36 Comments
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ceolaf's avatar

I am VERY late to this thread, but I have an idea.

Given how generous Boston was when Ray Bourque won a Stanley Cup with another team—even throwing him a parade, as I recall—all Boston title commemorating hats should have Ray's signature on them.

That's my take.

Brian J Foley's avatar

Was at the Strand, it was amazing. Thank you!!

Lee's avatar

When I moved to Sydney in 2003 there was a newsagent that sold newspapers from all over the world near the location of my first job up here. Now in Australia the different states have different football codes as their number one code, so Melbourne has 9 AFL teams and 1 Rugby League team whereas Sydney has 8 Rugby League Teams and 2 AFL teams.

So I grew up with AFL in Melbourne and when I moved to Sydney I needed my AFL news which you got barely any of in the Sydney newspapers this made that newsagent a godsend as I could get the Melbourne newspapers and keep up to date with my Hawthorn team in a way that pre Internet on phones was extremely difficult

Kevin's avatar

Obviously you should cut up the caps and make relic cards for the poscast!

Pseudonymous's avatar

I was at the Strand event and just so happened to sit in front of Ellen Adair! It was so much fun to meet them, and they signed my book! When my father mentioned that we had gone to the Phillies-Pirates game last Friday, they started excitedly talking about that game. Hearing Ellen talk about the Phillies is so much fun (even for this Mets fan!)

Richie's avatar

I barely understand the appeal of autograph collecting.

But the idea of collecting a stitched autograph when the player never even touched the hat makes zero sense to me.

Nathaniel's avatar

Got home from the office just now and there it was. Sitting in a puddle on my porch. My heart sank as I imagined the soggy book waiting for me inside the deteriorating cardboard envelope. But no! Some thoughtful employee had wrapped the book in bubble wrap. It was dry as a bone.

I ripped off the bubble wrap and slowly opened the cover to see what special edition book I had received.

My heart sank. No autograph from a famous actor or athlete. No top ten list or favorite player. All I saw in front of me was “Be sure to drink your Ovaltine.”

Misterscooter's avatar

I'm anxiously waiting for the email from Joseph Beth with the FedEx tracking number.

Ray Charbonneau's avatar

In modern America, it’s very possible your driver can’t afford the data required to use maps on his phone.

Lou Proctor's avatar

Before “modern America,” there were no data maps.

Glenn Raucher's avatar

As I said last night, such a total JOY.

And totally concur about Seth, but then some more: his ability to listen, really listen, and obviously possess an extraordinary "processing" speed makes him a remarkable interlocutor.

Already ~150 pages in. Any fan, of anything, needs this book.

Deepak Kandaswamy's avatar

Sounds like you're ready to start a "Big Fan" club for those that are fans of "Big Fan!" I'm in the office counting down the hours until I can go home and curl up with my copy.

AdamE's avatar

2 Things:

1. If aborted takeoffs was a thing how many would Wilt Chamberlain have had.

2. Your cabbie probably gets dinged for phone usage while driving and depending on what app they are using to monitor him using maps could count against him.

Josh Rovner's avatar

Fewer than Bill Russell.

Josh Rovner's avatar

Wearing a 1986 Mets hat one day and a Red Sox hat with a Mookie Betts autograph on another day makes me think you loathe the Red Sox more than the Yankees.

Maybe just buy a Thurman Munson next time you’re in New York.

Wogggs (fka Sports Injuries)'s avatar

You should get Bill Buckner. Too soon?

Josh Rovner's avatar

I have nothing against Bill Buckner. Buckner was framed.

Chris C.'s avatar

You could knock out 14 different hats with just Rich Hill's signature -- that feels like a good starting point. (And hit all 30 by adding in a combo of E. Jackson, Dotel, Mike Morgan, and Cutch -- and there's probably an even more efficient path than that.)

Miriam's avatar

it was a great event! lovely to meet you both 😊 too bad there wasn’t time for a mini draft with so many of the gang in the room

JP's avatar

Getting to hear you both giggle in person was worth every penny of my train ticket up from Philly. What a fun event! Can’t wait to start reading on my way home!

Matt M's avatar

With your love of old bookstores did you ever managed to hit up the original Barnes & Noble on 18th and 5th when it was open? Was supposed to have been the largest bookstore in the world. You could find tons of obscure titles in its back stacks. Closed about 10 years ago now.

Ray Charbonneau's avatar

Powell’s would beg to differ.

Ron H's avatar

I bet Joe would love to use the Powell’s app to use its map to navigate himself around the store. If he reads this comment, maybe that will be enough incentive for him to visit Portland on one of his tours.