First Pitch Friday - Dutchie Caray

On July 13, 2013, Dutchie Caray threw out the first pitch at a Cubs game against the St. Louis Cardinals. This isn't the first time she has thrown out the first pitch but it is the first and only one I've been able to find a picture of to use for the custom. The Cubs would go on to win this one 6-4.

Also of note that day, and probably the reason she was invited, was that the Cubs were giving away a Harry Caray replica statue to the first 10,000 fans. I "borrowed" the photo below from an ebay auction. They are going for a pretty penny right now so I'll have to wait until the bidding frenzy dies down a bit or live without. 

Signature Saturday - Harry Caray

I grew up in the era of Harry Caray - Steve Stone broadcasting Cubs games on WGN and I loved every minute of it. Listening to Harry Caray was like watching a game with my grandpa, always trying to make it fun even if that particular game wasn't. Steve Stone was more of a realist when it came to the Cubs and could come off as a downer but I can't say anything that he said was necessarily wrong. Those are my interpretations based on childhood memories but if seen and heard through adult eyes and ears, my opinions might differ. I don't care though, good times! 



Harry Caray 3x5

Man, am I ticked that ebay doesn't let you use an asterix in their search engine anymore. I got a ton of good deals on mispelled Ryne Sandbergs (Snadberg, Sandburg, Sanberg etc, not to mention Ryan instead of Ryne). I also picked up this Harry Caray signed 3x5 index card on ebay several years back and got a pretty good deal on it because his name was spelled wrong in the listing title.  Probably Carry or Carey. I'm pretty sure I would also search "Holy Cow" and see what came up because he inscribed that a lot. And as it turns out, yes, the index card is yellow. Not just bad photography like I thought when I bought it. The signature is definitely more purple but I'm not sure if its blue ink that faded to purple or reacted to the yellow card. Still a nice looking signature and inscription.

Originally, I had planned to have it matted and framed with a photo of Caray doing his signature 7th inning stretch and maybe one of these memorial caricature patches:

The more I think about it, the more I want to upgrade to a white index card but they have gotten pricey since I picked this one up! So, honestly, I'll probably just sit on this one. I'm going to have to hit the lottery to do all the framing I want done. 

This check came in a trade fairly recently, within the last year or so. It was a pretty big trade on both sides and I am happy with this check. The only disappointing thing is that the numbers made up of little circles are actually holes. Probably from the way checks used to be processed. So there are a couple of holes through the "H" in his signature but overall, it is a nice piece.

Eventually, I'd like to frame this up too, maybe with a photo that was taken closer to time that the check was written. Unfortunately, that puts him working for the Cardinals. Not sure I could stomach that in the collection!

ATCRCS: First Pitch Friday - Will Ferrell

"It's a simple question, Doctor. Would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs?"

(If you don't get the joke, click the link on the bottom of the post.)

Love him or hate him, Will Ferrell is now part of this set. Some of his work is brilliant while others...let's just say can be a little over the top. Ferrell made his appearance last week promoting his new movie "The Campaign" with his co-star, Zach Galifiankis. Hopefully its not one of those movies where all the best parts are in the preview because it does look pretty funny.

The following is a video of their starting lineup announcements. It starts a little slow but then they kick it up a notch with some embellishments to a few of the players' resumes.

And here we have what I'm pretty sure is a clip from the ESPN documentary on Steve Bartman called Catching Hell. Ferrell is asked to do his impression of Harry Caray calling the Bartman incident.

And finally, I couldn't figure out how to link to this youtube video but its hilarious!