Goodbye, Kenny Rogers
(August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020)
Country music legend Kenny Rogers has passed away at the age of 81. Best known for songs such as “The Gambler,” “Lucille,” and “Lady,” Rogers also recorded a song in the late 1990s that connected with baseball fans: “The Greatest.” He also hit the charts with several duets, teaming up with superstars such as Dolly Parton, Sheena Easton, Gladys Knight, and Alison Krauss.
The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25PM at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family. https://t.co/adxAgiMW2s pic.twitter.com/nggWiiotMT
— Kenny Rogers (@_KennyRogers) March 21, 2020
Kenny Rogers, you were a cool cat. pic.twitter.com/p4bBAv1srz
— greg dulli (@MrGregDulli) March 21, 2020
RIP Kenny Rogers, 81.
What incredibly sad news.
One of the all-time great country music stars & an utterly charming man. pic.twitter.com/xtYLeWk3Me— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 21, 2020
RIP, Kenny Rogers pic.twitter.com/222oMP9xGX
— Gummy Arts (@gummyarts) March 21, 2020
Fun Cards: 1984 Topps Future Stars John Franco & Eric Davis
What if Topps made “Future Stars” cards in 1984? While the rest of the world was taking notice of the rookie card craze, Topps dropped the multi-player “Future Stars” cards after their 1982 release. But what could have been? What if John Franco and Eric Davis showed up on the same card in the 1984 set? I took the team leaders card and turned it into “Future Stars,” and created a back that included the players’ 1983 minor league stats. I did change the font on the front to match the regular base cards, rather than the “Arial Narrow” look of the team leaders.
This would have been a HUGE card in Cincinnati in the mid-1980s. Eric Davis rookie cards were highly sought after; there is no doubt in my mind this would have run in the $20-25 range in Cincy back in the day.
Fun Cards: 1984 Topps Tony Fernandez
(June 30, 1962 – February 16, 2020)
Donruss and Fleer both included the late Tony Fernandez in their 1984 releases, but Topps completely missed the boat (unless I’m overlooking something). I intended to make this card a few weeks ago when Fernandez passed away but I just had too much going on at the time.
Fernandez was a great ballplayer, probably the third-best shortstop for a time in the American League behind Hall of Famers Cal Ripken Jr. and Alan Trammell. He was an All-Star three times in the 1980s for the Jays, in 1992 for the Padres, and again in 1999 for the Jays. He also played for the Mets, Reds, Yankees, Indians, and Brewers.
In memory of Number 1. Forever in our hearts 💙 pic.twitter.com/lUCfBpc1U3
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 16, 2020
This is how I will remember Tony. Smooth as silk, graceful, giving, joyous, focused, and always someone you can count on not just in baseball but in life. Just an all around sincere person. Gone way too soon!! pic.twitter.com/eAMQyWmX8T
— Jesse Barfield (@JesseBarfield29) February 16, 2020
So sad to hear about my teammate, friend and W.S. Champion Tony Fernandez this morning. Not only was he a great ball player but a great human being as well. R.I.P. my brother. We will all miss you. pic.twitter.com/XN08dT1xtj
— Joe Carter (@JoeCarter_29) February 16, 2020
“I am heartbroken by the passing of Tony Fernandez. Tony was a truly special person who cared so much about helping people and making a difference in the lives of others. He was a great friend, teammate, father, husband, and minister. My thoughts and prayers are with his family” pic.twitter.com/0aDcwvHr6d
— Alomar Sports (@AlomarSports) February 16, 2020
I’m so sorry to hear about Tony Fernandez passing. A great teammate and friend. A pitchers dream to have him at shortstop when your pitching. One of the best ever. R.I.P. my friend.
— david wells (@BoomerWells33) February 16, 2020
Heavy Heart for me world lost a good one Rip Tony Fernandez smoooooth as can be. Thanks for teaching me to compete. You will be missed a true gentleman on and off the field.
— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) February 16, 2020
2008 Hall of Famer Tony Fernandez passes away
Hall of Fame official statement:
“We are heartbroken to learn that Tony Fernandez has passed away. Tony was a baseball legend in every sense. He was a five-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner, a World Series champion… pic.twitter.com/enr8u45Nl5— CDN Baseball HOF (@CDNBaseballHOF) February 16, 2020
Joey Votto today honored the late Tony Fernández with a message on his cap. A four-time Gold Glove shortstop, Fernández’s career spanned 17 major league seasons including 12 with Votto’s hometown Toronto Blue Jays and one season with Cincinnati (1994). #RedsST pic.twitter.com/dyuh8vVTlE
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) February 19, 2020
My custom Tony bobblehead pic.twitter.com/lVd9yFpgbW
— Daveme Images (@DavemeImages) February 17, 2020
Would love to see a liquid plastic patch done in honor of the @BlueJays legend #TonyFernandez! Let’s make it happen @MarkShapiro @JassyFernandez #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/CgsdQSOgeU
— erich ‘heinz’ rigonan (@h_n_z) February 20, 2020
Book Review: Biz Mackey: A Giant Behind the Plate by Rich Westcott
Biz Mackey: A Giant Behind the Plate
by Rich Westcott
Temple University Press, 2020
Who is the greatest catcher of all-time? The question is often asked, and arguments ensue between defenders of Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. Occasionally, a Josh Gibson apologist will chime in. Rarely does another name creep into the conversation, but Biz Mackey might be deserving of some consideration. Author Rich Westcott does an excellent job of examining Mackey’s life and impact on the diamond in the biography, Biz Mackey: A Giant Behind the Plate. Excluded from baseball on a larger stage due to segregation, Mackey nonetheless influenced catchers and his Hall of Fame legacy contributes to the argument that he was at least among the greatest catchers to ever play the game.
