Phun Cards Ray Liotta - Henry Hill (1943-2012)

2004 Bowman Chrome First Year #BDP69 Ray Liotta 

Today we got the news that Henry Hill, the subject of the Martin Scorsese gangster film "GoodFellas", died at the age of 69.

I have always loved "GoodFellas" and rank it among the greatest films I have ever seen.  In the film Hill was played by actor Ray Liotta.  Liotta also famously played a right-handed batting Joe Jackson in "Field of Dreams".

Then in 2004 the White Sox drafted a pitcher named Ray Liotta.  Between my love of the film and the fact that Liotta (the actor) played an baseball icon on film, a Liotta (the player) card became a necessity for the team Phungo Collection.

Unfortunately for the Pitching Ray Liotta, his career hasn't quite worked out - as far as I can tell via Baseball-Reference.com he has been out of affiliated baseball since 2009.

For the Collector

This card was found in a dime box, and I am sure it isn't worth that much, unless you are one of the Ray Liotta's

2008 08 06 Marlins @ Phillies - Yahtzee!!!

Yes, I did patiently and politely stand with all the kids hoping for a Cole Hamels Autograph and he was good enough to sign this card for me. Wednesday was the annual Police Athletic League Night. PAL sponsers programs for area kids and brings thousands of them out for one Phils game each year - Several Phils were out signing autographs for the occasion including Joe Blanton, Geoff Jenkins, and of course Jamie Moyer.

In Wednesday night's game starter Kyle Kendrick, Chad Durbin, and Ryan Madson shutout the Marlins on five Hits. Kendrick got himself into a couple of jams but was able to pitch out of them. Ryan Howard had a homer and doubled off the top of the wall to pace the offense and the Phils got good glovework out of Eric Bruntlett and Jimmy Rollins.

Plus - I have always been a big "Goodfellas" fan and last night I was presently surprised to get to see Paul Sorvino perform the National Anthem. And he did a phenomenal job, in addition to being an actor he is also an accomplished opera singer, and it definitely showed.

Milestones - Congrats to Mike Cervenak - the 31 year old rookie got his first hit last night - a single through the left-side and he got an RBI on that hit also.

Minus - NONE - A Win, Auto, Pauly, Mets Lose - there are no minuses here.

BlahBlahBlah - On the same day that Gio Gonzalez make his major league debut, news comes out that the Phils were scouting the one-win wonder Freddy Garcia, whom the Phils had recieved for Gonzalez in a trade prior to the 07 season. It does not appear Garcia would be available this year - In much happier news Kris Benson had another good start last night for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.

Around the League - Glad the Yankees don't need that guy that threw 7+ perfect innings for the Bucos on Wednesday.

Off the Diamond - Thailand's first shot at a gold Medal will come in the Women's weightlifting, which by my calculations will be occuring at 9p on Friday night.

Useless Info - Team Phungo pulls back to even (4-4) in Phils games this year.

On Deck - Hoping to catch the Dodgers and their new left fielder for a game the weekend of August 22nd.