tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33814097878544377282023-11-16T07:46:41.651-05:00SPOKE BAIT AND THE GAMESPOKE BAIT AND THE GAME: Baseball cards, autographs, memorabilia and the game they revolve around.TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-33962424252295146872013-06-10T20:50:00.001-04:002013-06-10T20:51:15.596-04:00FOG DELAY? Not for the NL Central<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrBHzXA0WRaH7xVhqhl0Lk93Z4Rx8vXdiDHiy0nZm7NsTMQ8hETz3WFKQe37fKlRVzF07nltVamlPoxjrrQLwLqs9aHMqB1vDd47lwLkUrIa70KXAo0QFkXlQKpCHbXp03BJeHTceqMaX/s1600/fog3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrBHzXA0WRaH7xVhqhl0Lk93Z4Rx8vXdiDHiy0nZm7NsTMQ8hETz3WFKQe37fKlRVzF07nltVamlPoxjrrQLwLqs9aHMqB1vDd47lwLkUrIa70KXAo0QFkXlQKpCHbXp03BJeHTceqMaX/s400/fog3.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The above picture is a snap shot I took of the current Reds @ Cubs game. They are currently playing ball in what may the worst fog conditions ever to roll onto the field. In the picture, Homer Bailey, the rights right-hander is throwing te ball - the ball is almost across the plate at this point. </div>
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-76621389041541193572013-06-05T15:59:00.001-04:002013-06-05T17:59:06.390-04:00Inside Info on PED break! MUST READ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Latest update per baseball insider website "the warning track": In demonstration of its commitment to ridding the game of illegal steroids and human growth hormones, MLB and the commissioner has proposed banning the consumption of McDonald's brand chicken, more commonly known as the McNugget. Mr. Selig reports that the McNugget is packed with growth hormones used in bulk chicken production, when asked, the Commissioner told reporters that "They {McNuggets} are packed with some farm-grade growth hormone synthetically conditioned for cows, poultry, and other agricultural animals, the guys {baseball players} are always on the roads traveling, consuming a lot of fast food and some of these big fellas, like Big Papi and that fat (explicit) from Detroit, what’s his name? Cecil's boy? well anyhow, those players can eat 50 or more nuggets in one sitting, and its going to make 'em test hot". In resolve to latest events and PED usage, Selig is suggesting all MLB players adhere to a strict diet of natural and free range meats .#<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-28571929889020191182013-05-15T07:41:00.002-04:002013-05-15T07:42:46.017-04:00Angels: Goliath awakens?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's definitely not the beginning of the end for any of the other four AL West ball clubs, but it's not an easy feeling knowing the beast is growling a bit. Like most baseball fans, we all like underdogs, the feel good, come from behind teams. Well, prior to April the Angels were not classified as an underdog. With Pujols, Hamilton, and Trout? and don't forget the new hurlers they signed. Now a month and a half into baseball and the Angels, the great 2013 Goliath is starting to look more like the Houston Astros (who are nipping at their heals). Either way this team ends up, even with a 10 game lead on first place, when the fore mentioned super-sluggers start hitting home runs, its time to pick up the pace. <br />
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MLB reporter Alden Gonzalez wrote after yesterday's win: <br />
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You can drive yourself crazy examining the Angels' slow start, poring through all sorts of reasons why a team this talented, this accomplished and this expensive could possibly head into Tuesday's game with the fourth-worst run differential in the Majors and a 10-game deficit in its division.<br />
Or you can simplify it like this: Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols are getting paid a lot of money, and neither has produced much.<br />
If nothing else, the ensuing 6-2 win over the Royals at Angel Stadium -- a night when Pujols and Hamilton homered in the same game for the first time, joining Mike Trout and Howie Kendrick in a mini home run derby -- was a reminder of how much better this team can be if its two most accomplished players revert back to their normal selves.<br />
The Angels' hope is that it's a sign of things to come.<br />
"If those guys get going, that's a lot of damage that can be done," Kendrick said. "Those two guys, they're known for going deep. They definitely hit the long ball."<br />
Jason Vargas gave up only two runs in seven-plus innings, snapping opponent Jeremy Guthrie's 18-game unbeaten streak on a night that saw the Angels hit four homers to tie their season high.<br />
Trout's homer was the icing on the cake, a seventh-inning laser to left field to give him seven on the year while putting his batting average at .351 over the last 14 games. In short, Trout has been there.<br />
The other two stars haven't -- until now, perhaps.<br />
Hamilton's homer came one day after he exited because of the sinus congestion he continues to battle. It came in the sixth inning, on Guthrie's first pitch of the at-bat, and it traveled about 430 feet into the grass in center field. It was his fifth homer on the year, and his first against a team other than the Astros.<br />
No surprise, it was the best a ball has felt off his bat all season.<br />
"That felt good," said Hamilton, who also lined out and drew a full-count walk, putting his batting average at .214. "That was barreled up. It was just nice and easy, don't over-swing, let the pitcher supply the power. It felt good."<br />
Pujols' fourth-inning homer, a rocket that landed above the stacked bullpens, snapped a nine-game homerless drought -- a stretch that saw him bat .200 -- and gave him six on the year, 481 for his career. Pujols hates talking about injuries, but it can't be easy for a guy dealing with pain in his right knee and plantar fasciitis in his left foot to generate much power.<br />
"No doubt it's affected him," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "When we got into a little warmer weather, I think he's rebounded a bit. He hit a rocket last night to right-center and killed one tonight. Hopefully he's going to start to feel better in the box."<br />
The Angels didn't play a clean game -- not when you consider Chris Iannetta and J.B. Shuck were both thrown out at third base in the third inning -- but they hit four homers at home for the first time since July 8 of last year, received a solid start from a key newcomer and scored in five straight innings for the first time since April 19, 2011. In the process, they beat a starting pitcher who hadn't lost since Aug. 3 of last year and still has a 2.82 ERA on the season.<br />
"They've got some guys that have got some tremendous pop over there," Royals skipper Ned Yost said, his team now 19-17. "They weren't horrible pitches; they were pitches that probably caught a little bit too much of the plate that were down."<br />
Heading into Tuesday's game, the two were batting a combined .223 with nine homers -- the same number Vernon Wells has hit for the Yankees -- and a combined Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of zero.<br />
Yes, the Angels have been ravaged by injuries and haven't done anything well. But this is a club built around Pujols and Hamilton, two guys signed to combined contracts of $365 million. They're the ones who need to drive the engine.<br />
"Those guys eventually will get going and we need them," Scoiscia said, "but it's going to take more than that."<br />
Sure it is. But you'd be surprised how much two guys can help.<br />
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-87242938121090954972013-05-14T22:02:00.001-04:002013-05-15T07:32:49.051-04:00EPIC FAIL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Remember, the IRS will be responsible for enforcing ObamaCare. <br />
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BAHAH HA HA HAHA HA HA -------- I don't always get political, but when I do, I make fun of Obama and people who voted for him!<br />
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-26868737940680659462013-05-11T08:11:00.001-04:002013-05-11T08:11:13.076-04:00The FACEBOOK drinking game!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Gpc6tSP69ctpbybWeVX8mGP4ppzfc4oKcCSJgl4_C4-j6S7md3Zq8b_yHoifBrAgRv0QIyMP_Vtp08FhFd_hDKx7g1-_x9_x5GHK4LeHO2aiUHKJBnleZHDmLVwygwRiWcGBB_dJFOZE/s1600/passed_out_drunk_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Gpc6tSP69ctpbybWeVX8mGP4ppzfc4oKcCSJgl4_C4-j6S7md3Zq8b_yHoifBrAgRv0QIyMP_Vtp08FhFd_hDKx7g1-_x9_x5GHK4LeHO2aiUHKJBnleZHDmLVwygwRiWcGBB_dJFOZE/s320/passed_out_drunk_06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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THE FACEBOOK DRINKING GAME: Get ready to get sloshed... My wife is a pretty active facebooker - from relatives in other states, friends from the academy, and friends from the past. If ever I want to have a good time, kick back a few, I just play the following game while she checks her facebook. </div>
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Take a drink whenever...</div>
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Someone posts their accomplishment that otherwise would go unnoticed</div>
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Post a picture of their new tattoo</div>
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A “way-too-close” picture of their face</div>
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Someone's pet doing something silly</div>
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A recent meal they had that was super-duper delicious</div>
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A post to instigating an argument</div>
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Pictures of cats with stupid quotes under them</div>
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A post written while obviously intoxicated. </div>
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Posts about how much smarter your child is</div>
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Posting close-ups of food – that doesn't really look that good.
