It's About Time!

Once again, I can read your minds! 

You've seen blogger after blogger post about their first packs of

2019 Topps. It's the yearly ritual where everyone talks about their packs, and their opinions. But, I know what you're thinking. Sure, those other 3036 bloggers who have written about the topic are all well and good. But, what dis Section 36's first packs look like? What does he think about the set?

Well, Section 36 has been having a lot of trouble locating the new Topps product. His local Target has been quite annoying about not stocking the long anticipated cards.

Until now!

So, I finally had the chance to open my first blaster! How did I do? What do I think? Let's find out.

The first Red Sox card of the year! 

In the very first pack of the year, comes the first Red Sox card. Not a bad start! Rafael Devers stares out ready for action. To get it out of the way, I love love love the design. It's simple and elegant. The overly computerized designs of the last couple years are gone. It's just a simple swooping design on one side of the card. It's give a slight 1982 feel, with out looking like a replica. It still leaves plenty of room for the picture, which was the best part of the design the last few years. I really have no complaints.

The design works horizontally as well. That's another problem Topps has been having. the previous designs worked for one, or the other. This one works for both. This picture is just wonderful. It if was a vertical card, it would have been much for stagnant. With the horizontal turn, I can almost feel the ball hurtling towards Mookie's bat.

I like it when Topps has fun with the checklist cards. While the "all smiles" title is a little corny, I have no problem using it to get a card featuring two future Hall of Famers.

My first Red Sox insert! I was glad to get this card, because in an earlier pack I got another Pedro insert...but he was wearing a Dodgers uniform. Bleh. Speaking of bleh? The design of this insert can pretty much be summed up that way as well. Ok, Pedro is one of the greatest players. Yup. Baseball has been around for 150 years. If it's celebrating the 150 years, shouldn't this insert have an old timey feel to it? Or something that doesn't scream "I need an excuse to include these players in the set"? This seems to have had pretty limited thought behind it.

And, the backs. I like the way they keep the same design theme as the front. I also like how it's colorful. I mean, i never see the backs once the cards are in my binders...but it's nice to know that they're there.

So, there are the four Red Sox cards I got in my first blaster. Hopefully there will be many more where those came from!

What do you think?

Happy Truck Day!

Did you remember that it was Truck Day today? Or was something else on your mind?

In the list on meaningful meaningless holidays, Truck Day tops the list.

On the one hand, it is the most important day on the baseball calendar. Baseball Stuff is Starting! The team is officially preparing for the upcoming season! The long dreary winter is over. The boys of summer are on their way back!

On the other hand, it's a day where a truck is loaded. Players are already working out in Florida. I presume they're not throwing imaginary baseballs. I presume they don't really need anything that was loaded onto the truck. And, if they did, it won't get there for a couple days anyway.

It's also quite a ways before any real baseball. Pitchers and catchers report in a week or so. But, even that is just the start of workouts. Games won't begin until after that. And those aren't real games. It's just baseball to pass the time before real baseball starts. 

But, today is the start of all of it. The truck is on its way.

Baseball is Coming.

Lorna Rose Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Lorna Rose is a traveler, a Cowboys fan, and the current Elite Miss Northeast! I'm so glad she was

willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. She is the first Miss Earth state titleholder to visit with us, and I couldn't be more excited. I'm sure you'll love reading what she had to say!

So, let’s see what happens when Lorna Rose visits Section 36!

What made you decide to compete for the Elite Miss Earth USA crown?
In all honesty, it was my best friend Allie Curtis, Elite Miss New England, that convinced me to dust off my pageant heels and get back in the game. The Miss Earth Organization is the 3rd largest international pageant system, so I’m very honored to be participating as a regional titleholder. I’m also VERY excited to compete at a national level!

