An auction on Father's Day in Chippewa Falls caught my eye. The bill in the paper said simply "1929 Cubs Program". I inquired a little more about it and found out they had pictures available online. So I checked them out--it was slightly more than just a Cubs program. It was a 1929 Cubs World Series program. Judging by the picture, it appeared as though you could shave with the pages. Absolutely gem mint. But wait, there's more! As part of the lot, also included was a ticket stub to game 2 of the World Series in Wrigley!
I contemplated what my absentee bid would be, as I just didn't really have the time to go to the auction in person. After changing my mind three times, I finally settled on $150. I found out that there were two other absentee bids, and of those mine was the highest. This I figured was a very good sign. I was hopeful that this being a local auction with a less-than-stellar write up in the auction bill that I had an excellent chance of winning the item if I beat out other absentee bids. Well, I was wrong. It ended up going to a bidder at the auction for $195. But wait, there's more: upon opening the program that morning, the auctioneer noticed a black and white photograph. It was a team photograph of the Cubs. Signed.
Wow.
Since I'm not that big of a Cubs fan, my thought was to buy this and then consign it to a major auction house where it would get proper attention of the collectibles world. Even without the picture, I figured it would draw at minimum $1500. I would then use the proceeds to purchase a Henry Aaron 1952 Eau Claire ball I've had my eyes on for a while. But I'm hopeful that was bad karma and the item got in the hands of a true Cubs collector who will cherish it.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Nevin Ashley
Congratulations to Express catcher Nevin Ashley on being selected on 6-6-06, in the Sixth Round, by, of course, the Devil Rays.
I didn't know a whole lot about him when I first saw him play Saturday night, but I was impressed enough that evening to do some digging about him. Still, I don't think even he would have projected himself to go in the 6th round. I was hoping the catching-depleted Brewer system would take a shot at him somewhere in the 10-13 rounds.
I e-mail the Express and asked if they could get a baseball signed by Nevin for me with the inscription "6th round, 6-6-06, Devil Rays". It would immediately shoot to the top of my favorite autographed baseball list!
The Express bats were once again silent last night and they were shut out by Madison, 3-0. Honestly, it could have been a lot worse. I'm very impressed with the Mallards all around. Bond at short has soft hands and a decent arm. The entire team seemed to be able to put a sting into the ball. Message boards say they have been "lucky" so far, but this team is not far off from being dominating. Plus they have GREAT uniforms and what appears to be a loyal fan base. If we didn't have the Express, I'm sure I'd be rooting hard for them!
I didn't know a whole lot about him when I first saw him play Saturday night, but I was impressed enough that evening to do some digging about him. Still, I don't think even he would have projected himself to go in the 6th round. I was hoping the catching-depleted Brewer system would take a shot at him somewhere in the 10-13 rounds.
I e-mail the Express and asked if they could get a baseball signed by Nevin for me with the inscription "6th round, 6-6-06, Devil Rays". It would immediately shoot to the top of my favorite autographed baseball list!
The Express bats were once again silent last night and they were shut out by Madison, 3-0. Honestly, it could have been a lot worse. I'm very impressed with the Mallards all around. Bond at short has soft hands and a decent arm. The entire team seemed to be able to put a sting into the ball. Message boards say they have been "lucky" so far, but this team is not far off from being dominating. Plus they have GREAT uniforms and what appears to be a loyal fan base. If we didn't have the Express, I'm sure I'd be rooting hard for them!
Monday, June 05, 2006
Happy Anniversary!
Though my wife will probably never, ever read this, just in case you stumble on it sometime, Shelley, I want to wish you a happy anniversary today! It's been a wonderful 13 years and you are still my dream come true.
Express Opener
Thanks to my wonderful employer, RCU, I was given some great seats for the EC Express home opener on Saturday night. Not that there are a whole lot of bad seats in Carson Park (except for the "Fan Deck", which seems like a complete waste if you are truly in to baseball as you will spend half the game staring at the sun and the other half trying to get the sun spots out of your eyes). These were in the third row, just to the third base side of home plate. My season tickets are GA, and I usually sit on the first base side of the grandstand, maybe the equivalent of 15 "rows" back. Although I was disappointed in the wait staff (we were never approached to order anything--last year when I was given seats by the President/CEO of RCU the wait staff was there every other inning it seemed. Granted, more people for opening night, but still--not once??), the treat was the game itself. Jon Bjelland was lights out, with 14 punchouts in eight innings. The eighth was a little dicey, as a clearly spent Bjelland walked the bases loaded. According to the paper, he yelled something at the dugout to the effect that he wanted to stay in, and Coach Varsho obliged. The hitter smashed a grounder to third that Hollick handled cleanly to preserve the lead. It seems to me that Varsho has an extremely long leash with his starters. I don't think I would have let Bjelland more than two base runners in the eight. The strategy backfired the night before as Wausau tacked on four or five runs to take a late lead. It almost seems like the starter might be set up to fail a bit (pitch until you are completely out of gas), but Varsho knows his players and I guess as long as the players buy in to the philosophy then it's okay.
I didn't go to Sunday's game and am skipping tonight as well. Hope to be back in the park for the second game against Madison on Tuesday night.
