Phil and Joe Together

Phil and Joe Niekro are the winningest pair of brothers in MLB history.  Together they won 539 games.

Twice in their careers the brothers Niekro were teammates.

This pair of 1974 Topps cards represent the only time Joe and Phil were together for an entire season.  The Braves acquired Joe off waivers from the Tigers on August 7, 1973  and sold him to the Astros on April 6, 1975.

The two were reunited,  only briefly, in 1985 when the Yankees acquired Joe in a trade from Houston on September 15.  The cards below became a fantasy when Phil was released by the Yanks on  March 28, 1986.

Phil, 71, is currently an advisor on a baseball line for a toy company in Georgia.  Younger brother Joe died of a brain aneurysm in 2006 at age 61.

Blow Out the Candles March 31

"Mr. Hockey", Gordie Howe is celebrating his 83rd birthday today.

 1968-69 Topps #29

Howe played professional hockey for an incredible 33 seasons, 1945-1980.

March 11, 1974

March 11, 1957

March 20, 1956

Frank Udvari, tries to get out of harm's way as Red Wing Gordie Howe (right) sends Toronto's Gordie Hannigan into the boards during semifinal Stanley Cup playoffs. Detroit won this game, 3-2

"My brother and I met Gordie Howe when we were 6. My dad shook his hand, but my brother and I were very nervous. He said, "What's the matter, ladies?" and shook our hands."

--A comment on YouTube

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Hall of Famer Bob Pulford is 75 today.

Parkhurst Tall Boys

Pulford won  four Stanley Cups with Toronto in the 1960's.

Here are the last moments and celebration from the Leafs last Cup win in 1967, Pulford's fourth.

A $25 Ebay Gift Card Got Me ...Recap

I finally used up my $25.00 Ebay gift card.  I ended up going over by 77cents.

There have been eight previous  posts chronicling my purchases but here is  a recap.

1955 Bowman

 1962 Topps

1963 Topps

1964 Topps

2001 SP

10 1994 Parkies reprints from an unopened pack

 1911 Romance of the Heavens

1928 Arctic Series

20-1927 Wills Engineering Wonders

Blow Out the Candles March 30

Artist Vincent Van Gogh was born in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands on this date in 1853.

 2009 Allen and Ginter #238

Here are a handful or so of Van Gogh's works:

 Seascape at Saintes-Maries de-la-mer

 Roulin the Postman

 Road with Cypress and Star

Olive Trees

The Starry Night

Actor and game show host Peter Marshall is 85 today.

Peter Marshall is a stage name.  His real name is Ralph Pierre LaCock.  In case there's anyone out there that doesn't know it, he is the father of former Cubs and Royals ballplayer, Pete LaCock:

Musician Eric Clapton is celebrating his 66th birthday today.

Blow Out the Candles March 29

The legendary Cy Young was born in Gilmore, Ohio on this date in 1867.

 1993 UD All-Time Heroes #129

1905 -- I love the glove hanging from his belt

Boston Braves fan favorite, Tommy Holmes was born in Brooklyn, New York on this date in 1917.

2001 SP Legendary Cuts #B-THo

From Tommy's Grandson:

It’s been said that you should never meet your hero as you’ll only end up disappointed. For me though I really had no choice in the matter as it turned out he wanted to meet me.

As the grandson of an ex-ballplayer you would think I’d be pretty lucky and in this case you’d be right. Between the old stories, going to games together, all the knowledge of the game, and simply the way he carried himself, I never grew tired of being in his presence.

At the same time I still remember him being the man at the breakfast table with an incurable case of bed head that filled his coffee cup with a pound of sugar while munching on a banana, and reading the paper that would periodically “complain” how my grandmother could prepare me a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast no questions asked, but he couldn’t get a refill on his coffee.

It was like having two grandfather’s in one and both proved thoroughly entertaining. I still remember the first time he met M…after I entered the room, he took one look at me and soon glanced past saying, “You’re looking good kid, but I want to meet her!” Meanwhile at my age he batted .325, made the National League All-Star team, and drove in the game winning run during first game of the World Series. Not bad for a guy the Yankees couldn’t find room for in their outfield.

Happy Birthday Papa! Love, TJ

Tigers pitcher Denny McLain is celebrating his 67th birthday today.

2004 Fleer Greats #GBA-DM

Denny pitching in the 1968 World Series

Denny was the last man to win at least 30 games in a season.

New York Knicks great Walt Frazier is turning 66 today.

1971-72 Topps #65

CLYDE!

Career highlights and awards
2× NBA Champion (1970, 1973)
7× NBA All-Star (1970–1976)
4× All-NBA First Team (1970, 1972, 1974–1975)
2× All-NBA Second Team (1971, 1973)
7× All-Defensive First Team (1969–1975)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1968)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (1975)
#10 retired by New York Knicks
NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team