If You Build It, They Will Come

 So last year, I wrote about the Field of Dreams game between the White Sox and Yankees, and spent a majority of the time complaining about MLB's issues with Iowa.  For those unaware, MLB.tv have a tough record with the state of Iowa and blacking out a large slice of their games every day due to every team that reasonable can claim Iowa has claimed Iowa in their viewing area.  (Once again, who wouldn't take Iowans if they could!) This year, the Cubs take on the Reds on Thursday at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville.  Its a matchup that looked good on paper before the teams decided this year didn't count, but it is still going to be fun to watch.  Game is on Fox and replayed on Fox Sports early the next morning. What's more important is that I have more Field of Dreams cards to collect next year!  This year across flagship set and in some other sets, Topps has inserted images from that game last year.  Some are easily accessible like the Craig Kimbrel f...

        Profile Joe Decker was born in Storm Lake* and played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins for 9 seasons.  His best season was his 1974 season** in which he went 16-14 with 11 complete games. * Not the only professional baseball player from Storm Lake. Julie Gutz played for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League ** Also on that Minnesota team was Dick Woodson from Oelwein Personal Notes I'm pro card sets covering every league, every tv show and movie, historical event, etc.  Because, that gives us gems like Joe Decker's Senior Professional League card, and the world is better off with more remnants of history. Collection Notes I have 4/28 (14%) cards in my collection.

        Profile Jon Lieber was a pitcher in MLB for 14 years with a number of teams.  His best season was his 2001 season where he logged 20 wins, an All-Star appearance and finished 4th in Cy Young voting with the Chicago Cubs*.  Jon was born in Council Bluffs and played for Iowa Western CC**. * Des Moines native Kevin Tapani also was on the team ** MLBers from Iowa Western:  Joe Bisenius, Jason Christiansen, Tony Ghelfi, Jeremy Horst, Dan Johnson, Russ Morman, Scott Pose and Erik Swanson Personal Notes If you are not from Iowa, you should know that Iowa has 4 seasons.  I personally think its the four seasons you are accustomed to, but some in Iowa will tell you the are early Winter, Winter, late Winter and Summer.  Regardless of which you believe, Iowa has some rough, cold weather for an extended part of the year, which is not ideal for baseball.   MLBers from Iowa are not overwhelming, and it seems that a majority of the players...