1987 Rookie Dodger

In 1987 the Fleer and Donruss sets each made cards for a rookie with the Los Angeles Dodgers that has the same name as me. I saw him hit a home run in the Astrodome in September of 1986, when he was up for a cup of coffee. I met him the next day and got his autograph on the newspaper account of his homer. The next spring I sent him 20 rookie cards and he signed them for me. I gave them to all my relatives, who got a big kick out of it!

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Kevin Seitzer Rookie Card

In 1987, Fleer had a rookie card for Kevin Seitzer. They were the only ones to include him that year. He had over 200 hits that season and appeared to be the next Geroge Brett for the Royals. His card went to high demand.

At the beginning of the season I bought a box of Fleer Rack Packs. I did not open it. I paid $17 for it. About mid-season I saw a Nolan Ryan Rookie Card in a coin shop in Birmingham. I traded the Fleer Rack Packs for the Ryan rookie!

Best trade I ever made!

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1987 Rookie Cards

The card sets from 1987 are all rich with rookie cards of very significant players. THe rooie cards of Will Clark, Bo Jackson, and Barry Bonds were important at the beginning of the card trading year. Others became valued more as the year progressed and in the years since. Rafael Palmeiro and Greg Maddux have had great careers. One of the most sought after cards by the end of the season was Kevin Seitzer's Fleer Rookie card.
More about that card in another blog.

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Silken's Did You Know Blog

One of the current ways to improve the value of a blog site is to create links from one blog to another. There are a few bloggers I began blogging with who have decided to spend a little time building a network of links between our sites. We want to all improve our page ranking with Google, which is one indicator of visibility of a particualr blog.

Here is a link to still one other of those bloggers. Did You Know Blog?

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1986 Donruss Baseball Card Set

In 1986 the best set of baseball cards, in my humble opinion, was the Donruss set. That set had nice card stock and the best photography. But the real reason it stood above the other sets was the inclusion of the Rated Rookie card of Jose Canseco. His card quickly dominated the card shows and was the most sought after card from that season.

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Mobile Q & A

I may be the only guy in America that only uses my Cell Phone to make phone calls and nothing else. I know some who text message, who use their phones as alarm clocks, as a stereo, and more. To tell the truth, I probably would too if I knew how. I just found Mobile Q & A, a web site that will answer my questions—for no charge. They also have evaluations of various phones and advice from a telecom guru. Maybe I will be able to catch up to some of my friends.

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1985 Topps

In 1985, all the baseball card companies included rookie cards of Kirby Puckett and Roger Clemens, among other stars. But the Topps Company had the best coup that year with the inclusion of the cards of the 1984 U. S. Olympic Baseball team. Mark McGwire was one of those, so that was his first or rookie card. He was not included in the other sets that year. In 1998, when he and Sammy Sosa were moving toward the home run record, that 1985 Topps card became highly desirable. I sold two of mine for $400 at the height of the rush. It was a good decision.

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1984 Donruss Baseball Cards

The purchase of the complete set 1984 Donruss baseball cards set in motion an interesting hobby that has now been sustained for over twenty years. Those 1984 DOnruss cards represented a big upgrade in the produts of the Donruss brand. The card stock was better, the quality of the printing and cutting was much better and the photography of the set was superior to any I had seen to that time. The fact that Don Mattingly and Darryl Strawberry had rookie cards in the set did not hurt the appeal of the set either!

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Beginning My Baseball Card Collection

My collection of sports collectibles is pretty extensive, especially of baseball related items. When I was a boy, I collected baseball cards , keeping them in shoe boxes and cigar boxes. When I left home for college, I gave my cards to my little brother, who loved baseball nearly as much as me. When he left home for college, he passed them on to the neighbor boy that idolized him. That boy moved to Kansas, presumably with all those cards from the 1950’s!

In 1984, I went to a baseball collectibles show that was being held in the Dome Skeller, a dining area in the outfield behind the fences of the Astrodome. I only bought one card that day, an Alan Ashby card for my daughter, who thought he was cute! But I met an old acquaintance who was selling baseball cards. I stopped by to see him a few days later, in his shop. I bought a 1984 Donruss complete set. It was the start of a big hobby that has persisted till now!

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Return of the Good Guys??

