Opening Day On Opening Day

Over the weekend I saw something I hadn't seen in many years...a box of card pack being sold at a checkout stand. For some reason the Target I visited had a box of Topps Opening Day right there on the shelves along side the multi-packs of disposable lighters and Burt's Bees lip balm. The last time I saw anything like that was in the early 90s when our local Albertson's had Pro Set football boxes next to the register.

I'll spare you my curmudgeonly rant about how I don't understand the point of a set that's pretty much the same as the regular set. I'm sure there are plenty of reasons for it. At least it runs a buck a pack. I wouldn't have bought a pack had the box been the regular 2015 Topps. Not for three dollars a throw.

So for the low, low price of 99 cents I bought a pack. I was hoping for either an Oriole or someone on my newly minted fantasy team. I got neither but I at least got a card of one of my favorite non-Orioles, Andrew McCutchen. His flying braids always make for a cool card.

My pack also has a shiny sort of card. I think Drew Smyly was on my fantasy team a couple of years ago when he pitched to Detroit(?). The fantasy team that made me swear I'd never have another fantasy baseball team.

This is the Twins' mascot? A bear?

This one is for Ana Lu. Tongue is love.

I guess this card had Jose Abreu listed because he is in that pile of guys after a walk off or something. Seems more like a White Sox team card to me.

I also got a rookie card of a guy with a really long name. But I liked the photo so I scanned it.

There was a game last night but today, for almost everyone else, is Opening Day. I wish they still had a Reds' afternoon game as the official opener but whatever. I hope your team wins today. Enjoy!

Go Orioles!!

O's open their 2013 season in Tampa Bay today. If I counted correctly this is only the fifth time since 1981 that they have opened on the road. They began the 2010 and 2011 seasons in Tampa as well.
To celebrate I'm pulling out a few cards of my go-to guy here on these pages, Eddie Murray, The King of Cool. Top to bottom, 1980 Topps, 1982 Donruss and the 1979 Topps. Enjoy.

Is Nothing Sacred??

So, the Astros and Rangers are 'opening' the season tonite over at Minute Maid Park. My son will be there with his girlfriend to enjoy the game and festivities. But I'd like to see the majors go back to the tradition of having the Reds open the season on a Monday afternoon. It'll never happen, I understand that. But I'm a little tired of TV dictating everything in sports.
So here is my '81 Topps Johnny Bench. Great portrait of a Hall of Fame catcher who saw his share of Opening Day games in Crosley Field (1969 and 1970) and Riverfront Stadium (1971 thru 1981, with a year off due to a slight injury in 1977).
I hope your team makes you happy this year.