I have 6,486 songs in iTunes. This is one of them.
Alan Parsons was a recording engineer and producer who had worked on such albums as the Beatles Abby Road and Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. He began producing his own ideas with the 1976 album Tales of Mystery and Imagination based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. The song The Raven was a hit from this record. In 1977, he produced I Robot loosely based on the Isaac Asimov story. Although he produced another 8 albums, I Robot is probably his best.
In this video, the guy with the beard is Alan Parsons. The other guy is, I guess, a robot. The video features some cutting edge 1977 technology and a vision of the future composed of sterile architecture and concrete.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Package from the Cardboard Junkie
The other day I posted that my Quest for the 1987 Topps set had been thwarted once again when I made a physical count of the cards and found 6 missing. I'd barely made the post when I got emails from dayf (the Cardboard Junkie) and Max (who's already contributed to the Quest) that the 6 cards were on their way. dayf's package got here first. I'm just posting the Jamie Moyer card. I think he is probably the only player featured in this set who is still playing today.
In addition to the 1987 Topps, he sent me some old wax, and I do mean wax, as in cards wrapped in waxed paper. 1990 Donruss! Win Instantly! Although I know many people don't like this set, I've always liked it. Something about the red borders and the confetti strewn background just clicks with me.
The inside of the wrapper gives the rules of the contest. There is a game piece you cut out. If you get both sides of the same game piece, you win. I've got half the Grand Prize game piece on this wrapper. $10,000 and a trip for 4 to the 1991 All-Star Game! Alas, I wasn't an instant winner.
Of the 16 cards in the pack, I didn't have 9 of them. A pretty good ratio considering I have almost 400 cards from the set. I was happy to pull these two cards I didn't have.
And as if that wasn't enough, he set me a collection of Jeff Bagwell cards. I had most of them, except for these two. This card is a 2004 SP Game Used Patch. Apparently, the base cards didn't actually have a patch on them. I didn't have any cards from this set.
And this is a 2005 Upper Deck Trilogy, another set I didn't have any of. Any similarity you see between these two cards is probably just your imagination.
In addition to the 1987 Topps, he sent me some old wax, and I do mean wax, as in cards wrapped in waxed paper. 1990 Donruss! Win Instantly! Although I know many people don't like this set, I've always liked it. Something about the red borders and the confetti strewn background just clicks with me.
The inside of the wrapper gives the rules of the contest. There is a game piece you cut out. If you get both sides of the same game piece, you win. I've got half the Grand Prize game piece on this wrapper. $10,000 and a trip for 4 to the 1991 All-Star Game! Alas, I wasn't an instant winner.Of the 16 cards in the pack, I didn't have 9 of them. A pretty good ratio considering I have almost 400 cards from the set. I was happy to pull these two cards I didn't have.
And as if that wasn't enough, he set me a collection of Jeff Bagwell cards. I had most of them, except for these two. This card is a 2004 SP Game Used Patch. Apparently, the base cards didn't actually have a patch on them. I didn't have any cards from this set.
And this is a 2005 Upper Deck Trilogy, another set I didn't have any of. Any similarity you see between these two cards is probably just your imagination.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
5 ways to reach 1st base
On the Car Talk radio show a few weeks ago, the trivia question was "What are the 5 ways a person can reach first base without hitting the ball?"
I'm not above taking ideas for blog posts from where ever I can find them. My first thought was to illustrate the 5 ways with baseball cards but after looking at over 500 cards, I couldn't a single card which illustrated any of them. So I turned to Google Image.
Hit by Pitch
Craig Biggio setting modern record for HBP with 268 on June 29, 2005
Wild Pitch Strike Out
I had to settle for a clear wild pitch
Catcher's Interference
Being sent in as a pitch runner
According to the caption on this picture, Lou Gehrig made his Yankee debut as a pinch runner on June 15, 1923
I'm not above taking ideas for blog posts from where ever I can find them. My first thought was to illustrate the 5 ways with baseball cards but after looking at over 500 cards, I couldn't a single card which illustrated any of them. So I turned to Google Image.
