Archive for March, 2010

Old Redskins Park Autographs Part 2

Back in the day Redskins Park used to offer 8×10 B&W’s of the players for $2.00 (if I can remember correctly.) I’m not sure if this is still offered today and I’m not sure if B.J. still works there, but if she does…she’d be the one to tell you if they do. B.J. was/is the long time receptionist at Redskins Park and would be an awesome interview, Matt Terl? She’s probably got more stories than the players, coaches and front office combined. Below are some of my B&W’s.

Greatest KR in the history of the NFL. Look closely at this picture…there’s so much to love. He’s working the pinky ring, gold watch and a Redskins gold medallion necklace!

Darrell’s got one of the greatest smiles I’ve ever seen, I think his smile could cover most of the WR’s in the NFL today…not to mention that at age 50 he’s still faster than most players in the NFL.

The mullet, the stache. If you never got to play the Donnie Warren game with Fatpickle and Porkboy…then you missed out, that game and Donnie will live forever!

Doug was always awesome with me…not sure what happened here?

In Gus we trust! Does Gus not look like he could be a cast member of Jersey Shore?

Back in the mid 90′s I wanted to promote a fight, Ken Harvey vs. Greg Lloyd. As a matter of fact, I’d like to see that fight right now! Ken is one of the nicest guys on earth…and he could kill you with his bare hands.

Love KB, he rushed for over 4K yards in 3 seasons with USFL.

Yes, Ricky once wore #46. He also had 193 receiving yards in Super Bowl XXII…168 yards in the 2nd quarter alone. Awesome guy!

If you’ve ever been to the Ice House in Herndon, Va…then you’ve been to my Grandmother’s old bar. It used to be Margaret’s Inn and it was a place many Redskins visited in the late 70′s to blow off steam and drink a few beers. Riggo knew my Nanny well.

Mark was on IR the year he signed this picture, with one of those mysterious injuries that would come up late in the preseason. Gibb’s young QB’s always came up with those phantom injuries back in the day. Give them a clipboard and make them wear an ugly sweater until they’re ready to play. Anyway, he was healthy enough to sign this picture and toss the nerf football around with me.

Cheers and Hail

Old Redskins Park Autographs Pt. 1

You’ve heard stories of my days spent at the old Redskins Park collecting autographs and memories. I thought I would start posting some of the collectibles I acquired during that time. Here’s a look at some of the football cards I had signed back in the 80′s. Next week I’ll post my 8×10 black & whites, which are my favorite items.

87 Topps Wilber Marshall. Wilber had a very unique way of signing; he’s left-handed and signs his name upside down and from right to left. Wilber was a bad ass!

1984 Topps Dexter Manley. There are many reasons to love this card, the mohawk is definitely one of them and the fact that Dexter even signed it “Mr. D” for me. Alas, this card and a few other autographs I obtained that day were F’d up by a faulty marker. Son of a…

1983 Topps Dexter Manley. Dexter was always super-cool and never at a loss for words…he was also so full of energy. The back of this card says that Dexter served as a Deputy Sheriff in Virginia…really?

1986 Topps Jim Lachey. Don’t remember a whole lot about the interactions with Jim other than he was quiet and polite. Thank you Bobby Beathard for the Jay Schroeder for Lachey swap.

1988 Topps Kelvin Bryant. Kelvin was one my favorite players during the 80′s. He was a great all-around back and had a 13 catch 130 yard 2 TD day against the Giants in 86′, it says so on the back of the card!

1984 Topps Joe Jacoby. Jake’s always been good to me, I’m hoping he’s the next Redskin in the Hall of Fame. All he did was block Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White and Too Tall Jones for a decade…and did it well.

1984 Topps Darrell Green. This is Darrell’s rookie card and is probably the only one in the group that’s worth much $$. Doesn’t matter, I wouldn’t sell any of these for any price…well I’d cut Bostic loose.

1979 Topps Doug Williams. This is also a rookie card and it’s mint. Doug also signed his SI Super Bowl cover for me, “To Doug, From Doug.” Unfortunately, it was with the same sucky marker Dexter used to sign “Mr. D.” Son of a…

1987 Topps Charles Mann. Charles was always super nice and cool. The faulty marker makes another appearance. Son of a…

1988 Topps Earnest Byner. Earnest was the consummate professional as a player and didn’t get the respect he deserved as a coach. Thanks Bobby Beathard for Mike Olpihant for Earnest Byner.

1982 Topps Dave Butz. Anyone remember the “Big Bad Butz” song made for Dave Butz? I need to find that, help me. I googled big bad butz and nothing but porn sites comes up. Per the back of Dave’s card “he performs week-in and week-out, playing often with injuries, and continues to get the job done in fine fashion.” I agree Topps, I agree.

1984 Topps Jeff Bostic. Jeff Bostic was not cool, he was not nice…it says so on the back of his card.

Cheers and Hail

3/20-3/23 Happy Bday

Happy birthday Moses Malone. Moses played 2 seasons for the Bullets from 1986-88. The Petersburg, VA native came to the Bullets (along w/ Terry Catledge & Harvey Grant) from the 76er’s in exchange for Cliff Robinson and Jeff Ruland. Moses made the All-Star team both of seasons in D.C. and the Bullets made the playoffs both seasons. Moses averaged 22.2 PPG and 11.2 RPG as a Bullet. Moses retired after the 95’ season as a 13 time All-Star, 3 time MVP and one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.

