2022 Topps Series 2 Hanger

Sometimes you just feel like opening cards, even if it's not a full blaster. I can't seem to really get into these hangers. I think, mentally, the one stack of cards is so uneventful. Somehow more utilitarian. Like I'm just robotically added cards to the collection. No effort on my part. But, you know, in the end they're still new cards.

Let's see how this one went!

Here's the box itself. 

And here's the "pack" inside. With a Devers card sitting right there on top. Am I supposed to leave this unopened with him on top? I mean, I didn't...but was I supposed to? Was I supposed to ignore the wonders to be found within?

Like, you know, this Garrett Richards card. That's probably not the gold mine anyone it looking for.

But, there you go.

What do you think of the hangers? Are they fun ways to get your card fix, or anti-fun card grabs?

Grace Stanke Visits Section 36!

Photo: Denise Watrous

Section 36 had another visitor! Grace Stanke is passionate about clean energy, a talented violinist, and the current Miss Wisconsin. I was so excited that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Grace Stanke visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Wisconsin crown?

I was lucky enough to celebrate becoming Miss Wisconsin with family and friends at the after-party that the Miss Wisconsin Organization puts on. I spent so much time with people at that after-party that I quite literally forgot to eat, so about 5 hours after being crowned Miss Wisconsin I was able to get some hard earned Chik-Fil-A!

What has been the biggest surprise about your time as Miss Wisconsin?

The biggest surprise was the amount of support I received from the nuclear industry. As a nuclear engineer, I am breaking stereotypes in the Miss America Organization. However, as a Miss Wisconsin, I am breaking stereotypes in the nuclear industry. I was pretty nervous about how the industry would respond to an undergraduate student becoming Miss Wisconsin! However, I have been continuously congratulated and supported in a variety of ways, including three partnerships supporting my mission as Miss Wisconsin.

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

I'm pretty nervous about wardrobe - I've never been the person to really care about wardrobe too much, and it always feels like wardrobe is an intense part of preparation for the Miss America Competition. However, I have made sure to find wardrobe that I feel confident in, and that I know is 100% me as I continue to prepare for the Miss America Competition!

How did you select your social impact initiative, "Clean Energy, Clean Future"?

As a nuclear engineering student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I have become heavily involved in the energy industry. When choosing my social impact initiative, I asked myself what I knew I could talk about for hours on end and is something that society needs to change. That answer came down to switching America to zero-carbon energy with a heavy emphasis on nuclear energy, along with dispelling the myths surrounding nuclear power. I've had the pleasure of working with the nations largest fleet of nuclear generating stations, and am excited to share my work experience with the nation as I create public information campaigns for the general public to learn more about nuclear energy.

As a talented violinist, what do you enjoy most about performing on stage?

There's something about practicing a piece to the point of complete muscle memory. When I get to this point, I'm able to more of think about the audience and having fun on stage rather than focusing on emphasizing a note, bringing out a certain dynamic, or making sure I hit the shift into sixth position just right. I love to be in the moment and soak it all in, and that is best done when I have that muscle memory down pat!

If you could be a Disney character for a week, who would you choose? Why?

Judy Hopps from Zootopia! She is paving the way in her industry, in the same way I intend to do in mine.

You're currently working on a degree in nuclear engineering. Where do you see that field taking you?

There are many options I could pursue. I could work in the medicinal field, academic field, research, the power industry, policy, and more. I personally plan on entering the power industry to help create and generate zero-carbon energy for the nation. I plan on spending most of my early career there, but I would like to end my career in either management or in policy work as I continue to advocate for the nuclear industry.

If you had an extra ticket to a Milwaukee Brewers game, who would you take with you? Why?

I would take my dad with me! We honestly aren't a huge sports family, and I think we would have a fantastic time being engineers and absolutely dissecting the sport and probably solving the physics equations of what velocity the ball hit after being hit or something along those lines. It might take the fun out of the game for some people, but it would be our cup of tea! (Maybe we should pursue positions in sports analytics!)

Is there a feature or activity during a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience?

I would LOVE to see the organs that play the music in the stadiums. I recently learned that some stadiums still have real organ instruments and hire organists to play them. Being able to see those and play them would be incredible!

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Since Fenway is one of those parks, I definitely understand the appeal! 

As always, I want to thank Grace for visiting with us.

As Grace continues her time as Miss Wisconsin, I encourage you to check out her title's Website, Facebook, and Instagram. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on! 

I also want to wish her the best of luck when she competes for the Miss America crown this winter. It would be wonderful to have another Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Grace, and good luck!

2022 Topps Heritage Blaster!

Is it possible to open too many of the blasters? If you ask me, it's always fun to open packs...even if it is the same ones ober and over. Right?

Right?

How'd it go? Let's find out! 

Here's what the box looks like. Just in case you forgot...and care that you forgot.

And the packs. Eight of them is actually a pretty good number these days. As sad as that is.

And a great shot of Eovaldi staring down an imaginary batter. One this that just occurred to me, the Red Sox are missing their hedge. What happened to the hedge background that was on every Red Sox Heritage card for years? I miss it greatly.

Xander here seems be somewhere between "confused" and "intimidation". Like the photographer told him to scowl, but Xander wasn't sure who he was supposed to be scowling at. 

But, there you have it. Two Sox cards in the box. At least they're Sox stars.

How did your blaster go?

Lindsay Fincher Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Lindsay Fincher is passionate about the Arts, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Alabama. I was so excited that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Lindsay Fincher visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Alabama crown?

