Available to the Highest (and most cosmopolitan) Bidder

In order to raise money for a very worthy cause--sending yours truly to Tigers ballgames, I am hereby offering at auction, the following treasure:

1 1992 Donruss Kirk Gibson baseball card, pictured below, in all its powder blue glory, graded pristine 23 by JLC Memorabilia.

Yes, I realize it will be a virtual impossibility for me to part with such a gem. However, I am willing to make the sacrifice for the good of the club. I'm very unselfish like that. Remember, the Tigers are unbeaten this year in games I have attended, and went 18-22 in 2009 when I graced them with my presence. So, cash in that certificate of deposit, raid (ahem, I mean temporarily borrow from) your child's college fund, sell your hair, gather returnables from trash cans in local parks, whatever it takes. Really. I mean it. Just think about the return you'll get on this investment.

In addition, consider the public service you will be doing by keeping something as wrong as Kirk Gibson in Royals blue out of the hands of those who might wish to abuse it.

I apologize that I am unable to accept personal checks. Money order, Paypal, cashier's checks, gold bullion, rare gemstones (no blood diamonds, please) and information that could be used to humiliate, torture or blackmail Rogo of Designate Robertson are all welcome currency.

Relics

Another buried treasure found within that plastic storage bin was a couple of Topps baseball cards from 1987. To be exact, a Kirk Gibson and a Lou Whitaker card, pictured below.

I never really was a collector of cards. My fourth grade teacher was a true baseball fanatic. He used to give out baseball cards now and again to pupils as a prized reward. For some reason, he didn't deem me worthy. (Tokens of sympathy are welcome.) I think he was right at the time. I didn't value them enough, and wouldn't have taken proper care of them. Anyway, somehow I obtained and hung onto these two cards. Kirk Gibson was my original Tiger. When I fell hard for the Tigers in 1983, Gibby's fiery attitude and penchant for clutch performances captured my attention right away. The only two things Lou Whitaker has ever done to disappoint me are tearing cartilage in his knee while dancing at a party in 1988, and deciding not to attend the 25th anniversary celebration of the 1984 World Series at Comerica last year. Why Lou, why didn't you want to come to Detroit and revel in the memories of that victory? We wanted to laud you, and you let us down.

Now if you're looking for a real site about baseball cards, and one that also includes thoughtful posts about baseball, click over to Grand Cards. It's a terrific site, which may inspire you to run out to your nearest store, fight the last minute Christmas shopping maniacs and buy a pack or twenty of baseball cards.

No Child Left Behind?

It's no secret that baseball is no longer really America's pastime.  Other sports have crowded their way in, and baseball is no longer played as a pick-up game at playgrounds by children.  I think I may have the answer to this disturbing trend.

My fourth grade teacher loved baseball, and actually incorporated it into our curriculum.  I do not jest!  We learned The Yaz Song (about Carl Yastrzemski), by listening to it first on a little record player, then by singing along.  Our teacher was genuinely disappointed in us if we didn't sing with ardent fervor.  I'll never forget the day we walked into the classroom to find a huge banner displayed around the upper walls, which read "Roberto Clemente, We Miss You!"  That's an education fitting for a fourth grader.  Also, my teacher doled out baseball cards as treasured rewards.  I remember asking for a card many times, but never being deemed worthy to receive one.  My teacher didn't think I really liked baseball enough, nor did he think I would take proper care of the card.  He was probably right.  It wasn't until a few years later that I began my love affair with baseball.

If you want to hear the Yaz Song,  click here.

Anyway, if all elementary teachers began teaching baseball as my fourth grade teacher did, we'd have a whole new generation of baseball-loving youth to rear.