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-3677100323664673382013-05-07T18:03:00.001-04:002013-05-07T18:04:30.425-04:00Atlanta Looks to Take Series<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5e2ggTLzotCANTy3HncqbBUbiaIokzLXSnuEhp5-INgZygf8mC_23KgjazA2Q8xM2WUyNlFGrCxzSRkAkxEDeI9BnQ8WzpbNw_T9lBmhGDtU4C8jeBFNm17Y3JRCTYxE5g3t_tr5OsDGg/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5e2ggTLzotCANTy3HncqbBUbiaIokzLXSnuEhp5-INgZygf8mC_23KgjazA2Q8xM2WUyNlFGrCxzSRkAkxEDeI9BnQ8WzpbNw_T9lBmhGDtU4C8jeBFNm17Y3JRCTYxE5g3t_tr5OsDGg/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5e2ggTLzotCANTy3HncqbBUbiaIokzLXSnuEhp5-INgZygf8mC_23KgjazA2Q8xM2WUyNlFGrCxzSRkAkxEDeI9BnQ8WzpbNw_T9lBmhGDtU4C8jeBFNm17Y3JRCTYxE5g3t_tr5OsDGg/s1600/Capture.PNG" /></a>The head of the nail is a little sore after yesterday’s pregame prediction – a slug fest occurred as predicted, at least for the Atlanta Braves. Bronson Arroyo, the contests losing pitcher, gave up a home run in the first frame. More long balls eventually followed suit when Simmons knocked in his second of the game off Reds reliever Logan Ondrusek and then Schafer off the same guy. The Braves ultimately had 11 hits and 7 runs – and with all these hits and runs still resulted 8 runners stranded (just to reinforce yesterday’s discussion regarding how L.O.B. is a good thing.) <br /><br /><br /><br />To the spoils go the Braves, but to say the Reds were not swinging their bats either wouldn’t be fair – The Reds club notched 9 hits and 4 runs while stranding the same number of runners. The Reds failed to get those crucial runs across the plate all while their pitchers collected an outstanding 15 strike outs (Braves fanned 9), can you say Larosa’s Pizza? But overall there is no one to blame and hindsight is always 20/20. The Braves and Reds are both teams that do two things really well, one is hit a lot of home runs, and the other is strike out. Bottom line is that one hit more home runs than the other (Oh thanks genius!), while both clubs pitching continued to be great.<br /><br /><br /><br />Tonight the Braves look to seal-the-deal by taking game 2 of this 3 game series while the Reds try and keep it open with a win. If the scales were going to tip one way before yesterday’s game, no one could have predicted which, but tonight the Reds have a slight edge against Braves starter Kris Medlen. The right-hander is 1-4 on the year with a 3.38 ERA. He has lost three straight starts for the first time ever while struggling with his mechanics. Medlen has worked only 8 inning against the Redlegs over the last 10 years carrying a 4.50 ERA but with a solid 7 Ks in those same 8 frames. Reds SS Zack Cozart is still looking to find his old form and could find it tonight hitting .500 ball on Medlen. Catcher Devin Mesoraco has the same average and a home run all while Dat Dude Brandon Phillips has a.333 and Joey Votto a .667 average over the Braves hurler. The game plan is clear of the Redlegs, see the ball, hit the ball, just out of the park. They’ll have to get it out of the park if they want to keep the Braves lights-out outfield from pounding the coffin nails into the Reds offense. Last night the Braves looked to have a dozen outfielders while the Reds couldn’t find a spot of green to drop their Rawlings on.<br /><br /><br /><br />To combat the Braves explosive offense, the Reds 2012 No-No hurler Homer “please don’t give one up” Bailey takes the mound. The Reds’ righty has pitched 18.2 innings against this southern club and carries with him a nice 2.41 ERA against the Braves. Additionally, the hurler has yet to lose a game against the Braves and is 2-0 with 12 strikeouts. Let it be noted that the Braves haven’t finished below second place in their respective division, at least as long as Homer has been in the Reds rotation and had the chance to hold Dan Uggla to a sub-mendoza .154 average and Freddie Freeman to the like with a .167 hitting average. Bailey is 1-3 on the year with a 3.38 season ERA and had a rough start last outing against the Cardinals.<br /><br /><br /><br />To what resolve? The same prediction of last night’s game. Both clubs will be looking to bust the game wide open early, and bust it open with some home runs – it seems to be what the Reds offense thrives on, regardless of the HR funk they’ve been in lately. The Braves executed their battle plan flawlessly last night and will surely be looking to throw Bailey off his game, get to the Reds weary bullpen, and secure the series. If the Reds are going to have a shot at a rubber-match, they’ll have to do the same. <br />
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-39128790470081830502013-05-06T18:43:00.002-04:002013-05-06T18:43:17.602-04:00McCann debuts in Reds vs Braves showdown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3roRfFbo6x5n5qN9xojtUwIw0aJ4IucPi-0CzSMB2it3ij-hX-BiHbyCDUIGx2ewWg8Tz91hBWRlTCX8fCjV9a8w2r66Fj_vudkPxEv5nO2i5HTsOwleGHvciuLzerAChMTbiMsWBX01/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3roRfFbo6x5n5qN9xojtUwIw0aJ4IucPi-0CzSMB2it3ij-hX-BiHbyCDUIGx2ewWg8Tz91hBWRlTCX8fCjV9a8w2r66Fj_vudkPxEv5nO2i5HTsOwleGHvciuLzerAChMTbiMsWBX01/s320/Capture.PNG" width="236" /></a>"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right"<br /><br />The morning box score chatter has never been more focused on a little number called “Left on Base” – and too often spoken of in a negative manner. Upon deeper reflection this may be one of the most irrelevant and misconstrued statistics. If you think about the full dynamics of the game, one can’t help but to notice that LOB is actually a good thing. Bottom line is the team is putting runners on the bags. Let’s be honest, if a team wins a game with zero players LOB, you can only assume they scored their runs on HRs, sacrifice rib eyes, or they score a run, and then go down 1-2-3 – which doesn’t really happen. Now, unless the club self-destructs, a high LOB number is usually accompanied by a slew of runs and a notch in the win column. Check out box scores across the league on a given day – you’ll soon see that most teams who won their respective game had more runners stranded on the bags compared to their lesser opponent.<br /><br />Back to business – The Reds fly home after sweeping the down trodden Cubbies in Wrigley. Speaking of Wrigley, the weeds in the outfield look pretty miserable this time of year. Bill Veeck (the man who planted the ivy in 1937) should have kept to popcorn vending. There are a lot of things to focus on for tonight’s series opener where the Cincinnati Reds host the Atlanta Braves.<br /><br />J. Upton hits a hitter’s park – Justin Upton leads in long balls with an astonishing 12 with the first month of baseball behind him, though only hitting .231 against Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo. Arroyo is known for giving up some long balls, especially at Great American Ballpark. Justin Upton has 26 at bats with two homers and six rib eye steaks on the veteran right hander and will be looking to notch yet another HR tonight on the river.<br /><br />Phillips hot, Cozart room temperature – Brandon Phillips has been the backbone of the Reds offense during April and will be looking to put runs on the board keeping Bronson ahead in the game. Dat dude BP has 27 RBIs on the season and is currently swinging a .281/.328/.463 line. To keep things moving forward, BP is hitting .355 against the Braves starter Maholm (3-3 3.08 ERA). In 31 at bats, BP has a homer and three rib eyes on the Braves hurler. Reds SS Zach Cozart has been struggling at the plate, but looks to change the course of things tonight with his .333 record against Maholm.<br /><br />The rise of McCann – Brian McCann is off the DL and looks to make his comeback start tonight against these Redlegs. He carries with him a career .556 batting average against Arroyo (2-3 3.95 ERA). Arroyo also has given up the most long balls of the Reds club with 5 on the season. On a side-note, Brian McCann’s girl is gorgeous. <br /><br />Arroyo must go deep – Bronson can do a lot for the Reds club tonight – he can take them deep into the game. The Reds have relied heavily on their bullpen throughout the start of the year and only two of their starters have had the ability to pitch a lot of innings. So far, Arroyo has hurled 41 innings, second to Mat Latos’ 44.1 IP. If he can take them into the 7th or 8th, the well-rested fireballer, Aroldis Chapman should get a chance for a save tonight. As for Arroyo’s pitches, well he has some of the best in the game – being an old school hurler, he has a low velocity fast ball but with incredible movement. He throws a hard slider, changeup, and his lights-out curve ball. With a monster leg kick to his 12 inch sweeping curve, Arroyo will need to be on his game to keep the streaking Braves at bay.<br />
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How will this great series go down? Whichever team walks away with the series will surely have put up some serious runs - as mentioned before, this won't be a pitchers duel, it will be a slug-fest at GABP.</div>
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-46803281639805010982013-04-23T18:05:00.002-04:002013-04-23T18:05:51.369-04:00Cingrani, Choo, Bruce, Oh my! tonight at 7:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Reds host the Chicago Cubs for game two tonight at 7:00 EST. The Reds notched another win last night as Jay Bruce knocked his first long ball of 2013. Additionally, the on-base-kid Shin-soo Choo took another painful HBP, keeping that right shoulder in has earned him a the best OBP in the game along with the most HBP, oh and a few bruises.<br />
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Tonight rookie hurler Tony Cingrani makes his second MLB start against the Cubbies. His first start was nothing less than quality as he pitched 5 innings giving up only 1 earned run over eight strikeouts and three walks. If you happen to be in the eastern Carolina's and your not sure what channel to click over to? its WGN America or if you back in the good ol' Cincinnati just check out FOX SPORTS OHIO or do some sneaky business on vipbox.tv - your call fellas.</div>
TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-73435857682553963052013-04-23T07:18:00.002-04:002013-04-23T07:18:37.580-04:00Quote of the week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The cause of America is, in a great measure, the cause of all mankind.
