 DAISY - Gullane Thomas Tank Engine 2003 Wooden Train; RARE!! RETIRED!! US $20.00 
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 BOCO - Gullane Thomas Tank Engine 2003 Wooden Train; RARE!! RETIRED!! HTF!! US $35.00
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 THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE - WOODEN MIKE W/TENDER CAR - RETIRED **NIB/RARE** US $44.99
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 Thomas Train Emily And Tender Wood, Wooden Rare Retired US $5.50
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 THOMAS THE TRAIN & FRIENDS WOODEN TRAINS DAISY CAR RETIRED wood RAILWAY RARE US $5.99
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 Thomas Train Wooden RESCUE HOSPITAL Building 2002 Harold Ambulance RARE Retired US $59.99
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 Thomas Train Wooden Railway MOUNTAIN OVERPASS TUNNEL BRIDGE w sound Retired RARE US $29.99
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 Thomas Train Wooden Railway DELUXE CRANKY CRANE w sound Retired RARE magnetic US $24.99
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 NIB RARE~BRIO,RICHARD SCARRY~GAS STATION~FITS ALL wooden TRAIN track-RETIRED US $127.99
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 WOODEN THOMAS CIRCLE TRACK PACK Clickity Clack BRIO Train RETIRED RARE US $10.00
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 New WOODEN T-SWITCH TRACK PACK Thomas Clickity Clack BRIO Train RETIRED RARE US $20.00
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 MOUNTAIN TUNNEL BRIDGE Thomas Tank Engine Wooden Train Track Set RETIRED RARE US $19.99
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 NEW Longaberger Warm Brown WOODEN LID for SCALLOPED BOUTIQUE Basket-RARE Retired US $36.95
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 THOMAS THE TANK - WOODEN HANDCAR**RARE/NEW/RETIRED** US $18.99
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 Thomas the Train Engine - 2001 Wooden FRANK RARE Retired Wood VHTF Railway US $15.99
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 Thomas Train Engine Wooden GOLD SIFTING + CAR Retired Rare Set Lot Sodor Mining US $11.99
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 Thomas the Train Wooden IVO HUGH HIPPO SODOR ZOO CARS Set RARE Retired VHTF Wood US $17.49
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 Thomas the Train - 2003 Wooden DUCK - RARE Retired - HTF - Wood US $8.99
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 Thomas the Train 2003 Authentic Wooden DOUGLAS WITH #10 TENDER RARE Retired Wood US $10.99
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 Thomas the Train - Original Wooden DAISY RARE Retired Wood HTF GUC US $19.49
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 Thomas the Train - Original Wooden D199 DIESEL RARE Retired Wood HTF GUC US $19.99
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 Thomas the Train 1999 Wooden NEIL RARE Retired Authentic Britt Allcroft HTF Wood US $9.99
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 Thomas Train Wooden AQUARIUM CAR SHARK + OCTOPUS RARE Retired HTF GUC Set Lot US $11.99
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 Thomas the Train - Wooden ARLESDALE BARREL CO WITH CAR Set Wood RARE Retired HTF US $13.99
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 Cow Parade PULL TOY MIB 2000 RARE Retired Cows on Parade Wooden Toy with Wheels US $49.99
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 Genuine Thomas Wooden Train Tar Tanker & Sodor Fuel Car Lot 2001 Rare Retired US $39.99
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 Genuine Thomas Wooden Train Clarabel Used Rare Retired US $13.99
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 1997 SAD HENRY & TENDER TRAIN~Thomas WOODEN TRACK-RETIRED-EXTREMELY RARE US $104.99
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 DAY OUT WITH THOMAS 2008 GREAT DISCOVERY~Thomas WOODEN TRACK-RETIRED- RARE US $59.99
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 THOMAS TRAIN WOODEN "DEREK" W/CARD RARE/HTF/RETIRED GREAT GIFT!!! NIB US $49.99
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 THOMAS TRAIN WOODEN "OLIVER" WITH CARD RARE/HTF/RETIRED GREAT GIFT!! NIB US $49.99
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 THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE - WOODEN CHINESE DRAGON **RARE STYLE**RETIRED**NEW** US $64.99
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 CHINESE DRAGON Thomas Tank Engine Wooden Train Car RETIRED RARE US $7.49
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 BIG CITY ENGINE Thomas Tank Wooden Train RETIRED RARE US $4.99
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 WILBERT Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Train Car RETIRED RARE US $4.99
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 THE DIESEL Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Train RETIRED RARE US $4.31
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 D199 DIESEL Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Train RETIRED RARE US $4.81
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 CULDEE W/ 2 FACES Thomas Tank Wooden Train RETIRED RARE US $.99
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 GOLD THOMAS Wooden Tank Engine Train 60 Year Anniversary RETIRED RARE US $9.99
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 SIR HANDEL Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Railway Train Car Brio RETIRED RARE US $4.99
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 BOCO Diesel Engine Thomas the Tank Wooden Railway & Friends Train RETIRED RARE US $9.99
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 HENRIETTA Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Train Passenger Coach Car RETIRED RARE US $4.99
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 PETER SAM Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Train RETIRED RARE US $4.99
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 SILVER PERCY Thomas Tank Engine Wooden Train Retired Rare 60 YEAR ANNIVERSARY US $9.99
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 DEREK THE DIESEL Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Train RETIRED RARE US $6.00