The night that I won Miss Alabama was a whirlwind! This year was the 100th anniversary of Miss Alabama, so one of the most special parts of my crowning night was getting to celebrate with so many former Miss Alabamas who made the trip to celebrate the 100th anniversary and welcome me into their sisterhood! I was thrilled to finally get to hug my family and friends at the afterparty, and their reactions were priceless! I finished the night with an Alabama staple - a chick-fil-a sandwich! 

What has been the most pleasant surprise about your time as Miss Alabama?

The outpouring of love and support I’ve received since winning Miss Alabama has been unbelievable! Miss Alabama is blessed to have incredible Board Members, Volunteers, and Sponsors, but I have been astonished by how many people are so invested in Miss Alabama’s year that have no involvement with the competition! I love getting stopped at the gym or grocery store when people recognize me and ask about what I’ve been doing. The Miss Alabama family truly extends across all corners of our state, and I love meeting new people almost everyday day! 

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

As I prepared to compete at Miss Alabama for a third time, I focused on being fully present and enjoying each moment at Miss Alabama. It’s easy to get caught up in the competitive nature of the week, but I felt confident knowing that I had prepared as much as possible and could simply enjoy my favorite parts of Miss Alabama week! Instead of stressing about my performance, I had lots of fun, spent quality time with the other candidates, and soaked up every moment on stage. This mindset made a world of difference for me, and it’s one that I plan on bringing to Miss America. I’ll only have one Miss America experience, and I plan on living it to the fullest! This is a moment I’ve dreamed about for years, so I am working hard to prepare with 110% effort right now so that I can be fully present in the moment at Miss America and enjoy every second of this once in a lifetime opportunity! 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Catalyst: Arts for All”?

The arts have played a key role in my life, but thousands of students across Alabama are missing out on the opportunity to experience the transformative power of arts education. Growing up in a Title I public school in rural Alabama, I witnessed this lack of artistic opportunity firsthand. Catalyst: Arts for All aims to make arts education accessible for students across Alabama (and now America) by creating educational arts curriculum, fundraising for scholarships, advocating for pro-arts policy, and sharing my children’s book, “ABC, The Arts and Me.” The arts have the unique power to spark creativity, foster connections among diverse people, and inspire lifelong learners, and I believe every child should be able to experience an arts education. 

As a talented dancer, what do you enjoy most about performing on stage?

The feeling that comes when the stage lights hit me as the curtain rises before a performance is truly unbeatable. I first stepped foot on a stage at 8 months old, and I haven't wanted to leave one since then! I genuinely have so much fun while performing for an audience, and I cannot wait to share my love for dance and the joy it brings me on the Miss America stage very soon. My Miss America talent is FUN, and I am having a blast preparing for my biggest performance yet! 

You recently graduated from the University of Alabama with degrees in political science and dance. Where do you see those fields taking you?

I hope to perform professionally as a dancer/vocalist on stages across the nation before fusing my love for the arts and the law by attending law school to pursue a career as an entertainment attorney. 

If you could be a Disney Character for a week, who would you choose? Why?

Peter Pan was my favorite Disney movie growing up, so I would definitely be Tinker Bell. I love Tink’s sassy spirit and truly believe that with “faith, trust, and pixie dust” anything can happen! Plus, being able to fly and spending a week in Neverland - Count me in! 

If you had an extra ticket to see the Birmingham Barons play the Rocket City Trash Pandas, who would you take with you? Why?

My Grandpa was an avid baseball fan, and most of my memories at my grandparents’ house growing up are accompanied by a Braves game playing in the background. My Grandpa passed away in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I would love to spend one more baseball game with him in my new city - Birmingham, AL. 

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

When I was in the 4th grade I signed up to play softball and managed to only hit one ball the entire season. As Miss Alabama, I would love to throw the first pitch at a game and (hopefully) redeem myself by showing some improved skills!  

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I'd love to throw out a first pitch as well! 

As always, I want to thank Lindsay for visiting with us.

As Lindsay continues her time as Miss Alabama, I encourage you to check out her title's Website, Facebook, and Instagram. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on! 

I also want to wish her the best of luck when she competes for the Miss America crown this winter. It would be wonderful to have another Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Lindsay, and good luck!

May The Best Team...Lose?

I heard an interesting discussion point pop up during this year's playoffs. I've always known that a playoff system is a terrible way to determine the best team. The champion. I've said forever that they should be eliminated. Or, at least changed to make sense. This year's playoffs were really an great extreme example of the problems.

The Phillies finished the season in third place, 14 games behind their division leader. The Red Sox finished the season 21 games behind their division leader. The Padres finished 22 games behind theirs. For some unknown reason, two of those teams were allowed another crack at those division leaders. After an entire season produced such a wide and obvious gap, two of those teams were allowed a do over. And not just a do over. But, a short 5-7 game series do over. Make it make sense.

But I knew some people were in favor of this format. And, I have grown used to the common excuses. "If you're the better team, just win your games". So, even though an entire season of dominance was reduced to a flukey series, the Dodgers and Braves and Mets were just supposed to "win the games" if they're really better. It's the same annoying mantra every time. Stop whining about the format, or the weather, or the umpires, or all the other obstacles stacked against only you. Just win the games. If you're the best, you should be able to just win.

It's grown fairly tiring. Until this year, a new argument appeared.

"Since when is the best team supposed to win?"

I don't really know what to do with this argument. 

People actually see the randomness of the playoffs not as a flaw...but the purpose of the design? They don't want to reward the best team? They'd rather have the world champion be decided by a series of coin flips? What are we even doing here?

What it the honor of a championship? "Hey, we won a few games that were decided by a bad hop! Yay us!" What's the point of any of this?

Why are we even crowning a champion?