Many circumstances have, and will arise, which are not local, but
universal, and through which the principles of all lovers of mankind are
affected, and in the event of which, their affections are interested</div>
TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-40187373615745133752013-04-19T17:43:00.002-04:002013-04-19T17:47:56.090-04:00Devin Mesoraco<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Devin Mesoraco, the Reds' young catcher made the 2013 roster but it was a close call. Mesoraco has struggled hitting big league pitching - however he is seeing the ball pretty good lately and catching some great games. Mez caught the starting debut of Tony Cingrani last night at GABP notching a 11-1 win over the fish-outta-water.<br />
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Other than easing the rookie hurler through his first big game, Devin popped out, sac-flied scoring Todd Frazier. During his next AB a wild pitch got past Marlin catcher John Maine while Dat Dude Brandon Phillips comes across the plate. Back in the box, Mez discipline kicks in and he draws a walk, loading the bases. He made it home during the inning only to strike out at his next at bat. <br />
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Though Mesoraco is still learning the ropes catching Homer Bailey, Mike Leake, and for now Tony Cingrani; he has notched a weak slash- line of 235/391/412.<br />
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A gift I recently received from some serious antique collectors - they have good taste and I couldn't be happier about this old catchers mitt and half-mask.<br />
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-12939389436614847242013-03-26T20:07:00.000-04:002013-03-26T20:07:21.257-04:00Packing for Opening Day...Restoring the past<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Reds Opening Day - which falls upon us this first day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand and thirteen. <br />
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The countdown currently rests at a even number - six days until the greatest day of year blesses us. A morning graced by God, country, and the frickin' Cincinnati Reds - the team who brings all of MLB it's official start to the season, a long lasting tradition and honor. You're welcome America...<br />
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Six days out, the jeep is already getting packed up - we take my old beat up Wrangler to remind us of our younger days, another treat...<br />
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Ahhh a day from my youth - me and my girlfriend (current wife) with no kids, and probably no money either...<br />
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Back to present time..... damn I love this Jeep - luckily through college, Iraq, and life, I have still managed to hold onto this dear machine, and I don't plan on getting rid of her.<br />
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Back to packing for Opening Day - I decided I needed a small portable grill, for both camping, fishing, and baseball tailgating. I found a 1976 Coleman gas grill that needed some TLC - after some special order parts, a gallon of white gas - hey I remember white gas - and some applied engineering I got this classic beast back to it's working order. Luckily Coleman still has a bad ass customer service dept and a great supply of replacement parts - I bought a generator tube, a pump rebuild kit, an air stem, and a few extra parts I may need... After a few beers and some work, this classic was back and running again. (When purchased, it had the origional receipt, manual, and note saying "purchased in 1976, last used for four weeks camping in 1995"...pretty fricken sweet. You know how old men love to keep awesome records like that.</div>
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I cooked some Polksta's, hot dogs, and a frozen JTM just to try it out, it worked great and I couldn't be more happy - considering I have about 20 dollars invested into the grill including fuel. Oh hey there, that's my vintage Coleman cooler, I love that thing too. Back when I had my ski boat, ice chests were the shizaam and balancing the weight of occupants - I bought that ol' boy just to match my restored 1975 Webbcraft (earlier sad article about selling her, will not link, wound too fresh).<br />
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To Great American Ball Park? Okay, we'll be there Monday morning; but first........<br />
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as tradition dictates, we must visit Crosley Field, what is left of her... a memorial in the middle of Cincinnati's industrial park, just over the tracks. This place could talk, and it still does...Mr. Good at work talks about Crosley...he talks about Gus Bell, his favorite player as a kid, and Big Klu, his arms like tree trunks...My ol' man talks about when his dad took him to Crosley for a night game, when my dad tells this story, you should see his face when he explains how big his eyes were, just a boy seeing his first night game... My mom telling about how she met Johnny Bench in the parking lot outside, when players parked side-by-side with the fans...My grandpa Jim passing away with an unfinished 1976 Reds schedule in his wallet. Crosley field was and is a great place, we'll pay our respects to Crosley, then Pete Rose and his dad at Frisches Big Boy - then off to set our own legacy, one my daughter and son can follow in...Baseball, a gift of life, legends, and tradition...I swear it's better than Christmas.. Have you ever gotten 162 gifts for Christmas? doubtfully. </div>
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-4758880335452858522013-03-19T18:54:00.003-04:002013-03-19T18:57:37.412-04:00102 Million Dollar Opening Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkulBsW6ANF5XBa1geLGT4-rYN0FMriFv_5sLuF_UhH_Z_jrAcMFoEFRe2rbrJBiy9cmFBMWmz8FvTMfyupf4l5Ip_ixDnQVAugcPaSMAHsrMX9Schmhcb6i7Icq4jQHQANt384EFWWvv/s1600/ticket.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkulBsW6ANF5XBa1geLGT4-rYN0FMriFv_5sLuF_UhH_Z_jrAcMFoEFRe2rbrJBiy9cmFBMWmz8FvTMfyupf4l5Ip_ixDnQVAugcPaSMAHsrMX9Schmhcb6i7Icq4jQHQANt384EFWWvv/s320/ticket.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ol' Charles' palms were getting awfully sweaty waiting on me to get back in town. For the last couple years we had always bought Opening Day tickets together and planned a pretty kick-ass day in Cincinnati. A whole day without work, wives, kids - unless it involved 360 feet of dirt and a sea of green grass, we didn't want to think about it - I was out of town for work for a few weeks, prior to leaving I told Charles that we'd address the ticket situation when I get back. Little did I know was that ticket prices for the epic Reds Vs Angels Opening Day was inching towards record highs, just like Charles' blood pressure impatiently waiting for me to get back and get these damn tickets. Finally back in Cincinnati and back in the office, we could get back to business and baseball - my office's dry-erase board "OPENING DAY COUNTDOWN" had been kept well up-to-date. Before I could get settled in and open up my Outlook to over 100 emails - Charles was right on cue, "We gotta get our OD tickets NOW!" without hesitation I was forwarded multiple links to Stubhub, Ebay, 333-Seat, and even Craigslist over our inter-office communicator (granted Charles' office is right next to mine - I can hear the pounding of his keyboard milli-seconds before I receive any message). Charles was right... I couldn't believe some of the prices I was seeing.<br />
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In 2012, we saw the Reds Opening Day against the Marlins for about 80 dollars, and those were rough bleacher seats. This year was a different story - though the above ticket sold for 20 dollars, I had to pay over six times that price - and it is standing room only. Bottom line is I wasn't going to spend 300+ to sit in the bleachers, but I was willing to stand for 130 bucks this year. To rationalize this stupid amount of money, I figured up the combination of the Reds and Angels "annual" salary for their projected starting lineup/pitcher, to get you in the ball park, no pun intended, it was safely over 102 million dollars, just to get those 18 guys on the field for 162 game. 130 bucks ain't too bad...is it?</div>
TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-21193044306433392052013-03-06T20:43:00.002-05:002013-03-06T20:43:50.119-05:00Some problems are good problems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Everyone I know is playing some sort of a private investigators role when it comes to their favorite ball club - there isn't a lot to jib-jab about at the office water cooler yet, but there is a lot of information to personally digest at the moment prior to that glorious spring day when the first of 162 games erupts nation wide.<br />
