DPF has (cautiously) linked to a site pushing the online rumours regarding some sort of scandal involving Winston Peters in Las Vegas; this has been floating around the blogosphere for a few weeks most prominently on the Wellington Hive, a right-wing conspiracy theory site.

The details of the scandal are rather vague and vary from day to day (urban myth alert) but they imply Peters gambled a lot of money in Vegas and lost and presented the taxpayer with the bill. The story is appalling if true but it seems unbelievably unlikely.

While I take great delight in Peters current woes, piling unsubstantiated rumours on top of current allegations merely buy into Peters paranoid delusions and make him look like he really is the victim of a conspiracy.

Matthew Hooton suggests the story will break tomorrow in one of the Sunday papers; Hooton is usually wrong about everything but he seems pretty confident about this; if so I hope they get it right this time. The Sunday papers are often played for chumps and the last thing we need right now is Peters crowing about a media conspiracy after blowing apart a story based on some trumped up rumour.

First off, I want to send thanks to Stats on the Back blog, who offered to meet me and send me some packs of 1986 Topps.  My goal was to limit myself to two boxes and I’m sticking to it.  I am going to list all the cards I need right after this post.  I also want to welcome a few college friends I invited to the blog, Scott, Edgar, and Dave.  I hope you guys enjoy it and leave some comments.  A slight (trust me very slight) tear came to my eye today because this is pack number 72.  The last of two boxes.  I am absolutely appalled at the doubles rate (which can be seen on the Operation Topps page).  You would think that out of 1,080 cards I could land 792 of them.  Everyone thought I was crazy and you know what, I am absolutely nuts.  Just ask anyone.  But enough of this palaver, let’s get the show on the road (O&A rip-off there, but it seemed fitting).  Here is pack number 72.

1. Rick Aguilera – P – Mets – 599 – If you were alive in 1986 and liked baseball, you know who Rick is.  1985 was his rookie year and he went 10-7/3.24/1.27.  Quite an excellent year for a rookie, heck good for a vet too, and the Mets needed him to duplicate that for 1986, so he goes 10-7/3.88/1.28, not bad at all.  To add the cherry on top he won a World Series ring!

2. Steve Bedrosian – P – Braves – 648 – 1986 was a break out year for Bedrock.  He had muddled his way through 6 seasons, first as a closer, then a starter, finally at 28 he was traded to the Phillies where he became a dominant closer for a few years.  In 1986 he went 8-6/3.59/1.21 and had 29 saves.  Not bad for a throw away player huh?  Also did anyone rock the full beard like Bedrock?

3. Bob James – P – White Sox – 467 – He is the long lost brother of Nick Nolte.  Just think Nick Nolte after a 3 day bender.  Speaking of beards, Bob definitely couldn’t rock one.  Bob seemed to muddle around the league for years.  In 1986 (his second to last year) he went 5-4/5.25/1.44 in 49 games, you could tell right there that he was close to the end.  Those are some terrible numbers, enough to leave any righty off the roster.

4. UL Washing ton – SS/2B – Expos – 113 – Does anyone know what UL stands for?  Trick question . . nothing, it was his given name.  UL was an adequate backup with some speed but in 1986, he was way past his prime, he didn’t have power and no more speed.  He was with Pittsburgh and went 0.200/0/10 with 6 steals in 135 at bats.  The beginning of the end for him, see 1987 for the end.

5. Tony Armas – OF – Red Sox – 255 – Tony was a great home run hitter for a solid 8 years.  Unfortunately for us, by 1986 his homer totals took a dip from the days of 43 and 36.  In 1986 he went 0.264/11/58 as a starter, this would be his last year with the Sox and his last year as a starting outfielder.  A tremendous hitter that usually got forgotten with all the other great hitters from that decade.

6. Matt Young – P – Mariners – 676 – Matt was a starter his first 3 seasons and actually as a rookie, he was an All Star.  But things change and needs change for the Mariners and in 1986 he was asked to become a closer.  As a starter he was 4th or 5th starter material, as a closer, he was set-up material.  Seriously his first year as a closer was bad.  He went 8-6/3.82/1.49 with 13 saves.  Not exactly what you are looking for from a closer.

