Friendly Encounters

This is a weekly feature highlighting my friends who have met celebrities.

I have previously written about Jason and his site, The Writer's Journey.  Jason's site is heavy on the Cincinnati Reds, but also features other great baseball stuff and some other random interesting topics.  It's really done well and always worth a look.  He even answered my request and made a 2010 Topps card for longtime backup catcher (and personal favorite) Bill Plummer.
Jason and his son are regular attendees at RedsFest and this year was no different.  They met a lot of great former Reds, like Tom Browning, Eric Davis and Chuck Harmon (the first African-American to play for the Reds).
They also met one current member of the Reds, pitcher Bronson Arroyo.  Arroyo happens to be my favorite Red.  Arroyo signed his cd and a card for Joshua.
Jason ended his report by writing that they had a blast and look forward to next year's event.  I always look forward to the reports and posts about RedsFest.  It's great to see so many former Reds.  Maybe someday, they'll post a picture after meeting Bill Plummer!

Joshua and Bronson Arroyo in Cincinnati, OH-December 2010.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

The last time I did a feature on The Writer's Journey, it was because Jason created a 1986 Topps card of Mike Squires. I really appreciated that gesture and the card creation! When I saw that Jason was going to Reds Fest, I asked him if I could run some of his pictures.
The Writer's Journey is a cool site, offering lots of interesting stuff (mostly) on the Cincinnati Reds. It also has features on other things and teams, but clearly Jason loves the Reds. However, Reds fan or not, it is always a good read.
I don't want to borrow all of Jason's stuff and you should certainly check out his more-detailed reports and pictures on Reds Fest 2009. Jason features some cool pictures and signed baseball cards by some current Reds and some great Reds of the past, like 1960's pitcher Jim O'Toole (on the right), who ended his career with the Chicago White Sox. Jim's brother Dennis, was one of my early favorites, pitching for the White Sox a couple years after Jim retired.
Below are two current Reds. Joey Votto (on the left) is a favorite of my friend Swede. Chris Dickerson (on the right below) is one of the stars on my fantasy league team. Hopefully, his 2010 season will be a breakout year for him. I especially like this picture...young Joshua eagerly and respectfully waiting for Dickerson's autograph.
Joshua didn't just meet Reds superstar players, he also met Mr. Redlegs. Mr. Redlegs is a favorite at the ballpark (how can he not be with a mustache like that?).
Thanks to Jason (and Joshua) for sharing these pictures. Hopefully, we will see more from these Reds fans!
Until then, do yourself a favor and check out The Writer's Journey. Reds fan or otherwise, you won't be disappointed!

Joshua Carter and Mr. Redlegs in Cincinnati, OH-December 2009.

Mike Squires 1986 Topps

Last week, I made my first voyage into the world of self-created baseball cards. I produced a 1977 Topps card of Mike Squires (admittedly the easiest card I could have attempted). I ended the piece by putting out an offer to anyone who would make any of the missing cards of Squires (1975, 1978, 1979 or 1986). Two fellow bloggers quickly sent me their versions of a 1986 Topps card of Squires.
Jim is the man behind Garvey Cey Russell Lopes. This is a virtual romp through tons of Los Angeles Dodgers greatness. Jim does venture out of the blue heaven, too. Jim's special creations are Final Tribute cards, which give final cards to former Dodgers who never had an appropriate final card. Jim contributed the Squires card on the right.
Jason produces The Writer's Journey. Jason is a Cincinnati-based aspiring novelist. His site is dedicated to "whatever is on his mind at the moment". True to his word, this site has a little of everything, with a little emphasis on Cincinnati Reds. Jason sent me the card on the left.
I really appreciate both cards. They are excellent creations and I am happily adding them to my online Squires collection.