Postcard from spring training: Baseball card shop still doing brisk business in Arizona

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Much as I might want to, I'll never forget standing outside Forbes Field after the Pittsburgh Pirates played a game in 1969.

My late brother David and I were posted up by the players' entrance with a stack of baseball cards, and out the doors came the great Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell.

We pulled their cards, held them up for autographs and … nearly cried when they walked on past without a glance.

Fortunately, a kindly stadium worker witnessed the scene and told us to hang tight. Out came Freddie Patek (who, at 5-foot-5, was about my height) and Dave Cash.

They gladly signed their cards and we headed for home with our souls a little less crushed.

Some 40 years later, my son was here visiting in spring training during a break from school, and making a stop at AZ Sports Cards took me back to my younger days.

I remember Evan getting his own baseball cards to have signed. On a side note, his Brent Morel card is still available to the highest bidder.

AZ Sports Cards is located a long flyball from Camelback Ranch, and owner John Gola says Michael Kopech and Luis Robert are the hot White Sox items this spring.

Gola also told me Sox left-handed pitching prospect Bernardo Flores is a regular customer and avid buff of baseball history.