The Little Things In Life, Baseball Card Edition

Someone once said that it's the little things in life that matter.  I don't know who it was, but it makes sense to me.  One of the little things that I get to enjoy in my life are baseball cards.  Like most men, I used to collect baseball cards when I was a kid.  I still have a binder in my garage with several pages of cards of my favorite player of all time, Ken Griffey Jr.  Like most men, I also lost interest in cards when I discovered girls, cars and beer.  Of course, at that time, which was the mid-Nineties, the card business was getting overwhelmed by serious collectors and a ton of product.  Baseball cards have been around since the turn of the century, but by then baseball cards were followed by basketball cards, football cards, hockey cards, Star Wars cards and Garbage Pail Kids cards.  Topps no longer had the monopoly either, they faced competition from Donruss, Fleer, Upper Deck, SkyBox, Pinnacle, Peak, Bowman, Pro Set and more.  It became unbelievably expensive for someone to keep up with their favorite teams, favorite players and forget about complete sets.  And finally, like most men, as I near 30, I'm looking for some things that make me feel young again.  A few weeks ago, one a whim, I bought a pack of cards with my favorite play on them, Dustin Pedroia.

I forgot the feeling of opening a new pack, flipping through the cards, pulling the ones you like, while shuffling through the ones you didn't.  There was nothing extraordinary in the pack, no autographs cards, no special chrome or throwback cards.  Just a feeling.  I had to chase that feeling.  I went and bought a few more backs, racing home to open them again.  As I wondered whether this might be some kind of addiction and if I should stop, I came across my favorite player Dustin Pedroia.

There was Pedey, looking right at me.  A lopsided grin came across my face, with quickly vanished when I got to the next card and I can shamelessly tell you right now, I screamed.

Ken Griffey Jr.  My favorite player of all time.  And not just any Ken Griffey Jr. but the LAST Ken Griffey Jr. Topps card there will ever be.  Sure, Griffey will sign autographs for Topps and in 20 years, you might a reproduction of his rookie card, but this is the last regular card for Griffey, who retired midway through the season.  I took it as a sign from the baseball gods, an invitation to come back to the world of baseball cards, plastic sleeves, cardboard boxes and Beckett magazines.  

I buy cards pretty regularly now.  And while I am not as obsessed as some might be with a collection of cards worth millions, I have a few goals in mind.  I'd like a complete 1989 Upper Deck set, the modern day standard for cards, I think.  A complete 1981 Topps set, (the year I was born), every Red Sox player from 2004 and 2007, Topps, I think would work.  It gives me something to stay interested in, away from those girls, cars and beer.  And maybe someday, I can give them to my kids and hopefully, keep his focus there, instead of the extracurriculars.  

Ted Williams: The Biography of an American Hero

In the winter, I do more than mourn the loss of baseball by complaining about football and finishing up my season on The Show.  I take some time to improve my mind and further my knowledge about baseball.  This off-season I read a number of different baseball books and I that I absolutely devoured was Ted Williams: Biography of an American Hero by Leigh Montville.

Montville writes of Williams as an amazing ballplayer and a truly extraordinary individual.  If you only know of him as a Red Sox batting champ, this book explores all of the facets of his life.  Starting with his childhood in San Diego, Williams began playing ball for the Pacific Coast League and the San Diego Padres.  He started playing for the Sox in 1939 and in 1941 became the last man to hit for .400, batting .406 for the season.  But in 1942, he enlisted in the Navy and became a pilot in the Marine Corps.  He would be recalled in 1952 during the Korean War, in which he flew combat missions and was John Glenn's wingman.  The Korean War took five years off his playing career, but in 1957, Williams again led the league in batting.  He would retire in 1960, hitting a dramatic home run in his last at-bat.  

