Happy birthday to my all-time favorite ball player - Hank Aaron. He chased down the Babe in spite of hate and did so with honor and dignity. A Hall of Fame person.

Back in early 2004, fresh off that crazy, exciting, maddening, heartbreaking 2003 season, the Cubs Caravan stopped at Illinois State University. We paid a couple of extra bucks and had VIP access before the event opened up. There were 50 of us with the guys and my wife and I were able to get autos for myself and a couple of other buddies. It was the last stop on what was surely a long day and they were all super-cool. I got to talk to Dusty…and SARGE…and Billy Williams! Mark Prior! I’ll never forget how kind Michael Barrett was to a special needs youngster that was there - love seeing that. Hall of Fame announcer, Pat Hughes, was there, too. He didn’t have photo but signed a ball for me. He was as nice in-person as he sounds on the radio.

I picked up this 51 Monte Irvin 3 or 4 (or 5??) years ago at an antique mall in Niles, MI. I bought it raw knowing it would look sharp in a tux (and would probably grade out at a 1) and I was right! This is one of my many favorite cards.

I was the high bidder for this Framed, Autographed, Jersey of Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame, 500 Home Run Club Superstar Ernie Banks

Discussion:

Should Barry Bonds be in the National

Baseball Hall Of Fame?