he bought the team.

Composer Philip Glass turns 75 today.

Acttess, Suzanne Pleshette was born on this date in 1937.

Suzanne (seen here with Tippi Hedren) played Annie Hayworth in Hitchcock's 1963 thriller, The Birds.

Suzanne was best known for her role as Emily Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show which ran on CBS from 1972 to 1978.

We Finally Got a Piece of the Pie

2012-01-30T17:26:00.000-06:00

I finally got a complete base set of the new Topps American Pie. Here are some of my favorites. I made an effort to highlight some that I don't think have been featured over and over already. I've also included the backs.

What's more American Pie than "Who's on First"

Don't forget "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington".

Grace indeed.

Love the Peanuts! A strip every day for 50 years!

"You Bet Your Life" on radio and television ran from 1947-1961. The secret word is "funny".

Terrific!

Still great 45 years later. The use of Vince Guaraldi's music was genius.

I do like "Wonderful World" but Louis's early stuff with Hot Fives and Sevens was "out of this world".

Their music never gets old.

Most of you only know Jeopardy with Alex Trebek as host. I remember and still prefer Art Fleming with SNL's Don Pardo as announcer. Still the best "thinking man's" game show.

I had the originals. Operative word is "had". I can still remember the smell of the orange track.

My wife's favorite show. Some of the episodes give me chills.

Paranoid, yes. Unscrupulous, yes. Also one of the most intelligent Presidents of my lifetime.

This was part of the greatest era in tennis history as well as a great moment for the women's movement.

Ground-breaking and funny.

What a nice man!

I can watch this every day and not get tired of it. To my wife-- look-pigeons!

This show was interesting until it devolved into sex and booze.

It's mean but there was something gratifying in this.

Blow Out the Candles January 30

2012-01-30T08:21:00.000-06:00

Former player and current Nationals manager Davey Johnson is celebrating his 69th birthday today.

1968 Topps #273

As this card tells us, Davey got the last hit off Sandy Koufax. It came in the sixth inning of Game 2 of the 1966 World Series.

Here's a brief video of Davey talking about it with a great line from Sandy:

Davey in Game 3 of the 1970 World Series.

Davey had some pretty nice accomplishments:

4× All-Star selection (1968, 1969, 1970, 1973)
3× World Series champion (1966, 1970, 1986)
3× Gold Glove Award winner (1969, 1970, 1971)
1973 NL Comeback Player of the Year
1997 AL Manager of the Year

In addition to his 4 World Series (2 wins) with the Orioles as a player, Davey managed the 1986 Mets their second World Series Championship.

That's Davey just to the left of the Mets logo.

Met's video featuring 1986 Topps cards

Comedian Dick Martin was born on this date in 1922.

Dick is best known for his work on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In which ran on ABC from 1968 to 1973. For it's first two full seasons it was the #1 rated show in America.

October 11, 1968

Dick went on to a second career as a sitcom director. He was the primary director on Newhart.

Song for a Sunday Night

2012-01-29T18:00:00.000-06:00

This selection falls under the heading "one thing leads to another". One of my recent "Songs for a Sunday Night" featured Amanda Palmer who herself was an offshoot of my birthday post of Neil Gaiman (she being his wife). Well, I've been following Amanda's blog and in one post she tells about a recent incident where singer P.J. Harvey is in the audience for one of her shows. Although Polly Jean has had a long and successful career I'll freely admit, though knowing her name, I don't know much about her music.

This is a recent song and video released about a year ago. About the song. PJ Harvey.net

"The Words That Maketh Murder"

I've seen and done things I want to forget;
I've seen soldiers fall like lumps of meat,
Blown and shot out beyond belief.
Arms and legs were in the trees.

I've seen and done things I want to forget;
coming from an unearthly place,
Longing to see a woman's face,
Instead of the words that gather pace,
The words that maketh murder.

These, these, these are the words-
The words that maketh murder.
These, these, these are the words-
The words that maketh murder.
These, these, these are the words-
Murder...

These, these, these are the words-
The words that maketh murder.

I've seen and done things I want to forget;
I've seen a corporal whose nerves were shot
Climbing behind the fierce, gone sun,
I've seen flies swarming everyone,
Soldiers fell like lumps of meat.

