Exotic Flowers in Boston

When I was seven, my older brother brought home baseball cards. They came in packs with gum! Inside those little treasure chests, you might get Fred Lynn or Rick Burleson or the dreaded Bucky Dent. By the time I was fourteen, I had thousands of baseball cards. Like most kids, I put aside my collection for other pursuits.

As I have gotten older, I found those cards again. My mom did not throw them out. These cards bring me back in time. Each one is a little time capsule. As I try to refine my collection and make it more manageable, I still collect a few players like my friend Ted Lepcio and my childhood favorite, Carlton Fisk.

My wife Suzie collects many things too. She has a collection of antique buttons from her grandmother and antique books from her mom. She has collects hand blown glass vases. We visit the Delaware shore every summer. In Lewes, Suzie visits a boutique which sells hand blown glass vases. Each year bring a new color.

These vases are showcased in our home. With tulip season in full bloom, she carefully picks one off the shelf to frame the tulips. Each time she pulls down a vase, we are reminded of that vacation. 

Collections have a way of grounding us and calming us down. They connect to other times and other places. Like Suzie's vases, my baseball cards each have a moment. 

From 1979 to 1987, I collected a lot of baseball cards. I ran to the corner store to see the first packs arrive or sat inside the store waiting for the stores to reload their inventory. Topps baseball cards always sold out and I could not never get enough of them. I devoured the statistics on the back. Did you know that Bill Buckner struck out only 26 times in 657 at bats in 1982? I did and still do. I still have many of these baseball cards and grab a handful almost daily and still read those stats. As long as my eyesight will allow, I always will.
Opening Day is here and I could not be happier. Baseball is on the television, the pc, the Galaxy (never been an i-phone guy), the radio and in the air. It's likely that you are not as enamored with the game as myself, but baseball connects us.

Please celebrate Opening Day with me and open a pack of baseball cards. This is my Opening Day tradition and I am honored to share it with you.
see you at Fenway!
Rick

Baseball Treasure Introduces Collectible Baseball Coins Officially Licensed by MLB and MLBPA

BOSTON, MA - MAY 22, 2018 – Baseball Treasure, a company that mints MLB licensed collectible coins featuring 30 current Major League Baseball stars, today announced the introduction of collectible baseball  coins in copper, silver and gold.

For the first time ever, a star from every Major League team has been minted in a one-ounce copper coin presented in a full color cardboard mount. Each coin displays the player's name, position, and etched portrait on the front (or heads), and an action image with a  2017 highlight on the back (or tails). Blind packs retail at $6.99 each.

In addition to the 30-coin copper base set for 2018 Baseball Treasure MLB Coins, collectors can also hope for the rare chase coins. The odds of obtaining a .999 fine Silver version (a $50 retail value) is one in 432, while the chances of getting a gold coin (a $2,000 retail value) is one in 21,600.

The logo and packaging are designed by Todd Radom, an independent graphic designer specializing in branding for professional sports franchises and events. His work includes the official logos for Super Bowl XXXVIII and the 2009 NBA All Star Game, as well as the graphic identity for Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels.

“Baseball Treasure offers the thrill of the chase’,” said co-founder Rick Canale. “With Baseball Treasure, we have added the excitement of including the gold and silver coins. You never know who or what coin you might get.”

Officially licensed by MLB and the MLB Players Association, the coins will retail at $6.99 and are sold on the BaseballTreasure.com website, at sports memorabilia shops, Modell’s Sporting Goods, and at the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals gift stores. The coins will also be sold at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum gift shop in Cooperstown and on the Hall of Fame’s website, www.mlb.com and www.fanatics.com

“What MLB liked about our product is the “blind pack” nature of it,,” said Baseball Treasure co-founder, Rick Canale.  “It’s the ‘thrill of the chase.’ You don’t know which player you are going to get. If you are in New York and opened a pack and got Mookie Betts, you might buy another one or try to trade it to get Aaron Judge.”

The BaseballTreasure.com website was designed by FanBrandz.com, which creates branding programs and logos for sports licensees, sponsors, broadcast partners, web designers and advertising agencies. With over 25 years working with league and team brand owners and their stakeholders, Fanbrandz knows what it takes for imagery that resonates with marketers and fans. Follow Baseball Treasure on Facebook (facebook.com/baseballtreasure), Instagram (instagram.com/baseballtreasure), and Twitter (www.twitter.com/baseballtreasur).

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Like many Bostonians, there is a huge rush of energy in the city lately and that’s all due to the opening of our beloved Fenway Park!  Get your peanuts, pretzels and soft drinks ready kids because this year, the Red Sox seem to be planning on having a sensational six months ahead of them!  Last week, just happens to be my first time back to the old ballpark and boy- was it great to be sitting in those familiar red seats waving at Wally again.  Everyone around me seemed to be taking in the smells, sounds and sights that are synonymous with Fenway such as the decadence of sweet sausage and authentic hot dogs, the brightness of the overhead lights and the cheer of the crowd as the first ballplayer took his turn up at bat.  Visiting the park really is an experience in itself that many people keep the memories of long after they’ve left. How do you keep these fond thoughts alive? We can browse through old programs, take a look at snapshots or wear our favorite team member’s jersey you’d do anything to be just like!