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Of all the clubs, the Reds have not only taken a lot of the mainstream spotlight, but has acquired much of my free-time. The Reds currently have a pretty good problem on their hands - and all eyes are on the fifth spot in the rotation. <br />
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Mike Leake and star closer Aroldis Chapman are both competing for a spot in the rotation - the front office is dead-set on getting the fireballer Chapman in the top five, after all that is what they signed him for right? I remember last year the same issue was a hot topic, but Spring Training was a clear sign that Chapman's endurance problems kept him in a closer role, and it worked out just fine - Chapman quickly became the leagues most intimidating closers, almost untouchable. I have seen the Cuban missile fire triple-digit four seamers and mid-90's off speed pitches in person - I've witnessed some of the the games best hitters swing hard and hit but only one thing right on the screws, a trip back to the dugout.<br />
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I would love to see Chapman in the rotation, but even if it was a epic failure, we still have the games greatest closer at our disposal, and in the same respect, Mike Leake is a young but very capable starter. He cut his hippy hair and is looking pretty good in his last couple Spring Training starts - bottom line is its again, a good problem to have. Reds' skipper Dusty Baker mentioned late last year that you'll never know until you try, and this was regarding Chapman's prowess as a starter.<br />
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On the receiving end of the two-seamer there lies another situation - will rookie catcher Devin Mesoraco get another shot on the roster or will he get some more time taking swings in AAA? My .02 is that he gets the start, he works well with the team, he is learning, he is defensively solid but needs some time looking at big league pitchers - I nervously tuned into his first Spring Training at bat while retired pitcher and Reds radio WLW commentator Jeff "Cowboy" Brantley began mentioning is how comfortable Mez looked in the batters box, a little choked up, and a little bit "at-ease", after running the count 0-2 I feared that Mez still wasn't seeing pitches very well, luckily the 2-2 pitch was crushed over 400+ feet at Goodyear Arizona - a good sign and huge confidence builder for the young pup. Speaking of crushed leather, anyone keeping an eye on Jay Bruce? If not you should be, I have large bets claiming that Bruce will retire with similar stats to Mickey Mantle, a player who rarely gets mentioned or compared to modern players, but no better time than now right?<br />
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As I relax in my hotel room on yet another business trip in eastern North Carolina, I get to catch up on shows like River Monsters and Duck Dynasty and read endless articles about baseball without spousal or other interruptions from the kids. Did I get a chance to stay up until 11:30pm to catch a World Baseball Classic game? yes sir I did - unfortunately there are not any Wednesday games, I've been to all the local bars and diners and there isn't much left to do here, work is done, baseball is a few weeks away, and I'll be back in the great state of Ohio tomorrow and hundreds of miles closer to my beloved Great American Ballpark and fellow fans who don't look at a my Reds ball cap and question what state Cincinnati is in. <br />
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-55700618715934785642013-02-24T11:16:00.001-05:002013-02-24T11:16:20.833-05:00Will Ray Lewis cry at Daytona and other fun pictures.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5ictx1qHp1ylVDShRLr3oJ_D6ukYPh9vzV7YlSPTtI8ijkXIylAumc3X8vIk-IK9VblAZ7WpHJZMQ-_Xla92EsHOCatGvtObZNKL9av2BMwrDvBhopG9Z-KhKVGSh9eOdZo6Al3-c1x4/s1600/ray-lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5ictx1qHp1ylVDShRLr3oJ_D6ukYPh9vzV7YlSPTtI8ijkXIylAumc3X8vIk-IK9VblAZ7WpHJZMQ-_Xla92EsHOCatGvtObZNKL9av2BMwrDvBhopG9Z-KhKVGSh9eOdZo6Al3-c1x4/s320/ray-lewis.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiSGud4Y0M7GKrkibkZH4dmOzUV_xE2UULqNHNC8qXzW_F4zQBPS-YSGMGZ4HXMXt1tchLs7p5Zd8Vu8aXpVHrzF-R1zpKqdQUt3lFA_ZDXq6aG8ZMoSLDHW9R9j0mKQSfGkAlzVySnKj/s1600/012709bs11.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiSGud4Y0M7GKrkibkZH4dmOzUV_xE2UULqNHNC8qXzW_F4zQBPS-YSGMGZ4HXMXt1tchLs7p5Zd8Vu8aXpVHrzF-R1zpKqdQUt3lFA_ZDXq6aG8ZMoSLDHW9R9j0mKQSfGkAlzVySnKj/s320/012709bs11.jpg" /></a></div>
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href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIQ0keG3CJXKOuG_ZGCLf2PZwf4-1L9aFUYZJLePwnbOF5eZHLrLUVRJOJLGdLxLQQQQNHT1j2-5NWn3dGZOY2K0qR3bDHTpXF3xtyN3JBW7GcH1rWtxieb5ZIorE60pRvrFODjwM8UQG/s1600/110831083946-gordon-1992.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIQ0keG3CJXKOuG_ZGCLf2PZwf4-1L9aFUYZJLePwnbOF5eZHLrLUVRJOJLGdLxLQQQQNHT1j2-5NWn3dGZOY2K0qR3bDHTpXF3xtyN3JBW7GcH1rWtxieb5ZIorE60pRvrFODjwM8UQG/s320/110831083946-gordon-1992.jpg" /></a><br />
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-40208999359571386762013-02-23T10:33:00.002-05:002013-02-23T10:37:08.121-05:00Congrats Danica Patrick<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOTqgzVkyKofR4CJy4bGKDagVq7xCkKAgpbEXNO0tx8mTELgktjhNagWVp2PcRmw73Sq85imK1D5gPH7ShjgFfrpsfBiZCxEg5wmSGegoT1Q-L0wYyiMpJIHZuIehjWkDFzrq_RMCObEY/s1600/i.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOTqgzVkyKofR4CJy4bGKDagVq7xCkKAgpbEXNO0tx8mTELgktjhNagWVp2PcRmw73Sq85imK1D5gPH7ShjgFfrpsfBiZCxEg5wmSGegoT1Q-L0wYyiMpJIHZuIehjWkDFzrq_RMCObEY/s320/i.png" /></a>Looking forward to a good race tomorrow - Cheering for Danica for coming so far against the odds, adversity, and probably the hardest fan-base for a woman to break into. <br />
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Fox 12:00 PM 55th Daytona 500<br />
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-88613653001400789672013-02-03T17:21:00.001-05:002013-02-03T22:01:01.038-05:00What a catch!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today we celebrate our three year anniversary; sure three years isn't long, but in this day and age I think it is something to be proud of - additionally, I think I remember hearing a statistic about if you can survive the first three your chances of staying together improves immensely. <br />
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What a catch my wife is - she puts up with all of my crap and to be honest I am barely more than a partially house-broken grizzly bear. That being said I commend her on her constant battle to keep me and my friends in line, out of jail, and are current status as respectable citizens. <br />
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All and all, she loves baseball too, and one of our ongoing hobbies is treasure hunting, we scavenge local estate sales, thrift stores, antique malls, and garage sales hunting down vintage baseball artifacts. Mostly gloves, balls, and bats. <br />
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Below is a 1940's Nokona mitt - this old guy was in horrible condition when we found it, but a few cans of Mink Oil brought it back to it's youthful state. The ball itself isn't old, actually it's only a few years old - my wife shipped my glove and a box of balls to me and my platoon in Iraq - the ball got nasty quick because most of Iraq's soil is naturally oily and tends to soak into a leather ball pretty quick. <br />
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In the display below is a unknown brand glove we found yesterday at the fairgrounds year-round antique barn - I paid five dollars for it along with a very used sandlot ball - shown later on. This glove displayed with my grandpa's 1956 Baseball Yearbook along with a game ball he got in 1980 in a 10-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. To spice up the display, and to be true to the times, I put a 1956 Topps Gus Bell card. </div>
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Above is the old ball that came with the five dollar glove - it's in bad shape and has been repaired half-a-dozen times - if only this ball could talk. </div>
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The next glove is a 1950's Hutch Duke Snider model - good shape and looks awesome. It sits around with an old DiMaggio store model bat that we also scored at an estate sale. </div>
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I always wonder who these gloves belonged to, how many errors they have seen and how many robbed home runs they have committed - either way, they have withstood the test of time and represent a common interest between my wife and I - treasure hunting.</div>
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So here is to the last three years, many more to come, a bunch of baseball games, and who knows what other treasures we'll come across in our future.</div>
