Hunter Pence and Luke Scott

Hunter Pence is a young outfield prospect for the Houston Astros. He is in his first spring training with the big league club. He is a power hitter that has fans in Houston drooling. And he is off to a start that does nothing to lessen the hopes. In his first ten at bats, he has seven hits. It is a bit reminiscent of the spring training Luke Scott had two seasons ago. I hope it does not take the same turn in the regular season as Scott's did that first year.

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Yao Ming Returns

The Houston Rockets were not able to win on the road at Cleveland. It was the third loss in a row. That is all bad news. But the good news is that Yao Ming made an appearance in a game for the first time after missing 32 games because of a knee injury. If the Rockets are going to make a run in the last segment of the season and into the playoffs, Yao is going to have to be healthy!

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Baseball Cards in the Late 1980's

Baseball card companies really produced a lot of sets during the years of the late 1980's because there were a lot of speculators that decided to invest in the market at that time. It artificially drove up the prices and made it difficult on those of us who were true collectors who love the game and the players. And when the investors left the market, the supposed value of the cards dropped like a rock!

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Future Hall Of Famers As Rookies in 1989

The 1989 Upper Deck set of baseball cards has a number of rookie cards of players that I believe will end up in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The number one card is Ken Griffey Jr, who is sure to enter the Hall. So is Randy Johnson, and Craig Biggio, and John Smoltz. Curt Schilling is making a case for his inclusion as well.

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Upper Deck Debuts in 1989

There was a new entrant into the baseball card market in 1989. Upper Deck launched its set with the number one card being a rookie card of Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck stormed through card shows and shops because the card stock was so superior to any up to that date and the photography was wonderful. I recall a card of Gerald Young, a centerfielder for Houston, with a picture of him making a fabulous catch against a blue wall. And the super high leg kick of Mark Langston was caught in a great shot.
There is more about the 89 UD set, but I will save it for another post.

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Give 'Em L, Astros!

The Houston Astros have been known for the past 15 years or so as The Killer B's. Mostly that has been based on Biggio and Bagwell, and more recently Berkman. But the line up this year could include Carlos Lee, Mark Loretta, Lance Berkman, Luke Scott and Jason Lane. If that turns out to be the case, I think the Astros' marketing department should use the slogan, "Give 'Em L, Astros!"

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Erroll Le Vant (Pronounced Irrelevant) 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 yet one other of those bloggers. Erroll Le Vant's Blog?

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1988 Baseball Cards

The year was not a very good one for the card collectors. The brands all over produced their products so essentially they became worthless, especially the common cards. And there wereno huge rookies to make the cards more attractive. Greg Jeffries started the year as a hot commoditiy, based on his great September the previous season. But he fizzled. Score introduced another brand that year, further diluting the value of each card

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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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