Happy birthday Chris Hoiles. Chris played 10 seasons with the Orioles from 1989-1998. Chris is a member of the Orioles Hall of Fame and widely regarded one of the Orioles greatest all-time catchers. Chris came to the Orioles in a trade with Detroit, in exchange for Fred Lynn. Chris would go on to appear in 894 games as an Oriole, batting .262 with 151 HR’s and 449 RBI’s. His best season came in 1993 when he batted .310-29-82. In retirement Chris managed the York Revolution of the Independent League and also runs a hunting “fantasy camp.” Happy 45th Mr. Hoiles.

Happy birthday Manny Alexander. Manny played parts of 4 seasons with the O’s from 1992-96. Manny at one time was appointed the heir apparent to Cal Ripken at shortstop; he ended up starting just 6 games at SS for the Orioles. Manny made 3 errors in those 6 starts, Cal made 3 the entire 1990 season. #6 appeared in 154 games as an Oriole, batting just .206. Manny was later linked to steroids…he must have had a horrible supplier; he hit 15 homeruns in 11 seasons. Most recently Manny played in Italy and the minors for the Phillies. Happy 39th (he’s probably 45) Mr. Alexander.

Happy birthday Brad Edwards. Brad played 4 seasons as hard-hitting safety for the Redskins from 1990-93. Brad appeared in all 64 games during his Redskins tenure. Brad collected 13 INT’s and 498 tackles as a Redskin. Brad had an incredible game in the 91’ Super Bowl, intercepting 2 passes and making several bone-crushing hits. In retirement Brad does some radio work and also serves as the AD for Newberry College. Happy 44th Mr. Edwards.

Happy birthday Joe Salave’a. Joe played 3 seasons for the Redskins from 2004-06. #95 was a defensive tackle and a fan favorite. The American Samoan had 2.5 sacks and 70 tackles during his Redskins tenure. After 9 years in the NFL Joe retired and is now an assistant coach at San Jose State. Happy 35th Mr. Salave’a.

Cheers and Hail

Six Degrees Of Fatpickled

How did Antoine Walker lose $110 million, gambling with Michael Jordan. (ESPN)

Frank, Sonny and Sam got together one last time…oh the memories. (D.C. Sports Bog)

Another reason to hate Peter King. (Redskins Blog)

The Redskins and Tebow had their date. (Redskins Insider)

In case you haven’t read the Tiger Wood’s sexts, their all right here and yes they contain vulgar language. (Deadspin)

A look back at former Cap Clint Malarchuk’s scary injury, probably the worst injury I’ve ever scene in sports, more warnings…the video is very graphic. (JoeSportsFan)

Cheers and Hail

Gracias Por Todo, Greivis Vasquez

Greivis Vasquez played his last game in a Maryland Terrapins uniform today, a heartbreaking 85-83 loss to Michigan State in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament. If the final 2 minutes were the epitaph for his career, it would read like this.

2:00 minute mark MD trails 80-71

1:54 Greivis makes a 2pt jumper, he’s fouled on the play. MD trails 80-73

0:07 Greivis makes a 2pt jumper. MD leads 83-82

That’s 10 points, a steal and an assist in the final 2 minutes. He was Reggie F’in Miller in Madison Square Garden! He took the team on his back and he carried them. And it was vintage Greivis, out of control…fall away jumpers in the lane, using the glass and in heavy traffic…it.was.perfect.

Greivis was both frustrating and fun as hell. He was like a crazy girlfriend that you know is certified, but you can’t cut her loose cuz the sex is great. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched him in a game and screamed NOOOOoooo Greiv what the YESSSSSSSSSS, as he took some stupid shot that he should have never taken, but he hit them more often than not. The debate will be thrown around in bars and on blogs for many years to come, where doe Greivis rank on the Terps all-time list of great players? For me, he’s now #3, behind Juan and Bias. Thanks for the memories Greivis.

Cheers and Hail

3/15-3/18 Happy Bdays

Happy birthday Harold Baines. Harold played 7 seasons with the Orioles from 1993-2000. An Eastern Shore native, Harold hit .301 with 107HR’s and 378 RBI’s during his O’s tenure. His best season came in 99’ when he hit .322-24-81. Harold deserves to be in the HOF as he finished his career with 384 HR’s, 1,628 RBI’s and a career average of .289…I think it’s safe to say he also did it steroid-free. In retirement Harold got into coaching and is currently the 1B coach for the White Sox. Happy 51st Mr. Baines.

Happy birthday Todd Yoder. Todd has played the last 4 seasons for the Redskins and is currently a free agent. Todd is an excellent blocking TE who has appeared in 61 games, also filling in well at the H-back and fullback spots when called upon. Not known for his pass-catching, Todd has caught 6 TD’s for the Redskins. Todd has also turned into a fan favorite who has made funny videos over at the Cooley Zone. I hope to see Todd back next season. Happy 32nd Mr. Yoder.

Happy birthday John Hall. John played 4 seasons for the Redskins from 2003-2006, appearing in 40 games during his tenure. John was a pretty decent kicker who wore #10 and made 78.3% of his FG’s as a Redskin. John’s best season came in 03’ when he made 25 FG’s and scored 101 pts. John was released by the Redskins in 2006 and retired shortly after due to multiple leg injuries…not a good thing to have when you are a kicker. In retirement John opened up a restaurant in Florida. Happy 36th Mr. Hall.

Cheers and Hail