Some explaining

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Posted By: <b>Dwight Davis</b><p>Just to explain the motivation behind my search for my great uncle's card - I'm still searching for a T210 Eldridge, Greensboro, Series 5, by the way, and I've hounded the board and any Ebay seller I thought may come across one - you have to understand he is actually someone I knew. He lived most of his life just down the road from my childhood home. I saw him often, loved him dearly. He died when I was 16, he was 80. A wonderful, colorful character. I've conducted extensive research on his career (who cares beside me?)Uncle Rube never wanted to play in the majors. He rejected three offers from Connie Mack. He pitched both ends of more than 300 doubleheaders and won some 300 games in his 25-years in the minors. He did this largely under the influence of moonshine during the days of prohibition. Locally, a plethora of Rube Eldridge stories abounds. In and old newspaper clipping Rube explains he garnered his pinpoint control by "throwing rocks though knotholes in my father's barn." My favorite: "Worst whupping' I ever got was when my daddy handed me three smooth rocks and I come back with only two squirrels."<br />It has been said that Rube "never took life seriously." I suppose he didn't, but he had a great time. <br />I was thinking I will stop selling/buying tobacco cards when I find his red border. But, I have met so many wonderful people (albeit in cyberspace)who I believe are beyond reproach, mostly on this board. The journey/challenge, as they say, is half the fun and I'm having a great time.<br />Happy holidays to all.<br /><br /><br />

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Posted By: <b>Patrick McMenemy</b><p>Dwight,<br /><br />Good luck in your search. <br /><br />When you least expect it, the card will surface. <br /><br />Patrick

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Posted By: <b>Steve</b><p>Hey same to you! and great story. good luck in your quest!<br /><br /><br />Steve

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Posted By: <b>Dwight</b><p>About 30 years and counting!!

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Posted By: <b>RC</b><p>Dwight,<br /><br />Loved the story and memories you shared, especially the "two squirrels", probably reminds many of us of an old relative or neighbor that we have known.<br /><br />Best wishes to you in acquiring your card. Net 54 is definitely the place to be to help you in your quest.<br /><br />RC

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Posted By: <b>Dwight Davis</b><p>You are correct, RC. This morning I received a thoughtful email from Kyle who went to the trouble of providing a scan of uncle Rube's T209 card and he asked me if I knew it existed. I should have mentioned in my first post that I do have a very nice 209 I came across a couple of years ago. I appreciate all who are helping me find his T210 card. And a correction, he pitched both ends of 100 doubleheaders, not 300. <br />A note to my friend Leon: I promise I won't bring him up again here the rest of this year ... but I'm off work this week and have some free time (sorry).<br />I've attempted to provide a couple of pictures, and an article I wrote about him for Sports Illustrated in 1977. I think you'll find it entertaining.<br />By the way, all of you are invited to a holiday gathering at our home Saturday from 6-9. (How do I insert a smiley face?) Well, I hope at least Brian shows.<br />Here's Jesse Morgan "Rube" Eldridge.<br /><br /><img src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/unclerube/T209-2.jpg"><br />unclerube/RubeEldridge-2.jpg<br /><img src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/unclerube/SIarticle-2.jpg"><br /><br /> <br><br>All of life relates to baseball and professional wrestling.

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Posted By: <b>RC</b><p>Very well written Dwight, I love that stuff!<br /><br />I will have to look it up, I think I still have my '77 Sports Illustrated issues. Do you recall which month it was published?<br /><br />RC

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Hey Dwight,<br />That is an excellent write up. Thanks for sharing it.....I am sure many, many more folks enjoyed it than will say anything...(which is fine too)....regards

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Posted By: <b>Dwight Davis</b><p>Thanks so much for the response. I don't often come in contact with anyone who's the least bit interested, sadly not even my relatives (or my wife). (How do I put a frowny face here?) That's why I'm drawn to the culture here. (Happy face).<br />The article was published in two regional SI editions. <br />One is the June 20, 1977, edition with Seattle Slew on the cover: "Riding High and Handsome: Cruguet and Slew Win the Triple Crown." The article is on an un-numbered page, but is actually page 73. (Page is M3)<br /><br />The other edition is July 18, 1977, with Ted Williams and Rod Carew on the cover; "Ted Williams Analyzes Rod Carew: The last .400 hitter, and maybe the next." In that edition the article is on an un-numbered page (W3) between two full-page ads. Page 77, actually.<br />RC, let me know if you have the mag.<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br><br>All of life relates to baseball and professional wrestling.

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Posted By: <b>RC</b><p>Smile Face - colon : then parenthesis )<br /><br /><img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />Frown Face - colon : then alternate parenthesis (<br /><br /><img src="/images/sad.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />I'll check for the SI issue, might take a little while, I'm sure they're buried!<br /><br />RC

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Posted By: <b>Dwight Davis</b><p>Talking about 1977 SI editions, RC, we're dating ourselves, you know! <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> Or is that <img src="/images/sad.gif" height=14 width=14>? Thanks for the tips on graphics, by the way!<br><br>All of life relates to baseball and professional wrestling.

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Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>Excellent article Dwight...It read like an extra chapter in Ritter's 'The Glory of their Times'.

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Posted By: <b>Dwight Davis</b><p>Love sharing the story. Thanks for taking the time. These oldtimers have long been forgotten. We have an N.C. Sports Hall of Fame, and a county Sports Hall of Fame. Neither Rube Eldridge nor others of his ilk during this era are included. I know records/stats are diffcult to research from these times, but I have all of his documented and I doubt there's another pitcher on any level to have appeared in both ends of 100 doubleheaders. That has to be a world record. <br><br>All of life relates to baseball and professional wrestling.

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Posted By: <b>keyway</b><p>Great stuff. Love reading about the old ballplayers. They played the game for love. Can't beat them.

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Posted By: <b>Al C.risafulli</b><p>What a fascinating read.<br /><br />Great thread. Thanks for sharing, and happy holidays to you, too.<br /><br />-Al

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Posted By: <b>RC</b><p>Hey Dwight,<br /><br />I don't mind dating myself at all, just means we're still around to share memories, etc...<br /><br />So far I've uncovered the '71 to'73 Sports Illustrated issues. What a mess, I'm sure others can relate, but I have stuff everywhere and it's mixed in with stuff of my youngest daughters. Of course, I'm also sure that there are many here that are super organized.<br /><br />Anyway, I'll continue to search in between running the snow-blower and other "important" activities.<br /><br />Regards, RC