Celebrity First Pitch – Dwyane Wade

 Does it get any better than the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade throwing out the first pitch to Marlin’s superstar Hanley Ramirez???  I don’t think so!!!

While I don’t condone the antics of Dwyane Wade in regards to his methods of sending message’s to the Heat’s front office about his future, I do admire his desire to win.  He appears to want to win so badly that he won’t re-sign with our team until they make moves to ensure a potential run at another title.  While this is commendable, it also shows his immaturity as he has been sending quite a few messages through the media outlets around town.  While it won’t tarnish anything he has done on the court, he’s one of the game’s best players, it certainly doesn’t help his public image.

Best of luck to Dwyane and the Heat during the upcoming season – I hope the 2 sides can iron out their differences and focus on making this team a contender again!!!  LET’S GO HEAT!!!

1993 Topps Black Gold – Andre Dawson

This has quickly become one of my favorite Andre Dawson cards.  The 1993 Topps Black Gold design is not too spectacular, but their choice for bold color leaves a lasting impression on this collector!!

The idea of using a solid Black background which covers 70% of the card’s design is not something many card companies would be tempted to try.  But with the Stark-White outline around Andre’s image on the card, it really allows for his picture to leap off of the cardboard.  The Gold accents on both the top and bottom of the card really seal the deal on this one as they add just enough sparkle to draw your eye, but not too much as to take away from the centerpiece of the action photo of Andre.

Topps did a great job on this one!!  Way to go!!!

More Pics And A VIDEO From The Braves’ Greg Maddux Jersery Retirement Ceremony…

As promised, here are more pictures from the big day in Atlanta.  Enjoy!!!

And a SWEET video too!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/srahn/3731666588/

Celebrity First Pitch – Darth Vader

 Jeez, and I thought Allen Iverson traveled with a large entourage.  He’s got nothing on Darth Vader!!!  When asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a minor league game, Vader made sure to bring his posse which includes several of his closest storm trooper buddies…  There is no way that these guys would have gotten past security at a major league ballpark!!

He’s probably going to have to take his robe to the dry cleaners now, clay stains!!!

‘Phun’ Times With Paul From The Blog ‘Phungo’

I just participated in a recent ‘Phungo 5′ with Paul from the blog, ‘Phungo’.  What Paul does is seek out other baseball card bloggers that cheer for the team his Phillies are playing at that time.  From there he offers up five clever questions about the teams, cities, and baseball cards linking those two teams together.

With the Phillies having just finished a 4-game set with the Marlins and now moving on to face the Cubs, Paul thought that I would be a perfect fit for his next round of ‘Phungo 5.’

You can read ‘Phungo 5 With 30-Year Old Cardboard’ by clicking here.

Thanks again Paul, that was ‘Phun’!!!

Did You Know…

While hitting his record 61 homers for the New York Yankees during the 1961 season, Roger Maris never received an intentional-walk: Mickey Mantle was batting behind him.

**factoid courtesy of ‘Armchair Reader – Grand Slam Baseball’

My take – this is truly amazing, not 1!!!

Happy Birthday Dave ‘Hendu’ Henderson!!!

Dave Henderson turns 51 years old today.

Quite possibly the most underrated player on the Oakland Athletics dynasty of the late 1980′s, Dave Henderson put up some monster numbers as a member of the ‘Bash Brothers’.  Hendu had an all-around game and although he was not an all-star, his talent level and skills on the baseball diamond were not that far from his superstar teammates. 

It must be rough playing on an a team and being compared to players like Rickey Henderson(no relation), Jose Canseco, and Mark McGwire.  But Henderson did very well while in Oakland and helped lead the team to three consecutive World Series appearances.

Henderson’s greatest success came from his days with that powerful A’s offense, and he was a big contirbutor.  In six seasons with the team, Hendu smacked 104 home runs, drove in 377 RBI, and scored 366 times.  A truly well balanced player indeed!!!

For Hendu’s birthday, I thought I would try to help his cause out a little by posting an address where you can reach Mr. Henderson to obtain an autograph while also helping out a foundation he started that is trying to help find a cure for Angelman Syndrome.  For any of you that would like to make a donation and at the same time add a great autograph to your collection, you can write to Dave Henderson at:

Pacific Northwest Angelman Syndrome Foundation, 12932 SE Kent-Kangley Rd #375 Kent, Washington, 98031

Happy Birthday Hendu!!!

Happy Anniversary Hank Aaron!!!

On this day in 1973, Hank Aaron belted the 700th home run of his amazing baseball career.  This milestone came against the Philadelphia Phillies and pitcher Ken Brett, yes he is the brother of Hall of Famer George.  In the bottom of the third inning, Aaron crushed a 2-run home run and all of a sudden there were two members in the 700 home run club!!!

I’m sure that when Hank came into the league as a rookie nobody expected he would climb to the pinnacle of the sport and break many records along the way.  But with this home run he trailed the all-time leader by just 14 round-trippers and I am sure that the count down was on!!!

Heck, if blogging existed back then I wonder if anyone would have followed Aaron’s quest to top ‘The Babe’ in the same manner that ’30-YOC’ has chased Randy Johnson’s 300th win or Mariano Rivera’s 500th save.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Aaron!!!

Pics From The Greg Maddux Jersey Retirement Ceremony In Atlanta

I am shocked by the lack of pictures that  I have been able to find from the Braves’ ceremony when they retired Greg Maddux’s jersey.  This guy was the heart and soul of their pitching staff for more than a decade and was one of the best pitchers in the game over the last 25 years.

He certainly deserves more than just these 2 pictures.  I am going to keep digging as I look for more pics from this historic event in Atlanta Braves history!!!

When I find more pics, I’ll put them up on the site.  Don’t worry…

Andre Dawson Game-Used Memorabilia Card #1

I recently scooped up 4 more Andre Dawson Game-Used memorabilia cards at a combined price of just over $9.00 with shipping included.  This is card #1 from that purchase.

Numbered as #78 of 250, this card is from the 2005 Leaf ’Century Collection’ set.  The card features a piece of bat used in game action by Andre.  And while the design of the card is rather dark, the photo of Andre in his Cubs’ uniform and the chunk of wood from his bat pop against the dark background.