The Rated Rabbi Sports Card Podcast

Like Proust's Madeleine, a fan yells "Go Niners" and I am transported on a nostalgic cloud back to the glory years of the 49ers. Plus, sweet-swinging lefties. Max Dugan Returns. Charlie Lau and colorectal health. And why it's a bad idea to tell a black person they're articulate. All this a bag of Keebler Tato Skins on the latest episode of The Rated Rabbi Sports Card Podcast.

NL All-Star starting pitcher Charlie Lea and Dodgers lefty Jerry Reuss both no-hit the Giants of my youth, but only Reuss reminds me of the villainous Albino from the movie "Foul Play." In this episode, I agonize over being at the Reuss no-hitter on June 27, 1980, and remember the betrayal of watching my dad cheer for worst sports outcome in my 9-year-old imagination: The Giants being no-hit by the Dodgers. Plus, a gratuitous moment to fawn over Hawn and let's give Vicki Lawrence the respect she deserves.

John Bender might say I am demented and sad, but social. I have completed my 80-card, PSA-graded Master Set of the 1984 All-Star and I can't wait to show it you.

Breaking down the unpronounceable Tetragrammaton. Wondering about who cleaned the Holy of Holies. Joe DiMaggio, an incredible man who grows more handsome with every passing year. The guy who sat next to DiMaggio at the All-Star Game. Steve Sax guest stars on "Who's the Boss?" And the Gillette Atra Twin Blade: Sometimes, a little advantage goes a long way.

Perspective from standing next to an open grave. A ticket to see Dr. J. Front row seat. In free. No pay. A gratuitous showing of a Dave Parker card. Sweet Lou Whitaker forgot his uniform. Carew looks old. Pepsi, the choice of a new generation. And fond memories of the deadly three-wheeler Honda ATC. All this and a bag of Laura Scudder's potato chips.

In this episode, we remember the careers of Expos pitcher Charlie Lea and Phillies second baseman Juan Samuel, who were among the 21 who debuted in the 1984 All-Star Game. We also look back at my best and worst buying decisions at the Wherehouse, get heated up by Vince Coleman's blazing speed, and I offer a confession about my podcast listening habits. There's a bit of audio skipping on this one -- probably killed my shot an at Emmy.

The imperious Commissioner Bowie Kuhn reigned from 1969-1984. He oversaw tidal change: Expansion. Free agency. Nighttime postseason baseball. Big money. And labor strife that culminated with the 1981 strike. In this episode, we revisit Kuhn's tenure as commissioner, review a questionable "separate but equal" plan to establish a separate Hall of Fame wing for Negro League players, and somehow work in Eddie Murphy's 1982 rap song "Boogie in Your Butt:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07P538K83iU.

The 1955 Dodgers. The 1962 Mets. The split-fingered fastball. "You Gotta Like These Kids" and "Humm Baby, It's Gonna Be Fun." Plus, Will Clark homers off of Nolan Ryan in his first big league at-bat and my memories of a particularly flirtatious participant in my mom and dad's monthly poker game. All this and more in a special tribute episode to Roger Craig.

$250 haircuts in the Candlestick breeze. Taco Bell, the official quick service restaurant of Major League Baseball. The Pirate Parrot is coked-out and hanging with Lenny and Squiggy. And heart attacks galore. All this and a bag of chips in the latest episode of the Rated Rabbi Sports Card Podcast.

There's serious mission drift in this episode. Kezar Stadium. The completion of my raw run of 1950s 49ers cards. A 1952 Bowman Large Pat O’Donague SP. Along the way, I share what I learned about myself as a collector and why vintage football cards are a fun collectible but won't be skyrocketing in value. Not now. Not ever.