The "I'm MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT
GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!" Page
GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!" Page
Some days you get so mad you want to sock someone in the puss. Or literally, "kick their ass." On this page we present some cards and pictures of some guys who were known to get a little angry.
Maybe angry enough to lead losers into winners. Or angry enough to punch out a marshmallow salesman. Also for my amusement, I get to vent on this page. It could be the current state of affairs
(recession), lack of affordable health care, politics, religion, you name it. If you are not angry somewhat you are living in a dream world. For the rest of us, maybe if we get mad enough we can start
doing something. The Beatle's sang "REVOLUTION" over 40+ years ago and things are even worse now. So stick your head out a window and yell "I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE
IT ANYMORE!!!"
Maybe angry enough to lead losers into winners. Or angry enough to punch out a marshmallow salesman. Also for my amusement, I get to vent on this page. It could be the current state of affairs
(recession), lack of affordable health care, politics, religion, you name it. If you are not angry somewhat you are living in a dream world. For the rest of us, maybe if we get mad enough we can start
doing something. The Beatle's sang "REVOLUTION" over 40+ years ago and things are even worse now. So stick your head out a window and yell "I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE
IT ANYMORE!!!"
Of course most of you "old school" baseball nuts out there have heard of the very colorful Jim "Jimmy" Piersall. Always entertaining, whether doing an Indian "war dance" in the outfield, taking a
nap on home plate, or his fiery conflicts with players, umpires, fans, and himself, Jimmy Piersall was at least consistent. He told it as he saw it and was not afraid to let it out. Take for instance his
amusing comments while "color man" (along with Harry Carray) for the Chicago White Sox in the early 1980's; he called ballplayers wives's "horny bitches" and commented that the White Sox
owner's wife was a "Colossal Bore." You can read all about it in Piersall's book "The Truth Hurts." Great book, great player and a personal hero to me. For more on Piersall check out our fabulous
JIMMY PIERSALL Page!
nap on home plate, or his fiery conflicts with players, umpires, fans, and himself, Jimmy Piersall was at least consistent. He told it as he saw it and was not afraid to let it out. Take for instance his
amusing comments while "color man" (along with Harry Carray) for the Chicago White Sox in the early 1980's; he called ballplayers wives's "horny bitches" and commented that the White Sox
owner's wife was a "Colossal Bore." You can read all about it in Piersall's book "The Truth Hurts." Great book, great player and a personal hero to me. For more on Piersall check out our fabulous
JIMMY PIERSALL Page!
| 1958 Topps #271 Billy Martin 1972 O-Pee-Chee #33 Billy Martin |
Billy Martin was a fighter. He fought like he had a chip on his shoulder. Which he did. He fought for everything he had. While remembered for his classic fighting spirit (especially with Yankees owner
George Steinbrenner) the fact remains that Billy Martin was a WINNER. He may have not been the most loved guy on the field but he played hard as a player and he expected his players to do the same. As
a player he was instrumental to the 1950's Yankees dynasty (the Yankees won pennants in 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, and 1958 during the decade, winning 6 Championships. As a
manager, Martin was a winner as well. Martin's teams (Twins, Tigers, Rangers, Yankees, and A's) came in 1st or 2nd place ten times in his 16 years as a manager. Martin's winning percentage was .553,
which is comparable to Hall of Fame Managers Walt Alston (.558), Sparky Anderson (.545), and Leo Durocher (.540). Yet Billy Martin is not in the Hall of Fame. Perhaps he made too many enemies
including numerous baseball owners and the press. He also made enemies on the field, with too many fights to recall here. In fact, one famous fight, the infamous "Copacabana Brawl" in 1957 led to his
being traded by his beloved Yankees to the Kansas City Athletics. Regardless it is a real shame Billy Martin is not in the Hall of Fame as a manager. Check out this 1972 O-Pee-Chee (Topps Chewing Gum
Inc. counterpart in Canada; above right) #33 Billy Martin card. Martin is giving the Topps photographer the "finger." What a guy.
George Steinbrenner) the fact remains that Billy Martin was a WINNER. He may have not been the most loved guy on the field but he played hard as a player and he expected his players to do the same. As
a player he was instrumental to the 1950's Yankees dynasty (the Yankees won pennants in 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, and 1958 during the decade, winning 6 Championships. As a
manager, Martin was a winner as well. Martin's teams (Twins, Tigers, Rangers, Yankees, and A's) came in 1st or 2nd place ten times in his 16 years as a manager. Martin's winning percentage was .553,
which is comparable to Hall of Fame Managers Walt Alston (.558), Sparky Anderson (.545), and Leo Durocher (.540). Yet Billy Martin is not in the Hall of Fame. Perhaps he made too many enemies
including numerous baseball owners and the press. He also made enemies on the field, with too many fights to recall here. In fact, one famous fight, the infamous "Copacabana Brawl" in 1957 led to his
being traded by his beloved Yankees to the Kansas City Athletics. Regardless it is a real shame Billy Martin is not in the Hall of Fame as a manager. Check out this 1972 O-Pee-Chee (Topps Chewing Gum
Inc. counterpart in Canada; above right) #33 Billy Martin card. Martin is giving the Topps photographer the "finger." What a guy.
Publicity Photograph for "Hang "Em High" (Clint Eastwood in action)
If you want to see how it's done, just check out about any Clint Eastwood movie. From the early "Spaghetti" Westerns Clint, through "Coogan's Bluff," "Dirty Harry," "The Eiger Sanction," and even
later with "Every Which Way But Loose" or "Heartbreak Ridge," Clint is continually kicking butt. Now we all know this is WRONG. You can't go around slugging people or shooting suspects running
away. It's against the law! But it's cool seeing the bad guys get theirs and that is why we love Clint. He does all the things we would like to do but can't. "You wouldn't hit a lady now, would you???"
