Now that my Lee Smith collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #3 – 1986 Topps Cubs Team Leaders

There is something about the team leader cards from the 1986 Topps baseball set that I have always liked…

Maybe it is the departure from the mug-shot-esque team leader cards that peppered the 1983 and 1984 Topps sets.

Or maybe it is the cloud-like design that just makes me smile…

You be the judge:

As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

A crime fighter… of some sort.  Initially I wanted to be a lawyer.  Then I selected my A Level subjects on the basis I wanted to be a forensic scientist.  Then I became hooked on the TV series Cracker and wanted to be a forensic psychologist.  In reality the closest I got was a short time on the British Crime Survey.

When did you first turn towards a social research career?

For me, there was no single Eureka! moment.  Instead, there have been a number of choices along the way that have resulted in my career in social research.  I would probably go as far back as my final year undergraduate psychology research dissertation at the University of Nottingham.  My project investigated the hazard perception abilities of novice and experienced drivers.  Though behavioural rather than social research, this experience gave me an appetite for research with a real world application.  It also gave me relevant experience to get my first job as a researcher at the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) in Berkshire.  It was there that I developed a keen interest in survey research and the potential of social research evidence to inform social issues.

What was your first professional job?  And first project there?

I think one of my first, significant pieces of work was a study to monitor and evaluate the Department for Transport’s Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS).  This research took a multi-method approach to explore a wide range of issues relating to the operation of the scheme and its use by courts, offenders and improvement course providers to identify good practice and potential improvements.  It also evaluated the impact of scheme attendance on re-offending rates.

What has been your best professional moment?

While leading the social impacts, fairness and well-being research programme at the Department for Transport, I was responsible for publishing guidance on how to measure the social and distributional impacts of Local Authorities’ major transport schemes.  This guidance was based on a five year programme of social research and advocated the use of analytical techniques including social research methods to measure such impacts.

In 2011, more than 40 schemes were submitted against a £1.5bn investment fund.  This was the first time that the guidance had been formally used.  As a result of the guidance each scheme’s business case included a consistent and proportionate analysis of both potential social impacts arising from the scheme and the fairness of any distribution of identified impacts across social groups within the local population. 

My assessment of the social and distributional impact analysis provided within each business case was presented to ministers alongside more traditional economic measures e.g. scheme value for money.  Working with other analytical disciplines to identify the best ways to incorporate the analysis of social impacts alongside measures of economic impact and to see the influence of my assessment of social impacts on ministerial decision making was a definite highlight.

…and worst?

There isn’t a single worst moment, but anyone who has worked for senior colleagues who do not apparently value the contribution of social research in the policy making process will understand that this can represent a difficult environment to work in.  That said, such times provide a valuable opportunity to challenge ourselves as social research specialists and to consider how we can best communicate the added value of social research and demonstrate its impact in ways that better resonate with a sceptical audience.

Do you have a social research hero/heroine?

Not as such.  But I have a huge sense of gratitude and respect for the many colleagues in my career to date  who have made a contribution, however large or small (and whether they realised or not!) that has inspired, helped and encouraged me to develop my knowledge, understanding and skills.  Such individuals have helped me realise the importance of role modelling and mentoring within the social research community and left me with a hope that I too can support others in their development.

Do you have a favourite quote?

“Lies, damned lies and statistics”, which I believe was originally made popular by Mark Twain.  It reminds me of the power of evidence and the ease with which it can be misused and misrepresented. As someone designing and disseminating social research with a policy focus, the quote reminds me of the importance of ensuring our own research is robust and fit for purpose so that the results are reliable even if others’ reporting of them is not.  It reminds me too of the importance of acting with integrity in our own handling and reporting of evidence, whilst trying to ensure that the evidence we produce addresses the real interests of its intended audience and has something to say in its own right and without spin.  There are so many factors that will limit our ability to do both in every situation, but it’s a useful prompt to me.

What would you say to encourage a young person today considering a social research career?

