This is why I don't watch the NFL

Hey Friends-I know this isn't a posting about cards or the Cardinals (they lost a 1-0 game today to the Reds and those pesky Pirates will not go away). This is a posting on how I am ashamed of the NFL and why I don't watch it. The NFL is not what it was when I was growing up circa 1972-1985, it is a violent culture; the fans, the players, and the league. We sit here reading and watching news reports on Ray Rice and how he beat his now wife and we now learn the NFL had this information since April and has done nothing-I say to hell with you, you hate women. What is the reason for not standing up for what is right? I am a social worker and I work with the victims of domestic violence daily and I see the cycle of violence and how the victim is blamed for the perp's actions.

Going back as far as high school, professional athletes get breaks you and I never get. If I were to grab my wife by the wrist and the cops were called I am going to jail-no question. But if you are Ray Rice beating your partner in an elevator and law enforcement sends a tape to the NFL and they don't arrest this a'hole? Women, the NFL hates you. How can we say no to this? We can stop buying their cards, logo junk, and stop watching them. I know many of you will not do this-but perhaps this situation will help to plant seed of questioning in fan's minds so much so there will be true justice for victims of dv perpetrated by professional athletes. Thank you for letting me rant-I was prompted to do so when I saw one of the first frames of the film footage with Ray Rice cocking his fist.  So the question I ask you is where do you stand? Are you with the NFL or do you stand with the women?

Ravens Fans Still Loyal to Rice (article)

Video of Ray Rice beating his GF

Retail GAC Pack 16-18

Busy weekend studying but I wanted to make sure I keep up on the Retail GAC.

Pack 16. 3 points

Pastimes Shields +2 (+100)

David Freese Mini A&G Back +2 (+102) 

Yankee Teixeira -1 (+101)

Pack 17.  4 points

Erik Johnson SP +2 (+103)

Festivals and Fairs Carnival +2 (+105) 

Pack 18. 5 points

Kinsler SP +2 (+107)

Rosie FT +1 (+108) 

Air Supremacy F-86 +2 (+110) 

Retail GAC Pack 13-15

All down hill from here.

Pack 13 7 points

Tim Lincecum FP +2 (+73) another horizontal card, loving it.

Pastimes Chris Sale FP +4 (+77)

Mini A&G Braun this d'bag gets me +2 (+79)

Jolten Joe DiMaggio -1 (+78)

Pack 14 4 points

Erik Johnson SP +2 (+80)

Festivals and Fairs Carnival +2 (+82) 

Pack 14 12 points

C.C Sabbathia -1 (+81)

Pastimes Rizzo +2 (+83) 

Predators Great White +3 (+86) 

Full Size Relic Balfour +8 (+94) This one will eventually make to Fuji 

Pack 15 +3

Eck SP +2 (+97) Sweet card.

Natural Wonders Luray Caverns +2 (+99) 

Mini Carlito Beltran -1 (+98)

Retail GAC Pack 10-12

At the half way point.

Pack 10 8

Wong, we got Wong FT +1 (+54)

John Smoltz SP +2 (+56) Remember when Smoltz was a Cardinal reliever?

Natural Wonder Marble Caves +2 (+58)

Mini Ryu SP +3 (+61) 

Pack 11 4 points

Phil Niekro SP +2 (+63) 

Natural Wonders Door to Hell +2 (+65) 

Pack 12 +7 

St. Louisian Scherzer Pastimes +2 (+67) 

Coincidence Oregon +2 (+69) 

Outlaws Blackbeard arrr.... +3 (+72) 

Retail GAC Pack 7-9

About a third of the way through the box.

Pack 7 2 points another weak pack.

Pastimes Beltre +2 (+39)

Pack 8 8 points

Matt Kemp FP Sp +4 (+43) 

Festivals and Fairs Songkran Water Festival +2 (+45) 

Mini A&G Zobrist +2 (+47) 

Pack 9 6 points

Chris Davis SP +2 (+49)

World'c Capitals Beijing +2 (+51) 

Mini Black Rancic +2 (+53)

A quad of Cardinals' Coaches

I have been intrigued with the 1996 Leaf Signature Series since reading posts made on Cardboard Icons and have decided to bide my time and pick up the Redbirds that have autos in the issue.

As described by BaseballCardPedia.com "Leaf Signature was one of the more significant products ever issued as it was the first to include an autographed card in every pack."

When I get all of the Redbirds I will post them, but for now how about the Cardinals' coaching staff?

Manager Mike Matheny 

Bench Coach Mike Aldrete

Hitting Coach John Mabry

And Assistant Hitting Coach David Bell.

Retail GAC Pack 4-6

Here were go Packs 4-6

Pack 4 8 points

Chris Sale FP +2 (+20)
Erik Johnson SP +2 (+22)

World's Capitals Roma +2 (+24)

May be a time soon when we can't make fun of the Northsiders-but for now we can another horizontal card this one of Starlin Castro Mini A&G +2 (+26)

Pack 5 8 points 

Wacha, Wacha, Wacha may make a start very soon replacing Masterson. SP FT +3 (+29)

World's Capitals Paris +2 (+31)

Little Lions Japanese Bobtail Mini +3 (+34)

Pack 6 3 points

Not a stellar pack for points

Sullivan +1 (+35)

Pastimes Prince Fielder +2 (+37)