Category: Chicago White Sox (Page 17 of 24)

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Old Sport Shorts: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly #673

September 25, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

It was impossible for all my teams to win yesterday, since the Cubs and White Sox were playing each other. The White Sox season was essentially over Saturday night when the Cubs claimed the Crosstown Cup in addition to gaining even greater odds for post-season play. It was good to get back to the ball park – regardless of the name. As I looked down over the parking lot from the top of Guaranteed Rate Field, I could see the outline of the original Comiskey Park home plate that my baseball hero Sherm Lollar crouched behind for many years. (See Post #5). I also got to see “The Monster” spew fireworks after a White Sox home run, although I had to leave the concession line to watch it. By the way, the lines for food were a big hassle compared to other parks I have visited – it’s too bad that Bill Veeck isn’t still around to fix that problem. He would have been outraged at the lack of efficiency. (See Post #257). It was a flood of memories, and a much needed “W” for the visiting Cubs. The Magic Number is now down to just 5. On the NFL front, my other Chicago favorite, The Mack-revitalized Bears, pulled off a come-from-behind victory over the Arizona Cardinals to somehow lead the NFC North, while the bottom-dwelling Lions upset the evil Patriots. Oh, and the Cleveland Browns finally won a football game. All “Good.”

The “Bad” of weekend sports included the Colts loss to the Eagles and the I.U. defeat by the Michigan State Spartans. In both cases, the “L”was predictable, but I was hoping for the upset. It was a “welcome to the BIG” message to the undefeated Hoosiers, and no-Luck in the Red Zone for the visiting Colts against the defending Super Bowl Champs.

On the “Ugly” side, I should include the 10-4 loss by the Cubs, as White Sox bats prevailed in the Crosstown series opener. I was glad the Sox got one victory, so it was a good ugly. Maybe next year? – as we say good-bye to legendary Chicago broadcaster Hawk Harrelson. Meanwhile, back home in Oregon, the Ducks displayed the crowning jewel of college football ugliness. They managed to blow a comfortable 24-7 half-time lead over favored Stanford. They had the game firmly in hand in the waning seconds, until those hands failed them. A costly fumble allowed the Cardinal to win against the ugly ducklings, a thing of swan-like beauty for the visiting fans in red. I admit to “seeing red” myself as the ball popped loose. OMG!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is a Clint Eastwood classic. It also best describes my sports-related emotions over the past four or five days. The week ahead is critical, as the MLB Playoff stretch-drive unfolds. I’m worried! The Cubs could raise their ugly heads by squandering a narrow Division lead to the Brewers and then losing the Wildcard spot to the Cardinals. Let’s hope not, but that could be the Ultimate Ugly!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Junk Food for Thought #672

September 23, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

No Key Lime pie waiting for me in the fridge this morning, following my run down Michigan Avenue to the Lake. The sun was just coming up as I chugged along the shoreline. Other runners seemed to bounce, float, and dash effortlessly. Even though my legs felt like concrete, I somehow managed to get in a 5k for the 85th straight day. In looking back, it was the altitude at Crater Lake that last caused me to drop back to the minimum mile required to maintain my Streak. I currently stand at 3,556 consecutive days after checking the www.runeveryday.com website.

Last night at Guaranteed Rate Field, I violated almost every rule of the “white food” diet we’ve been diligently following. I’ve lost over 25 pounds in the last three months, so a little celebratory calories were justifiably deserved. Accordingly, I deviously devoured a plastic White Sox helmet full of nachos, a premium hot dog w/bun, and a near-carton of soft-serve ice cream in a waffle cone. After a martini nightcap, I continued my evil white ways with an Egg McMuffin and Hash Browns at McDonald’s on our way out of town this morning. There will definitely be more dietary rule infractions before we leave Indiana.

Tonight we’re lodging at the Quality Inn in Rochester, my wife’s Hoosier home town. It was a two-hour drive from Downtown Chicago, including two restroom stops between large Diet Cokes. I’m not sure that the $1 drinks are enough to pay for my frequent McRestroom visits . It’s my away-from-home McToilet stop. We’ll escort my wife’s 97-year old mother to Indianapolis for some medical appointments over the next two days, staying with family.