(Biker chick in "The Gauntlet" and yes Clint punched her ass off a train!). Another cool guy to watch slapping people around is Humphrey Bogart, especially Peter Lorre in "The Maltese Falcon."
Classic.
later with "Every Which Way But Loose" or "Heartbreak Ridge," Clint is continually kicking butt. Now we all know this is WRONG. You can't go around slugging people or shooting suspects running
away. It's against the law! But it's cool seeing the bad guys get theirs and that is why we love Clint. He does all the things we would like to do but can't. "You wouldn't hit a lady now, would you???"
(Biker chick in "The Gauntlet" and yes Clint punched her ass off a train!). Another cool guy to watch slapping people around is Humphrey Bogart, especially Peter Lorre in "The Maltese Falcon."
Classic.
What makes me mad right now? Talk. We have politicians from the Republican Party who bitch and moan about President Obama. We have Democrats who bitch and moan about Republicans
(mostly Sarah Palin). In the meantime, nothing gets done. Affordable health care for Americans? Forgeddaboudit. Pensions for Americans? Haha. Unless you are a politician, CEO, or an
"American Idol" you are up shit creek folks. So talk all you want. The Indians found out what "talk" meant to them; they were about to get screwed by the white man. Today it is still the same, but
instead of screwing the Indians, the white man in charge is screwing EVERYBODY! You have 3 choices: 1.) You can bend over and just take it, 2.) you can start yelling and screaming and hopefully
kicking some ass, or 3.) you can just sit back and listen to everyone talk, which is essentially sitting back and taking it (see number 1). So far it seems most of America is simply willing to bend
over and take it.
(mostly Sarah Palin). In the meantime, nothing gets done. Affordable health care for Americans? Forgeddaboudit. Pensions for Americans? Haha. Unless you are a politician, CEO, or an
"American Idol" you are up shit creek folks. So talk all you want. The Indians found out what "talk" meant to them; they were about to get screwed by the white man. Today it is still the same, but
instead of screwing the Indians, the white man in charge is screwing EVERYBODY! You have 3 choices: 1.) You can bend over and just take it, 2.) you can start yelling and screaming and hopefully
kicking some ass, or 3.) you can just sit back and listen to everyone talk, which is essentially sitting back and taking it (see number 1). So far it seems most of America is simply willing to bend
over and take it.
September 10, 1961 AP Wirephoto "Hefty Kick For Fleeing Fan (Jimmy Piersall in action)
| 1950 Bowman Wild West bubble gum picture card |
One of the most popular non-sport trading cards are the 1933 Goudey Indian Gum cards. They featured famous Indians and Pioneers of the West. Bowman Gum also produced a
colorful card set depicting scenes from the "Wild West." On this card a white man is seen running through a gauntlet of armed Indian warriors. I kind of like this picture. It kind of
depicts the fate of the working man today. He is getting pummelled from all sides, yet somehow, someway you are supposed to be standing at the end. I'll let you know how it goes. Right
now it hurts like hell!
colorful card set depicting scenes from the "Wild West." On this card a white man is seen running through a gauntlet of armed Indian warriors. I kind of like this picture. It kind of
depicts the fate of the working man today. He is getting pummelled from all sides, yet somehow, someway you are supposed to be standing at the end. I'll let you know how it goes. Right
now it hurts like hell!
More Clint... From "Coogan's Bluff" (Clint is not feeling the "Love...")
This page currently under construction! Please check back soon for more MAD AS HELL features!
CHICKEN SHIT STORY OF THE YEAR 2011. Ok, on the grand scheme of things, this is pretty damn insignificant. However it does deserve
honorable mention. Starbucks Coffee CORPORATION, who I happen to work for, announced that by June 30 2011 all employees (Partners)
who "handle" food, need to get a special "FOOD HANDLER" card. To get one, the partner is to go online and pay $12-$15 for your special
"FOOD HANDLER" card. It gets better. To get your card you are subjected to an hour and a half tutoring session, which ends with a 10
question multiple-choice quiz. To pass you must get 7 out of 10 questions right. Sound a bit like grade school? Not only do you get to pay
$12-$15 for your trouble, you also don't get reimbursed by Starbucks for it. So you are wasting an hour and a half of your time, plus
$12-$15, which is the equivalent to about 2 hours of working at Starbucks. Most Starbucks Baristas start off with MINIMUM WAGE so
asking them to pay for this is pretty screwed in my opinion. Starbucks is a major CORPORATION, currently making record profits in a
tough economy. I just think this is chicken shit on Starbucks part, not to mention the powers that be that dreamed up this little "FOOD
HANDLER" card crap to begin with. CHICKEN SHIT!!! Now if I were the CEO of Starbucks (currently Howard Schultz), I would first of
all consult with my legal team and see if I can sue whoever started this chicken shit. In the meantime I would make sure my employees were
compensated for their troubles. They make chicken shit wages and you expect them to cough up an extra 2-3 hours of their time and their
expense??? Most are students or hard working young men and women just trying to make do. All I can say is "CHICKEN SHIT!!!"
honorable mention. Starbucks Coffee CORPORATION, who I happen to work for, announced that by June 30 2011 all employees (Partners)
who "handle" food, need to get a special "FOOD HANDLER" card. To get one, the partner is to go online and pay $12-$15 for your special
"FOOD HANDLER" card. It gets better. To get your card you are subjected to an hour and a half tutoring session, which ends with a 10
question multiple-choice quiz. To pass you must get 7 out of 10 questions right. Sound a bit like grade school? Not only do you get to pay
$12-$15 for your trouble, you also don't get reimbursed by Starbucks for it. So you are wasting an hour and a half of your time, plus
$12-$15, which is the equivalent to about 2 hours of working at Starbucks. Most Starbucks Baristas start off with MINIMUM WAGE so
asking them to pay for this is pretty screwed in my opinion. Starbucks is a major CORPORATION, currently making record profits in a
tough economy. I just think this is chicken shit on Starbucks part, not to mention the powers that be that dreamed up this little "FOOD
HANDLER" card crap to begin with. CHICKEN SHIT!!! Now if I were the CEO of Starbucks (currently Howard Schultz), I would first of
all consult with my legal team and see if I can sue whoever started this chicken shit. In the meantime I would make sure my employees were
compensated for their troubles. They make chicken shit wages and you expect them to cough up an extra 2-3 hours of their time and their
expense??? Most are students or hard working young men and women just trying to make do. All I can say is "CHICKEN SHIT!!!"
