Alabama Bound

Heading off to Birmingham Alabama this morning to watch the Houston Cougars take on Vanderbilt on Saturday. Hope the Coogs win but we are planning a fun trip no matter what. Have a side trip planned for Vicksburg, Mississippi later today to take in some Civil War sites.

I don't have a card that references Vicksburg but I do have this coin in my State Park quarters collection:

I've never been to Birmingham although I've been through Alabama many times, usually Mobile and Foley. Just for the heck of it I checked Wikipedia for a list of athletes who are natives of Birmingham. I have cards of several of them including Willie Mays whose '59 All Star card is up top.

Others include:

Olympic great (and fellow Houston Alum!) Carl Lewis.

Carl attends many UH events and we were both at a tailgate party earlier this football season. He was very gracious and enjoyed talking football.

Satchel Paige. This is a Bob Lemke custom of Paige done in '1952 Topps style.

NASCAR broadcaster and former crew chief Larry McReynolds:

Bo Jackson. I saw an ESPN show on him a week or so ago. I don't think I appreciated how amazing he was back when he was active.

Hoopster, golfer ;-) and all around fun guy Charles Barkley:

And there are several more just from my '59 Topps set:

There are many more including:

Gene Bartow, former basketball coach and Athletic Director for University of Alabama at Birmingham

Bruce Benedict, born in Birmingham, major league baseball player

Neil Bonnett, Sports Hall of Fame NASCAR Driver

Lyman Bostock, born in Birmingham, major league baseball player

Bobby Bowden, football coach

Jerricho Cotchery, Pittsburgh Steelers WR

Bubba Church, born in Birmingham, major league baseball player

Hubie Green, professional golfer

Jerry Hairston, Sr., born in Birmingham, major league baseball player

Bobby Humphrey, University of Alabama football player, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos

Lee May, born in Birmingham, major league baseball player

Picabo Street, downhill skier (Olympic Gold Medalist)

Pat Sullivan, 1971 Heisman Trophy winner

Andre Tippett, NFL Hall of Fame linebacker

Bob Veale, born in Birmingham, major league baseball player

Dixie Walker, baseball player

Al Worthington, born in Birmingham, major league baseball player

I'll be off the grid for a few days. Hold down the fort, will ya?