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Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | Official Trailer

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COVID-19 Reflected In Many 2020 Little League World Series Pin Designs

Even though the Little League World Series has been canceled this year, many local businesses and organizations in Williamsport and the surrounding areas made new pins for 2020.  Collectible lapel pins are very popular to buy/sell/trade when the Little League World Series is taking place.  Its one of the main attractions.

COVID-19 and the lack of Little League Baseball are truly reflected in some of the 2020 pin designs.  Many pins feature people, places, and things wearing masks.  Cool, yet kinda creepy.  This event in world history will forever be remembered on these pins.

Others take a more traditional route, and don’t mention COVID-19 at all.

Despite lots of places having pins, I’ve noticed each place didn’t order the quantity they usually do.  It makes perfect sense as to why.  No need to order as many if the Little League World Series isn’t happening.

Below is a list of places that I’ve compiled which have pins for 2020.  Some may have run out, and they’re ordering more.  Others may not order more.  I ran into others who’s pins haven’t even arrived yet.

• Boy Scouts of America
• The Clothier
• ARC Heating and Service
• Robert M. Sides Family Music Centers
• BAM! Book Store
• James V. Brown Library
• K&W Tire
• Tebbs Brothers Landscaping
• Industrial Piping Systems
• Plankenhorn Stationary
• Williamsport Sun-Gazette
• Farrington Place
• Horizon Federal Credit Union
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Corter’s Flooring America
• West Branch Valley Federal Credit Union
• It’s My Party Store
• Thomas T. Taber Museum
• Mileto’s Sub Shop
• D&W Disposal
• WILQ 105.1 FM
• Finn Pest Control
• Arthaus Projects
• UPMC Susquehanna
• C.J. Mertes Plumbing & Heating
• Wine & Design
• DJ Cory
• Billtown Welding & Fabricating
• The Break Room of Williamsport
• Susquehanna Community Bank
• Valley View Rehab & Nursing Center
• Kriger Fence Co.
• Yoder Insurance Inc.
• Daves Repair
• Heltman’s Excavation
• Lycoming County 911
• IPT Williamsport Regional Airport

Is Pete Rose Back In Major League Baseball?… Kinda, Maybe, Probably Not

Pete Rose’s banishment from MLB for gambling on baseball while playing for and managing the Reds will go down in history as one of the most debated sports topics.  Should the banishment be forgotten allowing him entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame?  This is a question that plaques the minds of many baseball fans today, and will continue to do so for years to come.

Legendary baseball player, and sometimes controversial pop-culture figure Pete Rose hasn’t appeared on an MLB-licensed Topps baseball card since 1989.  The last time he was featured in a licensed product showing team names and/or logos comes from 1994 Upper Deck: The American Epic.  Since then he has been seen countless times in other non-licensed baseball products made by Leaf and Panini.

Collectors opening 2020 Topps Series 2 Baseball are finding a familiar looking fellow on the Philadelphia Phillies Decades’ Best insert.  With his back turned, no team name and/or logos visible, you can just make out the cockeyed name across the back of the jersey which says “ROSE”.  Other players on the card include Steve Carlton and Bob Boone.

This isn’t something that Topps made a point to alert collectors about.  Collectors are discovering this all on their own.  Self-discovering moments such as this add a bit of excitement to the brand.  Pulling a card out and saying “I wonder if anyone else has noticed this?” can be fun.

In no way is this card rare.  Topps didn’t issue a corrected version.  Each one, including the parallels, looks just like this.  That won’t stop some folks from attempting to sell their cards for a premium.  This reminds me of the 2019 Topps Stadium Club Shane Bieber “error” which calls him Justin on the back.

The Top 5 Phillies Cards I’d Like To See In Topps Project 2021 & Beyond

In the realm of modern-day sports card collecting a 2020 Ichiro card limited to 1,334 copies normally wouldn’t draw that much attention.  Especially if its not a rookie, autograph, and/or relic.  The Topps Project 2020 set has completely taken that idea and flipped it around.  Print runs of that quantity are considered to be very low when it comes to this set.

Near the end of March, Topps began selling their online-exclusive Project 2020 set.  Twenty iconic Topps baseball cards ranging from 1952 all the way to 2011 will receive an artistic twist from twenty popular artists.  When the set is complete it will contain (400) cards.  Before it comes to an end, I’d like to see one of the Jackie Robinson cards picture a barge in the background dumping cases of 1952 Topps High Number into the Hudson River.  This actually happened in the late 1950s when Topps wanted to get rid of old inventory.  An artistic take on that event in card history would be neat to see.

No Philadelphia Phillies are in the mix for the Project 2020 set.  I’m hoping that if we get a Project 2021… 2022… 2023 we see at least one Phillies card.  With that being said, here are my top five Phillies cards I’d like to see used for this product.

#1 – Mike Schmidt 1974 Topps #283

Mike Schmidt’s rookie card comes from 1973 Topps where he is pictured alongside John Hilton and Ron Cey.  I don’t believe Topps would use that card because the other two players are on it.  That’s probably why they didn’t use Nolan Ryan’s 1968 Topps rookie this time around, and instead went with his 1969 Topps card.  Sticking with that train of thought, Mike Schmidt’s 1974 Topps #283 would be the most logical decision.

#2 – Steve Carlton 1972 Topps Traded #751

The facial expression alone on this card should make it worthy.  Steve Carlton’s first card in a Phillies uniform can be found in the 1972 Topps Traded subset.  I would’ve suggested using his rookie, but that has him in a Cardinals uniform and paired with Fritz Ackley.

#3 – Richie Ashburn 1956 Topps #120

When Richie Ashburn’s rookie was released in 1949 Bowman, Topps and Bowman were two separate companies.  In 1955 Topps purchased Bowman and the rest is history.  Even though Topps owns the Bowman brand now I don’t think they’ll use a Bowman card that was issued prior to their ownership.  1952, 1954, and 1955 Topps designs have already been used for Project 2020.  The Topps Living Set already utilizes the 1953 design.  I could definitely see his 1956 Topps #120 being used.

#4 – Fergie Jenkins 1966 Topps Rookie Stars #254

The Phillies aren’t the first team you think about when talking about Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins.  He signed with the Phillies in 1962, and debuted with the team in 1965.  A year later he was traded to the Cubs.  Because his rookie has Bill Sorrell on it, I highly doubt this card would ever be used.  Nothing against Bill Sorrell, but its basically the same situation as Mike Schmidt’s rookie card.

#5 – Phillie Phanatic 2007 Topps Opening Day #206

The Phillie Phanatic is the greatest mascot of all-time.  We’re lucky he received a Topps NOW card in April 2018 celebrating his 40th anniversary.  I’d like to see him included in more Topps online-exclusive products.  A Topps Living Set card would be cool.  His first Topps card can be found in 2007 Opening Day.

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