Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
ESPN 30 for 30 Short...The Holy Grail
I have been a baseball card fan for as long as I've loved baseball.
My collection of Detroit Tigers cards, especially the 1968 set and my 1963 Bill Freehan rookie card, mean a lot to me.
Baseball cards have become very hard to to collect.
The price of packs have gotten out of hand, and special inserts have driven the cost of collecting up and up.
I saw this terrific ESPN short film today, on the most famous baseball card, the T-206 Honus Wagner.
The short story is well done, and I would recommend it to any baseball fans or card collectors.
Below is a link to the short story.
Honus Wagner Card/ESPN 30for30 Short Story
I also recommend the book, The Card, written by Michael O'Keefe and Teri Thompson.
I learned a lot about the card business from this book, and also suggest it as a must read for collectors.
Card collecting used to be just that, collecting, but not now.
Cards are bought and sold without regard to the fan, the collector, it's all for profit.
A pack of Topps baseball cards at Walmart is $1.99, and that's OK, but the same pack at a card shop is $3.00.
Why?
Because certain chase cards are inserted into Hobby Boxes, cards sold only at card shops.
The card shop has to survive, and that's fine, but Topps didn't have to allow Walmart, or Target, or anyone else sell their cards.
They went into those places because they make more money, that's the reason.
The collectors can't get inserts from Hobby Boxes at Walmart or Target, and the card shop packs cost more because the shops have to survive, thus the higher pack price, even though you may, or may not, get a certain insert.
The local card shop here in JAX does a great job for collectors, as many shops do.
It would be nice if collectors, not speculators, were the reason baseball cards still existed.
Play Ball!
My collection of Detroit Tigers cards, especially the 1968 set and my 1963 Bill Freehan rookie card, mean a lot to me.
Baseball cards have become very hard to to collect.
The price of packs have gotten out of hand, and special inserts have driven the cost of collecting up and up.
I saw this terrific ESPN short film today, on the most famous baseball card, the T-206 Honus Wagner.
The short story is well done, and I would recommend it to any baseball fans or card collectors.
Below is a link to the short story.
Honus Wagner Card/ESPN 30for30 Short Story
I also recommend the book, The Card, written by Michael O'Keefe and Teri Thompson.
I learned a lot about the card business from this book, and also suggest it as a must read for collectors.
Card collecting used to be just that, collecting, but not now.
Cards are bought and sold without regard to the fan, the collector, it's all for profit.
A pack of Topps baseball cards at Walmart is $1.99, and that's OK, but the same pack at a card shop is $3.00.
Why?
Because certain chase cards are inserted into Hobby Boxes, cards sold only at card shops.
The card shop has to survive, and that's fine, but Topps didn't have to allow Walmart, or Target, or anyone else sell their cards.
They went into those places because they make more money, that's the reason.
The collectors can't get inserts from Hobby Boxes at Walmart or Target, and the card shop packs cost more because the shops have to survive, thus the higher pack price, even though you may, or may not, get a certain insert.
The local card shop here in JAX does a great job for collectors, as many shops do.
It would be nice if collectors, not speculators, were the reason baseball cards still existed.
Play Ball!
Today's Baseball Birthday...John Wockenfuss
Today's Baseball Birthday wishes go out to former Detroit Tigers catcher John Wockenfuss.
If you grew up following the Tigers in the late 1970s you'll probably remember John for his quirky batting stance.
John was drafted by the Washington Senators in the 42nd round of the 1967 baseball draft.
The Tigers acquired Wockenfuss in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, and he made his big league debut with Detroit on August 11, 1974.
In 10 years with the Tigers John Wockenfuss played in 677 games, batting .262, with 80 home runs and 284 RBI.
I always like John, he was a good back up catcher and also played lots of first base, outfield and DH for Detroit.
Happy Birthday John Wockenfuss, and Go Tigers!
If you grew up following the Tigers in the late 1970s you'll probably remember John for his quirky batting stance.
John was drafted by the Washington Senators in the 42nd round of the 1967 baseball draft.
The Tigers acquired Wockenfuss in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, and he made his big league debut with Detroit on August 11, 1974.
In 10 years with the Tigers John Wockenfuss played in 677 games, batting .262, with 80 home runs and 284 RBI.
I always like John, he was a good back up catcher and also played lots of first base, outfield and DH for Detroit.
Happy Birthday John Wockenfuss, and Go Tigers!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Today's Baseball Birthday.....Sparky Anderson
Today the Detroit Tigers take the field against the Atlanta Braves in the first game of spring training.
With the start of spring baseball games we say Happy Birthday to Hall of Fame skipper Sparky Anderson.
Sparky Anderson was born on February 22nd, 1934, in Bridgewater, South Dakota.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Anderson during a spring game around 1990 or 1991.
I will always treasure this baseball, signed by Sparky that spring day, Tigers vs. Reds in Plant City, Florida.
Sparky led three different World Championship teams, the 1975-76 Big Red Machine and then in Motown with the 1984 Tigers.
Sparky played briefly in the big leagues for the 1959 Philadelphia Phillies.
Sparky hit .218, collecting 104 hits in his only big league season.
Happy Birthday Sparky!
Play Ball!!
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Anderson during a spring game around 1990 or 1991.
When I asked him were Cecil Fielder was, he said
"...she don't play on Wednesday."
I will always treasure this baseball, signed by Sparky that spring day, Tigers vs. Reds in Plant City, Florida.
