Bubblegum Card of the Week: Don Mossi

Daniel Clowes drew this little aside in the story "I Love You Tenderly" in Eightball comic number 4, from October 1990. I was intrigued by the illustration, and especially the caption ("card which horrified me as a kid"!?), so I tracked down the original at the card shop where I blew most of my high school lunch money...

And here it is, 1964 Topps #335. Turns out Don Mossi had a solid career, even if he did give young Danny C. nightmares.

Me, I was terrified by Pete Rose.

Win One for the Fucker!

This one's new to me -- Ichiro's now-annual pregame All-Star pep talk with his American League teammates. His filthy speech has apparently worked in all eight of the games he's played in, including tonight's, excluding that bullshit 2002 "tie"...

This here pic's from yesterday's BP.

Here's a cool ASG nugget from one of my favorite writers, Paul Lukas:

"Seattle's Ruppert Jones achieved a bizarre dual [ASG uni] distinction: When he pinch-hit in the third inning [of the '77 game], he became the first Mariner ever to appear in an All-Star Game. But he was wearing a Blue Jays helmet, so he also became the first player ever to wear Blue Jays gear in an All-Star Game (Toronto's lone representative on the AL roster, Ron Fairly, didn't appear until four innings later)."

For proof, here's a screen-snag:

As an aside, I'm glad that patronizing b-hole Fairly is no longer a Mariner announcer -- good riddance.

Anyway, here's my old Mariner All-Stars blog entry, once again updated in the comments section with this year's info.

Bubblegum Card of the Week: Mudhoney

It's 1988 all over again.

Back in January I wrote about the 20th anniversary of Mudhoney; in May they released both a solid new album, and a kickass deluxe reissue of 1988's Superfuzz Bigmuff. Now this weekend they're playing at the big Sub Pop 20th anniversary festival. I'd sorta like to go, but it's a bit pricey for me, and the big outdoor suburban venue doesn't seem quite right. If anything, I'd be more interested in the Green River reunion.

Anyway, here's another card from the 1993 NW Bands and Labels series. Apparently guitarist Steve Turner was the only Mudhoney to show up at Dick's for the photo shoot; at least he brought a promo photo depicting the other band members.

Bubblegum Card of the Week: Hysterical History

I used to have a dozen or so of these cards as a kid, which were issued around the time of the '76 Bicentennial. Even then they seemed kinda lame...

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

We Hardly Knew Ye: Seattle SuperSonics

What will happen to Squatch?

Bigfoot Birthday Cake!

I turned 39 a couple days ago so Eliza made me this incredibly cool Bigfoot birthday cake -- it tastes as good as it looks!

Some of my other Bigfoot figures clamored for a piece!

Thanks Eliza!

Now I've Seen Everything #6: Cat With No Face

Here's his blog.

Bubblegum Card of the Week: Menko

Menko is a Japanese card game, which may be played with many kinds of Japanese baseball cards. This information comes to me from the awesome graphics-heavy book, Sayonara Home Run! I don't actually own any Japanese baseball cards, though my Ichiro card below is largely based on the classic Menko card design above.

Konichiwa!

We Hardly Knew Ye: George Carlin

Shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits.

Bubblegum Card of the Week: Jim Dangle

For every kickass baseball card out there, there are dozens, possibly baker's dozens, of ugly ones. Thank sweet baby Christ then for the Ugly Baseball Card Blog, which inspired this week's entry. It's card #544 from the 1981 Topps set.

Where's your cap, Rich Gale? Don't wanna muss up that blow-dried bouffant?

From Wikipedia:

