OMG! OMG! THE NFL HAS STARTED.....HOLY HANNA BALLS!

Ahhhhhh yessssssssssssssssssss ("sounds like steam escaping" -gotta love Mel Brooks). The 2009 NFL season has spawned forth the most ugliest of NFL games so far this season. In one corner of the ring is the underdog of the AFC, the meanest of hillbillys, the moonshiners of mayhem, the challengers otherwise known as the Tennessee TITans. In the other corner folks we have the tallest set of metal curtains in the world, the steelworkers of America, The ministry of Ravens nightmares, the defending champions aka the Pittsburgh Steelers. 13-10 in OT - winner= Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 4 times and picked off twice (he was sacked more times than he sacked Andrea McNulty....SUPPOSEDLY). Neither team could gain much rushing yards and thus it turned into an aerial affair. And let us not forget that Troy Polamalu was hurt.
So what I will attempt to do is gaze into the year 2000 (cue Conan's music) and predict for you my picks for this weekend's NFL Games:


Miami 23 at Atlanta 17
Denver 14 at Cincinnati 21
Minnesota 31 at Cleveland 12
Jacksonville 27 at Indianapolis 31
Detroit 7 at New Orleans 35
Dallas 14 at Tampa Bay 21
Philadelphia 24 at Carolina 17
Kansas City 10 at Baltimore 28
NY Jets 14 at Houston 24
Washington 14 at NY Giants 31
San Francisco 20 at Arizona 38
St. Louis 21 at Seattle 10
Chicago 24 at Green Bay 28
Buffalo 18 at New England 28
San Diego 21 at Oakland 7

Don't bet the farm on my advice.

Cool Old Card of the Week

This is Marv's 1959 Topps card #243.

Marvin Edward Grissom (March 31, 1918 - September 18, 2005) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball for the New York & San Francisco Giants (1946 and 1953-58), Detroit Tigers (1949), Chicago White Sox (1952), Boston Red Sox (1953) and St. Louis Cardinals (1959). He was born in Los Molinos, California.

He helped the Giants win the 1954 World Series. In that season he was named to the National League All-Star team and finished 24th in voting for NL MVP Award after having a 10-7 win-loss record in 56 games (3 started including 1 complete game, a shutout), 19 saves, 122 ⅓ innings pitched, 64 strikeouts and a 2.35 earned run average.

In 10 seasons he had a 47-45 record, 356 games (52 started), 12 complete games, 3 shutouts, 58 saves, 810 innings pitched, 343 walks, 459 strikeouts and a 3.41 ERA. After his active playing career, Grissom had a 15-year-long tenure as a pitching coach for the Los Angeles/California Angels (1961-66; 1969; 1977-78), White Sox (1967-68), Minnesota Twins (1970-71) and Chicago Cubs (1975-76).

He died in Red Bluff, California, at the age of 87. Grissom's elder brother, Lee, was a left-handed pitcher for four MLB teams between 1934-41.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marv_Grissom

Forgotten Rookie of the Week

Ronald Isiah Calloway (born September 4, 1976 in San Jose, California) is a former baseball outfielder who played two seasons in Major League Baseball with the Montreal Expos. He batted and threw left-handed.

Calloway was selected in the eighth round of the 1997 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He played in the Major Leagues for the Montreal Expos from 2003 to 2004. Calloway spent the 2005 season with the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets and 2006 for the Pawtucket Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Prior to the 2007 season, he signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Ottawa Lynx. On May 18, 2007, Calloway announced his retirement.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Calloway

Ravishing Relic of the Week

I admit I was a little excited to pull this relic card. I do like Mel Gibson as an actor and "We Were Soldiers" is also one of my top 20 favorite movies. It's not everyday that you get to pull a 2008 UD PIECE OF HISTORY MEL GIBSON MOVIE PANTS Relic card. Just wish they would've used a bigger piece. Still I was happy with it and it's a part of my personal collection.

Cool Old Card of the Week

The card listed is his 1958 Topps baseball card.

Stanley Edward Lopata (born September 12, 1925 in Delray, Michigan) was a former Major League Baseball player. Stan was a graduate of Southwestern High school, Detroit, where his career started under the tutelage of Lyle VanDeventer, baseball coach and Dick Strohmer Athletic Director for the "Prospectors".

Lopata, a catcher was a two-time all-star who played for parts of 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Braves. He made his debut in 1948 and served as a backup to Andy Seminick and Smoky Burgess for many seasons. In 1955 he hit 22 home runs and became the Phillies full time catcher the next season. In 1956, Lopata had his best season as he hit 32 home runs finished second in the league in doubles and was in the top ten in other statistical categories including slugging percentage, runs batted in, OPS, and homers.

After two years of declining performance Lopata was traded to the Braves in 1960 and played in 32 games over two more seasons before retiring.

He finished his career having played in 863 games with a .254 batting average and 116 home runs.

Lopata served in the military during World War II.