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-91903212837100976222013-01-30T22:08:00.000-05:002013-01-30T22:08:07.696-05:00You call that a chase? We'll see about that <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you havnt noticed, the back of each 2013 Topps has a chase statistic - none of which are very impressive - however, McCutchen's references Mr. Hustle himself indirectly - I think Andrew can get 3,000 plus hits in his career, I have always liked this guy.</div>
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-47462546547815051142013-01-30T16:49:00.000-05:002013-01-30T16:49:03.705-05:002013 Topps Series 1 Cincinnati Reds...and a special SP card<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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You're all probably busy with your own box-breaking Wednesday afternoons - so I won't ramble on. Just wanted to share that I pulled all 14 Reds base cards off the checklist which is pretty exciting. I also scored a Aroldis Chapman calling card, (see below), which has some very revealing information on the back..ask me what it is if you care. </div>
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Most importantly I pulled one of those Out of Bounds short prints where a player is making a warning track or over-the-rail grab - in this case it looks more like a hopeless leap if you ask me. None the less, I pulled a short print of my favorite player, Jay Bruce.</div>
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Good luck to the rest of you on your breaks! </div>
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-7100325605222543082013-01-29T08:23:00.002-05:002013-01-29T08:23:26.298-05:002013 Topps Series 1 Retail Release - Dayton, OH<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-71777332139609545462013-01-07T15:14:00.000-05:002013-01-07T15:14:15.656-05:00Bustin' a Disaster-Blaster<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5UpxP1IK7u22hJqyMftwAIxnUjyN4bL9R2TXEzHi2-kJM_owoBQZp8y8naxdoTWJzLYB3IqvlMWQKtAOrV2DhqlmvDeIEw7Py8yMK1Cm-A21ggdI6-j5kApFWVLjx8_uOlUY4NtkSAq3/s1600/box.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5UpxP1IK7u22hJqyMftwAIxnUjyN4bL9R2TXEzHi2-kJM_owoBQZp8y8naxdoTWJzLYB3IqvlMWQKtAOrV2DhqlmvDeIEw7Py8yMK1Cm-A21ggdI6-j5kApFWVLjx8_uOlUY4NtkSAq3/s320/box.PNG" width="171" /></a>It sucks waiting on a set release - Don't you just hate it when you're jonesin' for some cards and you really don't want to waste your card money on stuff you don't want? Well I'm with ya, and luckily there are some easy fixes out there for guys and gals just like us. <br />
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We can either buy some old marked-down blasters from five seasons ago - maybe pull a good rookie card and move on with our lives or we can indulge in the ever-so-elusive repack hits. I fell for the latter - a World's Greatest Card Chase blaster. Guess what... I didn't get a 1933 Babe Ruth.<br />
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I'm actually home from work, burning a sick day - hey boss, it's OK if you're reading this, I am truly sick - my face is full of the good stuff and I'm currently pounding Mucinex like a keg of Busch at a community college. However, I had to get out of the house for some fresh air, so off to Wal-mart was the family and I. We gathered supplies for my daughters 3rd B-day party this weekend - and to remind the wife who the real child was, I bought this overpriced box of junk baseball cards - what I like to call... a disaster-blaster.<br />
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Since there are no hits to display - relics to brag about - or autos to cherish, I'll share with you the joys I had walking down memory lane - opening pack after pack of 1989 Topps (and other joyous packs) - while keeping my brilliant kid from eating the gum. So enjoy the cards; and remember - if your jonesin', keep clear of the crack-packs and save your money - Series One is weeks away...<br />
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First, a quiz card - YEA! - Fleer always knew that kids loved education more than anything. In all honesty I am excited to get this card - I used up all my awesome Reds stickers Fleer used to peddle us - getting a Reds trivia card as an adult was pretty cool - So here are a few questions from the card - answers at the end of this post (a trick to make you stick around).<br />
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1.) What was the only year during the 1970's in which the Reds did not finish in either first or second place?<br />
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2.) True or False: The Reds have worn green uniforms on Saint Patricks Day?<br />
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3.) What is the only year since 1900 in which the Reds Opened their season on the Road?<br />
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4.) Where did the Reds play their home games before Riverfront Stadium?<br />
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A 1990 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Collector's Choice, apparently not my choice, I mean I'm glad its a Jr. card, but a God-awful card it is. I also got a whimsical Billy Ripken card - isn't he silly...and this 1990 Score Wally Joyner, one of my favorite 1st Base players of the time.<br />
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Seven, that's right seven Reds cards - I couldn't be happier about them odds, I probably won't get that many in 2013 Series One - unfortunately none of these are Topps and surprisingly I need some 1990 Topps Reds cards. I also already have all seven of these cards - what a disaster...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXahAhdoONS_Wwt-Uz09c8hN-40NwHq0HGhcaCubbDK_CFPCUCA6OeyFYc8SP0uQMJeO48QBWVety8PQqXT2qWsvcVyWl7p1t80LWYe0yQs6TvoqaLqcW6zGnYQ1peRLn6YZPcbi_elof/s1600/SCAN0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXahAhdoONS_Wwt-Uz09c8hN-40NwHq0HGhcaCubbDK_CFPCUCA6OeyFYc8SP0uQMJeO48QBWVety8PQqXT2qWsvcVyWl7p1t80LWYe0yQs6TvoqaLqcW6zGnYQ1peRLn6YZPcbi_elof/s400/SCAN0012.JPG" width="355" /></a></div>
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Oh yes, now we are talking, are you seeing these cards? They are for realsies - a 1989 Topps AS Rookie Mark Grace, an 89' Topps Andre Dawson All-Star, 1991 Leaf Mark Grace - oh yea two Marks don't make a right - and a breath-taking 90' Fleer Super Star Special of the N.L. East rivals Howard Johnson and Ryne Sandberg. Do you remember HOJO? see J-LO, P-Diddy and Snooky didn't come up with bitchin' names like we did in the 90's - fo sho -Boom goes the dynamite! Sarcasm? mmmmaybe.<br />
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These two soon-to-be teammates need no introduction - Smoltz and Maddux - all we need is Tom and we got us a kick-ass Braves team. Not to mention that I was an avid Braves card collector throughout the 90's and 2000's - but my brother has taken control over those cards, and won't fess up. I remember that he collected Mariner cards exclusively...bastard. <br />
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Two fine Dodgers - was this there first year there? Maybe so - what a match up - If you don't remember the 91' Dodgers you should refresh yourself - long and hard - it was probably the most exciting NL West battle in all of the NL West. The 90's Dodgers where awesome but not as awesome as the Braves.<br />
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Whats a bunch of 80's-90's cards without some Cuban love - These Jose Canseco cards are all right in my books - see below for some PED information. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipviOOpV99aL6sofsiiJ1lvbjxe5QvaoMtoYzADCdncrO3L3zUQBdcRgJOYE2rQLSdm3TAFhr9twGNADCaBB7UJ2lMgLlzOyKr9ehVlNCRJlY2sB86Prp2Lhhkp0pBhSJGqdYDxs8CYOI9/s1600/SCAN0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipviOOpV99aL6sofsiiJ1lvbjxe5QvaoMtoYzADCdncrO3L3zUQBdcRgJOYE2rQLSdm3TAFhr9twGNADCaBB7UJ2lMgLlzOyKr9ehVlNCRJlY2sB86Prp2Lhhkp0pBhSJGqdYDxs8CYOI9/s400/SCAN0009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whats this you say? Canseco grew a full inch and gained ten pounds? I gained ten pounds last year too - but i didn't get a chiseled jaw seen to our right in 365 days, and grow an inch...<br />
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Wait, I previously said seven Reds cards - lets go NINE! Bronson is still a Reds starter and Harang, well he is the Dodgers Problem. This 2010 pack was kinda cool actually. <br />
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In case you wondered if Carlton Fisk was too old to be playing baseball in the 90's - shame on you, for second guessing Fisk, and shame on you for looking at him all dirty like.<br />
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Tracey Jones - My favorite afternoon radio talk host that pisses everyone off - I love this J.O.<br />
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More Fisk - have you gotten him out of your mind yet? This guy played from 71-93, talking about tough knees...that wasn't a dirty joke.<br />
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A pack with four Future Stars from Upper Deck - not sure how much Future is involved with a 2007 Gary Sheifield, Jeff Kent, David Wright, and Victor Martinez - aren't these guys Current Stars?<br />