Williams' incredible baseball career and military service would normally be enough to fill any biography, but Montville devotes entire chapters to Williams' love of fishing.  He approached fishing with the same determination and through examination as he did hitting a baseball.  Williams went from baseball to fishing to baseball back to fishing.  It was his yearly routine and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for both sports.

Ted Williams was a man amongst men, but he was a still a man, with flaws like any other.  He had a terrible temper, spoke in prolific profanity and though he was a generous man, he had a rocky relationship with the Boston fans.  Williams constantly spurned the media who would rake him over the coals in the papers, turning the crowds against him.  He had a distant relationship with his children, though he tried to reconcile that later in life, when he brought his son John Henry back into his life.  Montville writes about the multiple marriages, clashes with reporters and difficulties in knowing Ted Williams just as he writes of Williams' constant support of the Jimmy Fund, continued study of the science of hitting and eagerness to talk to almost anyone about baseball, fishing and eventually life.  

Ted Williams truly lived the life of an American hero with his passionate play of our nation's past time and his brave service in two wars.  Montville's book is a excellent read of a great ballplayer and an accomplished man.

Adrian, Carl and Adrian

As the free agency period opened up 2010, General Manager Theo Epstein, said that the priorities in the off season were strengthening the bullpen and re-signing C Victor Martinez and 3B Adrian Beltre.  But, as Martinez signed a four year deal with Detroit and Beltre's agent Scott Boras began looking for a big payday for his client, Epstein kept his cool heading into the Winter Meetings and emerged as the big winner again.


First, the Sox dealt four prospects to the San Diego Padres for the long sought after 1B Adrian Gonzalez.  A hard hitting left hander who is itching to beat the Yankees and crush balls over the short right porch in Fenway, the acquisition of Gonzalez was something that Epstein and Manager Terry Francona had long wanted and finally attained.  Though they failed to include a long term extension in the deal, both Epstein and Gonzalez expressed confidence that they would reach an agreement before the season started.

The signing of Gonzalez left little doubt about the fate of Beltre in Boston.  1B Kevin Youkilis had already told the media he was beginning to prepare for a season at the hot corner and there was no way that Epstein would choose Beltre over Youk.  At the time of this post, Beltre has signed with Texas after negotiations with the Angels fell through.  But more on those Angels and Beltre later.


But the real blow came when the Sox signed OF Carl Crawford to a seven year, $142 million dollar contract.  Remember that the Sox weren't even thought to be in play for Crawford and all signs pointed to him agreeing to a deal with Anaheim.  (They still reside in Anaheim and will always be the Anaheim Angels to me.)  The Sox came from out of nowhere at the Winter Meetings to lock him down with a monster contract, just days after OF Jayson Werth signed a similar deal with Washington.  It was truly unexpected and a great early gift for The Nation.  


If you will indulge me for a moment and read something that I have been drafting since the idea for this blog entered my brain.  Allow me to take you back to that night in December with this scene from my workplace.

FADE IN- INT. RESTAURANT BAR.  Televisions tuned to ESPN.  MIKE (29) watches with mild interest, waiting for people to leave so he can go home.  A special bulletin flashes across the screen and excitement flashes across Mike's face.  He runs back into...


INT. RESTAURANT KITCHEN. Mike skids across the floor, freshly mopped and holds himself against the wall.


MIKE - Rob!
ROB (O.S.) - What?
MIKE - Carl Crawford, seven years!
ROB (O.S.) - Yea?!


ROB (27) comes running from the back of the kitchen with the look of a child on Christmas morning, expecting a new red bicycle.


MIKE - With the Boston Red Sox!


Mike falls down laughing, while Rob is crestfallen.

Rob is one of the legions of Angels fans who foolishly believed that his team would *giggle* sign a big ticket free agent in the off season.  While I could only briefly grieve his loss, it was quickly overtaken by sheer joy.  I immediately called my friend and proud member of the Nation, Jamie Black and we shouted and laughed the laughs of kings.  Who would lead off?  Is Jacoby back in center?  We can pencil ourselves in for the East pennant, how about the AL?  The Series?  With an opening day lineup that will likely six All Stars, Red Sox Nation has much to be thankful for this off season and even more to look forward to in 2011.  