Speaking of family – I now lay claim to two. I will be meeting with the Banister side tomorrow evening. The Johnston members are not on our travel route this time. The Jerry Lee Banister Family Tree includes both branches, with many mysteries yet to be uncovered following my adoption by the Johnston’s 67 years ago. My 85 year-old birthmother remains adamant that I am not her’s. “Don’t you think I’d remember something like that?” has been the only feedback I’ve gotten. As a result, I have only my DNA relatives around her to discuss all the evidence that has me convinced it is her. They are about to personally hear my side of the story face-to-face.

Tomorrow is another day in the quest for the truth. I’m betting it starts with a 5k run on the Monon Trail followed by a Diet Coke. If my wife continues to recover from her ear infection, cough, and congestion, she’ll join me at a walking pace, as she did this morning. Just as my day will predictably start, it will finish with more questions than answers about the Banister lineage. But first, some KFC, cookies, and chocolate – junk food for thought.

Retirement is not without Hassles: End of the Road #670

September 22, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

It’s interesting that today’s post number 670 is at the start of my 67th year, after making Route 66 the theme of my 66th. If you go back to Post #235, I first started writing about historic Route 66 on or about my birthday, and posed in front of the start/finish sign at the Santa Monica Pier several months later (See Post #302). Today I took similar pictures of the start/finish signs in Chicago, marking the end of a memorable year of travel. A few months ago we even stopped at the Route 66 museum in Litchfield, Illinois, just outside of St. Louis. There are apparently 10 such sights along the long and winding road:

I will probably never get to all of them, or travel what’s left of the entire route, but I’ve enjoyed some of the highlights, and will continue the journey, despite my age. I would probably put these stops on my “Pail List,” rather than the Bucket List. (See Post #279) The question remains – is Chicago the beginning or the end of the road!

Now that I’ve stood at both ends and/or ends, I have a lot to look back on, as well as year 67 that continues ahead. Last night, we had dinner at Shaw’s Crab House, while tonight it will hot dogs at the ballpark. While my wife did some shopping yesterday evening, I went to the Chicago Sports Museum, but found myself in the middle of a private wedding reception (oops). Instead, I went to Harry Caray’s and had a martini. We’ve also enjoyed the artwork up and down the Magnificent Mile, including the 25th anniversary display of Chicago Wolves hockey masks, and what my wife fondly refers to as the “Puparazzi.” These are decorated dogs reminiscent of the cow art that once dominated Chicago sidewalks. These dog statues, K9s for Cops,” “stalk” you like photographers as you walk up and down Michigan Avenue.

We have one more night in Chicago before we drive to Indiana for some family time. We’ll spend some time at Millennium Park, despite today’s cooler temperatures before we head to the ballpark. I’ll wear one Cubs sock and one Sox sock to split my allegiance, but will be cheering for the Cubs, since the White Sox season is essentially over. The Brewers are bearing down on Cubs Playoff hopes, so the North Sider’s need a victory tonight coupled with a Brewers loss (their 67th).

Old Sport Shorts: Crunch Time #668

September 20, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I got started on my run about five miles minutes earlier this morning, nearly beating the school bus up the hill to its pick-up spot near the two-mile mark. Thoughts were on getting packed and driving to the airport for our 11:10 a.m. flight to Chicago’s O’Hare. We would be there in time for dinner at Joe’s Stone Crab, one of my wife’s favorites. She has business meetings tomorrow while I do my retirement thing.

It’s Crunch Time, with only ten games left in the season! The Cubs are off today prior to the start of the Crosstown Showdown at White Sox Park on Friday. It’s hard to refer to it as Guaranteed Rate Field, since that doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. I was just getting used to calling it Cellular One, despite so many childhood memories of Comiskey Park. I understand the value of sponsorship in today’s world of sports, so I tolerate the unromantic, commercial names we call our venues. I will just be glad to be there, whatever it’s called?, on Saturday night as the Cubs hope to once again reduce their Playoff Magic Number (currently at 8) and hold-off the hungry Milwaukee Brewers. Crunch!