The new promos in the newspaper for the coming Astros' season is "Return of the Good Guys". The picture shows Lance Berkman, flanked by Carlos Lee and Roy Oswalt, who are flanked by Jason Jennings and Brad Ausmus. The picture and the catch phrase are inconsistent.
Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt are as legitimate stars as anyone in the league, and Astros icons. But Lee and Jennings are new to the team and represent the coming of new blood. Ausmus is a long time catcher, but he hits about .230 and grounds into more double plays than anyone in the league. He is a good handler of pitchers and will be important to the young pitchers that must come through if the Astros are to be in contention for the playoffs this year.
Jeff Bagwell is retired, Andy Pettitte has departed for greener (more dollars) pastures, Roger Clemens is pondering his future. So they do not fit in the picture for the promos. But Craig Biggio is on the verge of attaining the stratosphere of 3000 hits and has become the most beloved Astro in history.

It seems to me that the picture or the headline needs to change in the promo. Either "The Dawn of A New Day" with the picure, or put Biggio in the picture!

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Family Night With An Old Movie!

Tonite we decided to have a family movie night tonight, using one of the old movies we had recorded on VHS tape several years ago. We seldom get them out, and that is a shame, because we have invested much time and money in gathering the collection. I narrowed the choices tonight to Unconquered, or The Plainsman, each with Gary Cooper, Stagecoach with John Wayne, Short Circuit, with Steve Gutenberg, or Tonka, with Sal Mineo.
We decided on The Plainsman, since our grandsons love the black and white classics. It should be a nice quiet night!

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Favorite Bible Verse

I read the Bible, usually a little of it every day. There are lots of wonderful stories and inspiring passages. When someone asks me my favorite book of the Bible, I often answer, "What ever book I am currently reading" There is so to inspire and challenge the reader. I don't think anyone could ever exhaust the wonders held in the Scriptures. My favorite verse, well one of them, is Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, my Rock and my Redeemer."

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Heroes Of Yesteryear

My grandson, the seven year old, loves to watch television. He likes cartoons, but he loves the old westerns even more. He will watch the Lone Ranger or Gene Autry with the same abandon I did when I was seven. He will watch as long as we will let him. When we turn of the television, he will go out and play like he is the Lone Ranger or Gene Autry. It makes me glad to see that he likes the heroes of yesteryear.

Maybe I can even be one of his heroes!

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Spring Training Trip To Florida

Several years ago my wife and I went to watch the Astros at Spring Training. We stayed in one of the Kissimmee hotels, as that is the town in which the team trains. He would like to go again!

A recent web release by Orlando Vacations indicates how much the area around Orlando has changed in the past few years. Surely there will be things we have not seen before to fill in the time between our ball games. OrlandoVacation.com can provide OrlandoVacation.com can help arrange for a trip to the Disney parks, but also points out that there are many other theme parks in Orlando.

They can arrange for your stay to be near the convention center, or arrange accommodations at one of the area resorts or even homes for your stay. A home might be a nice touch! OrlandoVacation.com can arrange for trips to Kennedy Space Center, and reminds us that the Florida beaches are not far from Orlando, only a forty minute drive. OrlandoVacation.com enables you to do your planning right at your computer.

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Our Trip To Toronto

My friend, Mike, and I travel around to cities in order to see games in the various Major League Baseball stadiums. We have been to most of the cities and ball parks, and we have had a good time every place we have been. But one of our favorites was our trip to Detroit and Toronto.

We flew into Detroit just afternoon and rented a car. We drove that afternoon to Toronto to see a game at Sky Dome. We were anxious to see the retractable roof stadium. We expected to be impressed by the ball park. But we were surprised at the beauty and friendliness we found in the city. We drove through the city and enjoyed the lake views. We liked the feel of the downtown area. When we found a place to park, we strolled the streets outside the stadium and were warmly received and assisted by those we stopped to ask directions. Some nice folks suggested a nice restaurant that we enjoyed after the game. We both agree that the brat sandwich we bought from a vendor outside the Sky Dome is the best we have found at any stadium we have seen.

The game was fun and the fans were really into the game. It was a positive experience. We stayed in a hotel in Toronto that night, unmemorable, and left the next morning to head back to Detroit and a game at Tiger Stadium. We stopped at Niagra Falls on the way back—that is impressive indeed!

We talked about how we maybe should look for jobs in Toronto!

We have spent a considerable amount on our trips. But we have, at least thus far, been able to avoid being at risk of having to take out bad credit loans in order to finance our travels.

