Brent Mayne

The Panda

The Panda as a catcher.

Pablo Santoval did not make the All-Star team. Are you kidding me? I repeat, are you kidding me?

Now you know I loves me some J. Werth, but Charlie should’ve probably given Pablo the nod. Heck, how did it ever even get that far? Geez, I go away to Montana for a couple weeks and all hell breaks loose.

The Panda should never have been on the bubble. Aside from being my new favorite catcher (yes I said catcher) he is an All Star. Period.

And yes, this guy can catch.  Uh huh, he’s chubby and looks unathletic, but he’s super fun to watch and moves well behind the dish. Plus he can flat rake.

What part of .328 15HR 50RBI don’t people understand? Plus he’s 5′11″ 250 (at least). C’mon folks, get with the program, the Panda’s where it’s at.

Baseballs

Over the years, I’ve collected a few autographs on baseballs. I try to keep a spare ball in my car just in case I meet someone interesting. Plus, since I live in California, I can throw it at someone on the freeway if they cut me off.  Take it easy, I’m just kidding.

As you’ll see, the MLB guys aren’t really my target. They’re a little too easy, unless it’s a reclusive hero like Hammerin Hank.  Here’s some of my favorites.

Bruce “the Boss” Springsteen, Neil Young, Eddie Vedder, Chris Berman, Harry Carey ”Holy Cow!”, Vin Scully

“Super Dave” Osborn, Jerry Seinfeld, I have no clue who the next one is, Tom Selleck, Van Halen (Sammy Hagar years), Jackie Chan

This group is all famous surfers…you may or may not recognize them. Kelly Slater, Lisa Anderson, Mike Doyle, Rob Machado, John Peck, Doc Paskowitz

Albert Puljos, Lou Brock, Edgar Martinez, Max Patkin, Ken Griffey, Jr., Frank Robinson

Richard Nixon!!!, Mark McGwire, George Brett, Allan Trammell, Kirk Gibson, Robin Yount, Stan “the Man” Musial

This group is my favorite. Hank Aaron, Joe Strummer of the Clash!!, Skip Frey (legendary surfer and board shaper), Dale Velzy (surfing’s equivalent of Babe Ruth. I got him at a gas station!), Greg Noll (surfing’s equivalent of Ted Williams), Jerry Garcia (and the rest of the Grateful Dead), my first big league hit ball, no hit ball from Bret Saberhagan.

Memories

I was digging through my old stuff and came upon this sheet of cards that I had.  I believe they came from a Twinkee package or something.  Might have been Ding Dongs.

Anyway, it just brought back this flood of fond memories.  I love these cards.

I especially like the visor that George Hendrick is wearing.  How about the puka shell necklace and hard helmet George “Boomer” Scott used to rock?

Andy Messersmith was baseball’s first free agent right?  Plus he had a wicked perm.

By the way, does anyone remember when George started wearing his pants really low?  I remember it being so scandalous, such a slap in the face of baseball purists (even though that’s how they were originally worn in the 1850’s baseball pant length.)  I remember people complaining that it looked so sloppy.

He obviously started a trend.

A Completely Random Fact

Here’s a random fact of baseball. I might be nuts, but I get the biggest kick when I see it happen. Pitcher Mike Boddicker enlightened me to this little gem as we sat on the bench watching a game one day.

Did you know that at some point in every big league game a batter fouls a ball off in between his legs? Honest. I’m not sure if this is true for college or high school or Little League ball, but I know it to be true in the Grande Leagues.

You kinda have to be viewing the game from the side. Like the view from the dugouts. If you’re watching the game on TV you won’t pick it up due to the angle. Next time you’re at a game and sitting on the first or third base sides, pay close attention and you’ll see it happen. It’s kind of like seeing a shooting star, except this is guaranteed to happen once a game.

I’ll leave you scratching your head as to why I think this is fascinating and show you this photo that I love. I took from this website my wife’s into called SouleMama. It reminds me of my childhood. Enjoy.