Perfect Pairings

I'd like to start of this post by saying thank you to everyone who sent well wishes to my mother.  The surgery was a huge success and although she's in a lot of pain, she's been moving around, getting in some exercise with the aid of her walker.

She still has a ways to go, but at least she's headed in the right direction and the family was able to breathe a major sigh of relief.

With the exception of rushing to my sister's house for a quick shower on Tuesday afternoon, my father has been at my mom's side the entire five days.  It's the kind of thing I imagine you'd find in romance novels.

Anyways, I'm very fortunate to have a father who is mentally and physically capable of helping my mother through this difficult time.  I'd also like to acknowledge my sister and her family who have been there to help as well.

I considered flying down to Arizona to be with them, but I've been dealing with a terrible head cold the past few days and the last thing I need to do is get everyone sick.  Plus my parents will need someone to be there for them when they leave Arizona and head back to Las Vegas.  That's when my brothers and I will be there for support.

Okay.  Enough family talk.  Let's shift our focus to baseball cards.

Today I wanted to show off a card that has sat on my mental want list for almost two decades.  Back in 1999, Topps produced a Finest insert set that paired up either two teammates or two players who had similar career paths called Split Screen.

1999 Finest Split Screen Dual Refractors #SS5

One of the cards on the checklist featured baseball's Iron Man paired up with my favorite player of all-time: Mr. Tony Gwynn.  These two guys might have played different positions and in different leagues, but they also had a lot in common.

Both of these guys kicked off their MLB careers in the early 80's.  Both were perennial all-stars.  Both collected 3,000 hits.  Both were loyal to one franchise their entire career.  And both are first ballot hall of famers who were enshrined into Cooperstown together in 2007.

I paid top dollar ($7.75) for this card, but have absolutely zero regrets.  It features two iconic baseball players from my childhood on a single card that utilizes the Finest refractor technology.  It doesn't get much cooler than this.

Okay... It's time to get some rest.

I currently sound like a cat purring when I breathe.  My body is sore.  I'm coughing up chunks of sticky green goop and my head is pounding.  I've gotta drink some of this honey and lemon juice to help soothe my throat and hopefully pass out and let my body recharge.

Lemon and honey.  Mama and Papa Fuji.  Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn.  Three very different ways to show off prime examples of "perfect pairings".

Happy Thursday and sayonara!