A day with Big Don,my favorite Key and a night at the Grove

Before I begin,please allow me a moment to say thanks to all of you that spoke,wrote etc to me about yesterday's column.
I still think yesterday's City Council meeting was a lame effort to say "we tried" when the Suns leave Hagerstown,but at least that was something.
I'll be writing more about that meeting and anything that we can do on Thursday night from the road office.

Yesterday, I spent the day getting groceries and then going to Frederick for the Keys against the Winston-Salem Dash for my first game all season to stay and watch.
Allow me to enlighten you on something-I don't get to see many games from start to finish in Frederick.
My working restrictions and Derreck's often add up to an inning or two and then home.
I get to see more games in Harrisburg than I ever do in Frederick and that's a shame because I really like the way the Keys do things.

But,first my buddy and this blog's biggest fan was in Frederick and I had to spend the evening watching a game with him.
The lovely Cherie was in tow as she thinks the world of Big Don and it is always a great evening when she gets to watch a game with me.
I only had a few cards with me,so my graphing was limited as I had done most of my Winston-Salem the night before.
I spent most of my time helping Big Don before the game started and during the game,we swapped stories on baseball,various places that we both visited and off the field issues.
Great time with Big Don with the highlight being his impersonation of a drunken Dean Martin after hearing a story on local grapher "Dean Martin".

I also was able to see my favorite Keys employee,Bridget,who talked to me a bit during the game and made me the "tweet your seat" winner complete with cardboard crown,free seasoning and most of all-ten bucks off at Buffalo Wild Wings,which is my favorite local chain to eat at.
At least,until Quaker Steak and Lube would ever arrive here!
Thanks to Bridget for the goodies and for being nice to me this season!

The Frederick Keys just do a lot of things right in game presentation.
They don't hit you over the head with gimmicks between EVERY inning and their in-game "host" is not obnoxious and over the top either.
They do play games on the field and music,but it is done as a compliment to the baseball product-not drowning it out in favor of drivel.
I suppose that I should say this-You can ignore things at Frederick that you cannot at Hagerstown.
If you do not want to pay attention to games,music,etc,it is not loud enough to bother you.
If you enjoy it,you can watch.
The baseball experience truly is for everyone at Harry Grove Stadium,not just for people that want to run around with the microphone.
I remember the horrific days at the Muni when "Reed" ran around and thought it was "hey,kids lets put on a show" more than a baseball game.
Gosh,that was so bad that I get chills remembering it!

The Keys also make a great Red slushee too.
Not really Cherry or Strawberry,it was very good!
Even Cherie,who generally hates Cherry items liked this because it tasted more like a blend of different flavors than cherry.
Give it a try,if you hit Frederick before the season ends.

After a short postgame visit with the Keys and finally landing the elusive Zane Chavez,we said goodbye to Big Don,drove home and began to work on my aging and ailing PC (Got it working!).
A fun day and thanks to the lovely Cherie,our biggest fan Big Don and my favorite Key Bridget.
Great day for me,at least!

Back tomorrow with more from the road!

Total Recall

It does not look good for baseball fans in the Hub City as it is very possible that today could be the day that the Hagerstown Suns begin the process of escaping town for the traffic gridlocked town of Fredericksburg Va.

I think both parties in the end will regret the move.
Quinn and the Suns will be going to an already saturated baseball area (MLB,AA,High A and Indy ball all within 50 miles) with issues getting to his park with traffic seems to make his move one doomed for long term failure.
Hagerstown will as well,when they realize that losing the Suns means losing affiliated baseball for good and if they want it at all in the inferior Independent leagues,they will still be building a new stadium anyway.

However,I blame Mayor ( I use the term very loosely) David Gysberts and the traveling band of non-rolling stones known as the City Council most.
We have heard at the end of each of the last three months that a major announcement was forthcoming and yet,none were announced.
The truth is,these people had little interest in saving the team.
Both the Mayor and three of the council members ran on an anti-stadium platform and then attempted to deceive the people of this community with them "working" on the facility.
Say what you wish about Penny Nigh (and I have),but she at least had the courage to be consistent in her opinions,as dumb as I believe they are.