1981 Topps 315 Kirk Gibson (Rookie card)
The 1987 season was another lackluster performance by the hapless Los Angeles Dodgers, who finished at 73-89 for the second year in a row. The Dodgers had a team of essentially no-names like Mickey Hatcher, Orel
Hershiser, and Mickey Hatcher. They did have Fernando Valenzuela, power hitting Pedro Guerrero and an aging Bill Madlock. But the team was stuck in mediocrity. Enter Kirk Gibson, who signed as a free agent after
leading the Detroit Tigers to a World Championship in 1984. In Spring Training, Jesse Orosco thought he would have some fun at Kirk Gibson's expense. He put eye-black in Gibson's cap as a joke. Gibson exploded. No
wonder the team lost more often than won with a "care-less" attitude like that. Things changed from that moment on. With Gibson reminding the Dodgers how to play the game, the Dodgers began winning in 1988. Gibson
led by example, getting the clutch hits, making diving catches, stealing bases and head's up play the Dodgers not only won their Division but went on beat the favored New York Mets in the Playoffs. With clutch hitting by the
entire team, great pitching by Orel Hershiser and Gibson's leadership the Dodgers beat the Mets to go to the World Series. Their opponent? The Oakland A's, who were loaded with Marquee names like Jose Canseco,
Dennis Eckersley, Carney Lansford, Mark McGwire, Dave Parker, Dave Stewart and Bob Welch (to name a few). It didn't look good for the Dodgers. Especially in Game 1 when Jose Canseco hit a Grand Slam HR to put the
A's up 4-2. The A's had a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs and a runner on base (Mike Davis, who had worked a magical walk with 2 outs). Gibson had not started the game due to serious hamstring injury (due
to his style of play) but he told Manager Tommy Lasorda that he would be available to pinch-hit if needed later in the game. Sure enough Gibson was called up to bat. Facing the game's best closer Dennis Eckersley, Gibson
had two strikes on him. One as a feeble slow roller up along the first base line that went foul. Gibson barely made it out of the batter's box. Eckersley threw a slider that didn't quite slide and the Gibson one-handed the ball
into the Right Field Pavilion. And pandemonium ensued. In that moment (in my mind) Kirk Gibson won that World Series. Sure enough the deflated A's only won 1 game even though Gibson had just the one at-bat in the
Series. Guys like Mickey Hatcher and Mike Marshall picked up the slack and with tremendous pitching led by Hershiser the Dodgers won the World Series 4 games to 1.
What does this all mean? First you don't want to piss off Kirk Gibson. Unless you want to win a World Series. Second, sometimes you have to get mad. You have to get angry. Or you can bend over and take it. Kirk Gibson
will always hold a special place in my heart. I remember seeing him in 1984 vs. the Padres. He was clutch all the way. And in 1988 he did the same thing. He may not be in the Hall of Fame. But he might as well be because
everyone remembers those World Series highlights. Oh, and by the way Kirk Gibson won the 1988 NL Most Valuable Player Award in spite of the fact that Daryl Strawberry of the Mets had "better" statistics. Statistics don't
always matter. Sometimes it is heart and pure guts. And that is what Kirk Gibson is all about.
Hershiser, and Mickey Hatcher. They did have Fernando Valenzuela, power hitting Pedro Guerrero and an aging Bill Madlock. But the team was stuck in mediocrity. Enter Kirk Gibson, who signed as a free agent after
leading the Detroit Tigers to a World Championship in 1984. In Spring Training, Jesse Orosco thought he would have some fun at Kirk Gibson's expense. He put eye-black in Gibson's cap as a joke. Gibson exploded. No
wonder the team lost more often than won with a "care-less" attitude like that. Things changed from that moment on. With Gibson reminding the Dodgers how to play the game, the Dodgers began winning in 1988. Gibson
led by example, getting the clutch hits, making diving catches, stealing bases and head's up play the Dodgers not only won their Division but went on beat the favored New York Mets in the Playoffs. With clutch hitting by the
entire team, great pitching by Orel Hershiser and Gibson's leadership the Dodgers beat the Mets to go to the World Series. Their opponent? The Oakland A's, who were loaded with Marquee names like Jose Canseco,
Dennis Eckersley, Carney Lansford, Mark McGwire, Dave Parker, Dave Stewart and Bob Welch (to name a few). It didn't look good for the Dodgers. Especially in Game 1 when Jose Canseco hit a Grand Slam HR to put the
A's up 4-2. The A's had a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs and a runner on base (Mike Davis, who had worked a magical walk with 2 outs). Gibson had not started the game due to serious hamstring injury (due
to his style of play) but he told Manager Tommy Lasorda that he would be available to pinch-hit if needed later in the game. Sure enough Gibson was called up to bat. Facing the game's best closer Dennis Eckersley, Gibson
had two strikes on him. One as a feeble slow roller up along the first base line that went foul. Gibson barely made it out of the batter's box. Eckersley threw a slider that didn't quite slide and the Gibson one-handed the ball
into the Right Field Pavilion. And pandemonium ensued. In that moment (in my mind) Kirk Gibson won that World Series. Sure enough the deflated A's only won 1 game even though Gibson had just the one at-bat in the
Series. Guys like Mickey Hatcher and Mike Marshall picked up the slack and with tremendous pitching led by Hershiser the Dodgers won the World Series 4 games to 1.
