Top 5 2025 Bunt Base Cards

The Major League Baseball season has come to a close which means we are in the final quarter of 2025.  It is time for my annual series of Top Base Cards from Bunt, Marvel Collect, and Star Wars Card Trader.  This week I will cover 5 of my favorite Bunt base cards. 

In December and January, we will take a look at the insert cards of Common, Uncommon, Rare, Super Rare and Epic rarities.  I do not get Legendary cards in my collection.  But today, we focus on what makes a card set special...it is the base cards.  

With no further delay, here are my Top 5 Bunt Base Cards in no particular order: 

5.  Gunner Henderson 2025 Bunt Base - Series 1

Anyone who has read my past assessments of digital baseball cards knows I love cards that show action.  Action makes this card of Gunner Henderson a top card of the 2025 Base Set. 

4.  Josh Winckowski  2025 Bunt Base - Series 1

This card really catches the moment.  In this case, an intense moment of Josh Winckowski looking in for the sign for his catcher.  This is a great card to play "What Happens Next."  

3.  Julio Rodriguez  2025 Bunt Base - Series 1

A good base card catches the personality of a player as in this card of Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners.  Cards like this really make the game and players likeable.  

2. Alexis Diaz  2025 Bunt Base - Series 1

That wind-up!  What a leg kick from Alexis Diaz!  This is what a baseball card is all about that action moment that shows us the moment something great is about to happen.  That moment when the baseball is about to be up in play.  Magnificent! 

1.  Lawrence Butler  2025 Bunt Base - Series 1

The cool factor.  Lawrence Butler looks super cool in his wrap-around mirror glasses.  By the way, there is no sarcasm in that statement.  He does look really cool in this card (even with his neon green and pink mittens).  Look at the full seats in the background.  This is a great card.  It caught my eye from the release of the set.  

Veteran's Day

This is just a little note to honor our veterans.  There are only a few people in my family who have served in the US Military.  My brother-in-law (husband of my wife's sister) served in Germany for the US Navy.  My dad served in the US Army during the Korean War.  My wife's grandfather served in the Pacific theater in World War II for the US Navy.  And the man for whom I am named, Tom, served in the US Army during World War I.  I have many friends who serve and have served in the Army, National Guard, Air Force, and more. 

I am usually a stickler about Veteran's Day is for living veterans, and Memorial Day is for those who have fallen or passed.  What I think doesn't matter, we honor all.  We live in a country where we can read what we want, say what we want, share what we want all because of our service men and women.  They protected and continue to protect this union of 50 states.  I am grateful for that.  Republicans, Democrats, Independents, undecided, in-between and upside down, it shouldn't matter, because as Americans we have the right to believe what we believe.  

To our soldiers, pilots, captains, Marines, high ranking officers, medics, logistical staff, office staff, communication officers and all that are involved in keeping our land, air, space, International interests, cyberworld, space and water safe.  Thank you and Happy Veteran's Day. 

Another Fantasy Team???? Basketball!

I needed another fantasy sports team like I need a sharp rock in my shoe when running a marathon, but here I am taking the reigns of a new Fantasy Basketball franchise in the newly formed league, The Library.  Allow me to introduce the newest franchise of mine from the sport of NBA basketball: Flat Soda Bombers

Yep, you might think does this have anything to do with my library?  You bet!  This league is made up from employees in the library including myself, Benjamin the library clerk, Heidi and Ryan (league commish) from the IT department, Dan and son Mason (English Dept), Nate (World Languages), Brian (Social Studies) and someone who I think is Ryan's friend.  