 So in that vein,I will say this-I volunteer.
To help or even lead up a recall election procedure for the mayor and city council as soon as this move becomes official.
There was little I or anyone else could do to stop the team from leaving,so as bad as I feel,I cannot beat myself up for that,but I was told by someone recently that they had "hard time believing I'd carry through with my threats to attend city meetings etc" if the team left.
Perhaps they were right,so let's go further.
Spread the word,send us to anyone interested,send us to the Herald-Mail,( who finally nailed the city with a hard nosed editorial today),send this to WHAG,whatever you wish.
I don't believe anything I can do can save my ballclub,but I wager with the right help-I can help make the people that took my ballclub pay with their elected seats.

Thanks for reading....

On the Signing Front

The cards are piling up big time at this time of year,so it is time to hit the signing front before things get out of control!

First a few non-baseball cards.

From the LPGA tour,multiple major winner Cristie Kerr signed two cards.

Thanks to Bill Cover,who's quick thinking on a blank nabbed me wrestling manager Jimmy Hart,when Hart appeared at a Harrisburg game.

Thanks to the Superfan for adding former Giants corner John Booty and former USFL and Redskins wideout Gary Clark,
Both players coach the Baltimore team in the Lingerie Football League (Don't ask) and the Superfan got these for me after a Baltimore game...

As you know I do the signing fronts in chronological order,so here is a link to the SAL All-Star game signings since those cards are just now reaching the front.

The Trenton Thunder hit Harrisburg for their only visit and were surprisingly good.
Tyler Austin was super and Slade Heathcott was nice as one of the last players out of the clubhouse,he still signed for everyone.
Pitching prospect Jose Ramirez was another nice pickup and I was happy to add Neil Medchill,who I had carried cards around for quite a while.
It happens that way at times and Medchill was very nice..
Tyler also was able to add the elusive Brian Goodwin,who seems to have lost much of his interest in signing.
Both of my buddies that live in other Eastern League cities report that the Harrisburg club was the worst team with the pen in the EL this season..

A trip to Frederick for the Lynchburg Hillcats saw me work on both teams.
Lynchburg's team set was not out yet,so only a few cards for them.
Additions included cards for manager Luis Salazar and some Rome cards that I had missed before
I started my work on the Frederick Keys set.
The best pickups were Nick Delmonico,who has since been traded to the Brewers and Eduardo Rodriguez,who might be the breakout pitching prospect for the Orioles this season.
Sorry to see Delmonico traded as he was always accommodating and pleasant to deal with....

The Kannapolis Intimidators came to Hagerstown with a few good prospects,most notably Micah Johnson,who won the MVP at the SAL All-Star  game and 18 year old Bartolo Colon lookalike Jefferson Olacio.
But another encounter with former Oriole and current Kannapolis pitching coach Jose Bautista,who signed a ton for Derreck and Tyler and then was "too busy" to sign for me.
I asked him to at least sign his top card,which was his Orioles "Crown Gas" card,he reluctantly did so.
Another Bautista story from the most recent Kannapolis visit (covered down the road),A collector hollers to Bautista as he walks along "Jose,will you sign?" Bautista: "You're too late today".
Problem with that is the appearance was the first of the day for him outside the clubhouse.
So,if he was too late,the fault was Bautista's.Not ragging on Bautista for not signing,but for a less than friendly response....

A quick pregame trip to Harrisburg for the bobblehead and the Richmond Flying Squirrels saw Joe Panik sign his top 100 card and Adam Duvall sign a few as well.
Duvall had been injured on his first trip to Harrisburg and I am trying to get as many of the Top 100 cards signed as I can....

Two teams hit Hagerstown with few cards.
The Hickory Crawdads added Joey Gallo on his top 100 and Ronald Guzman on a Bowman.
The Crawdads aren't releasing their team set until the final week of the season! How on Earth do they expect to sell many of these?
The Lakewood Blue Claws saw Larry Greene come to Hagerstown for the first time and signed everything.
The Blue Claws are always a good signing team with one exception (more down the road for a future Lakewood visit) and this continued with the other addition of Roman Quinn on a Bowman...
I was able to add former Dodger pitcher Bill Singer on a 1971 card during this series.Singer works in the Nationals front office....

