Thursday, May 20, 2010

Baseball Dreams, Part 1

Hey ! It's good to be back !



The next few posts may not have much to do with baseball cards or the Cleveland Indians so I hope you will all be patient with me. Some of the bloggers may not be interested but I know at least a couple of you will be.





The first picture you are about to see is one of utmost importance and has a very sacred aura.

This may be the most valued item that made it's way back to Ohio with us. Everyone thinks I'm crazy and maybe they're right!

The red, sandy dirt and small grass particles that I scraped from the sides of my shoe after playing ball with my two sons on the field of dreams. We played three way catch to warm up and then pitched to each other while my wife took videos.

We used my son's gps to get us here. The curved road in the background leads to this sign but it's not the same road you see lit up at the end of the movie. The long line of headlights fading into the night,indicating people will come, just don't jibe up with roads we had to go down to get here! This place is really out in the sticks...er... cornfields. We followed several different genuine dirt roads, leaving thick clouds behind and a layer of Iowa dust all over the back of our white rental van !



There is a long driveway leading up the house and playing field once you turn at the sign.



As we approached the property the sight was very, very familiar. Except for the fence, which provides little privacy for the owners, it looked just like the movie. As it should.


It's not quite the same without the tall corn beyond the outfield but it still sent shivers down my spine when I got out of the car and walked toward the field. All of the special moments of the movie were going through my head in a whirlwind of baseball memories.


Here we are, standing behind home plate, just gazing at the beautiful field. It had been raining for the past several days but the baseball gods were good to us this day. It was chilly and overcast but no rain. The field was covered with a fine gravel and seems to have a very good drainage system. All was set for a little small ball !


After playing some 3-way catch to warm up, I stepped up to the plate. Bat in hand, going through my "Mike Hargrove" routine, I connected with the first pitch. As you can see, the ball is heading out on it's flight through the hazy Iowa sky. I know it looks like a line drive, but I believe this is the hit that became a towering fly ball, easily clearing the height of the light towers, landing about 400-450 ft. away. ( Hey, you weren't there. It's my word against yours!!)



Then, stepping out to the mound, I baffled my sons with my devastating curve and 104 mph fast ball.


Here, our youngest son Andy, is pitching to his brother Josh.



And this is what happens when you're almost 60 years old and try to judge a pop fly with bifocals! I swore that ball was over my head. I started running back, turned my head to find the ball and did just that. Two days later I still had trouble opening my mouth wide enough to take a bite of hot dog. It's all better now, and I stayed in the game!


This is the view from from center field. We walked out to check out the corn.











Sure enough, it was there !
We had a really great time and had the field all to ourselves for about 1 1/2 hours, except for 2 or 3 older people who stopped to look around. Andy and I are working on a video clip for U - Tube. If it works it will be hilarious !!
Next up, Van Meter and the Bob Feller museum.












Sunday, May 2, 2010

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT !!

Where will you be on May 10th ?

I'll be thinking of you all as, hopefully, my family and I will be playing ball here :


It's either Heaven or Iowa. Maybe both. " The Field of Dreams" Just in case any of you readers aren't aware of it, the playing field from the movie is now a tourist attraction. They were right. People will come.

This isn't really the important announcement, but if does have some ties as you will find out later (if you keep reading).



But first, you have to sit tight through some trade posts. Or, I guess I can't stop you from scrolling down to the bottom to the heart of the post,but I hope you'll at least glance through the following on the way there.


First up, a package from Covered in Wrappers over at A Cardboard Problem.

As her name implies, she generally has, and saves me a few of her wrappers. I love getting the hobby version and high end wrappers as there are no card shops in my area. Plenty of inexpensive retail available but I have to drive a ways to find a real card shop.




She also included a nice stack of Tribe cards. Always a welcome sight here!


Some very nice copper border 2009 Topps 206.

2004 Topps Chrome refractor of Alex Escobar. Sizemore, Wood and 2010 Topps Attax Cabrera.

The "Jake" (Progressive Field --boring name! I do have Progressive insurance though)
One of our past favorites, Victor Martinez, and present favorites Grady Sizemore.Who I think is still hurting.

Thank you so much Marie! The cards are great.

Next up is every one's favorite bird, Night Owl.


Shiny is always good. Just ask Motherscratcher. I'm sure we'll hear from him again.
2009 Topps Chrome including Hafner refractor. Hey Night Owl, that post you had about getting the same card over and over, well the Hafner refractor is mine. They must have made millions of this one.


He also remembered my affinity for "The Mick". My childhood baseball hero.


How he knew I needed an up grade on my Eric Wilkins I'll never know! The one in my collection has terrible scratches on the front.

Thank you very much Mr. Night Owl!

Finally some cards from Chris, who is a reader but has no blog that I know of.
We've made a couple trades in the past.

2010 Topps Attax Shin-Soo Choo.He's been having a terrific year so far.


I've already discussed Grady but this is a nice 2010 Topps Heritage dice-game variation card.





I had a Red Sox 2010 Topps Opening Day blue border card.
Chris wanted it the worst way!
He kept sending emails with new offers.
I said I would only trade it for a Tribe blue border.
Well, he finally found one and we made a deal!

Thanks Chris for the great trades!

And now, drum roll please !
Rat-a Tat
tat
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Yes this is BGSU's 100th year! Yea!!!
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Double Yea!!!
Next Saturday we will be at BGSU to see our youngest son graduate!
He also has a job lined up with the Medina Gazette as a general news reporter for the Brunswick,Ohio area. He still wants to get into more sports oriented writing but this will be a great starting point for him. We are very proud ( if you can't tell !)

That's where the field of dreams comes in. We have two house sitters lined up and will be on a short vacation to celebrate Andy's graduation. Oh, and also, on the 31st my wife and I will have been married 30 years !! Who'd of thought she keep me that long!

So there will be a lot of preparation next week and you may not hear from me for a while. I will keep up updated on our travels though.

Almost done.
Have to brag a little too.
tat
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Andy also came home with a little hardware for his hard work!


Yes, we are proud !

Thanks for reading!