I was on the radio today

I will try to make this short story long (or is it the other way around ?).

For starters, I dealt blackjack (yes I am a "professional" blackjack dealer) at a charity event this past weekend and on Monday I sent an email to the party planner / guy who hired me to say how well I thought the event was run and that I appreciated being involved. On the bottom of my email, as some of you may have noticed, is a tag line (signature) that promotes my blog (this blog that you are reading).

Unbeknownst to me this guy also does a sports talk radio show on AM 1490 in the Sarasota, Bradenton area from 5 - 7 pm on Wednesday called "Out of Bounds". He noticed my signature and called me to see what my blog was all about and then asked me if I wanted to be on the radio as a guest to talk about my collection and the Cubs. Naturally I said yes. This might be a good time to say that I have been told I have a face for radio - sorry for that old joke.

So this evening at 6:30 pm I called as instructed and was his guest for about ten minutes talking baseball, the 1969 Chicago Cubs and baseball cards. For me, this was exciting.

I think I did well (that is according to the two people who listened to me, my wife and daughter) since he did call me after his show was done and thanked me for being on. He also invited me back to talk "anytime". That only means he likes me or is desperate for guests. I would like to think that I did ok for my first time on the air.

The bulk of our conversation was about the cornerstone of my collection; the Cubs of 1969 pennant and the cards from 1970 that are framed, but he also asked me about the "Bartman" incident and our hopes for this year. He even plugged my blog on air !

I hardly doubt this will turn into anything regular but it was fun to be on the radio today.

Package from Michigan

Last week I received a mailer from Paul at Wrigley Wax, a fellow Cubs fan, great contributor to the blogsophere and reader of many blogs. With the usual generosity of bloggers Paul sent me many cards from my "want list" and I am extremely happy to share this with all of you.

Paul helped out in two of my current conquests; the Topps 1970's set and the Topps All-Star Rookie cards (those with gold trophies) from the sixties and seventies.

He actually sent me nine (9) Topps 1970 cards, all of which I needed/wanted (you just have to really appreciate bloggers who actually look at ones "want lists") including the always hard to find Seattle Pilots team card # 713. I will be highlighting this card as I chronicle the entire set but as a teaser to say I really like the back of this card with the team leaders for the Pilots (alot of unknown players) along with the total team batting and pitching stats.

I dont want to share too many of these but I had to mention this Cubbie, Al Spangler # 714 (a member of the much cherished Cubs of 1969). While Paul knew I had this card, he also knows I am trying to put together a second set of the 1970 Cubs team as my first set is framed behind glass (note my first post and center piece of my collection).

Paul also sent eleven (11) different Topps All-star Rookie cards, 10 of which I needed (the only one I had was the 1972 Bill Buckner ad having an extra Buckner even though he is wearing Dodge blue is never a bad thing).
Here are a few:
1969 Gary Holman # 361: after his .294 BA in 1968 he deserved this gold trophy, however it must have gone to his head as Holman appeared in just 41 games in 1969 and called it a career.
1969 Dave Nelson # 579: a 10 year 4 team "journey man" and one-time all-star (1973 in Texas)
1969 Ken Boswell # 402: a "hated" Met ! That's all !

1975 Arnold Ray "Bake" McBride # 174: the NL ROY in 1974 did not disappoint; a career .299 BA, one time all-star (1976) and one World Series ring (1980 Phillie). Love those sideburns !

1975 Frank Tanana # 16: as Chris Berman dubbed him Frank Tanana "Daiquiri", had a 21 year career, 3X All-star (1976, 77, 78) and a 100+ mph fastball. His career numbers are impressive, 240-236 WL, 2773 strikeouts and over 4000 innings pitched.

Thank you Paul . . . for inching me closer to completing my 1970 set (currently at 675 / 720 or almost 94 %) and these Topps All-Star Rookies (some who made it !)