Confession: since the Jordan era, I can probably name about as many players as I have fingers and toes.  I can pronounce even fewer of them, and that last item (about names), only shows my own cultural ignorance.  I have really come to lean on saying, "that guy from Milwaukee."   Anyhow, we did a live draft and I actually drafted this team shown below.  I feel like it is a good collection of players, but the first week didn't go so well.  The Bombers dropped the first week to a team named by my youngest daughter (14 yrs) for Heidi a self proclaimed team owner who only joined because we couldn't find anyone else to even the league out and has no idea who she drafted.  Yeah, the Flat Soda Bombers lost to them.  That feels real good.  Oh, their name you ask?  67 Dino Nuggets (of course!).   Anyone who has a teen in the house or works in a middle or high school can appreciate that name.  Well, here is the Flat Soda Bombers.  

Week 1: Flat Soda Bombers vs. 67 Dino Nuggets 5-8-1"Flat Soda is a Good Description of Week 1" (5th in League) 

Week 2: Flat Soda Bombers (5-8-1) vs. Forum Blue and Gold ( 9-4-1)  3-10  "The Bombers Forgot the Season Started"  (6th in League) 

Week 3: Flat Soda Bombers (8-18-2) vs. Mello Ballerz (6-21-1)  8-5  "Bombers Win Battle of the Bottom"  (6th in League)

Week 4:  Flat Soda Bombers (16-23-3)  vs. Less than Lucky (10-30-2)  

Here is the line-up and roster of the Flat Soda Bombers: 

PG: Jalen Suggs (Magic)  

SG: Zach LaVine (Kings)

G:  Ja Morant (Grizzlies)

SF: Jerami Grant (Trail Blazers)

PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)

F: Allen Davis (Mavericks)

C: Nikola Vucevic (Bulls)

C: Myles Turner (Bucks)

UTIL: Cam Thomas (Nets)

UTIL: Tari Eason (Rockets)

Bench: 

PG/SG: Keon Ellis (Kings)

PG/SG: Jalen Green (Suns)

SF/PF: Brandon Miller (Hornets)

PG/SG: Coby White (Bulls)

PG/SG: De'Aaron Fox (Spurs)

Okay basketball fans, the Flat Soda Bombers could use some advice.  Who do I pick up and who do I drop.  Leave a comment and help the Flat Soda Bombers get a little fizz going.  

This post will update each week until further notice. 

Fantasy Football: Kamino Clone Kids Weeks 9-16

Captain Rex by maharlika
Deviant Art 25

The Kamino Clone Kids have had a  surprisingly good first half of the season!  They have had some QB problems the last couple weeks as Baker Mayfield has been struggling to command the team.  Wide Receivers have been the commanders of the Kamino Clone Kids with George Pickens, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and J. Smith-Nijgba leading the way.  Tight ends Tyler Warren (IND) and Jake Ferguson (DAL) have contributed well in the first 8 weeks as well.  Running backs Chase Brown (CIN) and Jaylen Warren (PIT) are holding their own.  

The front office picked up Trevor Lawrence to cover Mayfield's bye week, but they may stick with him if Mayfield doesn't right the ship.  Kids coaches also hope that Jonathon Cooper (DEN), Edgerrin Cooper (GB) and Budda Baker (ARI) can step it up to score extra points on defense.  

Week 9:  Kamino Clone Kids vs. Lothal Starbirds  175.70 - 127.65 "Kids Get Back to the Win Column" (2nd Light Side Div. 2nd in League)

Week 10: Kamino Clone Kids (6-3) vs. Pabu Porgs (4-5) 

Weeks 1-8 recap

Here is the current Kids lineup and roster: 

QB: Baker Mayfield (TB)

RB: Chase Brown (CIN)

RB: Jaylen Warren (PIT)

WR: George Pickens (DAL)

WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET)

TE: Tyler Warren (IND)

W/R/T: J. Smith-Nijgba (SEA)

W/R/T: Jake Ferguson (DAL)

W/R/T: Cooper Kupp (SEA)

DL: Jonathon Cooper (DEN)

LB: Edgerrin Cooper (GB)

DB: Budda Baker (ARI

Bench: 

QB: Trevor Lawrence (JAX)

