Morgan Dzicek Sang at Fenway for Childhood Cancer Awareness Night

On Saturday, the Red Sox held Childhood Cancer Awareness Day at the ballpark. As part of Childhood Cancer Awareness month, the Sox took the opportunity pregame to honor survivors of, or those dealing with, childhood cancer, as well as those helping to find a cure. With their long-standing relationship with the Jimmy Fund, it was certainly a cause the Sox are familiar with.

As part of the ceremony, Morgan Dzicek was given the opportunity to sing the national anthem. 

Morgan was the perfect choice, for a few reasons. For one, she is a childhood cancer survivor herself, having been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at the age of 13. It took 40 rounds of radiation over the next four years before she was declared cancer free at 17.

Morgan is also currently a member of the New England Patriots Cheerleaders. With the Patriots opening their season the following night, the crossover appeal is obvious.

Finally, Morgan is simply an amazing singer. She's a graduate of Berklee College of Music, and even has her own single on her resume. Released last fall, “Every Step of the Way” is an incredibly beautiful song about her battle with cancer. The video for the song was just released a few days ago. Check it out below.

As we continue to celebrate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, there are naturally several ways you can help out.

Morgan herself is personally passionate about “Make-a-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island”. It was with their help that she was able to record “Every Step of the Way”. But, certainly do whatever you can to help those suffering from the effects of childhood cancer, whether that's through Make-a-Wish, the Jimmy Fund, or another option of your choosing.

I also assume that you're going to want to hear "Every Step of the Way" over and over. I know I did. In that case, you're in luck! It's available on Spotify, apple music, and basically anywhere else you get your favorite music.

Be sure to go find it now!

Past my Bedtime

You may have heard that the Patriots had a football game this

weekend. Not just any football game either. It was the first game of the season! Not only that, but they were raising a championship banner! It was a game people had on their calendar for months. Excitement was as high as you can imagine for a game.

It was even on Sunday night, so the game would have the NFL stage to itself. Perfection.

Do you know what sorts of conversations I heard leading up to the game? Or on the next day?

“You gonna stay up for the whole game?” “Did you fall asleep?”

The most common answers? “”Nope” and “yup” respectively.

Basically, because of the after 8:00 start, very few people were anticipating staying up for the entire game. Never even attempted it. And, that’s what came to be. People went to sleep instead of watching the game.

On opening night. 

On banner night.

For a team that only plays 19 games a year. Once a week.

For a sport that is supposed to be the most watched entity in the history of entertainment, or something like that.

Now, I’m sure I’m got getting a representative sample. I didn’t do a scientific poll. But, if that’s what I heard about this specific Patriots game...

How do the Red Sox stand a chance?

They also played after 8:00 on Sunday. One of 162 possible chances to see them play this season. A majority of those games start after 7:00 at night. A good chunk of them start after 8:00. Some don’t start until after 10:00.

What can you possibly expect from fans?

Now, is that a “problem” that needs to be fixed? Maybe, maybe not. It may just be a “problem” that you need to accept. Your ratings won’t reach NFL levels. But, can ten games combined reach NFL levels? (1/16 of the season) Sure, you can’t get an “every game” commitment. But, can you get a “lots of games” or even the “once a week” commitment that the NFL asks for? At least if you look at it that way, you’re offering some variety. Night owls have options. Early birds have options. Everyone can watch at least most of all games.

You just need to accept that.

What Exactly did Dave Dombrowski do Wrong?

The Red Sox have parted ways with Dave Dombrowski, less than a year after the team he built won the World Series following a record season. Then he brought back almost the same team, and watched them flounder.

So, how was he so right last year, but apparently so wrong this year? What changed?

The results.

That’s really it. Last year, everyone performed up to their

abilities...and then some. This year? Not so much. Could even the best GM have gotten Chris Sale to win fifteen games? Or Rick Porcello to go an inning without giving up a home run every once in a while? I don’t think so.

Did Dombrowski make moves that didn’t pan out? Absolutely. Were they the right moves at the time? Almost always.

People who complain about the bullpen he assembled seem to forget that he’s traded for at least three quality relievers during his time here. Craig Kimbrel panned out pretty well, until most fans wanted him run out of town. After being the closer on a World Champion. But, the Sox also traded for Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg. Both young star relievers who should have solidified the bullpen for a couple years. Both got hurt almost instantly. Both never did anything of note as a result. Was Dombrowski supposed to see into the future? Is he incapable of building a bullpen? Or, just unlucky?