Doing the Potomac Nationals in Frederick usually leaves me doing little as most of those cards get signed in Hagerstown (for now) until their team set is released.
This trip was more of the same with one exception-A.J.Cole had returned to the organization after one year excursion to the Oakland Athletics and I needed to add some cards that had accumulated.
Cole signed all four including his Top 100 and his heritage cards.
The chrome and heritage rank at the top of cards that I love to get signed.

A trip to Harrisburg for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats added players that I have not picked up before.
The Fisher Cats are a Toronto affiliate and other than mainstream cards,I have no need to buy Toronto team sets.
I did buy the Fisher Cats since I knew I was going to see them and was able to get most signed.
Former first round pick Deck McGuire was very cool and spent time joking and talking with us both before and after the game.
2012 first rounder Marcus Stroman signed as did top prospects A.J. Jimenez and Sean Nolin.
Another interesting addition was former Oriole Adam Loewen,who everyone but me seemed to have!
Former Astros shortstop Tommy Manzella and former Pirate Clint Robinson also signed,

The mailbox brought former Indians and Orioles shortstop Larry Brown.
Mike Oravec continued his help with Pirates,Indians and Giants with the favorites being Chris Speier and Dave Dravecky on their 88 Score cards.

We wrap up with thanks to Tom O'Brien,who helped me with New Britain pitchers Trevor May and Alex Meyer,Altoona outfielder Mel Rojas Jr and the beginnings of the Bowie team set.
The best of the Bowie bunch looks to be Cuban outfielder Henry Urretia,but Eddie Gamboa was added too.
Gamboa is one of the converted knuckleballers that we mentioned in yesterday's inbox cleaning.
The best of all?
Tom sent me a card signed by Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter!
Thanks to Tom and everyone of my friends for the help!!

Another Cleaning out the inbox

We finish our cleaning of the inbox with a few more notes and complete things before a return to normal.

The big news is the debut of FOX Sports one as a challenger to ESPN.
I haven't watched anything yet,although there is a boxing show on Monday,so I might watch a little of their programming then.
I'll have a upcoming look on FS1...


The Baltimore Orioles have hired Hall of Fame knuckleballer Phil Niekro as a tutor to a few of their players including the Frederick Keys pitcher Zack Clark.
I think this is a smart move as it only takes one success to make this small investment a winning one.
I love the knuckleballer and taught Ryan how to throw it when he was very young.I wish I had used him more in that role,I think it would have blown some kids minds!
And yes,I have Phil Niekro cards in the briefcase in the event that I see him in Frederick!
The NY Times article is here.

Former Indian slugger Rocky Colavito recently turned 80.
The Rock is such a cultural icon in Northeast Ohio that people that weren't even born for years after his retirement know his name,
Colavito was one of those very good but not great players that tend to be forgotten.
Not in Cleveland.
Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer talks to the Rock here....

The Washington Post takes a look at the Library of Congress and their efforts to save early videotapes of the television age.
The tape used of the age were of the 2 inch "quad" variety and were never designed for long term durability.
The WP quotes Jim Lindner of Media Matters,a company charged with attempting the saving of the tapes,on the problems that need to be dealt with- "The videotapes have delicate coatings — essentially “polyurethane paint with magnetic particles inside it,” says Jim Lindner of Media Matters, which specializes in transferring videotaped material to more stable formats. Over time, these coatings absorb moisture, grow sticky and sometimes separate from their backing. With every fleck that peels away, Lindner says, “a bit of recorded history does, too.”
The machines to play quad tape are rare,hard to find and makes one think closely of people tossing their VHS machines.Imagine the things that will not be digitally converted when machines and parts are hard to find.This could be a great loss.
The process is a delicate one and one well worth pursuing.

Grantland takes another look at Andy Kaufman,who still makes people talk almost thirty years after his passing.
A recent release of tapes made by Kaufman on a "record" shows the continued fascination with the comedian.
I must admit to finding some of Kaufman's work ground breaking.
I also find some of it mind numbingly dull and overbearing...

