Saturday, February 16, 2019

(sigh).......OK

Six months.

Take away my Christmas greeting, and it's been six months since I have spoken my mind and clicked the publish button. I lot has happened in those 180 days. Not amazing or discussion worthy, but situations none the less. And I have contemplated long about what to say of the recent past: how to phrase it, what to mention, what to avoid.

In the end, though, I'm just going to leave the time to myself. Activities, both positive and negative, took up my time. Emotions, equally positive and negative, affected my days and nights. I am 180 days older than the last post here; that is not up for dispute. But what is up for conversation is what happened and how it affected myself and my family. In the end, though, I am going to keep that to myself. I don't want to present it for discussion. I am not seeking support, shared joy, or words of affirmation. Instead, I am just going to move forward and find my place back into this wonderful group of people. I'm less worried about the blogsphere than anything else.

I have been trying to work through all the cardboard I have yet to give a proper, public thanks towards the sender. From DJ to Night Owl, HSCA, Scribbled Ink, Scott Crawford, Cracked Bat, Carboard Clubhouse, Penny Sleeves and even Wes' Area 40 blow out, I have much gratitude owed. And a few personal pickups that I can interject here and there. Let's not talk about all the cardboard I need to mail. So many of you I owe. You may not feel that, but it's where I am personally. In regard to this blog, and my collection, my failure to ship out is the highest level of embarrassment I have. I am grateful incoming mailing stopped a few months ago, partially for the fact that I am very unorganized, but mostly to avoid the reminder of my failure to others.

Things will change here. I will not say when, because I am famous for missed promises. But I am a man of my word, so in time what I say will become reality.

Anyway, where to start? My thought for this post is to show pickups I made at the White Sox garage sale. Sox hold it 3 times a year, and this is my 2nd trip. When I look at what I purchased with all money donated to charity, I can feel good scoring game used items at 10-15% original cost - retail wise anyway. Without further talking, let's have at it.


First off, for just two quarters each, is the Sox year book and a game program. You see the year book is $5, so a buck total for both is a deal. Would be nicer if I actually went to a game last year so I could score it, but I'll deal.


The running joke at home is how I tend to purchase dollar T shirts. It's a bit too true and I am always looking at the clearance racks for deals. But I did have to double the price for this one. Two bucks for a quality shirt with old school logos? No brainer.


For as long as the line was for the sale, I lucked out on this one. It was a giveaway for Raines making the HOF, and I have been watching a few on ebay for $10, hoping to have someone accept a lower offer. Got this for a buck. That is a low offer.


The first garage sale, I bought a game used ball, so I had to pick up another. As opposed to the first one, though, where I just grabbed a bagged ball, I stood with others and punched the authentication hologram into the MLB site to find a ball I can appreciate. I decided on this one, since I recently started an Adam Engel PC. Would have been nicer if it was a hit and not a foul, but I was getting tired typing on my phone. With luck, I can get it signed.


I have needed to replace my current Sox cap. It's fitted and the logo is too small. It's dirty and sweaty. I should have something nicer on my head. This was the only Sox cap that would fit on my head. However, I need to improve it.....


Looks SO much better without that damn New Era logo. About 30 minutes with a seam puller and you can't even tell it was ever there. The best part of the cap is under the brim....


If this cap was used in 2018, the wearer was either Jose Ruiz of Chris Volstad. Trying to determine whom it was has been a task. At first, considering the size of the cap, I was leaning towards Volstad, him being 6'8" and 235lbs to Ruiz at a teeny 6'1" and 190lbs. Yet, I found this image of Volstad, and that "4" written on his cap for Danny Farquhar does not match the "4" here. Also, a Google search of "Salmo 91" references Psalm 91 in Spanish. So I think it was Ruiz that owned this. And now it's my baby for a cost of a paper Lincoln.

My final pickup was a designated purchase. The last jersey I bought is just a little too small. I can wear it, but it is far more comfortable unbuttoned. It's an Anthony Reinzo jersey from 2014 per the laundry tag. This year I lucked out with the first jersey that met my needs as it fit perfectly.


It's a jersey from 2015 worn by Héctor Noesí. Curiously the number matches the size. But the key of the selection was the sleeve patches.


This would be a game used jersey after August 11th, which is the first game the pinstripes showed the Pierce memorial patch along with the one for Minoso. Glad this jersey has been bypassed is previous sales so I can have it in my collection.

So there you have it. The White Sox garage sale from December 2 of 2018. Pitchers and catchers have reported. Spring is just around the corner. And I'm about to hit publish. Amazing.

9 comments:

  1. Howdy! I got a huge stack of checklists for you.

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  2. Glad to see a new post from ya! Welcome!

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  3. Happy 2019!
    The White Sox will be an interesting team to follow this season and I'm glad you're back to chime in on their progress!

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  4. It's really great to see a new post from you! I was hoping that when you came back you'd have a bunch of good news to share, it sounds like that isn't necessarily the case, which is very unfortunate to hear.

    P.S. I don't know if it's just me or not, but none of your images are coming up?

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    1. I can't see them either. Maybe for the best because I'm gonna be very jealous once I see Jeff's jersey with the Pierce patch!

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  5. Everytime I take an Uber/Lyft, I think of you. (Specifically, "JediJeff owes me cards." lol)

    But no, I give you my full support and share your joy.

    I don't see the images either.

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  6. I freakin' KNEW I'd be jealous of that Pierce patch once I saw it!

    That jersey is a beauty. Nice pickup.

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  7. Welcome back! I've been job hunting more than blog rolling recently, so just saw the posts this morning. Hope your 2019 is better than 2018!

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