He also gets complaints about gutting the farm system. Which player did Dombrowski trade away that you wish the Sox had back? From that list, which ones would you rather have the guy he was traded for? Even where the Sox got busts in return...Smith, Pomeranz maybe...do you miss the guy they gave away? So, he gutted the farm system of inferior talent? Sounds like a smart move to me. And, last I checked Devers, Bogaerts, Benintendi, and Chavez are still on the team. He even got rid of Swihart, and kept Vazquez. That sounds like a pretty good record of making the right call with prospects.

I have two possible complaints about Dombrowski, and they’re pretty minor. 

I didn’t like his comments at the trade deadline. He didn’t make any major moves, probably correctly. Remember, none of the other contenders really made moves either...which implies there wasn’t much to be had. He did get Cashner, which made a lot of sense...but didn’t work out. But, he made the comment that if the team were closer in the standings, he may have been more inclined to make a move. What did that mean? Not only is that pretty crappy for morale...you guys aren’t good enough to bother improving….but it was ill-defined. If the Sox were one game out at the deadline, what move was out there? What trade did he turn down because the Sox were too far gone? Did he not even try?

There’s also something that you can’t put you finger on with the pitching staff. Why are they all terrible? Why did they all forget how to pitch this year? Why did Cashner go from being a solid potential #5 starter to being absolute garbage as soon as he put on a Sox uniform? Is it coaching? Is it the medical staff? Is it a combination? As the president, I think he needed to figure out what the problem was, and fix that.

But, that’s really all I can fault him for. A bad comment once, and not fixing someone else’s problem. That’s probably not the sort of thing that should get you fired. Especially the year after a record setting championship season.

Unless I’m missing something?

Hillary May Visits Section 36!

Photo by LJ Williams Photography

Section 36 has a new visitor! Hillary May is a singer, a mental health advocate, and the newly crowned Miss Delaware! She also comes from a family of Cardinals fans. I was thrilled that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more! I enjoyed everything she had to say, and I’m sure you will too. 

So let’s see what happens when Hillary May visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Delaware crown?

I know it sounds crazy, but I didn’t really celebrate in any formal way at all. I was proud of myself and it was nice to see all my family at the competition, but once I won I was in full-on work mode. I was so grateful to be given this opportunity that any of the other girls I competed with deserved just as much as I did. I felt I owed it to them and to the organization that I put my whole heart into it right away -- and I still think that to myself when I get up every day. The day after I was crowned I had my first two interviews and the journey began!

What’s something you learned about yourself at the Miss Delaware competition that will help you at Miss America?
This was my first time ever competing in an official pageant system so the entire year taught me a lot. I was lucky enough to win the first local I competed in and then went on to do the same at Miss Delaware. Throughout the whole process I was getting advice from everyone everywhere and I was incredibly grateful for it, but in the end I decided that absolutely everything I did – what I wore, what I sang, what I wrote, what I said, etc. – was going to be 100% created and executed my way. I didn’t worry about fitting into any sort of mold, I just put my complete and genuine self on that stage. I’m still getting advice, and I’m still listening to it all, but when it comes to Miss America my approach will be the same. If the judges want me to be Miss America, then I better show them me on that stage.

What part of going to Miss America are you most excited about?

I am honored and humbled to have this opportunity to go to Miss America. Even more than that, I am most excited to be competing in the first class of state titleholders within the new Miss America 2.0 system. This was my first competition ever in an official system, and I won. I think that speaks volumes to what Miss America 2.0 is all about. She is not a beauty queen but a leader, an advocate, and a source of confidence and empowerment for others. I’ve been hard at work in my community for years, been on stage since I was 3, and honestly enjoy any opportunity to grow in my personal and professional skills. THAT is why I was successful in Miss America 2.0, because I’m a real-life girl boss, not because I am a seasoned beauty queen – and that is the most exciting thing in the world.

How did you select your social impact initiative “Let’s Talk: Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health”?

I’ve been involved in the Mental Health community for some time now: being a group therapy facilitator at a grief center for young children, speaking at various conferences and convocations about mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and working with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to provide suicide prevention training and awareness. My life’s journey initially lead me to this community when my best friend lost his father to suicide when we were in high school. Little did I know, the support system and resources I would find in the mental health community would later become even more personal when I battled depression myself. I was lucky. My battle was easier than most because had the knowledge, the support, and the army I needed to get me through such a hard time, so if I can share that knowledge and support with others through my journey in the Miss America Organization then maybe I can make someone else’s battle a bit easier too. Maybe I can create a national army so no one ever has to fight it alone.