I didn't go to Sunday's game and am skipping tonight as well. Hope to be back in the park for the second game against Madison on Tuesday night.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Rochester
Almost forgot to update on the first Gold Rush of the season in Rochester last Saturday (May 13). It was a miserable, dreary day and that meant probably 90% of the outdoor vendors weren't there. One that was, though, was clearly insane anyway so what did it matter they were outside in the slop? He had a couple of bats. The first, he proclaimed, was a game used Harmon Killebrew bat. Sure, it was a 125 H&B (or was it LS? I can't remember). However, the bat length was carved in the bottom of the handle--the surefire sign a bat isn't a gamer. He wanted $300 for that one, I think. Then he had a similar Roberto Clemente "game used" bat. This thing had electrical tape on it, for goodness sake! The length again was carved in the bottom. This one had a price of "ask". I would have LOVED to explained while "asking" that they have these little things called "retail stores" where people can spend their hard earned money and buy stuff they like. One of the offerings at these "retail stores" are bats, and some of them have player names on them.
I did pick up a couple of nice catcher's mitts, though I guess they are both common. One is a Clint Courtney in great shape. I've never really seen a glove with the guy's nickname on it. It's printed right on the heel of the mitt--Scrap Iron Courtney. This is in addition to the normal endorsement. I thought it was pretty cool, anyway. The second one was a buckle back with the buckle, and the entire glove, in wonderful shape. The endorsement was a little hard to read due to some fading, but I did figure it out to be HOFer Gabby Hartnett. It's a beauty. A couple of nice ladies had a ton of newer baseball stuff, and I bought a Brewer plastic batting helmet as well as four newer gloves in tremendous shape. No, they probably aren't what you would call rare, but they are looking great with no markings on them. Randy Johnson, Barry Larkin, one other player (I want to say a Nolan Ryan lefty in amazing shape), and a Rochester Honkers "glove day" giveaway for $5 each. I also bought a Tony the Tiger baseball from them for $1. Shelley always gives me grief because we see them all the time at flea markets for $10-20. I got one when she and I were first dating and we played with it to the point that it mushed beyond recognition. Well, now she can't let me have it any more as it was a good deal and we HAVE one now.
That was about it. I went only because I thought one of the people who exhibits at the St. Paul show was going to be there. I found out after I got home from St. Paul that a couple of cards I passed up on are extremely rare and probably worth 20 times the $10 each he had on them. Hopefully I'll be able to pick them up in the near future, but I have a feeling it isn't going to happen.
I did pick up a couple of nice catcher's mitts, though I guess they are both common. One is a Clint Courtney in great shape. I've never really seen a glove with the guy's nickname on it. It's printed right on the heel of the mitt--Scrap Iron Courtney. This is in addition to the normal endorsement. I thought it was pretty cool, anyway. The second one was a buckle back with the buckle, and the entire glove, in wonderful shape. The endorsement was a little hard to read due to some fading, but I did figure it out to be HOFer Gabby Hartnett. It's a beauty. A couple of nice ladies had a ton of newer baseball stuff, and I bought a Brewer plastic batting helmet as well as four newer gloves in tremendous shape. No, they probably aren't what you would call rare, but they are looking great with no markings on them. Randy Johnson, Barry Larkin, one other player (I want to say a Nolan Ryan lefty in amazing shape), and a Rochester Honkers "glove day" giveaway for $5 each. I also bought a Tony the Tiger baseball from them for $1. Shelley always gives me grief because we see them all the time at flea markets for $10-20. I got one when she and I were first dating and we played with it to the point that it mushed beyond recognition. Well, now she can't let me have it any more as it was a good deal and we HAVE one now.
That was about it. I went only because I thought one of the people who exhibits at the St. Paul show was going to be there. I found out after I got home from St. Paul that a couple of cards I passed up on are extremely rare and probably worth 20 times the $10 each he had on them. Hopefully I'll be able to pick them up in the near future, but I have a feeling it isn't going to happen.
Uncle Jason
On Sunday night, my brother called. Now, I love my brother and we're best of friends, but dang--it was Survivor Finale time! He left a message and I figured on calling him back Monday night since I don't like using the phone past 8 or 9 at night (though I forgot about softball). So, I'm out playing softball and he calls again and talks to Shelley. I get home around 10:00 and Shelley says I need to call Travis. It turns out he has some news for me. I'm going to be a "blood uncle", as he called it. That's really cool news. I figured they would try and have kids relatively soon after they got married, and they were successful! I'm very happy for them, and hope I can help out any way I can.
Speaking of children, we started Andrew and Camryn in a new daycare yesterday. However, today was the first "normal" day as Shelley and I rode together and dropped the kids off. I wasn't expecting the level of difficulty. Andrew is so painfully shy that he was really getting nervous about the whole situation. They have always been taken care of in a private home, so going to an official daycare is a new experience for them. I think once the shyness starts to wear off they will both have a great time there. I hope so, anyway.
Speaking of children, we started Andrew and Camryn in a new daycare yesterday. However, today was the first "normal" day as Shelley and I rode together and dropped the kids off. I wasn't expecting the level of difficulty. Andrew is so painfully shy that he was really getting nervous about the whole situation. They have always been taken care of in a private home, so going to an official daycare is a new experience for them. I think once the shyness starts to wear off they will both have a great time there. I hope so, anyway.
Softball Begins
Last night, the Valley Blues co ed softball team debuted the 2006 version of badness with a loss to a new team, 22-6. Seriously, though, it's not that bad. I think for the most part we have a great time playing, and that's the most important thing. It's not like any of us are looking to be drafted into some sort of Professional slowpitch league or anything like that. The point is to have fun, and if that is the measuring stick we have had a very successful run.
