Baseball Bulletin...January 16, 2018

It's been a long couple of days...my health was horrible, and it lasted well into Monday night.

I did manage to bookmark a few things that I came across on ye olde Internet, so here goes.

There's a thing called 10-Year Challenge making it's way across social media.

The idea is to post a picture of yourself from 2008/09, and then a recent snapshot of yourself...to see how you've changed in the last decade.

March 2009.

Meeting then Michigan Football Head Coach Rich Rodriguez at Schembechler Hall, University of Michigan.

January 2019.

Me and my little Tiny Tiny Tram Tram Man!

Not much difference, well, except the grey facial hair.

I could've used this one from Saturday when I met Bill Welch for the first time at the local card show...

...yep, that me with the wild hair and no ballcap to cover it up.

⚾️🎂🎁 Happy Baseball Birthday! wishes go out to former big league pitcher Armando Galarraga, who turns 37 today.

The Venezuelan native is mostly remembered for the perfect game he threw on June 2, 2010, but was robbed of his glory by an infamous call by umpire Jim Joyce.

⚾️📺 Speaking of my Detroit Tigers, long time FOX Sports Detroit announcer Matt Sheppard will become the team's lead television play by play announcer for the 2019 baseball season.

⚾️🥅📺  Another Happy Baseball Birthday! to the beautiful and multi-talented Jessica Blaylock who covers the Miami Marlins and Florida Panthers for FOX Sports Florida.

I remember Jessica when she would give the local sports updates on sports radio in Jacksonville, and it's always great to see someone like Jessica make it to the big leagues.

🎅 Jon at A Penny Sleeve for your Thoughts

wrapped up the 2018 Secret Santa for the year.

🎄🎁 Jon took over this year from the retired Matthew at Bob Walk the Plank, and he did a fantastic job.

✍ As Jon writes in the post, I informed him that, due to a sudden financial crisis I had to withdraw my name.

🎅 Jon emailed me that he'd like me accept my gift, and that he'd take care of the person that I had been given...I'd like to take this time publicly to thank Jon for doing that, and to Roy for the awesome Bill Freehan cards.

⚾️ Sports Collectors Daily has a terrific article on Cubs fan Beau Thompson and his quest to collect 1 MILLION CARDS of his favorite baseball squad.

🤔 A collector got the baseball cards he sent to former Braves 2nd Baseman Glenn Hubbard to get autographed back... 16 1/2 years later!

⚾️ Former Cubs #1 draft pick Luke Haggerty could be attempting a comeback at age 37.

☹ Sad news today that former Yankees pitcher Mel Stottlemyre has passed away at age 71.

⚾️ Stottlemeyer pitched in the big leagues for 11 years, all with the Yankees, compiling a won/loss record of 164-139, 2.97 era.

☝️After his playing career Stottlemyre became a pitching coach, winning World Series titles with the 1986 Mets and then back with the Yankees for a magical run of championships under Joe Torre starting in 1996.

As always, thanks for reading, and until next time...PLAY BALL!