1970 Topps: #6 Grant Jackson

one of the most accepted definitions of a "journey man" in baseball would be someone who plays for several years (usually over 10), for a few different teams (usually over 3) and is deemed "valuable". I think it is important to add that any and every player on the 25 man roster is valuable and one who spends several years on a teams roster must be valuable.

Having said that, I present card #6 from the 1970 Topps set; Grant Jackson.

An 18 year veteran who played for six different teams (Phillies 1965-70, Orioles 71-76, NYY 76, Pirates 77-81 and 82, Expos 81 and Royals 82). A one-time all-star (1969), where in that year he had career high in wins (14), losses (18), innings pitched (253) and strikeouts (180).

Jackson played in 13 post season games, including three world series' (having won one ring in 1979 with Pittsburgh). His post season record of 3 - 0 in 17 2/3 innings is highlighted by being the winning pitching of record for game 7 in 1979. Jackson ended his career with a 86-75 W-L record to go aong with his 79 saves.

Grant Jackson, card #6 . . . a true valuable journeyman.

1970 Topps: card # 4

Tom Egan, California Angels backup catcher. Egan had a ten year major league career, all but two with the Angels (1971 - 72 with the Chicago White Sox) and played in total of 373 games; yes only 373 games in 10 years. The epitome of a backup - playing only when the regular needed a rest or as a late inning substitute.
Egan had a career BA of only .200, hit 22 HR's (ten of which were in 1971, when he appeared in the most games of his career in one year at 85). Egan struck out 336 times in his career, almost one per game (not a very impressive statistic at all). At 6'4" and around 220 pounds, he was a "giant" in those days. Maybe he should have stayed with football as he was a high school all-american running back.

The back of his 1970 card highlights his defensive ability with the cartoon in the upper right; at the end of the 1969 campaign he had only made four errors in his five year career - playing in only 88 games though. He would conclude his career with only 27 errors, 1861 putouts and a .987 fielding percentage (not so great by any standards for a "defensive star" or backup).

So that is card # 4 for this 1970 set . . . slowly but surely . . . and at this pace, I should be done chronicling this set by March of 2011 !

1970 Topps: card # 1

In the first official card post for my project of exposing the entire 1970 Topps basic set (all 720 cards I hope) is card numbered 1: World Champions.

I know, in a previous post I put this as one of my least favorite cards but that was strictly personal - it is the #1 card in this set so I must. Interesting to note that in 1970, 71 and 72 Topps decided to put the Team card of the World Series winner as the first card. (they also did this in 1967). I like that tradition rather than a random card placed first - though I dont like having the Mets as the World Champions for 1969 it is a nice honor to have for the team.

The back of the card is interesting as well, listing all the "all-time" Met leaders in several categories (their first year as a franchise was in 1962, just a mere 8 years of history). Tom Seaver litters the pitching record list, go figure. Also on the back gives a year by year record of the team since 1962; tenth, tenth, tenth, tenth, ninth, tenth, ninth and . . . . first.

One down . . . 719 to go . . .

Topps 1970 set preview

For those of you who read my blog regularly (or semi-regularly) you probably know the following (or not):
a) my favorite team are the Chicago Cubs
b) my favorite baseball year is 1969 (from my youth of course, which makes me "old"er than most)
c) am working (using the slow and low budget method) on completing the 1970 Topps basic set (currently at 667 / 720 or 92.6 %)
d) the centerpiece of my collection are the 1970 cards (of the 1969 Cubs) framed alongside the pennant that never came true (please note my very first post in December of 2008)
e) am constantly in awe of the "modern" collectors and the number of sets, subsets, variations, short prints, manufacturers, parallels, abbreviations, redemption's, autographs, reprints, black, gold, chrome, platinum and etc etc
f) prefer the simple days of yester-year and collecting being a "fun" hobby and not discussions of value or the "investment"

Having said all of this, I do love this new forum termed the blogsophere and learning (and sharing) so much about a game and hobby I do enjoy.