What does this all mean? First you don't want to piss off Kirk Gibson. Unless you want to win a World Series. Second, sometimes you have to get mad. You have to get angry. Or you can bend over and take it. Kirk Gibson
will always hold a special place in my heart. I remember seeing him in 1984 vs. the Padres. He was clutch all the way. And in 1988 he did the same thing. He may not be in the Hall of Fame. But he might as well be because
everyone remembers those World Series highlights. Oh, and by the way Kirk Gibson won the 1988 NL Most Valuable Player Award in spite of the fact that Daryl Strawberry of the Mets had "better" statistics. Statistics don't
always matter. Sometimes it is heart and pure guts. And that is what Kirk Gibson is all about.
1977 Post-Intelligencer Pilot Profiles Reprint 35 Jim Bouton
Jim Bouton is not a MAD AS HELL person but he sure as hell made a lot of people MAD AS HELL when he published "BALL FOUR" in 1970. The book was a sort of "diary" of the former pitcher who went from fame as a Yankee
phenom to mediocrity as a lame-armed knuckle ball pitcher for the short-lived expansion Seattle Pilots. What really pissed off a bunch of people (including MLB, players, baseball writers, fans, you name it) was that Bouton had the
nads to write about the not-so perfect world of a Major League Baseball player. So what he wrote, was an insider's view of the game, from the field, dugout, clubhouse, hotel rooms, etc. Highlights of the book include Bouton's witty
sarcasm at some of the "old-school" baseball "establishment," notably the front office, Managers and Coaches. Bouton was the first to mention Mantle's drinking and after hours exploits, this caused Bouton to become a "Social Leper"
in baseball circles. Even MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn tried to get Bouton to claim his book as being "fiction." Bouton held his ground. The bottom line is this: Bouton's book was a sensation and a best seller. To some (including
myself), it is one of the best baseball books ever written. Bouton went on to publish several other books, attempted numerous comebacks, had his own sit-com on TV, and invented "BIG LEAGUE CHEW," which is shredded bubble
gum in a tobacoo-like pouch. Quite a guy, Jim Bouton. And yes, some people are STILL pissed off about that book!
Topps printed cards of Jim Bouton as a Yankee from 1962-1968. With the exception of his '62 Topps high-number rookie card, most are very inexpensive. Bouton was never featured on a Topps card as a Seattle Pilot, though he was
one of the original members. A Seattle newspaper, The "Post-Intelligencer" issued player portraits of Pilots players in 1969 or 1970; these portraits were later reprinted as baseball cards in 1977 (see above). Terrific card of a terrific
personality! For more on Jim Bouton, check out his website at http://www.jimbouton.com/
phenom to mediocrity as a lame-armed knuckle ball pitcher for the short-lived expansion Seattle Pilots. What really pissed off a bunch of people (including MLB, players, baseball writers, fans, you name it) was that Bouton had the
nads to write about the not-so perfect world of a Major League Baseball player. So what he wrote, was an insider's view of the game, from the field, dugout, clubhouse, hotel rooms, etc. Highlights of the book include Bouton's witty
sarcasm at some of the "old-school" baseball "establishment," notably the front office, Managers and Coaches. Bouton was the first to mention Mantle's drinking and after hours exploits, this caused Bouton to become a "Social Leper"
in baseball circles. Even MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn tried to get Bouton to claim his book as being "fiction." Bouton held his ground. The bottom line is this: Bouton's book was a sensation and a best seller. To some (including
myself), it is one of the best baseball books ever written. Bouton went on to publish several other books, attempted numerous comebacks, had his own sit-com on TV, and invented "BIG LEAGUE CHEW," which is shredded bubble
gum in a tobacoo-like pouch. Quite a guy, Jim Bouton. And yes, some people are STILL pissed off about that book!
Topps printed cards of Jim Bouton as a Yankee from 1962-1968. With the exception of his '62 Topps high-number rookie card, most are very inexpensive. Bouton was never featured on a Topps card as a Seattle Pilot, though he was
one of the original members. A Seattle newspaper, The "Post-Intelligencer" issued player portraits of Pilots players in 1969 or 1970; these portraits were later reprinted as baseball cards in 1977 (see above). Terrific card of a terrific
personality! For more on Jim Bouton, check out his website at http://www.jimbouton.com/
[Billy Jack is surrounded by Posner's thugs]
Mr. Posner: You really think those Green Beret Karate tricks are gonna help you against all these boys?
Billy Jack: Well, it doesn't look to me like I really have any choice now, does it?
Mr. Posner: [laughing] That's right, you don't.
Billy Jack: You know what I think I'm gonna do then? Just for the hell of it?
Mr. Posner: Tell me.
Billy Jack: I'm gonna take this right foot, and I'm gonna whop you on that side of your face...
[points to Posner's right cheek]
Billy Jack: ...and you wanna know something? There's not a damn thing you're gonna be able to do about it.
Mr. Posner: Really?
Billy Jack: Really.
[kicks Posner's right cheek, sending him to the ground; see above photo]
Mr. Posner: You really think those Green Beret Karate tricks are gonna help you against all these boys?
Billy Jack: Well, it doesn't look to me like I really have any choice now, does it?
Mr. Posner: [laughing] That's right, you don't.
Billy Jack: You know what I think I'm gonna do then? Just for the hell of it?
Mr. Posner: Tell me.
Billy Jack: I'm gonna take this right foot, and I'm gonna whop you on that side of your face...
[points to Posner's right cheek]
Billy Jack: ...and you wanna know something? There's not a damn thing you're gonna be able to do about it.
Mr. Posner: Really?
Billy Jack: Really.