Base on Balls
Hit by PitchCraig Biggio setting modern record for HBP with 268 on June 29, 2005
Wild Pitch Strike Out
I had to settle for a clear wild pitch
Catcher's Interference
Being sent in as a pitch runner
According to the caption on this picture, Lou Gehrig made his Yankee debut as a pinch runner on June 15, 1923
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Spring Training 2006 - Astros
On our first day in Florida for Spring Training in 2006, we went to see the Astros play the Braves at the Astros refurbished field in Kissimmi. As I mentioned the other day, my buddy Brian and I are both from Philadelphia but he now lives in Atlanta and I live in Houston. So we got to see our adopted teams play each other. The Astros were coming off their World Series year in 2005. The Braves won this game 10-6.
We got to the ball park at about 10:30 AM and had good access to the players as they warmed up and prepared for the game. I got balls signed by Astro's rookies Chris Roberson, Paul Estrada, Jonathan Ash, Charlton Jimerson, and Kody Clemens (Roger's kid). I also got ESPN broadcaster Peter Gammon to sign a ball. The big catch of the day was Lance Berkman. We had to wait for about an hour for him to finish his batting cage work, but he signed for us and about 6 other guys who had waited around. The guy to the right in the yellow shirt was an Astro's security guy who told us if we waited, Lance would sign.
Here's a pretty good shot of Roy Oswalt warming up for the game. My digital camera has a 10X optical zoom which got a good workout on the trip.
Jeff Bagwell was at this camp, his last as a player. He was coming off shoulder surgery and was not expected to play again. He made try at it, but announced his retirement before the season began. So this was my last opportunity to see him play. Here is a picture of the last thing I saw Bagwell do as a professional baseball player. He took a might swing but struck out.
After the game, Brian went to hang out near the Braves bus hoping to get lucky. He managed to get a ball signed by former Dodger great Don Sutton, who now does color on the Braves game broadcasts. I saw this guy and got his picture. He is baseball broadcast legend Milo Hamilton who does Astros games. He's been doing baseball games for over 50 years.
We got to the ball park at about 10:30 AM and had good access to the players as they warmed up and prepared for the game. I got balls signed by Astro's rookies Chris Roberson, Paul Estrada, Jonathan Ash, Charlton Jimerson, and Kody Clemens (Roger's kid). I also got ESPN broadcaster Peter Gammon to sign a ball. The big catch of the day was Lance Berkman. We had to wait for about an hour for him to finish his batting cage work, but he signed for us and about 6 other guys who had waited around. The guy to the right in the yellow shirt was an Astro's security guy who told us if we waited, Lance would sign.
Here's a pretty good shot of Roy Oswalt warming up for the game. My digital camera has a 10X optical zoom which got a good workout on the trip.
Jeff Bagwell was at this camp, his last as a player. He was coming off shoulder surgery and was not expected to play again. He made try at it, but announced his retirement before the season began. So this was my last opportunity to see him play. Here is a picture of the last thing I saw Bagwell do as a professional baseball player. He took a might swing but struck out.
After the game, Brian went to hang out near the Braves bus hoping to get lucky. He managed to get a ball signed by former Dodger great Don Sutton, who now does color on the Braves game broadcasts. I saw this guy and got his picture. He is baseball broadcast legend Milo Hamilton who does Astros games. He's been doing baseball games for over 50 years.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
2004 Topps Cracker Jack Box Break Part 4
Here is the last stack of 7 packs from the box. At the end I'll wrapup what I got compared to what I had. Cards in bold type are cards I didn't already have.
