Collecting for Your Kids

When my boys were born, I wanted to start collecting something for them. I wanted something I could get for them every year. The conditions:
- It couldn't cost much
- It would be easy to obtain
- It would be easy to store

I decided to go with World Series programs. Baseball is probably my favorite sport and the World Series programs only cost about $10-15 a piece. Tip: Buy them on eBay after the series is over. 

The programs also give a recap of the season and can capture the era with all of the ads and other stories. Have you ever read an old program and see the "color TV" or "Yoo-hoo Sports Drink" ads?

I recently picked up the 2010 World Series programs. Of course this year MLB made two versions: one for the Rangers and one for the Giants. I ended up going with the winning team.

Of course, I go through all this work and some day they'll say, "Why the h--l did the old man get a Giants World Series program?"

Spuds McKenzie Night at Veterans Stadium

In 1987 I was a Logan Township Little League All-Star. Being selected an all-star provided a huge opportunity - the chance to meet Spuds McKenzie.

The meeting with Spuds was more of an accident than anything else. On 9/16/87, the all-stars from our little league were able to go on the turf of Veterans Stadium to take infield. It was a great! Sure, the Vet wasn't the best park, but at 12 years old, it was the only one I had ever been to and certainly the only field I had ever been on. We even had our names and faces put on the giant "Phanavision" screen.

But while we were waiting to take the field, behind the outfield walls, a Limo pulled up next to us, the window rolled down, and Spuds McKenzie stuck his head out! It was awesome. I put out my hand and the trainer the smacked it with Spuds' paw. A high paw from Spuds McKenzie!

The program scanned here is from that game. It was the Phillies vs. Cubs. Don Carman against Andre Dawson!

Mets Autograph Found - Wally Whitehurst

I always keep baseball programs from the games I attend. I had been missing a ton and fortunately, I found some at my parent's house this weekend.

This program is from a Tidewater Tides vs. Toledo Mud Hens game in 1988. The cover has a Wally Whitehurst autograph that I collected after the game in Ned Skeldon Stadium. Wally spent parts of four seasons with the Mets.

The roster is the best part of this program. The Tides were managed by Mike Cubbage and had a roster of few major league players that included:
- Jeff Innis (p)
- David West (p)
- Wally Whitehurst (p)
- Mark Carreon (of)

The Mud Hens were lead by outfielders George Vukovich and Billy Beane!

1969 Mets World Series Program

I really like the cover of this World Series program. Remember Me?

This (obviously) is one of my favorite programs. I like how the '69 World Series program reflects on the yearbook cover of the '62 Mets. It conveys the distance the franchise has traveled in just 7 short years.

When you have a minute, flip through the pages of some of your old programs. It doesn't have to be from 40 years ago. It may take you back to the first game you ever went to, your first playoff game, or remember jumping on the family room couch as Ray Knight rounds third base!