These are the words, the words are these.
death lingering, stunk,
Flies swarming everyone,
Over the whole summit peak,
Flesh quivering in the heat.
This was something else again.
I fear it cannot be explained.
The words that make, the words that make
Murder.

Blow Out the Candles January 29

2012-01-29T10:45:00.000-06:00

Hall of Famer Joe Primeau was born on this date in 1906.

Primeau was a member of Toronto's "Kid Line". One of his linemates' birthdays was just ten days ago. Check it out here.

As a coach, Primeau is the only man to have won the Allan, Memorial and Stanley Cups.

Actress Katherine Ross turns 72 today.

Two of Ross's most memorable performances came early in her career:

In 1967 she played Mrs. Robinson's daughter Elaine opposite Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman in "The Graduate".

In 1969 she played the role of Etta Place opposite Redford and Newman in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid".

Katherine has penned a bunch of childrens books. Here are a couple of examples:

A $25 Ebay Gift Card Got Me Part 8 -- Batts on TV

2012-01-28T15:06:00.000-06:00

Last year my sister-in-law and brother-in-law gave me a $25 Ebay gift card for Christmas. Here's what I ended up with. This year they were nice enough to treat me again.

This was my first purchase , second, , third , fourth and fifth, and sixth, and seventh.

Here's my eighth and last purchase. Cost $1.99, shipped . Total $25.09.

This card has lots to love: Matt Batts? C'mon!, Orioles cap, old time catchers mitt, awesome misty background, on a color TV screen. And the back ain't bad either.

To sum it up, here's what I ended up with:

4 -- 1888 Kinney Novelties

1 -- 1934 German Foreign Weapons cigarette card

1 -- 1955 Bowman baseball card

1 -- 1959 Topps baseball card

4 -- 1965 Coca-Cola hockey cards

3 Packs (36 cards) -- 1991 Pro Set football cards

5-- 1995 Mr. Turkey baseball cards (set)

12 -- 1995 Babe Ruth stamp cards (boxed set)

4 -- 2001 Fleer Greats of the Game hockey cards

Thanks Sharon and Lachlan. That was fun.

Blow Out the Candles January 28

2012-01-28T08:39:00.000-06:00

Hall of Fame shortstop George Wright was born on this date in 1847.

2009 Obak #94

Wright was a member of the 1869, 57-0, Cincinnati Red Stockings known to be the first "all-professional" baseball team.

Artist Jackson Pollock was born on this date in 1912.

Pollock at work

Here are a few of my own photos of a Pollock work from the Art Institute of Chicago.

Singer/songwriter Sam Phillips is turning 50 today.

Singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan celebrates her 44th birthday today.

This is my favorite of her songs.

That Blonde is Unbelievable

2012-01-27T16:19:00.000-06:00

Has everyone seen the video of Patrick Kane at the NHL All-Star draft?

He's whispering to former teammate Brian Campbell about a woman he sees in the crowd, "that blonde is unbelievable."

Here's a link to see the video.

Blow Out the Candlers January 27

2012-01-27T08:16:00.000-06:00

The controversial Keith Olbermann is celebrating his 53rd birthday today.

Composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on this date in1756.

OK I've got to put in a clip from Amadeus.

Songwriter and screenwriter Harry Ruby was born on this date in 1895.

Harry Ruby along with his partner Bert Kalmar wrote songs for three early Marx Brothers films as well as the screenplay for two.

Here's all four Marx Brothers singing/playing, Everyone Says I Love You from Horse Feathers.

Hello I Must Be Going & Hooray for Captain Spaulding from Animal Crackers.

Actress Donna Reed was born on this date in 1921.

2011 Topps American Pie #67

My memories of Donna Reed are first from The Donna Reed Show which ran on ABC from 1958 to 1966.

The other memory I have of Donna Reed is, of course, as Mary Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life.

Lastly, composer Jerome Kern was born on this date in 1885.

Kern with Oscar Hammerstein wrote the music for the musical Showboat and over 700 songs including Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, The Way You Look Tonight, and Ol' Man River.

Three versions of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Funny Mannings

2012-01-26T20:43:00.000-06:00

ESPN is running this again. It's still funny.