If you are a flower lover who happens to share the same adornment with Boston’s favorite baseball team, you can even combine the two notions to make a gorgeous piece of memorabilia!  There’s zillions of ways to make a beautiful Red Sox arrangement to either showcase at your next birthday party or simply keep for yourself. The first step to designing this piece is to keep in mind the obvious:  the colors of the team are red, blue and white. This might seem tricky at first glance but in actuality, there are several varieties of flowers that are grown in these hues. The obvious answer might be to whip up a bubble bowl stuffed with red roses to encircle the vase.  This, no doubt works perfectly with little fuss but if you’re looking for a challenge-here are a few more ideas to mull about.

From 1979 to 1987, I collected a lot of baseball cards. I ran to the corner store to see the first packs arrive or sat inside the store waiting for the stores to reload their inventory. Topps baseball cards always sold out and I could not never get enough of them. I devoured the statistics on the back. Did you know that Bill Buckner struck out only 26 times in 657 at bats in 1982? I did and still do. I still have many of these baseball cards and grab a handful almost daily and still read those stats. As long as my eyesight will allow, I always will.
Opening Day is here and I could not be happier. Baseball is on the television, the pc, the Pixel (never been an i-phone guy), the radio and in the air. It's likely that you are not as enamored with the game as myself, but baseball connects us.

Please celebrate Opening Day with me and open a pack of baseball cards. This is my Opening Day tradition and I am honored to share it with you.
see you at Fenway !
Rick

Autism Awarness Day/Month - April is Autism awareness month and April 2nd is Autism awareness day. We have not only supported this cause by donating Red Sox tickets to Sophia's Grotto's fundraiser, we will be donating 30% of all blue rose sales on Sunday April 2nd to show our support as well. Wearing blue on that day also shows your support as the world "Lights It Up Blue."

photo credit via CBS Boston

Opening Day April 3rd - we have set our window display for baseball. As polled by most Bostonians, spring begins on Opening Day. On Monday, we will be celebrating Opening Day with a series of social media posts as well as ballpark fare for staff lunch. You are encouraged to wear Red Sox gear to work that day. In partnership with the Jimmy Fund, for every Exotic Flowers staff member who wears Red Sox gear we will donate to $10 to the Jimmy Fund to support its Red Sox Rally Campaign.

At Exotic Flowers, we are huge baseball fans. In a recent poll, Bostonians considered Opening Day as the first day of spring. Take a peak inside our shop window display as we get ready for opening day.

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time."

Dear friends,
I am fortunate to share your special moments with you. Sending flowers for births and anniversaries is something I cherish and gives my job meaning. I like to share my special moments with you too. This Columbus Day weekend, my family went to Niagara Falls and Cooperstown.

While family time remains my favorite pasttime, baseball is my second favorite. The Baseball Hall of Fame's mission statement includes a focus on connecting generations through by baseball by tellings its stories and using its artifacts to bring generations together.
Isn't that what the holidays and Thanksgiving are all about ? We connect generations through our traditions and our stories. Our artifacts are the flowers on the table. We're grateful for your place at the table.

Rick Canale

While father's day could never hold a candle to mother's day, the holiday is still a great chance to show the dads out there how much they are appreciated. While my sons' love remains my greatest gift, the gifts below are great symbols to share love and appreciation.

Red Meat: we tend to get in touch with our inner caveman as we spark up the grill and indulge in burgers, dogs, chops, sausages, ribs and steaks. I have yet to find a better butcher than Butcher Boy Market in North Andover, MA. My recent favorite is their two pound bone-in sirloin. 

 Red Wine - I drink red wine. I drink red wine a lot and have found some great bottles for under $20, but when I splurge the best wine I have ever had is from Drew Bledsoe. Yes, #11 Pats QB. HisDoubleback Cabernet is hands down the best red wine I have ever had.

Baseball Cards - specifically, the 2016 Topps Archives Series. These cards include past and current stars, along with throwback designs and special autographed inserts. 

 Books - sticking with my favorite sport and one of my favorite pursuits. Buy him a book.Not sure which one, Veeck as in Wreck by baseball hall of famer Bill Veeck is one of the greatest books on baseball and marketing I have ever read. I am now reading it for the fourth time.

Gardening - of course, I would be remiss if I did not suggest the spectaclar hibiscus that we have at Exotic Flowers. 

photo credit via: twitter.com/BSmile

If you go to baseball games as much as I do, you will witness all types of ceremonies at the ballpark. Famous first pitches, tributes to heroes past and present and on occasion the host will incorporate flowers into the festivitives. Flowers at a baseball game goes back more than one hundred years. Author Glenn Stout tells us in Fenway 1912 that Fenway Park had planters filled with flowers to greet fans on the grand opening of Fenway Park.

The photo above shows Babe Ruth alongside a horseshoe of flowers. The floral arch was a symbol of luck and success. While these tributes are not quite as fashionable as before, they can still be made. One step better would be to have a florist design for the times. So many major league parks have an event every night before the first pitch, it's time to bring back flowers back to the diamond.

photo credit twitter.com/BSmile

Above Hall of Famer Phil Rizzuto makes his MLB debut in 1941 underneath a floral horseshoe. Once again flowers at the ballpark marking history and symbolizing luck. 

photo credit: via twitter.com/BSmile

Knowing the Babe's reputation as a playboy, I am not sure if he was gving or receiving this hand tied bouquet.

 AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye

Thankfully, across the Pacific, the Japanese still honor the game and each other by having managers exchange floral bouquets.