Great Show, Kid.

So I says to my fiance, I says, "that kid is about the best hockey player in the worl-..."
GOAL CROSBY!!!!!!
Congratulations Canada, We are happy for you. The seemingly poetic justice of the outcome of this Gold medal match is also something that sportsradio will touch on again and again this week. fun.

Yo dog, Are You Watching This Hockey!?

I mean, I know that after this next 15minutes or so, I will not watch hockey until the playoffs, but damn. this is good sport. (just say NO to calling it a "miracle")

Back in Blue (devil)

I am thrilled to report that the Blue Devils JV Baseball team is up and running (alot). Conditioning is in the past, tryouts went extremely well. We had to cut 4 kids and keep 16 and it was a fairly easy cut. Three of the four cuts came up to the coaches office to get an idea for "what went wrong". I was really proud of these kids for having the guts and conviction to come hear our explanation. They have every right to know, but we don't require them to.

I was up against severe bronchitis and 5 13hr days in a row. I made it, and after a really great 4 hour practice in the sun yesterday (damned hard-to-come-by weather around here lately), I had finally gotten the full feel of what I was into. This is big. I am crazy about my players. They have shown so much heart and disipline this week, I am not sure whether to be one of two extremes; Proud or Intimidated.

Now we have yet to don a uniform, or play a game, but I will keep you all updated. In fact, the Blog will roll a little slower until I get some trade packs to post. Between teaching full-time and coaching full -time, I will be pressed for time.

Also, if any of you have any advice for a first-time Highschool JV Assisstant Head Coach, please share.

Go Blue Devils!

Thanks

Peterson

I have been laid low by Bronchitis and now Blue Devil Baseball try-outs are upon us. I coach High school Baseball, and last night we were in the gym until almost 8 with a couple of kids who didn't eat anything before coming to run. Bad idea, kid. Custodio-maintenance was needed to deal with the biohazard.
I arrived home to my lovely fiance and required 3 medecines and copious attempts at relaxation before I fanally got rid of the worst sinus headache of the decade. Friday will be my first evening off this week and I am loking forward to it with great anticipation. in the meantime, I will try to keep up for my few but loyal readers. As of now all I can say is go watch the ice-dancing on your tivo. Here's a taste:

I don't know who this guy is....but seriously dude, have some shame. (the female was almost worse)

GO AUSTRIA!!!!

Ones that Speak to Me: Jordan Schafer

With the advent of 2010 MLB action, there will be a few people watching out for this year's version of Jordan Schafer. Some lanky kid to come in hot and make you think twice about prospect lists enough to earn an A&G SP status. This kid was named 2009 starting centerfielder without ever playing a game past AA. He kills his first at-bat against a hot Brett Myers for HR and people want to know what's good. unfortunately, for those who did some research, he had recently served a 50-day suspension without ever testing positive OR being caught purchasing or possessing HGH. So that was a wash, I guess? either way, he couldn't sustain any power or plate discipline in 09 and was optioned to AAA Former Richmond Braves (we was robbed), and I would have been all over that park-aquired auto. (I have the last foul ball hit by the Braves at the Diamond, and still can't figure out who I want to sign it.)
I am freaking crazy about this kid's sig, and believe that I have reason to be. To my knowledge, he is the first baseball player to sign his name with 3 1/2 letters punctuated by two horizontal lines. Jordan's auto is incredibly consistent, and I am still looking for the right card for me. I do not like the design of either of the two 2009 flagships, and with both of those auto editions being on-card, i am having dif. (difficulties) My want for this autograph on a well-concieved design is literally unparallelled.

Gentlemen:The Curve vs. The Straight (things I already miss about UD)

I just wanted to point out that the Pep auto is so sick It's like he knew what Pokemon were in 1988, like visionary. Anyway. What we have up top is the fail at UD to produce something unique. The font, the boxes, even the proportion have been used again and again in the last 10 yrs...So sick of it.

Press Pass, with no MLB licence, and not a huge signing base, is looking like they may be able to fill those empty spots on your Dance-card in the coming years.

Now both of these signatures are exceptional by modern standards, but what I want to look at here is the "curve" theme vs. the "straight", or "classic", theme. I am speaking of vertical cards. Obviously PressPass Fusion took a line from Ultimate's recent playbook and it doesn't play badly necessarily. The step-sister seems to have learned the older sister's dance moves pretty darn well. The batter in the lower corner seems a little forced, but all in all, by not using blinding colors (or even color photos) but the foil is in moderation and the suto is on card. big points.

I'm just sayin.

I have no money and no one shops for cards at my target but me. 2010 blasters are still there...I now officially hate how well Yo Momma's Trash Promo is working, but only because I can't play right now.

No, no. The Computer plays chess...Mr. Campbell is it's interpreter.

You say you developed the concept behind "Deep" what? Blue?
and it could play chess?....that's nice.
Oh! A scientist! well, why didn't you say so?

My Sweet Piece of the Millions.

I seem to have done just fine in this whole fray. I am actually pretty geeked about these cards. The Marichal makes this whole thing rife with mystique that I will have to fight so as not to buy anymore 2010 topps. The Larry Gura Sky Blue card is Gorgeous. and Chico from the 61 set...I have a feeling I will be reading about another interesting "pull" at some point tonight.

If anyone "in the program" wants to trade a Milwaukee 61(cept for Spahn and team card for old Chico here...drop me a line......and I've gotten waaaay ahead of myself.

EDIT: the more I look around, the more I think this may be a lot like me playing slots. I come out on top every time I play, but I never bet that much.

Thanks Frank.

I remember seeing frank play for the first time when I was a young guy. One word: Beast.

Born: May 27, 1968 in Columbus, GA

High School: Columbus (Columbus, GA)

School: Auburn University

Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 1st round (7th pick) of the 1989 amateur draft.

Signed June 11, 1989.

Debut: August 2, 1990

Teams: WhiteSox/Athletics/BlueJays 1990-2008

Final Game: August 29, 2008

Nickname to Autograph ratio: 92/84

Craftsmen: Randy Johnson

The fact that this dude was one of the most intimidating pitchers to take the mound since Nolan Ryan does not escape me. What has escaped me, until now, has been the quality of Randy's signature. I have really only seen but so many of his Autos, due to his generally short print-runs. Our tall, lanky anti-hero here seemed as inaccessible as the fourth post of the cauldron, until I came across his crafted, unassuming signature. It is almost always the same, and has not changed a tremendous amount over time. I would have pegged randy for an AD, or at least, Hanley Ramirez style scrawl, but we get the mark of a gentile sportsman, a gentleman even. Congrats on the retirement Randy, Remember that time you killed that bird when you were with Seattle?...and then refused to acknowledge it to the press afterwords?, I have been scared shitless. point made.