Needed: 1981 Topps Joe Montana

Now your talking staley. I love wine, but a good ale is my comfort zone. Anything Sierra Nevada(I know staley likes 'em). Breckenridge Brewery makes some good ones as well. Their oatmeal stout is great, and the small batch IPA is killer(the 9% alc. helps). Dogfish is another very good micro.

bringwine, thanks for the insight. That's a pretty nice wine list. A little pricey for my blood, but they sound good. Unless I am in a nice restaurant, I usually keep it under $30. My personal favorite is the Greg Norman Cabernet/Merlot. I get it at Sam's for around $13. Most places it is $20+. I think it's a great wine for the price. The wife and I visit the Missouri wineries quite often, and try to pick up a case or two when we go. I think the Augusta area is my favorite, but the St. Genevieve/Farmington area is closing in. They have some really neat wineries up there that produce some very good dry reds.

Well, now, BS...(if indeed that is your REAL NAME...), a good (old) bottle of Merlot is nice. In its absence, a nice new bottle of white zin will suffice. But then, a nice Riesling is not bad either. I'll attach herein a review of wines (not my own, needless to say) that includes some exquisite choices. Just remember, in a pinch...tour on over to Wal-Mart (don't tell Shannonhoonowski)...and pick up a box of Franzia's Chillable Red!

"For what I consider as mid price wines, which are $40-80, these can be Cabernet, Merlot, and some Zinfandel, Petit Syrah, and Pinot Noir. These wines are much better made and from excellent grape sources, and these wines are made with about least 6-12 years of cellar life. These are primarily my collection, with over 50% of my wines in this range. These are wines where I can cellar for a few years and take out to enjoy. Wine of these calibers include Pride Cabernet ($66) and Merlot ($55), Paloma ($55), Von Strasser Cabernet ($60), Duckhorn Cabernet ($60) or Merlot ($60, $80 for Three Palms), as well as many of the mid priced Bordeaux (Calon Segur, Pichon Lougeville, Clerc Milon, D'Armallaic, La Conseillante, etc) and some excellent Oregon Pinot Noir (Pennar Ashe, Siduri) and Napa Syrah/Petit Syrah (David Fulton Petit Syrah $60, Robert Foley Petit Syrah $60). All of these are fine wines that will preserve well for over 10 years, and the value should last.

Once you go above $80, you are talking about some very nice wines. Everything from Insignia ($150) to Caymus Special Selection ($135) to Harlan ($500) to Screaming Eagle ($2000), or imports such as Lafite ($180) or Gaja ($250) and Grange ($200) are all collector's items - all highly sought after and all will retain their values, if kept in optimal condition. In addition, many of wines in these ranges are boutique wines and cult wines - difficlut to obtain. As a result, the value will be tremendously high over the years, as long as the vineyards produces good quality wines with good rating. As for $80-100, I would highly recommend Robert Mondavi Reserve Napa Cabernet ($100-120), Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet ($80-100), Von Strasser Reserve Cabernet ($100-120), Silver Oak (Alexander Valley $60 or Napa valley $100), Revana ($90-105), Barbour ($100), Chateau Cos d'Estournel ($80-150), Chateau Pavie ($80-200). Keep in mind that the value of French Bordeaux and Burgundy has fluctuated tremendously over past few years, due to the amazing quality of the wines as well as the weak US Dollar/strong Euro. If the trend continues, European wines will be a better value than US, since even weaker US Dollar means the wine will value even more when you sell it 10 years from now."

I've seen her, hoonowski...she's that little tike in preschool with the Winner's Choice shoes on, always trying to outjump everyone on the playground. Last seen, she had a two-year-old pinned down in a choke-hold, demanding she turn over her Nikes.

Sprewell was awesome at Three Rivers...one of the very best. When he would score the announcer would say "LATRELL...SPREEEEEEEWELLLLLLL."

Latrell Hoon has a nice ring to it!

Wasn't Todd Backus the lead singer for Judas Priest? Staley, is the minor leagues NOT considered making the big leagues? I would say it is making the big leagues, but not making the "show".

BG: Stop with the Spree references....good guy caught up in a bad situation. In fact, we named our daughter after him.

What's the going rate for a Todd Backus Seattle Mariner's minor league card. I need one to complete my set.

Oh, the hat collection...that thing was legendary. The kid got a write up in the Statesman back in 1986 or 87. He also had a couple of those berets and he'd wear them to school to impress Coach Francis. Oops, off topic...sorry.

I think you may mean Shipman on the Single A card. He was a great baseball player for the Bearcats...one of the best. Made it to AA before he got injured. Could have made the majors.

I'll trade a ripped in half George Brett rookie for whatever anyone wants. Make me an offer!

BG-

I knew a kid who was known as a collector back in his day. Not only did he acquire numerous baseball/football cards as a child, he also had one of the largest and most sought after hat collections in the tri-state area. We were always so jealous of his "collection". I remember a bright orange one(his favorite color) that said something like Averett and Sons on it...It was totally rad and the collection of lice inside was awesome too. I know I got off the subject a little, but it was one heck of a collection-just brought back some memories from my childhood. Thanks for the topic BG.

For the record, I own that 81 Montana card. I think I acquired it in 84 down on my "table" during one of our "card trades". I always wondered what the initials BG stood for on the back of the card. You answered my question tonight. Thanks BG. Have a good night.

Your Friend-

Tone

I used to collect a few baseball cards every now and again. I have several from the 50s & 60s which include Dimaggio, Musial, Banks, and several other big names from those era's. I found out a few years ago that the cards aren't neccesarily worth what they say in the book. I tried to sell some doubles to a vendor but he wasn't interested. He said they are to hard to get rid of. So I guess that proves they are only worth what someone will give for it.