I Believe in The Church of Baseball - My Trip To Durham Part 3

We were able to get some autographs after the game, which was a nice part of the day. I am usually pretty good about getting autos before the game, but I epic failed on that end. Oh well. Chris was able to con George Hendrick out of an official 'practice' ball haha, only after Chris told Hendrick that he would pull for the Rays over the Orioles... Something tells me that won't be the case once the season starts on Tuesday...
Here's the big auto we were able to get, Don Zimmer!! Pretty damn cool. I have added a bunch of older players' autos over the past few months.

Here is Chris posing with Zimmer. I thought for a split second that Zimmer had visions of Pedro Martinez in his head and that Chris would end up in a head lock...

Chris got Matt Gorgen's auto as well. Seems like a really nice guy. I think he is a reliever for the Rays. I need to check the roster...

We also got Ben Zobrist's autograph by the team bus. I am going to have to send that one to a friend of mine whom I owe for my Eddie Guerrero autograph he got me a few years ago...

Candlesticks Are Always a Nice Gift - My Trip to Durham Part 2

Everyone liking the Bull Durham lines? If you have not seen the movie, I highly recommend you rent it. Especially for the scene where they all congregate on the mound and discuss wedding presents... classic stuff.

Still doesn't beat Cerrano sacrificing a bucket of KFC Chicken in Major League, though... What is everyone's favorite baseball movie? Mine has to be either Major League, Bull Durham or For The Love of The Game... Here is Chris shaing hands with The Blue Monster. Pretty cool. I thought he may be a little afraid of the mascot, but he did fine. It does look like Chris has a death grip on that railing though.

Bulls players attend to a fallen comrade. The outfielder dove for the ball and crashed into the wall. He made the catch, though. I missed the actual dive, I was looking through m backpack for something... I forget what.

Here is Chris with his lunch... er... I mean his cotton candy. He is such a sneak, I told him no, he couldn't have any, so he goes with his puppy dog look to Max's girlfriend and she fell into his trap...

I will post one more entry concerning my trip later. We were able to get some SWEEET autos after the game. Leave me some comments and let me know what you think...

Hit Bull, Win Steak - My Trip to See the Durham Bulls vs. The Tampa Bay Rays

After the card show, we all went to Durham Bulls Athletic Park to catch the exhibition game between the Durham Bulls and their parent club, the Tampa Bay Rays. I don't know if you have seen Bull Durham, but it is definitely one of the best baseball movies out there (a good bit of it was shot in Winston-Salem, where I grew up).

Since the movie, the Single A Bulls moved to Danville, Virginia and the AAA Bulls were created when the leagues expanded and allowed the Rays and Diamondbacks in. Durham Bulls Athletic Park opened soon after to replace the old park seen in the movie. One of my favorite parts of the movie is the 'Hit Bull, Win Steak' sign. Just a really cool thing, haha.

Cloud cover rolled in about halfway through the game, but that didn't take away from the fact that it was a beautiful day.

As you can see, we were able to catch some great players. Longoria was launching balls over the 'Blue Monster' on a consistent basis. I believe Gabe Kapler his one of the tiers that you can see on the building behind the wall. They need to send Jim Thome or Ken Griffey, Jr to this park and let them take aim at the building.

April 3, 2010 Raleigh Card Show

Wow, it has been such a busy day. I will try to get to everything in subsequent posts, but first, I wanted to talk about the card show that Chris, Max, Alicia and I went to in Raleigh. Max and I have been looking forward to this show for a while, since it has been a long time since we had last been to a show together. Today was a one-day only Easter show, and it fit right into our other plans for the day...

First, here is a nice little gift from my best friend. I had come back from one of Chris' 2,000 trips to the potty and was handed this yearbook from Max. It was a nice surprise. He always knows things that I will enjoy. Here's to hoping there are some more moments like this one in the future...
Next up, we found a guy who had a bunch of old Bowman's for $2.00 a piece. I picked this up (a 1951 Bowman) because he was a St. Louis Brown (the team who moved to Baltimore to become the Orioles). I also bought another for Max because the player is listed as being from Lincolnton, NC, which is minutes down the road from Max's house.

I found these next 2 cards (Brooks Robinson Topps Tribute) for $1.00 each. I thought they were nice and shiny, so I got them. I believe they are from 2002.

I picked up 9 1948 Bowmans. Yep, I decided to put this set together. 48 cards total, and I already have 11 of them. Seems do-able, I think. Of course, the Berra and Rizzuto are going to be tough, but I was able to get the Musial, so I think I can do it.

I was able to pick up another Hall of Famer, though, Red Schoendienst. Not bad. The card is really nice. I am really enjoying this set.

I found this 1934 National Chicle Diamond Stars for $5.00. Its a rough looking card, but that is why I liked it so much. What do you think?

Here is the reverse of the Diamond Stars. I like the 'tip for young players.' Pretty cool. The words are a bit faded, but I think they are legible.

Hahaha, Harry Doyle himself. 2010 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee, Bob Uecker. My wife remarked the other day how she would like a Uecker card, and this was in a 75% off box. My one 'OH COOL' find at the show.

I don't need to tell you that I had an awesome time today, but the posts that will come later will definitely explain. Today was one of those days which you sit back and wish all could be like. I wish I could spend more time with my friends and family like I did today.

Rest in Peace Mike Cuellar

When I got home from dinner tonight, I was sad to see that Mike Cuellar lost his battle with stomach cancer today at the age of 72. Cuellar played in the majors from 1959 and 1964-1977 and played for the Reds, Cardinals, Astros, Orioles and Angels. He compiled a record of 185-130, had 4 20-win seasons and won a ring with the 1970 Orioles.

I'm too young to have seen Cuellar pitch, but from what I have heard and read, he was amazing. I'm really sad tonight to hear about the passing of one of the Orioles greatest pitchers in their history.

Mike Cuellar - 1937-2010

Spaceman, Spin the Black Circle

You have no idea how long I have waited to use a Pearl Jam title in a blog entry...

I am slowly chipping away at my 1970 Topps set. Here is the Bill 'Spaceman' Lee RC from 1970. It was the only card out of the 200s that I had left to get. Now, we are getting more towards the mid to high numbers. This set will be done before you know it! Has anyone ever watched Ken Burns' documentary 'Baseball?' Bill Lee is so nuts in his interview. I know that's why they called him Spaceman, but wow, he must have lived under powerlines as a kid or something...

The Mendoza Line and Set Complete 1998 Topps

I would like to congratulate myself on post #200!!!!!! I am now at the Mendoza line. Yeeee Hawwww. I never thought I'd have this much to say about cards and stuff. Thanks everyone for reading! I hope you have enjoyed the 199 previous posts.

Now, I would also like to turn your attention to my completer card for 1998 Topps. I had no idea the last card I needed was the Boone/Beltre rookie card. I knew former Oriole Ryan Minor was on the card.

Anyone know the significance of Ryan Minor in Orioles history?

He is the person who started in place of Cal Ripken on the day The Streak ended. I remember catching some Orioles games in 1999 and booing Minor hard. I feel bad about it now, the poor guy didn't ask for the attention. Kind of like how Doug DiCences felt when he took over for Brooks... he could never measure up, nor did he want to.