Here's another:

A $25 Ebay Gift Card Got Me Part 7 -- 3 Packs of Football Cards

2012-01-26T16:38:00.000-06:00

Last year my sister-in-law and brother-in-law gave me a $25 Ebay gift card for Christmas. Here's what I ended up with. This year they were nice enough to treat me again.

This was my first purchase , second, , third , fourth and fifth, and sixth.

Here's my seventh purchase. Cost $.49, shipped . So far $23.10.

I picked up three packs of 1991 Pro Set Platinum Series 2 football cards for 49 cents. As is the problem with a lot of cards from this era, they came of of the packs stuck together. You can see the result on the scans. That aside, they do feature some nice photography. In fact, the cards list the photographer for both the front and back pictures.

In general the photos on the back are the best ones. For a few of the cards I skipped the fronts. So here are my favorites in no particular order.

Blow Out the Candles January 26

2012-01-26T06:24:00.000-06:00

"The Great One", Wayne Gretzky is celebrating his 51st birthday today.

1990-91 Bowman #143

1978

1980

October 12, 1981

Wayne with Cheryl Tiegs 1982

Interviewing Coffey and Messier

One of his four Championships

Coach Gretzky

Hall of Famer Frank Nighbor was born on this date in 1893.

Frank Nighbor was the very first winner of the Lady Byng trophy (1925) and the Hart Trophy (1926).

Hall of Famer (for broadcasting baseball, not playing it), Bob Uecker turns 77 today.

Bob has been calling Brewers games since 1971.

Bob began is playing career in Milwaukee (1962-63)

Bob played for the Cardinals in 1964-65

Joe, Willie and Bob

Uecker spent as many seasons (6) as George Owens on Mr Belvidere as he did as a player in the major leagues.

Happy Birthday to fellow blogger John Wroblewski aka Johngy of Johngy's Beat.

I don't know his age but I think he's pretty old. :)

John really needs to get out more, don't you think?

A $25 Ebay Gift Card Got Me Part 6 -- Turkey Cards

2012-01-25T16:30:00.000-06:00

Last year my sister-in-law and brother-in-law gave me a $25 Ebay gift card for Christmas. Here's what I ended up with. This year they were nice enough to treat me again.

This was my first purchase , second, , third , fourth and fifth.

Here's my sixth purchase. Cost $1.50, shipped . So far $22.61.

I can't tell you much about these. They are listed in The Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards. I'm guessing they were a send away item since they came sealed. The copy-write date is 1994 but they were released in 1995. Wikipedia shows Mr. Turkey as part of Sara Lee but that's about all I could find on the company. Anyone have anything to add?

Blow Out the Candles January 25

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-06:00

Hall of Famer Fernie Flaman turns 85 today.

Hall of Fame member of the Viking's "Purple People Eaters", Carl Eller turns 70

1973 Topps #211

Carl Eller trying to tackle the great Gayle Sayers.

The Purple People Eaters -- Marshall, Page , Larsen and Eller

Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell was born on this date in 1918

Topps Fan Favorites

1942

Antonio Carlos Jobim was born on this date in 1927.

Here are three performances of my favorite Jobim song, The Waters of March.

A $25 Ebay Gift Card Got Me Part 5 -- An Old Friend

2012-01-24T17:26:00.000-06:00

Here's my fifth purchase. Cost $2.13, shipped . So far $21.11.

1959 Topps #460

Bob led the league in wins with 22 in 1958. A third of an earned run per nine innings more in 1959 netted him only 8 wins and a league leading 19 losses. I don't think the background is Forbes Field. Can anyone identify the ballpark?

Blow Out the Candles January 24

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-06:00

HOF sportscaster Jack Brickhouse was born in Peoria, Illinois on this date in 1916.

Jack was the TV voice of the Cubs for this kid growing up in Chicago.

Jack with Ernie Banks and future Chicago sportscaster Chet Coppock in August of 1959.

Jack with Ted Williams

A statue of Jack on Michigan Avenue outside the Tribune Tower.

Singer/songwriter Warren Zevon was born on in Chicago, Illinois this date in 1947.

I never get tired of this song. Great riff. Great sense of humor. Great alliteration.