You're a former Miss Finger Lakes. What was your favorite part about that year?
My favorite part of that year was the morning I received several Facebook messages after speaking at a Take Back The Night Rally about my platform, “Fighting Back Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.” The messages thanked me for speaking up, told me that I had changed their perception of what a beauty queen is, and said that the world needs more strong women like me. As a survivor of both domestic and sexual violence, it was important to me that I leverage the visibility of my title by speaking up about the realities of these crimes, and by identifying as a survivor myself in an attempt to break down the stigma that so many victims feel about labeling themselves as such.

As a competitor in multiple pageants over the years, what have you learned about yourself from competing?

I’ve learned that I truly am more capable than I give myself credit for. I have always been my hardest critic, believing that I need to focus on my shortcomings and improve them in order to achieve what I want. In that same vein, I’ve also learned that I have a habit of comparing myself to others. Since I’ve begun competing in pageants, it’s become easier for me to appreciate my accomplishments and strengths. 

You recently moved away from the Northeast to Texas. What led to that decision?
I have always been a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan, so of course I’ve always wanted to attend a home game at AT&T Stadium. When I was finally able to do that in 2015, I immediately fell in love with the city of Dallas as soon as I got off the plane. After visiting several more times for games, and spending last summer here for my internship with the National Fantasy Football Convention, I knew that Dallas is where I am meant to be. I’ve been living here a little over 6 months now, and it still feels like one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

A few years ago, you traveled to watch Syracuse University in the Final Four. What was that trip like?
That trip was insane. It was a complete and utter whirlwind. I took a late flight to Houston, got about 3 hours of sleep before it was time to get up and accompany the Syracuse University Orange Girl feature baton twirler to the an early-morning race benefitting the Long Star Veterans Associations, and shortly after the race we were at NRG Stadium. Although we did not win that game, the experience and the thrill of going and being a part of that excitement was unforgettable.

What is your personal fitness routine?
My favorite thing to do – and this is going to sound crazy – is at

least one hour of cardio 3-4 times a week on the elliptical during football and/or basketball games. One half of a game will last at least an hour, so I’ll hop on when a game starts and go straight through until half time. Depending on how I’m feeling and the energy/pace of the game, I average about 7-8 miles per session. I also make sure to adjust the resistance during commercial breaks, and the incline if the machine I’m using has that feature, to work in a little interval training. I also spend at least 20 minutes stretching after cardio. Beyond that, I make sure to rotating which muscles I’m working and I use a “secret” Instagram account I made specifically for checking out new workouts and exercises.

What do you remember about your first trip to Fenway Park?
There was so many people. From the park itself to the streets and neighborhoods surrounding the park, there was so much energy that day.

Is there a feature or activity at Fenway that you’d like to experience?
I guess if I went back, I’d really like to experience the whole crowd singing ‘Sweet Caroline’. The one time that I went, we left the game before that happened, and that’s kind of a staple of the Fenway Park experience, isn’t it?

If you had an extra ticket in Section 36 to watch the Red Sox, who would you bring with you?
I would bring Allie! She’s a Red Sox fan, whereas I’m slightly indifferent towards baseball (but always down for a live game experience).

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I'm sure they'd both have fun!

As always, I want to give huge thanks to Lorna for doing this interview, and sending along the great pictures to accompany it. They're really perfect! I also want to wish her the best of luck as she competes for the Miss Earth crown. It would be amazing to have a former visitor take home that crown.

As Lorna continues her time as Elite Miss Northeast, I suggest you check out her official Elite Miss Northeast Facebook page. It’ll be well worth your time! 

Thanks again Lorna, and good luck!

Was Edgar Martinez Any Good?

With the recent Baseball Hall of Fame, elections, I started to wonder how the new inductees performed while I was is the park. I've already talked about Mariano Rivera. So, I was wondering about Edgar Martinez. I knew I had seen Martinez at least a few times later in his career. I wondered how he performed in games I attended. There’s only one way to find out. To the scorebooks!

I was slightly surprised that there were only four games. I know that it's not like he played on an AL East team, but for some reason I expected more.

How did he do?

Pretty good actually. While I didn't see him hit a home run, he certainly got plenty of hits. A .429 batting average is nothing to sneer at. Since his power numbers weren't what they might have been, his OPS isn't exactly legendary but really good. 

