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

Hockey Card Stories 2

After reading the first book (you can it buy here) and I wanted more. What book can talk about stories of the player's hockey cards and be rolling in laughter of Steve Larmar and Steve Ludzik photo mix up or poor Bryan Maxwell had three cards but only one of them has his mug? Ken Reid delivers another with Hockey Card Stories 2 with forewords from Penguins All-Star Sidney Crosby and Upper Deck's Chris Carlin.

Released last year I finally got my hands on a copy. When the first five words of the first chapter starts out, "I hate that friggin card" I knew I was in for good read. You got some excellent behind the scene stories featuring Terry Toporowski Ultimate Draft Pick card (spoiler: it's not him), Rick Vaive extra hair airbrush, Olaf Kolzig hot dog pic, Dino Ciccarelli feeding a rhino to name a few.

Cam Russell was originally about his 1990 Score card til Russell showed his minor league card and it became a story about it.

Who doesn't love uncorrected error cards? When I look at the ones Reid mentioned I wonder how they made it to print like a slapping a Canucks player on Joel Otto's Calgary Flames card. Interesting note Joel Otto DOES SIGN that card.

There's a story behind the poses, airbrushes, styles back in the day, and rookie cards with a few getting at least one official NHL card with most remembering where and when it was taken. Another thing Reid would make note is the equipment the player's use from helmet to stick as reminiscence to his past playing days

It's a must read for any sport card collector even if you are not a fan of hockey.

Book on Baseball Cards from 30 Years Ago

Here's a book I remember looking through at book store when I was a kid. I end up picking this book up few years ago from used book store. It feature baseball cards of 600 players from Topps, Donruss, Fleer, and Score. Upper Deck didn't make the print here. Investment advice are given as well. Say what? Investment advice? Yep, they wrote advice on investing player's baseball cards along a summary of the player's 1988 season. It mention a price and trajectory investment of the card will go from end of the season to long term. In their opinion which of four brands will be best to invest in of a player. Junk wax era was a crazy time in the hobby. Regular joes with no knowledge of the hobby buying cards and hoarding them hoping to get rich in the future til they found out it was overproduced and the baseball card market tanked. The opening pages talked about booming baseball card industry and its investment.You can read all eight pages of it.

First cards to appear on the pages are Shawn Abner and Jim Acker. Don Aase didn't make the list despite having two cards that year. I didn't count Topps Traded as it was released later in the year.

Who was hottest players at the time? Jose Canseco for one as he was first player to hit 40 homeruns and stole 40 bases in a same year. They predicted his cards in $1.50 range with Score as the best pick. I do like his Topps card that year.

Another is Mark McGwire who is next to Fred McGriff. McGwire at $1 while McGriff is at dime, but with "long term" investment.

Wade Boggs and Barry Bonds shared the same page. Boggs listed over a $1 and will soar once he gets to Hall of Fame. Bonds priced at commons but tell collectors to load up his cards because of his increase homerun and stolen base production in the future. They got one thing right.

Also on the hot list? Will Clark, Roger Clemens, Eric Davis, Dwight Gooden, and Cal Ripken, Jr.

Speaking of Ripken let's check his little brother Billy.

It printed the infamous Fleer "Fuck Face" card on it.

Let's go to the rookies and second year players. The hottest rookie of that year's sets.....

Gregg Jefferies was hottest prospect at the time. How many pulled his card thinking they are gonna get rich quick? I remember his cards was selling $5-$10. He didn't turn to Hall of Fame player many predicted. His cards ended up in common pile years later.

Another set of rookies how about Alomar brothers, Roberto and Sandy?

Sandy expected to be better brother to invest in. Turns out to be other way as Roberto went on to Hall of Fame career. And c'mon, 89 Donruss is best to invest in? I prefer his Topps and Score cards.

Another Hall of Fame player, Craig Biggio listed as quarter and good long term buy.

Flash Gordon and Ramon Martinez were one of top pitching prospects at the time. Flash went on longer career. Ramon was eclipse by his brother Pedro.

Big Unit at quarter range. He went on to Hall of Fame career. His Fleer card turned out be better investment, but only if you have his Marlboro variations.

Phillies teammates Ron Jones and Ricky Jordan with Jones at 40 cents mark, but proceed investment with caution. Jordan was up to $1 listing as good investment. Neither end up making a dent. Jones tore his knee up and was out of the league after 91 season. Jordan peaked in 89 season last appearing in 96 season with Mariners.

Gary Sheffield starting investment range up to 75 cents with buy now before his card prices goes up.

Let's go to Tom Glavine and John Smoltz.

Wow. Rough on Glavine going far to list it to nickel prices. Smoltz at 20 cent prices with speculative investment on him. Both players are now in the Hall of Fame.

They list Cameron Drew at 35 cents investment prices. He never returned back to the majors after 1988 stint.

Mark Grace and Mike Greenwell shared the page and listed their investment prices to a $1.

Ellis Burks started out at 50 cents with potential of doubling at end of the year.

Jay Buhner 1989 card investment price starts at 20 cents with his 1988 rookie card going up. Phelps for Buhner trade end up being a line on Seinfield.

Final page end with Mike Young and Hall of Famer Robin Yount.

Good look into junk era of cards. It printed out a coffee-style book with advice on investing. I wonder how many used this book as advice. It still goes on to this day under the name "Prospecting" banking on prospect's Bowman, Panini, and Leafs cards.