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These are some cool cards - big cards actually - and thanks 1988 Topps for giving me dups in a pack of six total cards....ugh, I got screwed by almost three decade old cards. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGb-JuUJ6OPD_UM2CMeFwERrNvLQku18vOdH5MsuBYoOdkv-mYMbcZ4IhpFfllBv4sf-ppgBRxokc2uG0Yx9iZGZs8-xZdBZ5cx5v8XKGLVzKEhruCJd2Sj8yGuPGaHbtdaQUherqzozkp/s1600/SCAN0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGb-JuUJ6OPD_UM2CMeFwERrNvLQku18vOdH5MsuBYoOdkv-mYMbcZ4IhpFfllBv4sf-ppgBRxokc2uG0Yx9iZGZs8-xZdBZ5cx5v8XKGLVzKEhruCJd2Sj8yGuPGaHbtdaQUherqzozkp/s320/SCAN0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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More 2010 Topps - Jeters are always nice regardless if you are a Yank fan or not. Ahh the disaster-blaster at her best.<br />
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OH and for your Quiz Answers:<br />
1.)1971 (fourth place)<br />
2.)True<br />
3.)1966<br />
4.)Crosley Field<br />
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I hope you enjoyed my crack-packs and walk through history - it only cost me 19.98 and I am already regretting it. I hope you had fun! <br />
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-65193637394070546002013-01-06T15:05:00.001-05:002013-01-06T18:08:17.737-05:00Chasing 2013 Topps Series One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRje6Vf5IwphaJQahPkzu3jQtVlxnYwTtFrge9bhGuUS5id89qTr2FtW1JdV8iqrJe9fQeEHh5ATKrfzLO0SuC2aHXkWxNz47IVBSbzOmRyQNDKdBvlSwEmjDxS5kNwZjwa4jHKSIdSkVL/s1600/JoseReyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRje6Vf5IwphaJQahPkzu3jQtVlxnYwTtFrge9bhGuUS5id89qTr2FtW1JdV8iqrJe9fQeEHh5ATKrfzLO0SuC2aHXkWxNz47IVBSbzOmRyQNDKdBvlSwEmjDxS5kNwZjwa4jHKSIdSkVL/s200/JoseReyes.jpg" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Parallel</td></tr>
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Topps Series One is just a couple weeks away; scheduled for release at the end of January. The 2013 theme is nothing more but “The Chase”, focusing on historical events, legends, and record setters. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw84n7mjR-8tWbJQhyoGbwML1KgcJG0F3l3vD6wRG15Y0N5ARfPMJY6GBurkRir22HsBzzRWoUfV8avXfBi307CVPI3GSiEHColLPIO_Kd8NAhGthFk9WD5QEXQ73YleGKeiAJSgVzwkKx/s1600/13TBB1_9006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw84n7mjR-8tWbJQhyoGbwML1KgcJG0F3l3vD6wRG15Y0N5ARfPMJY6GBurkRir22HsBzzRWoUfV8avXfBi307CVPI3GSiEHColLPIO_Kd8NAhGthFk9WD5QEXQ73YleGKeiAJSgVzwkKx/s320/13TBB1_9006.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Camo Parallel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6TOesUQEvj5uJsMlqOWAin-apFu0MTEplXTJGdVcGDCIjs1wSI2Q8-o1kfTv6413_YZed9jlTkRYfVv3QygFmDhsrs_gCIW-bNrVq2YX4108z2NgNwBvubD71SGDImk6Ux78GWk2QiPl/s1600/Felix2013Topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6TOesUQEvj5uJsMlqOWAin-apFu0MTEplXTJGdVcGDCIjs1wSI2Q8-o1kfTv6413_YZed9jlTkRYfVv3QygFmDhsrs_gCIW-bNrVq2YX4108z2NgNwBvubD71SGDImk6Ux78GWk2QiPl/s320/Felix2013Topps.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emerald Parallel</td></tr>
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The initial glance at Topps teaser checklist release provides a little insight to what the “The Chase” is all about. The base set is 330 cards and a handful of parallels to include Emerald Foil, Gold (#/2013), Desert Camo (#/99), Pink Parallel (#/50), Platinum Parallel (1/1), and the Printing Plates. The base set seems pretty straight forward and even the new design is appealing; Topps drew up a abstract baseball diamond/home plate separating the player's picture and name - but we really need to see the backsides to get a better idea. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLaS5ftTDkpTWZtgCZP3Ujr-8Qi_xw6m2nsD6GDjwpWtsrQ1NKsya6qGk89GfAmhVMz7Yy0VU6O9PtwSxcgft7bOGamLKOlcVYsiiXAwhfav7_VFkvEICXDwwTwCNIMqnrL-Cf8MwrV_s/s1600/jdiamond.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLaS5ftTDkpTWZtgCZP3Ujr-8Qi_xw6m2nsD6GDjwpWtsrQ1NKsya6qGk89GfAmhVMz7Yy0VU6O9PtwSxcgft7bOGamLKOlcVYsiiXAwhfav7_VFkvEICXDwwTwCNIMqnrL-Cf8MwrV_s/s400/jdiamond.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 Topps Border Design of a baseball field</td></tr>
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The Emerald, Pink, and Desert Camo are a pleasant change of pace – collecting Gold and Diamonds was getting a little old - but before I give Topps too much praise, I want to address the parallel design. The Emerald and Camo are the same thing we saw rolling out during 2012's Gold Rush ( See Jay Bruce below). I was already under the impression this design looked more like my Army ACU trousers than a raw chunk of gold. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi383zhmIiuXiFIRR-9m4J3gmD9rN58se3EDIoeHgzmw3VUQEwNRHgM49DUqntW-rabGNHjCBS74nJQsVYog68gmj1khcQf5tTz_fWE7AfzsmIarFpjvVkB02GTAK1h-uEzPM0tcvXoQQVR/s1600/brcc.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi383zhmIiuXiFIRR-9m4J3gmD9rN58se3EDIoeHgzmw3VUQEwNRHgM49DUqntW-rabGNHjCBS74nJQsVYog68gmj1khcQf5tTz_fWE7AfzsmIarFpjvVkB02GTAK1h-uEzPM0tcvXoQQVR/s320/brcc.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold Rush to ACU Camo design<br />
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Lets talk about “The Chase” a bit; The idea is pretty cool and well deserving after 2012 season ended with a Triple Crown Winner and seven no hitters – and that just scratches the surface. Miguel Cabrera's 2012 season was truly a record setter; the last American League Triple Crown was adorned by Carl Yastzemski in 1967 – the NL hasn't seen the goods since 1937's Joe Medwick of the Cardinals. To be fair, Frank Robinson snatched it up in 1966, the season before Yastrzemski, but Robinson did it as an Orioles, sorry National Leauge.<br />
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The 2013 Topps <u>Chasing History Inserts</u> and <u>Chasing the Dream Inserts</u> don't even include Cabrera or any of the No-no hurlers – though the checklist is incomplete at the moment, Topps hopefully considered including the fore mentioned history makers – In Topps defense, they did include a Roberto Clemente and a few other well-deserved Chasing History players, and justifiably so; but the majority of this list include the rooks that will be part of the "Chasing the Dream" set. Chasing the Dream is a really cool set and will be amongst the favorites to build. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lance Berkman St. Louis Cardinals<br />Yonder Alonso San Diego Padres<br />Mark Buehrle Miami Marlins<br />Jose Altuve Houston Astros<br />Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates <br />Trevor Bauer Arizona Diamondbacks<br />Adam Dunn Chicago White Sox <br />Yu Darvish Texas Rangers<br />Ken Griffey Jr. Cincinnati Reds<br />Bryce Harper Washington Nationals<br />Tony Gwynn San Diego Padres<br />Drew Hutchison Toronto Blue Jays<br />Roy Halladay Philadelphia Phillies<br />Casey Kelly San Diego Padres<br />Rickey Henderson Oakland Athletics <br />Brett Lawrie Toronto Blue Jays<br />Reggie Jackson New York Yankees<br />Devin Mesoraco Cincinnati Reds<br />Derek Jeter New York Yankees<br />Will Middlebrooks Boston Red Sox<br />Ian Kinsler Texas Rangers<br />Tom Milone Oakland Athletics<br />Paul Konerko Chicago White Sox<br />Jesus Montero Seattle Mariners<br />Evan Longoria Tampa Bay Rays<br />Matt Moore Tampa Bay Rays<br />Don Mattingly New York Yankees<br />Mike Moustakas Kansas City Royals<br />Willie Mays San Francisco Giants<br />Jonathon Niese New York Mets<br />Hanley Ramirez Los Angeles Dodgers<br />Jarrod Parker Oakland Athletics<br />Cal Ripken Jr. Baltimore Orioles<br />Drew Pomeranz Colorado Rockies<br />Mariano Rivera New York Yankees<br />Josh Reddick Oakland Athletics<br />Alex Rodriguez New York Yankees <br />Addison Reed Chicago White Sox<br />Babe Ruth New York Yankees <br />Anthony Rizzo Chicago Cubs<br />Nolan Ryan Texas Rangers<br />Chris Sale Chicago White Sox<br />CC Sabathia New York Yankees<br />Drew Smyly Detroit Tigers<br />Johan Santana New York Mets<br />Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins<br />Mike Schmidt Philadelphia Phillies<br />Mike Trout Angels<br />Frank Thomas Chicago White Sox <br />Jacob Turner Miami Marlins<br />Brian Wilson San Francisco Giants<br />David Wright New York Mets</span><br />
