Merry Christmas (and long overdue Houston Astros 2022 World Series champs post)

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone! This is a much long overdue post of 2022 World Series champions Houston Astros. Why would I post something that happened six weeks ago? I tried to put words in it, but it kept going blank. The truth is, I couldn't put words into a fan's ecstasy of his favorite team winning the World Series. When I take a look at this team you can never ever count them out ever. Astros are already driven by opposition dislike that they channel it into motivation. Whatever adversary comes at them they tackled it head on finding ways to fill in the gaps. It started before the season when Carlos Correa left in free agency. Team plugged rookie Jeremy Pena in his spot. Very quickly he made fans forget about losing Correa as he went to have amazing rookie season from the start of the season to the end of the World Series netting himself Rookie of the Year and World Series MVP. Team's ace Justin Verlander, coming from TJ surgery and being out for a year and half season, quieted doubters as he never lost a step on the mound leading the league ERA and winning Cy Young award. Alex Bregman started the season off slow, but bounce back in the middle of the season end in a solid high note. Offensive contributor Michael Brantley was lost for the entire season for a shoulder injury during the middle of the season. The team worked their way around with Chas McCormick filling in his spot in left field while Yordan Alvarez is plugged in DH role. Speaking of Yordan, he and Kyle Tucker provided 1-2 punch in the lineup. Jose Altuve went on a huge slump during the playoffs only to break out of it at right time at game 4 of ALCS against New York Yankees. When Yulieski Gurriel got hurt and pulled from the game 5 of World Series due to injury, Trey Mancini, who the Astros picked up around the trade deadline, filled in for him at first base. He made, not only, inning ending, but one of game saving plays snagging a line drive off Kyle Schwarber preventing potential runs from scoring. That same game in the bottom of the 9th inning, another game-saving play made when Chas McCormick (who took over injured Michael Brantley spot during middle of the year) caught a deep fly ball from J.T. Realmuto ending potential threat from the Phillies. There's the pitching as they formed a solid starting rotation core with Framber Valdez breaking out on his own along Christian Javier, Luis Garcia, and Jose Urquidy. Speaking of Christian Javier he started both of the team's combined no-hitter games this season. This despite not having starter Lance McCullers, Jr. for most of the season due to injury. When McCullers returned he pitched decent in 8 starts. The middle relief no longer became questionable with the core of Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, Ryne Stanek, and Hector Neris holding the lead before turning it over to Ryan Pressly closing it out. The team proved naysayers wrong and became a case of be careful what you wish for or you might get it. When Yankees fans chanted on wanting the Astros in ALCS, they swept them badly. When Yankees manager Aaron Boone complained about the roof being open at Minute Maid Park causing a potential homerun to become fly out, Chas McCormick and Jeremy Pena hit a homerun in the open air confines of Yankees Stadium. Phillies fans, not only demanded Astros in the World Series, but poke the bear going after Astros super fan and philanthropist Mattress Mack. Astros responded with three straight series clinching wins as well combined no-hitting the Phillies. It's fitting the one of final runs Astros scored in the season when Yordan Alvarez turned Jose Alvarado into Mitch Williams sending a 3-run 450 feet homerun shot into center field of Minute Maid Park to give them the lead for good. Astros World Series championship gave them redemption and manager Dusty Baker a long overdue World Series ring as manager. Was this a magical season for the Astros? It's too easy say that. I will say this Astros season started with driven motivation for being branded the "bad guys" with some bad breaks in between and ended with Kirk Cousins-esence "You like that?!" moment.

After six weeks I finally puts words into this. How? I received my Christmas presents and I felt that ecstatic joy once the second the ball hit the glove for the final out of 2022 season clinching World Series championship.

I love having championship gear of my favorite team. Not pictured is the 10-card Topps Now Astros World Series set. Here to the 2022 World Series champions the Houston Astros!

