“Snagit” – A New Toy For 30-Year Old Cardboard!!!

“Snagit” – A New Toy For 30-Year Old Cardboard!!!

For my job, I am at my desk for more than 40 hours a week.  And while I do have the freedom to get up and move around at my leisure, my main focus is on maximizing my time while at my desk for the betterment of the company that I proudly work for.

And from time to time, I get introduced to tools that can make my job easier.

The latest one is a new screen-capture software program that allows you to cut parts of a screen out and paste them in your email, word files, excel files, etc.  If you use screen-shots for your job, this is a sooped-up version as you can add elements and sizing to your captures allowing you to highlight or call-out things versus just being able to paste a shot of your entire screen.

So, I asked my buddy at work if he had the program easily available as I would like to bring it home for my PC.  Well, he is the tech-guy, and he obliged.

So, now I have “Snagit” and I think I can come up with some pretty useful ways to add some fun stuff to the blog.

Like This:

And This:

Or even things like this:

Pretty neat huh?

Stay tuned.  “Snagit” and I are just getting started!!!

Thanks.

Brooks Robinson 2004 Upper Deck ‘Play Ball’

Brooks Robinson 2004 Upper Deck ‘Play Ball’

Ever wanted to play ball with Brooks Robinson?  Yeah, me too.  That’s why I bought this card and added it to my Brooks Robinson collection!!!

Wade Boggs 1989 Donruss All-Star

Wade Boggs 1989 Donruss All-Star

Wade Boggs was quite the star in 1989.  Let’s take a look at what made him the All-Star!!!

The numbers – .430 on-base percentage, .330 batting average, 205 hits, 51 doubles, 54 RBI, 113 runs scored, 107 walks drawn, and amazingly just 51 striekouts in 742 plate appearances.

All-Star worthy?  Oh Yeah!!!

Happy Birthday Andruw Jones!!!

Happy Birthday Andruw Jones!!!

Andruw Jones turns 34 years old today.

One of the most exciting all-around players from the last ten years, Andruw Jones had the skills to dominate the sport – both offensively and defensively.

At the plate, Jones’ ability to deliver the long ball was supreme.  He amassed ten straight seasons of smashing at least 25 homers, while reaching or eclipsing the 40-home run mark twice, including one season with 51 dingers.

From a defensive standpoint, Jones was phenomenal.  His ability to track down balls was outstanding, and his 10 consecutive Gold Glove awards from 1998-2007 confirm his ability to dominate the sport while patrolling center field.

Today, Jones is a role player for the New York Yankees.  Past his prime, his ability to remain in a starting line-up is all but gone.  And while he still has the ability to flash his skills everyone once in a while, Jones can no longer take over a game by himself.  Once guaranteed to reach 500 home runs, it is very possible that he does not reach 425.

We wish you luck Andruw!  Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Warren Spahn!!!

Happy Birthday Warren Spahn!!!

Today we celebrate Warren Spahn’s birthday.

A 21-year big league veteran, Warren Spahn was solidifying his spot as one of the game’s greatest pitchers way before the likes of Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, and Bob Gibson.

Over the course of his playing days, Spahn collected 363 wins – including 13 seasons of at least 20!!  A truly amazing and durable hurler, Spahn started 665 contests during his career, and finished way more than half(382 to be exact) including 63 shutouts.

Warren Spahn was a 15-time All-Star and the 1957 Cy Young Award winner.  He was a member of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves World Series championship winning team in which he started 2 games, going 1-1.

Happy Birthday Mr. Spahn!

1954 Headline: Henry Aaron Hits First Big League Homer!!

1954 Headline: Henry Aaron Hits First Big League Homer!!

On this day in 1954, Henry ‘Hank’ Aaron crushed the first home run of his major league career.

On the road, and playing against the St. Louis Cardinals, Hank Aaron and the Milwaukee Braves battled the Cards in a 4-hour marathon.  In total, the game consisted of 25 hits and 12 runs.

