Going Green : USA USA USA

Trying to find actresses with deep Irish roots is actually a lot harder than I thought it would be.

Anne Hathaway, a former NJ native, is of Irish ancestry as both her parents are Irish.

This beautiful American woman may not look Irish, but I don't mind looking at her.

Decked in all green, makes me forget this post is more about USA than Ireland.

Happy Monday everyone!

Going Green: Expecting Frankenstein

Valerie Hobson was an Irish born actress best known for her role in Bride of Frankenstein, as the Baroness.

She would go on to appear in 3 decades of films.

One such film she appeared in was Great Expectations.

I expected more from you Topps

You made me believe in something

Only to contradict it later on

As you can see by the authentication sticker below and the trail above, my expectations were great, but ultimately I was let down.

Topps, you've created a monster

If this jersey is actually from the 5/30/16 game against the Marlins, Cutch went 1 for 5.  Or maybe this is just a jersey formed from Angels dirt.

Going Green : Speed and Demolition!!!!

For whatever reason, I thought Sandra Bullock was the hottest thing when I was only 12 years old.  Movies like Speed and Demolition Man were worn out in my old VCR.

I might be dating myself a little by showcasing an actress who is now 53.  Damn!!!

So....how about an English actress who was born of an Irish father who also has appeared in movies about speed and demolition?

I'm talking about Imogen Poots, the lovely actress who has appeared in Need for Speed and 28 Days Later.

Isn't she just lovely?
And because her father is Irish and she looks good in green she counts for my countdown of green cards and Irish lasses.

Arguing that Andrew McCutchen isnt the greatest power/speed combo to wear a Pittsburgh uniform will fall on deaf ears to me.  I wont listen to you.  Only Barry Bonds has more stolen bases than Cutch while hittin more than 150 HRs in a Pirates uniform.  Cutch however beat Barry for homeruns in a Pirates uniform before leaving for the Golden State.

Cutch is the Demolition Man with Speed!!!

Going Green: Queen of Parallels

As a former comic book collector and general art fan, I enjoy looking at nice art work.

Much like this image of Grace O'Malley, the Pirate Queen of Ireland.

There's no official pictures of Grace as she was alive during the 1700s, way before selfie sticks and Instagram.

However, there is a statue of her in Ireland.

Since we only have artistic impressions of today's subject, I thought I would show what used to be one of my favorite releases each year. It just so happened to have artistic roots to it as well.

For many years Gypsy Queen has been one of my favorite releases each year.  The on card autographs, framed parallels, mini cards, and full size relics were cards I looked forward to getting in each box of art inspired designs.

However, that all went away in 2017.

The lack of minis I was ok with as Allen & Ginter still had their tobacco size minis.  The framed parallels though?  Well that annoyed me and is a reason why Diamond Kings is now one of my favorite releases.

Gypsy Queen did add a new level to their photo variations cards by including a retail green parallel to chase.

In addition to the photo variant green parallels is the standard base green parallels available only in retail and also a green back parallel to chase which are unnumbered to 50 copies.

Lots of green from the Gypsy Queen.

Going Green: Unity with AMC

Have you ever listened to some spellcasters and the phrases they say?  Maybe it's just me, but Harry Potter, Doctor Strange, and many others seem to say the word amuk.

Irish actress Evanna Lynch is no stranger to the word as she was a recurring character in the Harry Potter series.

AMC....pronounced amuk

Something about her knees makes me say (u)AM(yu)C(k)
Maybe it's just me though.

Tying into the word I will discuss a Cutch card labeled as AMC.

Triple Threads puts out a series of cards called unity relics each year.  Each unity relic features a different image of the player and is one of 3 different versions.  Some are harder to find then others.  All the unity relics have the standard Triple Threads numbering of /36, /27, /18, /9, /3, /1.

I have completed the gold unity relics /9 which I showed here.

The Emerald (green) Triple Threads relics are all numbered to 18 copies.

I am still in search of SJR-AM and SJR-AMU to complete the emerald set.

Above is the AMC....which pronounced is Amuk....
A spell has been cast for me to acquire the other unity relics.

Going Green: 8 Tracks to Fast Tracks

I recently watched an Irish movie called Sing Street.  It's on Netflix and features a bunch of great songs from the 80s!!! You should know my love of 80s music if you've read this blog before.

I won't reveal any spoilers, but it follows a boys dream to become a musician to impress an aspiring model, Lucy Boynton.

Who wouldn't try to impress her?

Lucy sports a black hair style relevant to the 80s music scene and 8 track time period in the movie.

Speaking of 8 tracks...here is a card talking about Cutch and his young days running track at Fort Meade High School.

I have a lot of the Emerald Triple Threads Triple relics.  One I showed off yesterday.

Going Green: Can't Cope, Won't Cope

Thanks to Chris and Google we are back on track to show off Irish stars (and some American stars with Irish heritages) while showcasing green parallels of Cutch.

This Going Green event will continue through St. Patrick's Day.

Today's star is "The Ireland Scarlett Johansson ".  That alone sounds like a dessert I could indulge in researching about.

Seana Kerslake is an Irish born 27 year old actress who got her big break in the (recently picked up) Netflix comedy Can't Cope, Won't Cope.

Speaking of Can't Coping....
I'm not sure if you are aware, but the Pirates traded their former MVP face of the franchise, superstar Andrew McCutchen AND CASH (whaaaaaaaat????) for a middle reliever and fringe outfield prospect.

Cutch is the greatest Centerfielder in Pirates History!!!

Max Carey, Andy Van Slyke, Omar Moreno, Andrew McCutchen?

When discussing the Pirates greatest centerfielder of all time, I think it's safe to say that Cutch in his 8.5 seasons moved up so many of the record books that he is undoubtly the greatest centerfielder to wear a Pirates uniform.

Cutch appears 4 times in the Pirates top 15 single season WAR records.  The only players with more appearances with him are in the Hall of Fame.  The only other centerfielder is Kiki Cuyler, who did most of his Pirates outfield work as a left fielder.  

Cutch is the greatest CF in Pirates history....

I'm still having trouble coping.

Today's card is a 2017 Triple Threads emerald /18.  I have a few more of these to show off.