7. Phil Niekro – 85 Record Breaker – 204 – This one is for Phil becoming the oldest player ever to hurl a shutout.  He was 46 years old and 188 days.  Satchel Paige was 46 years 75 days old when he did it some 34 years earlier.

8. Dan Spillner – P – White Sox – 423 – Dan had been in the league since 1974, he played for the Padres, Indians and White Sox but unfortunately he didn’t play in 1986.  He finishe his career in 1985 where he went 4-3/3.44/1.27 as a middle reliever for the White Sox.

9. Kent Hrbek – 1B – Twins – 430 – Great hitter, great personality, great player for that 1986 Twins team.  He along with Puckett, Gagne, Gaetti and Brunansky powered that eam as far as they could.  Which wasn’t very far since they had no pitching.  As he entered his prime this year (26) he went 0.268/29/91 and was one of the leaders on that great offensive team.

10. John Denny – P – Phillies – 556 – One of my main mottoes is never trust a guy with 2 first names. Overall, he wasn’t a bad pitcher, I mean he did win a Cy Young award in 1983, but overall he was just an average pitcher.  1986 would be his last season as a pro, he would end up going 11-10/4.20/1.37.  Not a terrible finish to a career and I guess he wanted to leave on top, just before his numbers started to really slip.

11. Ken Dayley – P – Cardinals – 607 – By the time 1986 rolled around, Ken was a middle reliever.  There just isn’t enough to say about Ken, who was a boring as they come stat wise.  In 1986 he went 0-3/3.26/1.37 with 5 saves.  Like I said, just boring, let’s move on.

12. Burt Hooton – P – Rangers – 454 – Now here is a guy you can get psyched for.  I liked watching Hoot pitch.  You never knew if he was going to throw a gem of a piece of junk.  It was 50/50.  His career ended in 1985, so not a whole lot to say about 1986.  He 1985 stats were 5-8/5.23/1.52 and he was only 35, but definitely having lots of trouble getting people out in 1985.

13. Bruce Bochy – C – Padres – 608- They say that backups make for the best managers, well, if that’s true Bruce should be the best.  He was a back up his whole career, so he had lots of time to think about the game and how to manage it.  Not really known as a great hitter, in 1986 he went 0.252/8/22 in 127 at bats.  Not too shabby actually.  I guess he hit when it counted.  As a manager though, he was excellent  managing the Padres from 1995 – 2006 and the Giants from 2007 – now.

14. Garth Iorg – 3B/2B – Blue Jays – 694 – Double, previously reviewed in pack 10.

15. Glenn Wilson – OF – Phillies – 736 – Double, previously reviewed in pack 5.

Hard to believe that in my final pack I got 13 non double cards.  Since this is the last pack and because I got so many non doubles in the past 2 packs (25) I am going to give this one 3.5 stars.  Not because it was a great pack, but because it was sentimental to me I guess.  Well I hope you liked the trip down 1986 memory lane.  Like I said I will post my need list tonight and work out some trades.  1987 Topps will start first thing tomorrow.  I hope you all enjoy it, come on Future Stars and wood grain!

No, it isn’t Bill English’s target for National popularity, it is a party (as in drinks and music) for those aged below forty.

The X & Y Generation will meet and party with John Key and his new National team.

40 Below, a party for people in their 20’s and 30’s with an interest in New Zealand’s future. Arrive to the sultry sounds of Kiwi music’s Sarah Brown followed by music selections by pop-culture guru Andy Pickering, Editor of Remix Magazine.

Guest speakers: John Key MP and Geoff Ross, Founder and Chief Vodka Bloke at 42 Below.

Finger food and Beverages will be served until 8pm.

Want to party into the night? Entertainment and a cash bar will continue from 8pm ‘till late.

40 Below will be held at the Rendezvous Hotel Ballroom, (formerly the Carlton Hotel Ballroom), corner Vincent Street and Mayoral Drive, Auckland City on Friday 23 March at 6.30pm. Tickets $40.00 per person Dress: For fun with style.

Event enquiries please email 40below@national.org.nz