Pack #1
Red Mini #110 Carlos Beltran, Royals
#80 Felix Pie, Cubs
#26 Russ Ortiz, Braves
#41 Roy Oswalt, Astros
#10 Luis Gonzalez, Diamondbacks
#33 Ken Griffey, Jr., Reds
#153 Adrian Beltre, Dodgers
#39 Scott Podsednik, Brewers, landscape
Surprise
Sticker #104 Kevin Brown, Dodgers
Checklist #2
Pack #2
Mini Red #113 Hideo Nomo, Dodgers
#67 CC Sabathia, Indians
#136 Eric Hinske, Blue Jays
#38 Rafael Palmeiro, Orioles
#21 Paul Lo Duca, Dodgers
#15 Bret Boone, Mariners
#12 Connie Mack, Philadelphia A’s
#82 Nady, Padres
Surprise
Sticker #49 Bernie Williams, Yankees
Checklist #1
Pack #3
Blue Mini #224 Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers, Short Print
#32 Jose Lima, Dodgers
#223 Juan Pierre, Marlins, reverse
#64 John Olerud, Mariners
#132 Jae Weong Seo, Mets
#55 Richard Hobitzel, Red Sox
#237 Alfonso Soriano, Rangers, reverse
#160 Jamie Moyer, Mariners
Surprise
Sticker #76 Nomar Garciapara, Red Sox
Pack #4
Mini Red #133 Branch Rickey, Browns
#163 Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks
#154 Shannon Stewart, Twins
#3 Albert Pujols, Cardinals
#178 Edwin Jackson, Dodgers
#142 Mike Sweeney, Royals
#75 Runelvys Hernandez, Royals
#207 Jeff Allison, Marlins
Surprise
Sticker #226 Miguel Cabrera, Marlins
Checklist #1
Pack #5
Mini Red #209 Lastings Milledge, Mets Short Print
#16 Travis Lee, Devil Rays
#146 Eric Munson, Tigers
#158 Sidney Ponson, Orioles
#62 Jason Phillips, Mets
#115 Cory Koskie, Twins
#79 Paul Konerko, White Sox
#107 Moises Alou, Cubs
Surprise
Sticker #25 Jim Thome, Phillies
Checklist #2
Pack #6
Mini Red #34 Ramon Hernandez, Padres
#22 Geoff Jenkins, Brewers
#143 Wade Miller, Astros
#138 Roberto Alomar, Diamondbacks
#31 Jeff Bagwell, Astros
#83 Joel Pineiro, Mariners
#58 Larry Walker, Rockies
#116 Kevin Millwood, Phillies
Surprise
Sticker #116 Kevin Millwood, Phillies
Checklist #1
Pack #7
Mini Red #5 Bobby Abreu, Phillies
#229 Jason Giambi, Yankees Short Print
#59 Brian Jordan, Rangers
#27 Bill Mueller, Red Sox
#187 Ryan Harvey, Cubs, reverse
#85 Manny Ramirez, Red Sox
#54 Colon, Angels, reverse
#135 Ryan Klesko, Padres
Surprise
Sticker #86 Bert Shotten
Take Me Out To The Ball Game Jersey Todd Helton
Wrap up
I increased the number of base cards I had from 163 to 200, which means I got a lot of duplicates. I did get a few of the short prints I didn't have, like the Pie #80 and the Giambi. I need 51 cards to complete the base set (including short prints and variation cards). I only need 37 however, to have every player in the set (counting the minis and the stickers). I'm kind of disappointed that I've only got 4/5's of the set in two boxes.
The box had 17 Red Minis. I had 20 different ones, now I have 31. So there were 6 duplicates (if I did the math right). It would be pretty hard to complete a Red Mini set by buying boxes.
i had 3 Blue Minis before and got 3 more, no duplicates. One of the was a good pull, the short print Ivan Rodriguez. These are supposed to be inserted 1 in 10. I did a bit better than that for the two boxes at 1 in 6.66 packs. The short print Blue Minis are 1 in 60.
I had 22 different sticker cards from the first box. Now I have 39 different stickers, with only 2 duplicates. These are approximately 1 per pack.
I got two hits in the box, the Nomo 1-2-3 Strikes Your Out relic, and the Helton Take Me Out To The Ball Game Relic. In the first box I also got two hits, both of them were the Take Me Out To The Ball Game Relics.
