Aloha, everybody,
I'm taking the leap, and traveling to Chicago this year for the big show ~ The National (July 31 - Aug. 4)
Since I've never been to Chicago before, I'm totally unfamiliar with the areas around the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont and Wrigley Field. I'm also planning to take in a Cubs game.
I'm considering staying at the Comfort Suites in Schiller Park. Is this a sketchy area? If so, can anyone recommend another area?
I could use any and all advice about getting to Wrigley Field from Schiller Park. Are the trains easy to take? Safe? and so on.
Last, but not least, are any of you down for a beer while I'm in town? Of course, that goes for anybody else who might be traveling to the National also. I'd love to have a get-together with my fellow collector/traders.
One more ~ how about must see spots while I'm there. Are there any places that were featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives that I should check out? How about the best spot for deep dish Chicago pizza? I loooooove deep dish.
I'm looking at Base Card Hero, Dime Box Nick, The Hopeful Chase, Waiting Till Next Year, Wrigley Roster Jenga, and anyone else out there.
Just drop a word in the comments below, or an email to me. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks, aloha!
Aloha, everybody,
I know all of you in the states with real winter weather will probably snort and chuckle at this - but dang, it's cold here in LA tonight. As I type this, it's 48 degrees and dropping. Brrrrr!
Well, if there's one thing that's guaranteed to warm up a chilly blogger's scanner, it's a PWE filled with Christmas greetings of cardboard, and one just arrived at ATBATT headquarters from P-Town Tom, the man behind Waiting 'Til Next Year.
Let's see what Tom sent out to the freezing west coast from balmy Illinois...
Leading off are a couple of Dodgers from the last LA squad to win all the marbles. The card above featuring a young Bulldog and the one below with Gibby, the MVP, are from a 44-card set that Fleer put out in 1989.
This League Leaders set has an impressive checklist that already boasts 8 Hall of Famers, with more to join, I'm sure.
What a great shot of Gibson in mid-bat swirl as he sizes up the opposing pitcher. The mighty Casey, indeed.
Next up is one of my favorite present-day Boys in Blue...
However, this time A-Gon is pictured wearing the red,white and green of Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
This card is a beauty, with a simple design that manages to deliver all of the relevant information on the card front without those details becoming distractions from the great player photography. This is instantly one of my favorite Gonzalez cards.
Speaking of current Dodgers, P-Town dropped in an Opening Day card of the kid who came on the scene like dynamite, only to fizzle out in the second half like a dud.
While his bat went cold like it is outside (it's now 46), his most excellent fielding speed and skills with the leather kept him in the starting lineup. Here's hoping young Joc can re-light the fuse for 2016.
Closing things out is one of my favorite mercenaries to pass through Chavez Ravine...
I can't get enough Rickey cards, especially when he's wearing a Dodgers uniform.
That said, this card design leaves me a bit cold - like it is tonight!
While I like the stadium pennants running along the top, overall, the card looks like they cut and pasted Rickey onto the flag of Finland - or at least what I imagine the Finnish flag looks like.
Nevertheless, it's a brand new Rickey card for my collection, and for that, I'm thankful. Besides, when we flip the card over we discover something that makes this card very appropriate for this PWE. Can you spot what it is?
Check out Rickey's birthday. That's right, it's Christmas day. Cardboard Santa strikes again!
THANKS for the great cards, Tom. They're truly a great batch of winter warmers.
Aloha!