It was a rare night on Monday when both the Cubs and Bears won their respective games. The White Sox did not play, so none of my Chicago teams were losers- a miracle! Watching the masterful defense “Bear Down” was particularly emotional, reminiscent of the glory years of the mid 1980’s. Equally satisfying is the Cub’s quest for their historic fourth consecutive playoff appearance. They’ve managed a winning September record, but the offense is sputtering and the pitching painfully-patched in piece-meal. I have reduced expectations for the post-season, with comparably much less hope for the Bears. College basketball will start in less than a month, as both of these Windy City favorites slowly fade into typical, late-season obscurity, and much-improved I.U basketball begins to take preference. It’s the sports cycle that I seem to be stuck in every year thanks to my Northern Indiana upbringings.

The good thing about sports is that for every loss somebody else wins. While we’re flying the “W,” hoisting the hardware, and hugging total strangers, the opponent is disheartened, disappointed, and ultimately disgusted by our poor sportsmanship. To make matters even more miserable, they, may have even lost a “friendly” wager, personal credibility, or a major bet. Regardless, it’s a difficult moment that may reverse itself in the future – or even next year. Remember to win graciously and lose with visions of that next win. Better yet – never bet. As a fan, I can’t control the outcome, just the ugly emotions that often come out. I just hope that the very last game I watch is a big victory that I can enjoy throughout eternity. That would be the way to go!

I won’t be disappointed if the Cubs win the World Series, the Bears win the Super Bowl, and the Hoosiers win the NCAA Tournament. Each has now happened in my lifetime, as well as a White Sox World Championship. I’ve even gotten two out of three in the same year. I’ve been blessed with several good years, and cursed with many more bad ones. What will the end of this year bring? It’s Crunch Time!

Crunch Time

It’s that time,
The last chance.
Your final move,
To make the dance.

It’s everything,
You’ve waited for.
You couldn’t ask,
For anything more.

You’ve Fantasized,
And dreamed it.
How much more real,
Can it possibly get?

Within your reach,
In front of you.
What to do?
It’s up to you.

Grab the ring,
And hold on tight.
Keep it close,
With all your might.

Enjoy the spotlight,
It’s your day.
Don’t let anything,
Get in your way.

Miracle maker,
Beating all odds.
Defying defeat,
Gift of the Gods

Hitting the Walk-off,
Or Last second shot.
Giving everything,
That you’ve got.

Heisman recipient,
And The MVP.
Impact each moment
With all you can be.

What makes a winner?
Refusing to lose.
Highlight heroics,
Front page news.

Everyone’s All-Star,
Here’s the latest.
In lifetime achievement,
One of the Greatest.

Hall of Fame moment,
Tell Cooperstown.
You’re Ranked #1,
Put on the Crown.

It’s Crunch Time,
So go for it all.
When it’s on the line,
You’ll get the ball.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Darkness #661

September 13, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

The Portland days are getting shorter, and my morning runs will soon be shrouded in darkness. There’s just a hint of light as my 6 a.m. alarm goes off each morning, and I have to carefully maneuver my way around sleeping dogs to get out of the bedroom, giving my wife a few extra minutes of sleep before she has to face the work day. This morning clouds filled the sky, adding to the feeling of gloom, and a light mist was falling. The drop-cloth of winter is being spread over the city, and it may be time to get out the happy lamp. I now know why bears hibernate.

Speaking of darkness, I was irritated last night after another Cubs loss, as they just can’t seem to close out the Brewers and Cardinals. I know that not everyone cares about baseball like I do. Sports has always been an outlet to express my anger and frustration. I rarely get mad at anyone or raise my voice, but put me in a room alone with a game and I can scream with the best of them. I pound my fists, yell obscenities, and imagine the worst. After the game is over and I’ve released all that steam, I can walk out of that room like nothing happened. I don’t have this same experience when I go to a game or there’s other people in the room watching with me, so the darkness stays bottled-up inside me. Between the Cubs, Sox, Bears, Colts, and I.U. sports, I have plenty to be upset about each week. Fortunately, being silly about sports is essentially the only anger I feel, so it seems harmless in perspective to everything else going on in the world.

