Topps April Fools Joke

Topps played an Aprils Fools Joke on collectors when they released this card of a supposed Japanese phenom. Card collectors tried to figure out who he was. It turns out he is the greatest baseball player since Sidd Finch, who George Plimpton created for Sports Illustrated in 1985.
Some collectors are upset and I see their point. There was no advance notice about this card which they short printed. In other words, this card is not as easy to get other cards. It is more of an insert. Of course since I got it in a pack I am not to upset about it. There seems to be a lot of stunts being pulled by Topps, The Derek Jeter card from last year with George W Bush and Mickey Mantle on it, or this years Red Sox Team card with Rudy Giuliani photoshopped in. But then that is what business is all about.



Todays Wal-Mart card is based on the 1951 Bowman design. The actual size of these cards were smaller than current cards.

Getting Back On The Horse.

I had told myself I wasn't getting involved with anyone for a long time. I wasn't bitter about being abandoned last October, but I decided there was no need to get involved with any one else. Well that plan really worked well. I am now seeing a lady I work with. Neither one of us expected it, it just happened. She knew last Christmas I was going to be alone so she invited me over. From there we saw each other a few times, mainly watching movies at her house. When I went to Illinois last February she came over and fed my rabbit. The fact that she actually saw the mess of my apartment and didn't run far away says a lot. We have had similar circumstances, my wife died suddenly 8 years ago, her husband was killed in a factory accident 4 years ago. We have the same days off so every Tuesday night I go to her house. We will be doing some traveling when the weather warms up. We haven't decided yet how far we are going to take this, but for now we are having fun trying.


Todays card is another from the Wal-Mart set. This is Yankees pitcher Kei Igawa and is based on a Japanese baseball card design.

99 Years Of Frustration

On October 14, 1908, the man you see here, with the wonderful name of Orval Overall, pitched a three hit shut out against the Detroit Tigers, final score 2-0, and the Chicago Cubs became the World Champions for the second consecutive year. It also was the last time they have been World Champions. Their final World Series appearance was in 1945, once again against the Tigers. Since baseball went to divisional play the Cubs have been Divisional champs 4 times and the wild card team once. in 2003 they were 5 outs away from going when a freak fan interference led to yet another collapse. Last year they shocked every one and won the division, only to be swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the playoffs. I have been a Cubs fan since 1969. I am one of the true fans. I root for them regardless, not just when they are winning. I like the look of this years team. I have for a long time said the Cubs would win the World Series this year, and then not win again until 2108. I actually think they can do it. Lou Pinella is a great manager and the team is very solid, although injuries can change that quickly. They lost yesterday 4-3 in 10 innings to the Milwaukee Brewers, but there are 161 games to go. To use Ernie Banks line one year when they got off to a bad start, "We are just backing up for a running start."



Todays card is from the 2008 Topps Heritage set. If the Cubs are going to win these three gentlemen, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Alfonso Soriano are going to have to play up to their usual abilities and stay healthy.