So in another attempt at stealing an idea, I will be highlighting the Topps 1970 set, card by card (in order). This will give me more of a focus on my "vintage" posts and hopefully persoanl motivation to complete this set.

A few comments about the 1970 set. I like it ! It will not be known as the favorite set design of all-time but the large photo outlined with a white border (yes mostly posed and portrait style, which was the norm from that day) to the gray border is appealing. The team name is bold, capitalized and clean looking, the players name in script (adds a touch of class) with their position spelled out. Nothing fancy, nothing unique, nothing spectacular - just nice, clean and grey.

The backs are the very "day baseball" colors of the sky and sun; bright yellow and blue. Day baseball as in outdoor baseball. Most cards also feature a cartoon / comic about the player, the basic nine statistics of the game and the players entire career (sometimes even with minor league and gaps described). I will scan several backs (of selected players) to give you a good sample of these as well.

The set also boasts Rookie Cards of Vida Blue/Gene Tenace (#21), Thurman Munson (#189), Bill Buckner (#286), Larry Bowa (#539), and Darrel Evans (#621) with HOF's galore in the League Leader and All-Star cards.

So this is my preview of a new "irregular special feature" of mine, highlighting card by card the "grey flannel" set of 1970.

Night Owl Strikes Again

A few months ago when I first entered this blogsophere, it became rapidly apparent that I was incredibly naive as to what the hobby had changed into since I left this hobby over 20 years ago (actually I stopped buying any cards in 1987 but still followed along until 1991).

My favorite year in baseball was 1969 (go figure) and the 1970 set is my work in progress, thanks to my re-newed efforts I am now at 92.6 % complete. In my attempt to get "modern" I decided to try to collect some 1991 cards (the year my daughter was born). Night Owl was one of the first to catch on and sent me a few interesting 1991 Score Dream Team cards (among other prime samples).

I liked those Dream Team cards and put out a ask to see if I could complete the set (ok it is only a 13 card set but nonetheless my first set to start and finish solely upon the generosity of bloggers). Tim at 90s box breaks had a few I needed and kindly sent them to me and just the other day Night Owl sent me the last card I needed; the Ken Griffey Jr. So my first official complete set (sub-set) started and finished by bloggers is done - Thank you Tim and Greg.





But Night Owl has done it again. Knowing I like the Cubs and the 1970' set he also sent me this 1992 Baseball Card Magazine 1970's reprint of Andre Dawson. All I could say is WOW ! I did a little research and found that this set has only two Cubs (Ryne Sandberg being the other) and totals 88 cards. So naturally I am on a new quest - to complete this much larger set that will compliment my 1970 original set with a more modern look.


The back of this card (I did not scan for no good reason) tries to duplicate the 1970's feel with the bio and paragraph of info on the upper left and a cartoon in he upper right. Instead of traditional statistics these cards gave "investment advise". On the bottom of Dawsons card it reads: "A real bargain is Dawson's 1977 Topps, which is priced at just $ 60. There's no question that this card is a perfect long-term and short-term investment value". I guess that was the state of the hobby back then . . . for me the value is in the fact he is in a Cubs uniform and reflect the 1970's set.

Thanks to Night Owl, he struck again, and now I have a new adventure.

Today in Baseball History

Happy March to all . . . it is now less than forty days until opening day reaches many ball parks throughout our nation and being the first day of the month I asked myself the question . . . did anything interesting happen today in baseball history.

The most important thing I could find was on March 1st, 1969, Mickey Mantle announced his retirement. Yes exactly forty (40) years ago today . . . In 1968 Mantle had a lackluster year hitting .237 the lowest of his career) and blasting only 18 HR's (also the lowest of any full season played).

While I never saw Mantle play in person, was never a "real" Yankee fan, nor sought collecting Yankee cards, I do have these two that I will proudly display on the 4oth anniversary of Mantle's announcement.