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Splitting Up The Season Ticket

I am one of six guys who split a pair of season tickets for the Houston Astros. Our seats are on the front row of the fourth level, right behind home plate. This is our seventh year for us to own the tickets. Tonight was our game selection draft. We draw numbers and then we choose our games. I drew number one, so I was able to select first. I chose Opening Day!

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Baseball Returns to Minute Maid This Weekend

It is always good when baseball returns, and it returns to Minute Maid Park this weekend. Some of the best college programs in the country, including Rice and University of Houston, will have a round robin tournament. The Astros will conduct Fan Fest in conjunction with the tournament. At Fan Fest Autograph sessions will be held with several players, and former players, even Nolan Ryan. Fans will get to hear from the General Manager, Tim Purpura, as well as have a chance to ask questions of Purpura. I want to ask him if he has anyone to fill the hole Andy Pettitte left in the rotation. Phil Garner, Astros manager will also speak to the fans. A card and memorabilia show will take place throughout the stadium. Admisssion is just $20 for adults, $10 for kids. The admission will get you into the tournament, the player sessions and the show!

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Fortieth Anniversary Trip!

My wife and I are about to celebrate our 40th anniversary. We are trying to decide what destination we want for our celebration. We want to go somewhere we have not been before. We love warm weather so we want some place near the beach. We have been investigating the possibilities of vacation rentals by owner. That appeals to us as it means it will not be just a cookie cutter tour! Plus we would have more privacy than if we were to stay in a hotel or resort. Taking our time and doing our own thing means a lot more to us these days than any other part of a vacation. In more ways than one, it would be a vacation by owner!

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Mid Life Reminder!

When I was in my late 30's I decided that I needed a Mustang convertible with a 5.0 liter engine! It was a fun car to drive and I got lots of looks on the highway. My wife and daughters called it my Mid-life crisis. It cost lots less than a blonde would have cost me! I only thought of that just now because my son in law just pulled up on his 800 CC Motorcycle.

He just turned 40!

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Tony and Peyton Are Validated

I did not have a big rooting interest in the Super Bowl. And since I don't bet on the games, I did not care about point spreads and other such periperals. But I am satisfied that the Colts won and that Peyton has the monkey off his back about never going to the big game.

But what I am most pleased about is that Tony Dungy is validated as a great coach. Mostly that is because I think he is a great man.

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Troy Patton on the Hill

I have had Troy Patton in the back of my mind since reading that he has been at the Elite Training camp at Minute Maid Park this week. Since Andy Pettitte left for the New York Yankees, the Astros are without a quality left handed pitcher at the Major League level. Wandy Rodriguez is not the answer. Troy throws hard and has more strike outs that innings pitched since signing with the Astros farm system.

I really hope to see him in Houston this summer, maybe he will be our next Roy Oswalt!

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Big Week for Troy Patton

Troy Patton is one of the young pitching prospects of the Houston Astros that has been taking part in the Elite Training camp at Minute Maid Park this week. That must be exciting for him, as the hosts are Nolan Ryan and Jeff Bagwell. Roger Clemens stopped by to throw batting practice one day. Troy grew up in the Houston area and no doubt idolized these Big Leaguers!

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Need a Good Laugh?

Laughter has an important place in my life. I am prone to intensity, so over the years I have made conscious efforts to break the intensity with a laugh. I am constantly on the hunt for ideas, jokes and pictures that will make me laugh and that I can share with others. That is why I am happy to have found a website with lots of funny videos, jokeroo. The site has several categories of videos from which to choose, and you can even post comments, which adds to the fun.

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The Astros Caravan Was in Town Today

Is that the smell of grapefruit and cactus in the air? Today the Astros annual caravan to promote the team came to our town. At a local restaurant about lunch time, there was an opportunity to hear and get autographs from Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Chris Sampson and some of the Astros brass. That means it is only a bout three weeks till spring training opens and the Grapefruit League exhibition season gets under way.

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Another Honor For Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan has been honored in many ways over the years. I thought of several ways he has been rewarded for his excellence as a pitcher and as a man. He received a big cash bonus. He has gotten many gifts especially appropriate to him or his family. He has been awarded plaques & trophies, had proclamations or news releases to honor him. There have bee several who have written a book about him. Ryan has had videos made about him, had schools establish a scholarship in his name, had children named after him, and streets named for him. This week, in the town where he grew up, the district announced they have named a school after him.