Lieutenant James (Jim) Ron Dangle (played by Thomas Lennon). A former maitre d' who is the highest ranking deputy and is almost always seen wearing his trademark shorts, which he wears for "mobility." The comedic theme of the character is that he is gay. He openly harbors an attraction to Jones, and occasionally flirts with suspects. In one episode, Jones apparently had sex with him, out of sympathy ("I'll try anything once"), after which Dangle was hospitalized because "He can't fucking walk." (The incident occurs off-camera, with the actual events undisclosed.) Early in the second season, it is revealed that he is married to a woman named Debbie, the heiress of a vacuum cleaner fortune, because she was morbidly obese and he believed she would die soon. After the two separated, she underwent gastric bypass surgery which turned her into "something the old Deb would have eaten," as Dangle put it. The two divorced at her request, because she met someone else, who was also clearly gay. He briefly believed that he had a son (a result of sex with what he thought was a drag queen) but DNA results proved otherwise. Dangle is also the subject of a running gag in which his police bicycle is stolen or vandalized after leaving it briefly. It is hinted that Deputy Travis Junior is responsible for some of these incidents. In "Fireworks", Dangle's age is noted as 41. When held at gunpoint by Mr. Big in Miami (in the theatrical film) and asked for his last words, he replies, "He loved it.", but then wants another chance to say something different, which Mr. Big won't allow because those were his last words. Lt. Jim Dangle's father abandoned his family when he was a child, leaving him alone with his mother who eventually shot herself. Dangle then left to live with his Aunt. Meanwhile, Dangle's father started a new family with an African American spouse. Dangle's father had two more (African American) children who appear in Episode: 505 (Dangle's black half-brother and black half-sister pay Dangle a visit after the death of their father to settle the will, which later turns out to be a bill for the funeral of more than $5,000, and a keychain that the sister gives to Dangle).

Bubblegum Card of the Week: Dock Ellis

Thirty-eight years ago yesterday, on June 12, 1970, Dock Ellis pitched a no-hitter while on acid.

This is what High Times and
Snopes had to say about it, and here's a longer newspaper profile.

Like, this far-out 1974 Topps card is #145, man.

Now I've Seen Everything #5: Pig in Boots

Story.

Happy Birthday, Dave!

Former big-league slugger Dave Parker hits the big five-seven today.

"The Cobra" was one of my favorite ballplayers as a kid, especially after seeing him win MVP of the 1979 All-Star Game here in Seattle. Then again, he also baffled me, what with his earring and smoking habit (both captured in the classic Sports Illustrated photo above), along with cocaine problems and this scary Friday the 13th hockey mask he briefly wore. I also remember a newspaper photo of him sliding into base during a snowy April game with a football facemask attached to his batting helmet, but I can't find it.

Bubblegum Card of the Week: Fuck Face

Billy, Billy, Billy.

Other than being Cal Jr.'s little brother, Billy Ripken is best known for his infamous 1989 Fleer card. In the photo, for whatever reason, "Fuck Face" was hand-written on the knob of his bat. Here's a confirmation on Snopes.com, a few more details via Wikipedia, and its #1 standing on this list of Top Ten Error Cards.

Otherwise, this card is an example of the myriad ugly designs that plagued the glut of cards issued in the '80s, and largely continues to this day.








Still, the card inspired this killer T-shirt...




And finally, along similar lines, I love this hilarious video tribute to the Baltimore Oriole...

Happy 79th, Chuck!

Chuck Barris hits the big seven-nine today.

Best known as the host of the supremely ridiculous Gong Show, Barris also created The Dating Game and wrote "Palisades Park" (made famous by Freddy Cannon, later covered by the Beach Boys and the Ramones). Also, his "unauthorized autobiography" -- in which he claimed he was a CIA hit man -- was written for the screen by the fantastic Charlie Kaufman and directed by George Clooney.

But, The Gong Show. Let's look at a clip.

Brilliant.

We Hardly Knew Ye: Bo Diddley

Sad news: Rock 'n' roll giant Bo Diddley died today at age 79 -- here's a quick obit, and a longer bio.

As with many other older performers, I didn't much listen to his stuff 'til I realized what a big influence he was on so many of my favorite bands: he toured with the Stones and the Clash and played a show here with Mudhoney. His tunes have been covered by the New York Dolls, the Yardbirds, Patti Smith, Girl Trouble and loads of others. And his signature Bo Diddley beat (chunk, chunk, chunk, a-chunk-chunk), has been aped by countless bands, like the Stooges in "1969."

The first time I recall seeing him was as a guest on Late Night with David Letterman in the '80s. In brief opening skit, Diddley and Letterman and Jane Pauley (another guest) talk about taking a road trip together. Dave says something like, "Hey, let's stay with Bo's parents in Missippi," to which Pauley responds, "That's great! I've never met the Diddleys!"

Happy 78th, Clint!

Clint Eastwood hits the big seven-eight today... This is merely an excuse to post this kickass picture of The Man with No Name.