The ever eerie looking "floating head" checklist from 1967 (#103) and . . .

this (stating the obvious) "Super-Star" card with Killebrew, Mays and Mantle (Topps 1968 # 490). On the back of this card it says "this powerful trio has blasted 1462 homeruns". Interesting to me that these three would end up hitting 1769 combined. Now that is a "powerful" card.

Happy March 1st to all . . . I wonder if any "historical" news will be made today ?

They really know how to make me cry

. . . well, I did not actually cry but the MLB Network had a long (way too long in my opinion) segment on the 1969 Mets. The "Miracle Mets" as they have been called.

First they played almost flawless baseball and overtook the Chicago Cubs down the stretch in September, then go on to beat the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS. And then to make their year complete, they faced the highly favored Baltimore Orioles and rose once again and beat them 4 games to 1 for their first World Championship.

The pitching staff that included Seaver, Koosman, and Ryan shut down all opponents when they needed to. Jones and Agee provided the defensive highlights and clutch hitting by Weis and Kranepool was all they needed.

These are three of my least favorite cards in my collection. No, I wont ever burn them or destroy them . . . they just make me think of the day when the Cubs will "celebrate" and become World Champions. I just dont like being reminded of the "collapse" and heartbreak from 1969.

I guess after forty years one should "get over it" and be able to watch highlights but . . . my boyhood memories are as strong as ever. Thanks MLB Network for reminding me . . . and almost making a grown man cry, almost.

A Cubs Poem . . .

Pitchers and Catchers are reporting soon,
Dreams of a pennant and singing that championship tune.
Coaches and managers will attempt to find the best,
off to the minors for the rest.
Opening Day is drawing near,
our national pastime is once again is here.

While there is nothing better than a Sunday at the park,
or the long majestic journey of the home run arc.
Whether April or October, blinding sun or clouds,
there will be an over pouring of joy of being one of the crowd.
Us (Cubs) fans who have waited decades, hoping this year we will be blessed,
with our team that hoists the trophy, signifying “we are the best”.

The summer of ’69 as I recall,
was when I first realized that the game was more than just a bat and a ball.
It overtook my senses with the power to excite,
a double play of Kessinger, Beckert to Banks and a fly out to right.
Santo’s heel click, Williams’ sweet swing, our faith that never ceases
was this be the year that futility finally decreases ?


It has now been over 100 years since the Cubs have won it all,
a century of curses, chokes and most of all that ball.
A little ball of twine and seams that truly have amazing powers,
to captivate and devastate a person in three hours.
Cub fans are famous for our faith, there is never a reprieve
For we all know there’s always this year, so we might as well believe.



Current 21 year old Adam Mamawala, originally wrote this poem and submitted it to his high school literature class - the subject being ones "true love". With his permission I have expanded and revised it slightly (note the third stanza) yet maintained his classic theme. He has accurately captured the feelings of baseball as a Chicago Cub fan (at least this fan). I greatly appreciate Adam for allowing me to modify it and re-print for all of you to enjoy . . . as this weekend brings the "unofficial" start of the baseball season.

The Last Game of 1969

George Henry Decker Jr (everyone called him Joe for reasons I do not know) played for the Chicago Cubs from 1969 thru 1972, the Minnesota Twins in '73 thru '76 and made it back to the big leagues in 1979 with Seattle. His career was unremarkable with a lifetime record of 36-44 appearing in 152 games. 1974 was "his year", going 16-14, pitching 248 innings, starting 37 games, completing 11 of them for the Twins.

A couple of unique items about Decker as a Chicago Cub.

In 1969, Decker appeared in just four games yet was the winner in game # 162, a 5-3 winner against the New york Mets in the final game of the year. Though the game had no meaning in the standing it was the only win for Decker that year giving him a 1 - 0 record for 1969 (along with Hank Acquire ad Jim Colborn). Decker did hit one career homerun, off Phil Niekro on May 1, 1970.