A Chris Sampson Fan!

I am now officially pulling for Chris Sampson to succeed as a pitcher for the Astros. He is a local boy who would have a lot of fans at Minute Maid. The Astros need a solid, dependable arm in the rotation. I saw Sampson’s Major League Debut, 7 innings of shut out ball. He has his priorities in order; he chose to step away from his career to try to make his marriage work.

He was coaching at a juco in Dallas when he discovered he could still play. After a try out in Houston, he worked his way through the minor leagues. Sampson is hungry to succeed. It would be his dream come true and fill a big need for the Astros.

What a great human interest story!

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Who Do The Voters Think They Are?

Not only does the exclusion of Mark McGwire from the Hall of Fame seem wrong to me, there is more I do not understand about the voting practices of the baseball writers. The negative reaction to McGwire’s alleged steroid use has some grain of sense to it. But how in the world can a writer not include Tony Gwynn or Cal Ripken Jr. on their ballots. Neither was unanimously elected. No player ever has been. It is the height of smugness to withhold a vote from a first player eligible for election if they are without a doubt going to be elected. It does not preserve anything of value; it only shows that the writer thinks he is superior, maybe even a god!

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All Star Game in Houston--2004

I also got to see the 2004 MLB All Star Game held at Minute Maid Park in Houston. We do not know yet how many players will go on to the Hall of Fame. Several seem certain to achieve baseball immortality. One of the most certain to attain that lofty status is Roger Clemens. He was the starter for the National League. But he was shelled of three homers and was the losing pitcher. But I would not have missed it. I have been blessed to see all 3 MLB All Star games held in Houston.

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Willie Mays Stole the Win for The National League in 1968

By today’s standards, the 1968 Major League Baseball All Star Game would be considered boring. It was a one to nothing contest. But I grew up loving to watch pitchers and defense. I have rarely seen a game that was more fun than that one. The pitching was exquisite. Carl Yastrzemski struck out three times! But that was okay with me, I am a fan of the National League. In the first inning Willie Mays, the best ball player I have ever seen, on first, stole second, stole third and scored on a ground ball by his Giants teammate, Willie McCovey. And I had gotten my program signed by the “Say Hey Kid”, Mays, before the game started. It is one of my treasures to this day.

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Fifteen Eventual Hall Of Fame Players Were On the 1968 All Star Rosters

I was privileged to see the first MLB All Star Game in Houston, in 1968. Legendary players were on the rosters that year. Mickey Mantle, Harmon Killebrew, Carl Yastrzemski, Brooks Robinson, and Rod Carew were the ones from the AL roster to go on to the Hall of Fame. On the NL side, there were Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Don Drysdale, Steve Carlton, Hank Aaron, Johnny Bench, Bob Gibson, Tom Seaver, Billy Williams, & Tony Perez who later made it to the Hall. And Pete Rose was there as well.

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The Second TIme I Saw Cal Ripken Jr. Play In Person

I was able to see Ripken again in the All Star Game in 1986, played in the Astrodome. Again, the Baltimore shortstop was not the story of the game. That belonged to the pitchers and Lou Whitaker of the Tigers. Hometown Boy Roger Clemens was the starter and winner for the AL. Fernando Valenzuela stuck out five batters in a row to match the feat accomplished by Carl Hubbell many years earlier. And Whitaker hit a homer of Astro hurler Mike Scott, who went on to win the NL Cy Young award that year.

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The First Time I Saw Cal Ripken Jr. Play.

I had the privilege of seeing Cal Ripken Jr. play base ball in person on a couple of occasions. Our family was on a week long vacation to the nation’s capitol. We were camping in campground outside Silver Springs, Maryland. One night we went to see a game at the old Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Ripken did not have an outstanding part in the victory that night, Eddie Murray was the star of that game.

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Rickey Got On, But He Did Not Steal!

In the year Rickey Henderson set the record for most stolen bases in a single season, I visited the old stadium in Baltimore. Jim Palmer walked Henderson to open the game, but picked him off at first. He never got on again, so I did not see Rickey steal a base that year.

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No News!

I have subscribed to a newspaper in Houston for over thirty years. For a while, it was the Post, but when it went out of business, I switched subscriptions to the Chronicle. Now, I read the comic strips most days, but the only reason I subscribe is to keep up with the sports. To be more accurate, I want to keep up with baseball, specifically the Astros.

