Anyone else feeling old today?

Normally, I don't feel my age. I'm not old. But I'm no teenager either. Today though, I have to admit that I feel a little old.

You see, today is Heather Thomas' 60th birthday.

This is Heather.
(remember Fall Guy?)

Now, pretty much every male within 5-6 years either side of my age had this poster on their bedroom wall growing up.

Heck, I would still have it if I wasn't married. (Love you honey!)

But yeah.... Heather, everyone's dream girl, is now 60.

It seems like only last summer I tacked that poster up on my wall.

Remember kids, not too long ago, Grandma was smokin' hot!

Life experiences...

So it was my birthday a week ago. There was also a trade night at one of the local shops this past Wednesday.

Those two events close together combined for an epic event.

Let me tell you. You haven't lived until 25 dudes at a sausage-fest sing you Happy Birthday.

Complete with Easter cupcakes and rainbow frosting with little pink and purple bunny rabbit toy rings on top.

Now that I describe it out loud..................................................................................

Anyways... on top of that, there was this. A custom card built by bamlinden.

 

 

and the back for posterity.

 

Good times.

A big thanks to all the perpetrators and enablers.

vintage week... Day 3. Birthday edition...

vintage week continues from my check out my cards swap/purchase. Only today we are calling an audible.

I'm showing off the card originally scheduled for Day 6 today (Day 3) because, well because it's Hank Aaron's 80th birthday.

 

1970 All Star #462  $0.63

 

63 cents!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy birthday big fella!

Let's all wish a big Happy Birthday....

First, a huge Happy 25th Birthday to future CFL great, Tim Tebow.

 Let's hope this day finally brings him the media attention he so richly deserves. Soak it up Tim.

Second, a Happy 29th Birthday to...

no, wait... that ain't right. I meant this instead.....

better. Anybody got cake?

Jim Plunkett... Hall of fame worthy...

so today is December 5th, 2011. Which happens to be Jim Plunkett's 64th birthday. I was planning on doing a post sometime this week on Jim, but Hackenbush's "You Can't Have Too Many Cards" told me this morning that it was his birthday. So we have to quickly adapt and move plans forward a bit.

At the last trade night I went to, I picked up a few 1976 Topps football cards out of the Quarter box.... er... Quarter binder actually.

One of them, surprise!, was Jim Plunkett.

Now some of you out there may not know who Jim Plunkett is. Let me enlighten you on someone who deserves the recognition.
Jim is a guy who worked four part time jobs through junior high school and high school to help with the familie's financial situation. His mother was blind, and his father, due to a medical condition, was going blind.
Jim earned a full scholarship to Stanford University where he would play his college football.

Despite being encouraged by the NFL to come out early after his junior year for the NFL draft, Jim stayed in school for his senior year to be a good role model to the grade school kids that he tutored in his spare time.

During his Senior seasonin 1970, Plunkett led Stanford to it's first Rose Bowl win over Ohio State, earning the Heisman Trophy as best college football player, beating out Joe Theisman and Archie Manning.

Plunkett was drafted first overall by the Boston Patriots and set rookie records for touchdown passes his first season.
Jim ended up being traded to San Francisco for their starting QB, three 1st round picks, and a 2nd round pick.

Fast forward a bit, towards the end of Jim's career. It's 1981 and Plunkett is a backup with the Raiders. Due to an injury to starting QB Dan Pastorini, Jim took over the starting job and guided the Raiders to 13 wins over the next 15 games, including four in the playoffs, to lead the Raiders to a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XV, becoming the first 'Wild Card' team to win the title. Jim also took home Super Bowl MVP.
Three years later, another injury to a starting QB, this time Marc Wilson, had Jim leading the Raiders into the playoffs once more, and once more winning the Super Bowl, defeating Washington.