Decker also made history by being fined $ 100.00 by manager Leo Durocher in 1970 for an "x-rated" outburst. This fine was supposedly the only fine Durocher ever collected from a Chicago Cub - ever. Decker was an "angry" young man with considerable talent and Durocher did not deal with "young" very well.

Joe Decker passed away on March 2, 2003 but he will always be remembered by me for being the winning pitcher in the last game of the season in 1969.

and 40 years ago the hobby was . . .

. . . much much simpler, to put in mildly. I live by the Winnie-the-Pooh philosophy of "simple brain, simple things"and today's hobby literally overwhelms me.


As so many of the baseball card collecting world is focused on the "new" cards of 2009 (and as I understand the over 300 different sets and subsets to collect), I am resisting all temptation to "get with the times" and am saving my money (as little as that might be these days) to supplement my "vintage" collection.

40 years ago, collecting cards was "pure" . . . little investment required, tremendous joy in finding stars and non-stars and the games we played with these cards. There were no Walmarts or Targets to rush to, no card shops to hound, just the local five and dime to head to after school on our bicycles. The joy we found in opening up packs of cards back then is the same joy felt today by so many . . . however . . .

We played the popular flipping games, competed in "how many cards can we fit in our bicycle spokes" and calculated trades with friends. My best friend back in those days was a White Sox fan and we spent hours trying to make trades that were "fair". We compared batting averages, homeruns, doubles, and triples; era's, strikeout to walk ratios and wins vs losses record. We made trades "fair" based on production on the field not monetary value. Such a idyllic thing to do.

Those were the days . . . here are my favorite Cubs from 1969 . . . just to help me remember the "good ol' days" . . . .

So in fairness, I still "play" with my cards, though "play" now includes, page protectors, top loaders, and blogging.

Above are the three Chicago Cub Hall of Famers (from "those days"), the three backbones of the Cubs from the late sixties and early seventies, the three Cubs who stood tall amongst the rest.

I am still testing my resistance levels . . . 40 years ago life (baseball and card collecting) was so different . . .

Happy (belated) birthday Fred Lynn

Frederic Michael ("Fred") Lynn was born in Chicago on February 3, 1952, Happy Birthday (one day late).

After a successful college career at the University of Southern California (USC), Lynn was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1973 and immediately had an impact. Impact is a mild term used to describe Lynn's rookie year, 1975, as he became the first player ever to win both the Rookie of the Year and League MVP. His 1976 card showcases his powerful swing and that gold trophy making him a Topps All Star Rookie.

His aggressiveness on the base paths (breaking up double play, stretching singles to doubles), courageous play in the outfield (crashing into the wall, diving for balls) made Lynn rather injury riddled but in 1979 actually had his "career" year looking at the statistics. In 1979, Lynn had 39 HR's, 122 RBI's, scored 116 runs, 177 hits and hit .333 - all career highs for him, yet coming in 4th in the MVP ballot that year.

Lynn was elected to nine all-star teams, earned four gold gloves and in his career had 306 HR's with a career BA of .283. A little statistical "fun"; Lynn played in exactly 1969 games (my favorite baseball year) and had 1960 hits (the year of my birth).

So Happy Birthday Mr. Lynn, you deserve to celebrate.

The Glove of the Day

It was a quiet (not boring) saturday night in our home. My wife and I attempted to go out to the movies, drove to the theatre, parked about a half mile away (should have been our first clue) and stood in line as the movie we wanted to see flashed "sold out" . . . so we went home, opened a bottle of wine and watched Across the Universe.

Ok truth be told, I had baseball cards on my mind and was looking through my "vintage" cards while sipping wine, eating popcorn, listening to the music and the kaleidoscope of images from the movie. I do highly recommend this movie to all who like the Beatles music, can remember the sixties or just want to enjoy a glass of wine at home.