I want to live alone in the desert
I want to be like Georgia O'Keefe
I want to live on the Upper East Side
And never go down in the street

Splendid Isolation
I don't need no one
Splendid Isolation

Michael Jackson in Disneyland
Don't have to share it with nobody else
Lock the gates, Goofy, take my hand
And lead me through the World of Self

Splendid Isolation
I don't need no one
Splendid Isolation

Don't want to wake up with no one beside me
Don't want to take up with nobody new
Don't want nobody coming by without calling first
Don't want nothing to do with you

I'm putting tinfoil up on the windows
Lying down in the dark to dream
I don't want to see their faces
I don't want to hear them scream

Splendid Isolation
I don't need no one
Splendid Isolation

Splendid Isolation
I don't need no one
Splendid Isolation

Singer/songwriter Neil Diamond turns 71 today.

A $25 Ebay Gift Card Got Me Part 4 -- The Babe

2012-01-23T16:37:00.000-06:00

Here's my fourth purchase. Cost $2.01, shipped . So far $19.98.

The box labels these as "stamp cards". Since they look and feel like cards and are the same size as cards, I'm treating them as cards. Apparently there were a number of similar sets produced. I paid a penny plus shipping for this one.

The cards came sealed in this box.

Please don't buy any fakes.

The quality of these cards is very nice. The fronts have a nice gloss.

Blow Out the Candles January 23

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-06:00

Painter Edouard Manet was born in Paris, France on this date in 1832.

"If I'm lucky, when I paint, first my patrons leave the room, then my dealers, and if I'm really lucky I leave too."

A Bar at the Folies-Bergere 1882

The Grand Canal, Venice 1974

"It appears that it is necessary that I make a nude. Well, I will do it. In the transparency of the open air, with people as those which we see over there. I am going to be criticized savagely. It doesn't matter."

Luncheon on the Grass 1863

The painting above was used in this great SNL sketch from season 3 featuring Dan Aykroyd and Laraine Newman.

2011 Fan Pack Fun -- Buffalo Sabres

2012-01-22T17:16:00.000-06:00

A while back I received this fan pack from the Buffalo Sabres. I just opened it today.

Pocket schedules

Magnet

Tatoos

Blow Out the Candles January 22

2012-01-22T08:08:00.000-06:00

January 22 marks the birthdays of four legends of the ice spanning almost 50 years. It also marks the birthday of one of my favorite TV stars going back to the early 1960's. A hint. Think green (and I don't mean solar panels.)

Hall of Fame defenseman Serge Savard is turning 66 today.

1973-74 Topps #24

Savard won eight Stanley Cups as a player.

And two more as GM

Hall of Famer Mike Bossy is celebrating his 55th birthday today.

2008-09 UD Masterpieces #23

The "Drive for Five" would fall short thanks to Wayne Gretsky and the Edmonton Oilers who took them out in the Finals, four games to one.

Mike Bossy had his number retired on March 3, 1992.

Hall of Famer Elmer Lach turns 94 today

Elmer Lach won three Stanley Cups and retired as the NHL's all-time leading scorer. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1966.

The "Punch Line" -- Maurice Richard, Elmer Lach and Toe Blake

Hall of Famer Bill Durnan was born on this date in 1916

Bill Durnan was the first man to win the Vezina trophy in four consecutive years (1944-47)

Durnan was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1964

Actor and director Bill Bixby was born on this date in 1934.

Bill starred in The Incredible Hulk from 1978-82.

I have fond memories of Bill as Tim O'Hara in My Favorite Martian.

Bill with co-star Ray Walston, "Uncle Martin"

Bill with Jill Ireland

Bixby also starred for 3 seasons in The Courtship of Eddie's Father.

Does anyone else remember Bill Bixby in the PBS version of Steambath?

A $25 Ebay Gift Card Got Me Part 3 -- Blackhawks Cards Old and New

2012-01-21T15:00:00.000-06:00

Here's my third purchase. Cost $7.78, shipped . So far $17.97.

The more I collect, the more I realize how much I don't know. For instance I had never heard of these 1965-66 Coca Cola hockey cards. Here's a link with pictures that summarizes the set.

I was perfectly happy paying $7.78 shipped for the four cards but the seller's listing said, "Winning bidder will also recieve a Free gift hockey card! Four winning bids scored me these four Blackhawks Hall of Famers.