So I really hate it when there is no mention of the ‘Stros in the paper. I just put down the sports section and today is one of those days! I read the headlines about the Rockets’ win over the Timberwolves last night and about the Texans’ ineptness. I even read the story about the success of the University of Houston and their superb quarterback, Kevin Kolb. You will probably hear about him as the draft draws near nest spring.

But no word on the Astros, even though there are pressing world issues like, “will Andy Pettitte play again next season”, and “can we get someone more productive to play third base in 07?” I mean, “Come on!”

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I Actually Went to a Hockey Game!

I was invitied by a friend to see a Houston Aeros hockey game last week. I was concerned because I had never been and was afraid I would not kno how to act, despite having been to countless baseball, football and basketball games. But I accepted the invitation, and I do not think my host was embarrassed by my behavior. I enjoyed the experience and was ready for a lot of things that took place, because of the input I received. I had asked, on another blog of mine , for suggestions on proper behavior at a hockey game. I was advised about proper menu, cheers, exits from the arena during play, and other pertinent information.

But I did not realize I needed dance lessons! Every break in the action had loud music playing and the real fans in the stands dancing to the tunes and getting their picture up on the screens in the rafters. I was ill prepared for that part of the event.

Houston won and I was surprised at the graceful athleticism of the skaters. I had expected raw power, but was impressed by the skills. I might actually go back sometime!

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The Bagwell Era Is Over!

For those of us who remember how bad the Astros were before Jeff Bagwell came on the scene, the announcement yesterday that made it official that he will never again play for the team was sad. Before Bagwell the team had not had a consistent and legitimate star power hitter. Jimmy Wynn and later Glenn Davis were the closest resemblance to long ball threats in the first 30 years of the franchise's existence. But Bagwell changed that.

He was rookie of the year in 1991, and became the League MVP in 1994, in which he averaged driving in more than a run a game for the season. His batting average that year was 368. Until the arthritic shoulder impaired him, he was one of the most dominant players in the game. His homerun totals would have been much higher if his first ten years had not been played in the spacious Astrodome.

Bagwell was a tremendous force in the rise of the Astros to serious contention every season. Before Jeff came along, there were a few good seasons, but not the consistent level of competitiveness displayed throughout his career.

Farewell, Jeff. Some of us can remember the gift you brought to Houston. And we appreciate it!

I Am Having to Watch College Football!

The end of the World Series every year signals the beginning of football season for me. I like football okay, it is an nice diversion to fill time while I am waiting for baseball to begin again.

I have watched part of Oklahoma State and Nebraska today, and am watching an entertaining game between Texas Tech and Texas right now. Too bad I missed the upset of USC by Oregon State.

Tomorrow, after services, I will watch some professional football. The Texans and Titans will play. It will be the first game of Vince Young playing against his hometown team. That should also be entertaining. It will help fill the gap that I must bridge till baseball resumes!

It is about 115 days till spring training! I hope I can make it!

Craig Biggio Will Be The First In The Hall of Fame Wearing the Astro Logo!

That is my opinion. If he stays healthy, Biggio will go past 3000 hits next summer, probably in late June. He has more home runs and far more doubles and runs scored than Ryne Sandberg. Bidge has been an All Star at catcher as well as at second base. He has been the instigator of the Houston offense for 2 decades. One year Biggio hit 50 doubles and stole 50 bases, a feat only accomplished one other time in MLB history, by Tris Speaker. I believe he is a first ballot Hall of Famer.

I believe Jeff Bagwell will be elected to the Hall of Fame, but I think he will not be a first ballot electee. Bags has 449 home runs and has been the most prolific offensive player in Astros' history. His injury cut his career short, hindering his candidacy and allowing Biggio to be the first in the hallowed museum.

I Am The Biggest Fan In Blogville!

I doubt very much if there is a bigger baseball fan in all the blogging community. First of all I have been a fan longer than most of the writers here have been alive. I played in my first organized league in 1954, as 6 year old. But I had been playing in the yard and on the sand lot for a long time prior to that team. And my dad would play catch with me almost every day it was not raining.

I think that fact alone is a big reason I loved it. It is the place I got my dad’s full attention and where I could get his praise. The day after I saw “Field of Dreams”, I drove an hour and a half to see my dad and play catch again. I still have two gloves and a baseball in the trunk of my car, just in case my grandson wants to play catch with me.

