And So It Begins...

I desperately want to say that Josh Wilker did this better than I will. Or can. That level of self-deprecation, of course, is truly not anything more than forced negativity on my part and perhaps an attempt at eliciting forced pity from those who are reading. Such sentiment is so hard for me avoid, yet is counter-productive on its own and runs directly contrary to very reason why I am writing these words in the first place.

1991 Fleer Pro-Visions - Dwight Gooden

It would be much more accurate to say that "Josh Wilker did this first" or "Josh Wilker did this differently," as Wilker's still-active blog, Cardboards Gods (which was later optioned for a book of the same name), was the first instance in which I saw baseball cards linked with an individual's life on a level deeper than that of the acquisition or ownership of the card itself. There was a resonance to that connection, as baseball and, specifically, baseball cards have been such defining components of my life since their introduction when I was in first grade, leading me to play and/or coach consistently in the three decades that have followed. There now exist a myriad of enjoyable baseball card themed blogs that delve into the subject on a variety of levels, such that it is easy to think of one's efforts as being derivative in some form or fashion if one is/was to hit similar notes to those played by others who have come first. Yes, the self-deprecation and doubt keep trying to creep in here, even when utterly unnecessary.

I actually do not know how to define what it is for which I am aiming here other than that I have been compelled to write for a while and need a new outlet. This is not exclusively a biographical account/memoir yet stories from my past and present will no doubt play a strong role. This is also not exclusively a sports blog or a topical blog or a political blog - yet all of these topics will be touched upon with great frequency. The baseball card(s) featured atop each post may be directly connected to the posts in which they appear or the relationship may be exceptionally loose in nature***. They matter to me, though, and I hope that what I have to say will turn out to matter to others.

In summation, I am hoping that this process will permit me to think and reflect about conditions and experiences both new and old. Discussion is welcome, introspection is appreciated, and learning is paramount. And if one wants to trade cards, well, that would be fun, too. I thank you for being here for the start of what I hope will be a meaningful venture!


*** Case in point, Dwight Gooden delivered the first pitch that began the Mets' season in 1990, a called strike on former teammate Wally Backman.