Personally, I played left field for the first time since breaking my finger out there in the first game three years ago. After I got back from that break, I played first base for a game or two. I sat out in 2004 in protest to me being let go by Blue Cross, then last season I was at first for all of the games. I was rusty out there, to say the least. Anything that hit the ground I tended to bobble, too, which was really, really weird. I've lost my nerve maybe. There were a couple of flys I could have taken a dive for but didn't--one cost me as it resulted in me taking a poor angle and since I didn't dive the ball skipped all the way to the fence. Maybe it just took a game to get my bearings and I'll be back at it next time. Batting, I saw one pitch. I popped it up but got my typical doink hit because outfielders seem to think I have power. Tom walked me to third and I scored the first run of the season on a ground out to the pitcher. After that, I offered a new guy that had come to the game late the chance to play. I could have went out there again, but why not let this guy get some playing time.
Personally, I played left field for the first time since breaking my finger out there in the first game three years ago. After I got back from that break, I played first base for a game or two. I sat out in 2004 in protest to me being let go by Blue Cross, then last season I was at first for all of the games. I was rusty out there, to say the least. Anything that hit the ground I tended to bobble, too, which was really, really weird. I've lost my nerve maybe. There were a couple of flys I could have taken a dive for but didn't--one cost me as it resulted in me taking a poor angle and since I didn't dive the ball skipped all the way to the fence. Maybe it just took a game to get my bearings and I'll be back at it next time. Batting, I saw one pitch. I popped it up but got my typical doink hit because outfielders seem to think I have power. Tom walked me to third and I scored the first run of the season on a ground out to the pitcher. After that, I offered a new guy that had come to the game late the chance to play. I could have went out there again, but why not let this guy get some playing time.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Bill Hall Thread
Brewerfan.net, the best source of Brewers information on the major and minor league level, has a thread about Bill Hall. It has morphed into one of the funniest threads I have read in a long time. It is based on the "Chuck Norris" jokes. You know, like "Chuck Norris can't be shot. Bullets stop and sidestep him to show respect." I was reading at work and had to stop because I had too many "fake cough to cover laughter" moments.
Linkage: http://p092.ezboard.com/fbrewersfandemoniumfrm3.showMessage?topicID=11691.topic
Linkage: http://p092.ezboard.com/fbrewersfandemoniumfrm3.showMessage?topicID=11691.topic
1911 and 1912 Updates
I'm happy to report that the 1911 Eau Claire season stats are complete, so anyone who reads this (there's anyone who reads this) and is interested can just drop me an e-mail and I will share them.
I have begun working on 1912, the season that was shortened to 41 games due to finances. I tell you, I think the newspapers (at least the Eau Claire paper) might have had something to do with the general lack of interest in the team. It was amazing how little the team was covered in 1912 as compared to 1911, which was the year after they captured the championship. In fact, I needed to go to other newspapers just to get full box scores on a handful of the the games. And sadly, one of the box scores just doesn't appear to exist. I've gotten some advice from minor league research experts that I should go ahead and compile as best I can, so that's what I'll do. But still, to me it's like being one card short of having a complete baseball card set, and still calling it a complete set.
I think I'll go ahead and try to compile the stats from 1909 and 1910 as well, even though they already apparently exist somewhere. They may exist in some form, but I would like to go through it anyway to see if there are some "one game wonders" out there. I'll try 1906 as well, but I'm thinking the box scores might be fairly limited. 1886 and 87? Love to, but I doubt I have enough info.
I have begun working on 1912, the season that was shortened to 41 games due to finances. I tell you, I think the newspapers (at least the Eau Claire paper) might have had something to do with the general lack of interest in the team. It was amazing how little the team was covered in 1912 as compared to 1911, which was the year after they captured the championship. In fact, I needed to go to other newspapers just to get full box scores on a handful of the the games. And sadly, one of the box scores just doesn't appear to exist. I've gotten some advice from minor league research experts that I should go ahead and compile as best I can, so that's what I'll do. But still, to me it's like being one card short of having a complete baseball card set, and still calling it a complete set.
I think I'll go ahead and try to compile the stats from 1909 and 1910 as well, even though they already apparently exist somewhere. They may exist in some form, but I would like to go through it anyway to see if there are some "one game wonders" out there. I'll try 1906 as well, but I'm thinking the box scores might be fairly limited. 1886 and 87? Love to, but I doubt I have enough info.
Jim Delsing
Jim Delsing, former Eau Claire Bear and major league ballplayer died of cancer last week at the age of 80 in his home in Chesterfield, MO.
Born and raised in Rudolph, WI, Delsing is probably most famous for his role in one of the most bizarre moments in modern baseball history. He pinch ran for Eddie Gaedel, the midget who walked on four pitches from the Tigers' Bob Cain in 1951. He was also a fantastic outfielder and steady hitter. He smashed the ball at a .377 clip for Eau Claire in 1946--one of the highest averages in Eau Claire's Northern League history. The minor league Milwaukee Brewers called him up at the end of July, and by 1948 he was in the majors.
One of the nicer guys I've had the pleasure of interviewing. I was hoping to bring him up this summer for the Cavaliers' "Old Timers" night, but he had a fishing trip to Canada already planned.
Jim's son, Jay, is a professional golfer. One of his grandsons, Taylor Twellman, was the MVP in Major League Soccer last year.
My deepest condolences to all of Mr. Delsing's family and friends.
Born and raised in Rudolph, WI, Delsing is probably most famous for his role in one of the most bizarre moments in modern baseball history. He pinch ran for Eddie Gaedel, the midget who walked on four pitches from the Tigers' Bob Cain in 1951. He was also a fantastic outfielder and steady hitter. He smashed the ball at a .377 clip for Eau Claire in 1946--one of the highest averages in Eau Claire's Northern League history. The minor league Milwaukee Brewers called him up at the end of July, and by 1948 he was in the majors.
