Hi everybody! This month in Riiippp with Brody the Kid, we are going to talk about baseball predictions and my cards of prospects to look for in 2019. Finally, the big thing we are going to talk about this month is an interview I did with Chicago sports broadcasting legend Chet Coppock.
First, we are going to talk about the upcoming MLB season. Free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper are still looking for teams. The main teams for Harper look like the Phillies, Nationals, White Sox, Dodgers, and Yankees (maybe?). The Phillies, White Sox and Yankees are also interested in Machado.
Right now, I would think the Red Sox will win the World Series again this year. They were completely unstoppable last year.
Now I would like to introduce a new part of the Riiippp blog, where I will share with you three questions with someone involved in the hobby/sports world! I will be talking with some great people and I know you will like reading about them. They get three questions, and you get three answers!
I am a kid card collector and I know you were a card collector growing up. What are your favorite memories of collecting?
“My allowance was $1 a week. I would run to the drug store to get baseball cards, and I was looking for guys like Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams.” Chet remembers making a deal with a friend to buy a card of White Sox 3B Sammy Esposito for $1 and he has always kept it, because “it has enormous sentimental value”.
How much were cards back then?
“Oh my gosh, you could buy a pack of 5 baseball cards for a dime, and you’d get bubble gum…but again, I’d take my dollar allowance and go buy ten packs of baseball cards.” Chet also mentioned he bought his first car when he was 17 for $100 and I couldn’t believe it, because that is a box of cards now!!!
Last year, I worked for Topps as Brody the Topps Kid, so I was excited to hear you will be the emcee at The National again this year. What is the biggest or most exciting event you have hosted?
“Wow, that’s a great question…there was a baseball player by the name of Joe DiMaggio, the Yankee Clipper…I emceed the last banquet he ever spoke at in 1998, and he died a few months later, so that was very, very special to me.” Chet also loved hosting NFL player banquets and ring announcing for Vince McMahon in the 1980’s when Hulk Hogan and Randy “Macho Man” Savage were the stars.
My final question, if you could pick any player past or present to have an autographed card from, who would it be?
“Babe Ruth! Second would be Jim Thorpe. Brody, google the name Jim Thorpe, and you will see why I would want his card.”
There were a couple other things Chet said that I wanted to share. When talking about his career he said, “…the people I’ve met, the friendships I’ve made, the relationships I’ve established, that’s really what means the most.” This reminded me of friendships I’ve made at my local card shop and relationships I’ve made with people at Topps, at card shows and with other collectors! Pretty cool.
Also, before saying good-bye, Chet told me, “Brody, while you’re carving out your career, make sure you get good grades!” I am all about good grades and want all you other kids to get good grades, too! Remember, Topps of the Class!!!!!!!
There you have it. That was Chet Coppock. Thank you, Mr. Coppock for your time! We will see you at The National in August for sure!!!!
Thank you everybody for reading this edition of Riiippp with Brody the Kid. See you in February!
Riiippp,
-Brody