Tuesday, December 11, 2018

An Ugly Hockey Card

Peter at Baseball Every Night is holding an "Ugly Sweater" Ugly Baseball Card Contest.

This 1969-70 Topps Hockey card was the first I thought of.  Topps put out a bunch of really bad hockey cards during this era.  Remember the ones where the photos were taken in like a back hallway?  Sorry Mr. Goyette.  It wasn't your fault.

Monday, December 10, 2018

A Postcard From the Archives

I've been collecting postcards and first day covers in a major way for the last year and a half.  It's been a lot of fun and I've accumulated hundreds of cool pieces.

This is a postcard I recently rediscovered in my childhood collection.  At one time it was in a scrapbook, as evidenced by the cellophane tape residue at the top and bottom.  I wish I could tell you a good story about how I "wrote away for" this card and how excited I was when it arrived in my mailbox in Chicago.  Unfortunately those memories are gone or are lost in a "corrupted file" in my brain.  At least I held onto it and can now appreciate it 45 years later.
I love the stamp of the happy Cubbie.  Back in the summer of 1973 an average Joe could still "join the fun at Wrigley Field" without breaking the bank.  Even a kid could get an unreserved seat for a buck or two.  Nothing like it is today.
On the date this card was postmarked the Cubs played the Phillies and lost 6-5.  George Brett's much traveled brother Ken went the distance for the win and Milt (almost had a perfect game) Pappas took the loss.  It was the second game of  a double-header and Mr. Santo after having gone 1-3 in the opener was resting but pinch hit in the 8th, flying out to right field.

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Eight Crazy Nights - Eight

Happy 8th night of Hanukkah!
I guess I saved the most recent for last.  Here's a player at least most of you had a chance to actually see in action.  Shawn Green is also one of the all-time greatest Jewish baseball players.

Thanks for celebrating with me over these eight days.  I may continue this theme, Jewish athletes, from time to time.

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Eight Crazy Nights - Seven

Happy 7th night of Hanukkah.

Tonight we celebrate by honoring "the strangest man ever to play baseball" --Casey Stengel 

Friday, December 7, 2018

Eight Crazy Nights - Six

Happy 6th night of Hanukkah!  Maybe it seems like it will never end, eh?  

Tonight we honor another Jewish ballplayer, Sid Gordon.

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Eight Crazy Nights - Five

Happy 5th night of Hanukkah!
Steve "Stone Pony" Stone may have started his career with the Giants and won his Cy Young Award with the Orioles but he has become a fixture in Chicago.  Steve has been a broadcaster for the Cubs and the Sox for over three decades beginning in the early 80's.





Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Eight Crazy Nights - Four

Happy fourth day of Hannukah!
Tonight's Hanukkah Honoree is Al "Flip" Rosen, the second "Hebrew Hammer".  In addition to a great, if short, career on the field Al went on to become a successful baseball executive.


Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Eight Crazy Nights - Three

Happy third night of Hanukkah!  

A good number of Jewish ballplayers have spent time playing for the two Chicago teams.  Being a North Side kid growing up in the 1960's and 70's  number one on my list has to be Kenny Holtzman.  Rumor even has it that he got married at a synagogue in my neighborhood.  Ken has the most career wins of any Jewish pitcher and was part of the Swingin' A's 70's dynasty. 




Monday, December 3, 2018

Eight Crazy Nights - Two

Happy second night of Hanukkah!

This time we celebrate with the original "Hebrew Hammer", Hall of Famer, Hank Greenberg.