Night Owl Cards

With the news of Ryan Braun yesterday, it occurred to me that Topps has had extraordinarily poor luck in selecting who should lead off their flagship set. In the last 17 years, Topps has picked Braun twice, Alex Rodriguez four times, and Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire once for the No. 1 card in the set (and don't forget John Lackey, too). These aren't exactly people you want to be your kids' role models -- not that the No. 1 card should reflect the most outstanding citizens on the planet -- or that players should be role models -- this is not the topic I want to discuss in any way -- please don't get indignant on me -- let's move on. I've already addressed the history of the first card in past Topps flagship sets. I've also addressed the history of the last card in past Topps flagship sets. And really, who wants to be first or last? We've seen what it takes to be No. 1 and what it can do to a person all too often these last 17 yea...

( Here is what I am appreciating tonight: The opportunity that Mario has given me by choosing Night Owl Cards as the first blog to occupy Wax Heaven's revamped Heavenly Seven. A little over seven months ago I started this blog with no purpose other than to put my love for this hobby on the record. I am glad so many have taken an interest in the goofy things I have to say. I promise you that, barring personal upheaval or computer meltdown, I will keep blogging about cards. Now, onto Cardboard Appreciation. This is the 28 th in a series): We used to have a photographer at the newspaper who was very good. He was especially good at taking sports photographs. That was important because you never know what you're going to get with photographers and sports. Some are exceptional at it. Some you can tell hate sports just by the photos they take. But this guy loved sports, and you always knew you'd get something good. This photographer had what I call his "sky period....