Custom Card of the Day: Uggla Edition

I know I just posted a Brave a couple days ago, but I found those photos the same day, made the customs the same day....and didn't make much else for the rest of the week. So there's 2 braves in 3 days. Not too bad, considering the star power Mr. Uggla over here once had. A few years ago he was pretty huge. Now, his hype has depleted, and he's just a regular old 2nd baseman for Atlanta. Which isn't a bad thing, being that they're following behind Philly in the division. But still...he's not what we all thought he'd be. He's just Dan Uggla.

Coming Tomorrow- Possibly a brief Custom Card sabbatical. I might make some more, but I'll be going on vacation soon. It's a baseball vacaction though...more details soon.

Custom Card of the Day: Rays Experiment Edition

Remember back in April, when I did that Josh Johnson custom in a 73 design, and a lot of you loved it (I hope)? Well, I made an even better Evan Longoria in an 81 design. And it's no wonder- Longoria's playing like a veteran. If he was in any other division, then maybe he'd get another chance at the World Series. Unfortunately, he's in the AL East. But still, who cares about standings. Just look at that custom. Okay, maybe I'm being a little overconfident, but I think it's cool.

Coming Tomorrow- Used to be an expansionist, now he's in Atlanta.

Custom Card of the Day: Freeman Edition

I don't have much to say about this guy. He's a rookie for Atlanta, and he's pretty damn good. Him and Heyward are packing a surprising 1-2 punch at the plate, and he's doing well at his position. That's pretty much all I know about the guy. Sorry, just not a Braves fan. No offense to all who root for the Braves, and I don't wanna get a bunch of angry comments from Braves fans (okay, maybe just one of 'em). He's a great player, but I don't really know much about him. Hopefully that'll change soon.

Coming Tomorrow- Someone I do know things about. Another newer team made into a vintage design. And this guy's the center of the team.

Custom Card of the Day: Rizzo Edition

Not a lot of people have heard of this guy. Of course, not a lot of people care about the Padres right now. They have a team of youngsters (with the exception of maybe Jason Bartlett), most of which are too young to perform. But San Diego is putting all its hopes toward Anthony Rizzo, one of the guys they got for Adrian Gonzalez. He's a high-touted prospect, and the Padres are waiting for some results. Fortunately, he's been hitting pretty well. But one guy alone can't turn the team around, unless your name is Tom Seaver.

Coming Tomorrow- Another rookie, this one for a team that's doing pretty okay.

Custom Card of the Day: Ackley Edition

The Mariners have seen so many better days. To think, that ten years ago they had the most ever wins in a season, and eight all stars. Now, only 1 of those all stars is still on the team. Now, granted, it is in fact Ichiro, but he alone can't pull the team together. That's when Dustin Ackley comes into town. Drafted second in the 2009 draft (after Stephen Van Popp- I mean Strasburg), he waited the right time to play, and now he's a full timer for Seattle. Since my uncle's a Seattle fan, I hope the Mariners can turn things around for his sake.

Coming Tomorrow- Another prospect on a terrible team, this one traded for AAAADDRIIIAN.

Custom Card of the Day: Beltran Edition

I know I've been featuring a lot of throwbacks in the last few months, but how could I resist a Mets throwback, to the more vibrant blues and pinstripes of the 70's and 80's (I think). Of course, the Mets might have been wearing the throwbacks to remind fans of a time when the Mets were good, when they had big stars like Seaver, Carter and Gooden. The Mets are a franchise whose best days were years ago. Which brings me to Carlos Beltran, the aging slugger whose best days were years ago. When he was with the Royals, Beltran was quick, strong, and just what his team needed. Now, in his 30's with New York, he can only bring a portion of what he brought in the 90's and early 2000's to the table. And that's sad, because his team needs him.

Coming Tomorrow- This guy made his ML Debut recently, and in a last place team, he hopes to perform well.

Custom Card of the Day: Ervin Edition

Poor Ervin. He's never really been a star, always being overshadowed by his elders. Sure, in 2006, his rookie year he ruled his team in terms of wins, but John Lackey, Jered Weaver and even Jeff Weaver overruled him in terms of star power. The next year, he was hit by the sophomore slump, as Lackey, Weaver, even Kelvim Escobar ruled the team charts. The following year, he was a decent pitcher, but Joe Saunders stole the spotlight, and Jered Weaver was still the bigger star. In 2009, he flopped again, and Jered Weaver was on top again. Hell..last year he had to contend with Weaver, Scott Kazmir, Joel Piniero and Dan Haren for the spotlight, and he lost. This year, he's been doing decently, but in terms of star power...not so much.

Coming Tomorrow- Someone I won't have to use BaseballReference.com for, an aging New York Met.