Finally, The Nation bid farewell to Beltre, who had a career year while he was with the Sox and really kept the club going through so many injuries, even if he may have indirectly caused a few of them.  Arguably last season's team MVP, he deserves a pat on the back.  Just don't touch Adrian Beltre on his head.

2010 Red Sox In Review

2010 was a year that started out with a lot of promise for Red Sox Nation. After being embarrassingly swept out of the playoffs by the Angels in 2009, the club looked to focus on run prevention for this season, signing free agent P John Lackey as well as several defensive upgrades such as SS Marco Scutaro and 3B Adrian Beltre. However, before the season even began, fans saw a glimpse of the future when OF Mike Cameron aggravated an abdomen injury in spring training. By the time the All Star break rolled around, Boston had six players named, but only two would play as the rest were injured. Beckett, Buchholz, Cameron, Ellsbury, Martinez, Pedroia, Scutaro, Varitek and Youkilis all spent time on the disabled list. It was all Terry Francona could do the keep the Sox playing hard to the very last week, finishing third in the East and playing spoiler to Yankees's hopes of winning the division.

There were highlights throughout the year though, including the All Star selections of P Jon Lester, Beltre, Pedroia, Martinez, Buchholz and of course, DH Davd Ortiz winning the 2010 Home Run Derby bin Anaheim to the boos and taunts of Angels fans and the cheers and support of Torii Hunter. Both Lester and Buchholz had Cy Young worthy years, Buchholz posting a 2.33 ERA and Lester winning 19 games and throwing 225 K's. The MVP of the team was arguably Beltre, who (in a free agent year) hit .321/.533/.365 with 28 HR's and 102 RBI's.

Sox Nation also got a clear look at the young talent in development with all the open rosters spots this year. Daniel Nava, Ryan Kalish and Darnell McDonald all made great debuts this season to the Fenway crowds with great offense, solid defense and an eagerness to make the most of their opportunities.

The season ended on another bittersweet moment for the Nation as it brought the retirement of 3B Mike Lowell. Though the subject of trade rumors for the past two seasons and spending time of the DL this season, when Lowell was activated in August, he played hard, like he always does and seemed like the Lowell of old. ('Lowell' Man River, my friend and I liked to call him.) The 2007 World Series MVP almost hit final AB over the Monster, instead bouncing it high off the wall only hours after the Sox held a special ceremony for him before the game.


All in all, 2010 was an exciting season for the Nation, though the club fell short of the playoffs.  But as winter came and the Hot Stove started to heat up, the Nation looked forward to a new season and new faces.  More on that later...

Not Actually Opening Day...

But it is the first day here at Sox In The Southland. This is a blog for all the Southern California fans of Red Sox Nation and yes, we know that you are out there. You've been spotted sporting Red Sox caps and tees at the beach, at the mall or just walking down the street. Though some people wear OUR colors just to match their outfit, you are quick with a friendly smile and a "Go Sox!" You fans come out en masse for the Sox whenever they are in town, whether it's a three game series in Anaheim, a historical game at the Los Angeles Coliseum or supporting our All Star Sox this past year. Yes, you are a part of Red Sox Nation.

Don't be downtrodden at the verbal arrows and slings that you might endure. As the philosopher Rock once said, "People only hate the best. Ain't nobody booing the Clippers." We here at Sox In The Southland proudly acknowledge that Red Sox fans may get unfairly lumped in with such horrendous fan bases like Raiders fans or Yankees fans, but being a Red Sox fan is a mark of distinction. So, we will be with you all year long, through free agency in the winter, (we didn't do too shabby this year!) spring training, a full 162 game schedule and hopefully, into the playoffs and back to the World Series!

Here's to another awesome season!