As of this posting the team will be missing few players from the championship through free agency like Verlander, Aledmys Diaz, and Trey Mancini, as well searching for GM. They might not re-sign Yulieski who is a free agent. They re-signed Rafael Montero and kept all their coaches. For the team's first big free agency move they signed Jose Abreu. Meanwhile, former Astro Carlos Correa, who gambled on himself after a season with Twins, find his signing with New York Mets in potential limbo because of concerns from his physical.

10 Years in the Making

When 2012 Allen & Ginter came out I went to the local card shop and bought the hobby box on the day it got released. Months followed with me buying up blaster boxes trying complete the set to the point I was getting repeats that I don't need to buy blasters and going after singles. Like almost every set I tried to build I stop then start again later years later. 2012 Allen & Ginter is no different as I would buy singles once in a while throughout the years. Then in a collector moment I would forget to update the checklist database and end up re-buying some of those singles. After realizing I just need less than 10 cards I made it my mission to complete the set. One of the cards was Bobby Hurley, Sr. that took me a while track down despite not being a short-print. After that I just needed two cards and one of them was kinda biggie: Derek Jeter and Mike Trout. Jeter is no problem as I picked one up for a $1. Then there's the Trout card that commands spending big bucks. If you want track one down on Ebay expect to spend $15-$20 and its not even his rookie card. Luckily there was one seller with a buy now price of $10. I jumped on it quickly and now I have wait for the cards to come in the mail to make the set officially complete. Then it came:

And boom there it is. The 2012 Allen & Ginter set finally complete as it took me ten years to finish it. With one set done time to see what other sets I need to complete and there's alot of it in my collection.

Topps Caught With Their Hand in a Cookie Jar

Topps quality control took another huge hit. On late Friday afternoon Topps issued a press release on social media on authenticity of Austin Meadows and Randy Arozarena autographs from this year's Topps Definitive set. They came to "conclusion" both are fakes and those who pulled the card will be getting a replacement box of 2022 Topps Definitive and a replacement card to go along with it. It made me go what happen to their quality control and how did it get passed? Topps must have known, but decide to pass the product on the consumers hoping no one will know. The consumer will know and they will find out harder it turns out to be a fake. Reading the comments section on one of a social media sties there's one that stuck out. A collector/fan called Topps out on F1 driver Lando Norris autos being fake. The fan met Lando and showed him the card. Lando said he didn't sign it. It's highly potential it might be widespread but refuse to admit it. Topps blamed the process on covid protocols, but its not a good excuse especially when collectors and consumers are shelling over hundreds of dollars on sport card products. It didn't help when the back of Topps autograph card said all signed cards are witness by a Topps representative. So far its been proven to be false. Want to know how much a box of 2022 Topps Definitive cost? $2,000-$2,500. Imagine spending that much only to get pull a card with fake autographs. Might be forced to go over my collection over the weekend and question any autographs I pulled from Topps are legit especially the past two years. Not a great look for Topps.

For those who want a look at questionable card its this:

It can immediately tell its a horrible fake. In fact, I got Randy Arozarena signed in person at minor league game in 2017.

Yep way off from Topps. For those who don't want to spend digging through Topps social media for the press release here it is:

Re-living My Youth Through Music

Getting old sucks. Settings, tastes, trends, and excuses changed, body parts don't work the way it used to, things I used to enjoy no longer enjoyable, and daily life is ever-changing so quick in a nanosecond I can't keep up fast enough. No matter how hard I look forward I go back into those reflective days of "Yeah things were better way back then." Music is no different. I still have my CD album collection and once in a while I would pop one in to listen wondering if it still sounds good to this day. When tickets to Everclear 30th Anniversary tour went on sale last month I immediately bought a ticket to it. Funny thing I never owned Everclear album to this day, but I remember their songs of Santa Monica, Everything to Everyone, and A.M. Radio. Their songs were played on the radio or MTV's dying years of music videos. I'm sure we all heard at least a song from them once. Supporting them are The Nixons, who I remember for their hit song Sister, and Fastball, who I will remember for The Way as well owning their debut album All the Pain Money Can Buy. I grew up in the 90s heyday of alternative rock. Time to re-live their music live in person.