I just finished up our reservations for Chicago next week, including a rental car and our Indiana stays. I also hope to visit with a Banister relative while I’m in Indianapolis. Part of the trip, of course, is a Cubs vs. White Sox baseball game at Guaranteed Rate Field, formerly Comiskey Park. My wife has some business in Chicago and then needs to get her 97-year old mother to the doctor’s appointment in Indianapolis, so the trip will involve a lot of driving and various hotel stays along the way. We try to make this trip back to the homeland four times a year, but there’s little time to get-together with friends as we dash from place to place. We’ll return again over the Holidays, with no business obligations, but icy weather can easily interrupt our plans. There are a lot of “buts” involved in each of these “Planes, Trains, and Automobile” adventures to the Hoosier state.

I’m faced with several projects before we leave home for 7 days. There are some pictures to hang, bed repairs for guests that will arrive the day after we get back, cleaning projects to schedule, interior painting preparations, grill service, laundry, packing, and garage reorganization. We now have plenty of hot water thanks to our new tank-less system, and I no longer have the hassle of checking and re-lighting the pilot every other day. It will probably pay for itself in the next 10 years, but chances are we won’t stay in Oregon that long. The other investment that we’ll make soon is refinishing the garage floor since removal of the hot water tanks damaged some of the tile. A song from the new wave rock band The Fixx includes the words, “One Thing Leads to Another.” Retirement indeed is not without Hassles!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Hobbies revisited #659

September 11, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I returned to childhood today, spending a couple of hours trading baseball cards with a friend. He lured me to his home with the promise of a unique item involving my baseball hero, Sherman Lollar of the Chicago White Sox. I dropped our two dogs off for grooming and spent time with him, looking through cards and websites for missing pieces of my collection. Baseball cards have become an unexpected retirement hobby, as is also the case with genealogy. In fact, just three years ago, I was worried about finding interesting things to do after I turned 65 and could afford to retire. In retrospect, hiring a therapist was probably unnecessary, but she helped me focus on looking ahead, as I began to “practice for retirement.” (See Poetic Post #8).

Today, I didn’t even think about having lunch. I ran my usual 5k, did some shopping errands, stopped at McDonald’s for a Diet Coke boost, got gas then a haircut, organized the baseball cards that I bought, and before I knew it the doggy spa was calling for pick-up. Two trips downtown were without much hassle and even the drive to Gladstone went quickly. Once I got the dogs home, it was time to put the pre-cooked Austin brisket that we bought in the oven for an hour-and-a-half. Tomorrow, George Morlan Plumbing is coming to install our new tank-less water heater. While they are working in the garage, I’ll do some vacuuming and dusting. “Date Night” is preempted by an American Heart Association Board Meeting that my wife is required to attend. It will give me more time to catch-up on my writing. I have put all my volunteer commitments on hold until I get tired of “my time.” (See Poetic Post #30). The subjects of “retirement practice,” “alone time,” and “redefining days of the week” were key topics when I first started writing this blog. It feels good to reflect back on those early days of retirement, knowing that I can easily keep busy. As the sign on my home office desk emphasizes, “IT’S NOT EASY – pretending to work this hard all day long.” It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

I just watched the Cubs get the “W” and continue to replay episodes of Ozark, searching for a few missing details that I must have overlooked the first time through. I didn’t even have time today to get to the library to pick-up the Ken Burns documentary I have on hold. That will be next week’s project before we head to Chicago. I also got a reminder from our travel agent about a flight change for next year’s 10-day trip to Thailand. Travel planning has obviously been a big part of my retirement gig with 70 nights away from home already this year, and another 20 scheduled before the new year. This will exceed my original 80/20 plan (See Post #323).

