My Turn at Bat

 I'm sure lots of you keep your eyes open for old sports books (or new ones).  I was excited to find this one at a local thrift store.  Did you know that in the UK they're called "charity shops"?  I like that.  I also like their term "wheelie bin" for the plastic garbage can you take to the curb.  I call ours that now.  But I digress.

Here's the book I found recently.  Some of you have probably read it.  I think I've seen The Science of Hitting but I don't think I've ever seen any edition of this one.  The book is copyrighted 1969.   This copy is a 4th edition.

I don't seem to have either the 1969 or 1970 cards but I did find this one.  Ted had such a winning smile, didn't he?

Here's Ted not looking quite as happy.  He was a complicated man.

This is a bound galley of Leigh Montville's book on Ted.

I took this one out from the library.  I do not retain well what I read but I do know I preferred this one to the Montville.  On Amazon they've both received 4-1/2 stars.  

This book, a larger format paperback, is on my sports bookshelf.  I think it was a gift.  I haven't read it yet.

I did a post about this about 6 years ago.  A friend of my Dad's gave it to me.  I have no clue whether the autograph is authentic or not.  It looks reasonably good but there are a lot of fakes out there.  I read, probably in one of the books above, that Ted's son, John Henry, signed a lot of things.  Who knows.  Any opinions?

What's your most exciting book find, sports or otherwise?

It "Could" Be Real

This was a gift many years ago from a friend of my dad's  I took off the plastic cover for the scan and the card didn't slip right off so I let it be.  It might release given a little help but why chance it.  The signature looks legit but I wouldn't make any bets.  The back of the plaque is blank.  Lord knows.   If I never have it authenticated I can tell myself I have a Ted Williams autograph, right?

I never get tired of these:

Diamond Kings and More from The Diamond King

I recently won one of seven prize packages from Kevin, The Diamond King.  The rules stated that you could only enter to win three of them.  As luck would have it not only did I win but I won the package I most wanted.  Kevin labelled them, "modern retired players", which sounds a lot less exciting than the cards themselves.  I picked my favorite 13 cards to show here which is only 10% of the total.  Thanks Kevin!

Not a bad baker's dozen, eh!

Blow Out the Candles August 30

Red Sox great Ted Williams was born in San Diego, California on this date in 1918.

 1971 Topps #380

Hall of Fame right fielder, Kiki Cuyler was born in Harrisville, Michigan on this date in 1898.

Mets and Phillies relief pitcher Tug McGraw was born in Martinez, California on this date in 1944.

 1968 Topps #236

Hall of Fame center Robert Parish  is celebrating his 59th birthday today.

 1990-91 Hoops #45

Actor Bill Daily is celebrating his 85th birthday today.

Bill was a fixture on TV in the 1960's and 70's with supporting roles in two classic shows:

Major Roger Healey

Howard Borden

The Bob Newhart Show