Custom Card of the Day: Asdrubal Edition

Ah, Asdrubal Cabrera. The Turd Ferguson of the MLB. Let's start by saying that this guy's team is circling 1st in the AL Central, which is pretty hard to do usually. Even with a lack of star power, the Indians are becoming a fan favorite. And this guy's been playing pretty good in the infield.

But then, there is the matter of his first name. I know it may be pretty popular in some parts of the world, but over on our continent, fans of Comedy Central are prone to snicker at his first name. Mainly for two reasons. One, because it is followed by a normal-by-Central-American-standards Last name. And Two, because it sounds like "Ass-dribble". Seriously. I'm surprised Frank Miller hasn't used that first name as a character name in one of his comic books.

All kidding aside, Mr. Cabrera is a pretty decent ballplayer. Although he is arguable the 3rd best player with the last name Cabrera (Behind Miguel and Orlando), he's obviously the best baseball player named Asdrubal. Unfortunately, that means as much as the best baseball player named Wandy, Rajai and Ichiro.

Coming Tomorrow- A pitcher for Anahiem who may have been overshadowed by the team's bigger guns.

Custom Card of the Day: Beltre Edition

Here is a card of Adrian Beltre. He is very overrated, he played for the Red Sox last year, and he started out as a high-touted prospect for Los Angeles. That's all I have to say about that.

Coming Tomorrow- He's on the Cinderella Indians, and his name makes immature teens snicker.

Custom Card of the Day: Gordon Edition

Not a lot of people know of Dee Gordon, other than the fact that he plays for the Dodgers and he's Tom Gordon's kid. However, I've seen him play on television a few times recently, and I am very impressed with this guy. He's extremely speedy, he's young, thin, good at his position. He isn't the strongest of hitters, but he can bunt when he needs to. In other words, he is a clone of Juan Pierre. And while Gordon and the Dodgers may not strike October this year...sooner or later, Dee Gordon will steal a base in the World Series. Hopefully, that is.

Coming Tomorrow- Going from a new speedy player to an older, stronger player, this guy probably was the most overrated player in baseball a few years ago. Now...he's retaining his title with Texas.

Custom Card of the Day: Pena Edition

Carlos Pena was a moderate star before his 2007 season with the Rays. Having swooshed around the AL in bit parts for the Tigers, Rangers and Red Sox, the Rays needed a first baseman after Aubrey Huff left. So they gave Pena a shot. Pretty soon, he'd be an all star with the team, and almost won the world series with them. But this year, Pena was signed by Chicago, which didn't seem like a good sign for his playoff chances. Fortunately, he's been hitting well, and playing well in the field.

Coming Tomorrow- A Young Dodger, of the quick, speedy variety.

Custom Card of the Day: Moose Edition

I know I've been doing a lot of Royals as of this year, with Butler, and Hosmer, and now Moustakas. But I've only been doing these guys because that Royals team is slowly getting good. Moustakas just made his debut last week, and he's already a hit in Kansas City. I mean, a lot of people predicted the Royals to be good someday...but who would have thought that someday would be this soon. And there are so many others- Alex Gordon, even Jeff Francis- that are doing excellent with the Royals. Maybe in a few years these guys will be a force to reckon with in October.

Coming Tomorrow- While the Cubs haven't been rocking the place this year, this guy, one of the players acquired from Tampa, has been hitting well.

A Bunch of Topps Series 2! Finally!

In years past, when I have ventured out to the local target in search of Series 2, I have been shorthanded the first couple of tries, and must come back a week later, and repeat the cycle until a month later when the product actually arrives at my local Target. This year, my local Target was stocked so I'd only have to come disappointed zero times. I bought two rack packs and a cereal box. Let's see how awesome this product is:

Rack Pack 1-
First Card: 442- Juan Pierre. Hey, better than Michael Cuddyer from Series 1's first card.
591- John Axford
395- Tyler Flowers
349- Drew Stubbs
622- Matt Thornton
479- Justin Duchduchduchduchduchducherer
346- Jose Bautista cl.
580- Chris Young- the one that didn't beat Rihanna and doesn't play for the Diamondbacks.
360- Ivan Rodriguez, future Hall of Famer.
638- Ryan Madson
627- Kyle Blanks GOLD NUMBERED TO 2011
Jeremy Hellickson TT
364- Tim Wakefield.
379- Ben "The other guy in the Cliff Lee deal" Francisco
414- Jose "Not Bengie, Alfred or Yadier" Molina
402- Jack Cust. Not a clown.
621- Omar Beltre. No relation to Adrian.
596- Anibal "Peaked as a rookie" Sanchez
442- Brad Bergesen
499- JA Happ.
356- ALFONSO SORIANO!
407- Jonathan Broxton
618- Josh Lueke
635- Jason Heyward Rookie Cup.
614- Twins
631- Astros
592- Dayan Viciedo SHINY CARD
Teixiera and AAAAADIRRIAAANNN Duo
Paul Molitor mini
Frank Robinson 60 Years.
Rickey Henderson Topps 60
429- Skip Schumacher
483- Justin SMMMOOOOOOOOAK!
546- Pat The Bat Burrell
607- Daniel Murphy, another reason the Mets are going downhill
463- Will Venable