We wrap up with pulling up to your driveway and finding a Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket in your yard.
As in the huge one that welcomes you to KFC.
Well,this happened to a family and they have little choice as their landlord put it there!
Sounds like something I would do!
Anyway,it made me remember my picture with a large chicken bucket with Kendall Morris at a Salisbury MD Tastee Freeze!


Back soon with a signing front hit!

Cleaning out the inbox-Goodbyes

This might be the longest break in the history of the blog!
But rest assured,I still have this on my mind and things have filled up in the inbox to the point of TWO cleanings and I'll do one now and one later tonight.

This will deal with the goodbyes that have accumulated with general things coming in the next blog.
Goodbye to Dennis Farina,a former real life police officer who turned to acting, at the age of 69.
Farina was known for playing cops and crime bosses and always brought a large measure of toughness and believability to the roles that he played.
Farina may have been best known for more mainstream TV work on Law and Order and Miami Vice,but I might have liked him best in the shorter-lived,but underrated Crime Story on NBC....

Goodbye to another underrated actor in Karen Black at the age of 74.
Black was a much larger star in the 70's than later on,but the versatile actress could always be counted on to give a strong performance in any role.
Black was known for roles in Easy Rider,Airport,Five Easy Pieces and The Great Gatsby as well as numerous TV spots.
Black had a slightly crossed eyed look that did not impair her vision or work,but likely hindered her chances as a leading lady.

Goodbye to former Welterweight and Middleweight titlist Emile Griffith,who passed at the age of 75.
The boxing Hall of Famer returned to the spotlight a few years back as the subject of the documentary Ring of Fire,which looked at his boxing career and his bi-sexuality,which was a taboo in the time period that he fought in.
Griffith was a smooth boxer/puncher until his regaining of the 147 pound title with a brutal 12th round stoppage of Benny "Kid" Paret that resulted in the death of Paret after the bout.
After the fight,Griffith was never the same fighter as he changed to an all boxing style that saw success as Griffith would win the 160 pound crown over Dick Tiger,but rarely scored knockouts again....

Goodbye to George "Boomer" Scott at the age of 69.
Scott was well known for his prodigious homers and smooth glovework at first base for a big man,as Scott won eight gold gloves in his career.
Scott spent his prime with the Red Sox and Brewers before a return to Boston in 1977 that saw the final big season of his career.
Scott lost his ability quickly in 1978 and was best known after as being the main part of a trade that saw Cecil Cooper go to the Brewers.
Boomer led the American League in both homers and RBI in 1975 with the Brewers and along with Dick Allen,pioneered the wearing of batting helmets in the field,which led to some unique baseball cards.
Scott also is the subject of two personal notes.

I played first base as a player and I wanted a first baseman's glove.
When I went shopping for it,I really wanted the George Scott glove,which was made by Wilson,but when I went to the store for the glove,I found that I preferred the Rawlings Chris Chambliss model.
I preferred Scott as a player,but the Chambliss was a better glove.

Sorry,Boomer....
I kept that glove for as long as I could,until it just degraded to the point of uselessness.
What a memory.



The other occurred fairly recently as I sent Scott some cards and did not know of his reputation as an indifferent mail signer until long after I sent them.
I was surprised that months later,Scott signed and returned them to the amazement of Mike Oravec,who had not had luck with Scott.
Thanks Boomer and Rest Well.....

Dull days and reflections

After a trading deadline that saw the likes of Robert Andino and Marc Rzepczynski as the only players moved by any of the three teams,I was thinking of something to write about.
So,I need something to type about.

As I pondered a subject,I thought a little about the demands of this blog.
I try to write everyday,but at this time of year,it has become tough with the time spent graphing.
Over the years of doing this,I have developed a healthy respect for columnists in the professional world that have to come up with posts on the slowest of days.
It seems not so difficult,but some times it can be quite demanding.

When I write about sports,I feel on pretty solid ground,but when I veer off that track-not so much.
Oh,I don't mind standing behind an opinion,after all,that is much of what this is,but I do wonder about ticking off friends and many of our readership is just that-friends.
Politics is often a difficult topic for the best of friends and I have my stance on them as I do religion,but some of my best friends have opposite views and despite my beliefs,theirs are just as valid to them and I attempt to tread lightly.

