Meet Rick and Paul.
They're certified public accountants who work in the greater Chicago area. For the past few years, they've helped a few of the
Chicago Cubs players file their income tax reports.
This year, as a way of saying thank you for the excellent financial
assistance, Cubs management invited the two guys down to the field before a game, and even provided them with an an opportunity to put on a
uniform and pose for a picture.
Rick and Paul were thrilled.
Okay,
I think most of you know none of that story is true. (That's not even
Wrigley Field in the background.) And if you know what the photo was actually used for, give yourself five bonus points.
For those of you who don't know, here's the answer:
 |
| 1977 Topps #634 Big League Brothers |
It's
Rick and Paul Reuschel, professional baseball pitchers! (The card
contains a key error. Rick is actually on the left, while bespectacled
Paul is on the right.)
And despite their "cubicle mate" appearance, they logged some good time in the major leagues, including a few seasons together in Chicago. I'll leave the details for a separate post in the Siblings on Cards category, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, I can ask these two questions:
Have any of you readers ever gone on a stadium tour, or had special behind-the-scenes access to a ballpark?
Do you own any MLB jerseys?
If so, share in the comment section.
Thanks for reading!
A. Not sure. I might have toured Candlestick as a kid. My memory sucks.
ReplyDeleteB. I have a bunch. Maybe six or seven A's, two or three Padres, and a Tokyo Giants jersey. Also have a Team USA jersey from either the Olympics or WBC... and an Ohtani Team Japan jersey too.
A. Seems like Candlestick would have been a fun park to tour!
DeleteB. That's a nice jersey collection, Fuji! I had a few hockey jerseys when I was younger, but no baseball jerseys.
Yes, I was on a tour of Camden Yards in Baltimore. ... Not a jersey guy.
ReplyDeleteFriday was Rick Reuschel's 76th birthday!
I've been to Camden Yards once, but didn't get a tour. Beautiful ballpark, for sure.
DeleteI didn't know it was Reuschel's birthday so recently! Fun timing there. Thanks for the info.
I got a tour of Petco Park from Travis Peterson (Punk Rock Paint) and I own two Padres jerseys
ReplyDeleteMust have been a cool experience, Rod! Any names on the back of the Padres jerseys?
DeleteI miss the days when ballplayers looked like normal guys lol.
ReplyDeleteAs it happens I have three jerseys - and two are Cubs (bought an authentic Mark Prior Jersey from the Wrigley Field store in 2004.) The other is a Red Sox #19 jersey (was for Josh Beckett but because it doesn't have a name, it worked for Koji Uehara, too) - My wife and I have a *lot* more NHL team jerseys though!
I haven't been behind the scenes at any ballpark but we got a locker room tour of the NJ Devils' home arena once.
lol right? We do need more normal guys in baseball. David Wells types.
DeleteI figured you might have more NHL jerseys than MLB jerseys. There must be some Devils ones in there, right?
Was your locker room tour Brendan Byrne Arena, or Prudential Center?
I instantly knew what this picture was from!
ReplyDeleteNo official tours, no.
Own a Ryne Sandberg jersey.
Bonus points for you, Jeff! Is your Sandberg jersey home or away?
DeleteWe did the Wrigley Field tour like 20 years ago. Went through the press box, under the bleachers, the Cubs clubhouse, their dugout, and got to stand on the field by the batting circle. Back then they had a urinal hidden off to the side in the dugout. I wanted my wife to take a picture of me "using it" but she said no. :(
ReplyDeleteA couple months ago my wife took my eldest to Boston to see colleges and they went on the Fenway Park tour. They loved it even though it was raining and they weren't allowed on the field.
No jerseys for me, too rich for my blood!
DeleteOh man, that Wrigley Field tour must have been special—urinal photo or not! Same thing for Fenway. So much history there.
DeleteYou're right about jerseys. Authentic versions are outrageously priced. Even the replicas can be pricey.