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 BRONZE DIESEL Thomas Tank Engine Wooden Train 60 Year Anniversary RETIRED RARE US $9.99
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 BEEHIVE HOUSE Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Train Track RETIRED RARE US $9.99
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 TREES ON THE TRACK Thomas Tank Engine Wooden Train Set RETIRED RARE US $9.99
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 ORIGINAL SODOR CARGO CRANE Thomas Tank Engine Wooden Train Track RETIRED RARE US $9.99
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 ORIGINAL BARREL LOADER W CARGO CAR Thomas Tank Engine Wooden Train RETIRED RARE US $9.99
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 ORIGINAL WINDMILL Thomas Tank Engine Wooden Train Track RETIRED RARE US $14.99
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 DOUBLE-WIDE PARALLEL TRACK Thomas Wooden Train Signal Click Clack RETIRED RARE US $4.99
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 SPECIAL 8" INCH TURNTABLE Thomas Wooden Train Engine Shed Track RETIRED RARE US $14.99
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 SWITCHYARD 3-WAY CROSS TRACK SET Thomas Wooden Train Clickety Clack RETIRED RARE US $19.99
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 8-WAY SWITCH TRACK Thomas Wooden Train Clickety Clack Brown Label RETIRED RARE US $14.99
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 MUFFLE MOUNTAIN STATION HOUSE Thomas Wooden Train Set Building RETIRED RARE US $5.50
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 SODOR AIRFIELD TOWER & PLAYBOARD Thomas Wooden Train RETIRED RARE SET US $19.99
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 HENRY'S TUNNEL BRICK WALL Thomas Wooden Train Clickety Clack Bridge RETIRED RARE US $49.99
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 SUSPENSION BRIDGE Thomas Wooden Train Track Brown Label RETIRED RARE NEW IN BOX US $49.99
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 COAL STATION w/ CRANE & CARGO CAR Thomas the Tank Wooden Train Set RETIRED RARE US $40.99
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 1994 CROSBY STATION CARGO TRUCK Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Train RETIRED RARE US $19.99
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 TIGER MOTH AIRPLANE Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Railway Train Car RETIRED RARE US $19.99
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 CHINA CLAY CARS Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Railway Train RETIRED RARE US $9.99
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 SODOR RESCUE AMBULANCE Retired Thomas Engine Wooden Train Car RARE 2002 w CROSS US $9.99
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 DODGE & SPLATTER Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Railway Train Set RETIRED RARE US $4.99
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 Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway 4 1996 Sodor Mail Huge Lot Rare Retired Brio US $110.00
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 SAWMILL LOG CAR Brown Label Thomas Tank Engine Wooden Train RETIRED RARE NEW NIB US $23.49
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 CATHERINE & CARGO TRUCK Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Train Car Set RETIRED RARE US $14.99
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 Thomas Friends Wooden Railway NIB Donald flat magnets and flat coal Rare Retired US $99.99
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 1994 SODOR BAY CARGO SHIP W/ CARGO Thomas Wooden Train Boat Barge RETIRED RARE US $46.00
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 RHENEAS - BLACK WHEELS Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Train RETIRED RARE US $.99
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 Thomas Friends Wooden Railway 1996 Douglas with flat coal tender Rare Retired US $30.00
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 Thomas Friends Wooden Railway Bulstrode Sodor Bay Tugboat Rare Retired HTF Brio US $35.00
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 Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway Old Style Butch Tow Truck Rare Retired Brio US $9.99
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 Thomas Friends Wooden Railway 1996 Henry's Tunnel Brick Lot Rare Retired Brio US $149.99
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 Thomas Friends Wooden Old Style Breakdown Train Very Rare Retired HTF US $12.99
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Wooden Retired Rare
The Beatles - Norwegian Wood (very rare)
Brett 'It's Only a Flesh Wound' Favre (and a little Rasputin)
I'd like to talk for a moment about Brett Favre, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback, not Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin, the Russian mystic and political manipulator. Almost two weeks ago, he (Favre, not Rasputin) had two fractured bones in his left foot, was walking around in a boot . . . but managed to suit up the following Sunday at QB, his 291st consecutive start, by far the longest streak for anyone at that position, a streak that former quarterback and now ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer called (correctly, in my opinion) the greatest streak in sports, hands down – you can keep your Cal Ripkenseses and your Lou Gehrigseses, whose streaks were achieved while playing a game in which hardly anyone ever touches anyone else, and when they do, it usually means being tagged (tagged!) with a swipe of the glove. Seriously: How do you start 291 consecutive games, in each of which contest there are dozens and dozens of times (more than one football player has likened each NFL play to a car crash) you have mere seconds to get rid of the ball before several of the most agile, ripped, two-hundred-fifty-plus-pound, Mack-trucks-masquerading-as-human beings are doing everything in their power to flatten you, crush you, knock you down and out? On one play this past Sunday, in New England, Favre was hit, cut his chin (needed eight stitches), knocked woozy . . . and still he appears ready for this Sunday's start, Consecutive Game #292.