[kicks Posner's right cheek, sending him to the ground; see above photo]
Photo still from "Billy Jack" (1971, starring Tom Laughlin as Billy Jack)
August 10, 2011. The one thing that really pisses me off (besides people who throw their trash on the ground) is banks. Banks, along with Corporate America, are "the new Mafia."
They are essentially organized crime. They will loan you money but with interest (can you say "loan shark?") and if you can't pay, instead of breaking your legs like in the old days,
they do much worse. They will take your home from you, or they will fee you to death. Try to put money in a "savings" account and see what kind of interest they give you. It's truly
laughable. And it's all legal. Well check this out. My wife gave me a Cashier's Check to put into my ALLY checking account to pay bills. She paid extra for a Cashier's Check because
she, like I, assumed a Bank Check or Money Order is just like cash. Wrong. Ally considers both a Cashier's Check or Money Order as an "authorized" check. Which means that they
put a hold on it until it "clears." Essentially what this means is that a Cashier's Check or Money Orders is the same as a Personal Check to Ally. They told me I need to read my "Deposit
Agreement" and gave me the page number and appendix number to look it up. This is customer service??? So what in the hell are we paying for Money Orders and Bank Checks
for??? Nothing. The "Customer Service Associate" told me that there was nothing she could do and if I had anything else she could "help me with." I wanted to say "Yes. I want you to
take your left thumb and stick it up your ass." Which still does me no good. And while I am on the subject, are you telling me in this day and age where technology rules the world, it
takes 1-2 weeks to cash a "CASHIER'S CHECK???" Does this make any sense to you at all? I guess maybe I should have read that fine print shit in my "Deposit Agreement." So Ally
Bank, Citibank, Bank Of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, whatever Bank out there that is legally screwing people daily, I think you should all take your left thumb and deposit it up your
ass!" That would make me very happy. Enjoy!!!
They are essentially organized crime. They will loan you money but with interest (can you say "loan shark?") and if you can't pay, instead of breaking your legs like in the old days,
they do much worse. They will take your home from you, or they will fee you to death. Try to put money in a "savings" account and see what kind of interest they give you. It's truly
laughable. And it's all legal. Well check this out. My wife gave me a Cashier's Check to put into my ALLY checking account to pay bills. She paid extra for a Cashier's Check because
she, like I, assumed a Bank Check or Money Order is just like cash. Wrong. Ally considers both a Cashier's Check or Money Order as an "authorized" check. Which means that they
put a hold on it until it "clears." Essentially what this means is that a Cashier's Check or Money Orders is the same as a Personal Check to Ally. They told me I need to read my "Deposit
Agreement" and gave me the page number and appendix number to look it up. This is customer service??? So what in the hell are we paying for Money Orders and Bank Checks
for??? Nothing. The "Customer Service Associate" told me that there was nothing she could do and if I had anything else she could "help me with." I wanted to say "Yes. I want you to
take your left thumb and stick it up your ass." Which still does me no good. And while I am on the subject, are you telling me in this day and age where technology rules the world, it
takes 1-2 weeks to cash a "CASHIER'S CHECK???" Does this make any sense to you at all? I guess maybe I should have read that fine print shit in my "Deposit Agreement." So Ally
Bank, Citibank, Bank Of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, whatever Bank out there that is legally screwing people daily, I think you should all take your left thumb and deposit it up your
ass!" That would make me very happy. Enjoy!!!
All That Is Wrong With Baseball
Let's start with Bafoon Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig (above, doing what he does best). A real man of action. What did he do when players were "juicing" and breaking revered Home Run records? Nothing. Didn't
know about it and didn't care too either. MLB was too busy patting itself on the back (and in the wallet) with record attendance after Mark McGwire and Sammy Sooser were breaking Roger Maris' legitimate HR records several times
over. Interestingly right after a major strike shortened season. I won't even mention Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and the rest of them, some of whom we don't even know about (yet). How about the All Star Game in 2002? Both teams
ran out of players so what to do? TV cameras panned in on Commissioner Selig and if you ever want to see what incompetence looks like check out the footage of him during that lapse of time where no one knew what to do. It was
a joke. More action: Bud Selig integrated "interleague play" during the regular season. So now when you see the World Series it really is no big deal. It used to be fun to see two teams from different Leagues square off. Now it is no
big deal. Really. Oh and let's not forget the "Wild Card." Now we can have teams that don't even win their division STILL get a chance to win the World Series! The "Curse of the Bambino???" Forgeddaboudit." Curse over in 2004
and 2007 for the Red Sox. The White Sox overcame their curse as well, winning in 2005. The Cubs still haven't won but just let Selig keep messing with things and who knows what can happen. More Bud Selig "in action." Recently
MLB took over day to day operations of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The reason was Frank (& Jaimie) McCourt, two aliens from another planet who aspired to own a baseball team so that they could finance a lifestyle of the "Rich and
Famous." Which they did. But who approved them to buy the Dodgers in the first place??? Yep, the guy picking his nose and who is now wanting Frank McCourt to go back to his home planet. I can't wait to see what Bud does next!
How about you???
