Here in the Northeast, August is still summer vacation. Hearing about people going back to school this week in the south or out west is disturbing and I'm grateful I have only known stepping into a classroom for the first time during September. However, August is nothing great here either. I've written many times about "August dread" -- I've experienced it since I was a little kid. And with my job for the last 30-plus years, August remains the calm before the storm -- a month's worth of trying to squeeze in every bit of fun you can before the education system saps your will to live. Also, August, for this house, is a month of less money (the education system pays the bills). I don't cut out card spending completely as I did during past Augusts, but I still need to watch the budget. I balance the lack of funds with the need for cards to dull the August edge -- card by card. Singles are the way to go this month, rather than boxes or packs. So here ar...
Even though Mason Fluharty has pitched in 40-plus games for the Blue Jays this season, I first discovered him at the start of the Dodgers' recent losing streak just this past Sunday. (The Dodgers are not repeating). I'm not a Blue Jays fan, but his arrival in MLB this year is notable for me. He is the 18th major league left-hander to be born on International Left-handers Day, which ... uh ... was yesterday. I've written tributes to lefties on Left-handers Day in the past (I'm left-handed). I'm going to do it again. Today. A day late. Because that sounds like something a lefty would do, right? I figured out all the MLB lefties who were born on Aug. 13, Left-handers Day, and will go through them now, with minimal commentary because all you righties aren't going to read this anyway. (The guy can't even do this on time!) 1. WINGO ANDERSON Years active: 1910 Position: Pitcher Teams: Reds Card shown: 1910 T210 (Old Mill Cigarettes) I don't own this...