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<u>Cut to the Chase Inserts</u> are pretty much a 2013 rendition of last year's <u>A Cut Above</u> inserts - a set that was hit or miss with many collectors. This set is also available with serial numbered relic, autos, and auto/relic inserts. Personally, a cut card of a legend is a little tacky for this collector - I won't be building this set. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQCcLm4HPLBrJKs9mNOGi_LPO8hRysb33t2CFvugaP6g2sY-oFgtIhVOtAPA4Mo9DqrJJPIgMH40jV_cySyirvUlh_gGOjt2CP1CqTDsG_eeLbLOMZ4I8X-UtuyZPOGSLu1WBgzLRIGhn/s1600/13TBB1_9014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQCcLm4HPLBrJKs9mNOGi_LPO8hRysb33t2CFvugaP6g2sY-oFgtIhVOtAPA4Mo9DqrJJPIgMH40jV_cySyirvUlh_gGOjt2CP1CqTDsG_eeLbLOMZ4I8X-UtuyZPOGSLu1WBgzLRIGhn/s320/13TBB1_9014.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut to the Chase Insert</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds<br />Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates <br />Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates<br />Nelson Cruz Texas Rangers<br />Ken Griffey Jr. Seattle Mariners<br />Yu Darvish Texas Rangers<br />Rickey Henderson Oakland Athletics<br />Carlos Gonzalez Colorado Rockies<br />Derek Jeter New York Yankees<br />Derek Jeter New York Yankees <br />Willie Mays San Francisco Giants<br />Adam Jones Baltimore Orioles<br />Alex Rodriguez New York Yankees<br />Willie Mays San Francisco Giants <br />Babe Ruth New York Yankees<br />Andrew McCutchen Pittsburgh Pirates <br />Mike Schmidt Philadelphia Phillies<br />Dustin Pedroia Boston Red Sox<br />David Price Tampa Bay Rays</span><br />
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Another set includes <u>Calling Card</u> inserts - pictures of famous player poses, such as Pujols and Babe Ruth (I bet he'll be calling a Home Run). I'm hoping for a Jay Bruce walk-off pose in this set - here is my pose, fingers crossed. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNwV4-q1hhc83lX0UQ6T3PU6fjKdMwuRdEdW6gYot0OXm3VY6BrhHcaukCJ19vTLGoH9PD5XRug4ce2-rHKEuxbJk548zLLm1HTAygK5RCXeYRhvvTZHcB-Kp5s4VZA5A98POO-8qaTm1/s1600/13TBB1_9041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNwV4-q1hhc83lX0UQ6T3PU6fjKdMwuRdEdW6gYot0OXm3VY6BrhHcaukCJ19vTLGoH9PD5XRug4ce2-rHKEuxbJk548zLLm1HTAygK5RCXeYRhvvTZHcB-Kp5s4VZA5A98POO-8qaTm1/s320/13TBB1_9041.jpg" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calling Card (Pujols)</td></tr>
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<u>Manufactured Relic</u> cards to include<u> Cy Young Award Winners</u> and <u>MVP Award Winners</u>- These manufactured relics are said to be in Hobby only - The hope is that they show up in blaster boxes as we've seen over the year with historical stitches and patch cards. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCvVtw1SwbQsAWGyCxU-RQ-wBwS_o_Uz-OxBxXYUbV7evuHZ5HBgRbfjlTpR5TiFpniMHtzyPgE4e7GfU-76Qyg9D54BC55d-bBiqhEit4fUApud58gih7sh0yzVl0tItmvdPZNpCU_OR/s1600/13TBB1_9031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCvVtw1SwbQsAWGyCxU-RQ-wBwS_o_Uz-OxBxXYUbV7evuHZ5HBgRbfjlTpR5TiFpniMHtzyPgE4e7GfU-76Qyg9D54BC55d-bBiqhEit4fUApud58gih7sh0yzVl0tItmvdPZNpCU_OR/s320/13TBB1_9031.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manufactured Relic (Smoltz/Cy Young Award)</td></tr>
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<u>Proven Mettle Coins</u> set - this set includes copper, wrought iron, and steel coins set in cards. The set is serial numbered by coin: Copper #/99, wrought iron #/50, and steel will be #/10. Luckily Cabrera gets a coin card, finally some real merit to "The Chase" theme. I like this idea - especially since it doesn't involve Gold, Diamonds, or other fancy things; steel, copper, and wrought iron are some pretty noble metals if you ask me - I once pulled a Tom Seaver commemorative gold coin in a 2012 set and I hope the luck rubbed off to my next slew of pre-order hobby boxes. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_kEiqghocrmyaus1LLodLMv-39buayrK4VKnqRt53t58Is0Ff2Ax8tbl1arqKFqN2CNyAC9gMOtLchvGu8t0EzJOq8QndkM67S1jbvYtEa7zBAVrbff8648oNRhpj6_3e-UcVwNS-K_f/s1600/13TBB1_9010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_kEiqghocrmyaus1LLodLMv-39buayrK4VKnqRt53t58Is0Ff2Ax8tbl1arqKFqN2CNyAC9gMOtLchvGu8t0EzJOq8QndkM67S1jbvYtEa7zBAVrbff8648oNRhpj6_3e-UcVwNS-K_f/s320/13TBB1_9010.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proven Mettle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTh-FdrsuhX6AxNDUOh_vkaeIEXS4UKTVMGl-IcKi4XMfIXeGbTR1gSOng3N5UYuShvHoNSls1aECFjBOwa5KjJQT_wsODH-JckJa7rB4-BFZKFuf5bFrWr-H5_O8Tud2LYWMpcP4Yw3g/s1600/SCAN0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTh-FdrsuhX6AxNDUOh_vkaeIEXS4UKTVMGl-IcKi4XMfIXeGbTR1gSOng3N5UYuShvHoNSls1aECFjBOwa5KjJQT_wsODH-JckJa7rB4-BFZKFuf5bFrWr-H5_O8Tud2LYWMpcP4Yw3g/s320/SCAN0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 Topps Tom Seaver Commemorative Coin </td></tr>
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Again, we get a <u>Greats</u> insert set, this set is pretty much the same guys we've been collecting in last year's <u>Golden Greats</u>. The list includes A-rod, Babe Ruth, Cal Ripken Jr, Jeter, Ernie Banks, Bench, Griffey Jr, Schmidt, Ricky Henderson, Clemente, Willie Mays, and more to be announced. I would look up the 2012 Golden Greats checklist, but I would probably be rewriting the above names all over again. <br />
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<u>1972 Mini Inserts</u> - The 1972 throwback minis will be more of the same - the relic and auto minis will be a nice addition and some serious cards to get your hands on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGgpODDe6BJAdZG9BiaDSBoeO9CqTr7PUyniIUVHwT_ax6_xo9Rjycr44pq9YX8x4EH-WMrJbOSv2ti8t5rPHcm6VpyuWH6UblB1gecnSZfD1aLUubiv4fzik9a_63C1AD-Od45rSI-zx/s1600/13TBB1_9037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGgpODDe6BJAdZG9BiaDSBoeO9CqTr7PUyniIUVHwT_ax6_xo9Rjycr44pq9YX8x4EH-WMrJbOSv2ti8t5rPHcm6VpyuWH6UblB1gecnSZfD1aLUubiv4fzik9a_63C1AD-Od45rSI-zx/s320/13TBB1_9037.jpg" width="173" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(2013) 1972 Mini Insert- Votto Relic-</td></tr>
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<u>Drawbacks</u>- More of the same in this set - Topps didn't even bother to mix up some pictures for some of it's Greats - Just look at the below Johnny Bench Cards from 2013set and 2012. Hopefully this is the only example 2013 Topps can give me. Seeing a checklist that focuses on the legends of the past more so than the legends of today - after the historical 2012 season, I expected Topps to focus on the record breakers and up-and-comers. This is why I think the Chasing the Dream cards will be a great set, however they'll be watered down by all the Willie Mays and Mike Schmidt inserts; unless I pull an auto or relic, I will be spending my time with the rooks like Mike Trout, Jose Altuve, Giancarlo Stanton, ahum.. Bryce Harper, and the other fellas - and as for 2013, it seems as though Topps has unlatched itself from Mickey Mantle's teet and has full-on sealed it's jaws around Bryce Harper the Boy-wonder.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6Mz7HNgmn6Tltex08xj0_OITAYVMpg1BlkeIGa0b1NXhFq82hZIf-rnWBeXbaruIVN8ZiaBRG9dMSAK4kno-RpjZ28tENTu66o-Ny6RR9rhpKgM2GnZDBBC1NStAKXfizJxsC1I-HCO4/s1600/SCAN0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6Mz7HNgmn6Tltex08xj0_OITAYVMpg1BlkeIGa0b1NXhFq82hZIf-rnWBeXbaruIVN8ZiaBRG9dMSAK4kno-RpjZ28tENTu66o-Ny6RR9rhpKgM2GnZDBBC1NStAKXfizJxsC1I-HCO4/s400/SCAN0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 Topps Timeless Talents (Bench/McCann)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXttydvPen2ByeUEqx01DnrvxUUWSQmevJFEeUuXGZl0bshTdIgzN_MtFl7ptdRVpg9HLwYfMPq-BHKy0n5NBqsdD_nGU195PPRJpad5P9UzRjM4YlkyjOfZqsNJ1MfGt5gQvVBmGAa3T/s1600/13TBB1_9034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXttydvPen2ByeUEqx01DnrvxUUWSQmevJFEeUuXGZl0bshTdIgzN_MtFl7ptdRVpg9HLwYfMPq-BHKy0n5NBqsdD_nGU195PPRJpad5P9UzRjM4YlkyjOfZqsNJ1MfGt5gQvVBmGAa3T/s400/13TBB1_9034.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 Topps Greats (Johnny Bench)</td></tr>
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-16234975625451203662012-12-31T22:16:00.001-05:002012-12-31T22:16:20.376-05:00New Years gift from the spousal unit...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
May the Force be with you....frickin' sweet pillow.<br />