I also have a Secret Surprise Auto (Cliff Floyd) that I bought off the Internet.
Pack #1
Red Mini #110 Carlos Beltran, Royals
#80 Felix Pie, Cubs
#26 Russ Ortiz, Braves#41 Roy Oswalt, Astros
#10 Luis Gonzalez, Diamondbacks#33 Ken Griffey, Jr., Reds
#153 Adrian Beltre, Dodgers#39 Scott Podsednik, Brewers, landscape
Surprise
Sticker #104 Kevin Brown, Dodgers
Checklist #2
Pack #2
Mini Red #113 Hideo Nomo, Dodgers
#67 CC Sabathia, Indians#136 Eric Hinske, Blue Jays
#38 Rafael Palmeiro, Orioles
#21 Paul Lo Duca, Dodgers
#15 Bret Boone, Mariners
#12 Connie Mack, Philadelphia A’s
#82 Nady, PadresSurprise
Sticker #49 Bernie Williams, Yankees
Checklist #1
Pack #3
Blue Mini #224 Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers, Short Print
#32 Jose Lima, Dodgers#223 Juan Pierre, Marlins, reverse
#64 John Olerud, Mariners
#132 Jae Weong Seo, Mets
#55 Richard Hobitzel, Red Sox
#237 Alfonso Soriano, Rangers, reverse
#160 Jamie Moyer, Mariners
SurpriseSticker #76 Nomar Garciapara, Red Sox
Pack #4
Mini Red #133 Branch Rickey, Browns
#163 Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks
#154 Shannon Stewart, Twins
#3 Albert Pujols, Cardinals
#178 Edwin Jackson, Dodgers#142 Mike Sweeney, Royals
#75 Runelvys Hernandez, Royals
#207 Jeff Allison, Marlins
Surprise
Sticker #226 Miguel Cabrera, Marlins
Checklist #1
Pack #5
Mini Red #209 Lastings Milledge, Mets Short Print
#16 Travis Lee, Devil Rays#146 Eric Munson, Tigers
#158 Sidney Ponson, Orioles
#62 Jason Phillips, Mets
#115 Cory Koskie, Twins
#79 Paul Konerko, White Sox
#107 Moises Alou, Cubs
Surprise
Sticker #25 Jim Thome, Phillies
Checklist #2
Pack #6
Mini Red #34 Ramon Hernandez, Padres
#22 Geoff Jenkins, Brewers
#143 Wade Miller, Astros
#138 Roberto Alomar, Diamondbacks
#31 Jeff Bagwell, Astros
#83 Joel Pineiro, Mariners#58 Larry Walker, Rockies
#116 Kevin Millwood, Phillies
Surprise
Sticker #116 Kevin Millwood, Phillies
Checklist #1
Pack #7
Mini Red #5 Bobby Abreu, Phillies
#229 Jason Giambi, Yankees Short Print
#59 Brian Jordan, Rangers#27 Bill Mueller, Red Sox
#187 Ryan Harvey, Cubs, reverse
#85 Manny Ramirez, Red Sox
#54 Colon, Angels, reverse
#135 Ryan Klesko, Padres
Surprise
Sticker #86 Bert Shotten
Take Me Out To The Ball Game Jersey Todd Helton
Wrap up
I increased the number of base cards I had from 163 to 200, which means I got a lot of duplicates. I did get a few of the short prints I didn't have, like the Pie #80 and the Giambi. I need 51 cards to complete the base set (including short prints and variation cards). I only need 37 however, to have every player in the set (counting the minis and the stickers). I'm kind of disappointed that I've only got 4/5's of the set in two boxes.
The box had 17 Red Minis. I had 20 different ones, now I have 31. So there were 6 duplicates (if I did the math right). It would be pretty hard to complete a Red Mini set by buying boxes.
i had 3 Blue Minis before and got 3 more, no duplicates. One of the was a good pull, the short print Ivan Rodriguez. These are supposed to be inserted 1 in 10. I did a bit better than that for the two boxes at 1 in 6.66 packs. The short print Blue Minis are 1 in 60.