To be fair, it is not just Bud Selig's fault. You have baseball owners making huge profits. The Baseball Players Union started off as a good cause, giving more rights to the players, who at one time had no rights at all. They could be
traded at will even after years of service to a club with no say so at all. Players had to negotiate their contracts each year. If they had a bad year they got less. If they had a good year they had to fight to get a raise. So Curt Flood
and the Union were a good thing... UNTIL greed came into it. It wasn't long before "Free Agency" came along and players after a limited time could go to another team who offered more money. Pretty soon you had Sports "Agents"
representing the players "best interests." And then it started to go too far. Pretty soon you had $1 Million per season players, then $10 Million per year, and now $20 Million per year players. Really??? In this country where we have
no affordable health insurance, no jobs, no pensions, no way to feed your family, we have guys making $20 MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR TO PLAY A GAME??? And they (the employee) can complain that their "employer" (the
owner) is making this much absurd amount of money, so they should be making this absurd amount as money as well. Really? Is this how it works in the real world? I work for Starbucks Coffee Company. We have no Union, and can
be fired for whatever reason. You think any of us are making anywhere close to Howard Shultz's salary or get the kind of guaranteed perks and money that him and other CEO's get? Ha HAH! I worked 47 hours on my last paycheck
and do you want to know how much I got on it? Take a guess. Nope you are wrong. I got exactly $0.00. That is right, not one cent. Where did the money go? Well most went towards health benefits. I pay currently $256 a check
on health benefits for my family. And it keeps going up every year. Know what kind of raises I get? A quarter an hour. So usually my checks are for around forty bucks or so. So I figured, why blow it; I will just piss that away on beer
because that is all I can buy for about that. It helps me feel full and makes me less mad at the world. So I just have the rest put into my 401K plan. Which means what exactly? How many people in the last couple years of this
recession have lost their life savings in 401K plans? This is just gimmick to make the rich richer and the poor, poorer. And I am supposed to be LOYAL to baseball??? I must be an idiot. And I think most baseball fans ARE idiots. I'll
say it again. BASEBALL FANS ARE IDIOTS! We are like a poor pooch who's owner kicks the crap outta him. What does the pooch do? Goes right back to that owner to get love. And what happens? The pooch gets kicked down a
flight of stairs or gets tobacco juice spit on him (remember Clint Eastwood spitting on that dog in "The Outlaw Josey Wales"?). Baseball fans are like that. You can wave your pennants and MLB Authentic Merchandise all you want but
the bottom line is that we are really wacked out of our skulls.
know about it and didn't care too either. MLB was too busy patting itself on the back (and in the wallet) with record attendance after Mark McGwire and Sammy Sooser were breaking Roger Maris' legitimate HR records several times
over. Interestingly right after a major strike shortened season. I won't even mention Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and the rest of them, some of whom we don't even know about (yet). How about the All Star Game in 2002? Both teams
ran out of players so what to do? TV cameras panned in on Commissioner Selig and if you ever want to see what incompetence looks like check out the footage of him during that lapse of time where no one knew what to do. It was
a joke. More action: Bud Selig integrated "interleague play" during the regular season. So now when you see the World Series it really is no big deal. It used to be fun to see two teams from different Leagues square off. Now it is no
big deal. Really. Oh and let's not forget the "Wild Card." Now we can have teams that don't even win their division STILL get a chance to win the World Series! The "Curse of the Bambino???" Forgeddaboudit." Curse over in 2004
and 2007 for the Red Sox. The White Sox overcame their curse as well, winning in 2005. The Cubs still haven't won but just let Selig keep messing with things and who knows what can happen. More Bud Selig "in action." Recently
MLB took over day to day operations of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The reason was Frank (& Jaimie) McCourt, two aliens from another planet who aspired to own a baseball team so that they could finance a lifestyle of the "Rich and
Famous." Which they did. But who approved them to buy the Dodgers in the first place??? Yep, the guy picking his nose and who is now wanting Frank McCourt to go back to his home planet. I can't wait to see what Bud does next!
How about you???
To be fair, it is not just Bud Selig's fault. You have baseball owners making huge profits. The Baseball Players Union started off as a good cause, giving more rights to the players, who at one time had no rights at all. They could be
traded at will even after years of service to a club with no say so at all. Players had to negotiate their contracts each year. If they had a bad year they got less. If they had a good year they had to fight to get a raise. So Curt Flood
and the Union were a good thing... UNTIL greed came into it. It wasn't long before "Free Agency" came along and players after a limited time could go to another team who offered more money. Pretty soon you had Sports "Agents"
representing the players "best interests." And then it started to go too far. Pretty soon you had $1 Million per season players, then $10 Million per year, and now $20 Million per year players. Really??? In this country where we have
no affordable health insurance, no jobs, no pensions, no way to feed your family, we have guys making $20 MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR TO PLAY A GAME??? And they (the employee) can complain that their "employer" (the
owner) is making this much absurd amount of money, so they should be making this absurd amount as money as well. Really? Is this how it works in the real world? I work for Starbucks Coffee Company. We have no Union, and can
be fired for whatever reason. You think any of us are making anywhere close to Howard Shultz's salary or get the kind of guaranteed perks and money that him and other CEO's get? Ha HAH! I worked 47 hours on my last paycheck
and do you want to know how much I got on it? Take a guess. Nope you are wrong. I got exactly $0.00. That is right, not one cent. Where did the money go? Well most went towards health benefits. I pay currently $256 a check
on health benefits for my family. And it keeps going up every year. Know what kind of raises I get? A quarter an hour. So usually my checks are for around forty bucks or so. So I figured, why blow it; I will just piss that away on beer
because that is all I can buy for about that. It helps me feel full and makes me less mad at the world. So I just have the rest put into my 401K plan. Which means what exactly? How many people in the last couple years of this
recession have lost their life savings in 401K plans? This is just gimmick to make the rich richer and the poor, poorer. And I am supposed to be LOYAL to baseball??? I must be an idiot. And I think most baseball fans ARE idiots. I'll
say it again. BASEBALL FANS ARE IDIOTS! We are like a poor pooch who's owner kicks the crap outta him. What does the pooch do? Goes right back to that owner to get love. And what happens? The pooch gets kicked down a
flight of stairs or gets tobacco juice spit on him (remember Clint Eastwood spitting on that dog in "The Outlaw Josey Wales"?). Baseball fans are like that. You can wave your pennants and MLB Authentic Merchandise all you want but
the bottom line is that we are really wacked out of our skulls.