If the whole 'race' thing matters to you at all, Jim was the first Latino to be a Rose Bowl winning QB. The first to win the Heisman. The first, and only, to be drafted 1st overall. The first to start a Super Bowl at QB, the first to win a Super Bowl, the first to win Super Bowl MVP. The first, and only to start and win multiple Super Bowls.

Jim Plunkett is also the only QB of any race to ever start multiple Super Bowls, and the first to win multiple Super Bowls, and NOT be elected into the Hall of Fame.
Why the heck he is not in the Hall I will never understand. We're voting guys in every year like Rod Woodson for god's sake, and we can't elect Plunkett???

Anyways... if you've stayed this long, I thank you. And next time you see a Quarter box, or binder, give it another look. You never know what you might find. There's some interesting stories hidden away in there.

Card of the Year. End of Discussion.

It's getting near the end of the year, and before the Christmas hurricane I wanted to do one of those fun little polls for 'Card of the Year'. You know, like those neat ones Night Owl does. Post a bunch of cool pics, have a poll in the sidebar, everyone votes, discussions and hilarity ensues.

Until today. I found the card of the year. There will be no polls, no discussion. The trophy has already been engraved.

I give you....

This card is Chuck Norris in a ninja suit with an eyepatch. It's that good.




Oh, and if you're reading this Leesh, Happy Birthday. Call me, it's been too long since we talked.

No posts today, just cake.

it's my birthday today, so no posts for you.

Don't forget to enter our contest if you haven't already, scroll down one post and read.

Happy Birthday Jair!

We're combining posts in an effort to be more efficient. Today's birthday post is being combined with card #2 in the Goose Joak 2009 Invitational Card Set...
Braves starter Jair Jurrjens is turning 23 today. Jair was acquired from Detroit with Gorkys Hernandez for Edgar Renteria.
Happy Birthday Jair! Stay healthy... we need you.

Happy Birthday Jeffrey!

Happy 25th Birthday Jeff!
One of the hometown favourites... there is nothing quite as relaxing as watching a Braves game on TBS and hearing Bobby Cox yell; "C'mon Jeffrey!" after each pitch.

I love my team, despite the owners and the inept front office.... not even they, try as they might, will ruin my love of my team.

Happy Birthday Gregor!

A Happy 25th Birthday to Gregor Blanco. Gregor beat out Josh Anderson in spring training last season to win the 4th outfielder job last season. His playing time increased with the Mark Kotsay injury and subsequent trade to Boston.
Gregor is helpful in other areas as well. I have the Copper refractor of him as well as the red Opening Day version.... but cannot find them. Gregor has taught me I need to be better organized..

Gregor the Chrome has taught me that my scanning bed needs cleaning.

See how helpful Gregor can be?

Happy Birthday Brandon!

Happy Birthday to Brandon Jones! Brandon is one of the Braves top prospects, and has a chance to make the big club this season.

With the upcoming trade of Frenchy for a bag of balls and a case of chew... Brandon even has a chance to start.
Sweet Jesus.

Anyways... Happy birthday bud.




This just in..... Frank Wren has traded Brandon and Tommy Hanson to the Indians for Kenny Lofton ...

Happy Birthday Gene Garber!

Gene Garber is 61 today. Wow. Gene doesn't look too impressed about it either....
Gene was a sometimes closer for the Braves during "the wasted years"... piching very well. his unusal submarine delivery often fooled opposing batters. To show their appreciation of Gene, Atlanta traded him to Kansas City in '87. For Terry Bell. Who? You ask?
Terry Bell. You know. The guy who had one at bat for Atlanta in his career. Yeah. Him. Oh, and he struck out too....

Happy Birthday Jody!