One of the nicer guys I've had the pleasure of interviewing. I was hoping to bring him up this summer for the Cavaliers' "Old Timers" night, but he had a fishing trip to Canada already planned.
Jim's son, Jay, is a professional golfer. One of his grandsons, Taylor Twellman, was the MVP in Major League Soccer last year.
My deepest condolences to all of Mr. Delsing's family and friends.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
AJ a Packer
Although a Vernon Davis would have been a popular pick, the Packers selection of AJ Hawk is exactly what they needed. AJ will be a nice impact player on defense, though I guess I could argue that they wouldn't have needed Hawk had they been able to sign Arrington. Nonetheless, I'm very happy with Hawk and look forward to him teaming with Barnett to form a good young linebacking corps.
In the second round, I'd like to see the Packers go for guard, with my preference being Taitusi Lutui of USC. Might be a bit of a reach, but he's a solid player and would be an immediate upgrade. Rumor was earlier today the Broncos would send the Packers a second rounder for Walker. As long as it was pick 37, I think I would have done that deal. I'd like to get a WR, but maybe a decent deep threat would be available in round 3.
Meanwhile, the Brewers are up 10-0 with six homers. And it's my daughter's fourth birthday. It's been a great day!
I'd also like to see if Calhoun lasts until the fourth if the Packers would take a flyer on him. He's got Westbrook-like potential, but may need some time to develop. My hunch is that TT will be trading a mid round pick somewhere to get more late rounders. We'll see.
In the second round, I'd like to see the Packers go for guard, with my preference being Taitusi Lutui of USC. Might be a bit of a reach, but he's a solid player and would be an immediate upgrade. Rumor was earlier today the Broncos would send the Packers a second rounder for Walker. As long as it was pick 37, I think I would have done that deal. I'd like to get a WR, but maybe a decent deep threat would be available in round 3.
Meanwhile, the Brewers are up 10-0 with six homers. And it's my daughter's fourth birthday. It's been a great day!
I'd also like to see if Calhoun lasts until the fourth if the Packers would take a flyer on him. He's got Westbrook-like potential, but may need some time to develop. My hunch is that TT will be trading a mid round pick somewhere to get more late rounders. We'll see.
Steve Howe
My condolences to the family and friends of Steve Howe, the ex-pitcher who passed away way too young at the age of 48 yesterday.
Still, isn't there a part of you that thinks Howe will somehow get reinstated to baseball despite this?
Still, isn't there a part of you that thinks Howe will somehow get reinstated to baseball despite this?
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
1911 Eau Claire Commissioners
I have been working for the past few months on a project to get the stats for the 1911 Eau Claire Commissioners in the Minnesota-Wisconsin League. The "Minny" League had some problems that year, and two teams, Red Wing and Wausau, actually dropped out before the season ended. Other teams had money issues. One of those teams was Duluth. In fact, Duluth didn't even have the money to pay their official scorekeeper. In defiance, the scorekeeper decided to hold on to the stats. Thus, the league was unable to issue final statistics.
Because I'm on the Eau Claire Baseball Memorabilia Committee, and because this committee is considering re-vamping Carson Park and paying tribute to all the former Major Leaguers that played for Eau Claire, I decided I needed a full roster of those 1911 players. And as long as I was getting a roster together, I figured I may as well see if I can piece together the season in stats from the boxscores listed in the paper. Well, there were only a couple times where the game had to be re-constructed to figure out the stats, but by and large all the information was there.
Although the work was a bit tedious, it was actually sort of fun. I found myself rooting for the team and complaining about the players. I couldn't understand why this guy named Kick just had to bat leadoff, despite the fact he couldn't hit and wasn't all that fast. Another guy was the hottest hitter on the team before being benched for a new arrival. And another guy was a late season pickup who, if you combined his fielding percentage and batting average you still couldn't come up with 1.000. In fact, you take his slugging percentage plus fielding and you still don't get there (.946). He played 13 games at 2B and had 18 errors. That's Rickie Weeks-like! This guy's name is Foss, and I bet you won't see him in any baseball encyclopedia. Oh, plus there was the race for the hitting crown--the chase for 100 hits (in 109 games, there were four that made it). All good stuff. And yesterday, I finished the project!
Next up is 1912, though I know I'm missing at least two Eau Claire games from that season. Burleigh Grimes made his professional debut for EC that season, but even he was not enough to keep the league going. They folded early--there were only four teams to begin with--due to lack of money. Again, no stats were officially sent in to League offices.
One thing I learned from doing this is that you cannot trust the newspaper for accuracy in those days. Rarely would a day go by where I wouldn't find some sort of math error. Even the sanctity of the League Standings was compromised most of the time. With a week left in the season, the paper reported something like one fewer win and two more losses than the team actually had. They offered no explanation as to why it was mixed up. For weeks at a time it would be off, the magically someone must have reconciled it. It's a good lesson for researchers--don't take everything to be correct just because it was in a paper.
Because I'm on the Eau Claire Baseball Memorabilia Committee, and because this committee is considering re-vamping Carson Park and paying tribute to all the former Major Leaguers that played for Eau Claire, I decided I needed a full roster of those 1911 players. And as long as I was getting a roster together, I figured I may as well see if I can piece together the season in stats from the boxscores listed in the paper. Well, there were only a couple times where the game had to be re-constructed to figure out the stats, but by and large all the information was there.