I’ve completed 5 items on my list of “67 Things to Do Before I’m 68” with more than 11 months to go. (See Post #642). Plus, I’m still excited to go to the mailbox each day, searching for hidden treasure. Today, it was nothing but junk mail, but yesterday there were 401k updates, travel guides, and packages of baseball cards that I ordered. Each package takes me back to the delivery of my Little Orphan Annie decoder ring, footlocker of army soldiers, and other over-hyped childish premiums that took forever to get here and were often disappointing once they arrived. I ordered a few more coveted items today for my Sherm Lollar memorabilia notebook, and may have found a fellow collector through an on-line trading post. My “card dealer” friend this morning presented me with a 1963 White Sox ticket stub from Sherm Lollar’s last game. It was every bit as exciting to me as a decoder ring delivered by the postman, or the model Edsel that I never got for Christmas, but bought for myself just a few years ago. To each their own, when it comes to collecting and other retirement projects!

Retirement is not without Hassles: 67 Things #642

August 27, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

Today is my 67th birthday and a big day for Portland area school kids, who returned to classes this morning. All throughout my 66th year I made many references to Route 66 as a personal theme for the year. Well, all good things must come to an end, as does Route 66 at the Santa Monica Pier. In thinking back, I’ve been able to establish a theme for the last four years, including Medicare at 62, Twenty-one for the third time for 63, the Beatles tune, “When I’m 64”, Social Security at 65, and last year’s nostalgic highway references. Coming up with a theme for 67 is a much more difficult task, as nothing comes directly to mind. Google searches have not been successful, as yet, since no songs, movies, athletes, or books have made the number memorable. There’s Buddy Arlington’s NASCAR, the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League, and Chicago’s song “Questions 67 and 68,” but nothing worth writing about.

In honor of the occasion, I decided to steal a page from New Year’s Eve and write some resolutions. So, break out the champagne, and bear with me until I come up with a better idea.

67 Things to do before I’m 68 (with a few more for good measure)

Tell my wife “I Love her” a million times (well maybe 114x a day is a bit excessive, but you get the point)
Get my grandkids to Portland (maybe when the Cubs play the Mariners in Seattle)
Buy a new tank-less water heater
Take my wife to French Laundry in NAPA for dinner and then for a Wine Country weekend
10 days in Thailand
Cubs vs. White Sox in Chicago
Run and exercise everyday (celebrate 10 consecutive years at the end of December)
Portland Indy Car race
Write at least 25 new poems (plus 10 exclusively for my wife)
Maintain daily blog (blog.johnstonwrites.com)
Gift at least 10 Limoges boxes
50 Wednesday Date Nights
Watch 50 movies
50 Sister calls on Mondays
40 Dinners cooked on Tuesdays (or at least one night a week when not traveling)
Reunite with friends in Austin
Meet at least 10 Banister relatives
Read 50 books
Go to Vancouver Gardens
St. Louis for a baseball game
Drink 52 bottles of Walleye Wine and help 4 times
Go to Disneyworld with wife
Spring Training game in Arizona or Florida
IU Basketball Game (tournament season please)
Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
Las Vegas weekend to celebrate 18 years of marriage
Buy some new casual shoes (to make my wife happy)
Buy a second pair of running shoes (to make my feet happy)
New rain suit for running
Repair Solara and Lexus dents
Visit a National Park (but don’t camp there)
Get a BIG Network subscription (or change internet/cable providers)
Go to a Ducks football game
See 3 Oregon State baseball games
Take the dogs to the coast at least 4 times
Go 8 Broadway Shows (including NYC)
Go to at least 5 major concerts
Go to a Timbers game
Go to a Trailblazers game
Organize 50 Leadership Meetings
Write a book
Watch 20 new television series
Buy some new eyeglasses
Buy my wife a new ring
Drink Diet Coke whenever possible
Go kayaking
Visit my sister and friends in Elkhart
Ski at Steamboat
At least 5 ski trips to Mt. Hood
Visit Jessica Fletcher’s House
Book Marriott Vacation Club trips for 2019 and 2010
Travel to Hawaii
Get together with friends in Indy
Attend at least 7 baseball card shows and continue collecting
Go to at least 5 antique shows to look for sports memorabilia
Compliment my wife at least a million times (see item #1)
Gift Angel Delicious Hand Cream four times a year
San Diego for a baseball game
Go to a Hops Game
Attend a high school football game
Go to my 50th High School Reunion
Get the interior and ceilings of the house painted
Get the windows washed (inside and out)
See an NFL game
Go to a high school basketball game
Add another 1000 names to my Ancestry tree
First class flight upgrade
4 Oregon Wine Country trips
See Zanna four times
Clean the house 30 times and hire some help
60 nights away from home
Visit Bend