Two dynamic scorers:

Mr. Goalie and Tony O.:

Blow Out the Candles January 21

2012-01-21T08:27:00.000-06:00

Hall of Famer Georges Vezina the "Chicoutimi Cucumber", was born in Chicoutimi, Quebec on this date in 1887.

2008-09 UD Masterpieces #29

1972-73 Topps #173

Awarded every year since 1927 the Vezina Trophy honors the year's top goaltender. Last season's winner was Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins.

Hakeem Olajuwon turns 49 today.

1990-91 NBA Hoops #127

This card came out the year before Olajuwon "corrected" the spelling of his first name to the proper Arabic way.

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus turns 72 today.

1990 ProSet #93

1986 Masters

Jack and Arnie

Actress Geena Davis is 56 today.

Geena co-starred in the baseball movie A League of Their Own.

Geena with Tom Hanks

Geena with Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna

Autographed Cards A-Z Hockey Edition E-G

2012-01-20T17:35:00.000-06:00

When I got back into collecting five or so years ago one of the things that excited me was the availability of autographed cards. Perhaps I went a little overboard but I think I picked up some nice cards. This will be an A-Z series of posts with varying numbers of cards.

The brothers Esposito:

2001 Fleer GOTG

NY Ranger great and Hall of Famer

2007 UD Parkhurst #8

Dirk was the Hawks captain for 1989-95. "Commit to the Indian."

2005 ITG #A-DGH

Blow Out the Candles January 20

2012-01-20T07:42:00.000-06:00

The Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen turns 48 today.

1993 Studio #167

Actor DeForest Kelley was born in Toccoa, Georgia on this date in 1920.

Deforest Kelley will forever be remembered as Leonard "Bones" McCoy on Star Trek.

Comedian Arte Johnson turns 83 today.

Astronaut and dancer Buzz Aldrin is celebrating birthday #82 today.

American Hero

Buzz on the Moon 1969

Buzz on Dancing With the Stars 2010

Buzz with Buzz Lightyear

Here's the incident referred to by reader, jacobmrley.

Blow Out the Candles January 19

2012-01-19T09:05:00.000-06:00

Hall of Famer Busher Jackson was born in Toronto, ON on this date in 1911

With fellow Hall of Famers Charlie Conacher and Joe Primeau, Busher made up, "The Kid Line".

This children's book from 2001 was inspired by the Maple Leaf greats.

Artist Paul Cezanne was born in Aix-en-Provence, France on this date in 1839.

Bridge and Pool 1890

Monte Sainte-Victoire 1885-87

Actress Jean Stapleton celebrates #89 today.

With Judy Holliday in "Bells are Ringing", 1960

Jean will forever be remembered as the loveable Edith Bunker in "All in the Family".

Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers turns 73 today.

Singer Janis Joplin was born in Port Arthur, Texas on this date in 1943.

Robert Palmer was born in Batley, Yorkshire, England on this date in 1949. He died suddenly of of a heart attack while in Paris on Sept., 26, 2003.

Card of the Day -- Nicknamed as a Fetus?

2012-01-18T19:25:00.000-06:00

Anybody know of any other celebrities that earned their nicknames before they were even born?

Blow Out the Candles January 18

2012-01-18T07:58:00.000-06:00

Mark Messier is 51 today.

1990-91 Pro Set #397

1990-91 Score #360

Among his many accomplishments Messier is a six time Stanley Cup Champion.

Curt Flood was born on this date in 1938

1960 Topps #275

1968 Topps #180

Flood had a great career in St.Louis. He won two World Championships, was a three time All-Star and picked up seven consecutive Gold Gloves. In 1969 after having been traded to the Phillies he challenged baseball's reserve clause (lost) and ended his career in Washington in 1971 after having played just 13 games.

Syl Apps was born on this date in 1915.

2008-09 UD Masterpieces #6

The MapleLeafs legend won three Stanley Cups in the 1940's and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1961.

I didn't realize the Cup started out this size. Looks a lot more manageable to skate around with.

Syl with fellow Hall of Famer, goaltender Turk Broda

Author A.A. Milne was born on this date in 1882.