The day of the show was on Tuesday in Odessa. On the day of the show the city of Odessa hit with a disaster when a main water line broke leaving the city with no water for a good two days. The concert was in limbo til the venue announced in the afternoon it will go on. Off to The Ector Theatre I go. When I got there I realize most of the crowd were like me: mid-30s to their 50s. Even few brought their teenage kids to the show. Can't beat re-living the music you grew up to and have your next generation kin enjoy it.

The Nixons started out with a 30 minute set which included Baton Rouge, their new single Kaleidoscope, cover of Elton John's Rocket Man, and finishing with their big hit Sister. Met the band after their set while Fastball was setting up theirs. Purchased their newest EP album Kaleidoscope and got three of the four members to sign the sleeve as well getting my picture taken with guitarist Jesse Davis.

Up next is Fastball and they started with Fire Escape. They were way off on the song but built back up and played well on the remaining set with Outta of My Head, You're An Ocean, and The Way. Tony Scalzo looked impressive playing the guitar. Their set ended with a cover of Z.Z. Top - Thunderbird.

Then the main band of the show Everclear. Only founder and singer Art Alexakis is the original member of the current incarnation of the group. I got in the pit and up close before their set started. They came on playing their hits as how it should be. Got the groove and getting lost in their music rocking, moshing, swaying, jumping, and dancing with a random woman. The set ended with their breakthrough hit Santa Monica.

I had a fun time and for a few hours I feel very young and wonderful again. The next day I go back to reality and watch the world die. Yeah.

Enjoy the video footage I shot. Yeah.

Dirty and Desperate! The Fall of Wrestler Andy Dalton

(Note: this is about independent wrestler Dirty Andy Dalton, not the NFL quarterback with the same name)

For over a decade then DFW independent wrestler "Dirty" Andy Dalton was making a name of himself in the Texas indy wrestling scene with his old school brawling style. He made few spot appearances at Ring of Honor, MLW, and WWE as well a tour in Japan.

Then came his downfall in June of 2020. The wrestling scene have their #SpeakingOut moment and Andy Dalton became one of many named with multiple allegations. Each allegation against him reveals a disturbing pattern of him being abusive and manipulative towards women. The abuse in forms of emotional and sexual with threats of violence. Another post feature a text screenshot of him being very unappropriated to a minor. He sealed his fate admitting to the allegations and screenshots that got posted thus blackballing him from wrestling scene as feds immediately cut ties from him. You think it was over, but no, it was just the beginning. Reportedly a week or two after #speakingout he made calls to promoters trying to get a spot when feds want nothing to ever do with him. He tried to return to the ring wearing a mask hoping no one would notice him, but not one fed would bite. At live AEW taping there was third party account of him trying get welcomed in the wrestling circle while being there as a paying fan. He was burying and talking trash towards talent behind their backs. Very recently on his Twitter he insulted AEW newly signed woman wrestler Athena. On another post he disrespected the recently retired and former MPX owner Steven Kirby. It drew a giant blow back against him that he set his Twitter account to private. Dalton was desperate to get himself back into wrestling when no one wanted him to ever step back in the ring. Then he somehow pulled a wool over everyone.

He convinced a wrestler to give him a match in Alabama. The wrestler thought he was doing him a favor. Once video footage from the match made rounds the wrestling community appalled how a fed booked him on a show as well someone wrestling him. He posted a bloodied picture of himself from the match, not only put himself over, but it pretty much mocked everyone that told him he's done from the industry forever. Despite the negative response the fed shockingly didn't care if they booked a guy who should never be in the ring ever. Meanwhile his opponent of the match received a huge backlash that he announced he's stepping away from the ring and who knows if he will be back. It sucks because his opponent is good guy that made a mistake.

Dirty Andy Dalton, despite being a good in-ring wrestler, is a dirtbag behind the curtains. Once got outed he desperately and selfishly tried to get back in the wrestling industry when 99.9% refuse to go near him. Once he got that .1% to get him back in the ring he caused more damage just like he did to those women. One wrestler said it at best. He's a parasite. Dirty Andy Dalton you can go fuck yourself.