Also, Chris Elliott hits the big four-eight today -- happy 48th, Chris! I liked him best as one of the regular writers/performers on Late Night with David Letterman in the '80s, and on Get a Life and in Cabin Boy in the '90s. But he can still bring it in the '00s -- watch him here as Skink the Bounty Hunter...

Even though he's a racist, hypermacho clown, I find Dog strangely compelling -- next to Boba Fett, he's my favorite bounty hunter! As a complement to the above clip, here's South Park's Cartman as Dog the Hallway Monitor...

Bringing things full-circle... According to Wikipedia: "George Lucas attributes the character of Boba Fett to The Man with No Name in the DVD commentary on The Empire Strikes Back. His armor is reminiscent of Eastwood's poncho... The most obvious similarity between the characters is that they are both bounty hunters. In true style of "a man with no name," Fett's name is not mentioned once in Empire. When he enters the scene on Cloud City, the clink of spurs can be heard clearly, even though the character does not wear spurs."

Bubblegum Card of the Week: Pedro Borbon

Often a card's backside is more interesting than the front. That's certainly the case with this here 1970 Topps Pedro Borbon...

Wonder if he's pals with Michael Vick?

For good measure, here's what the front looks like.

We Hardly Knew Ye: Phil Hartman

You might remember him from such TV shows as Saturday Night Live (as Frank Sinatra, Burt Reynolds, Frankenstein, and loads more), The Simpsons (as Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure (seen here)), Pee-Wee's Playhouse (as Captain Carl), and a bunch of other stuff.

But then, ten years ago today, he was shot to death by his stupid coked-up wife. Too bad -- he was funny. Read more here.

Steve's Autographs #6: Dave Winfield

February 2, 1980: Along with some of my Rainier Bank teammates (1979 Kent city champs -- I still have the trophy to prove it!), I went to Bellevue Community College for a winter baseball clinic starring Dave Winfield, Bruce Bochte, Rick Honeycutt and Willie Horton (no, not that Willie Horton). Except for Horton, who wore his street clothes, all dressed in their respective uniforms, which, for Winfield, meant the Padres' unfortunate Taco Bell-style uni.

They demonstrated batting and pitching techniques to us star-struck subjects, but the best part was the photo-op/autograph session. Horton beat a hasty retreat before it started, but my Seahawks sweatshirt prompted Winfield to ask me about the team, which just came off their first winning season (tho' their 9-7 record wasn't good enough to make the playoffs).

Afterwards, somebody tossed a basketball to six-foot-six Winfield, who dribbled it across the gymnasium court for a one-handed dunk (still in his Padres threads!). Fun fact: Besides being drafted by the Pads, Winfield was also drafted by the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, the ABA's Utah Stars, and the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. Since then, he killed a seagull, feuded with George Steinbrenner, and was elected to the Hall of Fame.

My dad took this 8x10 photo and mailed it to Winfield, who sent it back with the greeting: "To my friend Steve, best wishes and happy birthday, David Winfield #31." My dad surprised me with it the following June upon my 11th birthday.

The next year's clinic wasn't nearly as good: the star attraction was Dennis Leonard.

Here's Dave Winfield's official site.

Happy 35th, Eliza!

Goodie Truitt hits the big three-five today... Woo!

Also, for all you music fans out there, popular folk/rock singer/songwriter Bob Dylan hits el grande 67.

Others celebrating a May 24 birthday: Gabriel Fahrenheit, Queen Victoria, Tommy Chong, Gary "Radar" Burghoff, Patti LaBelle, Priscilla Presley, Alfred Molina, Roseanne Cash, Michael Chabon, John C. Reilly, and Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein!

Bubblegum Card of the Week: Indiana Jones

The new Indiana Jones movie opened yesterday, and while I plan on seeing it in the theater, I'm not in any hurry.

Upon its 1981 release, Raiders of the Lost Ark was huge to me, as Indy's initial adventure was the first movie to seriously threaten Star Wars as my then-all-time favorite. The exploding heads and melting faces freaked me out (those were the most graphic onscreen images my eleven-year-old eyes had ever seen), but the opening sequence in the booby-trapped South American cave blew me away. It made me want to machete through jungles and swing from vines and flee giant boulders in search of ancient treasure. Or at least complete my 88-card Topps Raiders set, of which the above card is a sample.