Anyhow, I came across two cards that made me think . . . and thinking on a saturday night with wine, popcorn and a movie is not a common occurrence but . . .

When were batting gloves first introduced into baseball and better yet when did they first show up on cards ? I looked through my "old" collection and the earliest card I found were these two from 1969:

Bill White (black glove right hand) and Joe Pepitone (red glove left hand), both are true lefties by the way.

Pepitone was more of a colorful character so that explains the red but shouldn't White be wearing Cardinal Red ? Both of these players had long and successful careers and I will do a longer post on them in the future.

Todays players are very often shown with one or usually two gloves but when did they become popular and when were the first gloves pictured on cards ? Anyone have an older card with a batting glove ?

Milestones in 2009

I have been inspired by two fellow bloggers who celebrated recent milestones; Dinged Corners one year blogging and White Sox Cards 1000 posts. Today marks my one month as a blogger (that is 1/12 and 8% of DC) and only my 46th post (1/22 or 4.5 % of WSC).

It is interesting to note that the size of my card collection and baseball card knowledge is about the same percentages when compared to those two (I guess I am right on track and still have so far to go).

Other Milestones to take note of this year are (yes I have to start with the Cubs):
101st anniversary of their last World Series,
64th anniversary of the last pennant and
the 40th anniversary of my beloved “Cubs of '69” heartbreak.

And on a more positive note:
2009 will bring my daughters 18th birthday, 23 years of marriage for my wife and I and finally I will turn 49 in May.

So back to Baseball . . . 2009 we will probably see . . .
Gary Sheffield hit his 500th HR (currently at 499)
Jason Giambi will hit his 400th (at 396 now)
A-Rod just might make the 600 HR club (553)
Albert Pujols will get to 350HR and 1000 RBI’s
Randy Johnson will win his 300th game (sits at 295 today)
Mariano Rivera will join Hoffman in the 500 save club (has 482 now)
and many others will join the 300 HR club (ie White Sox Dye and Konerko)and the 2000 hit club might welcome Kendall, Helton, and Abreu


So in 2009, we celebrate our fellow bloggers for leading the way, look forward to certain players to achieve personal goals and maybe, just maybe the Cubs will shine in two thousand and nine.

Ken Holtzman - 1969 was a "fun" year

A mainstay in the Cubs pitching rotation in the late sixties, Ken Holtzman was the first of the "stars" from the 1969 Cubs team to walk away. Traded to the Oakland Athletics in 1971 (for Rick Monday) Holtzman became part of the "characters of green and gold" who won three consecutive World Series' in '72, '73 and '74. Holtzman joined the staff with Vida Blue, Jim "Catfish" Hunter, Blue Moon Odom and Rollie Fingers.

Holtzman's career started (rookie year was 1965) and ended with the Cubs (1979) but has later admitted that 1969 was "the most fun and exciting" single season ever. Holtzman has five championship rings (including the three mentioned, he also pitched for the division winning A's in 1975 and the 1977 World Series Champion Yankees). Holtzman is the winningest Jewish pitcher of all time with 174, surpassing Sandy Koufax.
Holtzman pitched two no hitters in his career both in a Cubs uniform. Pitching his first on August 19, 1969 at Wrigley field against the Atlanta Braves; some consider the last "good" thing that happened that summer for the Cubs. The Cubs went on to lose 7 of 9 after that August day and their fate had begun. That September of 1969 will always be remembered and never forgotten as the Cubs went 8 - 17. Holtzman himself went 1 - 5 in September yet finished the year with a 17-13 record.

His second no hitter was in 1971 and was the first recorded no hitter in Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium history. Ken Holtzman was "perfect" in 1967, going 9 and 0, in a season that he pitched weekends only as he served his role in active military service. It is interesting to note that many players of that day had military service commitments and many baseball cards reflect that involvement.

Ken Holtzman always remembers 1969 as the year he had "fun" in losing, the fans of Chicago always remember the "fun" Holtzman too.