Pack 2-
610- Josh Beckett. BOOOOO!
527- Kila Kilhuuuuue
480- Dustin Pedroia. BOOOOOO!
470- Billy Butler.
619- Johnny Venters
354- Scott Baker
535- Rich "Not the Total Access guy" Harden
386- Barry Enright
333- Tom Wilhelmsen
511- Phillies
568- Royals.
HOLY CRAP, A SHORT PRINT!!!! This one's an Eddie Murray, awesome.
Roy Oswalt ToppsTown
339- Alexi Casilla
603- The Other David Murphy
542- Mike Pelfrey, another reason the Mets are going downhill
579- Jeff Niemann
519- Corey Hart. Word is still out on whether he wears sunglasses at night games. And if you got that joke, you're over thirty.
611- Geovany "Slowly Sliding Downhill" Soto,
598- Johnny Gomes
562- Gordon "Well...we're waiting" Beckham
485- Delmon Young
588- RAJAI!
583- Ryan Spilborghs
612- Tigers
403- King Felix cl.
582- Kosuke Fukudome SHINY CARD!
Hamilton and Votto duo
Jim Palmer mini
Don Mattingly 60 Years
Before there was Topps of the Bowman Sets
Jacoby Ellisbury Topps 60
341- Kyle Kendrick. Sucks.
373- Trever Miller. Holy crap, he's still playing?
348- Landon Powell.
365- Adam Lind.

Cereal Box-
562- Gordon Beckham again
485- Delmon Young again
620- Josh Beckett again
527- Kila kildjsdkso again
480- Pedrioia again
470- Billy Butler again
475- Phil Hughes. Has he Blassed out?
578- Willy Aybar
561- Luke Gregerson, proof that the Padres are up sh*t's creek.
502- Jeff Baker.
584- Jason Bartlett
649- Joba Chamberlain. Not what we wanted him to be.
536- Tony Sipp.
368- Brian Broderick
347- Darwin Barney
344- Michael Korn. Worst band ever to be named after.
501- Japanese pitcher that I can't bear to type, for the Twins.
359- Halladay checklist.
Mike Stanton Red Card
509- Michael Bourn. Why did we give him up...
453- Joe Saunders
331- Carlos Guillen
626- Dan Haren.
495- SHANE VICTORINO!!!
489- Mark Zepchinski
629- Ivan NOVA!!! Glad I got a card of this guy.
498- Scott Feldman
528- Bobby Abreu
424- YANKEES
370- A terribly photoshopped Matt Garza
619- Johnny Venters again
637- Ricky Nolasco
419- Kelly Johnson
345- AUSTIN THE MAN JACKSON!
439- Ervin Santana
634- Mitch Moreland
426- Travis Buck
525- Vernon Wells, badly photoshopped.
340- Evan Longoria
468- Chone Figgins
374- Nats
633- Aaron Crow
412- Samuel Deydunno
643- Jaime Garcia
551- Marcus Tims
604- Joe Patterson
391- Phil Coke SHINY CARD
Posey, Feliz Duo. Well duh, they did play each other in the WS and win ROYs. How obvious for a combo card.
Hunter Pency Topps 60.
CODE CARD! LE's see who i get:
1973 Mac Scarce of the Philadelphia Phillies. Hey, at least its a vintage Philly. I can deal with that.
Lou Gehrig mini
Before there was Topps packwaster
Carl Crawford tt
CLIFF LEE DIAMOND STARS!!!! AWESOME!
Josh Bekckett NotYoMamma card
647- Jeanmar Gomez
396- Adam Jones
596- Anibal again
442- Bergesen again
499- Happ again
356- Soriano again
515- Carlos Beltran.
541- John Jaso
353- Cliff Pennington
382- Travis Snyder
452- David Freese
660- Ryan Zimmerman.
605- Brandon Belt RC
334- Cards
529- Maicer Izturis
413- Derek Holland
648- Cody Friggin Ross.

Wow. Some pretty awesome packs, and a pretty damn good product. As a postscript, I recieved a Royals ring on Diamond Giveaway. But still...really good packs.