As a talented singer, what is your favorite part about performing on stage?

My favorite part of performing is interacting with the audience. I’ve always said that you know you’ve made it when your audience is made up of people and not shampoo bottles. To me the audience is everything. I feed off their energy so much. I know that I don’t have to be perfect so long as they have a good time – because to me that is what performing is all about! I’m so excited to perform my talent at Miss America because I think my song does exactly that; it connects with the audience in a way that will (hopefully) have them dancing in their chairs and leave them with a smile on their faces!

If you could be a Harry Potter character for a week, which would you choose? Why?

My Harry Potter character is Nymphadora Tonks 100%. She is not

a huge character in the books but whenever she is mentioned you know what is going on is important because she always shows up for her friends when they need her. I think that is one of the most admirable qualities in a person. But also her hair changes colors and I think that is wicked cool!

Growing up in a family of Cardinals fans, who is your favorite Red Sox player? Why?

My favorite Red Sox players are all the guys on the bench, because while they have to watch the same things I have to watch, they actually have to act excited when the Sox win, and I really feel for them.

The Red Sox beat the Cardinals the last two times they’ve faced them in the World Series. Do you have a favorite Red Sox - Cardinals moment?

My favorite Sox – Cards moment is that stillness and silence when the first hitter steps up to bat, the pitcher is standing there, and the game is about to begin. There is so much potential in that moment. So much hope…

If you had an extra ticket to watch a Red Sox - Cardinals game at Fenway, who would you bring with you? Why?

If I had an extra ticket I would bring my grandfather with me. All my life my grandfather has been the biggest Cardinals fan. No matter where we were, at his house, at our house, on vacation, it didn’t matter. He was on the couch and the Cards were on the TV. He passed very recently so to give him the opportunity to enjoy one more game, and to see the look on his face when the Cards WON, would be the greatest gift.

——

That would definitely be very special indeed!

As always, I want to give huge thanks to Hillary for doing this interview, and for providing the pictures to go along with it. They're all just perfect.

As Hillary continues her time as Miss Delaware, you should definitely check out the official Miss Delaware website and her personal Miss Delaware site. I also encourage you to follow her on the official Miss Delaware social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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

Thanks again Hillary, and good luck!

2019 Topps Fire Blaster!

OK. So the Chrome and Leather and Lumber blaster posts were so much fun, thought it mades sense to try another one. After all, there's like a new release coming out every 36 hours these days. So, lots of opportunities for buying new cards! This time, I'm working with 2019 Topps Fire.

Let's see how it goes!

Here are the eight packs. Seven regular packs, and one extra special Gold Minted Parallel Pack! We'll start with that one first.

This seems like a good time to mention that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Not only is it a good time to GoGold to show your support, but it's an even better time to make a donation. Every little bit helps. If you have a favorite cancer charity, get in touch. Looking for a good one? I, of course, support the Jimmy Fund like any good Red Sox fan. If you can help, help.

The special gold pack even revealed a Red Sox card. While the gold tends to make this card a little bland, and a little less "Fire-y", it's still a great card of the Red Sox ace.

Another pack, another Sale insert This one is from the Flamethrowers insert set. 

This pack also contained a base card of the other Red Sox ace David Price. It's a nice way to see what the base cards look like. They're a lot better looking than the gold ones.

Another pack, and guess what. Another Chris Sale! This one is his base version for the first time. Again, the colors really pop to make this a very attractive card. When it's not blurry.

No Chris Sale in this pack. Odd. But, it did have this card of former Red Sox ace Jon Lester. 

Ooh. I like this one. I saw Vlad Jr a few times in the minors. He absolutely stood out as the best player on the field. I was waiting to see what he'd do in the majors. He hasn't disappointed.

Will there ever be a time when I can open a pack of cards and NOT get a Derek Jeter in it? I suppose if I can't get a Red Sox card, might as well be a card with two Yankees on it. I can probably move that one along pretty easily.

Along those lines, here's an orange parallel of Yankees ace (?) Luis Severino numbered to 299. Hopefully this one will be easy to find a new home for.

So, there you have it. Not a bad haul, especially the Sales. If you're going to get that many cards of one player, I'm glad it was that many different cards of a key Red Sox player. 

Get anything good in your box?