An Almost Perfect Game

One the 100 Greatest Sports Feats covers Harvey Haddix, who pitched the hell out of a game in 1959.

I was skimming through some books that are destined for the sell pile (or as trades for cards). I've gotten all I can from them. Now it's time for someone else. But before they go I'll write about some book to card connections.

This Illustrated True Book is what Wally or the Beav would’ve read on a street curb.

Reading a book published in 1964 about a then-recent event is a little weird and interesting. It starts with a dedication to John F. Kennedy, who died in '63. So it's like experiencing history told in the voice of that era. There's a time machine quality to it.

Haddix still holds the MLB record for most consecutive batters retired in one game (36). He was battling a serious cold yet managed to become the first to pitch a perfect game through 12 innings (noted on his tombstone).

I picked up Harvey's 1993 Upper Deck card two years ago. The card's got a lot going for it. The best thing, of course, is the serious 50’s phone (no curly cord just straight old school).

This seems to be a phone made of Bakelite, an older type of plastic. It looks like this one someone's selling on Etsy:

The card back summarizes his almost perfect game. There’s also an explanation of the Baseball Assistance Team. This is a cool idea - a foundation that helps ball players in need. BAT still exists. Fuji also posted a box break with more info here.

There's a more "recent" 2009 article titled the Greatest Game Ever Pitched that's written 50 years after the game. It's worth a read. And last Sunday marked the 60th anniversary.

I wonder what he's reading while chatting on the phone...

Card facts: based on the 1912 T-202 Hassan Triple Folders card design, this 1993 Upper Deck series is named either B.A.T. Triple-Folders or All Time Heroes of Baseball. They’re an oddball size (2.25” x 5.25”). It's card #61 out of 165.

Current Availability: semi-common (handful on eBay and some on Sportlots)

Lucky

You hear about lucky ducks (not lucky chicken unless it's a parody though there are probably lucky duck chickens living free range into old age). Some people have their lucky charms but I’m late for any luck of the Irish analogies. There’s also the luck of the draw that happens when cracking packs. 

Most of the time it takes a combination of a sharp eye and luck to find what I’m looking for. That’s exactly what happened when the phone caught my eye in Tuukka Rask's 2018-19 Upper Deck Compendium Blue card.

This the first in what will be a short series of hockey players with phones.  There’s no cryin’ in baseball (well maybe a little) and there’s definitely little phoning in hockey.

I started the draft for this post last December (when I included this card in my Top Reads of 2018 post). I got the card from comc (they show a stock photo and I think it's part of some e-pack program they have). Here’s the back:

A few months later I’d forgotten about my draft and I was on vacation.

I walked by a little lending library and glanced at a book called Capital Gaines Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff. The title combined with the cover’s Dennis Quaid look-alike convinced me to grab it.

I was told Chip’s from one of those fix-it house shows. Based on his book, he seems like a solid guy. One thing stood out: “I’ve never been one to give luck much credit, but you got your hands on this book for one reason or another, so let’s just assume this happened for a reason.”

The reason was sheer luck (combined with a catchy title and photo).

Someone put the book there. Nobody else grabbed it before I took that specific path on my walk. It was just like finding a card you didn't expect to uncover.

Turns out Chip's book is more of a self-help book. Regardless of how you feel about those, there's a notable chapter about baseball that's worth reading. 

Chip was extremely focused on playing pro ball. The odds are tough and he was cut from the team in his college sophomore year. But through determination and hard work he found success elsewhere. 

Some people have a tough time admitting luck as if it somehow negates their hard work. Dilbert's Scott Adams believes you always discover luck in the mix when drilling into success stories. 

I’m in the luck + hard work = success camp. My theory is luck's everywhere: your parents and their genetic make-up, whether you encounter life impacting health issues and so on.

There are players like Roberto Clemente, who was unlucky at a juncture in his life that led to his death. Others like ’75 rookies Brett and Yount were lucky to have avoided career ending injuries. Combined with their skill, the results were long, successful careers.

Some believe everything’s been decided. Maybe. But when it was decided, that’s when luck occurred (and now is when you're experiencing it). 

I'm grateful for the lucky things in my life because I've had my fair share of unlucky. Was coming across a hockey phone card and inspired by luck?

I think so.

I dropped the book off back to the library so luck could strike again for another unwitting person.

Mr. Watson Come here I want to see you

Humanity's built on what preceded us. And this blog wouldn't exist without the telephone.

So let's start at the beginning, a functional phone made by Alexander Graham Bell.

The first words spoken on a phone were Bell's on March 10^th 1876: "Mr. Watson Come here I want to see you.” It's documented in his own journal at the bottom of the first page here…

We'll conclude our mini history lesson with Upper Deck's overview on the back of Bell's 2008 SP Legendary Cut #110 card...

• Card facts: Serial numbered to 550. This card series ran from 2001 to 2009 and once again in 2011. 
• Current Availability: common/limited (several scattered throughout comc, eBay, SportLots).
  A 1/1 with "Memorable Moments" text repeating info from the standard card is on eBay at a ridiculous price. 

Tap, tap, tap. Is this thing on?