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-14256303725927938122012-12-31T15:24:00.005-05:002012-12-31T15:24:37.730-05:00A New Year: 2013 Cincinnati Reds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />After two months off – looking down the barrel of a new year, it’s time to start talking about Spring Training and the 2013 Cincinnati Reds.<br /><br />Though the snow is still piling up here in Dayton, Ohio; the warmth of spring is only a few months away as we start analyzing the 2013 roster. There have been some monumental moves within the Reds’ clubhouse that could very well put them back into the post-season. <br /><br />I’ll address these changes as well that could debunk the real mystery; will the Reds fall short after a 2-0 series lead again this October?<br /><br /><strong>The 2013 Rotation and the Cuban Missile:</strong><br /><br />Is the Cuban fireballer Aroldis Chapman finally getting his shot in the rotation? This seems to be the case; Baker, Jocketty, and pitching coach Bryan Price says this is gonna happen. Before I get into the meat-and-potatoes, can we first imagine how devastating the Reds starting five will look? Johnny Cueto, Aroldis Chapman, Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo, and Homer Bailey could realistically be the rotation kicking off the 2013 season.<br /><br />Cueto hurled an astonishing season wielding a 2.78 ERA over 19 wins and 9 loses, however oblique strains kept him from prevailing in the playoffs. Cueto did pitch 217 innings during the season, a career high; his second most was in 2010 when he hurled 185 IP. Not only did Cueto pitch deeper into the season then ever before, he fanned a career high 170 batters. Cueto was in a high contender for a Cy Young award, an accolade never received by a Reds pitcher.<br /><br />Veteran right hander Arroyo notched a 3.74 ERA over a 12-10 record, hurling over 202 innings; Arroyo played a key role during the 2012 Divisional Series against the World Series Champs. Arroyo pitched 7 innings giving up only 1 hit and zip, zero, zilch runs. The 2012 season has been his best in over six years, just when the skeptics were mumbling that his career was over as his velocity seemed to dissipate after the 2011 season. As far as we know, Arroyo will continue to be a veteran asset along with his hard slider and straight changeup; if you have ever seen this guy bring his stuff you’d agree is curveball may be one of the best in the league.<br /><br />Mat Latos, acquired in a much debated trade last year with the Padres – many Reds fans thought we gave up too much for the hurler that included two first-round draft picks Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal (Volquez and Boxberger too). The argument was then, the Reds already had a long-term first baseman along with a veteran and rookie catcher, this concluded that Grandal and Alonso were 100% trade bait. All and all it worked out as Mat Latos settled nicely into the Reds hot rotation. Latos, bringing some attitude and flare to the mound hurled 209 innings with an astonishing 185 strikeouts. Latos finished the season with a 3.48 ERA over 14 wins and 4 loses. The stat junkies tell us that his slider has a 42% whiff rate, which is one of the best in all of the majors. <br /><br />Homer Bailey finally had the break-out season we have all been waiting for, including a NO-NO hurled on September 28th 2012 (I can remember listening to 700 WLW in the garage sweating bullets). Overall, Bailey had his best year ever as he threw 208 solid innings, 168 K’s- maintaining a 3.68 ERA over 13 wins and 10 loses.<br /><br />Finally, the missing link… Aroldis Chapman – the missile settled into the closer position early in the season and became the most feared closer in the history of the game with a microscopic 1.51 ERA notching 38 saves. Though Chapman only pitched 71 innings, the debate emerges – can the young Cuban go 150+ innings in the rotation? This is the question being worked out as we speak; the general idea here is that the Reds will never know until they try, or at least that’s what the club is saying. Can we argue that throwing one or two innings four days in a row compare to tossing six innings every five days? I don’t think stats or computer analysis’s can give us a definitive answer; with that being said I’m siding with the Reds clubhouse in saying we’ll never know until we give it a whirl. If Chapman can successfully contribute to the rotation – the 2013 Reds could possibly harness the greatest rotation ever seen in National League history.<br /><br /><strong>Pitching tid-bits</strong>: All is not lost with starter Mike Leake, the young starter is just getting some game time, waiting his break out season much as we saw in Homer Bailey – Leake has tons of potential and could still have a place in the rotation or as a long reliever. <br /><br />Mammoth hurler Jonathan Broxton is to step in as closer.<br /><br />The bullpen still best in N.L – Sean Marshall, Sam LeCure, Jose Arredondo, Alfredo Simon, JJ Hoover, Nick Masset, Logan Ondrusek, Tony Cingrani, Villarreal, and Redmond.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><strong>Exit Stubbs – Enter Choo:</strong><br /><br />The Reds can say they gave it their all when starting center fielder Drew Stubbs time and time again. Stubbs struggled for years but would often have offensive bursts that kept people watching – not to mention his lights-out defensive prowess. The Reds had to move on and made quite the splash during winter talks. Reds signed Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and let Stubbs seek greener pastures up north. Christmas came a couple weeks early as this December 11th trade rolled across MLB.com headlines. Choo fits the Reds leadoff needs perfectly as Choo has been batting .310 and a .389 OBP in the leadoff hole. Stubbs barely scratched above the Mendoza line, I’d rather not check for accuracy but it can’t be more than .220. Thought Choo isn’t as defensively potent as Stubbs, the trade should work in the Reds favor non-the-less.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <strong>Don’t worry about Votto:</strong><br /><br />It was no secret Votto struggled a bit returning from his injury – it was to be expected. Luckily Votto is easily the most disciplined athlete in the game and will be more than ready for Spring Training. I’m not even going to comment anymore on the matter; He’ll be his old self again in no time. <br /><br /> <br /><br /><strong>The Todd-father gets the nod?</strong><br /><br />Currently, the Reds depth chart depicts Todd Frazier as the clubs starting third baseman; however there has been no word to if Scott Rolen is hanging up his cleats. Rolen will be 38 years old by Opening Day, and if 2012 was any indication he is really starting to slow down – Rolen is starting to play like Chipper Jones in his remaining season, he is slower, injury prone, but damnit he can still play some damn good ball. I think if Rolen, a 7 time All-Star – 1998 ROY – 8 time GG – and SS recipient, feels he can battle through another season, I think Walt Jocketty will give him the chance. Even if this is the case, expect to see a lot of Todd Frazier filling in for the 100 games Rolen can’t play in along with days off around the diamond for other starters. If the Todd-Father gets the nod, expect some more of the same – 100% effort from a classy ball player who hit .273/.331/.498. Frazier legged out 26 doubles, 6 triples, 19 homers, and 67 rib-eye-steaks.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><strong>Around the Horn:</strong><br /><br />Catchers Ryan Hanigan and Devin Mezoraco will call the games again in 2013; though the young Mezoraco spent some rehab time at the AAA level – mostly due to an argument between himself and plate umpire Mr. Fairchild. <br /><br />Infielders Brandon Phillips AKA Dat Dude AKA B. Peezy and shortstop Zach Cozart will return to provide the club with the best defense in the league along with some quality at bats.<br /><br />Ludwick and Bruce should continue to do their thing as both reliable outfielders and Rawlings crushing bruisers who love to hit balls out of GABP. Though some say Ludwick’s performance was a one-year wonder, he is here to stay non-the-less and we should see more slugging out of the starting left fielder. As for Bruce, this guy gets better and better every year – he is beginning to look like a young Mickey Mantle in right field. Keep an eye on this kid, he’s lights out.<br /><br />The bench- The Reds have a cornucopia of a bench, overflowing with goodies – Chris Heisey, Xavier Paul, Henry Rodriguez, Jason Donald, and Jack Hannahan. We also have the opportunity to see the young star Billy Hamilton come up for a few starts depending on how things work out. <br /><br /> <br /><br /><strong>THE 2-0 AND OUT POST SEASON?</strong><br />I wouldn’t expect to see this again; not to suggest the Reds will be in the playoffs, but if they can stay healthy, they have the potential to go deeper into October. In 2012 the Reds had the stuff to clinch the division and play in the divisional series before they self-destructed; mostly due to inexperience and health problems. The young rotation can now say that they have been there before, seen it, experienced it – this time they will be calm and collect. If health remains on their side the rest will be history – The sluggers will hit, the defensive will prevail, the rotation will destroy – all on the shoulders that Chapman can endure a long strenuous season, that Cueto can go deep into October, and for the most part – good health in the new year. <div class="yiv1740073462MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1356985314567_1976">
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TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-30244487834137024852012-09-28T23:33:00.000-04:002012-09-29T10:13:06.404-04:00Yeah, Homer Bailey just did that...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
No Hitter 9-28-12</div>
TheHitKinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819945751701697304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381409787854437728.post-81715529956555354552012-09-24T17:32:00.001-04:002012-09-24T17:32:19.412-04:00Congrats to the Cincinnati Reds NL Central champs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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