I had 22 different sticker cards from the first box. Now I have 39 different stickers, with only 2 duplicates. These are approximately 1 per pack.
I got two hits in the box, the Nomo 1-2-3 Strikes Your Out relic, and the Helton Take Me Out To The Ball Game Relic. In the first box I also got two hits, both of them were the Take Me Out To The Ball Game Relics.
I also have a Secret Surprise Auto (Cliff Floyd) that I bought off the Internet.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Mike Schmidt - 1981
One of my goals for the blog this year to is to post all my Mike Schmidt cards, one year for each post. I got through 1980 last year. Since I have Schmidt cards for almost every year from 1981 to the present I'd better get cracking. With the advent of Fleer and Donruss into the baseball card mix in 1981, there are more cards to show for each year. Up through 1980, there was 2-3 cards per year.
1981 was shaping up to be another good year for Schmidt and the Phillies and then the strike happened. The Phillies were 34-21 and in 1st place in the NL East when the strike started. They finished the second half with a record of 25-27 with the Expos winning the 2nd half of the season. The Lords of Baseball decreed that there be a playoff between the winners of the two halves. The Phillies lost this playoff series to the Expos 3-2.
Schmidt finished the season with 31 home runs, 91 rbis and a batting average of .316. Projected over a full season this would have been at least as good of a season for him as 1980. He also won the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards and was named the National League MVP. Here are his cards for 1981.
Donruss #11
Donruss #590
Fleer #5
Fleer #640
Fleer #645. Fleer will call cards like this featuring multiple players "Superstar Specials" in later years.
Topps #2. 1980 Home Run Leaders. Schmidt had 48. Jackson and Oglivie each had 41.
Topps #3. 1980 RBI leaders. Schmidt had 121 and Cooper (currently the Astro's manager) had 122.
Topps #206. Schmidt set a new record for 3rd basemen with his 48 HR, breaking Eddie Matthews record set with the Milwaukee Braves in 1953. Schmidt's 48th of the season came in the next to last game of the season in the 11th inning of the game winning the game that won the Phillies the 1980 NL East Pennant.
Topps #540. 1980 was Mike's 5th (of 12) All-Star Games
Topps Coke #9. These cards were available in the Philadelphia area and were mostly identical to the 1981 Topps cards (the Schmidt card has the All-Star game banner removed). There was also a card featuring Phillies manager Dallas Green which wasn't in the regular Topps set.
Topps Stickers #254. A recent addition to my collection thanks for Max. The All-Star stickers had a gold foil background.
1981 was shaping up to be another good year for Schmidt and the Phillies and then the strike happened. The Phillies were 34-21 and in 1st place in the NL East when the strike started. They finished the second half with a record of 25-27 with the Expos winning the 2nd half of the season. The Lords of Baseball decreed that there be a playoff between the winners of the two halves. The Phillies lost this playoff series to the Expos 3-2.
Schmidt finished the season with 31 home runs, 91 rbis and a batting average of .316. Projected over a full season this would have been at least as good of a season for him as 1980. He also won the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards and was named the National League MVP. Here are his cards for 1981.
Donruss #11
Donruss #590
Fleer #5
Fleer #640
Fleer #645. Fleer will call cards like this featuring multiple players "Superstar Specials" in later years.
Topps #2. 1980 Home Run Leaders. Schmidt had 48. Jackson and Oglivie each had 41.
Topps #3. 1980 RBI leaders. Schmidt had 121 and Cooper (currently the Astro's manager) had 122.
Topps #206. Schmidt set a new record for 3rd basemen with his 48 HR, breaking Eddie Matthews record set with the Milwaukee Braves in 1953. Schmidt's 48th of the season came in the next to last game of the season in the 11th inning of the game winning the game that won the Phillies the 1980 NL East Pennant.
