36 Pack Wax Match: Pack 25

The Stage has been set. The Match is underway. Who will come out on top? There’s only one way to find out.

Keep going, and open that twenty-fifth pack!

As we dive into this pack, we're coming off a tie in pack 24. Who will grab the momentum with this pack? Let's see!

Hall of Fame +1

I can't decide if this is the best picture on a card, or the worst. On the one hand, as an action shot, there's practically no action. But, as a piece of art, the story it is trying to tell s deeper than an ocean. Either way, it's worth one point and a quick lead for 1988.

But, that's where the scoring ends for this pack. Will one single point hold up?

Yankees -2

Well, that's not the best start. Nor the best card. Was this really the best Fleer could do?

Unfortunately for 1990, that's the end of the scoring! Incredibly, the single point from 1988 is enough!

Box Bottom: 1988 +1 (1-0)

Pack 1:  1990 +6 (1-1)
Pack 2:  1990 +4 (2-1)
Pack 3:  1988 +3 (2-2)
Pack 4:  1990 +1 (3-2)
Pack 5:  1990 +1 (4-2)
Pack 6:  1988 +2 (3-4)
Pack 7:  1988 +3 (4-4)
Pack 8:  TIE   +0 (4-4)
Pack 9:  1990 +2 (5-4)
Pack 10: 1990 +4 (6-4)
Pack 11: 1990 +4 (7-4)
Pack 12: 1990 +1 (8-4)
Pack 13: 1990 +5 (9-4)
Pack 14: 1988 +3 (5-9)
Pack 15: 1988 +2 (6-9)
Pack 16: 1988 +3 (7-9)
Pack 17: 1990 +3 (10-7)
Pack 18: 1988 +2 (8-10)
Pack 19: 1988 +3 (9-10)
Pack 20: 1990 +2 (11-9)
Pack 21: TIE   +0 (11-9)
Pack 22: 1990 +2 (12-9)
Pack 23: 1988 +2 (10-12)
Pack 24: TIE   +0 (10-12)
Pack 25: 1988 +3 (11-12)

What will happen next time?

I Scored! May 19, 2008

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, so I thought it was time. This looks like a fun one too.

First, I probably should have gone ahead and filled in all the totals before doing this. But, honestly, I didn’t feel like it. We can still get the general idea of what was going on. Second, ignore the logo in the bottom right corner. Let’s just say I was still trying some things.

Let’s start, as we often do, in the pitchers box. Daisuke Matsuzaka got the start for the Sox. If there was ever a classic Daisuke start, this was it. He pitched into the seventh…actually a bit long for him. He struck out six. He gave up two walks and seven hits. But, he didn’t give up any earned runs, and got the win. So his 1.35 WHIP was balanced by his 8 K/9IP. Typical.

The batting order has some fun blasts from the past too. Jacoby Ellsbury was setting the table. Dustin Pedroia was coming off his ROY season, and working towards his MVP. Ortiz and Ramirez were ready to do some real damage back-to-back. The other JD was probably still living off his playoff heroics. We even see old friend Alex Cora make an appearance as a defensive replacement.

The hero of the game? Clearly it’s David Ortiz. He walked and scored a run in the first. In the second, he gave the Sox all the runs they would need with a three-run homer. The Sox scored five runs as a team…and Ortiz scored two of them, and drove in three. That’s a good day.

The goat of the day? Actually, lots of candidates. But, the nod has to go to Pedroia. He’d most likely get it just for going 0-5 in the two-hole. With Ortiz mashing the ball, a couple more baserunners in front of him would have been huge. But, Pedroia was also the only member of the starting line-up not to reach base, and he was the only one to strike out. (Wow.) That’s a pretty bad day.

But, much like the Sox in recent years, the team overcame Pedroia’s dismal performance to grab the victory. Everyone else did just enough to help the team win.

And the scorecard shows how it happened.

Join Julia Crane at Fenway for Vermont Night Tonight!

As I mentioned recently, baseball teams have been trying a lot of different ideas for drawing fans to the ballpark. Naturally, some are

good and some are bad. Some are short term fixes, and some are long term solutions.

One idea that Fenway has embraced is theme nights. To that end, tonight the Red Sox are hosting Vermont Night! I was at this event last year, and had a fun time. I would expect there to again be mascots from different Vermont teams there to hang around with Wally and Tessie. Maybe the song

selections will have a Vermont slants. 

Of course, the biggest draw is always the appearance of Miss Vermont. Tonight you’ll have the chance to be in the same building as recent visitor Julia Crane as she proudly wears the Miss Vermont crown and sash. It will be sure to make an already fantastic

night even better. Be sure to get in your seats early so you can see her introduced on the field.

And, should you bump into her, absolutely tell her how much you enjoyed her interview with Section 36.

You should also politely ask if you can take a picture with her…with Section 36 in the background, of course!

Julia Crane Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Julia Crane is a dancer, a Red Sox fan, and the current Miss Vermont. She is currently spending the

next couple months gearing up for the Miss America competition in September. I’m excited that she took the time out of her busy schedule to discuss those topics, and a few more. I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading everything she had to say!

So, let’s see what happens when Julia Crane visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate being crowned Miss Vermont?

 I was really in shock. This was my fifth time competing for the title of Miss Vermont and I was in utter disbelief that it had actually happened. I believe at one point on stage I actually fist pumped, but it is all such an exciting blur I don’t exactly remember! After getting past my initial shock, I hugged just about everyone and, of course, ate some Sour Patch Watermelon. 