They are in no particular order, except for the most important – Item #1. They include the important things in life like spouses, family, friends, food & drink, travel, sports, music, domestic responsibilities, home, clothing, car, gift-giving, and entertainment. It starts tomorrow with window cleaning, Indy Car racing this weekend, and friends in town, followed by a trip to Austin next week for a wedding. I feel pretty confident that I can achieve most of this list of 67, but I added a few more, just in case. To describe my age, I do prefer the word “Vintage” as opposed to “Fossil.” Here’s to another great year of retirement!

Old Sport Shorts: Thanks Reds #640

August 26, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

The Cubbies got a much needed 4-game sweep against the last place Cincinnati Reds to get to 15 wins in August. Their 15-8 record so far this month is keeping their heads barely above water, considering the Cardinals just won their 19th today against only 5 losses. A strong August record tends to propel a team into the homestretch of the playoff drive, and the Red Birds are the hottest team in baseball. The Brewers also continue to be a threat for the Central Division Championship and Wild Card race despite only their 10th August victory. The Reds are not the worst team in the National League this year, but four straight losses to the Cubs does not help their confidence. I would have to say “Thank You” for being there on the schedule when the Cubs needed it most.

Despite their 76 wins this season, the most in the National League, the team has struggled. Too many games have been decided by comeback victories and late-inning heroics to make me comfortable. A key moment in the Reds sweep was another walk-off homer by rookie David Bote. It was a remarkable encore to his decisive grand slam a few weeks ago, serving as a replacement for injured Kris Bryant. Also, the addition of Daniel Murphy into the lineup was an essential factor in earning these key victories. He has seven hits in four games, including 2 home runs and 5 RBIs. Cole Hamels has already won 4 games with a .79 ERA and a complete game since his recent acquisition from the Rangers. These were three guys that were not regularly in the lineup until after the All Star break. Yu Darvish is done for the season, Brandon Morrow continues on the DL, and Addison Russell just joined him. It’s been a struggle, with masterful replacement moves to the rescue.

The Mets are the next challenge on the home schedule, with roads trips to Philadelphia, Washington, and Washington to follow. It will be interesting to see how Joe Maddon continues to juggle the lineup. By the time I get to Chicago in late September to watch them play at Guaranteed Park against the White Sox, another sweep against a weak opponent may be just what the doctor ordered. However, the White Sox just won three straight against the Tigers and have brought up their top pitching prospect, Michael Kopech, to finish the season. He earned his first win today against Detroit, and I hope to see him against the Cubs in the Windy City.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Fossils #639

August 26, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

As the sun sets over Lincoln City, I’m reflecting on today’s activities. I got my 12 cents worth out of this morning’s run and my wife found a fossil older than I am. I also spent some time writing a portion of this while sitting on a campfire log on the sandy beach. Whales were playing once again about 100 yards offshore, as the rolling waves collided with the shoreline. There is a wonderful healing effect that only comes with time at the beach, even though my comfortable retirement life isn’t exactly filled with stress. As I look at the photos my wife posted, it almost appears as if I actually enjoy the outdoors.

Neither of our dogs were as active as I expected when turned them loose on the beach. Tally played in a freshwater drainage pond, while Tinker tried unsuccessfully to coax her to the other side. The hills were too steep for our escape-artist to work her magic. Tinker was content just being at our side. I was monitoring the world of sports on my phone, as technology prevailed over inner reflection. The Cubs, White Sox, Colts, and Bears all won today, a very rare team favorites sweep for me.

