Cubs Win and Made All-Star Game More Useless

In a thrilling game 7 Cubs fought off another postseason collapse with least likely Rajai Davis doing the damage for Indians in the late innings and scoring much needed two runs in extras to finally break 108 year World Series championship drought. I'm glad they won not because of the drought. I'm glad they made then-commissioner Bud Selig decision of having winning league of All-Star game get home-field advantage a very useless incentive. After 2002 All-Star tie embarrassment he made the call to use winner of All-Star game get home-field advantage incentive prop. Nothing but mixed results since final World Series game played at away. Cubs won the game on the road at the Indians ballpark in game 7 putting away home-advantage myth. Look into NHL and NBA this year the championship team won at their opponent arena. Home-field advantage doesn't matter anymore. It's open season whether home, away, or neutral sites. How to fix the All-Star game? Offer bunch of non-contract bonus money to play. See how many willing play hard for cash.

Random Autograph Card: Carlos Corporan

My featured autograph card is Astros catcher Carlos Corporan. He had career game against hated New York Yankees going 4-5 with a homerun, 4 RBIs, and double just a triple shy of a cycle. A good defensive player while low on batting side he will surprise you, at times, with impressive game using his bat. You just don't know til it happens. One of Astros games I attended he went 2-3 with a RBI against San Francisco Giants. Astros shut out then-champions Giants 6-0 thanks part of his contribution along being behind the plate catching strikes from Wandy Rodriguez. This is second straight game he caught for starter Lucas Harrell and both games were quality starts. The guy has been down the road of majors and AAA ball and sitting on the bench being the no. 2 catcher. When given opportunity to start on the lineup he will scrap his way to produce a spark for the team. That's why he's one of my favorites in the game. Forget stats as long a player performs their hardest in the game in offense, defense, or both. The card got signed last year when he was at AAA club Oklahoma City.

Also obtain is his game-used jersey I picked up Astros game last year. Glad to find one. Go Astros!

Random Autograph Card: Rick Ankiel

First regular MLB game of 2013 season in the record books. Rick Ankiel, now playing for Houston Astros, made a good impression. In pinch-hit performance he hits first homerun of 2013 MLB season with a 3-run shot off Derek Lowe putting the game out of reach for Texas Rangers as Astros went up 7-2. Astros went on to win 8-2.
 
I got this card signed in 2005 when he was playing for St. Louis Cardinals Double-A affiliate. At the time he was making transition from pitcher to batter. Ten years in the league and still going.

Random autograph card: Cesar Carrillo

While digging through a pile of autograph cards I obtained in person I ran into this one.

Cesar Carrillo been in the news last week as the league suspended him 100 games for violating minor league drug and prevention program. He's the first player from Biogenesis documents to be suspended which includes the names of Ryan Braun and Nelson Cruz.

I obtained this few years ago when he was playing for Padres Double-A affiliate San Antonio Missions.