Overall, I'd say that I got to see the "real" Edgar Martinez. This is exactly who he was. A really good hitter. 

It's always nice when that happens.

How did Edgar Martinez perform when you were in the Park?

Alexis Chinn Visits Section 36

Section 36 has another visitor! Alexis Chinn is a traveler, a Red Sox fan, and the current Miss NH USA! I'm so glad she was willing

Photo: Creative Sparks Imagery

to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. She is now the second Miss USA state titleholder to visit with us, and I couldn't be more excited. I'm sure you'll love reading what she had to say!

So, let’s see what happens when Alexis Chinn visits Section 36!

What made you decide to compete for the Miss NH USA title?

I have been wanting to compete in the USA system for about 6 years now. I never did because I couldn’t justify asking my parents for that kind of money. Dresses, spray tans, shoes, jewelry, it all adds up so fast.  This year, I finally felt financially comfortable to put that kind of investment towards myself. 

How did you celebrate winning the crown?

Most of those who came to support me were those from my work family! Once I was crowned, they ran out and blew up these massive balloons! They each wrote me a note, hung them up everywhere, and basically threw me a surprise party at a nearby restaurant!

After growing up in the Seattle area, what brought you to NH?

School brought me out to New Hampshire! I originally went to St. John’s University in Queens, New York then transferred to Southern New Hampshire University to continue my studies in Biology. 

What part of the upcoming Miss USA competition are you most nervous about?

The part of the Miss USA completion I’m most worried about is swimsuit. It’s perfecting the walk and making it look effortless. It’s something I will most likely be practicing daily. 

Is there a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss NH USA?

During my reign of Miss New Hampshire I just want to make people smile. Whether it be at a Best Buddies event, or at a Christmas parade. Knowing that I made someone’s day, and that they’ll have that memory, is more than enough for me. 

You’ve been traveling to many different states. Other than NH and WA, which has been your favorite to visit?

Other than Washington and New Hampshire, my favorite state to visit is California! I do plan on visiting every state, but as of right now that’s my number one. Besides the traffic, the laid back feeling, the beaches, and the sunshine just put me in the best mood. 

What is your personal fitness routine?

For my fitness routine, I have to ultimately change it up every month or so. I get bored doing the same workouts in the same gym. I grew up playing and running track so I try to incorporate that as much as possible. It took some getting use to factoring snow into my morning runs. 

If the Mariners are playing the Red Sox, which team are you cheering for?

I actually attended to Red Sox v. Mariners series last year! I surprised my boyfriend with tickets for his birthday! I did wear my Griffey jersey however. I grew up watching home games at Safeco Field! I was very torn during that game, I jumped up and cheered after a Sox home run and everyone seemed confused! They are both my teams, thankfully at least one of them makes the post season regularly!

Is there a feature or activity at Fenway Park that you’d especially like to experience?

I want to throw out the first pitch at a Red Sox game so bad! I don’t care what game or how many people are attending, that is something I haven’t stopped thinking about since being crowned. 

What were you doing when the Red Sox won the 2018 World Series?

Game 5 of the World Series was actually the same night as our finals for Miss New Hampshire! I was running around the hotel in my gown with crown falling off, asking if the game had started! Once I was finished up, I was with my friends and family cheering on the Red Sox at a nearby restaurant! The Red Sox won, and I found out I was heading to Miss USA, it was an absolutely amazing day. 

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That must have been a pretty special night! A crowning followed by a championship!

As always, I want to give huge thanks to Alexis for doing this interview, and allowing me to use the amazing pictures to accompany it. They're really perfect! I also want to wish her the best of luck as she competes for the Miss USA crown. It would be amazing to have a former visitor take home that crown.

As Alexis continues her time as Miss NH USA, I encourage you to follow her on her official Miss NH USA Facebook page and Instagram account. It’ll be well worth your time! 

Thanks again Alexis, and good luck!