Custom Card of the Day: Reyes Edition

In the last half decade, this guy has been dominant at his position, and at the plate. Him, Wright and Beltran have teamed up for an explosive plate combination. But now, as the rest of the team has become young, inexpirienced stars, and older, newly traded people (who are now circling the DL), Reyes' options for the 2012 season have opened up. I mean, let's face it- he's certainly not staying in Queens. And look...even though Reyes might get traded again this season, I still wanted to make an awesome custom of him before he left. And I definitely succeeded.

Coming Tomorrow- A few weeks ago, I made Hosmer. A few months ago, I made Butler. But as the Royals seem to be getting better as the year goes on, I figure I have to post their newest star. They call him the Moose.

Custom Card of the Day- Halladay Edition (Again)

I know I made a Halladay custom last month, but during throwback week a few weeks ago, inspiration struck. The Phils were wearing their 1980's uniforms, so how could I pass it up. Despite the fact that the Phils later lost the game, I still game Halladay a cool custom. Matter of fact, I think it blends in with a couple other 1984 cards. I think I got the grain, and the fading right. So hope you like this Halladay- I'll probably make another one in another 3 months.

Coming Tomorrow- His contract is up next season, and his team sucks ass. But still, he's one of the more dominant shortstops in the league.

Custom Card of the Day: Delmon Edition

Alright, I did have to alter this one to make it a night card, but it still kinda worked out in the end. Delmon Young isn't having the greatest season in the world, but the rest of his team's wavering off the DL, (Thome, Mauer, Morneau I think). Any hit they can get these days is good, and Delmon Young's been a hitter ever since his early days as a prospect for Tampa Bay. Hopefully, the Twins will rebound, and face the underdog Indians and Royals for the head of the division.

Coming Tomorrow- A philly Pitcher I already did this year that needed a redo

Custom Card of the Day: KosFu Edition

The Chicago Cubs have a terrible track-record with sophomores- every rookie prospect they have always falls victim to the sophomore slump. Felix Pie was terrible in his second year with the Cubs, to the point that he was traded to Baltimore. Geovany Soto couldn't back up his ROY season, and Tyler Colvin couldn't follow up his 2010. Then there's Kosuke Fukudome. His expectations were set long before his rookie season, after spectacular years with the Japanese leagues. Unfortunately, he's not the big star everyone thought, but he's still doing pretty okay. And Chicago can take pretty okay.

Coming Tomorrow (?)- I need to make more. So it's a surprise.

Custom Card of the Day: Jones Edition

When talk of the best young outfielder in the game comes by, not a lot of people usually mention this guy, Adam Jones, overlooking him for the likes of Heyward, Jackson, and Ellisbury. But after last week, where he made a spectacular catch against the centerfield wall, maybe the talk will accelerate. You see, ever since the 2009 season, where he was coming up in a bleak looking setting, I knew a few people on that team would be stars. Him, Reimold, Weiters and maybe David Hernandez. I was wrong about the last one. But Adam Jones will be huge one day... and it better be soon.

Coming Tomorrow- In 2008, everyone knew him. In 2010, everyone traded him off their fantasy team. But can this Cub reclaim the hype?

Custom Card of the Day: Russell Edition

Before the season started, sportswriters cited that the Phillies' acqusition of Cliff Lee was the best offseason move of the year, nearly overlooking the deal that brought a recovering Russell Martin to the Bronx. Of course, those same sportswriters are criticizing Lee for his 4-4 record with Philly, and praising Martin for his ability to take over for Jorge Posada behind the plate. While Cliff Leen may not have fufilled promises on the Phillies, Martin certainly burst everyone's expectations, and wowed for the Yanks this year. Thanks to backup power from Martin, and other players (on the DL now) like Andruw Jones and Eric Chavez, the Yankees may have the stuff to beat Boston this October. They better.

Coming Tomorrow- Two days ago, this guy made a spectacular catch against the outfield wall. He's also one of the speediest players in the game, and he's still young.

Custom Card of the Day: Royal Edition

Right now, the man who had the most hype in 2010 is still rehabilitating, which says a few things about hype. I don't remember hearing too much hype about Eric Hosmer before the year started. He snuck in quietly, and started going crazy at the plate in the last two weeks. And suddenly, while the Royals had absolutely no chance last year, now it's a young team, with a few strong players, and surprising pitching (Who knew Jeff Francis could rebound?). I think if Hosmer can keep it up, we could be looking at this team again in October. Could be.

Also, I apologize for my lack of posting in the last few days. I know I owe some people some trades (okay, maybe just one person), but I'm about to begin finals soon in school, and I'm getting homework out the wazoo. People that talk about the joys of being young don't remember this crap. So if I'm a little late sending out trade packages, or making more customs, blame the school systems and not me. I'll be back near the middle of June, when my freetime will have skyrocketed.

Coming Tomorrow (?)- The only person named Russell that gets an ounce of respect.