It wasn't long ago when the Houston Astros were losing 100 games every year. It wasn't even long ago that they were a National League team. This year they have a good chance to win100 games.
Here's the fan pack I received from the team in June. As is my way I just opened it a few minutes ago.
It's always fun to open your mailbox and see the logo of a baseball team.
Pocket schedule featuring Dallas Keuchel
4" sticker - I love the classic logo.
4" x 6" Postcard of an excited George Springer
Good luck Astros. Here's something. If the Astros win the AL Pennant they could end up facing the Cubs. I assume that would make them the only team other than the Yankees to have faced two different teams from the same city in World Series play. Also the only team to win both AL and NL Pennants. Tell me if I'm wrong.
I sent postcards to all 30 MLB teams around Memorial Day requesting fan packs. So far I've received about 20 envelopes/packages.
Today we have the nice envelope I received from our friends in Georgia. It looks like Hurricane Irma may make it's way through Atlanta on Monday. I feel very fortunate up here in Iowa. Hoping for all of you in the southeast to make it through the next week safely.
Not sure why the Braves are choosing to leave off their logo.
The letterhead is new to me. Classy.
Nice postcard sized photo of Danby showing off the classic Braves uniform.
This is an unfolded schedule celebrating the Braves move to their new digs, SunTrust Park.
I sent postcards to all 30 MLB teams around Memorial Day requesting fan packs. So far I've received about 20 envelopes/packages.
About a week after I sent out my requests I was surprised to find a small box on my porch. I wasn't expecting a package. Whoa, it was from the Minnesota Twins! I don't think I've ever received a fan pack in a box before. We live about 170 miles from Minneapolis which makes the Twins the nearest team to our current home.
These four blank backed pictures are 4" x 6". Two legends and two good current players. Very nice!
Sweet 400+ page media guide.
The nylon tote is about 13 X 19".
Winter's coming. I can use this -- if my wife doesn't swipe it. (I bought her a nice Cubs version.)
Great package from my neighbors to the north. Thanks Twins!
It's been a few years since I sent out fan pack requests and did a series of Fan Pack Fun posts. If you're not familiar with the concept, a majority of teams will honor a polite request with an envelope of items such as schedules, stickers, player photos, pencils, etc. These days you can, with some exceptions, make a request through a team's webpage. This year I thought I would go with all postcard requests.
Here's my stack of postcards, one for each of the Major League teams, ready to be dropped in the mailbox. I sent them off around Memorial Day. I received my first response within a week but I didn't want to start this series until I could show off what I received from my favorite team, the defending World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. In past years the Cubs have replied fairly quickly. I can only assume that the volume of fan requests has been overwhelming this year.
OK, I just noticed while writing this that the envelope is dated, May 25. Hmm. Well color me confused. Maybe this got lost along the way. The envelope does look a bit weary. Anyway, you weren't waiting at your mailbox for this to come so why don't we just get to the important bits. Here's what the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs (sorry) sent.
If you've read any of my previous Fan Pack Fun posts you'll know that I appreciate just about anything that a team is nice enough to mail out.
The child in me, and isn't that really what it's all about, appreciates seeing the official letterhead stationary. This year is even more special because of what the letter references.
This nice glossy Lester measures 5 x 7. It's blank backed.
Pocket schedule
Three stickers.
When I opened the envelope I didn't guess what this was.
(Front)
(Back)
Hi, guys!
I didn't have to do my own video since I found this on YouTube. It also explains where the card comes from. It was sent to season's ticket holders. Sweet! In case you're viewing this and don't have sound, when you open the card it plays a couple of rounds of the chorus of Steve Goodman's "Go Cubs, Go".
So I'm not sure what happen mail-wise but all's well that ends well. The Christmas card was a pleasant surprise. I don't have a lot of World Series commemorative stuff so this goes right to the top of the list.
I do have fan packs from other teams. I will share them in days to come unless you all hit snooze at some point. In all honesty, and if you know me this won't surprise you one bit, I have a number of envelopes that are still unopened. Along the same lines I was thinking of taking some new pictures of my legendary "pack stash". It's had some departures but also some arrivals since the last time I showed it to you (and let you make fun of me).
I haven't done one of these in around three years. How much fun is it to pull an envelope like this out of the mailbox? Face it, there's a little boy in all all of us when it comes to our love of sports and collecting. This is the only fan pack request I've made this time but it's a nice one. My team is the Blackhawks, who have a long history, and a great recent one. But there isn't any hockey team that has a more illustrious past then the Montreal Canadiens.
I've received fancier fan packs but I'm thrilled will one like this.