Westcott provides several testimonials of Mackey’s talent from players he played with and against before launching into his background, briefly discussing his childhood leading into his love for the game and quick success. The author is known for his focus on Philadelphia sports, so it is no surprise that he devotes a good portion of the third chapter to the impact of African American baseball in the Philadelphia area; Mackey was a popular player with both the Hilldale Giants and Philadelphia Stars. Mackey also helped spread the love of baseball in Japan when he traveled to play exhibition games.
Biz Mackey: A Giant Behind the Plate also includes information about Mackey’s turns as a manager and his mentorship of fellow Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanella. Sadly, Mackey died in 1965, long before he and other Negro League superstars were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His great nephew, Ray C. Mackey III, accepted the award and spoke on the legend’s behalf at the 2006 ceremony.
Who is the greatest catcher of all-time? Biz Mackey: A Giant Behind the Plate probably will not change your answer, but it is a good addition to any baseball fan’s library.
Purchase Biz Mackey: A Giant Behind the Plate by Rich Westcott.
Book Review: The Twilight Zone by Barry Keith Grant (TV Milestones Series)
The Twilight Zone (TV Milestones Series)
by Barry Keith Grant
Wayne State University Press, 2020
Television has been a fantastic medium for bringing entertainment into the homes of Americans for decades. Beyond that, television has been a teacher to many. Many programs have included some sort of “moral to the story,” though that trend seems to have shifted in this day of so-called reality TV. One of the most enduring television shows of all-time is Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone. Barry Keith Grant, professor emeritus of film and popular culture at Brock University in Ontario, examines The Twilight Zone on a more scholarly level than most in his latest book, a part of Wayne State University Press’ “TV Milestone Series.”
Grant recognizes the fact that many books have already been published examining the series from many angles. His aim in this volume is “primarily on the interrelated questions of authorship, genre, style and ideology in the context of The Twilight Zone.” He touches not only on the issues of having a singular perspective guiding the narrative, but also the society in which the show aired, such as fears concerning the Cold War. I found his examination of Serling’s battle with sponsors one of the most interesting aspects of Grant’s book.
The impact of Rod Serling’s original run of The Twilight Zone is undeniable. The reason for the impact is telling: “The Twilight Zone explored the fringes of the fantastic but remained fixed in the familiar, and…revealed the monstrous within the normal and explored how thin the veneer of civilization in fact is.” With all apologies to Jordan Peele, it is doubtful anyone will ever produce a program with as much influence as Serling’s original The Twilight Zone.
Purchase The Twilight Zone (TV Milestones Series) by Barry Keith Grant.
Fun Cards: 1990 Topps Traded Dan Quisenberry
Today is the late Dan Quisenberry‘s birthday. Quisenberry was one of the premier relievers of the 1980s, leading the American League in saves five times from 1980 through 1985. Kansas City released the submariner on Independence Day in 1988 and he signed ten days later with the Cardinals. After a year and a half in St. Louis, Quisenberry signed with San Francisco in January 1990. He pitched five games for the Giants before retiring.
In addition to his unique pitching style, Quiz was known for his poetic talents. A collection of poems was published in April 1998 under the title On Days Like This. It’s a nice collection and copies can be found relatively inexpensive on Amazon. I picked up a copy several years ago (to be more precise, seven years ago according to Amazon!).
Quisenberry passed away September 30, 1998, from brain cancer. He was only 45 years old.
Fun Cards: 1987 Donruss Axl Rose
Finally, we get to the man who caused this blizzard of music “fun cards” today, the birthday boy Axl Rose. He was born William Bruce Rose Jr. and raised as William Bruce “Bill” Bailey in 1962 in Lafayette, Indiana…a long way from Hollywood. He has appeared on non-Guns N’ Roses songs with Don Henley, Gilby Clarke, and Sebastian Bach, and fronted AC/DC in 2016 when Brian Johnson faced health issues. Perhaps the coolest thing that Axl Rose has ever done, though, happened just a few years ago when he was animated and appeared on New Looney Tunes, performing a new song called “Rock the Rock” with Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig in the episode “Armageddon Outta Here.”
Happy birthday Axl!
Fun Cards: 1987 Donruss Slash
I often cite Slash* as the reason for getting a guitar when I was 16 years old. I’ve sadly never been able to learn how to play quite as well as the Guns N’ Roses axe-slinger. His recent collaborations with Myles Kennedy are very good, but nothing stands as tall as his work with Axl Rose and the boys.
* Aerosmith‘s Joe Perry also gets some credit. I was crazy for the 1970s output of Boston’s finest.
Fun Cards: 1987 Donruss Duff McKagan
Duff McKagan was at one time the most underrated member of Guns N’ Roses, but he has proven himself as a musician and writer over time and is now getting the recognition he deserves. In addition to GNR, McKagan released a solo album Tenderness last year and has been a member of Neurotic Outsiders, 10 Minute Warning, Velvet Revolver, and Loaded, and has performed with Alice in Chains, Jane’s Addiction, and Hollywood Vampires. He had dropped out of high school in the 1980s but has since completed his education and founded a wealth management business. Duff is also the author of It’s So Easy (And Other Lies) and How To Be A Man (And Other Illusions). He rejoined Guns N’ Roses in 2016.
I didn’t know until just now that yesterday was actually Duff’s birthday…56 years young! Happy belated birthday Mr. McKagan!
Fun Cards: 1987 Donruss Izzy Stradlin
Guns N’ Roses was the biggest band in the world when guitarist Izzy Stradlin walked away. After recording four albums with the group, he decided the spotlight was too much and opted to pursue a solo career with less pressure. His first post-Guns album, Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds, featured some great songs, and he continues to put out solid music under his own name. Corporate rock radio, however, has all but ignored his excellent output.
