Ron Siemers had the Blues

I first met Ron Siemers in the Spring of 1996, my first year in the very prestigious Boone League (the premier fantasy baseball league). Ron is a Minnesotan, but not a Minnesota sports fan.  His sports allegiance still belongs to Chicago...well most of Chicago.
Ron has a strong dislike for the Cubs.  Despite this, Ron is a knowledgeable sports fan.  He's also a great guy.
In the Boone League, I have finished last more times than I care to remember (although league historian Scott O. could probably get the exact number).  Ron has never given me too much crap over it...wait a minute.  He gives me crap every chance he gets.  I have had very few chances to really give it back and this is one of them!
Ron lost a friendly wager to a buddy of his.  The best sports bets do not involve cash.  As I have written here before, I have lost a few 'jersey' bets in my lifetime.  Ron's lost wager involved him donning the beautiful blue of the Chicago Cubs.
Like a true good loser, Ron wore it proudly.  He even went one step further and sent the picture to several of us who wouldn't even have known about this bet.  Now that is a good loser!
What you see below is a rarity.  Ron is usually a happy guy, always smiling and laughing.  I guess you can call this a case of the blues and Johngy's Beat is here to report it!
Thanks for sharing this goes to Ron.  I'll see you in March, when I enter the draft room as the reigning Boone League champ.

Ron Siemers in Cubs blue in Minnesota-October 2010.

Ric Flair, Mike Fuhr, Mike Squires and Ron Siemers

Recently, I received two packages from two out of town friends. I met both Ron Siemers and Mike Fuhr about 12 years ago, when I joined the world-renowned Boone League in fantasy baseball. Since then, both men have routinely and soundly beaten me almost every year. This year, they have expanded to football, in an effort to beat me in yet another sport.
Ahh but this post isn't about them getting the better of me in sports acumen. This is about them getting me something out of the kindness of their hearts.

First, from North Carolina, Mike sent me a couple lottery tickets featuring the Nature Boy Ric Flair. My nephew Matt would love these (much better than the usual migraine-inducing Bingo lottery tickets I usually give him). Seriously, how can you not love lottery mixed with the limousine-ridin', jet-flyin', kiss-stealin', wheelin'-dealin' son of a gun. All I can say is thanks and Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. The second package came from the land of the baseball pirhanas and the football purple powerhouse, namely Minnesota. Ron must have been reading my ongoing pieces about my mancrush of yesteryear Mike Squires. In an effort to help my collection (and possibly to get me to shut up), Ron sent me 4 of Squires finest cards.
The ever-humble Ron gives credit to the cards to Dave Abbs (doesn't that sound like a great wrestling name?). Whoever got them, I appreciate them coming my way and for these two readers.
Included was his first solo card (a 1980 Topps, far right). Ironically, the gold-glove winning Squires is shown in some sort of batting pose on each of these cards. These are a welcome addition to my collection.
Thanks to Mike and Ron for the coolness. I appreciate the thought and I appreciate you guys as friends. I'd also appreciate it if you let me win the 2010 Boone League.

Mike Squires 1983, 1982, 1981 and 1980 Topps baseball cards.