Although the work was a bit tedious, it was actually sort of fun. I found myself rooting for the team and complaining about the players. I couldn't understand why this guy named Kick just had to bat leadoff, despite the fact he couldn't hit and wasn't all that fast. Another guy was the hottest hitter on the team before being benched for a new arrival. And another guy was a late season pickup who, if you combined his fielding percentage and batting average you still couldn't come up with 1.000. In fact, you take his slugging percentage plus fielding and you still don't get there (.946). He played 13 games at 2B and had 18 errors. That's Rickie Weeks-like! This guy's name is Foss, and I bet you won't see him in any baseball encyclopedia. Oh, plus there was the race for the hitting crown--the chase for 100 hits (in 109 games, there were four that made it). All good stuff. And yesterday, I finished the project!
Next up is 1912, though I know I'm missing at least two Eau Claire games from that season. Burleigh Grimes made his professional debut for EC that season, but even he was not enough to keep the league going. They folded early--there were only four teams to begin with--due to lack of money. Again, no stats were officially sent in to League offices.
One thing I learned from doing this is that you cannot trust the newspaper for accuracy in those days. Rarely would a day go by where I wouldn't find some sort of math error. Even the sanctity of the League Standings was compromised most of the time. With a week left in the season, the paper reported something like one fewer win and two more losses than the team actually had. They offered no explanation as to why it was mixed up. For weeks at a time it would be off, the magically someone must have reconciled it. It's a good lesson for researchers--don't take everything to be correct just because it was in a paper.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Best Burger?
I gotta point out, too, that eating lunch at Fuddruckers could very well have been the highlight of the trip. Does any chain make a better burger than Fudd's? Please, point me to it if they do.
Hello Summer!
Summer officially begins today as far as I'm concerned. My wife Shelley and I went to our first flea market of the year: The Antique Spectacular at the Fairgrounds in St. Paul, MN. The show takes over the inside of the grandstand and spills out on to the racing track. I would guess up to 500 dealers at the show. Shelley and I agree that the dealers who are located outside provide for the best deals. True again this year.
I spend my entire flea marketing time looking for baseball items. Gloves and bats mostly, but autographs, programs, cards, or anything baseball piques my interest. In general, I would say I was happy with the show because it hit right in my wheelhouse in terms of collecting--cheap. Not a lot of high end baseball stuff was to be found. I enjoy looking at that stuff anyway, even if I rarely buy that sort of item. Actually, there wasn't a lot of baseball items period, but the gloves I did find were generally inexpensive. Nothing makes me more mad than some dealer who has no idea what a glove is worth just marking it "Old Glove--$75". It could be a well-used, beaten up Jim Rice model from the 80s, but because it's baseball related they figure it's a gold mine. And you would think they would learn if the glove hasn't sold in a year. Or two. Or more. I've been doing this flea market stuff for many years, and I can still pretty much tell you the inventory of some dealers because it's the same every year. If this is what you do for a living, I suggest you take a few less rests swigging coffee from a lawn chair and study the types of things you sell. Nobody's an expert at everything, but to be completely clueless on things just shows a person to either be incredibly ignorant or just plain lazy. End of soapbox.
We began outside and I quickly found a Jack Brandt model glove. I think I have one in my collection, but I take a $10 flyer on it anyway because of the "USMC" marking on the wrist strap. This was Marine issue, which makes it a little more rare than the garden variety store model. The glove should clean up nicely, but it has it's problems. Another fellow had a large box filled with boxes of football cards. Three bucks a pop--seemed like a pretty decent deal for some Action Packed unopened packs. Football or not, I thought, this is nice. Well, later on I looked a little closer to each of the three boxes I bought and found that all the packs had already been opened, then re-inserted (I assume sans any stars). No biggie, though. I still could probably get that for them at a garage sale sometime. Or I just keep them.
Another beaten up glove caught my eye a moment later. For $10, I am now an owner of a Pete Ward model glove. Listed as "Very Rare" according to the most recent glove guide, the off-condition was still good enough for me to own one of the few known to have surfaced. Again, it should clean up nicely, but the insides are ripped a bit and the patch is missing.
The most I paid for a glove today was a Grady Hatton pre-war for $15 in great shape. Flexible, readable, and it has the sharpest Draper Maynard button of any D&M glove I own. A nice Wilson 2830 Eddie Waitkus first baseman mitt, probably from 1955, was sold to me by a nice gentleman for $10. Good silver, nice stamping, soft leather--couldn't go wrong for the price. My last spending of the day brought in some oddball baseball cards (Colla Collection, Mother's Cookies) and some vintage stuff. One of those cards was a 1952 Henry Majeski. "Heeney", as he was known, was a 35-year-old vet toiling for the A's when this picture was taken. It was a long way from the fresh-faced kid who played for the Eau Claire Bears in 1935 and 1936. I also bought a 1968 Tigers Rookie Stars card featuring Fred Lasher. Fred lives just a few miles from my home and I was lucky enough to be honored along his side a few years back at a local baseball game.
I spend my entire flea marketing time looking for baseball items. Gloves and bats mostly, but autographs, programs, cards, or anything baseball piques my interest. In general, I would say I was happy with the show because it hit right in my wheelhouse in terms of collecting--cheap. Not a lot of high end baseball stuff was to be found. I enjoy looking at that stuff anyway, even if I rarely buy that sort of item. Actually, there wasn't a lot of baseball items period, but the gloves I did find were generally inexpensive. Nothing makes me more mad than some dealer who has no idea what a glove is worth just marking it "Old Glove--$75". It could be a well-used, beaten up Jim Rice model from the 80s, but because it's baseball related they figure it's a gold mine. And you would think they would learn if the glove hasn't sold in a year. Or two. Or more. I've been doing this flea market stuff for many years, and I can still pretty much tell you the inventory of some dealers because it's the same every year. If this is what you do for a living, I suggest you take a few less rests swigging coffee from a lawn chair and study the types of things you sell. Nobody's an expert at everything, but to be completely clueless on things just shows a person to either be incredibly ignorant or just plain lazy. End of soapbox.