My first visit to a Major League game was the next year. We were on vacation and my dad took me to Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. We saw the Phillies against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robin Roberts was the Phillies’ pitcher, Clem Labine pitched for the Dodgers. Roberts only gave up one run that night, a homer to Roy Campenella. What a thrill. I had a box score from the paper of that game (a reprint I got from the Hall of Fame archives). I put it in a frame, surrounded by 1954 baseball cards of the players from that game, and presented it to my grandson on his 12th birthday. It is quite valuable for the cards alone, but there is a lot more to its significance to me.

As a boy we went to see the Cardinals farm team in Houston, the Buffs, before the creation of the Houston Major League team. I saw a doubleheader between the Colt 45s on July 4th in Pete Rose’s rookie year. I saw Sandy Koufax pitch in the Astrodome, 8th Wonder of the World. I have seen all three All Star Games that have been played in Houston, as well as the Home Run Derbys that preceded them. I was at the 16 inning game that concluded the 1986 playoff run for the Astros. I saw Jeff Kent hit the homer that won game 5 of the 2004 LCS against the Cardinals, in person. And last fall I got to see the first ever World Series game played in the state of Texas. All but 2 of my first 39 wedding anniversaries have been spent with my bride at the opening game of the Astros’ season. The 25th was spent on a cruise to the Bahamas and the 35th was spent watching Beauty and the Beast on Broadway.

I have been to see games in most of the cities that have major league games and a few in minor league cities. I have been to Yankee Stadium, and sat in seats provided by Andy Pettitte, via his brother. I have been to The Hall of Fame three times, though it is more than 2000 miles from my home. I was there last to see Nolan Ryan be inducted. It was a great celebration.

Several years ago I became convinced that they were actually going to put lights up in Wrigley Field in Chicago. I had not been there, and I was very eager to see it before the lights were put up. I began to make plans to go, but I had trouble finding anyone who could go. Undaunted, I decided to go alone. I could not afford to fly in those days, so I drove.

The first day I went as far as St. Louis. I watched a game in Busch Stadium that night. The next day I drove on to Chicago. I saw a game in Comiskey Park that night. The next day I saw Wrigley in all its charm, as it had been for a long time. Dwight Gooden was pitching for the Mets, he had a great day, and so did I. When the game was over, I got in my car and drove straight through to Houston, 24 hours.

Now do you have any doubt I am the biggest baseball fan in blogville?

Why My Girls Are Baseball Fans--Part 3!

One day while preparing to close our donut shop for the day, my oldest daughter told me she wanted to send a thank you to Jimmy Wynn for the autographed baseball he had given her. She was only four years old and we wanted to nurture in her a spirit of gratitude, so I told her I would write down what she wanted to say, and we would mail it on the way home. I don’t remember the exact words of the note, but she thanked him for the ball and for calling her beautiful. She told him if he ever came to our little town he should come to our shop and she would give him a free donut.

We did not know the actual address, so we just sent the note to Jimmy Wynn, Astrodome, Houston, Texas. I had my doubts it would ever reach the Astros’ star, but I did not tell my little girl. We dropped it in the mailbox on the way home that night.

A few weeks later we went to another game at the Dome. As was usual for us, after the game we went to the loading docks gate, which is where the home team players exited the building. We were waiting at the base of a long ramp, maybe fifteen or twenty yards from those crowding around the door. I saw a boy from the summer league team I coached among the gathering, he was working hard for autographs. He greeted us and asked what we were doing so far back from the action. I told him we were waiting for Jimmy Wynn, so my girl could say hello to her friend. Phil had his doubts that Jimmy Wynn was her friend, and he went back to the door to obtain more signatures.

A little while later Jimmy came through the door. He had a box under one arm and a couple of bats in his other hand. He was walking fast and obviously was not interested in signing a bunch of autographs that night. Phil was trailing him all the way down the ramp, trying to get him to stop, without any luck. As he approached, my daughter called out, “hi Jimmy.

Wynn walked directly to where I was holding my little one, switching the bats to his other hand so he had an arm free. He said, “Good Evening, Stacey, I received your card. Thank you very much. He took her from me, kissed her on the lips and proceeded to visit with her about what kind of donut he should get if he came to the shop.

Phil’s jaw bounced off the sidewalk!

Why My Girls Are Baseball Fans--Part 2!