And for Aaron, this game was where his historic start as one of the game’s greatest power hitters took off.  In the top of the 6th inning, Aaron belted a solo homer off of Cardinals’ pitcher Vic Raschi.  On the day, Aaron went 3-for-7, while collecting 2 RBI, scoring 2 runs, and connecting for his first home run as a major league player.

And as they say, the rest was history…

Happy Anniversary, Mr. Aaron!!!

Had Lunch With Andre Dawson Today!!!

Had Lunch With Andre Dawson Today!!!

Wow, how is that for a headline?  Just making my best efforts to draw you in…

And while I didn’t exactly sit down and consume a meal with ‘The Hawk’, I did take an extended lunch break in order to see him at a public appearance he was doing roughly 30 minutes from where I work. 

Sponsored by Mobil, Andre Dawson was on hand to meet the public and sign autographs.

It’s just too bad that probably no more than 40 fans showed up…  But it was certainly good for me!!!

I got to the event 15 minutes before it started.  I met a few friends, made some small talk, and then Andre came out and began singing for everyone.  In typical Dawson fashion, he took his time signing each autograph, and as usual each one looked spectacular!!

Since I had some time to prepare for this event (found out about it a week ago), I brought a few premium items with me.  And he signed them all!!!

During my first trip through the line, Andre signed two items for me.

A Rawlings ‘Big Stick baseball bat:

And a Black Rawlings baseball:

And since many others were getting back in the line, I did the same.

The second time around, I went vintage:

Andre’s first appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated:

And his second cover as well:

Sick stuff, huh???  Yeah, I know!!!

I could have hung around a little more, but had to get back to work.  By the time that I left there were not more than 8-10 people waiting for autographs.  And while I was hoping for a little more interaction with my favorite baseball player of all-time, I think he was a little disturbed by a few overzealous autograph hounds that were stacking items in front of him.

Nonetheless, the event was a huge success for me.  I cannot recall ever hearing of a major league Hall of Famer doing a FREE signing for the public like this.  And the fact that it was another chance to meet and shake the hand of the guy that I grew up watching is three layers of icing on the cake.

Oh, I also had to opt for another photo of me and ‘Hawk’ too. 

GREAT TIMES INDEED!!!

Thank You, Andre!!!  And Thank You Mobil!!!

Baseball Card Show On Saturday!!!

Baseball Card Show On Saturday!!!

I’m not going to get this one wrong again…  Saturday is the 4th Saturday of April and that means one thing to this collector – BASEBALL CARD SHOW at the mall!!

And I will be there to soak in all of the cardboard fun that I can find.

My mission this time around?  I’ve got a craving for cardboard – and I want rookies!!  Lots of rookies!!  And if you knwo me by know, that means rookie cards of the guys I cheered for duing my youth.  Hopefully some of the dealers present can assist me with that goal…

So, be sure to come back on Monday(and before too) as I will share all of my purchases with you throughout the day.

Have a nice weekend!!!

Ron Santo 1970 Topps

Ron Santo 1970 Topps

Grey is not a traditional border color for baseball cards.  Probably because it is so neutral, the color adds very little to a card’s look.  In fact, it can actually hurt a card’s design as it kind of stops the action…

This card here is Ron Santo’s base card from the 1970 Topps set.  And even though it proudly boasts a Grey border, the card looks pretty sweet.

The interesting camera angle and point of which the photographer captured Santo’s ‘mach swing’ probably has something to do with that!!!

Fergie Jenkins 2001 Upper Deck Decades – 1970′s

Fergie Jenkins 2001 Upper Deck Decades – 1970′s

Overwhelming with 1970′s design and color, this card was issued in 2001, but could have easily been created 30 years prior.

Issued as part of its ‘Decades’ set by Upper Deck, this set honored the greatest players of the decade so I am very happy to find out and now own the one that plays tribute to Fergie’s magnificent career!!