It is at times like these that reliable, robust and outcome-focused evidence is most needed to inform the decisions that affect us all.  Seeing your work inform those decisions is hugely rewarding!

Now that my Lee Smith collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #4 – 1988 Topps

If I had to guess, my guess is that Lee Smith was doing drills while this photo was snapped.

In fact, I think I know the exact drill – it is where the pitcher is going into motions of his pitch, and then fielding a chopper or bunt and firing to a respective base.

I’ve seen the drill performed hundreds of times.  Hell, I have done it.  And this is exactly what the pitcher looks like when he is going through the motion of the pitching part of the exercise…

Have a look:

Now that my Lee Smith collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #5 – 1986 Fleer

The 1986 Fleer baseball card design offers up one of the more bland designs of the decade.

But, the border color works well with the Chicago Cubs team colors, and especially well with this card of Lee Smith.

I also really like cards that feature the Ivy wall of Wrigley Field, and it is very prominent on this card.

Yessir, another player collection has been completed – I am on a roll!!!

This time around, it is my Lee Smith collection that has been completed.

The goal of this PC was to get all of the major release cards issued of Lee Smith in a Chicago Cubs uniform.  And now, 23 cards later, the collection is finished.

Yes, it is smaller than many of the other PC’s that I have put together.   But, I find it to be a very fitting and fulfilling way to honor the career of Mr. Smith.

Here is a look at the full set:

And even though it is small, I will stick to my normal processes and unveil my ‘Fab Five’ for you all next week.

See you on Monday!!!

Thanks for reading.

It also means incorporating North Carolina writers into the mix, which is hard not to do considering how many books I have by NC writers. Lee Smith, Fred Chappell, and Reynolds Price are all represented in my two pieces.  I tried really hard to make Anne Tyler’s Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant work, with Carolina Cooking as a possible companion. But I just can’t make it sing.

1983 was Smith’s fourth season in the major leagues, but his 1983 Topps baseball card is classified as his second-year card.

By the time the 1983 baseball season rolled around, Smith had solidified his role as a bullpen specialist for the Chicago Cubs.  In the prior season, he appeared in 72 games as a reliever.  In ’83, he would appear in 66.

And in those 66 appearances, Smith was solid!!

He compiled a 1.65 ERA in 103 innings of work.  He finished the campaign with a 4-10 record, but led the league in saves with 29.  Smith struck out 91 batters in 1983, and averaged 7.7 strikeouts per 9 innings of work.

Lee Smith made his first All-Star team in 1983, and became a contender for the Cy Young award as well.

I really don’t care for the 1986 Donruss baseball card design – probably one of my least favorite of the decade.

Couple that with a poorly cropped photo, and I classify this baseball card as a ‘FAIL’!!!!

Sorry Mr. Smith, it is not your fault.  Not at all…

Some 24 years later, I am still a big fan of the 1988 Topps baseball card design. 

I like the simplicity of the team name and player banners, and the cards offered up some nice, over-sized images.

And every once in a while, the cards took on a 3-D effect too.

Get ready to put on your 3-D glasses….

Did you feel that??  Lee Smith just fired a 98 MPH fastball right at you!!!

England’s Scott Parker is determined to make his mark at the European Championships (Picture: Action Images / Lee Smith)

The Tottenham midfielder cannot recall the last time he played in an international competition of any significance.

‘It is probably the European Under-21 Championship but they are so long ago I can’t even remember how we did,’ said the former West Ham man.

‘It is a massive gap, that’s for sure, so this tournament will be a very fulfilling experience in my career.

‘It means everything really. It is all I ever wanted as a player and something I am really looking forward to.’

England crashed out of that under-21 competition in 2002 at the group phase, despite winning their opener against Switzerland. Their first game this time is against France in Donetsk on Monday, with Laurent Blanc’s men unbeaten in 21 matches after victory over Estonia on Tuesday.

With their shambolic 2010 World Cup campaign a fading memory, Les Bleus are again one of Europe’s strongest nations.

