window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'UA-12381093-3'); A Cardboard Problem: September 2008

September 23, 2008

Final Game at Yankee Stadium












One final walk into the place many people have called home for years. One last chance to see the Yankees play in the Cathedral. One last time to say goodbye to something that most of my generation has grown up with.

Me and Sooz drove down to the Stadium early, around 4 p.m. and it didn't hit me for a little while after we were already there that this was really it. Most of the Bleacher Creature regulars were all in the normal spot having a few drinks, and just reminiscing about the memories and having a good time hanging out. We hung out for a couple of hours before heading in, and then it hit us. This was the last time we would ever walk into Yankee Stadium.

I have to admit, I watched more of the actual building for about 4 hours than I did of anything else. I just wanted to look at everything and make sure I didn't leave anything out. I took close to 200 pictures of a place I had probably been to 500 times in my life. You get spoiled living so close to the Stadium and having season tickets that you take things for granted. Not last night. I captured it all with my mind, and my camera. I got to share it with my best friend, and a group of people that I have come to know over the past 3 seasons of sitting in the bleachers. I made a lot of friends out there, and had a lot of good times.

For me, the best part of the night was watching the players that I grew up watching come out for one final time to take the field, and of course seeing the team come out for one final time. They announced Tino and the Stadium erupted, everyone chanting 'Tino, Tino, Tino'. Then came the Paul O'Neil chant... and then the best ovation of the night. 'Centerfield, number 51, Bernie Williams, number 51', as it was always announced by Bob Shepard. The place went crazy, Bernie got the longest ovation at about 2 minutes according to ESPN. Bernie, like Tino and Paul, saluted the Bleacher Creatures specifically. We grew up with the Yankees of the 90's, cheering for them, chanting their names, and some of us collecting their baseball cards. Pettitte was called out for a curtain call last night, which was the first time I have seen a pitcher receive a curtain call. Of course, Derek Jeter was given the proper ovation and respect both at the beginning, and again in the 9th inning. When Jeter came off the field he got a standing ovation as he ran into the dugout. Mariano Rivera waited behind the mound until Jeter came out for the curtain call he earned, and he deserved.

One thing you can say about the Yankees core that came up through the farm system is that they all stick together, they all have earned the respect and admiration of the fans as well as respect from each other. Say what you will about the Yankees, but you can't take the pride, history, and respect from this organization.

The end of the game came and went, and we were all still there. Some of us taking pictures of the post-game festivities, some crying, some laughing, and some just awestruck that it was over. We stayed until they kicked us out. We stayed until we felt like we captured it all. The worst part I think was standing at the gate knowing that once we crossed the line, we could never, ever go back. It was a chapter in our lives, a chapter in sports and Yankees history, that we all closed together.

I just thought I would share a little bit of my random thoughts and random pictures. We hope you enjoy the pictures, and would love to see or hear anything you got.

September 21, 2008

October Baseball

Sadly for Yankee fans this is something we are not used to. We don't remember what it is like to end the season on a day in September where it could be warm enough to even wear shorts. We are used to gearing up in layers to go sit in the most perfect place to watch a playoff game, Yankee Stadium. Tomorrow for those of us attending the game, that will be our playoff game. One last memory to take away.

I have to be honest, I am sad and angry. Sad because the Stadium (yes, it gets capitalized.) is closing and the season is ending in September, and angry because there will not be another game played there again. If you have never been to Yankee Stadium it's probably hard to understand. You need to have felt the Stadium when it is pack to capacity in October, and it's cold, and everyone is chanting in unison taunting those awful Red Sox. 54,000 people chanting Schhhiiiiiiiiiillliiiiiing for innings, is just insane. Heck, it doesn't even have to be October. How about chanting "Bernie Williams" for nine innings the last regular season game as a proper send-off? I lost my voice the next day from that one, and it was well worth it.

That's all I have for right now. I was just pondering some of the random thoughts that were going through my head right now. Sharing them with you. If you want to comment or share a story feel free. Anyone with a story to share will get a discount in our store. Nothing to lose here, shout it out. I will try and stop by tomorrow to post some pictures from the game and let you know how I felt about it all.

September 14, 2008

Baseballcardbandits.com

My host company must hate me. I have called them several times in the past 2 days to try and get things fixed and to ask questions. They may give me a refund and tell me to take a hike. At any rate, I did teach myself a little bit of the Dreamweaver program to make the site a little nicer than it was. I obviously have a lot to learn if you take a peek at it, but at least it no longer has all the cheesy ads and the background and layout look better.

We are working hard to try and fill the site with content that is relevant to the industry, as well as with products to purchase. This may not happen right away, but we are hopeful that within the next few months it will draw more traffic. If anyone has any ideas of cool things we should try and implement please, by all means let us know.

I went to Target yesterday and picked up 2 packs of 2008 Goudey (no, the case and Hobby boxes were not enough) and I pulled a Grady Sizemore GU Jersey, and a Roger Maris Yankee Stadium Legacy, win win. The day before I grabbed one pack and pulled a Trevor Hoffman GU Jersey (not a fan, but whatever).

September 13, 2008

Our New and Improved Website.... or not.

I have been trying to work on building our website into something usable and "normal", if you will. This has so far proved to be a very trying experience for someone with absolutely no patience for anything. Right now the only thing on my side is the medicine I am taking for my cold having some sort of sedative to prevent anxiety. Thanks Doc.

At any rate, supposedly the site will be published and ready to go within a few hours and it should look a little better. We will be working on converting a page of the site to a store front so that you can buy direct from us without going through eBay. Once we acquire some more cards, and perhaps some memorabilia we will get that up and running.

In the meantime, we appreciate everyone who floats through the eBay store and takes a look around. If you buy anything, let us know you came from the blog and we'll send you a free gift.

Update at 2:31am: It is half working at this point. I am still trying to figure out where the background went. To be continued...

September 6, 2008

Coming soon....

Card Bandits, Live!

We decided to attempt to branch out into the real world and out of cyber space for a little adventure in South Jersey. We had a bit of a "grand opening", if you will, for what could be the next stage of our business/hobby adventure. Sadly, we picked the night that the beginning of Tropical Storm Hannah to start this and there were not alot of people out with the anticipation of flooding. Silly Card Bandits braved the storm and were at the location (to be named later).

We didn't do too bad under the circumstances, especially considering there were maybe like 300 people out of what potentially could some days be well over 1,000. It wasn't the most profitable venture, but we will be at it again tonight. If you are in the South Jersey area and want to meet us and pick up some cards, drop us an e-mail. We don't charge for autographs or photos with us. Just kidding.

This venture may be more permanent in the coming baseball season, depending on how we go from here. We will keep you all informed.

The Card Show Trade

Sorry this took so long, but we have been pretty busy trying to get stuff organized and purchased for a little venture we decided to do this weekend (in a hurricane).

I traded this card, which I liked pulling but really didn't care for at all.
IMG_0003

And I was able to get this card, which I like. I also collect Cano autographs so this made me happy. I got a card to add to my collection, and got rid of a card that really had no value to me.