A Year Long Delay Box Break

The last of Topps delayed 2021 products got released few weeks ago as in Big League. I never expected to be released after numerous delays that kept pushing it well into 2022. In fact I forgot I pre-order a hobby and collector box last year and due to numerous delays I expected the set to be scrapped. Much to my surprise I got a tracking email from UPS and Blowout Cards saying the items got shipped. Talk about long overdue on one of last year's set.

The collector box comes with a figure along with five packs. Of the 10 collectible figures I received.....

Carl Yastrzemski in 1983 card design. Pretty good. From both collector and hobby boxes I got over half of the base set as 24 orange parallels, 23 inserts, one rainbow foil, but no autograph. Some examples I got:

There you have it the budget little frills set that was suppose to be released last year. I do like the cosmic retrowave look on Defensive Wizards insert set. I would have made this set different due numerous delays. If I was Topps I would have combine both 2020 and 2021 season into this set expanding it from 300 to 500 cards calling it 2021-22 Big League.

Opening Day 2022

Minor league baseball season started last week but the first home stand here was Tuesday night. It was Midland's 50th season as minor league baseball team. They gave away free 50th anniversary team t-shirts to first 1,000 fans as well debut of the team's new look and logo with a different shade of blue to go along. They even got team numbers in front of their jerseys making them easily identifiable to the fans. Midland Rockhounds open the home series against Corpus Christi Hooks.

The Rockhounds opening day roster feature nine players on A's top 30 prospects list: Zack Gelof (3), J.T. Ginn (8), Ryan Cusick (9), Colin Peluse (13), Jordan Diaz (15; 40 man roster), Jorge Juan (25; 40 man roster), Logan Davidson (27), Jonah "Bright Lights" Bride (29; 40 man roster), Michael Guldberg (30). "Bullet" Bobby Crosby returns as manager along with assistant hitting coach Juan Dilone. Todd Takayoshi (hittitng coach) and former MLB pitcher Chris Smith (pitching coach) are the new additions to the coaching staff this season.

As for the game J.T. Ginn struck out 7 batters allowing 2 runs in 3 2/3 innings before getting pulled. I assume pitch count reasons. The relievers didn't fare much better as 4 of the 5 relievers used got scored on. Wandisson Charles didn't get a single out before getting pulled. Only Garrett Acton didn't allow a run. Hooks tee'd off on Rockhounds pitchers getting 13 hits off them with homeruns from Luke Berryhill and Cesar Salazar who went 4-5 with 3 RBIs. Poor fielding from Rockhounds doomed them as well. So far the offense is there, unlike last year, getting 15 hits off Hooks pitchers but stranding 12 on base. Rockhounds lost 11-4 on opening night to a crowd of 3,247 in attendance.

If there's beard of the year award in baseball Rockhounds pitcher Brock Whittlesey is an early candidate. It even moves when he throws a pitch.

Home standing started off bad but it will get better. Hope to catch another game when Frisco Roughriders come down here in two weeks in their only visit here this season.

The New Fairfield Repack

A trip to Walgreens netted me a repack box and it changed a bit. They didn't list the amount of cards in it so its a random guess. My box got 41 cards with one non-baseball one and a pack of 1990 Fleer.