They are favoured to finish above England in Group D, even though the Three Lions are ranked the sixth best team in the world.

Parker added: ‘It will be a tough game, France are a very good team full of talented individuals. We are going to have to be disciplined and strong defensively to nullify that. It will be tight but we have our own threats going forward. Hopefully we can hit them the other way.’

GALLERY:England team depart for Euro 2012

A listing of Triangle theater performances
through June 11, 2012

For a listing of what else area theaters have in store this season,
click on the Triangle Season Schedules tab at the top of the page.

OPENING:
Agate Hill to Appomattox – New one-woman show by Barbara Bates-Smith, set in the Civil War, based on works by Lee Smith, Ron Rash, and Allan Gurganus. Musical accompaniment by Jeff Sebens. This week only: Friday and Saturday 8:00, Sunday 2:00. Deep Dish Theater, University Mall, Chapel Hill.
deepdishtheater.org

The Boy Friend – RLT presents Sandy Wilson’s 1953 spoof of 1920′s musicals. Directed by Haskell Fitz-Simons. This week: Friday and Saturday 8:00, Sunday 3:00. Continues through June 24. Sutton Theatre, RLT, Raleigh.
raleighlittletheatre.org

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – Let the mendacity commence. The second recent production, this time by Theatre in the Park, of Tennessee Williams’ 1955 drama about a Southern family with issues. Directed by Ira David Wood IV. This week: Friday and Saturday 7:30, Sunday 3:00. Theatre in the Park, Raleigh.
theatreinthepark.com

Let Them Be Heard – An original production by Bare Theatre, telling stories of enslaved people before and during the Civil War, adapted from the WPA’s Slave Narrative oral histories recorded in the 1930′s. Written and directed by G. Todd Buker. Presented in walking tours one night only: Saturday 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30. Historic Stagville, Old Oxford Highway, Durham.
baretheatre.org

Light on the Horizon – Justice Theater Project presents a new play about the people affected by the Gulf oil spill. Written and directed by Deb Royals. This week: Friday and Saturday 8:00, Sunday 2:00. Continues through June 24. Clare Hall, St. Francis of Assisi, Leesville Road, Raleigh.
thejusticetheaterproject.org

On Deck – Transactors Experimental Theatre presents an evening of improv that uses physical location to influence the characters actions. One show: Friday 8:00. Common Ground Theatre, Durham.
cgtheatre.com

West Side Story – Touring production of the 1957 musical based on the recent Broadway revival. This week only: Tuesday-Thursday 7:30, Friday 8:00, Saturday 2:00 and 8:00, Sunday 1:00 and 6:30. DPAC, Durham.
dpacnc.com

ONGOING:
Between the Bells – Production postponed until November 2012. (Website not yet updated.) durhamfamilytheatre.wordpress.com

Fallen Angels – University Theatre leads off its 3-show rotating rep summer TheatreFest with Noël Coward’s 1925 comedy (see also Lettice and Lovage). Directed by Rachel Klem. This week: Thursday 7:30, Sunday 2:00. Closes Sunday. Titmus Theatre, Thompson Hall, NCSU Campus, Raleigh.
ncsu.edu/theatre

In on It – Two men struggle to create a play, in Daniel MacIvor’s meta-theatrical 2000 dram-com. Presented by Manbites Dog. Directed by Dana Marks. This week: Wednesday-Saturday 8:15. Closes Saturday. Manbites Dog Theater, Durham.
manbitesdogtheater.org

Lettice and Lovage – Peter Shaffer’s 1987 comedy about an over imaginative British tour guide, presented in rotating rep as part of University Theatre’s 3-show summer TheatreFest (see also Fallen Angels). Directed by John McIlwee. This week: Wednesday and Friday-Sunday 7:30. Continues through June 17. Kennedy-McIlwee Theatre, Thompson Hall, NC State Campus, Raleigh.
ncsu.edu/theatre

Mama Juggs – Anita Shontel Woodley’s one-woman show about breast health and women’s issues. One show: Friday 7:30. Health Touch, Westgate Drive, Durham.
mamajuggs.com

AUDITIONS:
Deep Dish Theater holds auditions for its 2012-13 Season, Saturday 10:00, Sunday 5:00, and Monday 6:00, by appointment. Deep Dish Theater, University Mall, Chapel Hill.
More info.

