Blow Out the Candles November 1

HOF second baseman, John "Bid" McPhee was born on this date in 1859.

 Bid played his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds. Johnny Bench is the only other HOFer to play his entire career with that organization. Bid played the first 14 years of his career without a glove, the last second baseman to do so.



Six time All-Star with the Dodgers, Fernando Valenzuela turns 51 today.

1981 Topps Traded #850

"Watching Fernando Valenzuela force himself into a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform is something like seeing Kate Smith struggling to fit into a pair of Brooke Shields' designer jeans." - Sportswriter H.G. Reza in the San Francisco Chronicle (1981)

South African golf legend, Gary Player celebrates his 76th birthday today. Gary won 9 majors in his career including the Masters and the British Open 3 times each.

1990 ProSet #79

"Golf is a puzzle without an answer. I've played the game for 40 years and I still haven't the slightest idea how to play."

“If there's a golf course in heaven, I hope it's like Augusta National. I just don't want an early tee time.”

Palmer, Player and Nicklaus

“The harder you work, the luckier you get.”

HOFer Al Arbour turns 79 today.

2001 Topps Heritage #A-AA

 Al was a member of the Chicago Blackhawks 1961 Stanley Cup winners.   It was the second of his four as a player.

Al also won four straight Cups as coach of the NY Islanders in the 1980's.

The "Dean of American Sports Writers", Grantland Rice was born on this date in 1880.

 Rice was the man who dubbed the 1924 Notre Dame backfield "The Four Horsemen":

"Outlined against a blue-gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds this afternoon as 55,000 spectators peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below."

Game Called. Across the field of play

the dusk has come, the hour is late.

The fight is done and lost or won,

the player files out through the gate.

The tumult dies, the cheer is hushed,

the stands are bare, the park is still.

But through the night there shines the light,

home beyond the silent hill.

Game Called. Where in the golden light

the bugle rolled the reveille.

The shadows creep where night falls deep,

and taps has called the end of play.

The game is done, the score is in,

the final cheer and jeer have passed.

But in the night, beyond the fight,

the player finds his rest at last.

Game Called. Upon the field of life

the darkness gathers far and wide,

the dream is done, the score is spun

that stands forever in the guide.

Nor victory, nor yet defeat

is chalked against the players name.

But down the roll, the final scroll,

shows only how he played the game.

Big Cards Need Love Too -- #'s 51-55

I guess I'm in the minority but I think these 3-1/2" x 5", 1983 Donruss Action All-Stars are nice.   Here they are in numerical order. (Click to enlarge particularly if you want to read the backs).

If the comments I've been getting on the first half of the set are any indication these cards do have some fans.  Anyone want to comment that doesn't like them?

Joe went 17-12 in 1982 for the 5th place Astros.  I still think the rainbow jerseys are great.

The portrait is good here but what a lousy action shot!

Fernandomania was in full swing in 1983.  I don't think the helmet is particularly flattering.

"Pitch at risk to Richie Zisk."  What a great slogan.  It was in use when Richie was part of "the South Side Hitmen" in 1977 with the White Sox.  I remember him killing the Cubs when he was with the Pirates.

Leon looked like he was going to be a superstar but never quite got there.  He made a key error in the 1984 NLCS loss to the Padres.

Blow Out the Candles

HOF second baseman, John "Bid" McPhee was born on this date in 1859. Bid played his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds. Johnny Bench is the only other HOFer to play his entire career with that organization. Bid played the first 14 years of his career without a glove, the last second baseman to do so.

1981 Topps Traded #850

Six time All-Star with the Dodgers, Fernando Valenzuela turns 49 today.

1990 ProSet #79

South African golf legend, Gary Player celebrates his 74th birthday today. Gary won 9 majors in his career including the Masters and the British Open 3 times each.

2001 Topps Heritage #A-AA

HOFer Al Arbour turns 77 today. Al was a member of the last Chicago Blackhawks team to win the Stanley Cup in 1961. He was also the last player to wear glasses on the ice.

The "Dean of American Sports Writers", Grantland Rice was born on this date in 1880. Rice was the man who dubbed the 1924 Notre Dame backfield "The Four Horsemen":

"Outlined against a blue-gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds this afternoon as 55,000 spectators peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below."

Here's Grantland Rice interviewing Ty Cobb on the radio:

1982 Fleer Fun

1982 Fleer #635
Fernandomania was in full swing in 1982. The back of the card references the 1981 All-Star Game so this photo may have been taken prior to the game. Not the most flattering shot of Fernando. Gary Carter looks good, check out those curly brown locks---but....he's out of focus. And can anyone tell me what's going on with the guy in the middle? He's sure in focus!