Jody Davis was born 52 years ago. Jody was best known for his days as a Cub, recently ranked at #53 in All Time Cubbiedom. Jody could never quite put it all together. In the beginning, he could hit. But had cement blocks for hands. Later, he could catch, winning a Gold Glove in '86... but he forgot how to hit.
A trade brought him to the Braves in '88. He played in 92 games over three seasons before being released. A fairly marginal player you say? Hardly any time with the Braves? Why are you posting him, Brian?
Well, let me tell you. I actually got to meet Jody a few years ago when he was in Calgary as manager of the Calgary Outlaws in the Canadian Baseball League. It was a chance meeting, so I didn't have anything for him to sign... but it was still great as I got to hear a couple of stories from when he played.

Happy Birthday Chuck!

Wow. Quite a run on birthdays in the month of Novemeber. Today's is Braves pitcher, Chuck James. Happy 27th!
To celebrate, may I present you my rainbowchuck. 2006 Topps Finest. I think I got them all... but I'm sure there's a 1 of 1 SuperEbonyXXXfractor game used jock patch somewhere.

Chuck is one of the toughest men in baseball. Not only did he break both wrists before the entry draft, and pitch later that season.... he was bitten by a venomous Copperhead snake and did not seek medical treatment.

If you look carefully, you can see Chuck's belt is made out of that snake.

Underneath his hat, is not a full head of hair, but another fist.....

Happy Birthday Jeff!

A big Happy Birthday to Jeff Blauser!
Jeff had some great years with the Braves, winning a World Series, going to two All Star games and winning a Silver Slugger award. Combining with Mark Lemke, the Braves infield was solid during the 90's.
After a career best year in '97, Jeff signed as a free agent with the Cubs for the '98 season. He would retire after the '99 season.

Happy Birthday Adam!

Well you knew it was coming. If you thought I wasn't going to post about this day, you don't know me at all. It's Adam LaRoche's 29th birthday today.
Adam was drafted in 1998 and then again in 1999 by the Florida Marlins. He refused to sign. (Wouldn't you?) Atlanta took him in 2000 and he signed. (Good call)

Adam was traded to the Pirates in '07. But he got his revenge. (you must read that, go ahead, I'll wait)

His younger brother Andy, also plays for the Pirates, after escaping the Dodgers.

They follow in their father's footsteps. Former major league pitcher Dave LaRoche.

One of the sweetest swings in baseball....

As you can see.... I have quite a few of his cards.... and a LOT of autos....

Only a slight mancrush..... I miss the days of him and Chipper in the lineup together....

Happy Birthday Javy!!

One of my favourite former Braves turns 38 today. I'm trying not to think about this retired player being 6 months younger than me....
Javy was one of the more dominant hitters from behind the plate, breaking the single season record for home runs in 2003 with 43. I alwasy enjoyed watching him play. For some reason, Greg Maddux would not pitch to him. I've alwayas wanted to find out why.
Little known fact: Javy was quite the ladies man, as evidenced by his wiki page.

Little known fact #2: Javy hit a home run in his first ever All Star at bat. 1997.

Javy ended his career with brief stops in Baltimore and Boston, before signing with Atlanta so he could retire a Brave.

Happy Birthday Craig!

Question: Who finished 7th for Cy Young and 2nd in Rookie Of The Year voting in 1983?

That's right dayf... it was Craig McMurtry.


Craig is celebrating his 58th birthday today.
Craig was traded away to the Blue Jays in 1987, although he never played for them. He did go on to pitch for Texas until his retirement in 1990.

Little know fact #1: Craig came back to pitch in the big leagues in 1995 as a replacement player with Houston.
Little known fact #2: Craig served up Barry Bonds first home run. June 4th, '86.

Happy Birthday Yunel!

We have a 2 for 1 day! It's also Yunel Escobar's 26th birthday today! Happy Birthday Yunel.
I hope Frank is smart enough to hang on to you and build for the future.
Also, it will give me enough time to come up with a nickname for you..............

Happy Birthday Wilson!

No. Not this Wilson....
No. Not this one either....

It's Wilson Betemit. Happy 27th buddy! I still can't believe we traded you for a bag of balls and a half dozen bats.

Good luck in the Evil Empire....