Sparky led three different World Championship teams, the 1975-76 Big Red Machine and then in Motown with the 1984 Tigers.
Sparky played briefly in the big leagues for the 1959 Philadelphia Phillies.
Sparky hit .218, collecting 104 hits in his only big league season.
Happy Birthday Sparky!
Play Ball!!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Today's Baseball Birthday...Alan Trammell
Alan Trammell should be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
There, that's out of the way.
The former Detroit Tigers shortstop turns 55 years young today.
Trammell is my favorite Tigers shortstop, and he's the best Tigers shortstop ever.
For 20 years nobody played shortstop better than Trammell, a 4 time Gold Glove winner, and the 1984 World Series MVP.
Trammell played in 2,293 games, hit .285 lifetime, with 185 home runs and 1,003 RBI.
A native of San Diego, Trammell was the Tigers 2nd round selection in the annual players draft.
On September 9th, 1977, Trammell made his debut, at age 19.
His final game was September 29th, 1996.
It's been a couple of terrific two days for birthday's and the Tigers.
Yesterday Tigers ace Justin Verlander turned 30.
Happy Birthday Alan!
There, that's out of the way.
The former Detroit Tigers shortstop turns 55 years young today.
Trammell is my favorite Tigers shortstop, and he's the best Tigers shortstop ever.
Trammell played in 2,293 games, hit .285 lifetime, with 185 home runs and 1,003 RBI.
A native of San Diego, Trammell was the Tigers 2nd round selection in the annual players draft.
On September 9th, 1977, Trammell made his debut, at age 19.
His final game was September 29th, 1996.
It's been a couple of terrific two days for birthday's and the Tigers.
Yesterday Tigers ace Justin Verlander turned 30.
Happy Birthday Alan!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
42 Movie Ball Cap
I just saw this terrific new baseball cap, made for the upcoming movie "42," about Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Images from New Era 59Fifty Collection
I love this hat... "The True Story Of An American Legend."
The movie comes out on April 12th, just before the annual Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball.
I look forward to watching "42."
Thanks to Vin Scully is my Home Boy for the story.
Play Ball!
Images from New Era 59Fifty Collection
I love this hat... "The True Story Of An American Legend."
The movie comes out on April 12th, just before the annual Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball.
I look forward to watching "42."
Thanks to Vin Scully is my Home Boy for the story.
Play Ball!
Today's Birthday Wishes... Justin Verlander
Today we say Happy 30th Birthday to the 2011 American Cy Young winner and Most Valuable Player, Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers.
The ace of the Tigers is entering his 8th season in Motown, and will continue his climb up the Tigers record books.
Verlander is 124-65, with a 3.40 career ERA.
Those 124 wins place Verlander 10th All-Time in Tigers history, and his .656 winning percentage is #1 in Tigers history.
Justin's 1,454 strikeouts place him 5th in Tigers history.
Here's classic Justin Verlander, his no hitter, vs. the Milwaukee Brewers on June 12, 2007.
Happy Birthday Justin!
Go Tigers!
The ace of the Tigers is entering his 8th season in Motown, and will continue his climb up the Tigers record books.
Verlander is 124-65, with a 3.40 career ERA.
Those 124 wins place Verlander 10th All-Time in Tigers history, and his .656 winning percentage is #1 in Tigers history.
Justin's 1,454 strikeouts place him 5th in Tigers history.
Here's classic Justin Verlander, his no hitter, vs. the Milwaukee Brewers on June 12, 2007.
Happy Birthday Justin!
Go Tigers!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
1968 Detroit Tigers Game 5 introductions
Since today's my birthday I figure I'll write about my favorite team, the 1968 Detroit Tigers.
I found this terrific NBC opening 15 minuets of Game 5 of the 1968 World Series.
Hall of Famer and former Tigers 1935 World Series hero, Goose Goslin, throws out the first pitch, just after the 12 min. mark, to Tigers catcher Bill Freehan.
Freehan, my baseball hero,is introduced around the 8 min. mark.
It's a great video of old Tiger Stadium, with George Kell, the former Tigers announcer, takes you around the old ball park, including the famous right field over hang.
The Tigers introductions start at the 7 min. mark.
Play Ball!!
I found this terrific NBC opening 15 minuets of Game 5 of the 1968 World Series.
Hall of Famer and former Tigers 1935 World Series hero, Goose Goslin, throws out the first pitch, just after the 12 min. mark, to Tigers catcher Bill Freehan.
Freehan, my baseball hero,is introduced around the 8 min. mark.
It's a great video of old Tiger Stadium, with George Kell, the former Tigers announcer, takes you around the old ball park, including the famous right field over hang.
The Tigers introductions start at the 7 min. mark.
Play Ball!!
Miguel Cabrera/Mike Trout on cover of ESPN the Magazine
As soon as I wrote about this weeks SI cover of National OF Bryce Harper, I see this picture on Twitter of the new issue of ESPN the Magazine.
The reigning Triple Crown winner, and American League Most Valuable Player, Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers gets the cover alongside L A Angeles of Anaheim OF Mike Trout, the A.L. Rookie of the Year.
Thanks to The Mighty Flynn for the cover link.
Another baseball cover issue...outstanding!
The reigning Triple Crown winner, and American League Most Valuable Player, Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers gets the cover alongside L A Angeles of Anaheim OF Mike Trout, the A.L. Rookie of the Year.
Thanks to The Mighty Flynn for the cover link.
Another baseball cover issue...outstanding!
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