We began outside and I quickly found a Jack Brandt model glove. I think I have one in my collection, but I take a $10 flyer on it anyway because of the "USMC" marking on the wrist strap. This was Marine issue, which makes it a little more rare than the garden variety store model. The glove should clean up nicely, but it has it's problems. Another fellow had a large box filled with boxes of football cards. Three bucks a pop--seemed like a pretty decent deal for some Action Packed unopened packs. Football or not, I thought, this is nice. Well, later on I looked a little closer to each of the three boxes I bought and found that all the packs had already been opened, then re-inserted (I assume sans any stars). No biggie, though. I still could probably get that for them at a garage sale sometime. Or I just keep them.
Another beaten up glove caught my eye a moment later. For $10, I am now an owner of a Pete Ward model glove. Listed as "Very Rare" according to the most recent glove guide, the off-condition was still good enough for me to own one of the few known to have surfaced. Again, it should clean up nicely, but the insides are ripped a bit and the patch is missing.
The most I paid for a glove today was a Grady Hatton pre-war for $15 in great shape. Flexible, readable, and it has the sharpest Draper Maynard button of any D&M glove I own. A nice Wilson 2830 Eddie Waitkus first baseman mitt, probably from 1955, was sold to me by a nice gentleman for $10. Good silver, nice stamping, soft leather--couldn't go wrong for the price. My last spending of the day brought in some oddball baseball cards (Colla Collection, Mother's Cookies) and some vintage stuff. One of those cards was a 1952 Henry Majeski. "Heeney", as he was known, was a 35-year-old vet toiling for the A's when this picture was taken. It was a long way from the fresh-faced kid who played for the Eau Claire Bears in 1935 and 1936. I also bought a 1968 Tigers Rookie Stars card featuring Fred Lasher. Fred lives just a few miles from my home and I was lucky enough to be honored along his side a few years back at a local baseball game.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Carl Beilke
I wrote this piece about a month ago. The book I'm referring to is the book I tried to link to the right (and failed). "Baseball in Eau Claire" is a photographic history of, well, baseball in Eau Claire. It is my first and only book. And here is one of my favorite stories as a result of the book:
Carl Beilke is in my book.
At least, his picture is.
All sources listed his last name as “Bielke”. The notation on the back of the vintage picture I own says the same. So, my book has it spelled that way.
Interesting story about the picture. I picked it up on eBay several years ago. I had no aspirations of writing a book on baseball in Eau Claire. Certainly not a photographic history. I was in the infant stages of my Eau Claire baseball fandom, and I just thought the pictures would be neat.
I had no idea just how neat they were. Carl’s picture in particular.
As I page through the book now, I see a bunch of typos. I cringe at each and every one, wondering how in the world I could have missed THAT one. But Carl Beilke likely wouldn’t have even come to my attention were it not for a bizarre e-mail I received a few years ago. It was from one Art Pennington from outside of Chicago. He said he had been up to Hayward, Wisconsin and had picked up my book when he saw it. He knew his father-in-law had played baseball in Eau Claire, and was shocked to see his picture.
He informed me I misspelled Carl’s name.
But that wasn’t the good part of the e-mail. As it turns out, Carl, at the time, was in his 90’s but still active as can be and sharp as a tack. Golfed 18 holes three times a week. Carried his own bag. Said carts are for the invalids. This man, who played on Eau Claire’s 1934 Northern League squad, was a living link to baseball history.
After exchanging several e-mails, Art taped an interview he had with Carl. Carl remembered minute details as if that happened a minute ago. He told me about his teammates. He told me about the road trips. He told me just about everything I would want to know. And he didn’t know it. See, Art had secretly taped this conversation. Art also sent me some photos of some of Carl’s mementos, including a bat he received from H and B for his hitting prowess in 1934—which turned out to be his only season in professional baseball. An article in the Sporting News said doctors told him to quit playing baseball due to a heart condition. In truth, it was a thyroid that wreaked havoc with his body.
Art and I remained in fleeting contact with an occasional e-mail here and there. We exchanged cards at Christmas. But when I sent an invitation to Carl to come up to Eau Claire for a reunion event slated for the summer of 2006, I got the news that Carl wasn’t doing nearly as well any more. Time had finally remembered Carl. Art asked if there was a chance the reunion could be moved to Chicago. It couldn’t. Art then mentioned one of those things that a person will remember for the rest of their life. Art asked me to come to Chicago—to meet Carl before it was too late.
This took me aback. First of all, I’m not accustomed to making a big impact in a whole lot of lives. At least, outside of my family. Based on what Art wrote, which was based on his conversations with his family and his father in law, that’s exactly what I had done. My book had one picture and maybe a 75-word caption regarding Carl. But Carl didn’t look at it that way. He wondered why anyone would be interested enough in his brief baseball career to even mention him in a book. And with all of my follow up, he seems genuinely moved that I could take such an interest.
I mentioned the roads can get a little tricky in Wisconsin in the late winter/early spring, but I would arrange to come down in the summer some time. Art replied that he would gladly pay for a plane ticket and hotel, plus drive me around wherever I wanted to go. My taken aback went further…aback. I had the feeling the Carl was a little worse off than Art had let on. And suddenly, I had a decision to make.