In case the name doesn't ring a bell, he created this guy:

Here's Milne with his son Christopher Robin:

Comedian Oliver Hardy was born on this date in 1892.

Laurel and Hardy

Actor Cary Grant was born on this date in 1904

Entertainer Danny Kaye was born on this date in 1913.

My first memories of Danny Kaye were from his great storytelling on these records:

Bob Bell (Bozo the Clown to us in Chicago) was born on this date in 1922.

A $25 Ebay Gift Card Got Me Part 2 -- My Oldest Cards Yet

2012-01-17T17:00:00.000-06:00

Last year my sister-in-law and brother-in-law gave me a $25 Ebay gift card for Christmas. Here's what I ended up with. This year they were nice enough to treat me again.

This was my first purchase.

Here's my second purchase. Cost $8.75, shipped . So far $10.19.

Ever since I first saw some of these I've had them on my wish list. They're from the Kinney Bros.Tobacco Co that operated out of New York City on West 22nd St. From 1888, they carry the designations, N228-3(75 styles) and N228-5(50 styles). BTW, don't let the scans fool you, these are as small as they are beautiful. The smallest, the pocket watch, is about 1-1/2 " square while the artist's palette is 1-1/2" x 2-1/2".

For a little perspective here are a few things that were happening the year these beauties were being stuck in someone's drawer: The telephone was about 10 years old. There were no airplanes and no radio. Grover Cleveland was our President. The country he led consisted of 38 states. It was the year that the National Geographic Society was founded, the first motion picture was made, and the Kodak box camera was patented. Jack the Ripper was doing his thing in England and a depressed Vincent Van Gogh cut off part of his left ear. Notables who were babies in 1888 were Knute Rockne, Tris Speaker, Jim Thorpe, Irving Berlin, Raymond Chandler, T.S. Eliot, and Harpo Marx. Ernest Thayer wrote the poem, Casey at the Bat, which appeared in the San Francisco Examiner on June 3.

Blow Out the Candles January 17

2012-01-17T10:31:00.000-06:00

Don Zimmer turns 81 today.

Who doesn't like Zim?

Playing golf with Jackie Robinson in 1964

Happy Birthday, Zim!

Jeremy Roenick is 42.

1990-91 Bowman #1

2004 SP Authentic #SOT-JR

Jacques Plante was born on this date in 1929.

Muhammad Ali is celebrating number 69 today.

Tuff Stuff magazine March 1993

Puppeteer Shari Lewis was born on this date in 1933

Former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor turns 62 today.

Singer Susanna Hoffs is celebrating her 52nd birthday today.

Comedian Andy Kaufman was born on this date in 1949.

Do It Yourself COMC Pack #27/35 Topps Gallery

2012-01-16T16:54:00.000-06:00

I recently had 8 months worth of Check Out My Cards purchases shipped. I divided the 153 cards into 35 groups. I like to think of these as hand picked "packs". I'm posting them in random order. "Pack" #27, 4 cards, was $1.46 including shipping.

These are the thick, shiny, "chromish" artist proof versions of the 2003 Topps Gallery cards.

These first two are by the same artist who I think did a great job.

Blow Out the Candles January 16

2012-01-16T07:40:00.000-06:00

Boston great Jimmy Collins was born on this date in 1970

Hall of Famer Dizzy Dean was born on this date in 1910

1994 Conlon Collection #1109

1994 Conlon Collection #1170

Dizzy comes in at about 2:40

Quirky singer/songwriter Jill Sobule celebrates her 47th birthday today.

Jill Sobule "Kissed a Girl" 13 years before Katy Perry stole the song title.

From Wikipedia:

The singer Katy Perry would take the title "I Kissed a Girl" for her own song of that name, which appeared in her 2008 album One of the Boys. The song received a mixed reception, and was unfavourably compared to Sobule's original song by some commentators: Hiponline.com wrote that the song is "not nearly as interesting or exciting as you’d expect. It’s not even half as good as Jill Sobule’s song 'I Kissed a Girl'".[1] Glitterati Gossip wrote that Sobule's song "was ten times better, because there was actual emotional content to her lyrics".[2]

Sobule shared her feelings about Perry's song and use of the title in a July 2009 interview with The Rumpus:

“ When Katy Perry's song came out I started getting tons of inquiries about what I thought. Some folks (and protective friends) were angry, and wondered why she took my title and made it into this kind of 'girls gone wild' thing....