The same season Jimmy Wynn climbed on the dugout to talk with my firstborn, I was coaching a summer league team of 13-15 year olds. One night I took four of them, along with my family to a game at the Astrodome.

Before the game my daughter wanted to go down to the rail of the fence near right field to talk to Jimmy Wynn. The boys knew my family, but it is not particularly cool for teenage boys to hang around with four year old girls, so only one of them was willing to accompany her to the rail. The others kept their cool distance.

Jimmy did come over to the rail to greet my daughter. A crowd quickly formed, seeking autographs and proximity to the Toy Cannon, as Wynn was known. The usher for the section came down to break up the crowd, but Jimmy pointed to Stacey and said, "This is my friend." So the crowd was shooed away, leaving only Stace and the one teenage ballplayer who had gone with her. He suddenly felt very important!

As the end of the game approached, my daughter again wanted to go down to say good night to Jimmy as he ran off the field. This time when she went to the rail, she had FOUR teenage escorts!

What A Fabulous Catch, Endy Chavez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you see the catch by Endy Chavez for the Mets tonight? If you missed it, be sure to watch the sports news to see the replay. It was a fabulous catch in an extremely crucial moment of the game that decided whether the Mets or Cardinals will face the Tigers in the World Series.

In a tie game, in the sixth inning, with Jim Edmonds on first base, Scott Rolen hit a ball that went over the left field fence!But Chavez leapt and caught the ball. Edmonds had already rounded second. So when Chavez came back to the ground, he was able to double Edmonds out at first to end the inning! I have disliked the Mets since 1986, but no true fan could do anything but applaud that play!

It has been 55 years since Willie Mays made the play that is still called “THE CATCH” in the World Series against the Indians. The only reason I would rate that play as more awesome than the one I saw tonight is because it was actually in the World Series.

What is the best catch or most important play you have ever seen?

Why My Girls Are Baseball Fans!

Our first daughter was born in December, 1967. She could only have been 3 to 4 months old when she attended her first Astros game in the Dome. My sister worked as an usher, wearing the space girl costumes required. She could get us in for the cheap seats for free if we would arrive early.

Early is my middle name, so we went frequently to the games. We sat in the stands and made acquaintance with some of the ballplayers. It was especially fun when my daughter got old enough to call out the players' names and ask them to come see her.By the time she was three she was a personal friend of Jimmy Wynn.

Wynn was one of the best sluggers in the game in those days, despite being only about 5'7". They called him the Toy Cannon. My little girl would call out to him when we arrived and he would often stop and come greet her or introduce her to some of his friends. She has a ball autographed by Hank Aaron and Phil Neikro, two of Wynn's friends, and now in the Hall of Fame!

I think she may have been 4 the time I won tickets at work as a safety prize. They were front row, right behind the 'Stros dugout. My daughter saw one of the coaches standing in the dugout and called out to him that she wanted to see Jimmy Wynn.

Soon after the team started warming up in front of the dugout. The coach, named Hub Kittle, appeared out of the dugout, handed Jimmy a new baseball and pointed in our direction.Wynn came over, climbed on top of the dugout and sat down to speak to Stacey! He inscribed the ball for her, "To the world's Greatest, Most Beautiful Girl, Jimmy Wynn." She has it to this day.

And I was there a couple of years ago when she got to introduce her kids to Jimmy. It was sweet for a Dad to see the family tradition and the love of the game being transmitted to the next generation.

There is more to this story, so tune in again soon on most of these same stations!

Who Will Win The 2006 World Series?

Last year's World Series was much more exciting to me, as a long time Astros fan. I was privileged to attend the first ever World Series game played in Houston. And despite the fact that the White Sox came from behind to defeat the Astros and Roy Oswalt in that game, it was one of my favorite ever to attend!

This year I thought that because of the way the Tigers stumbled into the playoffs they would be no problem for the Yankees. Their youth and lack of playoff experience was going to do them in. But I should have known better.

Everyone knows the old adage that "Good pitching beats good hitting." The reason that everyone knows the adage is; it is true. And the Tigers have the arms to win the World Series. There are five guys on that staff that throw 97 mph or more. If they throw strikes, it should be a short Series and dancin' in the streets of Detroit!

And that is okay with me. As a fan of the Astros, I usually pull for the National League representative to the Series. But this year that would mean I have to either pull for Carlos Beltran or Preston Wilson to win a ring, and I don't want either one to get one. Sorry Billy Wagner!