Some times I wonder just what I am doing here,writing about sports,but I also write about other things-namely me and things important to me from the past.
When I was thinking about this,what I find that I enjoy the most about the personal things is this-I am leaving something behind.
I am leaving material behind for the people that I care about and people that aren't even here yet to know a little bit about me.
I doubt that a future grandchild or great grandchild will care much about the Pirates adding Robert Andino or the Devils losing Ilya Kovalchuk from retirement,but they could find some of the personal posts interesting.
Think of it as a way to get to know someone that might not be around or as open to remembrances if they are.
I wish my father, grandfathers or even great grandfathers had some way of allowing me to look back at their past and one thing about this digital age that is positive is that it is so easy to leave such a log (or blog) behind.

It isn't always fun,but more often than not,I enjoy this.
Readership is not what I hoped it would be,but it's sizable enough that I get a kick out of people talking to me about what I write.
It never ceases to amaze me when people inform me about my own life and opinions and I wonder if I would have more enjoyment,if I did have higher readership numbers.
I'm grateful for what I have,but I am always looking for a way to build.
It is what I do-ball clubs,collections and this as well-I build things,even though I am unable to build things that many take for granted.

Thanks for sticking around,I'll accept any offers to build readership,ideas for slow day posts
and as I told Battlin' Bob years ago-This isn't work,it's fun and when it's not,it is time to say goodbye.

My buddies,State College and Willie McGee

Usually we try to do things on the signing front in chronological order,but we are making an exception this time for our trip to State College for the Spikes and Tri-City ValleyCats.

My regular traveling companions Derreck and Tyler were along with our semi-regular compadre' Brad Adams for the game and a "Matt Adams" bobblehead.
Matt Adams of the Cardinals is from the area and it made sense,especially since Brad and Derreck are bobble crazy.
I never mind the travel and the rides to get places,what I am not always a fan of long line waits,which are often needed to secure a promotional item.
I suppose being middle aged and fat tends to wear on the wheels a bit,which is the main reason I dislike it so.
The original plan was a 2:00 departure to arrive around five,but a friend of Brad's said "State College loves their bobbleheads" and to get there early,so we left two hours before we planned.
So,we get there and are greeted by one goober waiting in line "since 10 AM",glad to see they love their bobbles!
"10 AM guy" proved to be a real winner as he "regaled" us with tales of his bobble collection (500) and his "sold one for $500" etc.
Sometimes,the stereotype of collectors of anything is deserved,I suppose.

As we stood in line with plenty of time (3 Hours!) to kill,we were able to meet a really cool couple from Aberdeen,who stopped by after seeing Matt Adams and the Cardinals the evening before in Pittsburgh.
Tracy and his wife (I never asked her name,sigh) talked with us,took a picture or two and seemed interested in what we do in the hobby.
Such a pleasure getting to know them and perhaps we can see each other down the road!
Three hours is a long time,but the Spikes did a smart thing-they opened up the team shop early.
This not only allows fans to enjoy a little AC,but the team can sell merchandise as well.
Not all teams have a team shop that can be accessed from the park's outside,but more should consider opening early and making a little extra profit.

The team shop is where we made another new friend in Spikes shop manager Julie Henry.
Julie was very helpful and chatted to us before the game as well as walking to our perch,high above the right field wall and hanging out with us a bit.
Julie also reported that the crowd was similar for the previous bobble-former MLB pitcher Eric Milton,so we really didn't have to be there THAT early,although stopping in late would been far too late.
So much for Brad's friend's intel! Ha Ha!
Another enjoyable time and friend met.
We ordered our State College sets from Julie and really enjoyed her company as well.
We may be seeing her again in Williamsport later this season when the Spikes visit the Crosscutters.

The Spikes added three mascots to Derreck and I's "pictures with famous mascots" collection,but in State College,the right field bleachers seats are my preferred spots.
It's a great place to watch a game and Brad even enjoyed it despite his fear of heights.
Hagerstown/Fredericksburg/Wherever could do far worse than taking a look at the Spikes for a similar looking stadium....

