In the Future...

Just read an article that Portland, OREGON is ready for a MLB team with facilities, land, ballpark, etc.

It's been almost 20 years since the Diamondbacks and Rays joined MLB, will there be another expansion?

Two more teams could feature two leagues of 16 teams, abandon divisional play, return to some hybrid of modern and past playoff format.  Take the top six teams in each league with some one game playoffs may be even better post season action.

Where would the new cities be located?  

The down side would be terrible baseball being played by the new teams among the current cellar dwellars.  Waffling in miserable season after miserable season.  Houston & Miami can be the modern example, the Rays for the first 15 years of existence, and the Chicago Cubs for posterity.  Just plain bad baseball is not needed for the marathon of the season.

New teams would be exciting, with minor stars getting opportunities to play everyday, who knows?

In the end, I am not really sure this would be best, in the future.

Keep it Hot on the Corner, Pat.

More Sun

This is part two of the great mailer sent from Arizona

Dan of It's Like Having My Own Cardshop added this sunshine to my life.

These completed a team set

Some Silver,

I also raided the grocery store clearance and picked up three Topps Attax (2009-2010) starter packs for $1.99, and landed these two.

Today, January 29, will be like Christmas Day!

Keep it Hot on the Corner, Pat

More from the Trading Spot

Another day off, too cold for a penguin to be just walking around.  All this time off has allowed me to de-clutter my desk and get some packages sent out to great bloggers.

One of those great bloggers is Johnny's Trading Spot. He sent a flat rate box chock full of Tigers, he's getting a first round of Bravos soon.

These Topps Ten are an interesting set, the top ten for the season.

Here is a glimpse of the newest adds to the collection.

Thank you John! You should see the first wave soon!

Keep it Hot on the Corner, Pat.

Sunny Days

I sent a PWE west encouraging sun to be sent back eastward.  We have had several days off of school this year due to snow, wind, and cold.

Today, courtesy of the USPS, Dan of It's Like Having My Own Cardshop, sent another version of sunshine to cold Michigan.  Each card had a mini post it with a simple message

I

HOPE

U

NEED

ONE

OF

THESE!

Some numbered:  this one emerald out of 150

More sun to come,

Keep it Hot on the Corner, pat

Loaded

A PWE from Delaware, LOADED with throwback stuff....

Just picture this BUBBA with a 50 yr stamp courtesy of Heritage 2013

Just picked this beauty up, and already had it.

Wednesday will be a beautiful sign, 2014 Topps Series 1, a sign of spring!

Keep it Hot on the Corner, pat.

Chasing History

How cool is it to read on Sunday that you have TWO PWEs in the mail and the receive them on Monday?

Robert of $30 A Week Habit sent me this slick Chasing History of the big boy Miguel Cabrera to boost my Tigers set.

How fitting today, as my wrestling team chases history for 500 wins as a program against our biggest rival!

Keep it Hot on the Corner, Pat.

Twilight Tigers: Bob Hamelin

Recently, I read an article in Baseball Digest regarding Rookie Flameouts focusing on Joe Charbeneau and Mark Fidrych.  2x3 states a certain outfielder of the Dodgers may join that list.  Bringing back one of the Hot Corner's features parallels with this theme....The Hot Corner Twilight Tigers.

Bob Hamelin burst on the scene in 1994 at the age of 26 to win the AL Rookie of the Year.

None of these cards show off his trademark HUGE 1990s glasses.  As you see below, Hamelin was a big time prospect for the Royals in 1990, but didn't make it to the bigs until the end of 1993 and his best season in 1994.   I seem to recall some type of miracle drug flailing hitters could take to improve their power numbers, what was that called?

In the strike shortened 1994 season Hamelin hit .282 AVG with 24 HRs & 65 RBIs.  There was a hugh commotion about this OLD prospect having such an outstanding season.  The following year, The reigning Rookie of the Year came back to Earth and hit .168 with 7 HRs & 25 RBIs.  

Released by the Royals in late March of 1997, who would want this flamed out star?  One guess, signed April 8, 1997 with the Detroit Tigers.

The 1997 Detroit Tiger version of the ROY featured Hamelin in 110 games hitting .270 AVG,18 HRs and 52 RBIs.

Following the 1997 season Hamelin signed with Milwaukee and was out of baseball.

Keep it Hot on the Corner, pat.

Tigers with Votes

Many former Tigers received votes for the 2014 Hall of Fame class, alas, no one elected...

Jack Morris: Final Year of eligibility, 351 votes (61.5%) only Gil Hodges & Morris received more than 50% at any time and not voted in.

Alan Trammell: 13th Year, 119 votes (20.8%)

Luis Gonzalez, 5 votes (0.9%) ---- World Series Hero for Arizona,

Kenny Rogers, 1 vote --- used to be a Tigers killer, became the mentor of change for Detroit Tigers and a young Verlander.  What was on his pant leg in 2006 World Series Game 3?

Jacque Jones, 1 vote (0.2%) ----  umm yeah, my favorite from twitter on this one.

Waiting for the punishment handed out to the voters who put down Armando Benitez, Jacques Jones, JT Snow and Eric Gagne................
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) January 9, 2014

Sean Casey --- On the ballot, no votes

Todd Jones - On the ballot, no votes, Mrs. Hot Corner's fave, me not so much.

How on Earth could Jacque Jones get a vote over Casey or Jones?  How could Biggio miss by two that Jones & Rogers received?  Plenty of drama this year, maybe more next.  

Keep it Hot on the Corner, pat.