Please contact us with any corrections or omissions.
For a more complete listing of area events,
we recommend the arts calendar at Indyweek.com.

Amazingly, it has been just a tad more than five months since my last ‘Evolution’ post.

And in that time, I have really come a long way as far as my collection goes…

From completing a few older player collections to nearly knocking out a few newer ones, my PC’s are the focus of my collection and I am very proud of the work that I have put in to pay homage to my favorite players from my youth.

My Andre Dawson, Ferguson Jenkins, and Jim Palmer collections continue to conquer new milestones and each of these ‘Super PC’s’ has gained some nice volume since my January 1 ‘Evolution’ post.

In addition to that, one of my new goals in 2012 was to start honoring the history of the Marlins franchise, both the Florida and Miami versions.  And that album that you see?  Well, that houses all of the team sets that I have collected so far of my favorite team.  This new part of my collection has quickly built a nice little history lesson of this young franchise – again, it is something that I am proud to be doing.

So, how does the full collection look today???

Here is a look:

Uber-organized, and very tidy, I really try to keep on top of my collection.  What you are seeing is my full collection, with the exception of a few small stacks of stuff on my desk that will be used for future contests and giveaways.

Oh, I should also let you know that I will be unveiling some new player collections in the coming weeks.  Some of the current ones I am working on are wrapping up soon so I will have an announcement soon about what players I will be going after next.

I hope you all had a nice weekend.  Thank you for reading!!

Gotta love the backdrop of Wrigley Field.  Wrigley is one of the more common major league ballparks you see lurking in the background on your baseball cards.

So, what happens when you add one of my favorite baseball stadiums to one of my favorite issues from the 1980′s??

You get a pretty solid looking baseball card!

Have a look:

If only the seats had more occupants…

Imagine eating food created by eight of America’s top chefs, each of them paired with a local farm and winery to prepare produce-intensive dishes. There will be lots of wine, live music, cocktails, and a crowd of good hearts! Your panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean is one of the most breathtaking in the world, set on the oceanfront bluff of the Montage Laguna Beach.

Check out who’s cooking!

2012 PARTICIPATING CHEFS:

• Michael Voltaggio – ink., Los Angeles
• Suzanne Goin – Lucques, Los Angeles
• Craig Strong – Studio at Montage Laguna Beach
• Lee Smith – Montage Laguna Beach
• Jennifer Carroll – Concrete Blonde
• Alan Wong- Alan Wong’s Restaurant, Honolulu
• Floyd Cardoz- North End Grill, New York
• William Bradley – Addison at the Grand Del Mar

Here is the entertainment unit eating with Studio at Montage Laguna Beach Chef Craig Strong! 

Proceeds locally benefit the Community Action Partnership of Orange County, Second Harvest Orange County Food Bank and Father Serra’s Food Pantry at Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano. Both organizations are fighting to end childhood hunger in Orange County.

Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach

June 3, 2012

Studio Restaurant at Montage Laguna Beach

30801 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Lee Smith appeared in 59 major league baseball games in 1984, the second highest tally of his professional career.

And in those 59 appearances, Smith worked 1o1 innings.

His record for those efforts was 9-7 with 33 saves.  He amasses a 3.65 ERA and compiled a strikeout per nine innings average of 7.7.

Here is Smith’s card from the 1984 Topps baseball card set:

Looks like the 1988 Fleer baseball card design was crafted for the Cubs doesn’t it?

The Blue in the Fleer graphics is just a few shades lighter than the Navy Blue of the Cubs’ colors.