Hey Hey Cubs Playing Cards

Several years ago I found this deck of playing cards in a $ 1.00 bin and could not resist. These cards depict Cub History since 1876 in pictures and include four cards of "great cub moments byJack Brickhouse".

Each card has the Hey Hey Cubs logo on the back and each depict a photo of history or greatness.

I have put two of my favorites up here: top left is Jack Brickhouse with Harry Carey and top right is the team photo of the 1969 Cubs and the tagline of "The Team That Almost Made it".

These cards make for a great conversation piece, history lesson and classic black and white photos of Mordecai Brown, Hack Wilson, Andy Pafko and even Babe Ruth. I will scan more in future posts.

I like to ponder the rationale for putting Jack and Harry on the "joker" . . .

Are the Cubs playing Monopoly ?

I was bored today . . . and while I am a “vintage” card hobbyist (60's and 70's) and Chicago Cub fan, I still hope that the summer of 1969 repeats itself but with a different ending. I am sorry to those "modern day baseball enthusiasts" but I find myself compelled to comment on the latest of the Chicago Cubs acquisitions. Are the Cubs playing Monopoly with Milton Bradley ? It seems to be so.

They “purchased” a property that is terribly expensive and serves no purpose. $ 30 million for a DH – has anyone told the Cubs top brass recently that we are in the National League ! Buying Pennsylvania Avenue (Bradley) is the worst money wasting move any good Monopoly player can do. The Cubs are taking a Chance !

Will we end up advancing to Boardwalk but not making it all the way ?

Will the Cubs be sent “directly to jail” for deceiving us fans once again ?

Will the Cubs make it HOME but not much past.

Are we “going back three steps”.

I am sorry (yet still very hopeful) that the Cubs have decided to play Monopoly and take such a CHANCE with Milton Bradley.

I will stick to believing there is a new ending to the summer of 2009.

Two Great Cubs - One Card

I was looking through some of my League Leader Cards from my “old” collection and found this gem. The usual superstars appeared quite often; Mays, Aaron, McCovey, Clemente, Rose, Robinson, Yastrzemski etc. I even found a few Cubbies appeared throughout the years. But this 1969 card (Topps # 4) features two Cubs, that’s right Santo and Williams on the same League Leader card, for RBI’s in 1968, tied for 2nd in the league with 98 (behind Coveys’ 105). Was there ever another year that two Cubs appeared on the same League Leader Card ? Help me Cubs fans . . . help me league leader statisticians ?

Nine years old and my new bike

I remember when I was nine years old and got a new bike . . . I feel the same way now. Forty years ago it was the green machine banana seat and all, today it is my blog. Two weeks ago my life changed . . . I started a blog . . . exactly two weeks ago today. This blog is my new bike. I want to show it off to everyone, use it everyday and will take very good care of it.

Thank you to all of you who share my excitement, all my new friends. I am reading, learning and enjoying everyone’s input and I am trying to write every day and learn how to make my “old” card collection come alive for others to enjoy. I have not done as much reading, writing and learning since my first two weeks in college – over 30 years ago.

I greatly appreciate everything and everybody in this new hobby called blogging and my new world within blogosphere. I have just over 500 “hits” in two weeks, paltry in comparison to others but I am having a great time sharing. I hope you all continue to enjoy my “new bike” as well.
The pillar of my collection is almost forty years old; that old heavy cloth pennant announcing the Chicago Cubs as Eastern Division Champs 1969. My inspiration is all those players who fought hard in 1969 through the heat of a Chicago summer to keep our hopes going. Remembering that summer still gets me excited like I am nine years old again with my new bike.

It has been forty years for us Cub fans (ok coming up on 101 years if we are really counting) but some of us still feel like we’re still just nine years old with a brand new bicycle . . . still wanting to share with everyone, still believing in our youth, still loving baseball and still “waiting til next year”.