I've seen the second and third movies just once apiece, both upon their respective releases when I was 14 and 19, but I wasn't especially impressed by either one. Compared to the original Raiders, they both fell short and seemed fairly unnecessary, as I imagine this latest installment will be. I'm far more excited about the new Batman movie.

Helpful hint: A length of kelp found on an ocean beach may be fashioned into a disposable bullwhip.

Bubblegum Card of the Week: Gil Hodges

The oldest card in my collection? This here '58 Topps is fiddy!

I got it from childhood friend who presumably nicked it from his dad's stash of cards collected during his youth. Maybe it was to atone for his incessant badgering of me to the point of tears (mine) to simply give him my '78 Ron Guidry. Which I didn't.

And Gil Hodges? He of the legendary Boys of Summer and skipper of the '69 Miracle Mets? Not to shabby.

Not 'til just now as I'm posting this did I make an obvious visual connection with the Kenji Johjima card that I like so much.

Marguerite Sutherland, 1910-2008

My 97-year-old grandma passed away this morning, on Mother's Day. Here we are together outside her Ellensburg house in 2000.

I'll post a short bio/obituary when I've finished writing it. Here it is, posted on June 11:

Marguerite Sutherland died peacefully on Mother’s Day morning, Sunday May 11, 2008 in Auburn, Washington. She was 97.

Marguerite Alice Snover was born to George Henry and Minnie Louise Snover on October 24, 1910, in the family farmhouse near Snohomish, Washington. She was the oldest of eight children.

In 1916 the family moved to Roche Harbor, where George was employed by the Roche Harbor Lime and Cement Company. Marguerite began school in Roche Harbor, but she missed a year of school due to the 1918 influenza outbreak.

Not long afterwards, the family moved to Hoquiam, where Marguerite graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1930. In 1935 she married Francis E. Jennings in Grays Harbor County, and the couple lived in Central Park. In 1937 they visited San Juan Island, where they bought property with the intention of someday making it their permanent residence. After the birth of two children, Marguerite Ann and Francis Edward, the family did finally move to Friday Harbor in 1946, establishing a business in the community.

Marguerite spent the next 41 years on the island. After a divorce from Francis, she lived in a house on Friday Harbor’s Marguerite Place, which was named after her. On November 16, 1973, she married island resident Walter L. Sutherland. The couple lived in a beachfront house at the end of Sutherland Road, from where regular ferry traffic in and out of Friday Harbor could be seen. Walter died in February 1977, but Marguerite continued to live in the house until 1987.

Marguerite was regularly visited there by her children and grandchildren, enjoying many fun times on the beach in front of her house. She also avidly pursued her favorite hobby, crafting handmade braided rugs, which often won blue ribbons at the San Juan County Fair. As a longtime member of Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church, she also had over 50 years' membership in the Order of the Eastern Star, in which she served as Worthy Matron.

In 1987, Marguerite moved off the island to a house in Ellensburg to be closer to her four younger sisters, Caroline, Myrtle, Geneva and Betty, and their families. She also had three younger brothers, George, Phillip and Stanley. While in Ellensburg, she expanded her crafting skills to quilt making, winning a grand prize at the Kittitas County Fair.

As her health had deteriorated in recent years, she moved to son Fran’s and wife Judy’s home in Bonney Lake in 2003. In 2005 she moved to the Tugade family’s home in Auburn, where she spent her final three years.

Marguerite’s sisters Geneva, Caroline and Wynona preceded her in death, as did brothers George and Stanley. She is survived by sister Myrtle Withers of Kettle Falls, Washington, brother Phillip Snover of Coupeville, Washington, daughter Margarite Jennings of Friday Harbor and son Francis (Judy) Jennings of Bonney Lake, Washington. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Linda Joanou (Rudolf Geissman), Cheryl Jennings (Richard Klima), Steve Mandich, Brady (Kendra) Jennings, Clark (Cara) Jennings, plus six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all.

A memorial service was held at son Fran's Bonney Lake home on June 7.

Bubblegum Card of the Week: Bigfoot Showdown!

From my 1987 Topps Harry & the Hendersons set.

See more instances of Bigfoot on film on my needing-a-serious-update Bigfoot on Film page.