That's My Boo: TTM from Down South

First, don't forget the Garfoose giveaway celebrating Blue's arrival over here. There are a few days left!

I've been saving this one for awhile, a ttm from Mr. Boo Ferriss. I watched for '49 Ferriss cards on ebay for a few months, but they were all prohibitively expensive. Then an internet search turned up this card and a several other fairly priced cards at Old Vintage Cards, so I pulled the trigger.

For those of you unfamiliar with Boo Ferriss, his first two years in the majors (1945 and '46) were perhaps the strongest start ever by a pitcher as he compiled a 46-16 record. That's NOT a typo, I said 46-16. He was an AS, an MVP candidate, even a solid hitter, but then a "shoulder twinge" essentially ended his playing days. Just like that, it was over. 

In his book (a good read), Ferriss states that an MRI he had later in life revealed he had a torn labrum. In other words, 1940s medical technology couldn't help what today is a routine injury. Not that the injury dampened his career in baseball or his life. On the contrary, Mr. Ferriss went on to become a legendary collegiate coach at Delta State University in Mississippi, and in the intro to Ferriss's book Delta State alum John Grisham (yes, THAT John Grisham) details how Ferriss "kindly" cut him from the Delta State baseball team long, long ago.

Mr. Ferriss is a prolific writer and responded to my questions. His love of the game at all levels comes through in his correspondence.

Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Don't Forget the Contest!

If you haven't left a comment over here, go do so! (You don't have to be a parent to participate!)

The BIG Announcement and Garfoose Giveaway

I've hinted at it in emails but here it goes: the compa is 12 weeks pregnant! We refer to the little guy/gal as "Blueberry" in homage to Vida Blue (OK, maybe not really), and Blue's expected date of arrival is mid-September.

So, if I owe you a trade package that I haven't sent PLEASE check in. I'm increasingly excited/forgetful owing to the news, so it's nothing personal.

Anyway, I grabbed this to celebrate:

Being a literary sort, I thought a customized, signed, and Garfoosed copy of Out of My League would be an appropriate way to bring Blue into the world. If you aren't familiar with Dirk Hayhurst or his literary endeavors, I suggest you check them out. The above, The Bullpen Gospels, and the "cut chapters" from these, Wild Pitches, are well worth the read. His website and blog are also pretty cool. Seriously, literature and baseball together, what more could Blue want?

Well, as part of the auction I won I received these:

On left we have a signed A&G with Hayhurst dressed as the Garfoose, on the left a signed promo card for the book. I'll be giving these (and other cool things) away to celebrate! 

So, I'll have to get a judge but: to enter the first "Here Comes Blue Contest," leave a comment in the comments section and tell me your best advice for new fathers/mothers. It can be serious, it can be funny, whatever you like. Promote it on Twitter/your blogs, whatever you are cool with. Contest closes in one week.

The winner (whomever the judge selects!) gets his/her pick of the cards above. The other is then a prize in the next "Here Comes Blue Contest"!

Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are! 

(Sadly, "Pumpsie Green" has already been eliminated from the pool of potential names)

Ebay Shenanigans: Ladies and Gents, It's a Draw

First, keep your eyes peeled for the BIG announcement tomorrow. There will be contests and prizes, and much coolness.

As for the ebay saga: I heard nothing from the buyer for three days. Not the promised pictures, not another message, nothing. But then when I woke up this morning there was a "buyer protection claim" filed against me. So I said, "F#$@ that," escalated the thing to customer service and went to work. The advertised response time was 72 hours, but this thing was solved in 4, specifically via an email that stated 1) ebay granted the buyer a FULL refund 2) ebay said NO ONE was at fault and 3) ebay said I did not have to reimburse the ebay or the buyer.

Of course, the buyer left negative feedback the moment I escalated it, but whatever. I'm glad I'll get no more messages like this:

hi i messaged you last week and i know ypu said i paid on the 7th and that this was shipped but now its the 21st and i still havent recieved the item ,?? its been two solid weeks ,you have to be kidding me.That is just ridiculous .

Again, I feel the frustration, but you've got to be kidding ME. The package was shipped the 11th, at that point it was the final day of the ebay-estimated delivery window, and the tracking number says it was misrouted. Wtf can I do once I've shipped it?!

Anyway, the resolution isn't terribly intellectually satisfying, but there it is none the less. I'm grateful it was resolved (and fairly with regard to yours truly, that's a win!), but on the other side of the coin this is rewarding bad behavior. I mean, what is that?

Ebay shenanigans at their finest.

Topps Rookie AS Project: 1970-73

Somehow I seem to have skipped 65-69, but I'll fix that soon. In the meantime, enjoy the early-70s!

1970 Mike Nagy

 1971 Bernie Carbo (post here)

 1972 Bill Buckner

 1973 Jack Brohamer (post here)

Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Need a 2012 Topps Hellickson...

the one from the flagship with the Topps AS Rookie cup. I'll also take any cards of Rays prospects you have around. I'm going to spring training as a last hurrah before a big change.

Anyway, drop me a line if you have a spare Hellboy!

He's my brother and all: TTM from the O'Briens

While I was researching 1953 Pirates to send ttms to I came across Eddie and Johnny O'Brien. Other than being the first twins to play in an MLB game for the same team in the same game, the two also managed to lead their university basketball squad to a victory over the Harlem Globetrotters in 1952.  That's a pretty awesome feat in itself.

I remember the 2003 Heritage set had a Joe/Jake Mauer card, and I'm guessing it was based on this one. In addition to the '53, I sent this fellow to tag along. There's a lot that's cool here: twins, a double-play combo, the old-school Pirate, the double sigs, the long, looping "E" in "Ed."

It was my first "double auto," and thanks to Mssrs. O'Brien it turned out really well. Thank you, sirs!

Hava a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!