Points for creative thinking :-)

I did some early 1980s software research work in the Air Force on a Data General, and having read Soul of a New Machine greatly enriched the experience, almost like I could see into the machine itself. Lost track of his subsequent works, time to go belatedly read them. RIP

Dell used a lot of old photos in those '71 stamp books - 5 or 6 of the Pirates are in previous team uniforms, Denny McLain in a Detroit uniform in the Senators book, etc. No "Topps-quality" airbrushing for Dell, apparently

I went for all Pirates plus 3 themes: 1950s top row, 1960s bottom row, and 1970s middle row. 2 bonuses: top row 2 of the 3 (Purkey & Lynch) also came back in 60s; and all 3 in middle row involved in same big trade (for Garner). Used Gelnar also

Early TCMA

Non-sports: Mercury program exhibits

Was in starting lineup for a lot of games I went to in '68 and '69 (card says Catcher but played OF more with Pirates, also card in photo isn't one of the dozens I have :-) )

Here’s a Twin that’s actually half of a twin 🤔

And might as well complete the 1980 Pirates-Mets mashup

A 2-fer: the former left side of the Pirates infield, looking way out of place in Mets uniforms

Having heard essentially the same story many times going back to the earliest days of computer-aided software engineering (CASE) in the 1980s, I gotta be a bit skeptical and cynical. Still, maybe…so I asked ChatGPT :-) and was told “this time it’s for real.” Maybe…time will tell

Also not exactly the same - no fathers shown - but this one is an honorary Father's Day card

I always liked this one also

1989 Bowman did have a few interesting cards, including these ones

Or Tony Cloninger in between Koufax and Drysdale for wins

I always like when you see a good, steady player who had a great year or two preserved for all time on a vintage league leader card. Deron Johnson beating out Frank Robinson and Mays in RBIs; Vic Davalillo finishing 3rd in batting behind Oliva and Yaz. Good times

Here’s the ticket stubs from that game

I was at that Game 3, every time I look at my mustard-stained scorecard I’m amazed and impressed how Johnson rose to the occasion in that game. Was the height of his time with the Pirates but he was there when they needed him.

One of the 1st 2 MLB autographs I ever got along with Claude Osteen, 3rd grade, Forbes Field -

Today’s was a strange one. First I did 9 very short-term Pirates and also got zero; then I cleared cookies a couple times and did the starting lineups for both the 1960 and 1971 Pirates, Clemente in both, and still got zeroes on both.

Alright! 50+ year old mustard stains on the scorecard part, like about half of mine :-)

If things come together still feels more like 1988…a couple years away, if (and that’s a big if) they can carry the momentum into the following season. Would be nice to think this is the year but they need to avoid their annual nosedive

All 4 basic food groups: sugar, sugar water, artificial coloring, and ice :-)

Celebrate Manny’s birthday with a Slurpee and some of those delicious/nutritious Hostess products

Ha - only Boomer (or older) Pirates fans ever heard of him, mostly. He’s a great choice for ImmaculateGrid or trivia for “Pirates batting champion” - even Matty Alou and Freddie Sanchez are “non-rare.” But Garms is a good one to use

Found right photo, also have the year before that. Think I need to go through them again soon

I still have one from season before - need to take a pic, thought I had one. Anyway cool publication, instant time travel

Looks like a screenshot I took online to check pricing not my own photo FWIW

I don’t do well on these non-team ones; for kicks I filled in 4 Pirates from when I started following them in ‘66 then gave up