With all the recent changes, what part of the Miss America competition are you most looking forward to?

I feel honored to be part of the first class at Miss America that will not compete in the Lifestyle and Fitness part of the competition. I am excited to see exactly what Miss America 2.0 entails! However, what I am most looking forward to is meeting the other state titleholders. We already have a hilariously entertaining group chat going and I can only imagine how much more I will love them in person!

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Vermont competition that will help you at Miss America?

That I am enough. Throughout my years competing in Miss Vermont, every time I stepped on stage my confidence grew. No matter the outcome, I always walked away knowing so much more about myself than I had when I started the process of competing, which kept me coming back year after year. I have learned to love my quirks and embrace my nerdiness (particularly, my love for infectious diseases). The best Miss America is the one that is true to herself, and being authentic to Julia is the only way to compete at the Miss America Competition. 

            

What’s your favorite part about tap dancing on stage?

Showing my personality! For the first three years, I competed I

Photo: Steve Smith Photography

performed a lyrical dance. When I switched to tap dancing, I had a new-found enjoyment for the talent portion as I felt like I could continue to show who I really am. When I tap, I truly feel like a performer. 

How did you select your platform, “Be a Hero: Be an Organ Donor”?

My platform was inspired by my best friend Courtney, who is currently on the transplant list waiting for a double lung transplant. We have been best friends since 7^th grade and one of the hardest things with having a friend who is sick with Cystic Fibrosis is the feeling of helplessness. There have been many times that I have wished we could trade places. When someone you love is hurt

or sick, you would do anything to help them. I realized that one thing I could do was advocate for and educate people about organ donation, in hopes to increase the number of organ donors state and nationwide. Through my platform, I am able to help Courtney in this small way, and everyone else’s “Courtney” who are waiting for their second chance at life on an organ transplant waiting list. 

What is your favorite thing to do in Vermont?

Go for a sunset boat ride (preferably with Ben and Jerry’s as a snack)! Lake Champlain has some of the most gorgeous sunset colors and with the Green and Appalachian mountains as a backdrop, it can truly be breathtaking. I feel very fortunate to live in a state with such untouched natural beauty.

Which aspect/feature of Fenway Park would you most like to experience?

Admittedly, I have never been to Fenway! However, this will

change July 9^th when I am there for Vermont Day. I can’t wait to watch an actual game in person (and see the Red Sox win), it will be my first professional baseball game! I am also very excited to go to Jersey St/Yawkey Way.

Who is your favorite current Red Sox player? Why?

J. D Martinez. He is an outfielder and that’s the position I (attempted) to play in softball so I have a lot of respect! His high number of home runs and RBI’s help too!

How will the Red Sox finish the 2018 season?

Finishing as the top team in the AL East and going on to win the 2018 World Series!

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Obviously, I think she’s absolutely right!

As usual, I want to give huge thanks to Julia for doing this interview, especially knowing how much she’ll need to do before Miss America. I also want to thank her for providing the pictures to accompany the interview. They definitely make the interview a lot more fun to read.

As Julia continues her time as Miss Vermont, I encourage you to follow her on the official Miss Vermont social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. 

I also absolutely want to wish Julia luck this fall as she competes for the Miss America crown! Once again there will be several Section 36 visitors gracing the stage in Atlantic City. It would be incredible to have her take home the title! 

Thanks again Julia, and good luck!

36 Pack Wax Match: Pack 24

The Stage has been set. The Match is underway. Who will come out on top? There’s only one way to find out.

Keep going, and open that twenty-fourth pack!

As we dive into this pack, 1988 again closed the gap following a victory in pack twenty-three! Can it keep the momentum? Let's see!

Hall of Fame +1

 This great card of Hall of Famer Robin Yount gets 1988 a quick two points. It doesn't look like he had a very good at-bat in this picture. 

Hall of Fame +1

Another Hall of Famer! Another point! For an action shot, this picture just screams "incredible boredom!" to me. Not quite sure why.

And that's where 1988 ends. Will two point be enough?

Red Sox +2

Doesn't look good! This card of smiling Luis Rivera cuts the lead down to zero. 

And, that's where the scoring ends! Each pack earns two points, and we have ourselves another tie! 

Does anyone want to win this match?

Box Bottom: 1988 +1 (1-0)

Pack 1:  1990 +6 (1-1)
Pack 2:  1990 +4 (2-1)
Pack 3:  1988 +3 (2-2)
Pack 4:  1990 +1 (3-2)
Pack 5:  1990 +1 (4-2)
Pack 6:  1988 +2 (3-4)
Pack 7:  1988 +3 (4-4)
Pack 8:  TIE   +0 (4-4)
Pack 9:  1990 +2 (5-4)
Pack 10: 1990 +4 (6-4)
Pack 11: 1990 +4 (7-4)
Pack 12: 1990 +1 (8-4)
Pack 13: 1990 +5 (9-4)
Pack 14: 1988 +3 (5-9)
Pack 15: 1988 +2 (6-9)
Pack 16: 1988 +3 (7-9)
Pack 17: 1990 +3 (10-7)
Pack 18: 1988 +2 (8-10)
Pack 19: 1988 +3 (9-10)
Pack 20: 1990 +2 (11-9)
Pack 21: TIE   +0 (11-9)
Pack 22: 1990 +2 (12-9)
Pack 23: 1988 +2 (10-12)
Pack 24: TIE (10-12)

What will happen next time?