RB: Isaiah Davis (NYJ)

WR: Keon Coleman (BUF)

WR: Calvin Ridley (TEN)

TE: Jonnu Smith (PIT)

DB: Jordan Battle (CIN)

DL: Maxx Crosby (LV)

LB: Fred Warner (SF) IR

QB: Joe Burrow (CIN) IR

Fantasy Football: The Coca Cola Kids Football Club Weeks 9-16

Let's just say, this isn't a season to remember.  Unless, you like to remember horrible starts to the season.  The Kids come into Week 9 2-6, 9th place in a ten team league.  There is no consistency this season, for example, Baker Mayfield is hitting a groove then in weeks 7 and 8 he completely collapses.  Oh, there is also the matter of losing top QB, Joe Burrow, after week 2 of the season.  Every position has been disappointing, wide receivers Sutton (Den) and Jennings (SF) have yet to show up, running backs Stevenson (NE) and Henry (Bal), tight end Bowers (LV) has been out for a few weeks.  Well, the record speaks for itself.  

Let's see if this team can turn it around in the second half of the season. 

Week 9: Coca Cola Kids vs. Crimson Queen  168.46 - 188.36 "Kids Misery Continues" 

Week 10: Coca Cola Kids 2-7-0) vs. Foot Wedge Mafia (7-2-0) 

Starting Line-up:  

QB: B. Mayfield TB

WR:C. Sutton DEN

WR: R. Odunze CHI

RB:  R. Stevenson NE

RB: D. Henry BAL

TE: B. Bowers LV

W/R/TE J. Dobbins DEN

Q/W/R/TE:  C.Ward TEN

K: M. Prater BUF

DEF: Los Angeles Chargers

Bench: 

WR: J. Jennings NYG

QB: G. Smith LV

TE: C Otton TB

WR: M. Golden

TE: M. Mayer LV

WR: G. Wilson NYJ

RB: K  Gainwell PIT

QB: J. Burrow CIN IR

The Kids front office is open to suggestions. Leave a comment if someone on the bench should be starting   or if there is a sleeper out there who I should pick up!  

A Sunday Morning Reflection

Bull Durham 1988
Annie Savoy and Crash Davis

I woke up on Sunday, November 2 thinking about baseball.  The 2025 World Series had wrapped up the night before less than 12 hours ago.  I can't think of any other team (maybe Milwaukee or St. Louis) who I wanted more to NOT win than the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Here we are, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the World Series Champs and not just the WS Champs but back to back WS champs.  Congrats to them and their fans.  I firmly believe that to win the World Series back-to-back is more difficult than any of the major U.S. team sports (NBA, NFL, NHL).  

When I think of baseball on a Sunday morning, I can't help but think about the Church of Baseball.  This is not my creation, the Church of Baseball.  It comes from perhaps the best baseball film of all time, Bull Durham. 

I believe in the Church of Baseball.  I've tried all the major religions, and most of the minor ones.  And the only church that truly feeds the soul, day-in and day-out, is the Church of Baseball. 

         -Annie Savoy 

I woke up thinking about baseball and what a memorable season this has been for me.  It was an amazing first half of the season with the Cubs and Tigers leading the way in first place in their respective divisions.  Both teams giving us a peek at the future as both teams showed a youth movement as young players became team leaders.  Pete Crow Armstrong, Michael Busch, Matt Shaw, Cade Horton led by veterans Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, James Taillon, Matthew Boyd, Seiya Suzuki were impactful players for the Cubs.  Colt Keith, Trey Sweeney, Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, Kerry Carpenter, Dillion Dingler, Casey Mize, Will Vest, Tarik  Skubal all emerged as players who make an impact for the Detroit Tigers.  While both teams struggled in the second half of the season, both went on to make the playoffs and both advanced to the NLDS and the ALDS.  I believe happy days are ahead. 

