Articles from November 2010

The Golden Sombrero presents Rookie Card Corner: Adam Wainwright 2000 Bowman

Fun Fact: Waino hit the first major-league pitch he saw out of the park, a feat only six other players had done before him.  To commemorate the event, the St. Louis Cardinals gave him an engraved Rolex watch.

The other day I received an email from a good friend and former teammate, Mark Wilcox, who is currently teaching science in Baltimore, MD.  Mark just launched a fundraiser in which he will be growing a mustache to  raise money for his school’s various classroom projects.  Please take the time to read his letter and donate to this great cause.

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Friends and Family,

The time of year that I raise funds for classroom projects in a somewhat non-traditional way has arrived. That’s right, for the next four weeks, I will be subjecting myself to public humiliation and private doubt by growing what will no-doubt be a ridiculous looking mustache.  I’ve named it Dr. Watson because my mustache-growing ability is unfortunately quite elementary.

In order to justify this endeavor I need your support. I am asking you to ‘sponsor’ my mustache by making a contribution to DonorsChoose.org for any amount you feel appropriate.  It might be $1 or it might be $100 – no matter what, you’re giving to a great cause and every dollar pushes teachers and students to strive for higher achievement.

Your [tax deductible!] donation will go directly to local low-income classroom projects.  I’ve chosen several projects posted by teachers who I know are putting forth huge amounts of effort and who will positively affect their students with just a little nudge from your wallet.  You can visit my Giving Page, The Dr. Watson is a fantastic mustache Giving Page, to make a donation.

Mustaches for Kids depends on word-of-‘stache publicity, so if you can’t give at this time, please forward this email to anyone who might be interested in doing good and having fun.

With great sincerity and a healthy amount of shame,

Mark

The Golden Sombrero presents MLB Look-alikes: Juan Gonzalez and Borat

The Golden Sombrero presents Rookie Card Corner: Bryce Harper 2010 Bowman Chrome

Fun Fact: Harper said he chose to wear #34 because “I always loved Mickey Mantle, three and four equals seven.”

Over the last few seasons, I have learned that the baseball world is perpetually invested in the demise of Jeff Francoeur.  Even those who root for him as a member of their favorite team think that the guy is an arrogant bum.  I’ll admit it; I liked the guy when he first came up with the Braves.  I didn’t exactly think he was the greatest thing ever — or as Sports Illustrated claimed, “The Natural” — but I believed that the guy had a lot of potential.

Last night, as I was killing time by scouring eBay for various baseball rookie cards(yes, I’m 25-years old, shut up), I stumbled upon one of Jeff Francoeur.  Now, on eBay, nearly every baseball rookie card will eventually sell, even if it is eventually at a reduced price.  Over the years, the depreciation and gross production of baseball cards has made many of the cards people once dreamed about buying, a possibility.  Hell, even Jose Canseco’s rookie cards get a few bids and eventually find a new home.

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