Lunch was at the Wildflower Grill and dinner at the Bay House. My wife tried to make it special with a candle on a scoop of chocolate ice cream, another violation of my low-carb “diet.” I’ve far surpassed my weight loss expectations, so a bit of Birthday decadence is in order. As a birthday surprise, she found an autographed Portland Trailblazers basketball at a nearby antique store, while she was out shopping for fossils at Prehistoric Rocks. To find something older than me was apparently easy in that shop, as they carefully loaded our trunk with her heavy load. I guess if we hit snow on the way home, I’ll get plenty of traction.

I often look for change on the ground while I’m running, so the dime and two pennies that I found is not unusual. Some find religious significance in rescuing coins from abandonment, citing the “IN GOD WE TRUST” message that money delivers. Others believe that finding a coin on the ground is a “wink” from an angel. Honestly, I just like finding things, or maybe it’s a fear of being penniless? Nonetheless, I always put it in my pocket for good luck. By the way, none of these coins were older than me!

Old Sport Shorts: Dubious Record #636

August 22, 2018 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I have to rant a little bit about the Cubs today. They set another Major League Baseball record, scoring only one run in each of their last five games, all via solo home runs. A good 10-5 start to August, a critical month in the drive to a pennant, is getting ugly, especially considering these games have been against the struggling Pirates and Tigers. Happ, Zobrist, Rizzo, and Schwarber (2x) have provided the lowly offense, while Cub pitchers have been effective, giving up only 7 runs in 47 innings of work. The result: a rocky 10-8 August push, while the Cardinals have gone 16-4 in the same time span. Hopefully, yesterday’s acquisition of Daniel Murphy from the Nationals will stop the bleeding, as he’s been an offensive terror in Wrigley Field as an opposing hitter.

As a baseball card collector, you have to narrow your focus because you can’t buy everything. I decided early this season to buy highlight cards that are printed in limited quantities. Topps Now offers such cards that are unique to collectors and sold only for 24 hours. They usually only sell five different cards a day based on record-breaking and outstanding individual achievement. I decided from the beginning of the season to buy any cards they issue for the Cubs, White Sox, and Angels’ rookie Shohei Ohtani. So far, with the injuries to Ohtani, the lack of highlights by the White Sox, and the inconsistent Cub play, I haven’t spent much, even with a $10 individual cost. It will be interesting to see if they issue a card for this dubious Cubs record of five straight one-run games. Also, it looks like I’ll avoid having to buy the debut card of White Sox rookie, Michael Kopech, who had an uneventful start last night. Ohtani hit well but the Angels lost. I probably will not be adding to my collection today, although even after the Cubs lost the other night, they sold an exclusive Living Set of cards for Ryne Sandburg and Anthony Rizzo to get my money anyway. It was interesting that the Rizzo card was bundled in a package with a Daniel Murphy card the day before it was announced he would be a Cub. These cards give me something to look forward to in the mailbox each day.

Speaking of collecting baseball stuff, here’s a lesson in investing that might be of interest. My son sent me some photos of a baseball that his Grandmother found in her sister’s attic. It was hidden in a box with a bunch of Christmas ornaments and was nearly thrown-out with the trash. As it turns out, the ball was a gift to my former mother-in-law’s sister from a group of co-workers that went to Yankee Stadium for the World Series. She was left behind to run the office in their absence. After some research, the autographs on the ball were from the 1937 champions, including a rare signature from skipper Joe McCarthy, plus Lefty Gomez, Joe DiMaggio, and Lou Gehrig . It was recently valued and authenticated by Antique Roadshow at $45,000. By the same token, Mickey Mantle’s 1964 World Series jersey recently sold at auction for 1.32 Million.

As I told my son, the value is only what someone else is willing to pay for it. Most of my collection is only worth something to me, but who knows? There may be something that I pass on to him someday that might be worth more than the $10 that I paid for it. The things in my office make me smile, as do the baseball cards that come in the mail. That’s all I can ask for as a collector of treasured junk. I just hope the Cubs can “collect” a “W” today against the Tigers, even if it just takes one run…again.