As a musician I have always refrained from criticizing another artist. I was, 'Well, good for her.' It did bug me a little bit, however, when she said she came up with the idea for the title in a dream. In truth, she wrote it with a team of professional writers and was signed by the very same guy that signed me in 1995. I have not mentioned that in interviews as I don't want to sound bitter or petty...

Okay, maybe, if I really think about it, there were a few jealous and pissed-off moments. So here goes, for the first time in an interview: Fuck you Katy Perry, you fucking stupid, maybe 'not good for the gays,' title-thieving, haven't heard much else, so not quite sure if you're talented, fucking little slut.

God that felt good.[3]

Song for a Sunday Night

2012-01-15T19:00:00.000-06:00

If you follow this blog you know that I like doing birthday posts. A lot of the celebrities I highlight whether from the sports world or other realms are long gone legends. Many though are people I started following in my youth and since that youth is pretty far in the past many of them are getting --well, pretty old. Thinking about this reminded me of Old Friends, a song by Paul Simon from the 1968 Simon and Garfunkel album, Bookends. The song was recorded when Paul and Artie were around 26 or 27. Last fall they both turned 70.

Old friends, old friends,

Sat on their parkbench like bookends

A newspaper blown through the grass

Falls on the round toes

of the high shoes of the old friends

Old friends, winter companions, the old men

Lost in their overcoats, waiting for the sunset

The sounds of the city sifting through trees

Settle like dust on the shoulders of the old friends

Can you imagine us years from today,

Sharing a parkbench quietly

How terribly strange to be seventy

Old friends, memory brushes the same years,

Silently sharing the same fears

Blow Out the Candles January 15

2012-01-15T08:03:00.000-06:00

Cleveland Naps shortstop Ray Chapman was born on this date in 1891. He sadly died twelve hours after being hit in the head by a Carl Mays fastball on August 16, 1920.

2010 Obak #67

Carl Mays

Ty Cobb in 1920 wearing a black armband in Chapman's memory.

Beaned by a Pitch, Ray Chapman Dies
[Unsigned, The New York Times]
August 17, 1920NEW YORK-The body of Ray Chapman, the Cleveland shortstop, who died early today in St. Lawrence Hospital after being hit in the head by a pitched ball thrown by Carl Mays at the Polo Grounds yesterday afternoon, was taken to his home in Cleveland tonight. A group of baseball fans stood with bared heads at the Grand Central Terminal as the body was taken through the gates to the train. The ball player's widow, who went with the body, was accompanied by her brother and a friend, Indians Manager Tris Speaker, and Joe Wood, one of the players.

Chapman's death has cast a tragic spell over the baseball fans of the city, and everywhere the accident was the topic of conversation. Chapman was a true sportsman, a skillful player, and one of the most popular men in the major leagues. And this was to have been his last season in professional baseball. Carl Mays, the Yankees pitcher who threw the ball which felled Chapman, voluntarily went before Assistant District Attorney Joyce and was exonerated of all blame. The game which was to have been played between Cleveland and New York was put over until Thursday and the players of both clubs joined in mourning.

Although there is some bitterness against Mays among some of the Cleveland players, Manager Speaker, in a telephone conversation with Colonel T.L. Huston, part owner of the New York club, said he and his clubmates would do everything in their power to suppress this feeling. "It is the duty of all of us," said Speaker, "of all the players, not only for the good of the game, but also out of respect to the poor fellow who was killed, to suppress all bitter feeling."

Chapman died at 4:40 o'clock this morning, following an operation performed by Dr. T.M. Merrigan, surgical director of the institution. Chapman was unconscious after he arrived at the hospital. The operation began at 12:29 o'clock and was completed at 1:44. The blow had caused a depressed fracture in Chapman's head three and a half inches long. Dr. Merrigan removed a piece of skull about an inch and a half square and found the brain had been so severely jarred that blod clots had formed. The shock of the blow had lacerated the brain not only on the left side of the head where the ball struck but also on the right side where the shock of the blow had forced the brain against the skull, Dr. Merrigan said.