My thoughts returned to the World Series and what an amazing series it turned out to be.  Let's review: 

• Each team gets a win in games 1 and 2.
• An 18 inning Monday night game that the Dodgers win to go 2-1 in the series.
• The Blue Jays come back with two wins to make the series 3-2. 
• The Dodgers win in Toronto in Game Six to tie it up 3-3. 
• Game 7...let's recap
• Shohei Ohtani is the starting pitcher and bats leadoff for the Dodgers.
• Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer is the oldest (41 yrs) starting pitcher in WS game seven.
• Blue Jays objected to the more than 3 minutes Ohtani took between innings to start the inning.  
• Benches cleared in a shoving match situation after Gimenez is hit by pitch, the second time the Dodgers pitchers plunked him this World Series.  
• Light hitting Miguel Rojas ties the game for the Dodgers in the ninth with the  Blue Jays two outs from a World Series title. 
• Extra innings!  
• The Dodgers never led the game until the 11th inning.  
• Previous night's Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto closes out the game

No wonder my mind was still buzzing with baseball when I woke up Sunday morning.  An amazing  baseball season replayed itself in my mind filling my soul with the Church of Baseball.  

They Love Their Jobs

I work late, but this story isn't about me.  You just need to know that to understand how I stumbled upon this moment.  Working at a school, most of the day is spent working with students and staff.  It is busy.  There is a lot to do, and it is pretty easy to become focused on oneself.  It isn't egotistical, it is just the nature of working in a school.  You focus on your kids, your space and your work.  

I host after school clubs, and I coach the speech team.  These activities find me leaving 2-3 hours after most others.  There is a new crew of workers who show up after the students, faculty, staff, and most if not all of administration are gone, the custodial staff.  The unsung heroes who put in the work to make sure the classrooms, hallways, and bathrooms are clean when everyone comes in the next day to mess it all up.  Most don't know the names or faces of those who sweep the floors, wipe off the desks, and clean the drinking fountains.  

I do, and I feel lucky for that.  I see them almost every day as they walk through the library to punch in to work.  They roll their cleaning carts to the different parts of the school to do their work.  Since I am there until 5:00 or 6:00 in the evening and sometime return later at night for one thing or another, I see this custodial staff doing what they do, and they do it really well.  I have taken time to visit with most of them over the years. I get to know them. They are really neat people.  They like to tease and give me a hard time about being there so late as much as I like to get to know them.  Never have I heard one of them complain about the work.  Never do they complain about the hours or the pay.  They work hard, seem happy to be there, and they take pride in their work.  

This is a lot of build up to what I witnessed recently that just brought a smile to my face and made me realize the happiness one can get from working with great people.  I was on my way out at about 5:30.  I hadn't seen as many of the men and women who normally pass through with their carts, but I didn't really think much about it.  I figured that I just missed them.  As I left the library into the hall, I heard their voices in jovial talk and laughter which is not all that uncommon actually.  They had all congregated in the foods lab where they normally eat dinner or take breaks.  As I was walking down the hall toward the foods lab, the owner of the cleaning company came out of the lab and said hi as she always does, but she had a bit of a hop in her step.  We smiled and passed, but I saw the reason for the extra energy.  As I walked past the lab, I saw that she had brought a catered dinner in for her employees.  

They were laughing, razzing one another, eating like kings and queens (fried chicken, green beans, and other dinner treats) and loving life at work.  I walked past and smiled to see them happy as I continued down the hallway loving that I witnessed this moment.  I couldn't help but sense the camaraderie that they have built working hard and breaking bread with one another as they have for years.  But tonight it was special.  They count on one another.  They back each other up.  They are the best darn crew who keep our school looking great.  

Tomorrow, take a look at the people with whom you work.  Think about the good times and the difficult times.  Think about the times you all had someone's back when things weren't great for them.  Think about the meals you have shared with those people.  Yeah, they are co-workers but aren't they just a bit more than that?  Don't they help you love your job just a little more?