1950 Bowman Wild Man #43 Fort William Henry Massacre
Now THIS is what I am talking about! But instead of soldiers being massacred by the Indians, it will be CEOs, politicians, professional athletes, American Idol winners, and others (way to many to list)
that are being skinned alive by the simple working man. Just leave us alone and stop goughing us. Because we are getting damned sick of it. And I am going to start sharpening my tomahawk!!!
WOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
that are being skinned alive by the simple working man. Just leave us alone and stop goughing us. Because we are getting damned sick of it. And I am going to start sharpening my tomahawk!!!
WOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Ok. It is 2011 and there are rumors that the United States Postal Service (now known as USPS) is in the red. Like about a billion dollars. And that some Post Office locations may close, whatever. You know what I think? Good. Let them,
especially those in the upper tiers, wait in the Unemployment line like everyone else and knows what it feels like. Because you know what? Deep down, you know you deserve it! The USPS, formerly "the Post Office" has lost their business
because of the internet. But truthfully they have lost it since they let their packaging go to UPS and overnight service to FEDEX. I don't think they ever recovered from that. I used to be a Postal Carrier and I remember them telling me that
Direct Mail (ie. "JUNK MAIL") was a primary source of revenue. I believe it 'cause I delivered tons of that garbage to people's homes. They wouldn't let me leave the Post Office without it. Anyway I feel no sympathy whatsoever for the
USPS.
Which brings me to my latest tirade. As you may or may not know, I occasionally buy and sell baseball cards on eBay. I've been doing it since about 1997 now. And I primarily use the USPS. I have mailed hundreds of cards through the
mail and for the most part it gets there. So a couple months back I sell a pretty valuable baseball card (1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson rookie card; see above) on eBay. It has been professionally authenticated & graded by PSA
(Professional Sports Authenticators) as GOOD (PSA 2). Even in lower grades, a Jackie Robinson is an expensive card. So I auction it off on eBay and I sell it for a bit over $580. Fine. I get paid and I mail the card in it's protective holder
(PSA seals the card in a hard plastic case). I put the card in a bubble package, then put it in ANOTHER bubble package and mail it INSURED for $500. I figure I want to be covered in case my package mysteriously disappears. So the
buyer in Illinois gets the insured package, opens it up and lo & behold the PSA case is cracked. Not just a small crack but a large crack on both sides of the case. So to make a long story short the buyer wants to return the card for a
refund. Which I give him (I was later to regret this because he is an ass). I get the card back and file on online claim with USPS. First, they damaged the contents of my insured package which essentially costs me $580. But I figure hey at
the very least I can get them to pay to have the card reholdered at PSA. Worst case, the cracked case damaged the card and that will significantly lower the value of the card. Being that the USPS cracked it, they should pay for it. And
after all, didn't I purchase insurance???
So the USPS screws up. First they mail a letter to the wrong person (the buyer who now does not have the card) stating that the card needs to be taken to the local Post Office. The buyer, who like I said was an ass, never bothered to let me
know he had gotten a letter. And the USPS denies (1st time) my insurance claim based on the fact that I never returned the card for inspection. I didn't know about it because the USPS sent the letter to the wrong address! Ok. So I get that
taken care of with much hassle. USPS Accounting Office tells me to take the card to the local Post Office. So I give them the card, they give me a receipt and tell me to wait about 2 weeks for a reply. So exactly 14 days later...
CLAIM DENIED (2nd time). Why? According to the letter, and I will quote exactly what the letter says: "we are denying this claim based on the fact that there was no evidence of damage to the exterior or interior of the package." What I
guess they mean is that they feel there is no way you can crack a 1/8th thick plastic case thru a 6 x 9 bubble mailer without the package looking like it went through a shredder. I beg to differ. I had provided the USPS with photos of the
card both prior to (without cracks) and after shipping (with cracks) and you can clearly see the damage to the CONTENTS of the package, which is what I thought I was insuring. Not the damn package. So 2 months later, I lose a $580
sale, get a damaged card with a significantly decreased value and I essentially paid USPS for all of this. They provided me NO service whatsoever. In fact they did me a DISSERVICE. They damaged the item I paid to have insured and tell
me too bad. I am still somewhat numbed by this whole experience.
So I write a letter to the USPS expressing my opinion on this matter. And just yesterday I get a computer generated letter saying my claim has expired and I have to appeal if I want to pursue a claim. Which has already been done twice
now. And the end result is a piece of bleep letter pretty much stating that the USPS has their head up their ass! WHOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
especially those in the upper tiers, wait in the Unemployment line like everyone else and knows what it feels like. Because you know what? Deep down, you know you deserve it! The USPS, formerly "the Post Office" has lost their business
because of the internet. But truthfully they have lost it since they let their packaging go to UPS and overnight service to FEDEX. I don't think they ever recovered from that. I used to be a Postal Carrier and I remember them telling me that
Direct Mail (ie. "JUNK MAIL") was a primary source of revenue. I believe it 'cause I delivered tons of that garbage to people's homes. They wouldn't let me leave the Post Office without it. Anyway I feel no sympathy whatsoever for the
USPS.
Which brings me to my latest tirade. As you may or may not know, I occasionally buy and sell baseball cards on eBay. I've been doing it since about 1997 now. And I primarily use the USPS. I have mailed hundreds of cards through the
mail and for the most part it gets there. So a couple months back I sell a pretty valuable baseball card (1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson rookie card; see above) on eBay. It has been professionally authenticated & graded by PSA
(Professional Sports Authenticators) as GOOD (PSA 2). Even in lower grades, a Jackie Robinson is an expensive card. So I auction it off on eBay and I sell it for a bit over $580. Fine. I get paid and I mail the card in it's protective holder
(PSA seals the card in a hard plastic case). I put the card in a bubble package, then put it in ANOTHER bubble package and mail it INSURED for $500. I figure I want to be covered in case my package mysteriously disappears. So the
buyer in Illinois gets the insured package, opens it up and lo & behold the PSA case is cracked. Not just a small crack but a large crack on both sides of the case. So to make a long story short the buyer wants to return the card for a
refund. Which I give him (I was later to regret this because he is an ass). I get the card back and file on online claim with USPS. First, they damaged the contents of my insured package which essentially costs me $580. But I figure hey at
the very least I can get them to pay to have the card reholdered at PSA. Worst case, the cracked case damaged the card and that will significantly lower the value of the card. Being that the USPS cracked it, they should pay for it. And
after all, didn't I purchase insurance???
