If you grew up with baseball cards, the story will bring a smile to your face. Once upon a time, in the heyday of Topps, Bowman and Fleer, the competition for cardboard talent at the local store and ball diamond was as intense as the pennant race. Classic baseball card nostalgia from columnist Greg Hoard.

From the depths of their start, to the pinnacle of the last month, Hal McCoy on why the Reds are what they are and what they’re likely to be between now and October.

Small, but mighty, Troy’s Jaydon Culp-Bishop returns as the GWOC North’s premier running back this fall – a fact that coach Matt Burgbacher would rather no one knew. But after his break-out season a year ago, the word is out. A summer football profile in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Before you get blown away by today’s home run derby, once upon a time it seemed much more real…and St. Henry’s Wally Post will immediately make area readers of Press Pros sit up and take notice of how it was then, and should be again. The story and “The St. Wendelin Walloper” in today’s inside feature.

Why is this a bad time to go fishing? Basically, it’s too damn hot! But unless you can get out at 5 a.m., forget it. You might get a bite in the wee hours, but not later.

He devoted nearly four decades of his life to Covington, as a teacher, coach, and administrator. But statistics aside, the greatest impression Bob Huelsman made was in creating standards to which opponents aspired. In retirement, what he helped build stands as a lasting legacy. Read more in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

The new bridge in Ironton, Ohio rises like a nighttime peacock across the Ohio River. Signs of progress and change in the community and amongst the people I still call home. They say the older you get the harder it is to go home to past places, old haunts, and family. Here’s how I do it…in today’s inside feature.

50 years of Pete Rose, then and now…And what happened in Cincinnati nearly a half century ago, 48 years, to be exact, is etched in my mind as if it happened last year. Let me share some details of the ’70 All-Star game – as Paul Harvey would say – the rest of the story. Hal McCoy remembers…in today’s inside feature.

As the fortunes of the Cincinnati Reds have improved, so too, it seems, is the interest in readers who write to hall of famer Hal McCoy – about Jim Riggleman, Tyler Mahle, and where to the Reds go from here. Enjoy the latest installment of ‘Hal Answers’ in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

For fifty three years it has been the iconic rally song of the Ohio State Marching band, but few no much if anything about, Hang On Sloopy, or even ‘The McCoys’, the group that gave it life. Read about Ohio’s official ‘rock’ song in today’s Press Pros.

You won’t know the name, and you’d never pick him out of a police lineup. But composer Leroy Anderson left a musical legacy unlike few before or after him. He wrote the songs that sounded like everyday life, songs that have made people smile…for years!

With the advent of another year, another OHSAA commissioner, there are still the questions as to how to make the playing field more level between those that do…and those that dream of doing. Here’s some thoughts on why things may never change. From the staff at Press Pros…enjoy your weekend!

If you remember, and dream, of simpler and fun 4th of Julys, share in a wonderful story submitted by contributing writer Tom Cappell. Before politics and political correctness…the enthusiasm and fun of just being a boy. To extend your holiday, read today’s Press Pros inside feature.

The story behind two of America’s most recognizable songs, traditional favorites from the 19th century…and how Ray Charles would make one of them a contemporary patriotic masterpiece that sealed his place as an American musical icon. The story behind the story in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Tribute to Dan (Ross), and the year we saw…This photo of OHSAA commissioner Dan Ross was his last as a presenter of a state tournament football trophy, and our tribute to him and another outstanding year of memorable moments made possible by those who played. Some of the best photos from ’17-’18, in today’s feature.

Guest columnist Tom Cappell shares one of his best outdoor columns from a lifetime of hunting and fishing stories. The age-old moral of the story is…what goes around comes around, in his latest Press Pros feature. Enjoy today’s Press Pros outdoors feature, sponsored, as always, by Olde English Outfitters, in Tipp City, Ohio.

Amidst this week’s summer league basketball tourney play for area high schools (Russia’s Mason Dapore, above), the subject of the much bigger OHSAA state tournament was the topic for question to some area coaches. What to change to make it better? Read more in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Delayed for a couple of weeks by matters beyond your control, we belatedly share some thoughts of readers over the past six weeks – on state tournament baseball, Buckeye baseball, Stan Wilker, and no good deed goes without at least some argument, apparently! Enjoy the latest comments from Press Pros readers.

You think you’ve seen it all, until you see that which seems unthinkable. For years one of America’s top aerial attractions, the Navy Blue Angels had everyone in Tipp City looking up on Saturday afternoon. Photos and an invitation to see it for yourself…in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

It was the longest game I ever worked as a minor league umpire, and I remember it not for who ultimately won it, and how, but for the characters who took part in the game…and suffered more than I. An umpiring ‘war story’ from Wichita, Kansas (above) in today’s Press Pros inside feature.