He was the first National League catcher to wear glasses.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Lopata

Chicken Scratch of the Day

In the 2009 Topps Chrome baseball there is a guarantee of 2 auto's per box. This autographed card was in my second box of chrome that I had purchased along with 2 other autographs in the same box. I beat the odds...wahoo! Anyhow Tommy Hanson has hard signed these cards and I was very impressed at how Topps did not use foil sticker autos for this set.
Let us take a look at Mr. Hanson's autograph for a moment. It almost looks like he signed it T J H. For his efforts he receives:

Info on Recent Callups

Here's a look at this year's most interesting September callups.

Chicago White Sox

Tyler Flowers, c

Flowers, arguably Chicago's top prospect will get his first shot in the MLB after splitting the year between Double-A and Triple-A. (He's gone .299/.426/.520.) The offensive-minded backstop will get more big league experience in 2010, and take over for A.J. Pierzynski for good in 2011.

Dan Hudson, rhp

A good sleeper pick entering the year, Hudson has been one of the top breakout stories of the minors, climbing every rung from Low A to the majors. He has put up a 2.32 ERA and 166-34 K-BB ratio in 147 IP at those stops, and is the top pitching prospect in the organization. Hudson has an excellent repertoire and could become a Gavin Floyd-esque starter for the White Sox in the near future.

Jhonny Nunez, rhp

Picked up in the Nick Swisher deal, Nunez has an electric arm. He has posted a 2.42 ERA in 42 relief appearances this year, and will be a nice solidifier in the White Sox bullpen next year.

Cleveland Indians

Carlos Carrasco, rhp

A frustrating prospect, Carrasco has #1 stuff, but struggles to get results. He'll get his initial big league test with Cleveland.

Lou Marson, c

A steady all-around player, Marson needs to show more power if he has designs on becoming a big league regular. MLB pitchers exploit .083 ISOs in their sleep. He could be an above-average backup to Carlos Santana, though!

Michael Brantley, of

Brantley is a nice prospect, combining stellar contact-hitting ability with above-average wheels. He could become a fourth outfielder or a second-division regular.

Colorado Rockies

Jhoulys Chacin, rhp

The 21-year-old's first call-up (last month) didn't go so well. He is an outstanding prospect, though, and should ease into a #2 or #3 starter role in time.

Los Angeles Angels

Brandon Wood, ss/3B

Wood has exhausted his prospect eligibility (and spent enough time in Triple-A that he could run for mayor of Salt Lake), but the Angels still refuse to give him an extended look. He's back for more this September. I adamantly maintain that, given an opportunity with another organization, he would quickly blossom into a solid left-side defender with 30+ HR power.

Milwaukee Brewers

Mat Gamel, 3B

Gamel is an outstanding hitter in need of a position change. He has already logged 113 ABs for the Brew Crew this year. Although he has a trend of tailing off in the second half, Gamel could become an above-average player at any position.

New York Mets

Josh Thole, c

Thole is an odd prospect: Although he plays catcher, he's a slap hitter with fair speed. It's doubtful that he'll become a first-division regular, but his ability to make contact is too hard to ignore. We'll see how his approach plays in the majors.

New York Yankees

Mike Dunn, lhp

The live-armed lefty is getting his first look at The Show. If he starts to hit the mitt with some more frequency (5.65 BB/9 this year), he'll play a valuable role in the Yankees' bullpen (12.15 K/9, 3.31 ERA).

Oakland A's

Clayton Mortensen, rhp

The 24-year-old Gonzaga product has had an up-and-down year, but his sinker could translate to a #3 slot in the rotation in the near future. He'll hone his command with Oakland this month with his eye on an expanded role in 2010.

San Francisco Giants

Buster Posey, c

My personal #3 prospect in the game, Posey is ridiculously talented. He'll help the Giants immediately, hold down the starting job next year, and potentially become a perennial All Star.

Madison Bumgarner, lhp

One of the most well-known prospects in the game, Bumgarner made his debut when Tim Lincecum was scratched because of back spasms. Having turned 20 last month, Bumgarner has plenty of time to improve his offspeed stuff. He has an incredible track record (1.65 ERA over 48 career starts.)

Dan Runzler, lhp

Runzler is an under-the-radar prospect. The big-bodied UC Riverside product could be an interesting piece in the San Fran bullpen, though, as he throws serious heat and has had an amazing year (0.76 ERA).

Tampa Bay Rays

Wade Davis, rhp

Davis has been one of the better righthanded pitching prospects in the game for a few years now, and the 2004 draftee is finally making his MLB debut this year. That shows you how conservative the Rays in promoting their pitchers. Once Davis refines his command and sharpens his cutter or changeup, he'll be a frontline starter.

Fernando Perez, of

Perez's 80 speed and Columbia smarts make him a good late-inning defensive replacement or pinch-runner at the very least. If he can refine his Punch-and-Judy approach, he could be a starter in the long term. (He would've spent 2009 in the MLB if not for an injury, anyway.)

Washington Nationals

Ian Desmond, ss

Desmond toiled in the minors for several years until a light finally came on for him this year. The slick-fielding 23-year-old hit .330/.401/.477 at Double-A and Triple-A. Hey, maybe the Nats actually have a starting shortstop on their hands.

Tyler Flowers

Buster Posey

Wade Davis

*Photos courtesy of www.milb.com