1985 Topps: Lynn Jones, Doug Rader
1987 Donruss: Steve Crawford, Rick Honeycutt
1987 Fleer: Ron Oester, Dave Parker, Danny Jackson (X2), Jorge Orta
1987 Topps: George Hendrick, Ron Cey (traded and in A's uniform)
1988 Score: Bob Welch
1989 Donruss: Tony Gwynn
1989 Score: John Kruk
1990 Fleer: Bryn Smith, Gary Gaetti, German Gonzalez, Tim Crews,
1990 Upper Deck: Tim Laudner
1991 Upper Deck: Darren Daulton, Sid Bream, Steve Finley
1992 Topps: Brady Anderson
1992 Donruss: Bruce Hurst, Mike Felder
1992 Fleer: Dickie Thon, Jose Lind
1992 Leaf: Juan Samuel, Bobby Ojeda, David Justice
1992 Upper Deck: John Burkett, Bruce Ruffin, Kevin Tapani
1994 Sportflics: Yorkis Perez
1994 Leaf: Andy Benes, Armando Reynoso, Jim Eisenreich
1995 Select: Roberto Kelly (in an Expos uniform)
1995 Pinnacle: C.J. Nitkowski
2003 Upper Deck 40 Man: Pete Walker
Non-baseball: 1991-92 Skybox LA Clippers

The cards I got from 1990 Fleer: Jose Lind, Gene Larkin, Jody Davis, Neal Heaton, Jerry Reed, Ken Dayley, Wade Boggs, Dave Gallagher, Danny Jackson, Otis Nixon, Mike Schooler, Rick Reuschel, Kevin Ritz, Alfredo Griffin, Ben McDonald, sticker w/ Orioles, Reds Sox, White Sox, and Angels logo.

Not sure if every repack box contains 40 cards, half from the 80 cards from they used to put out, and a pack. I wonder what is everyone experiences with the new Fairfield repacks.

2022 Topps Baseball Hanger Box Break

2022 Topps Baseball been out for two weeks. I bought two hanger boxes through Walmart.com. Time to start that yearly set build that will likely not be finished for a year or two mainly I'm too lazy to buy/trade for singles. Here what I pulled for my 134 card starter set.

Hanger Box 1:
Yasmani Grandal, Brandon Crawford, Eduardo Rodriguez, Archie Bradley, NL East Division Smiles/checklist, Charlie Morton (CharMo as I called him), Gio Urshela, Stuart Fairchild, Eduardo Escobar, Kevin Pillar, Emmanuel Rivera, Whit Merrifield, Bo Bichette, Zac Lowther, Minnesota Meetup/checklist, AL Wins Leaders, LAA Angels, Tyler Stephenson, John Means, Greg Holland, Eli Morgan, Josh Naylor (was a miserable prick in AA ball), Taijuan Walker, Matt Manning, Eddie Rosario, Anthony DeSclafani, Kyle Tucker, Kwang-Hyun Kim, Miguel Cabrera, Aaron Ashby, Travis D'Arnaud, Rougned Odor, Josiah Gray, Jake Arrieta, Adam Frazier, Liam Hendricks, Tommy Pham, Jesse Winker, Ty France, Matthew Boyd, Luis Robert, Alex Bregman, Mike Yastrezemski (Topps Quality Control; see picture below), Hanser Alberto (always called Hanser the Answer), Chris Flexen, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Garrett Hampson, Mike Zunino, Cesar Hernandez, Adam Wainwright, Anthony Rizzo, Fernando Tatis Jr., Christian Vazquez, Bryce Harper, Patrick Mazeika, Pedro Severino, Chad Pinder, Jake Cousins, Christian Walker, Michael Conforto

Inserts: Framer Valdez (Royal Blue base Walmart exclusive)
87 Topps: Joey Votto
Stars of MLB: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ke'Bryan Hayes, Luis Robert, Chrisitian Yelich 
Welcome to the Show: Eddie Murray