I’m not a poor man, but I don’t really have the extra cash to go flying off to Chicago for a weekend. That said, I couldn’t expect Art to pay my way down there. He said he felt guilty because the cost was an absolute steal for him. He said me coming down to talk with Carl for just a little while was worth well more than the cost to get me there.
Instead of making a decision (I knew what I had to do), I just backed away for a bit. A month or so later, Art and I e-mailed again. He said Carl had some more problems. There was just no way I can wait much longer, I thought. I found a cheap flight for the weekend of April 15. Then later I found out the reason it was so cheap—that would be Easter. There was a chance I could drive down the week prior. We had made plans.
This is my “Tuesday’s With Morrie”. This is my link. This is my ultimate story. This is living history, but probably not for too much longer. To not go—I could never forgive myself. Art says I’m the important one. Touching, but untrue. Carl is the important one. This is a trip I have to take. A once in a lifetime opportunity. Something that can’t be missed. I’ve beaten myself up for ten years now because I didn’t interview Bill Bruton even through the mail before he passed away. I’m nervous about going. I don’t think I can live up to the level they have put me on. But I’m putting that aside. It’s a selfish attitude on my part, but I’m going on this trip for ME. I pray that it means even half as much to Carl as it does to me.
That's where my writing ended. Sadly, the trip was never made. The week before the hoped-for trip, I found out that Carl had taken a turn for the worse. There was a lot of hope that he would recover, so I rescheduled for the first weekend in May. The trip won't happen. Carl passed away on April 5th.
While getting published was always a dream of mine, I had no idea just how great the time AFTER the book has been. I've met so many wonderful people as a result--something I just didn't foresee. Baseball is a thread that binds all of us, my friends.
Carl Beilke is in my book.
At least, his picture is.
All sources listed his last name as “Bielke”. The notation on the back of the vintage picture I own says the same. So, my book has it spelled that way.
Interesting story about the picture. I picked it up on eBay several years ago. I had no aspirations of writing a book on baseball in Eau Claire. Certainly not a photographic history. I was in the infant stages of my Eau Claire baseball fandom, and I just thought the pictures would be neat.
I had no idea just how neat they were. Carl’s picture in particular.
As I page through the book now, I see a bunch of typos. I cringe at each and every one, wondering how in the world I could have missed THAT one. But Carl Beilke likely wouldn’t have even come to my attention were it not for a bizarre e-mail I received a few years ago. It was from one Art Pennington from outside of Chicago. He said he had been up to Hayward, Wisconsin and had picked up my book when he saw it. He knew his father-in-law had played baseball in Eau Claire, and was shocked to see his picture.
He informed me I misspelled Carl’s name.
But that wasn’t the good part of the e-mail. As it turns out, Carl, at the time, was in his 90’s but still active as can be and sharp as a tack. Golfed 18 holes three times a week. Carried his own bag. Said carts are for the invalids. This man, who played on Eau Claire’s 1934 Northern League squad, was a living link to baseball history.
After exchanging several e-mails, Art taped an interview he had with Carl. Carl remembered minute details as if that happened a minute ago. He told me about his teammates. He told me about the road trips. He told me just about everything I would want to know. And he didn’t know it. See, Art had secretly taped this conversation. Art also sent me some photos of some of Carl’s mementos, including a bat he received from H and B for his hitting prowess in 1934—which turned out to be his only season in professional baseball. An article in the Sporting News said doctors told him to quit playing baseball due to a heart condition. In truth, it was a thyroid that wreaked havoc with his body.
Art and I remained in fleeting contact with an occasional e-mail here and there. We exchanged cards at Christmas. But when I sent an invitation to Carl to come up to Eau Claire for a reunion event slated for the summer of 2006, I got the news that Carl wasn’t doing nearly as well any more. Time had finally remembered Carl. Art asked if there was a chance the reunion could be moved to Chicago. It couldn’t. Art then mentioned one of those things that a person will remember for the rest of their life. Art asked me to come to Chicago—to meet Carl before it was too late.
This took me aback. First of all, I’m not accustomed to making a big impact in a whole lot of lives. At least, outside of my family. Based on what Art wrote, which was based on his conversations with his family and his father in law, that’s exactly what I had done. My book had one picture and maybe a 75-word caption regarding Carl. But Carl didn’t look at it that way. He wondered why anyone would be interested enough in his brief baseball career to even mention him in a book. And with all of my follow up, he seems genuinely moved that I could take such an interest.
I mentioned the roads can get a little tricky in Wisconsin in the late winter/early spring, but I would arrange to come down in the summer some time. Art replied that he would gladly pay for a plane ticket and hotel, plus drive me around wherever I wanted to go. My taken aback went further…aback. I had the feeling the Carl was a little worse off than Art had let on. And suddenly, I had a decision to make.
I’m not a poor man, but I don’t really have the extra cash to go flying off to Chicago for a weekend. That said, I couldn’t expect Art to pay my way down there. He said he felt guilty because the cost was an absolute steal for him. He said me coming down to talk with Carl for just a little while was worth well more than the cost to get me there.
Instead of making a decision (I knew what I had to do), I just backed away for a bit. A month or so later, Art and I e-mailed again. He said Carl had some more problems. There was just no way I can wait much longer, I thought. I found a cheap flight for the weekend of April 15. Then later I found out the reason it was so cheap—that would be Easter. There was a chance I could drive down the week prior. We had made plans.
