Night Owl Cards

  I remember reading a cover story in the "Gusto" section of The Buffalo News -- the paper's "it's time for weekend fun" section -- during the summer of 1987. It was the 20th anniversary of the "Summer of Love" and also the 20th year since the release of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band" by the Beatles. It was considered the Beatles' masterpiece, the greatest album ever made, and there was a track-by-track break down that I remember reading on my grandmother's front porch. Amazingly, somehow, that was almost 35 years ago. The 55th anniversary of that album is next summer. But I'm going to write about the Beatles album that celebrates its 55th anniversary this summer. In yet another example of how perceptions change over time, "Revolver" is now considered among many critics as the Beatles' best album and is ranked ahead of Sgt. Pepper's on a few lists. I still prefer Sgt. Pepper's (I was alw...

The lyrics for the Beatles classic, "She's Leaving Home" were drawn from a newspaper article about a 17-year-old girl, Melanie Coe, who seemingly received everything from her family but ran away from home. Although the song is about a teenage runaway amid the '60s counterculture, it has since become an anthem for parents whose daughters leave home for college. Guess what I just finished doing for the first time? Saying goodbye to your barely-adult daughter amid the whirlwind of moving her into a new place (amid many other adults doing the same thing) and then taking off for the four-hour trek back home may not be as gut-wrenching as wondering where your runaway child is, but it was a strange mix of proud moment and heartbreaker that no one can know until they experience it for themselves. I'm doing OK (my wife on the other hand ...). But I've found myself reflecting plenty over the last week or two. And it's taken a weird form when it comes to m...

Dave Roberts was named the Dodgers' manager last week, reuniting him with the team he played for from 2002-04. Roberts debuted with the Indians, ended with the Giants, had his best season with the Padres, and is probably most known for his steal of second base and sprint home for the Red Sox during Game 4 of their epic ALCS comeback over the Yankees in 2004. But he solidified himself as a major leaguer with the Dodgers and now they're depending on him to help fix what ails L.A. on the field (hopefully without using anything referenced by the Beatles). The Dodgers don't have too many problems in the talent department, but their decision-making in the field, on the bases, at the plate, has been an issue for years. Combine that with a rash of injuries, bullpen problems and a manager with the dopiest decision-making of all, and, no, it's not a surprise that the Dodgers are eliminated in the playoffs each year. I don't know if Roberts is the answer, but I'm...

Fifty years ago today, the Beatles arrived on our television sets. Perhaps you've heard. At that particular time, the Dodgers were the defending world champions. And kids were getting ready to pull Sandy, Willie and Don out of packs of 1964 Topps. In some ways, not a lot has changed. OK, the Dodgers don't win Series titles anymore. But we're still talking about the Beatles. And we're still waiting for that next time when we can pull cards from a pack. The new cards are out now, but I haven't bought any since that hanger box from a couple of weeks ago. The weather -- yes, it snowed again today -- has kept me from even thinking of turning my vehicle in the direction of the big boxes. Not that I've been all that curious. Fortunately, I haven't had to risk getting rear-ended by some newbie winter driver from South Carolina (I live near a military base) for the sake of some current cards. People from the east, southwest and northwest have all sent me 201...