Other teams that work well from this color scheme – The Twins, Rangers, and Expos.

And some teams in which this clashes??  Oakland, San Diego, and the New York Mets…

The subject of the lecture is walkabout magic. It will feature routines from Lee’s working repertoire plus lots of hints and tips on audience management, pocket management, and working in the real world.

For more information check out Lee’s website: http://www.walkaboutmagic.com. (There’s a ‘magicians’ only’ section with a password any magician worth his salt should be able to ride with ease.)

Admission is £10, but free to paid-up members of the Sheffield Circle of Magicians.  Doors open at 7.08 p.m., and the event starts at 7.30 at The Magick Lounge, 82 Broad Street, Sheffield S2 5TG. Don’t miss it.

How about a 2-for-1 special for you on this lovely Friday afternoon?

Both cards come courtesy of the 1986 Topps baseball card set, and both feature Cubs’ closer Lee Smith.

Have a look:

It’s nice to see Smith get honored with more than just one card in the set.  He does not have too many ‘non-base’ cards during his time with the Cubs.

I always like the ’86 Topps Team Leaders cards - the cloud-themed border is a nice touch…

Lee Smith: A lifetime of paying attention

One of my favorite memories from when I was little: drifting off to sleep at the lakehouse to the soft lull and laughter coming from all my aunts, uncles, grandparents, parents and great-aunts and uncles. They were the most magical storytellers. I loved any family get-together because it was always filled with the best and funniest stories. As Lee Smith said, it could be the smallest, most mundane thing, but it’s the way my family talked and told a story that made everything worth listening to. I wrote a book of collected family stories when I was 18. This article is a great reminder to keep paying attention to everything and my family’s stories …and to keep writing.

Bob Dernier

After losing the 1945 World Series the Chicago Cubs went into a prolonged slump, a wander in the wilderness. It lasted 39 years (one less than Moses). For all that time, the Cubs were a team that produced really good players like Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, and Billy Williams, but continuously failed to advance to any kind of postseason. They were in contention a couple of times, most notably 1969, but failed, as usual, to pull off a victory. That finally changed in 1984.

The Cubs of 1984 were sometimes called the “Phillies West” because of a  major trade with Philadelphia that gave them just over half their starting lineup. They picked up all three outfielders from Philadelphia: Bob Dernier, Gary Mathews, and Keith Moreland (both Mathews and Moreland were part of the 1980 World Championship team) as well as the middle infield combination of shortstop Larry Bowa and second baseman and MVP Ryne Sandberg. Third baseman Ron Cey had also arrived from another team, this time the Dodgers, as did former Cardinal Leon Durham who held down first base. Only catcher Jody Davis had spent his entire big league career in Chicago. The pitching staff was put together the same way. Rick Sutcliffe came over early in the year from Cleveland (much the same way Hank Borowy had done in 1945, except Borowy came from New York) and won the National League Cy Young Award that season. Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley, still a starter, was out of Boston, and Steve Trout had been across town with the White Sox. Warren Brusstar was part of the Phillies contingent and Scott Sanderson had been at Montreal. Even reliever Lee Smith was from St. Louis. But manager Jim Frey (also someone who’d come from another team, Kansas City) wielded all the trades and free agents and pick ups together so that they worked. The Cubs won 96 games, the NL East title and a had a date with the San Diego Padres for the NL crown. Even the first two games were in Wrigley Field. Things were so giddy that there was talk of activating Ernie Banks at the end of the season so he could sit in the dugout during the playoffs (they didn’t activate him, but he was allowed to sit in the dugout).

After two games it looked like the drought might be over. Chicago took game one 13-0 with Sutcliffe both pitching and contributing with one of five Cubs home runs. Game two ended 4-2 for Chicago, but the Cubs were in control from the beginning. All they had to do now was win one game in San Diego and the thirty-nine year World Series-less run would be over.