Topps #540. 1980 was Mike's 5th (of 12) All-Star Games
Topps Coke #9. These cards were available in the Philadelphia area and were mostly identical to the 1981 Topps cards (the Schmidt card has the All-Star game banner removed). There was also a card featuring Phillies manager Dallas Green which wasn't in the regular Topps set.
Topps Stickers #254. A recent addition to my collection thanks for Max. The All-Star stickers had a gold foil background.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Song of the Week - This Photograph Is Proof (I Know You Know) by Taking Back Sunday
I have 6,486 songs in iTunes. This is one of them.
From the soundtrack of Spiderman 2. I don't know anything about this band and I'm too lazy to look them up, but I really like this song.
From the soundtrack of Spiderman 2. I don't know anything about this band and I'm too lazy to look them up, but I really like this song.
Well, I'll wait till you listen
I won't say a word
to follow your instincts
just never worked for me
your silent but strong, (yeah, I'm playing that card)
and your noticing nothing again
Now I'm lying on the table
with everything you said
keeping mind the way that it felt
when the most I could do was to just blame myself
(yeah, I'm playing that card)
when the most I could do was to just blame myself
and I know you know, everything
I know you didn't mean it
I know you didn't mean it
I know you know, everything (drop everything)
I know you didn't mean it (start it all over)
I know you didn't mean it (remember more then youd like to forget)
So, we're talking forever
and you almost feel better
but, betters no excuse for tonight
you see, it's never been enough
just to leave all you gave up
but, its never good enough to feel right
Now I'm lying on the table
with everything you said
it will all catch up eventually
well, it caught up and honestly
the weight of my decisions
were impossible to hold
today we'll never know
today we'll never know
Well I, know you know, everything
I know you didnt mean it
I know you didnt mean it
I know you know, everything (drop everything)
I know you didn't mean it (start it all over)
I know you didn't meant it (remember more then you'd like to forget)
Drop everything, start it all over
remember more then you'd like to forget [x2]
Would you like to forget
would you like to forget
drop everything, start it all over
well, drop everything start it all over (would you like to forget)
drop everything start it all over
start it all...
Well I, know you know, everything
I know you didn't mean it
I know you didn't mean it
I know you know, everything (drop everything)
I know you didn't mean it (start it all over)
I know you didn't meant it (remember more then you'd like to forget)
I know you know
I know you know...you know, you know, you know...
I won't say a word
to follow your instincts
just never worked for me
your silent but strong, (yeah, I'm playing that card)
and your noticing nothing again
Now I'm lying on the table
with everything you said
keeping mind the way that it felt
when the most I could do was to just blame myself
(yeah, I'm playing that card)
when the most I could do was to just blame myself
and I know you know, everything
I know you didn't mean it
I know you didn't mean it
I know you know, everything (drop everything)
I know you didn't mean it (start it all over)
I know you didn't mean it (remember more then youd like to forget)
So, we're talking forever
and you almost feel better
but, betters no excuse for tonight
you see, it's never been enough
just to leave all you gave up
but, its never good enough to feel right
Now I'm lying on the table
with everything you said
it will all catch up eventually
well, it caught up and honestly
the weight of my decisions
were impossible to hold
today we'll never know
today we'll never know
Well I, know you know, everything
I know you didnt mean it
I know you didnt mean it
I know you know, everything (drop everything)
I know you didn't mean it (start it all over)
I know you didn't meant it (remember more then you'd like to forget)
Drop everything, start it all over
remember more then you'd like to forget [x2]
Would you like to forget
would you like to forget
drop everything, start it all over
well, drop everything start it all over (would you like to forget)
drop everything start it all over
start it all...
Well I, know you know, everything
I know you didn't mean it
I know you didn't mean it
I know you know, everything (drop everything)
I know you didn't mean it (start it all over)
I know you didn't meant it (remember more then you'd like to forget)
I know you know
I know you know...you know, you know, you know...
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