So the USPS screws up. First they mail a letter to the wrong person (the buyer who now does not have the card) stating that the card needs to be taken to the local Post Office. The buyer, who like I said was an ass, never bothered to let me
know he had gotten a letter. And the USPS denies (1st time) my insurance claim based on the fact that I never returned the card for inspection. I didn't know about it because the USPS sent the letter to the wrong address! Ok. So I get that
taken care of with much hassle. USPS Accounting Office tells me to take the card to the local Post Office. So I give them the card, they give me a receipt and tell me to wait about 2 weeks for a reply. So exactly 14 days later...
CLAIM DENIED (2nd time). Why? According to the letter, and I will quote exactly what the letter says: "we are denying this claim based on the fact that there was no evidence of damage to the exterior or interior of the package." What I
guess they mean is that they feel there is no way you can crack a 1/8th thick plastic case thru a 6 x 9 bubble mailer without the package looking like it went through a shredder. I beg to differ. I had provided the USPS with photos of the
card both prior to (without cracks) and after shipping (with cracks) and you can clearly see the damage to the CONTENTS of the package, which is what I thought I was insuring. Not the damn package. So 2 months later, I lose a $580
sale, get a damaged card with a significantly decreased value and I essentially paid USPS for all of this. They provided me NO service whatsoever. In fact they did me a DISSERVICE. They damaged the item I paid to have insured and tell
me too bad. I am still somewhat numbed by this whole experience.
So I write a letter to the USPS expressing my opinion on this matter. And just yesterday I get a computer generated letter saying my claim has expired and I have to appeal if I want to pursue a claim. Which has already been done twice
now. And the end result is a piece of bleep letter pretty much stating that the USPS has their head up their ass! WHOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Here is why you don't want to send items INSURED through your friendly USPS!!!
| 1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson PSA 2 GOOD (Prior to USPS handling) (After USPS handling) |
"We deliver for you!!! (music playing in background)
NBA Lockout 2011. Does anyone REALLY care? Maybe you hardcore hoops fans, but once you get to be my age, after awhile you just get sick of the whole thing. The
thing about sports is that it is a BUSINESS. And a very much profitable business at that. These guys, both sides mind you, make millions of dollars. Do you think they
are worried about unemployment? Feeding their families? Hell no. These people are set for LIFE, their kids are set for life, their future generations are set for life. Their
pets have a better life than most Americans. Me, I drive a beat up '64 Oldsmobile and work paycheck to paycheck. We take care of our family but if I lose my job or
my wife loses hers, we are screwed. Not so in the NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL. These guys are not hurting. So why should we really care? This entire thing, ANY sports
talks or lockouts involves one thing, greed. Someone is getting too much on one side. Waaaaaaah! So both sides can't agree and walk away. My falling out with the
NBA occurred during the Kobe Bryant/ Shaquille O' Neal wars. The Lakers won 3 Championships with that tandem and could have easily won more if not for the
bickering, bitching and bantering of these two NBA "legends." Just shut up and play! If either side (owners & players) REALLY cared about the fans, there would be no
lock-out. It has NOTHING to do with the fans. Yet all of you are ready to commit harry carry or jump off suicide bridge because guys 7 feet tall are not slam dunking
a ball into a 10 foot tall hoop. Here is how you cure your hoops blues: Take a basketball and go to an elementary school playground that has 8 foot tall basketball
hoops. Now, if you are 6 feet or so you can now slam-dunk like the pros. Hang on the rim even. Get your jollies for an hour or so, go home, take a shower and have
an ice cold beer. Better yet, have a few. You will feel much better. I guarantee it...
P.S. - Kobe Bryant, GO TO ITALY! I just don't give a damn.
thing about sports is that it is a BUSINESS. And a very much profitable business at that. These guys, both sides mind you, make millions of dollars. Do you think they
are worried about unemployment? Feeding their families? Hell no. These people are set for LIFE, their kids are set for life, their future generations are set for life. Their
pets have a better life than most Americans. Me, I drive a beat up '64 Oldsmobile and work paycheck to paycheck. We take care of our family but if I lose my job or
my wife loses hers, we are screwed. Not so in the NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL. These guys are not hurting. So why should we really care? This entire thing, ANY sports
talks or lockouts involves one thing, greed. Someone is getting too much on one side. Waaaaaaah! So both sides can't agree and walk away. My falling out with the
NBA occurred during the Kobe Bryant/ Shaquille O' Neal wars. The Lakers won 3 Championships with that tandem and could have easily won more if not for the
bickering, bitching and bantering of these two NBA "legends." Just shut up and play! If either side (owners & players) REALLY cared about the fans, there would be no
lock-out. It has NOTHING to do with the fans. Yet all of you are ready to commit harry carry or jump off suicide bridge because guys 7 feet tall are not slam dunking
a ball into a 10 foot tall hoop. Here is how you cure your hoops blues: Take a basketball and go to an elementary school playground that has 8 foot tall basketball
hoops. Now, if you are 6 feet or so you can now slam-dunk like the pros. Hang on the rim even. Get your jollies for an hour or so, go home, take a shower and have
an ice cold beer. Better yet, have a few. You will feel much better. I guarantee it...
P.S. - Kobe Bryant, GO TO ITALY! I just don't give a damn.
NBA LOCKOUT 2011!!!