They lost game three 7-1, a game they’d led 1-0. Well, they still had two more chances. Then they made a major mistake; they decided to pitch to Steve Garvey. In a pivotal game four Garvey went 4 for 5 with five RBIs and a walk off home run as the Padres won 7-5. Which meant it all came down to game five.

Chicago got off to a three run lead when Durham popped a two-run home run in the first and Davis hit a solo shot in the second. San Diego got two of them back in the sixth on two singles, a walk to Garvey, and consecutive sacrifice flies. Then came the bottom of the seventh (the same inning as the later infamous “Bartman” game). With one out, Durham committed an error that tied up the game and from that point the pitching staff simply melted down (same as with the “Bartman” game). A single, a double, and an RBI hit by Garvey plated a total of four runs. The Cubs got two men on in the eighth and one in the ninth, but failed to score any of them. San Diego won 6-3 to secure a date with Detroit in the World Series, where the Tigers proceeded to dismantle them four games to one.

For Chicago it was a disappointment, but it was a critical turn around. After 39 years in the wilderness the Cubs had gotten to postseason. It’s now become a sporadic habit. After 39 non-playoff seasons, the Cubs have made the postseason with some frequency in the last 25 years. With the advent of a two-tier playoff system, they’ve even won a playoff series. It’s true they’ve never been back to the World Series and the Bad Century continues, but they’ve managed to move out of perpetual doldrums into occasional postseason play. For Chicago that’s a celebratory step up. And it’s the closest there is to a happy note on which to end this series.

I like Lee Smith.   I like Lee Smith a lot.  Lee Smith is one of my favorite relief pitchers of all-time. 

In fact, I like Lee Smith so much that I wanted to put together a collection of all of his cards in which he sports a Cubs’ uniform.

So, while this card was on my official checklist, I really don’t think that I ‘need’ a card that looks like this:

Come on Donruss, you could have given us something so much better than this.  And it would not have taken too much more effort either…

Burnansky, now in his first year as the Rochester Red Wings hitting coach, will be honored tonight at Fenway Park as part of the Red Sox celebration of Fenway’s 100th year. The Red Sox have designated May as “Memorable Moments Month” and will have a special pre-game ceremony featuring Burnansky before tonight’s 7:10 first pitch against Cleveland.

PawSox Notebook:

• Jose Iglesias now has two hits in six of his last seven games and ranks 3rd among active PawSox hitters with 27 hits over 28 starts. The Pawtucket shortstop has two more hits than Ryan Lavarnway, three fewer than Daniel Nava. 24 of his hits have been singles.

• Entering yesterday, just four of Che-Hsuan Lin’s 20 hits had come at McCoy Stadium over his first nine home games.  Last night he collected half that amount, going 2-for-4.

• Mark Melancon has now tossed 9.2 scoreless innings with 0-BB and 17-K. He converted his second save in as many tries last night despite allowing two hits with two outs.

• The PawSox have clubbed 13 hits three times in the last five games. Last night was the first time in that stretch they’ve done so without hitting a home run.

• Seven of the PawSox nine batters registered a hit last night against Rochester. Iglesias, Lars Anderson, and Lin all had two hits, Nava had three.

• Speaking of Nava, the PawSox outfielder has raised his average from .188 to .316 over the last two weeks. Almost equally impressive, Daniel is pounding the ball at home, batting .486 (18-for-37).

• Lars Anderson now has 5 doubles in his last 5 games. 10 of his 22 hits this year have been doubles.

The PawSox have a chance to win their second-straight series with a win this afternoon against Rochester. Pawtucket right-hander Brandon Duckworth (4-0, 3.34) will be opposed by lefty Luke French (0-0, 5.40). First pitch from McCoy crosses home plate at 12:05 this afternoon. We’ll hit the air at 11:50 with the pre-game show.

Talk with you then.

-AG

@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com

Brunansky played a combined 14 major league seasons with Minnesota, Boston, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and the California Angels. He was a career .245 hitter and a 1985 all-star selection. (Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images)