Hanger Box 2:
Yan Gomes, Corey Seager, Ian Happ, Brian Anderson, Alek Manoah, Travis Shaw, Tony Santillan, Wade Milley, Mauricio Dubon, Carlos Rondon, Steven Brault, Ryan McMahon, Double Bath/checklist, NL Wins Leaders, Miami Marlins, Jacob DeGrom, Mike Foltynewicz, Reid Detmers, AL Batting Leaders, Atlanta Braves, Taijuan Walker, Matt Manning, Eddie Rosario, Anthony DeSclafani, Kyle Tucker, Kwang-Hyun Kim, Miguel Cabrera,  Aaron Ashby, Ian Kennedy, Willi Castro, Corbin Burnes, Wander Franco (I might be rich!), Christian Yelich, Jackson Kowar, Shane Bieber, Kyle Seager, Yermin Mercedes, Johnny Cueto, Lucas Giolito, Buster Posey (sunset card), Danny Jansen, Mookie Betts, Bobby Dalbec, Omar Narvaez, Jake Burger (great name!), Ronald Acuna Jr., Avisail Garcia, Riley Adams, Austin Riley, Kyle Higashioka, Jake Rogers, Kyle Gibson, Robbie Grossman, Nick Solak, Will Smith, Alcides Escobar, Trevor Rogers, Alex Kirilloff, Keston Hiura, Kyle Muller

Inserts: Jorge Mateo (rainbow base)
87 Topps: Luis Robert
Stars of MLB: Byron Buxton, Javier Baez, Yadier Molina, Joey Gallo
2021's Greatest Hits: Wander Franco (double Francos in one hanger box)

Out of 134 cards about 8 are repeats. Not a bad starter set from two hanger boxes. Hope there's a blaster box somewhere at Target or Walmart. I don't think I should get a hobby box right now with prices still high. It might go down with the lockout continuing.

A Checkered Past

Al Unser, Jr. was one of my favorite drivers growing up. I remember him driving Galles Racing Valvoline car to Penske Racing Marlboro car dominating in late 80s through early 90s with two CART championships and two Indy 500 victories along 27 wins during that stretch. Late 90s happened with the open wheel split and he was no longer winning and struggling to finish inside the top 5. At twilight of his career he would jump to IRL in 2000 getting three victories in four full time seasons. But during that time news of his personal demons became public. He would call it a career with his final race in 2007 Indy 500.

He wrote his autography and released it late last year. I picked it up and was it a ride to read. Al Jr. exposed his soul throughout the entire book. The first chapter starts off of him at his darkest period contemplating on committing suicide. He would talk about his personal life growing up in a racing family with his famous father (late Al Sr) and uncle (late Bobby), getting into racing, the good and bad times with late ex-wife, the elation of victories and the agony of defeat and disappointments especially not qualifying for 1995 Indy 500. The big one was his alcohol/substance abuse on when he started dabbling it to getting to a point of spiraling out of control and hitting rock bottom. One of his admissions that surprised me was he and his late ex-wife partied for four weeks straight on drugs going into final race at Miami where he had a shot at the CART championship in 1985. He end up runner up in the championship behind his father the late Al Sr. There be times he didn't show up in testing or be hung over if he did. His drinking and partying became open secret in the CART paddock. In his later chapters he talked about alcohol addiction and how difficult to stay sober. He admitted to having a relapse just hours after getting out rehab. The hits kept coming with DUIs arrest as well domestic violence, broken relationship, and suicidal depression. Yet he fighting back his demons spiritually knowing the struggle is still there while he's clean and sober.

It's depressive but informative read. Away from being a race car driver Al Unser, Jr. showed he's a flawed human being just like everyone. Hope he's strong enough to get away from his vices for good. I also hope he's doing fine after losing both his father and uncle last year months apart. If you a race fan its a good pick up.

You can order his book from a link down below.
https://octanepress.com/book/al-unser-jr-checkered-past

Opinions on Recent Hall of Fame Exclusion

I been trying type this out but it kept turning into bunch of non-sense rambles and having to delete. My opinions on recent baseball Hall of Fame exclusions.....

- Barry Bonds SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame
- Roger Clemens SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame
- Curt Schilling SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame
- Mark McGwire SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame
- Pete Rose SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame

You got the best homerun hitter, one of best pitchers, and the best hitter all of baseball and all of them are not in the baseball hall of fame is a travesty. If the athletes don't kiss enough ass or suck enough sport writers dick they hold it against them. Lose sport writers as Hall of Fame voters. I hope all five of them get in the Hall by committee soon. I hope Alex Rodriguez gets in the hall of fame soon in the upcoming years.