Mays is greatly shocked over the accident. He said he threw a high fast ball at a time when Chapman was crouched over the plate. He thought the ball hit the handle of Chapman's bat, for he fielded the ball and tossed it to first base. It wasn't until after that, when he saw Umpire Connelly calling to the stands for a physician, that he realized he had hit Chapman in the head. Manager Miller Huggins of the Yankees believes Chapman's left foot may have caught in the ground in some manner which prevented him from stepping out of the ball's way. Manager Huggins explained that batsmen usually had one foot loose and free at just such moments and Chapman had got out of the way of the same kind of pitched balls before.

This restored plague honoring Ray Chapman now hangs at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on this date in 1929.

2009 Topps American Heritage #51

2009 Topps American Heritage #123

Fan Pack Fun 2011 -- San Jose Sharks

2012-01-14T12:31:00.000-06:00

I recently received this great fan pack from the San Jose Sharks. They sure do fit a lot of nice stuff in a business size envelope.

Magnets

These cards are almost 4" x 6-1/2". They have blank backs.

Mascot sticker

4" x 5" sticker

Blow Out the Candles January 14

2012-01-14T07:45:00.000-06:00

Andy Rooney was born in Albany, New York on this date in 1919.

Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot was born in Borges, Cher France in 1841.

Portrait of Berthe Morisot by Edouard Manet 1872

Hanging the Laundry Out to Fry 1875

"It is important to express oneself... provided the feelings are real and are taken from your own experience."

Eugene Manet and His Daughter in the Garden 1883

"A love of nature is a consolation against failure."

Boats Entry to the Medina in the Isle of Wight 1875

Before the Mirror 1890

"Real painters understand with a brush in their hand."

After Lucheon 1881

Awkward Moment at the Blackhawks Game

2012-01-13T19:00:00.000-06:00

I saw this live last night during the second intermission of the Blackhawks-Wild game. I guess it's hit the national sports shows now.

Sarah Kustok, "The Blonde Bomber" was a star basketball player at Depaul.

Bonus Sarah Kustok commerical:

It's Friday the 13th

2012-01-13T14:45:00.000-06:00

Today is Friday the 13th. I'm not a particularly a superstitious person myself but athletes are notoriously so. Here's a list CBC Sports put together in 2005.

Blow Out the Candles January 13

2012-01-13T08:40:00.000-06:00

Long time goalie for the Minnesota North Stars, Cesare Maniago turns 73 today.

1968-69 Topps #43

Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus is celebrating her 51st birthday today.

2009 Donruss Americana #100

"Sweet Things Come to Those Who Wait" or "This Card from "This Card is Cool" Is Cool

2012-01-12T14:33:00.000-06:00

Back in September Ryan at "This Card is Cool" , "Cardboard Zoo" and now "Chaos and Kanji" had a contest and I was the lucky winner. He wanted to get me something special just because he's nice. Well, what could be nicer than a serial numbered autographed card of the "Sweet Swinger" himself, Hall of Famer Billy Williams.

The card looked familiar to me. Checking the Autographs M-Z box I found one of it's 99 brothers. Mine had the autograph in a different color ink and with a different inscription. Hey, maybe I should go for all 100. Maybe not.

Domo arigato, Ryan.

Blow Out the Candles January 12

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-06:00

Dominique Wilkins celebrates #52 today.

1990-91 NBA Hoops #36

Nigue was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

Hall of Famer Tim Horton was born on this date in 1930.

1968-69 Topps #123

Tim died in a single car accident on February 21, 1974 at the age of 44. The chain of donut shops referenced in the cartoon above went on to become Canada's largest fast food chain with over 3000 locations as of this year with another 500 in the US.

Artist John Singer Sargent was born on this date in 1856.

Japanese author Haruki Murakami is turning 63 today.

1989 Kahn's Cooperstown Collection

2012-01-11T16:54:00.000-06:00

I saw these on Ebay and they looked interesting and they were cheap.

The Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards says:
"This 11-player card set was available through a mail-in offer, One dollar and three proofs of purchase form Hillshire Farms were needed to obtain the set. The card fronts feature paintings of recent Hall of Fame inductees. A coupon was also included with each set." I'd add that the card stock they used is very thin.