This is my “Tuesday’s With Morrie”. This is my link. This is my ultimate story. This is living history, but probably not for too much longer. To not go—I could never forgive myself. Art says I’m the important one. Touching, but untrue. Carl is the important one. This is a trip I have to take. A once in a lifetime opportunity. Something that can’t be missed. I’ve beaten myself up for ten years now because I didn’t interview Bill Bruton even through the mail before he passed away. I’m nervous about going. I don’t think I can live up to the level they have put me on. But I’m putting that aside. It’s a selfish attitude on my part, but I’m going on this trip for ME. I pray that it means even half as much to Carl as it does to me.
That's where my writing ended. Sadly, the trip was never made. The week before the hoped-for trip, I found out that Carl had taken a turn for the worse. There was a lot of hope that he would recover, so I rescheduled for the first weekend in May. The trip won't happen. Carl passed away on April 5th.
While getting published was always a dream of mine, I had no idea just how great the time AFTER the book has been. I've met so many wonderful people as a result--something I just didn't foresee. Baseball is a thread that binds all of us, my friends.
Brewers/Mets 4/14
Brewers are trying to come back against the talented Mets. Thank God Glavine had to throw 100+ pitches through 6--he was absolutely dealing tonight. How many times do you see Brewer hitters make other pitchers look great? Not to say Glavine isn't great, but I will say he seems a little past his prime. One short of his career high in strikeouts. Tip of the cap to Tom, but I'm not offended he's out of this game. Crew has scored one against Heiliman, who is struggling mightily.
I'd love to know how many pitchers have their career high in k's coming against a Brewer team.
I'd love to know how many pitchers have their career high in k's coming against a Brewer team.
Hello Everybody
First law of blogging, I am finding out, appears to be that the first post is the toughest. I wanted to start out with something jaw dropping and awe-inspiring. This one won't do it. I figured maybe I'll use this one as sort of a "table of contents" of what will be coming on this blog.
Soon I will be posting a story about Carl Beilke, a man who played on the 1934 Eau Claire baseball team. Why he's so special, though, is the reason for the story. I can't give you much more than that without ruining it. Stay tuned.
As we are now well into Spring, we are also entering flea market season in Wisconsin and Minnesota. I try to go to as many as I can, even when I know exactly what the dealers have and where they are located. Next weekend is the first show at the fairgrounds in St. Paul. A few weeks after that will be Rochester (MN)'s "Gold Rush". If you have never been to Gold Rush, and you enjoy antiquing or collecting, you really, really need to hit this show. It's phenominal. Both those shows will repeat at least one (maybe two, I'm not sure) times later on this summer. Add in the Orinoco (MN) "Gold Rush", too. Orinoco and Rochester are maybe ten miles apart, and between them on one weekend you can see somewhere around 3,000 dealers. Great fun. Let me know if you need more information, or keep checking back here. As you can probably imagine, I collect baseball relics, autographs, etc. These flea markets are where I find most of them.
Speaking of collections, I'm sure we'll spend a few posts talking about collecting baseball stuff. From cards to bats to gloves to autographs, there's a niche for everyone. I'll share my experiences with you and will look for feedback as well.
I'll be discussing my ongoing research to compile a complete record of professional baseball in Eau Claire, WI. It will likely be released to the public in the form of a self-published book within the next few years (if I stay on track). My current project: compiling Eau Claire's stats from the 1911 season. One boxscore at a time. See, the Duluth team that season had some monetary issues and had trouble paying certain people in the organization. One of those people just happened to be the offical scorekeeper. So, he decided to not release the statistics to the league office. Therefore, no league statistics were ever published. I'm not motivated to get any other stats besides ECs right now, but maybe someday.
Brewers, Packers, EC Express...they'll all be part of the blog. And so will you. Please drop me a line if you would like to discuss anything about the topics above. Thanks for reading this. I hope you find it enjoyable.
Soon I will be posting a story about Carl Beilke, a man who played on the 1934 Eau Claire baseball team. Why he's so special, though, is the reason for the story. I can't give you much more than that without ruining it. Stay tuned.
As we are now well into Spring, we are also entering flea market season in Wisconsin and Minnesota. I try to go to as many as I can, even when I know exactly what the dealers have and where they are located. Next weekend is the first show at the fairgrounds in St. Paul. A few weeks after that will be Rochester (MN)'s "Gold Rush". If you have never been to Gold Rush, and you enjoy antiquing or collecting, you really, really need to hit this show. It's phenominal. Both those shows will repeat at least one (maybe two, I'm not sure) times later on this summer. Add in the Orinoco (MN) "Gold Rush", too. Orinoco and Rochester are maybe ten miles apart, and between them on one weekend you can see somewhere around 3,000 dealers. Great fun. Let me know if you need more information, or keep checking back here. As you can probably imagine, I collect baseball relics, autographs, etc. These flea markets are where I find most of them.
Speaking of collections, I'm sure we'll spend a few posts talking about collecting baseball stuff. From cards to bats to gloves to autographs, there's a niche for everyone. I'll share my experiences with you and will look for feedback as well.
I'll be discussing my ongoing research to compile a complete record of professional baseball in Eau Claire, WI. It will likely be released to the public in the form of a self-published book within the next few years (if I stay on track). My current project: compiling Eau Claire's stats from the 1911 season. One boxscore at a time. See, the Duluth team that season had some monetary issues and had trouble paying certain people in the organization. One of those people just happened to be the offical scorekeeper. So, he decided to not release the statistics to the league office. Therefore, no league statistics were ever published. I'm not motivated to get any other stats besides ECs right now, but maybe someday.
Brewers, Packers, EC Express...they'll all be part of the blog. And so will you. Please drop me a line if you would like to discuss anything about the topics above. Thanks for reading this. I hope you find it enjoyable.
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