As far as the signing goes,I had next to none for State College.
Since the Spikes changed affiliations from the Pirates to the Cardinals,I had a grand total of two players on the team that I had cards for.
Victor DeLeon signed his one card and Carson Kelly was very nice in knocking his six out,so no .
complaints with the Spikes.
I'll get another shot at them in a few weeks when Derreck and I do their team set in Williamsport.

Tri-City was a different story as I had their team set available.
The biggest prospects were Adrian Houser (only player in top 30 before the season) ,D'Andre Toney and Tony Kemp,a recent draft pick from Vanderbilt.
I was able to get all the ValleyCats except for two,so it was a good night.
Two interesting stories on the coaching staff.
Hitting coach Russ Steinhorn didn't play pro baseball,he comes from the college ranks and I was struck by how young he looked.
As in player age,he looked that young.
So I try to tell him that, make conversation and ask how he does it.
His response? He never looks up,no facial expression,signs his one card and says "Discipline" followed by a trot to the bus.
Brad says "Boy,he really liked you".
I have that affect on people.

And then there is Ed Romero.
Ed,who was reported to be "Excited" to be back in short season baseball, has the most representative baseball card that I've ever seen.
As in appearing to have a colostomy bag inside him during the game.I need to scan that card!
His personality was similar as he rushed by us before the game without even breaking stride with a sour look on his face.
So after my wonderful encounter with Russ Steinhorn,we asked the waiting bus driver about Romero.
"Oh,Eddie's a great guy". Ok,perhaps it is just an intensity thing.Some players or managers are terrific after the game,but focused before.
I can buy that,understand it and even respect it,so maybe Romero is one of those guys.
Shortly thereafter,Romero briskly walks down the steps,Brad asks him to sign two cards."The bus is waiting for me!"
Well.yes,but you are the manager,they waited already and there are only two people here.
Romero signs them and then SLAMS the sharpie on Brad's book and stalks away.
Now,normally this is where I say "to hell with this" but on this occasion-I'm getting that sour lemon card signed,so I ask for one,Romero takes the sharpie,slops a signature and adds an "F U flourish" with a long line running off the card before stomping on the bus.
Thanks,Ed.

But before Romero,we had an encounter that made Ed Romero seem small.
We were all chatting and then a guy walks out with sunglasses (at 10;30?) and headphones.
All three of us look at each other and think this "That guy looks like Willie McGee".
As we all quizzically look at each other and ask that question,Brad tries to catch him,but with that lead and he IS Willie McGee,Brad Adams just ain't catching him.
Derreck yells "WILLIE",McGee turns and leaves with a wave.
We all talk about him and a local lady asks us why we aren't asking more Spikes to sign (no cards as mentioned earlier),mentions the leagues leading hitter standing in front of us (no cards),but all we want to talk about is Willie McGee.
"Oh,him? he'll be here all week".
ALL WEEK? Derreck turns and says "We are coming back tomorrow and getting him".
Yes! Another Giant although he is better known as a Cardinal.

After that,we leave State College around 11-11:30,I get back to my house around 2:30,go to the attic to dig for Willie McGee cards,grab a bite,get to bed around six,wake at 7;45 and be on the road to State College at nine for Willie McGee.
Brad's back with us,Tyler skipped since it was his birthday and we are off for a three hour ride.
More fun talk on about everything you can think of and then time sitting around waiting for Willie.
Finally,we think he is there,here he comes-We tell him our story and wait.
Willie says "that's either a great story or you all are lying! Good thing I'm not a butthole" and signed everything for all of us!
Talked a bit,took pictures with all three of us and talked about being at the Muni when he worked for the Giants.
Willie's done,back in the car and back with 20 minutes to spare for the Kannapolis Intimidators at the Muni!

What a great trip and great time. Thanks to Derreck and Brad for everything.
When you spend as much time in the car as we do in this hobby.you get to know your companions well.
Great guys make great friends.Thanks again for everything!

Back later with another post from the road office. and don't be surprised with more from this-Derreck says I forget things!