Sean-O-Meter Update April 25

It has been a little less than two weeks since I told you about Sean's injury. We have been overwhelmed by your response to my request for a few cards to help cheer him up. The baseball card blogging community is a fantastic group of people and we are extremely grateful for your generosity.

Sean's arm is getting better and he isn't in pain any more. The biggest issue is when the arm starts to itch. His spirits have really picked up, too. Every day the first thing he does when we come home from school is check the mail for any packages. That is the highlight of his day. We go back to the surgeon on May 9 and then we will find out when the cast can come off and when he can get back to playing ball.

I thought you might like to know how things have been going with the cards, so I've created a Sean-O-Meter to update the total number of cards he has received.

Through April 24 the card total is...



Thank you to Steve G, Steve P, Greg L, Greg G, Patricia and Lucy, Jim H, Rod R, Zach M. and David W. for 527 cards!!!!

The Story of the Shawon-O-Meter



My Sean-O-Meter is based on the original Shawon-O-Meter, which was used in the bleachers from 1989 - 1995 to update Cubs shortstop Shawon Dunston's batting average. In 1989 Shawon got off to a very slow start and it wasn't until early June that he got his average above .200. He ended up hitting .278 for the season as the Shawon-O-Meter showed his average gradually rising throughout the season. Different versions of the Shawon-O-Meter have ended up in Cooperstown and the Smithsonian. You can read more about the Shawon-O-Meter here and here.

Dunston was a favorite of mine in the mid 80's - early 90's. You couldn't help but love his ADHD-like enthusiasm on the field and his rocket arm at shortstop. Here are a few of my favorite Shawon Dunston cards:

Topps 1985 - Shawon was drafted #1 overall in the 1982 draft, four picks ahead of Dwight Gooden.



Upper Deck 1990 - you have to love that infectious smile



Stadium Club 1994 - there is that smile again



Score 1991 - Rifleman - Recognition for his tremendous arm



Upper Deck 1992 - Best Infield Arm



Pinnacle 1995 - Making the pick at short



Fleer 1991 - In the air turning the double play



Donruss 1995 - Chugging around the bases



Topps 1992 - Getting dirty on the bases