The man has a problem. The problem is also his gift. (The problem is also his off-the-field scandal – allegedly sending lewd photos to a woman once employed by the New York Jets – but I'm not even going to get into that here.) He is relentless. He is also incapable of knowing when to stop. It's hard to watch him. It's painful to see someone in this kind of pain. At what point does he stop? What will it take to get him to stop? If it's so hard for even ardent fans of his to watch him move around now (except maybe for those who prefer watching that kind of thing), couldn't he maybe quit for our sake?
He's broken every important passing record, thrown for forty miles, put in two decades in a league where the average stint is under four years, won a Super Bowl, earned every accolade, established his place in the pantheon.
He has been battered, slammed to the ground more times than anyone would want to count, been squashed, mauled, roughed up, gone through multiple surgeries, a vicodin addiction, and often having no running game behind him. Watching him play, watching him get up after a hit, watching him limp off the field after a three-and-out . . . is this enjoyable for anyone? For Minnesota Vikings fans? For his children?
This refusal to stand down is something we love about athletes. There is New York Knicks center Willis Reed, on horribly battered knees, hobbling out to the Madison Square Garden floor to take his place as starter in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, and leading the team to the title more by inspiration than by any more tangible contribution (he scored only two baskets, in the opening moments of the game). There is Gabriele Andersen-Scheiss, the Swiss runner, suffering heat prostration at the end of the 1984 Olympic marathon, waving off medical assistance and, while staggering and weaving, finishing the final quarter-mile lap in 5 minutes and 44 seconds, good for 37th place. There is Michael Chang, who, despite severe leg cramps that eventually forced him to serve underhand, upset Ivan Lendl in the 1989 French Open semifinals. There is the hobbling but game gymnast Kerri Strug, landing her final vault at the 1996 Olympic Games to help the American women win the team gold, despite a seriously injured ankle. Even more amazing is the excruciating case of Shun Fujimoto, the Japanese gymnast in the 1976 Olympics who dismounted from the rings with a broken leg that he had told no one about. He scored an astonishing 9.7 on the exercise, dislocated his knee on the dismount, and finally received medical attention and withdrew. Had Fujimoto withdrawn earlier, the Japanese team would have been out of the running for a team medal; with his help, they won the gold. For anyone who saw him land on his dismount – wobbly at first, then wincing to steady himself – the image is ineradicable.
Favre has been at this for two decades. He, too, will not stand down. Would cyanide do it? Unlikely. If he's lost the use of one leg, he'd say 'tis but a scratch. If he suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit and an almost certain concussion, he'd call it a flesh wound.
Mario Lemieux, one of hockey's greatest-ever players, came back from back surgery, then a rare bone disease, then a nodular lymphocytic form of Hodgkin's disease, then another back surgery, then the after-effects of his radiation treatments for cancer. Olympic equestrian competitor Konrad Freiherr von Wangenheim of Germany suffered a broken collarbone when he was thrown from his horse during the steeplechase portion of the two-day team event in 1936, but to keep the German team from being disqualified, he re-mounted and finished the remaining 32 obstacles without a fault. The next day, he arrived in a sling, which he removed for the jumping competition. Again, he was thrown from his horse, got back on, and again finished without a fault, helping Germany to win the gold.
Do we like this in a person, an athlete? Of course we do. Absolutely. We love it. But after a time, does the needle point less to admirable and more to pathetic? Is it Shakespeare or farce?
A day before his competition – the 200-meter freestyle in the 1972 Olympics – swimmer Steven Genter was released from the hospital after surgery for a collapsed lung; though less heralded than the man who would win that race – Mark Spitz – Genter's silver-medal finish would appear the more impressive. With a broken foot, American diver Laura Wilkinson competed in the 10-meter platform event at the 2000 Olympics and won the gold.
When will Brett Favre say uncle? At 41, he's a grandfather but does he even know what an uncle is? Why are so many sportswriters so certain that this season, seriously, will be his last, when he's threatened to quit year after year after year, and never has? Since he started his pro career, he has never missed a game. Can I say that again? As an NFL quarterback, the most fragile position on the field, maybe the most fragile position in the known sports world, he has never missed a game. Isn't the burden of proof on him to show he can walk away?
For heaven's sake, George Eyser, gold medalist in the parallel bars and vault in 1904, had a wooden leg. Harry Greb, world middleweight champion, was blind in one eye. Tim Tam finished second in the Belmont in 1958 after fracturing the sesamoid bone in his right leg while passing the quarter pole.
But they shoot horses. They don't shoot quarterbacks. When can we put this guy out of our misery?
About the Author
Author of ten books (and counting), as well as stories in numerous magazines and newspapers, he has riffed on a wide range of subjects, including sports, the environment, love and sex, health care reform, dying, pop culture, computers, fatherhood, reality TV, travel, numbers, odd symmetry and more. His father Neil thought the best opening line to a novel was found in Rafael Sabatini's Scaramouche: He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad. DayRiffer feels no reason to disagree.
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